Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Chronicles of Valentine ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

a/n: The date is arbitrary and chosen based on the release date for Final Fantasy VII. It is only meant to be a timekeeper for the reader and not based on any real fact of when Final Fantasy VII is said to take place.

Again, a self-beta job.

Chapter One : September 13, 1999

 

“Vincent!”

 

I heard my name called along with the sounds of hurried footsteps on the cobbled and beaten path behind me. I stopped, half turning to regard the person with a curious stare. To my surprise, it was no other than Cait Sith, pouncing towards me as quickly as it could on its four legs. The toysaurus was truly an interesting work of engineering. Reeve was a brilliant man.

 

I awaited the animatron's arrival patiently, not at all bothered by the darkness of the alley around me or the light rain that was falling down on my head. After all, the battle was won. Cloud had found his redemption, Sephiroth defeated for yet another time and Gaia was at peace. What more could an ex-Turk like myself ask for?

 

“Where is ya heading?” questioned the toysaurus as it skidded to a halt at my feet, its face scrunched up in an inquisitive manner as its tail wagged behind it. The detail involved in Cait Sith never ceased to surprise me.

 

I inclined my head slightly, turning my gaze away from the toy to look towards the mouth of the alley where the cold, grayish daylight peeked into the dismal passageway. This particular corridor headed out of Edge. I didn't exactly have a destination in mind. It wasn't as if I had a home to return to. I only knew that with the battle over and done with, it was time for me to be on my way. No use in sticking around.

 

My mouth pulled into a frown unconsciously. “As of yet, I have not decided on a destination.” I returned my crimson gaze to the cat creature. In turn, Cait Sith cocked its head to the side as if carefully considering its next words.

 

It tapped one gloved finger - imagine, gloves on a toy - against its furry chin. “So come with me, eh?” it suggested, a curious gleam in its feline gaze.

 

I quickly shook my head. “No.”

 

The animatron cocked its own to the side, tapping one foot against the ground as if impatient with me despite the fact it had sought me out itself. “How no?”

 

“.....” Inwardly, I sighed, eager to get away despite the fact I had no other plans. For me, nothing had yet been solved. There was still the aching of failure and the desire for redemption. I was unable to save her and in the end, she suffered greatly. For that, I am very much a coward. To not save the woman I love, what kind of monster did that make me?

 

Cait Sith sighed aloud at my reticence. “Have ye got any better plans?” it questioned, the tone carrying on the edge of impatience with that thick, strange accent.

 

I was unsure of what the former ShinRa executive wanted from me. If he wanted a hero he was better off talking to Cloud. I had sworn off ShinRa associations when I emerged from the coffin. I'd had only one purpose at the time, to destroy Hojo, and now I was purposeless. But I had no intentions of fighting anymore, not unless it was absolutely necessary.

 

“Reeve--“

 

It interrupted before I could even get a word in edgewise, tail swishing in faint irritation. “Oy, Cait is me name.”

 

My eyebrow twitched, I was certain, as I sighed aloud. “Very well, Cait, what do you want from me?” I questioned, folding my arms over my chest as I stared down at the creature.

 

It broke out into a huge, fanged grin, but instead of hearing a response from the toy, a deeper, much more male voice echoed behind me. “I didn't think you'd agree so quickly.”

 

I whirled around, not surprised to find Reeve himself standing there. His dark navy blue clothes swished across the dirty cobblestones as he approached me, smiling faintly. “I am somewhat surprised that you didn't just shoot Cait,” he continued as the animatron scampered past me, moving to plop itself down at its master's feet, even going so far as to rub a furred cheek against Reeve's leg.

 

Cute.

 

“I haven't agreed to anything yet,” I countered warily.

 

Reeve laughed as he shook his head. “No, you haven't, have you?” He reached down and patted Cait Sith's head before gesturing towards me. “Walk with me, will you? I shall do my best to explain.”

 

I briefly considered telling him no and disappearing back into the shadows. My eyes even flickered past him to the exit. But a part of me was somewhat curious. While I had fought with Reeve in both battles, recently and two years ago, we weren't particularly close. I found the antics of the stuffed creature annoying at best so I had unconsciously kept my distance. Not to mention Reeve had been a part of ShinRa and that was enough for me to be wary.

 

I'd had enough of ShinRa.

 

But now things were different. ShinRa was more or less in ruins, and Reeve was working on some other project. Because I had kept my distance these past two years, I wasn't quite sure exactly what he was doing. Nor did I really care as it had nothing to do with me or my burdens. I really had no intention of joining any more battles.

