Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Divine and Atonement ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Here you go folks. Another chapter just for you! My muse is having a lot of fun with this story. It is just not often that inspiration strikes me when I actually have the opportunity to work on it. Oh well. Anyhow enjoy reading!

Isa

Disclaimer: Characters and FF so not mine. But lordy how I wish they were. Me have lota mula then! But sadly that is not the case, although this story idea is mine. So there! Ha!

Chapter Two

The Hardest Part of a Journey Is Often the First Step

It was nearly midnight before the duo set off on their private journey. With the lack of moonlight and their combined stealth, they were less than shadows passing through the night. Yuffie though could barely contain her excitement at joining up with her old teammate. It had been hard not to rush forward and hug the stoic gunman. Just in time though she remembered whom she was dealing with and refrained from doing so. Her father would certainly have been proud to see how seriously she was taking her role as Princess. Yet his death a little over a year ago still seemed so surreal.

The Geostigma that had so ravaged much of the youth of the world left a trail of victims that included all ages. Her father was perhaps one of the last. Yuffie had arrived home with news of the cure just in time to watch as her father slowly slipped away. From that moment on Yuffie Kisaragi stopped avoiding her people and stepped up to the role she was destined for.

The steely determination in her eyes as she came down from the top level of the pagoda startled and frightened its remaining guardians. Yet it was with no hesitation that they bowed low before her and acknowledged her new status as leader to the Wutai people. Little by little, the people of Wutai started regaining the honor and prosperity that had been lost to them the past thirteen years. It was with pride that they looked upon their new leader for she inspired hope, faith and happiness to a people that had seen so little of it before. Gone were the brothels, casinos and pawn shops filled with bookies and stolen goods. Much of the money that Yuffie had acquired during her adventures went to restoring the temples and the towns themselves. The rest went to a safe hold deep within the main temple of Leviathan to only be used when needed. Finally the future of Wutai was starting to look bright and the people owed it all to their tireless leader.

But the truth was Yuffie was tired. And though she was deeply devoted to her people and her duties; the ever energetic ninja needed a break. Perhaps she should feel a little guilty. After all, Yuffie may have been genuinely happy to see her old companion; truth be told she was just as happy to see him because he was an escape from the ever present duties and stress she had acquired over the past year. Albeit only a temporary escape, nonetheless one she intended to take full advantage of. Besides, it truly was good to see the mysterious man again. And while she was around, Yuffie could ensure that her friend stayed safe and out of harm's way. So she may have been using him a little but it was really for the man's own good.

Yuffie lead the way as they climbed further and further up the mountains. The terrain steadily got more difficult the longer they traveled yet the ever stoic gunman never once complained or made it apparent that the journey was in anyway taxing. The sun was just beginning make her first appearance of the day when Yuffie called a halt to their progress and found an overhang to relax under.

“Leviathan, if I had known you were going to yap my ear off Valentine, I would have never agreed to this whole thing.”

Vincent just raised an eyebrow and silently shook his head to decline the offered canteen of water. Yuffie shrugged and took a deep swig of it herself before locking the cap back on and placing it back in her pack. “I figure we have about another day of climbing before the trail levels out again and from then it will be just a few hours till we reach our destination.”

Vincent nodded before turning away from her to watch as the sun made her majestic debut over the rim of the mountains. Yuffie had always enjoyed watching the sun rise and wondered if Vincent felt the same.

What goes on in that head of his? Yuffie wondered not for the first time.

“Give me about five more minutes and then we can continue on.” The ninja said from her position on the ground.

The gunman looked over his shoulder and glanced at the prone figure of his comrade as she lay down. “I do not recall you tiring this easily before. Do not set such a quick pace on my account.”

Yuffie just opened one eye to look at Vincent before closing it again. “It is not the pace which tires this Yuffie.” She replied, mimicking his earlier words. “In fact since you seem to be handling it so well, perhaps we can speed up a bit in order to reach our destination that much quicker. After of course, I have lain here for five minutes.”

“Indeed.”

Indeed.

