Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ Shifting the Balance ( Chapter 14 )

Chapter 14: Shifting the Balance

 

“He is not dead!” Cid argued, slamming his fist on the table in the conference room. The pilot glared angrily at the faces present, blue eyes flashing.

 

“Then where is he?” Barret shot back fiercely. “He wasn't at the crater! Fuck's sake man, he fell into the life stream!”

 

Cid stuttered as he fell back into his seat, “I… I don't know.”

 

“Look,” Yuffie began, gathering the attention of everyone to herself. “I want to find Cloud just as much as everyone. But where on the planet can we even begin to look?”

 

No one offered up a suggestion, just looked down glumly at the table. It had been two days since they had all escaped from ShinRa's clutches in Junon.

 

A week since Meteor first appeared in the sky, a glowing red ball of doom. Sephiroth had gone through with his plan, summoning destruction from heaven. The sight of it there in the sky only served to show the friends of their failure in stopping the crazed ex-general.

 

Since then they had been scouring the planet for Cloud. They checked the crater first, that being the last time they had seen their spiky-headed leader. It was then that they discovered the massive energy barrier that Sephiroth had erected around himself. They had no chance of getting past it.

 

Now all the friends were sitting around the table in the meeting room, trying to decide what to do. Other than Vincent, that is. The broody ex-Turk was leaning against the wall closest to the door, crimson eyes solemnly watching.

 

Cid was the most steadfast, insisting that Cloud had not died. It was mostly because the task of leader had fallen to him, and he really was not prepared for it, nor did he want the power. But the others had insisted that he was the best for the job. In all honesty, he was the only one for the job. Vincent could lead, but the chances that they would actually listen to him were only slightly better than the chances that Rude would declare his undying love for Shera.

 

Besides, it was Cid's airship that they used. Not to mention that the crew had basically mutinied against ShinRa and refused to work for anyone other than him from now on. It was actually kind of amusing how they referred to him as Captain.

 

Nanaki suddenly cleared his throat. Five pairs of eyes turned towards him, listening intently. “I think I may have an idea.”

 

“Spit it out then, for Planet's sake,” Cid said angrily.

 

Nanaki shook his head at the pilot before continuing, “My grandfather may know where we can find Cloud. He always talked about places where the Lifestream gushes up. If Cloud indeed fell into it, we might be able to find him at one of these locations. Unfortunately, I do not remember them,” he finished with a shrug.

 

“So,” Yuffie reiterated, “we just go to Cosmo Canyon and ask old Bugey ourselves.”

 

“Learn respect for your elders!” Barret snapped at the dark-haired ninja. She stuck out her tongue in response.

 

“Ah, can it!” she huffed, crossing her arms angrily.

 

“Shut up!” Cid snapped. He rubbed his head furiously, already feeling a headache developing. It seemed that had been happening a lot lately. He did not know how Cloud put up with it all.

 

Barret and Yuffie stared at him surprised. Cid had always been rather short-tempered but it didn't usually take so little.

 

“Cosmo Canyon, it is then,” the Captain continued tiredly.

 

“It shouldn't take long,” Reeve commented quietly. Among everyone, it seemed he had been the most subdued, not participating in any of the arguments. If he had been wearing black, he might have been confused for Vincent. “We are hovering over Rocket Town right now.”

 

“Fine, fine, whatever,” Cid huffed, waving his hands in dismissal. “Go do something until we get there. I don't care what.” He turned his attentions to Yuffie, narrowing his eyes. “Just don't fucking TOUCH anything.”

 

She stared back indignant. “I don't want anything that belongs to your crummy old airship no ways,” she commented as she stood up from the table and headed for the door.

 

Cid didn't respond. He just started furiously rubbing the same spot on his head, eyes closed.

 

The others took their cues to leave. It appeared that the frustrated pilot just wanted to be left alone.

 

Only Vincent remained, calm, thoughtful eyes watching the pilot. He hadn't really had the opportunity to talk to Cid. The airship had plenty rooms, so no one had to share at all. Ever since that night in Icicle Inn, the two of them had not had a chance to talk about anything, and now Cid looked like he really needed a break.

 

“I know you're still standing there,” the blond commented wearily. He opened his eyes and lifted his head up slightly, blue eyes meeting crimson.

 

“It's been a week, Cid,” Vincent stated quietly. He did not move or look away from the pilot's piercing gaze.

 

The pilot sighed, seemingly downcast. He was the first to tear his eyes away from the gunman as he thrust himself wearily up from the table to wander over to the window, looking out it as if the answers he was looking for were beyond the thick transparent glass.

 

“I know,” he stated finally.

 

“Then why?”

