Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ Memories ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8: Memories

 

Cloud walked swiftly back to the ancient's house, not wanting anyone to notice his absence. He was sure that no one would observe or even particularly care that Vincent was gone, but if he stayed away too long, someone would come looking for him.

 

His mind was such a torrent of emotions at this point that he wasn't sure if he was up to answering questions about where he had been or anything.

 

Aeris was dead, fallen at Sephiroth's hands. Vincent was acting strange. Cait Sith had betrayed them not long ago. He himself was having trouble controlling his own body. When had life become so complicated?

 

Reaching into his pants pocket, he pulled out a small leather bag, cinched shut. Opening it carefully, he reached in with two fingers and pulled out a small dried flower. It had long since lost its fresh scent and color, but it still served to remind him of what he had lost.

 

Aeris had given it to him, or should he say he bought it from her. Back then, when they first met. He wasn't even sure then why he agreed to buy a flower. He was an ex-SOLDIER, he had no need for such frivolous things. There was a look in the flower girl's green eyes and a smile that he couldn't say no to. So he bought the damn flower and then told the girl to go somewhere safe, before leaving her abruptly.

 

He kept the flower, tucking it away in his pocket almost forgotten until he ran into her again. He had agreed to be her bodyguard, though why he did so at the time is another mystery. It was then that he moved the already dying and drying flower to the small pouch.

 

And now, just like her flower, Aeris was dead. He would never see her smile at him again, never see her questioning him with her thoughtful jade eyes. He felt his eyes stinging with remembered tears and he shoved the flower back into the bag, stuffing it into his pocket. He could see the house coming up close and sought to gain control of his emotions.

 

He walked quickly to the front opening, the door having long since been destroyed and gone. He slipped in quietly, trying not to gain the notice of anyone inside. Most had already gone to sleep from the night, exhausted by the events of the day.

 

Nanaki had curled up close to the fire, Yuffie's head was lying on the lion wolf's stomach, a content smile on her face. He wondered if Nanaki knew the little ninja was using him as a pillow.

 

Cait Sith, or actually Reeve now, was wrapped up in a blanket that Tifa had loaned him and was snoring quietly on one of the empty beds. When his body was destroyed in the temple, Reeve was found out by the ShinRa. He had to run, unable to take on the entire company, and managed to find his way to Cloud and the others. He joined up with them at Gongaga. Surprisingly enough, for a ShinRa exec, he was quite good in battle. He had great aim with his seemingly endless supply of throwing knives.

 

Barret and Cid were sitting up, wide awake, around the fire, talking quietly so as not to awaken the others. One of them must have chosen to be sentry while the other just hadn't gone to sleep. As for Tifa, he didn't see her anywhere.

 

“Where's Tifa?” Cloud questioned, moving to sit between the two men.

 

“Isn't she with you?” Barret asked with surprise.

 

“No,” the leader answered, giving them a strange look. “I went outside to get some fresh air.”

 

Cid shrugged. “She is probably using one of the beds upstairs. She might want to be alone.”

 

“You are probably right.” Cloud sighed, poking a stick into the fire. “Why don't the rest of you get some sleep? I will stand guard tonight.”

 

“There is no way I could sleep,” Barret grumbled, shifting his position until he was more comfortable. He continued fiddling with his gun-arm, tightening a few screws and cleaning the barrels.

 

“Vincent is gone, too,” Cid muttered, ignoring Cloud's suggestion.

 

“I wouldn't be surprised if he was a damn spy then!” Barret growled, eyes shifting to where Reeve lay asleep. “He IS an ex-Turk…”

 

“Vincent is not a spy!” Cid yelled back angrily, rising to his feet. “He may be the biggest bastard this side of Planet, but he isn't a spy.” He wondered to himself where his misguided loyalty had come from, but stuck to his statement. Cloud and Barret looked at him in confusion.

 

“Cid, be quiet or you will wake the others,” Cloud hissed.

 

“Tch! Fuck you and your close-minded attitude!” Cid cursed, stomping away from Cloud and Barret. He headed for the front entrance, eager to be away from the two men.

 

Cloud and Barret exchanged confused looks over the fire. Cid's behavior was odd, albeit the cursing and attitude were quite normal. But for him to be so defensive about the raven-haired ex-Turk… something was odd.

 

“Somethin's up, Cloud,” mumbled Barret, staring after Cid.

 

“Yeah.” The blonde sighed. “I know where Vincent is at least.”

 

“How's that?”

 

“He slipped out earlier when I finished talking. I followed after him to see where he went. He went to the crystal lake.”

 

“You mean, where Aeris...”

Cloud nodded.

 

“Why?”

 

“How the hell should I know?” Cloud shrugged. “But with the strange way Cid's been acting… and you know he's the one that spends the most time around him… I just think we need to keep a close eye on everyone. It seems like we can't trust anyone now…”

 

“Probably right, leader man… jes hate that it's gotta be done.” Barret sighed.