And it was so, for exactly five minutes after Yuffie had said that she got up, stretched, and motioned for her now silent companion to follow her once again. Yuffie kept the pace as fast as the terrain would allow. She hadn't quite done something as physical as this in several months and her left leg was really starting to feel it, yet her pride would not let her say anything nor slow down even a little bit. They didn't stop until around noon when the direct sun and the heat would make travel next to impossible, even for a high class ninja and former Turk. So upon finding the first alcove that would provide shelter for both of them, the duo settled down to cool off.

It was while Yuffie began to unpack a small snack that her first shocker of the day took place. A conversation was started and it wasn't by her.

“Does your leg trouble you often?”

“Pardon?” She said, tilting her head to the side. Surely she must be imagining things for Mr. Mysterious over there never was one to take part in normal conversation. Well, very rarely at least.

“Does your leg trouble you often?”

“My leg?” She asked before looking down and realizing she had been rubbing it the whole time. “No, and it is really no bother now. Every now and then the muscles stiffen up but other than that it is fine.”

“You never did tell me how you came to need that brace on it.”

“And I doubt I ever shall. We all have our secrets, Valentine. Let me keep mine.”

“Very well, my apologies then.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. No harm done. But if you want to make it up to me you can tell me what you have been doing these past couple of years. We didn't really get the chance to talk the last time we saw one another.”

“Traveling.”

“Traveling? That is it? Come on there has to be more to the story than that.”

“We all have our secrets, Yuffie. Let me keep mine.”

“Touché. Although, is that a smile I see? Is the Vincent Valentine perhaps telling a joke?”

“It is, I believe, just your imagination.”

“Say what you will funny man, but I think underneath that mysterious and dark exterior is a comedian just waiting to come out.”

Vincent though just turned his face away and hid it once more behind the high collar of his cloak. But his smile did not go missed by the sharp eyed ninja.

One day, Valentine, I will hear you laugh.

“Have you had any luck in finding those documents pertaining to anymore of Hojo's experiments?”

“No I have not. Rufus has been…very accommodating in allowing me access to all of his files yet there is nothing of much value to me.”

“What is it exactly you are looking for?”

“…”

“Oh yes, the ever popular silent response. Very well then. I'll leave you to your secrets. Besides, I think it has cooled off enough for us to continue journeying. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Fine then. I must warn you though that the trail is going to get a tad bit more rugged, but it won't be too bad.”

That did turn into perhaps one of the largest understatements of the year. Yet despite the nearly impossible climb, Vincent was able to keep up with the nimble ninja as she climbed the mountains that had always been her home. If the going was tough, Vincent didn't show it and Yuffie was not surprised by this. They were making better progress than she would have thought. If they kept going at this pace, their destination would be reached in no time. And then she would have a hot bath, and a soft bed, and…but her thoughts were interrupted when the rocks beneath her feet turned out not to be quite as stable as she had first thought. It would also be her sad fortune that her leg chose that moment to lock up. To her time seemed to move in slow motion as her brain registered the fact that wow suddenly the ground has disappeared, wow she really was a long way up, and hey wasn't the sky a nice shade of blue. Till finally, wow I think I like the color red although I don't recall rocks ever feeling this nice before.

It took a moment for Yuffie to realize that the firm form behind her was Vincent and that his claret colored eyes were now focused on her while his hands held her shoulders. Once the reality of the situation fully hit her, Yuffie leapt forward as if pinched. “Um, heh, sorry about that. I didn't mean for that to happen. I don't know what came over me.”

“There is no harm done. Are you certain you can continue on?”

Yuffie could just feel her cheeks burn at what had just occurred and the implication that she wasn't fit enough for the tough terrain. “Yes.” Was all she would say as she hastily turned around and continued up the track as though nothing had happened.

They climbed on in silence the rest of the day and when the moon had reached its peak in the inky sky the path had just started to level out. Yuffie paused a moment to stare at the edge of the valley they were in. The forest within it was dense and thick traveling all the way up the sides of the bowl of the mountains. Though it couldn't be seen from her current position, Yuffie knew the exact location of where they were heading and her body ached for the comfort it would bring. She may have only been with Vincent for a few days, but she had been traveling through her mountains for a few weeks now and was more than ready for small luxuries waiting at their destination.

Shouldering her pack once more Yuffie turned away from the majestic view and continued on. “Stay close to me Valentine. There are many false trails up ahead and I'd rather not have to search for you tonight. Just a couple more hours and we will be there.”