 

“I don't want this,” Cid murmured, all traces of his normally brash and uncouth behavior seemingly gone. He reached up with one hand, a finger trailing lightly over the smooth, cold glass. Freedom… just beyond his reach. “Didn't ask for it. Hell, it isn't even my battle to fight.”

 

Vincent didn't respond. He pushed himself off the wall, moving silently towards the window. He stood next to Cid, a mere hairsbreadth away, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared out through the glass as well. The scenery was flying by beneath them and the sky was pure blue… just like Cid's eyes.

 

“What will you do, in the end, when all hope is lost?”

 

Cid shook his head worriedly, closing his eyes. “I don't know.” His head still hurt, this group having quite the knack for handing out headaches. But he was feeling slightly better. Being close to the gunman, despite his slight anger towards him, had a calming effect on his emotions.

 

He wanted so much to just say, “I accept your apology”… and fall into that touch again. After all, he had had a raging hard on almost every night for the past week. Damn erotic dreams would not let him alone. Just another reason he was stressed out. No sleep, horny as fuck, and a group of children flying around in an airship searching for a lost cause, all under his command. Cid sighed audibly.

 

“We will find him,” Vincent said quietly, in a tone that could almost be counted as encouraging were it not coming from the gunman.

 

“Tch,” the pilot muttered. However, he said no more on the matter. His hand returned to his face, rubbing the same spot. If he kept that up, he was going to give himself a bruise.

 

There was a rustling of cloth, barely audible, and then Cid felt a heavy weight on his shoulders, the left heavier than the right. He smelled something spicy and mysterious, a scent he had come to recognize as being unique to Vincent. No matter what: after battle, having just woken up, trekking across the ground for days… the gunman never lost that enigmatic scent and flavor. It was intoxicating. He opened his eyes, realizing that Vincent was standing directly behind him.

 

“What are you-?” Cid began, intending to question what the gunman was doing. This was the conference room… anyone could walk in.

 

“Shh,” Vincent hushed softly. He stepped closer, sliding his arms down to pull Cid into a warm and comforting embrace. The pilot fit quite neatly into the dark-haired man's arms, being four inches shorter than him.

 

Cid relaxed into his touch, allowing himself to rest comfortably against Vincent's chest. He closed his eyes, letting out a small sigh. This was a side of the dark-haired gunman that he had not seen before and had never thought he ever would. Whatever had possessed him to be so comforting, Cid hoped it never went away. He always knew Vincent was human beneath it all; he just wished the others would understand it as well.

 

But as much as he wanted to never move from the position… ever… Cid knew that they couldn't stay that way. He shifted in a move that could have been taken as restless.

 

“The others…”

 

“Have all gone to do `something' as you commanded,” finished the ex-Turk. “You don't have to say or do anything. Just relax for a moment… you need it.”

 

The blond sighed audibly, giving in to what he desired. He relaxed in the gunman's arms, looking solemnly out the window. They were just clearing Mt. Nibel and the surrounding mountain range. Soon they would be over Cosmo Canyon. Until then, he could enjoy this time. But still… he felt he had to say something.

 

“Why?” Cid asked softly, not needing to explain further.

 

Vincent sighed, the other man feeling the small puff of air against his hair. “There are many things I do not understand, Highwind, and this is one of them.”

 

“So, it is Highwind again?”

 

Vincent did not answer. In truth, he had no idea what he would say. Parts of him wanted to draw the stubborn pilot in for a lengthy and breath-taking kiss. And other parts of him wanted to run screaming from the room, as far away from the risk as he could manage. There was a war in this heart, and the outcome was anyone's guess.

 

“Is it that hard, Vince?” Cid paused. He seemed to be looking for the right words to say. Finally satisfied, he continued, “To let it go, I mean. You don't have to understand everything. Sometimes you just gotta live.”

 

“Can sins… be forgiven?” Vincent asked abruptly. His question seemed entirely unrelated to the previous statements. [1]

 

“… uh…” Cid wasn't entirely sure how to answer that. He wasn't exactly a deep, philosophical thinker.

 

Vincent shook his head. “Nevermind. Forget I asked.”

 

“But-“

 

“No. It is not important,” the dark-haired man insisted.

 

There was silence between the two men. It was a quiet reflective moment. Finally, Cid shifted restlessly. Vincent had his arms wrapped loosely around him but still managed to convey the idea that he was not going to release him.

 

“Let me go, Vince,” the blond ordered softly.

 

The gunman did not respond, merely allowing his arms to fall at his sides. He took an unconscious step backwards away from the pilot. But he didn't leave the room, just watched as Cid turned around to face him.