 

Still, it wouldn't hurt to listen. I nodded briefly after a moment of silence.

 

“Good,” he replied before turning on his heels, leaving me to follow. Our footsteps echoed on the cobble of the litter strewn alley as a companionable quiet fell between us. Even Cait Sith was silent as it pitter-pattered beside its master. I patiently waited for Reeve to begin talking.

 

He cleared his throat, finally. “If you don't mind my asking, where have you been these past two years?”

 

“Nowhere in particular.”

 

“Ah.” He paused, appearing to consider his words. Inwardly, I sighed and idly tapped my gun, just to make sure it was still there. A habit of mine I had developed since leaving the coffin.

 

“Then you wouldn't know anything about the current state of political affairs on Gaia?”

 

I frowned as I crossed my arms over my chest, the talons of my claw clicking lightly against my arm. “I didn't particularly care but I am aware of most of ShinRa's doings.”

 

“I see.” He fell silent and gradually, I began to grow irritated. Reeve was a man who could easily fool others. He came off as a push over and slightly oddball thanks to Cait Sith, but he was far from it.

 

Reeve Tuesti was just as calculating and brilliant as Rufus ShinRa, though remarkably less homicidal. It did appear, however, that Rufus was curbing some of his more manic tendencies at least. Either way, Reeve was not a man to be taken lightly. Not many could cross ShinRa and come out alive, as he had done. And I was certain he wanted something from me, I just wasn't sure what.

 

Aggravated by his slow method of getting to the point, I deigned to prompt him. An annoyed, gusty sigh escaped my lips. “Tuesti, cut the crap and tell me what you want.”

 

He chuckled lightly. “I really don't think you'll ever change, Vincent.” I shot him a look and he shook his head before continuing. “I started something called the WRO, the World Regenesis Organization. We are dedicated to rebuilding the world and protecting it, as well as the planet.”

I nodded slowly as I listened. “I still fail to see why you need my help.”

 

“I could use someone of your skills,” Reeve explained, gesturing faintly. “Think of it as a job. Like the Turks but without the murder and terrorism.”

 

I frowned, considering. “Basically, you want a bodyguard.” It wasn't something I was particularly fond of doing but since I really didn't have any other plans, I couldn't think of a good way to say no. I was sure Reeve would have preferred Cloud but with his `family', he would be too busy for such a time-intensive occupation.

 

“Yes and no,” Reeve countered, interrupting my thoughts. “I admit a small fear for my safety but mostly, I want someone I can trust. My forces are still rather slim though I am recruiting more and more with each day.”

 

We emerged from the dark alley into a small side street where a car was idling, guarded by two men with guns. Obviously, judging by his ease, these belonged to Reeve. Likely, it was his transport. Must be nice to be the big man on campus once again. You could take the man out of ShinRa but not take ShinRa out of the man, it seemed.

 

I wasn't impressed. Nor did I want to agree with Reeve's proposal, at least until I had time to consider. Reeve, shrewd businessman that he was, seemed to know exactly what was on my mind. And here I thought I was mysterious and unreadable. There goes my reputation.

 

“Look Vincent, I know you don't like to get involved,” Reeve said as we drew to a halt beside the overly armored vehicle. I could feel the eyes of his guards bearing down on me and I coolly returned their suspicious gazes, knowing the effect my blood-red eyes would have on them.

 

They might have been my natural coloration but combined with the rest of my appearance, they were quite frightening. I used to despise the scared and wary glances that people gave me when I entered a town. Now, I used them to my advantage to maintain my solitary life. It was better that way, and perhaps a bit easier.

 

Reeve's hand clamped down on my shoulder, causing me to draw away on instinct and gather my strayed attention. He seemed to get the hint and dropped the touch. A part of me, human and craving some sort of contact, regretted the loss.

 

“All I hope is that you think about it,” the executive said, face unusually solemn.

 

“We could really use your help!” Cait Sith chirped, grinning and waving up at me from the ground.

 

I resisted the urge to grimace. Shifting my weight, I regarded Reeve from within my high collar. “Tuesti--”

 

“Ah, Reeve, let the old man go,” a voice announced cheerfully from within the transport. “If he wants to wallow in misery, more power to him.” The door slid open and I was immediately faced with a very familiar pair of mischievous brown eyes. Internally, I groaned.

 

Outwardly, the only hint of my annoyance was a slight narrowing of my eyes. “Kisaragi.”

 

She grinned, placing one hand cockily on her hip. “What? No, `I love you' or `Gawd, it's been awhile, Yuffie! How've ya been?'”

