Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Deep Scars ❯ Missing Pens ( Chapter 3 )

It had been a week since Hojo let Vincent stay in the basement. Most of the time Hojo would forget Vincent was there or figured he was asleep. On the eighth day Hojo went down to file papers and was shocked to see a black coffin sitting there in the corner. Vincent must have snuck it in during the night. It seemed Vincent was making himself at home down here. Stupid, he didn't need Vincent in his home. Grumbling, Hojo could also note all the paper that laid about the room. Most of them were drawn on and very few were written on. After fling away his paper, Hojo picked up some of Vincent's papers to look at them. Staring at them they didn't make much sense. Abstract of course. The only art style was even scribbles look like art. It never made sense to him. After picking up the rest paper a placed on top of one of the file cabinets. Looking back at the coffin, shook his head, and then went back to his work.

 

The coffin lid slid open, as Vincent would peek out. His eyes were dull and closed the lid. Lying on his side he would stare at the lining in the coffin. Was it right for him to be here? Would she hate him more?

 

Opening the lid open Vincent's eyes widen, as he would see he was in the ShinRa mansion basement. Lucrecia stood there with a clipboard in hand, jotting down notes. Looking towards Vincent and smiled at him. Vincent be more serious you should care a bit more because all of the other younger Turks are watching. “I…I'm sorry…' he whimpered. There, there—Vincent, I still like you. She smiled again at Vincent. “Lucrecia…!” he started to reach out for her uselessly. She would only giggle and leave the room. Pulling his arm back into the coffin, and closing the lid. Vincent would just lie there again staring off into space. Be more serious? How could he be more serious? Hojo is always serious. Maybe if he was serious to Hojo things would get better. It would take time though. These things don't happen over night. This will take until morning. Might as well start now.

 

That night Vincent had done things he hadn't done in a while like cleaning his hair and actually combing it. By the morning the basement didn't have any papers lying about as they were cleaned up. Vincent stood at the bottom of the steps looking at the door. He couldn't help but feel nervous.

 

Upstairs Hojo was doing what he always does. Today he was reading from a book while jotting down notes. Putting the book down he moved to his microscope and peered into it.

 

Vincent finally had enough courage to go upstairs. His long black hair washed and combed. Wearing his old TURK clothes he had a bit trouble getting the sleeves over his claw arm. The suit jacket was unbuttoned and his dress shirt fully buttoned. Quietly as always it was easy for him to walk up behind Hojo. Hunched over the microscope like that is what killed his back in the first place. It was a shame. “Hojo…” Vincent spoke gently.

 

Looking up at and turned to face Vincent. Seeing him made Hojo arch a brow from how he looked. “And just what are you doing?”

 

“I came to say something.” Vincent replied.

 

Hojo sighed. “Fine out with it. I have important work to do.” He scoffed.

 

There was a pause as Vincent stared down at Hojo. He could tell he was getting annoyed. “I like you…” Vincent blurred out.

 

The scientist gave a short laugh before going back to what he was doing.

 

Stranding there Vincent wouldn't let himself frown. “Don't laugh.”

 

“Truly, Valentine, you must be joking.” Hojo said while peering back into the microscope.

 

“I have no reason to joke with you.” Vincent shot back.

 

“Then you must not be feeling will. You wouldn't be saying these things.”

 

He had the feeling Hojo wasn't listening and just distracting himself from Vincent. Reaching out with his human hand and grab Hojo by the shoulder and turned him around so he could face him. He could feel how thin and frail Hojo really was. Staring down into Hojo's hazel eyes. Was he afraid? Or was it possible that he was guiltier than Vincent was? “You are forgiven.” Vincent whispered. “Do you want me to end your suffering? Do you want me to take it away?”

 

Hesitant but still Hojo gave a small nod.

 

“Close your eyes.” Vincent whispered.

 

There was a pause before Hojo shut his eyes.

 

Placing his other hand on Hojo's shoulder before pulling him closer. Lowering his head Vincent moved his mouth near Hojo's slender neck. He could feel his fangs growing longer as he opened his mouth. Sinking his fangs into Hojo's neck Vincent could hear him gasp. It wouldn't end there. The vampire started to suck out his blood. The blood it tasted very sweet. Very rarely did Vincent would drink human blood. When he pulled his fangs out. Hojo said nothing, as he would slump against Vincent. The room was blacking out. Vincent would hold onto Hojo before picking him up and carrying him to his room and laying him on his bed. He sat next to Hojo as he started to bite his own tongue with one of his fangs. Piercing it and making it bleed. Leaning closer to Hojo he would place his lips over the others forcing the blood into the mouth.

 

 

Time ever so flowing never stopping, only for a very few does time ever stop. Sometimes it's by choice sometimes it's not. It could be a great gift or a great tragedy. Vincent stood by Hojo's bed. Finding the largest piece of paper he could to draw on. Drawing Hojo who was lying on the bed unmoving, his skin, pale, almost white. He looked dead.

