Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ Sharing Tents ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4: Sharing Tents

 

“Damn! She's toast! My girl will never fly again!” Cid muttered angrily, looking at the damage to the Tiny Bronco. It was floating on the surface of the ocean well enough, but from how torn up the wings were, it wouldn't fly anytime soon.

 

“I'm sorry, Cid,” said Cloud, scratching his head, “I never meant for it to happen this way.”

 

“Tch! Damn ShinRa's fault anyway!” Cid answered, flopping down on the tail of the plane. His clothes squished when he sat due to the thorough soaking he received when the plane crashed, causing him to fly into the water. He reached for his cigarettes but found them to be soaked. He angrily threw them into the water, they were completely useless now.

 

“I hope the others are alright,” Aeris mused aloud. She had managed to remain in the plane when it crashed so she was almost completely dry.

 

“Don't worry,” assured Cloud, “they won't get into too much trouble.” He rubbed his head, trying to wring some of the water out of his hair. It had slicked down against his head, making him look like a drowned chocobo. He had gotten wet when he dived into the ocean to save the floundering pilot. Apparently, Cid could not swim.

 

“So, who the hell are you guys anyways?” questioned the pilot as he searched through his pockets, hoping to find a spare dry cigarette; he could really use one about now.

 

“I am Aeris, flower girl from Midgar,” the Ancient answered cheerfully, flashing him one of her friendly smiles. “And he is Cloud, the leader of our group.”

 

“What about him?” asked Cid, pointing to Vincent. He had of course recognized the dark-haired man as the one who he had talked to earlier, but hadn't gotten an introduction from him.

 

In the commotion of the crash, Cloud and Aeris had nearly forgotten about their quiet friend. He stood on the right wing, balancing easily, his back to them. He was staring off into the horizon, pretending as if he could not hear their conversation.

 

“Oh, that's Vincent. Don't mind him. He is always like that,” Cloud responded gruffly.

 

“Wouldn't really say it was a pleasure to meetcha, but what the hell you got against ShinRa anyways?” asked Cid, scratching his head as he readjusted his goggles.

 

“That, my friend, is a long story,” the ex-SOLDIER answered, shaking his head. He sighed heavily.

 

“Well, it is not like we don't have the time. We ain't goin' nowhere fast,” Cid pointed out as he groaned. Damn, he really needed a cigarette.

 

“On the contrary,” came Vincent's voice from the wing of the plane. Three pairs of eyes snapped up in astonishment when they realized that the gunman was walking towards them and actually speaking. “We are caught in a rather swift current and we cannot be that far from shore. I suspect we will arrive on land a few hours after nightfall.” At present, it was mid-afternoon. The sun was still shining relatively high in the sky, steaming the water out of wet clothes.

 

Cid snorted. “How would you know?”

 

Vincent narrowed his eyes at the contrary pilot, looking down at him, his face cold and impassive. “I won't waste my breath explaining it to you. Suffice it to say, I am right.”

 

Cid leapt to his feet, anger evident as his eyes flashed, “You insultin' me or something? I will gladly take you down right here and now!”

 

“Boys! Stop this foolishness!” Aeris demanded running to stand between the two glaring men, her eyes flashing.

 

“He started it!” the pilot accused, fingering his spear.

 

“Childish…” muttered Vincent, turning away from both Cid and Aeris. He went back to his original position on the plane, sitting on the wing to stare back out at the ocean.

 

Aeris shook her head at the gruff pilot as he plopped back down, stroking his weapon lovingly. “Damn cold vampire…” he mumbled under his breath.

 

Cloud simply sighed from off to the side as he observed the events. It was going to be a long day… a very long day.

 

* * *

 

They washed up on a beach a few hours after sunset, just as Vincent had predicted… much to Cid's chagrin. The day had gone by rather uneventful since Vincent and the pilot's little tiff, with Cloud explaining to Cid why they all hated the ShinRa. In short, the gruff, blonde-haired pilot had joined their expedition, his anger with Rufus and desire to see the stars stirring him.

 

The four somewhat friends climbed off of the battered Tiny Bronco and proceeded to make camp on the beach. They were not really sure where they were until they found themselves meeting up with their other companions again. Apparently, they were still in the Rocket Town area and Tifa and the others had started searching the beaches hoping to find any sign of them.

 

“Cloud! I was so worried about you!” Tifa exclaimed the moment she saw the spiky headed leader.

 

He shrugged. “It was nothing really. Just a minor crash into the ocean…”

 

“You dolt!” she yelled, punching him viciously in the shoulder. He cringed slightly, she had a strong arm. “You could have been killed!”