 

I ignored her and lifted one brow in Reeve's direction. He chuckled sheepishly. “Yuffie's decided to help us out,” he explained, gesturing towards her. “But her duties mainly lie in espionage and intelligence.”

 

“For free?”

 

“Are you kidding?” Yuffie inserted, looking somewhat affronted. She made grabbing motions with one hand. “I'm in it for the materia, baby!” Her eyes took on a greedy gleam that wasn't the least bit unusual.

 

Even after two years not much had changed. She still wore the same revealing outfits and had the same boisterous manner. I had hoped that time would mature her to a more tolerable personality. It seemed I would have to wait a bit longer before I could hold an intelligent conversation with Yuffie. Though a part of me believed Yuffie would never change.

 

Reeve, at least, had the decency to look embarrassed. He was aware of how much Yuffie irritated me. “Yuffie aside,” he began, making shooing motions with his hands and deftly ignoring her pout as she disappeared within the transport, “I hope that you will consider my offer.”

 

I could feel my eye twitch. “I will think about it,” I muttered, gruffer than I had intended. Without another word, I turned on my heels with the intention of leaving. It didn't matter that I had no destination in mind.

 

“Vincent!”

 

I paused and glanced over my shoulder, my hand rising just in time to catch the object hurled at my head. I frowned, turning my eyes towards the slim rectangle of plastic, and my lips twitched with a hint of a grin. It appeared Reeve had a sense of humor after all.

 

“I'll call you,” he shouted, saluting me as Cait Sith gave a big thumbs-up.

 

I tipped my head in thanks, turning away from him once more. I heard him chuckle before the door to the vehicle shut and its engine roared to life. Shaking my head, I headed away from Reeve's transport and disappeared into the darkness of the alley.

 

I really had no destination in mind as previously stated. Slipping the slim phone into my pocket, I considered Reeve's proposal. My feet took me towards the parked Shera of their own accord, settled on the edge of town.

 

I supposed of all my `companions', Cid was one of the more tolerable. I wasn't looking to him for advice but I knew he wouldn't badger me to talk about whatever was brewing on my mind.

 

Luckily, Cid hadn't wanted to spend anymore time at the celebration than I did. When I arrived at the Shera, they were getting ready to depart for Rocket Town. I hitched a ride, free of charge.

Since the first Sephiroth incident, I had not settled down in any particular town. And after hearing disturbing rumors about the north, I had headed to the Forest of the Ancients. Now, I was still homeless and even worse - purposeless. As a former Turk, too much downtime disturbed me, making me restless.

 

“Hey Vince, how's it goin'?” Cid grunted my direction when I wandered into the bridge. He didn't look up to know it was me but I supposed I was the only person who crept around like a red and black shadow.

 

I grimaced but had long since tried to correct him on my name. It ceased bothering me a year ago. I paused to watch him work, wrestling with tangle of cords and wires beneath one of his consoles. Muscles ripped pleasingly beneath his t-shirt and I couldn't help a slight sigh of admiration, though it was quickly tampered. Despite the two-year lag in battle, he had lost none of his muscle mass.

 

Cloud was pretty but Cid was all male and I supposed that was why I found him on my list of attractive people. I readily admitted, only to myself, my bisexuality. I usually preferred women in the long run, having only discovered my attraction to the same sex as a young, experimenting trainee in ShinRa.

 

Men weren't made to love other men, or so I had been taught. They were used for mutual pleasure and to satisfy carnal urges, but there was no such thing as love between them. Having never been in love with another man, I couldn't really say for myself and in any case, I didn't see myself giving my heart to another. There was only room for Lucrecia.

That, however, did not stop the occasional, surreptitious look.

 

“You seem pretty chipper,” I mildly remarked, leaning in my usual position with arms crossed.

 

He grunted again and one blue eye craned to look at me. “Only you would call this `chipper',” he replied with a cut off laugh. “Shera wants ya to come fer dinner.”

 

I sighed. “Highwind--”

 

“Don't give me that, Valentine. I kept yer damn secret, didn't I? The least ya could do is take my wife up on her offer. She worries about ya.”

 

Cid had a point. He was the only one who knew where I was in the two years between here and now. For the sake of Tifa and Shera alone, I kept contact so that they wouldn't be overly concerned. I doubted anything could kill me, and didn't particularly care, but it was better on my conscience, I supposed. Cid was kind enough to keep my location silent, a great effort considering his mouth.