 

You killed him… a voice whispered. Vincent tried to ignore it. He wanted to note the day with the drawing. Killer, murderer! Killed the only thing you had left! The voice screamed. Shaking his head it was becoming harder to ignore the voice. Dropping the paper and the pen his eyes widen on Hojo in shock. He killed him! He had made the worst sin in the world! There was nothing left for him but atonement!

 

Not giving it another though Vincent ran for the basement. Climbing into the coffin and to fall asleep. Sleep is the only thing he needed.

 

 

Eyes opening and staring up at seemingly never ending darkness, sitting up Hojo would spot the drawing on the floor. Vincent. This was all his doing. As Hojo made his way to the basement a hand felt the side of his neck to find the holes was gone, already healed. It couldn't all have been a dream.

 

It felt dead; stale air. How long had he been asleep for the air to be like this? Perhaps he really was dreaming. Making his way down the stairs the air seemed to grow number, more dead. Hojo's footsteps, as light as they were, was the only noise in the room.

 

The coffin lid was still open. When Hojo peered down at Vincent he could see the pained expression on his face. There was something interesting above the other's head. A small bat plushie sat there, strange but not important at the moment.

 

Reaching out he started to tap on Vincent's forehead. Opening his eyes Vincent would stare up at Hojo. He looked so pale. A frown appeared across his lips. “Let me… sleep…” he murmured.

 

“Why?” Hojo said bluntly.

 

“I have sinned…” Vincent said as he tried to go back to sleep in spite of Hojo's constant tapping. After realizing Hojo wasn't going to stop tapping he would reach up to grab his hand. “Stop…” he said weakly.

 

He wouldn't stop. After tapping Vincent a few more times before pulling his hand away. “Not thought out all the way through but, I suppose it was to make some point.” He said while looking at his pale hand.

 

Vincent opened his eyes as it was obvious Hojo wasn't going to let him sleep. “What…to do now?”

 

“I'll run some tests on what changes my body went through.” Looking down at Vincent again he could see the other still looked depress? It wasn't any of his concern. This was all Valentine's doing. There was no tine to waste, as there was a great amount of testing to do.

 

Vincent stared up at the ceiling. Nothing had changed. Was Hojo just one of those that were unable to be saved? Hojo didn't understand what Vincent was doing. This was his sin, his failure to Hojo.

 

 

Many tests were made. More chemicals mixed than Vincent would draw in two weeks. It wasn't until the end of the week did Hojo notice Vincent hadn't come up from the basement. Did he fall asleep again to “atone” as he put it? It was all pointless—sleeping for forgiveness. There was no reason he should be down there for the rest of his life. Of course he'll never come out on his own. Hojo might as well drag him out by the leg. With a sigh the scientist headed down the stairs.

 

There was still a heavy feeling plus now a smell of death. A hand was placed over his nose as if it would chase the smell away. The coffin was closed and the source of the foul stench. Taking the lid Hojo pushed it open and cringed at the sight he saw. Vincent laid there, eyes shut. Dust covered him even a spider web was in his long hair. Disgusting. How could people let themselves become like this? Just completely disgusting. “Get up.” Hojo demanded before tapping on Vincent's forehead rather roughly.

 

Eyes opening to stare up at Hojo, they were so blank, no feeling at all seemed to be in there. He couldn't understand just why he was woken up.

 

“You've been down here for a week. Get out of there.” Hojo demanded again. Vincent says up before climbing out of the coffin. This was taking to long. Hojo would grab Vincent by the forearm to lead him back up the stairs and to the bathroom. “You're getting washed right now, Valentine.” He said before shoving Vincent into the bathroom and throwing a loofa at him. “Don't come out until you're clean.” And with that he closed the door.

 

Still a bit dazed, Vincent picked up the loofa to look at it. To clean means water. Water… Wait if he just wet his hair Hojo will let him out, right? Moving to the tub and climbing in Vincent turned the water on. After a few minutes of wetting his hair he noted there wasn't enough water. Grabbing the knob he would turn on the showerhead. He jumped back almost screaming to death when the water came pouring down on him. Climbing out of the tub Vincent would try to open the door only to find Hojo had locked it. Vincent began to pond on the door with his claw arm. It only took a few times until his hand went through the door. Pulling his hand back out Vincent could see Hojo glaring at him before opening the door.

 

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Hojo growled as he pushed the door open and Vincent out of the way so he could turn off the water. Vincent had already run away as soon as Hojo pushed him. Run away… run away… A voice screamed in his mind. Running through the hall and down the steps to hide in the basement in his coffin.

 

Angered, Hojo followed Vincent down the stairs and in his coffin with his arms wrapped around that stupid doll of his. A hand reached out pulling the vampire out of his coffin as he yelped. “ You have caused me another mess to clean up, Valentine, and I am tired of cleaning them up. Get out of my home. Now.” he demanded.

 

Vincent was on the floor mumbling to himself in not even complete thoughts. This only made Hojo madder at him now. He started to drag Vincent but he soon got up and followed. “You are getting out of my home. You are not to come back inside until you are clean.” Once upstairs Hojo had opened the front door and tossed Vincent out.