 

“What about the plane?” Nanaki asked quickly, attempting to distract her. He was glad to see his friend had survived as well, though he did not make a point to comment on it.

 

“Trashed!” exclaimed Cid's voice suddenly, appearing behind Cloud. “A piece of damn junk now. Won't fly at all!”

 

“Is there any other way we can use it?” questioned Tifa.

 

Cid appeared to think, “Well, it does float. I might could rig it so we can use it like a boat. But it won't be able to go into deeper waters.”

 

Cloud nodded. “Do it then. I want to get going as soon as possible. We have to find out where Sephiroth was headed and why Rufus needed your plane.”

 

Cid scratched his head. “It may take some time…”

 

“Then you had better get started then shouldn't you?” Cloud ordered gruffly.

 

The pilot's mouth dropped in astonishment as Cloud proceeded to walk off, leaving him gaping like an idiot. “Of all the fucking nerve…”

 

“Ignore him,” said Tifa soothingly, “he gets like that sometimes.” Letting the comment lie, she ran off, chasing after Cloud.

 

Nanaki shook his head, also walking away from the pilot. He moved to help Aeris and Yuffie start the fire, while Barret and Cait Sith were attempting to put up the tents, neither of them having too much success. It was going to be a cold night as Rocket Town was near to the north pole.

 

Cid, finally recovering from his initial shock, went over to the remains of his beloved plane and inspected the damage more thoroughly. He could rewire the engine and move it so that it floated more out of the water. If he crossed the wirings to the propellers, it just might be possible to make her move. Gritting his teeth angrily, he got to work.

 

* * *

 

It must have been around midnight when Cid finally succeeded in getting the task done, or so Vincent observed. For the most part, everyone was sitting around the campfire talking quietly, no one quite ready to go to sleep yet. Having only three tents between the eight of them, he supposed no one wanted to get started on sleeping arrangements. Damn, that meant he was probably going to have to share now. So long as it wasn't Barret, Vincent really did not care.

 

Cid rejoined the group, sighing loudly as he sank into a log. “Damn thing is done,” he announced. No one said anything. “Don't I get a thank you or something? Damn!”

”What did you expect? A resounding applause?” questioned Vincent mildly.

 

Cid shot him a glare but ignored his comment.

 

“Then we can leave tomorrow and it won't sink?” Cloud asked finally.

 

“Yeah, she won't sink.” Cid nodded. He reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one up as the other's watched.

 

“I thought they were all drenched,” Aeris asked suspiciously.

 

“I found a pack stashed in the Tiny Bronco as I was fixin' her up. Damn Shera always trying to get me to quit. I have to keep hidin' the stupid things. Forgot they were there.” He shrugged.

”It is a nasty habit,” commented Tifa, wrinkling her nose.

”Well, no one asked you now did they?” the pilot shot back, breathing in deep of the nicotine and blowing out the smoke in her general direction.

 

Cloud sighed warily. “I think it is time that we all got some sleep.”

 

“What makes you say that?” Barret questioned with a snort.

 

Aeris glanced at him before giving a slightly ironic smile. “We are nearly biting each other's heads off,” she commented.

 

“No,” argued Tifa, stamping her foot. “Cid is being an asshole.”

 

Cid muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like `hypocritical bitch' but he said nothing aloud.

 

“What was that?” Tifa asked ever so sweetly. Yet, she never got her answer because Cloud had finally had enough.

 

“Enough!” he demanded, rising to his feet swiftly and staring at his crew. They all looked back at him, different expressions on their faces. “How are we supposed to fight ShinRa if we are fighting amongst each other?”

 

“You are right,” Tifa murmured meekly. “I am sorry, Cloud.” She would say almost anything to get back in his good graces.

 

Cloud sighed and shook his head. “We just need some sleep. Tifa, Aeris, Yuffie… you three take that larger tent over there. The rest of us will split the smaller tents. Cait Sith won't need one and Nanaki prefers to sleep next to the fire.”

 

“I refuse to share with the vampire,” Barret all but growled, crossing his arms. “He might bite me in my sleep.”

 

“I am not a vampire,” Vincent said rather coldly, rising to his feet. “Even if I were, I sure wouldn't sully myself by consuming you!”

 

“What da hell is dat s'posed to mean?” the dark-skinned man shot back, squinting one eye in confusion.

 

Vincent shrugged off handedly. “Take it as you will, I no longer care. I am going to sleep, sort it among yourselves.” He turned away from the fire and took the smallest of the three tents, disappearing quickly inside.

 

Barret turned his attentions back to his leader. “I mean it Cloud, me `n Vampy just ain't cutting it.”

 

“I wasn't about to suggest that you were. I suppose the three of us can squeeze into the one… “Cloud commented, trailing off.