 

“Very well,” I acquiesced as he went back to wrestling with his wires. “I suppose I have a few hours to spare.”

“Tch.” Cid snorted. “You ain't foolin' me.” With a muffled curse, he detangled and shoved himself to his feet. Behind him, the console bleeped then went dark, prompting Cid to curse fluently. Despite myself, I found a smile curve my lips.

 

“You ain't got nowhere to go,” Cid added distractedly, kicking the wires back underneath in a huff. “Better get Shera to look at that.”

 

My eyebrow twitched. Just because Cid was right didn't mean that I had to accept it. But his bluntness was one of the reasons I enjoyed our friendship so I refrained from storming off in a useless huff. Instead, I changed the subject.

 

“How is Shera?”

 

Somehow, Cid managed to look both happy and disgruntled. Enough so that I had to stifle yet another uncharacteristic chuckle. “Shit, she's fine,” he grumbled, raking a hand through blond hair that hadn't started thinning or graying yet.

 

Cid was aging well, I noticed. The smoking hadn't been helping but the excitement in his eyes always made him seem youthful. He was still in great shape and thank the gods, that horrendous jacket had disappeared from his wardrobe. He had Shera to thank for that most likely. Now, Cid was a jeans and t-shirt man. And yet, he still maintained his coarse exterior. I didn't think anyone could influence him to change that.

 

Unlike myself. As near as I could tell, I hadn't aged a single day since Hojo thrust me into that thrice-cursed coffin. I was fifty-nine by my count now, and looked no older than twenty-five. I didn't even know if I was capable of aging. I counted the years and birthdays as they came, but could find no evidence of their passing on my face.

 

I was damn near indestructible, healing wounds at a faster rate than was human. The demons, the monsters whose DNA was now blended with my own was my only explanation for it. This body was my sin, my punishment for failing the woman I loved. Hojo was dead but I was not at ease. I still owed her something. And I was determined to never fail another if it was within my power.

 

Romance was absolutely out of the question.

 

Lucrecia still held sway over most of my heart - if not all - but most importantly, I couldn't take the risk. Despite my relentless research of Midgar's ruins and Nibelheim's mansion, I still didn't know the full extent of what Hojo had done to me. The risk of a child inheriting my curse was too great. I wouldn't wish this fate on anyone, even if it condemned me to a life of loneliness.

 

I supposed that I could always seek comfort in the arms of another man but was disinclined to do so. It was relatively common in the all-male barracks of ShinRa training facilities but it wasn't exactly something that was discussed outside of the hushed darkness. I wouldn't even know where to begin in my search, if I were so disposed. Which at the moment, I was not.

 

Our conversation continued into more mundane matters until Cid left me to oversee his beloved airship. Unoffended, I took the time to lean back and consider Reeve's offer. I had to admit that a part of me was intrigued.

 

I didn't relish returning to random wandering. Nor did I dare think to seek my happiness. I wasn't about to join Strife's Delivery Service and hunting monsters for a living sounded terribly taxing. I didn't necessarily need the gil but I couldn't sit in idle retirement. Too much Turk in me for that.

 

I wondered if I could find my forgiveness like Cloud had. It certainly was a nice dream, though it didn't bring me any closer to a decision.

Hours later, I was tucked into the Highwind's warm kitchen, perched at one end of the square table and preparing to consume a rather delicious meal. Shera had greeted me warmly as always, fussing mother-like and inquiring about my health.

 

She was a good woman, reminding me a lot of my dear Lucrecia. I was glad Cid had finally come to his senses enough to marry her. He would have been a fool not to, especially when her love had been so evident.

 

“Tell me, Vincent, where have you been hiding all this time?” Shera asked pleasantly, beginning the dinner conversation. She set one last dish onto the table and slid into her seat, smiling softly.

 

Cid grunted ever so attractively. “Don't pester `im, Shera. He didn't come to play twenty questions.”

 

She ignored him with the patience of a saint and continued, “We worry about you sometimes.”

 

I was a bit ashamed of myself for causing her concern. “No need to worry,” I assured her, cutting into the pot roast with knife and fork, having long removed that awkward claw. It wasn't suitable for dining. “I wasn't anywhere in particular actually.”

 

“Vince was hiding,” Cid affirmed, ignoring my annoyed glare. If I were hiding, no one would have found me. I was merely seeking a measure of solitude.

 

Shera laughed quietly at our nearly silent exchange, moving the conversation forward. “What do you plan to do now?”

 

“To be honest, I am unsure.” I shook my head and took a sip of the wine I had been offered at my decline of tea, much to Cid's disgust. “Tuesti has approached me with a job offer.”