 

* * *

 

Cid stomped his way down the path, muttering curses to himself as he thought about what just happened. How in the hell did he get off defending the bastard? After the way Vincent treated him, Cid should not have cared what Barret decided to think about him.

 

But he found that he could not. Ever since that night, he and Vincent had been rather cold to each other. They still had to share a tent or a room, depending on the situation. For some reason, no one else would tolerate the pilot's behavior. Not to mention most were still afraid that Vincent was a vampire.

 

Cid smiled to himself despite his anger. He remembered the day, before Vincent turned on him, when he had confronted the gunman about his eating habits. It was a memory that was still fresh in his mind.

 

~# Flashback#~

 

It was late on night while they were still trying to discover where Sephiroth and the others had gone. The group had stopped for the day and sought to eat and rest.

Cid had gone to the tent he and Vincent shared. The raven-haired man was already there, lying on his side facing away from Cid.

 

After spending several minutes tossing and turning on the mattress, Cid discovered that he wasn't tired. He knew from the sound of Vincent's breathing that he was not asleep either. He didn't sleep much, usually the first to rise. Sometimes he didn't even sleep at all. Cid had come to learn that in the many tents they had shared.

 

Taking a risk, Cid decided to try and talk to Vincent, hoping it would make the time go by quicker.

 

“Vince?”

 

“That is not my name, Highwind.”

 

“Whatever… Vincent,” said Cid, rolling his eyes. “Are you really a vampire?”

 

Vincent sighed heavily, rolling over to look at the blonde pilot. His crimson eyes glowed in the darkness. “Do I look like a vampire?” When he saw the teasing smile on Cid's face, he rescinded, “Wait, don't answer that.”

 

“Ah, come on, and I had the perfect response.”

 

Vincent tossed Cid a glare before turning back over to face the tent. He tried to ignore the pilot.

 

“You didn't answer my question.”

 

“That is because it is irrelevant.”

 

“So you ARE a vampire.”

 

“No, Highwind, I am not a vampire. Contrary to popular belief I do not suck blood to gain sustenance,” Vincent growled.

 

“The others think you do.”

 

“And that is important to me because?”

 

“Because you care what they think.”

 

“If that were true then you wouldn't have needed to ask me that question in the first place.”

 

“If you say so…” Cid muttered, trailing off.

 

Satisfied that Cid was now going to leave him alone, Vincent relaxed against the hard ground and tried to go to sleep, although his mind was running around frantically within his head.

 

“Vince?”

 

“Highwind…”

 

“Sorry… Vincent. What do you eat then? I don't think I've ever seen you eat anything.”

 

“There is a reason for that.”

 

“Because you are a vampire.”

 

Vincent turned over angrily, shooting Cid furious glares, his crimson eyes flashing. “For the last time, I am NOT a vampire!”

 

“Then what do you eat?” Cid asked, not affected at all by the look he was getting.

 

“The same thing as the rest of you,” answered Vincent, waving his hand vaguely, “I just prefer to eat in private. Barret's eating habits make me queasy…” he finished trailing off. He didn't tell Cid the real reason. He wasn't in the mood to be laughed at by a foul-mouthed pilot.

 

Both of them were now picturing the way the large man gobbled down his food, crumbs and such flying everywhere. He tended to talk with his mouth full and would poke people with his fork if he was telling a story.

 

They shuddered together at the thought.

 

“I can understand that then,” Cid commented with only another slight shudder. “Why do you let them call you vampy?”

 

Vincent sighed and lay on his back, looking up into the ceiling of the tent. “Because I do not care what they think of me. They know nothing…” he answered voice soft. “No one does…”

 

“Hell, Vince, that's just cuz you won't give no one the chance. Always hiding away and talking behind that damn cloak of yers. So mysterious and everything. No wonder no one knows anything!”

 

“They wouldn't understand even if I told them. I can just see the looks that I would be given. It is far better to keep it hidden.”

 

“How do ya know unless you try?”

 

“…” Vincent did not respond.

 

Cid tried to press him into it, “C'mon Vin, you can talk to me…”

 

“I am going to sleep now, Highwind. Do not bother me any more tonight,” said Vincent after a moment of uncomfortable silence. He turned his head away from the pilot to stare at the walls of the tent.

 

Cid huffed and turned away from Vincent as well. He had thought he was getting close to breaking the gunman. He had talked more that night than Cid had ever heard him talk before.

 

“Highwind?”

 

“Yeah, Vin?”

 

“…Your gesture is appreciated.”

 

Cid smiled though it could not be seen in the dark. That was as close to an outright thank you that Vincent would get. “Any day, Vin, any day.”

 

~# End Flashback #~

 

It had seemed like the two men were going to become friends then. They still had that awkward kiss between them, but at that time, Vincent made no mention of it again and so Cid didn't press the issue.