 

Finally, the pilot could look at Vincent in the face. During the whole moment he could see nothing of the expressions in those crimson eyes. He believed that of all the crew, Cid was the only one who had seen anything other than the impassive chill inside those features.

 

Vincent was the first to speak. “We will probably be landing rather soon. They will need you in the cockpit.”

 

Cid shook his head, laughing softly. “I think I am beginning to understand you.”

 

Vincent looked at him curiously, raising an eyebrow as he frowned slightly. Understand him? Right. The gunman wanted to snort with incredulity.

“Is that so?”

 

The pilot took several steps towards Vincent, a mischievous gleam appearing in his blue eyes. The ex-Turk did not move however, curious as to what the pilot had planned.

 

Just one more step forward and the blond moved far faster than Vincent anticipated. He grabbed the gunman's head with one hand, pulling his face down into a kiss even as the other snaked around Vincent's back, urging him closer.

 

It seemed like forever since they had last been together like that, sharing something as intimate as a kiss. Vincent didn't resist the slightest, eagerly opening his mouth to admit the blond pilot. He slid his own tongue into Cid's mouth, delighting in the flavor that he had found himself missing. He brought up his own arms, wrapping them around Cid to pull the pilot even closer. Their bodies were flush against each other.

 

Cid lost himself in the touch of the gunman. He could feel tendrils of arousal already beginning to curl up within him: the smooth glide of his tongue in and around the pilot's mouth, the gentle caress of a hand against his back, the press of Vincent's arousal beneath the pants against his own.

 

It came as no surprise when it became incredibly difficult for him to pull away from the object of his desire, even when breathing became necessary.

 

Reluctantly, Cid broke off the kiss, looking up at Vincent. It seemed the gunman was no less affected. There was a flush to his pale, ivory features, even as his lips were parted slightly and his breathing had become ragged. In one simple kiss both men had gone from slightly irritated to incredibly horny.

 

“Cid… I…” Vincent began. He decided that he was going to try again. He was going to tell Cid what had been weighing on his mind.

The Captain smiled, shaking his head. “Now is not the time. We will be arriving in Cosmo Canyon any moment now.”

 

The gunman sighed and released Cid from his hold, taking a step back. He took deep breaths, trying to get his body under his control. He was surprised by how difficult that simple task had become. Somehow the pilot had managed to get under his skin in the simple time that they had known each other.

 

“Someday, Cid, I will tell you what I have to say,” muttered Vincent softly.

 

“And on that day,” Cid responded, pausing briefly before continuing, “I will be more than glad to hear it.”

 

* * *

 

Nanaki smiled to himself as he softly padded away from the door of the conference room. The actuality that he might have been discovered was worth the risk having seen what he saw. The lion wolf now knew that his suspicions were correct. There WAS something going on between Vincent and Cid. Lucky for him, the two men had not noticed him peering in from the doorway. He had witnessed their hug, but left before his good one eye was scarred for the rest of his life.

 

He made his way slowly into the depths of the airship. He had plans to return to the small room that had been given to him. If they were going to Cosmo Canyon, he was planning to retrieve something for his grandfather.

 

Nanaki moved quietly through the metal hallways of the airship Highwind. He was instantly grateful for the stealth his cat-like paws granted him. He had to hold back a chuckle as he again thought about what he had seen. It appeared the cold-hearted gunman was not as frozen as the others thought.

 

“What are you grinning about?” Yuffie's came voice from in front of him.

 

Nanaki looked up, surprised that he hadn't noticed her approach. Perhaps he was delighting TOO much in his discovery.

”Nothing,” he answered, putting as much innocence into the one word as he could.

 

She was leaning up against the wall, nonchalantly, twirling one of her throwing stars around her fingers and grinning. “Aw, come on. You tell me your secret, and I will tell you mine.”

 

Nanaki snorted as he walked by the ninja, heading for his room. It was at the far end of the corridor, one of the smallest and furthest. Yuffie pushed herself off the wall and fell into stride next to him. “You don't have any secrets.”

 

“How do you know?” Yuffie questioned, appearing to pout.

 

“All right,” responded Nanaki. “Then what secret do you have?”

 

“Nuh uh.” Yuffie shook her head vigorously in denial. “You first.”

“How do I know you are not bluffing?”

 

“You'll just have to trust me.”

 

Nanaki snorted again, unable to help himself as he chuckled. “Right, and while I am at it, why don't you give me back the Earth materia. I might need it.”

 

Yuffie's eyes widened as her grin was replaced by an entirely innocent expression. “What Earth materia?”

 

“The one you took from my Fire Armlet a few seconds ago,” he answered her, rolling his eye.