 

The pilot arched one brow. “Has he now?” Cid asked with a light chuckle. “Manipulate bastard's tryin' to get his paws on everyone, isn't he?”

 

I was pretty perceptive on any given day and Cid was usually gloriously without tact but I think a blind and deaf Gayla could have figured out that there was something in his words. I had the sneaky suspicion that like Yuffie, Reeve had hooked his claws in my closest friend. I regarded him guardedly.

 

“What makes you say that?” I queried warily, pretty certain that I already knew the answer.

 

Cid tilted his head towards the front entranceway and the coat rack. I swept my eyes past my own tattered crimson cloak and found his relatively new jacket that he had earlier untied from his waist. Gleaming metal on the collar, a pattern I suspected I would soon learn to recognize, confirmed my intuitions.

 

I turned back towards him and he grinned, jerking a thumb at himself. “Yer lookin' at the new Captain of the WRO air force,” he said a bit sheepishly but with a hint of pride as well. “Shera works with us, too.” The last was more of an afterthought I noticed with some amusement.

 

Somehow, I wasn't surprised. I knew Cid would eventually grow tired of transporting supplies and objects from one end of the planet to the other. He was a military man through and through. With luck, the WRO wouldn't screw him over like ShinRa did, though Rufus did appear to have turned over a new leaf. I wasn't holding my breath.

 

Reeve was smart. The prospect of working with Yuffie worked against him, but I enjoyed Cid's company. And Reeve wasn't too bad of company either.

 

I twisted my jaw in thought, remembering the phone stashed away in my pocket. “I figured that's what you were going to say.”

 

“They aren't ShinRa,” Shera explained with a warm smile. “From what I have seen, they are here to help. I'm part of a team that's currently researching alternate means of energy. We've had some success with materia.”

 

I sighed, feeling myself gradually being persuaded. It was already on the back of my mind to say yes simply because I was bored. I enjoyed my solitude mostly because I believed that three-quarters of the world consisted of idiots. I wasn't one to dip my nose into the affairs of others either, content to leave things well enough alone. If not for Cloud and company, I might have kept to myself for the rest of my life, however long it would be.

But a part of me wanted to think that it wouldn't be so bad.

 

“Did Reeve put you up to this?” I asked, failing to hide the suspicion in my voice.

 

Cid shook his head, heartily returning to the food Shera had prepared. “Nah, I just thought you might be interested. Despite tryin' to be a cold bastard, you're not. Maybe ya might even think about lettin' the past go, huh?”

 

As if it were that simple. I wasn't clinging quite so tenaciously but memories of Lucrecia's laughter still held me back. My heart was aching and that wasn't something easily foregone. He meant well, Cid did, and I knew he wouldn't push, but I just wasn't ready for that sort of thing.

 

“I will think about it,” I responded noncommittally before gesturing to the food on our plates. “We should enjoy what Shera has cooked for us.”

 

And just like that, the conversation returned to safer topics which I was much obliged for. I sat in silence as the two conversed, discussing something to do with metal-working, electronics, and the workings of devices I knew nothing about. Every once in a while, they drew me into their topic but for the most part, I was locked up in my thoughts.

 

Even later, sitting in the guest room that had pretty much been designated as reserved for me, I ruminated over my decision. I did not brood; that was for lesser men. I contemplated and I considered, lying back on my bed and staring up at the ceiling, idly rubbing scar lotion onto my left hand.

 

If I did plan to respond in the negative to Reeve, then what would I do afterwards, I wondered. Impose on Cid's hospitality for the rest of my existence? Return to the ceaseless wandering? None of it sounded too attractive. Besides, if I wanted to, I could at any moment walk away from Reeve and the WRO. It wasn't as if my choice would be permanent.

 

In the end, I couldn't explain why I decided to take the path I had chosen. Maybe I was lonely on some level; maybe I really was seeking closure. Perhaps I just wanted to be of use to someone again. I couldn't honestly say.

 

The next morning, before either Shera or Cid - both early risers - could even awaken, I bit the bullet and picked up the phone. Reeve, the cocky bastard, had his number programmed into speed dial on the one position. I hesitated for all of a moment, recalling Yuffie's exuberance and the fact that a company supposedly for the good of people had screwed me over once before.

 

Then I remembered that it was my hesitance that had killed Lucrecia and locked me in torment for thirty years. Perhaps it was finally time I stopped trying to rationalize everything.

 

I hit the button.

 

- - - - -