 

In truth, Cid had meant to kiss Vincent. He wasn't sure why. All he knew was that something in him called out to the mysterious gunman. A look into those crimson eyes and his pulse raced.

 

When Vincent had kissed him that night in Gold Saucer, Cid was sure that his feelings were the same. Then they had what could only be described as a night of amazing sex. Cid had thought everything was going to be fine, until Vincent woke up that morning and went all ape shit on him.

 

Cid could see it in Vincent's eyes, even when he flat out denied everything. There was lust… and hints of something more behind the crimson orbs. He was confused and knew no other way to express himself other than to push Cid away.

 

Ever since that night at Gold Saucer, the two men had shared rooms in stony silence, only speaking with necessary. It was painful to the pilot because Vincent was so close and yet so far. He had to go to bed with an erection nearly every night. He wondered if Vincent even thought of him at all. They ignored each other outside of the room completely. It was awkward.

 

Cid drew up short suddenly. His travels had taken him to the crystal lake that served as Aeris' burial site. His eyes widened when he saw that the source of his thoughts and angst was sitting on the ground surrounding the lake and staring morosely across the placid service.

 

He froze in place, unable to fathom what he should do next. He was lucky; Vincent hadn't seen him yet. Cid could easily back away slowly and head back in another direction, having never spoken to him. But there was something within him that wanted to go to the gunman but he knew he couldn't. Cid wasn't up to another cold shoulder from the dark-haired man and so he turned away. He would find somewhere else to sit and fume.

 

“You don't have to leave, Cid,” Vincent spoke softly but his voice easily carried to Cid's ears.

 

The pilot froze in mid-turn, thinking that Vincent had not seen him. He was again ambivalent about what he should do.

 

Without turning around, Cid answered,” I am really not in the mood for another betrayal, Vince.” He still made no move to leave, curious as to how Vincent would respond. Cid held tighter to his Trident, white-knuckled hand gripping it.

 

“I never betrayed you.”

 

“Bullshit!” Cid swore angrily, leaving it at that. He completed his turn and started to leave the area. There was no way he was going to stay around. He might not stop at hitting the gunman just once if he did.

 

“I was scared…” Vincent still had not moved and Cid wasn't even sure if he had really heard those words.

 

He turned around to look at the gunman. Vincent was still facing the lake, not even appearing to see him.

 

“What was that?”

 

Vincent sighed audibly. “Why don't you have a seat, Cid?”

 

That was the second time that night that Vincent had used the pilot's first name. Cid looked at the ground, unsure of what he should do.

 

“What do you want from me, Vincent? I'm not going to make the same mistake twice. Nor will I hesitate to punch you again.”

 

“I probably deserved that.”

 

Cid snorted. “There is no probably about it. You DID deserve it, you bastard. “

 

“Are you going to sit or just continue to stand there?”

 

Cid did not answer, instead choosing to stomp over and plop himself on the ground next to Vincent. His spear clattered down next to him, within easy reach. He did not look at Vincent, but chose to stare out over the still waters.

 

“She was a great person…. she did not deserve what Sephiroth did to her,” Vincent commented, gesturing out at the waters of the lake.

 

“Yeah… we now have a great reason to shoot the bastard on the spot.”

 

“I should have done something. Then… she never would have died,” the gunman spoke softly, his voice seeming strained.

 

Cid turned slightly and looked at him. He saw how much paler than usual the gunman was. His eyes widened in surprise when he thought that his crimson eyes were red-rimmed as if he had been crying.

 

“What could you have done? Damn Sephiroth came out of nowhere and Cloud wouldn't let us come up on the platform.”

 

“I'm not talking about that.”

 

“Then what the hell do you mean?”

 

Vincent turned and looked at Cid, searching his face for something. He appeared to be deciding something. Finally, he made up his mind as he turned away from the pilot again. He looked down at his hand, clenching and unclenching his fist. “It's nothing. Forget it…”

 

“Damn, Vince, you the one that called me to sit here. Now you gonna go all close-mouthed on me?”

 

“It was nothing, Highwind, just a forgotten memory that never ceases to show me the error of my ways.”

 

“Oh, so it is Highwind again? You never cease to piss me off, Valentine,” Cid sneered.

 

Vincent turned his head slightly, looking at Cid, his crimson eyes glowing in the darkness. “I didn't think that you were the type to hold a grudge.”

 

“Yeah well, when someone fucks your brains out and then tells you it meant absolutely nothing, it tends to make you somewhat cynical,” Cid muttered bitterly. He refused to look at Vincent. He didn't want the gunman to see the pained look in his eyes. He did not want him to know how much he had been hurting since that night at Gold Saucer.

 

“Cid… I-” Vincent began to speak but a sudden explosion interrupted him. The two men turned surprised eyes towards where their friends were speaking even as they swiftly rose to their feet.

 

* * *