 

She pouted again, rolling the small green ball between her fingers. “I might need it, too.”

 

“I do remember Cid allowing you to have Ifrit.”

 

Yuffie did not respond, seemingly transfixed by the material she had flipping around in her hand.

 

“Well, didn't he?”

 

“It's not strong enough,” she mumbled under her breath.

 

Nanaki sighed in minor irritation. Yuffie's kleptomania was somewhat of a nuisance but to be honest, she never really kept anything she took. It was more like the challenge than the actual prize to her. Or at least, that was how the lion wolf had it figured. He looked up, glad to see that he had finally arrived at his room. Unlike the others, there was no knob on this door. Nanaki had one of the crewmen remove it for easy access.

 

“You are more than powerful enough on your own,” Nanaki complimented as he pushed his way into the room. She followed him.

 

Yuffie snorted. “You said you need it too. And you have way more strength than I do, Nanaki.” She rolled it once more about her fingers before giving it back to him, slipping it easily into his Armlet on his right fore-leg.

 

“Hmm,” the lion wolf said in response. He padded over to his bed, if that is what one would call it. It appeared that despite his human-like intelligence, the lion wolf still had cat-like tendencies. The covers for the bed were pulled into a ball and settled down in the middle, much like a pet bed available at the local pet store.

 

“You gonna tell me whatcha were smiling at earlier?” Yuffie asked, reiterating the subject they were previously discussing. She plopped herself down in the only chair in the room, reclining comfortably as she propped her feet up on the small end table.

 

Nanaki nosed into the covers, teeth gripping onto some. Yuffie watched with fascination as he pulled out a small metal chain with a mysterious symbol hooked onto it. With a great manipulation, he managed to get it around his neck where it swung gently, the heavy silver metal a contrast to his brilliant scarlet-orangish fur.

 

“What is that?” Yuffie asked with clear fascination, forgetting her earlier question.

 

“Something I found for grandfather in the Temple of the Ancients. I thought he might like to have it.”

 

“Wow,” the ninja murmured, eyes shining. “It is beautiful.” Her brown eyes traveled over the thick metal - though slightly rusted and dirty - was still a real work of art. The symbol itself was something mysterious: a large cross with a serpent coiled around it and a small crown adorning the top where the metal looped through it.

 

“I believe that it is quite old,” commented Nanaki shrugging his shoulders. “My grandfather will undoubtedly like it.

 

Yuffie nodded, tearing her eyes away from the necklace and returning her attentions to her previous questions. She was still burning with curiosity over what Nanaki hadn't told her. She sat up in the chair and fixed the lion wolf with her most intent stare.

 

“Well?” she said, as if that one word explained everything.

 

Nanaki raised an eyebrow in question. “Well, what?”

 

“Your secret, silly; I still want to know.”

 

He shook his head. “I can't. It is not mine to tell.”

 

Yuffie's eyes widened. “Ooh. Then it must be about someone I know! Who is it?” She asked excited, “It's Reeve, isn't it?”

 

Nanaki glanced at her, an amused expression on his face as he leapt up onto the bed, making himself comfortable. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

 

She grinned. “Just some of my own suspicions. But don't worry, I will get to the bottom of all these mysteries.”

 

“I don't doubt it,” responded Nanaki dryly.

 

-Attention all crew. We will be landing at Cosmo Canyon in just a few moments. That is all-

 

The announcement from the cockpit interrupted the conversation between the ninja and the lion wolf. Sighing, Yuffie rose from the chair as Nanaki roused himself off the bed.

 

“Duty calls,” the ninja remarked. “Too bad for you. No nap after all,” she teased, reaching over to run her hands through his fur.

Nanaki rolled his eyes in response but leaned into her touch. He gave her a wolfish smile as he padded to the door.

 

* * *

 

“Grandfather!” exclaimed Nanaki happily, much like a young child.

 

“Nanaki! You have returned?” Bugenhagen questioned in surprise. He greeted the lion wolf with vigor nonetheless, giving him a grandfatherly pat on the head.

 

“We are here on business,” Nanaki responded, tail literally wagging with joy. “We require information.

 

“Oh, really?” the sage queried. His eyes traveled over those present, noting that a few were missing and a few were gained since he had last seen the friends. “It seems that the group has changed in many ways.”

 

The ninja stepped up to the sage, offering a small bow and surprising most of her friends. However, her polite action belied her statement. “Mr. Bugenhagen, sir, we need to find Cloud,” Yuffie blurted out, bordering on the verge of disrespect. From beside her, Nanaki nodded solemnly.

 

“Oh?” The elderly man's eyebrow raised in question. He gestured towards the sitting room, inviting them all to relax. “And how can I help with that?” he questioned once they were all seated.