 

“What! You mean to say that alla ya are afraid of the man?” Cid spluttered incredulously. “He ain't nothing but a… a showoff!”

 

“If that's what you believe, then you share a tent with him,” laughed Barret. “We'll see if you come out alive in the morning or not.”

 

“You boys can keep arguing all night for all we care, so long as one of you keeps watch!” Tifa all but yelled, rising to her feet. She exchanged pointed looks with the other females of the group.

 

“Yeah,” added in Yuffie for emphasis. “We are going to bed. You men are boring.”

 

“Goodnight, everyone. If it gets cold tonight, Nanaki, feel free to sleep in our tent,” Aeris murmured softly. She also got to her feet and followed the other two females to their tent.

 

The three men stared at the departing females with a mixture of disbelief and outrage. Cid harrumphed.

 

“Fine then. I will share with Vincent and prove to you all how much of a coward you are!” he declared loudly, putting out his cigarette and rising swiftly to his feet.

 

Barret and Cloud exchanged looks before breaking out into laughter. “If you insist Cid. Far be it from us to argue,” Barret snickered.

 

Cid glared at them before stomping off in the direction of Vincent's tent. He feared no one, and certainly not a six foot tall, pale man with dark hair and glowing red eyes. He thought back to the first time he saw Vincent, when they met in the halls of the ShinRa No 26. He stood there all stoic and cold, gun drawn like he would shoot him in the back if necessary. But there was something else there that made Cid think he wasn't going to fire the gun. There was… sadness behind the crimson eyes that he sought hard to hide.

 

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Cid walked up cautiously to the front of the tent. Vincent had undone the bindings that held the flap open so that they hung over the doorway, effectively closing up the tent. Reaching out, Cid slowly drew them back, ducking because the tent was little more than four feet high. He slid slowly into the tent, trying not to cause undue noise. He saw a huddled shape to the far right side, obviously a sleeping Vincent.

 

“Yo, Vincent, you awake?” he asked, whispering softly.

 

“No, Highwind, I am sleeping,” came Vincent's obviously awake and deep voice.

 

Cid couldn't help but chuckle to himself at the man's sarcasm as he came into the tent all the way and settled on the left side. He laid his spear next to him, between himself and the walls, as he proceeded to unlace his boots. Couldn't sleep in the damn things…

 

“That is what I thought, but I just wanted to be sure,” he responded, removing one boot before moving to work on the other. “Say, why do you do that anyway?”

 

“Do what?” asked Vincent exasperatedly. Cid heard him shift but couldn't really see what he was doing in the darkness.

 

“Call people by their last names,” Cid finished. He threw his boots to somewhere near his feet as he balled up his jacket to use it as a pillow. He pulled out a blanket from his pack and tried to get comfortable on the hard ground.

 

“I reserve first names for friends,” Vincent answered after a moment of hesitative silence. His voice sounded strangely cold, even to himself.

 

“So, that would include how many people?” the pilot asked. For some reason he was not in a sleepy mood, but a talkative one instead.

 

“Go to sleep, Highwind,” growled Vincent, ignoring the other man's question. The fact that there was only one person he could call by their first name hit him somewhere deep inside. He was unworthy of anything more…

 

“Shit, I was just making some fucking conversation. Would it kill ya to be friendly for once in yer damn life?”

 

“Must you curse so frequently?”

 

“Yes, I must,” Cid answered, imitating Vincent's proper speech.

 

Vincent sighed audibly. “You tire me.”

 

“Shit, Vince, you are more boring than I am!” retorted Cid. He expected a quick and snappy response, but craned his ears when he got none. He turned his head to look at Vincent's lying down form. The gunman's back was to him so he couldn't see much. “Vince?”

 

“Highwind, be quiet and go to sleep.”

 

“Ah, shove it! You were boring me anyways!” growled Cid turning his back on the dark-haired man and staring at the side of the cotton tent.

 

For a minute nothing could be heard but the sounds of two sets of breathing, one slow and quiet, the other slow and heavy. (Damn those cigarettes).

 

“I need a smoke,” Cid remarked aloud.

 

“Highwind…” Vincent warned, growling only slightly.

 

Cid sighed aloud and tried to go to sleep. `So much for provoking the strange crimson-eyed man or even becoming friends with him. Oh well, better luck tomorrow.'

 

He yawned greatly and closed his eyes; perhaps he was tired after all.

 

On the other side of the tent, a dark-haired man stared morosely off into the night, wide awake as usual, listening to himself breathe. It came as almost no surprise to him however, when a few minutes later, soft snoring began to erupt from the pilot's sleeping figure. Sighing to himself, Vincent realized that it was going to be a long night.

 

* * *