 

“He fell into the Lifestream,” Cid began slowly.

 

“And he is just as strong as Sephiroth,” continued Barret.

 

“So we figured he would survive such a thing,” Reeve finished respectfully.

 

Nanaki added from his place beside the ninja, “However, he was not at the crater… where we last saw him.”

 

Bugenhagen looked at them thoughtfully, hand rubbing his chin. “It is possible that he could be found at an area where mako pools reside.”

 

Yuffie looked at them quizzically. “Mako pools?”

 

“Like I explained before, areas where the Lifestream gushes up,” Nanaki clarified gently, flicking his tail and nuzzling her hand.

 

The old sage watched the exchange with interest. “Yes, there are very few of them in Gaia, though: one in the Ancient's City, one on the Southern Island, one on the lost grounds… and then of course, I suppose the one at the crater now.”

 

Barret asked, “Lost grounds?” He had never heard of such a place.

”Oh, sorry. That is the old name for Barrier Island.”

 

“We checked the crater and the Ancient's city,” Cid mused.

 

“That only leaves the Southern Island and Barrier Island,” Reeve added, nodding his head.

 

Nanaki suggested, “We should go south first, it is the most likely candidate.”

 

“Works for me.” Cid shrugged. He lit up a cigarette and smoked it thoughtfully. With luck they would find the spiky-headed man and his reign as leader would be over.

 

“Thanks for your help, Bugenhagen,” Vincent said softly, speaking for one of the first times.

 

The elderly man smiled. “The heroes of the planet will get all the help they need from me.” He lightly patted Nanaki on the head, running his hands over the lion wolf's fur and scratching him behind the ears. His gnarled fingers touched something hard and smooth.

 

“Eh? What is this?” he asked him.

 

“Oh!” Nanaki exclaimed. “I nearly forgot. I found that in the Temple of the Ancients. I thought you might like it,” he added shyly.

 

“Hmm,” murmured Bugenhagen thoughtfully as he pulled the chain from around Nanaki's neck and examined it. “Seems very old…” he mused aloud.

 

“Do you know what the symbol is?” Yuffie questioned curiously. Ever since she had first laid eyes on the rusted necklace she had been fascinated by it.

 

“It is a flamel [2],” Bugenhagen commented. “I haven't seen this in ages, and even then only in ancient manuscripts.”

 

Barret questioned, tongue stumbling over the unfamiliar term, “What is a flamel?”

 

“It is rather difficult to explain,” the sage responded. “Suffice it to say, that the chain rightfully belongs to Nanaki… until he unlocks its secrets.”

 

“Secrets?” Nanaki questioned with confusion.

 

Bugenhagen nodded as he slipped the chain back around the lion wolf's neck once more. For some reason, Nanaki did not mind, finding the weight of it comforting and feeling like it belonged. “It has something to do with your tribe, but I will need to do more research on it before I can say for certain.”

 

“Great,” Cid growled, interrupting their small conversation. “Now that all that is taken care of, can we go to the Southern Island?”

 

The group of friends exchanged looks, before shrugging their shoulders in mute decision.

 

“Wait one moment before you go,” the old man inserted, before anyone had a chance to get out the door. “Just one warning.”

 

There was a chorus of sighs as everyone stilled in their movements and listened to the wise old man say his peace.

 

He blinked his sad, old grey eyes at the friends, again noting the change in crew. He shook his head in indecision. That fact was ill boding for them indeed.

 

“I don't know what is going on and am even now trying to find out,” he explained hurriedly. “But something has changed… in the air… in the planet… in the weave of time. There is a new force of power to be reckoned with, but whether good or evil I cannot say. Keep your eyes open and your hearts untainted,” Bugenhagen finished, training his eyes on everyone present.

 

He hoped in all his heart that they would take his enigmatic words and remember them well. For the sake of everyone.

 

* * *

 

Author's Notes:

 

[1] I do not know how many of you have seen Advent Children, but in a scene between Vincent and Cloud, Cloud asks Vincent this very same question, which to me seemed like he was asking the wrong person. But then again, if I think about it, Vincent might have been the only person Cloud could have asked. Whatever. That's just a bit of my contemplations on the movie. So I shamelessly took the line for use in my fic. Vincent's response in AC was: “I have never tested it.” Well, at least that is what my translation said.

 

[2] A flamel is the symbol for alchemy. I borrowed it from Fullmetal Alchemist the anime series in case you were wondering. And being as there is no such thing as alchemy in this world I have taken liberties with it. Flamel = alchemy = transmutation = a plot twist I'll bet you have never heard of.