His silence was a reply she was used to so she couldn't help the startled jump her body gave when his voice floated up from behind her. “Who made these trails?”

Willing her heart to slow down to a normal pace, Yuffie glanced over her shoulder. “My people of course. We have several safe places scattered throughout the mountains. All of them have false trails leading to dead ends or in circles. There are very few people who have them all memorized.”

“And are you one of these people?”

“If I told you that, Valentine, I would have to kill you.”

“Indeed.”

Yuffie couldn't help but smile at the reluctant humor in his voice. Little by little Yuffie could tell she was starting to crack his rough exterior. Perhaps only a hairline crack that didn't even break the surface but hey, a girl had to start somewhere! Because it seemed that at some point during this little journey, Yuffie decided to be Vincent's friend; whether he liked it or not.

“We have about two more hours of this moonlight and I'm going to need it once we reach our destination.”

“Why is that?”

Yuffie looked over her shoulder at Vincent and winked. “That my friend is a surprise.”

The dense undergrowth of the forest proved to be more challenging than Yuffie had remembered. Yet they continued on at a steady pace on what seemed to be nothing more than a deer trail, an old and unused one at that. Yuffie was used to silence yet the fact that it was nearly impossible to hear the man behind her as they traveled through the heavy vegetation was slightly unnerving. It was all she could do to keep from looking behind her every few minutes to be sure he was still following her. The one time she did glance back red eyes stared back at her with an eerie glow that seemed to come from within. He was but a mere shadow passing along until bits of moonlight would slip through the thick leave of the trees above them, making him appear otherworldly. Twice she had the feeling of being hunted or felt the eyes of a predator upon her but Yuffie dismissed it as byproducts of sleep deprivation. There were no predators in this valley and monsters lurked at the other end in deep caves. Her imagination was an active one in the middle of the night.

Finally, just when Yuffie felt her nerves were beginning to fray, her eyes beheld a sight that was by far the most beautiful thing they had looked upon in a long time. “At last, we have made it. Mr. Valentine, welcome to your new home. Or at least temporary residence.”

Vincent stared at the cliff face before him and at the lake before it. “We are camping here?”

“Of course not!” Yuffie walked up towards the cliff face and felt along it for a few moments, her fingers probing every rock and crevice in obvious search of something. “Damn it but I was counting on having more moonlight to work with. Hmm.”

Vincent just stood back as the ninja paced before the wall and along the rim of the lake; occasionally stopping to look back and forth between it and the moon above. Finally after squatting on the ground and squinting at apparently nothing for a good fifteen minutes, Yuffie let out a shout and rushed forward in her excitement.

“Ha! I knew I could find it. Valentine, come here so I can show you something.”

The silent Turk obeyed and stood not a foot from where the excited young woman was nearly prancing in place. “What is it you wish me to see?”

“See where my finger is pointing? I want you to follow the direction of it on the rock wall. It may take awhile but there are actually symbols hidden there. They are imprinted on the cliff with a special material known as `Mintalia' or Moon Dust. They can only be seen with moonlight shinning directly on them. Took me a while but once I was able to get the angle right and knew which direction to look…”

“Those symbols were what you wished to show me?”

Startled at the interruption, Yuffie lost her momentum but tried to pick it back up, stuttering in the process. “Y-Yes…um…how…um…you certainly found them rather quickly.”

“I had been able to see them the whole time. If I had known what it was you were looking for, I would have assisted you in your search. My apologies.”

“What! You were able to see them the entire time? And you didn't tell me? What do you mean you are able to see them? There is hardly any moonlight and you weren't even at the right spot and how…? You know what, never mind. All that matters is that I found the right symbol we need to enter. Please don't tell me you can read what this says as well?”

Amusement glittered in his claret eyes yet his voice gave nothing away. “I can only see the symbols, not read them. Does this perhaps ease your mind?”

“In ways you will never know.” Yuffie muttered under her breath as she reached forward and pressed upon the desired symbol causing a portion of the rock wall to recede and move to the side revealing a passageway. “All right then Mr. Smarty-pants, right this way.”

Yuffie didn't even bother looking back this time as she walked into the dark corridor. After going ten paces she reached up and tapped the wall beside her and the entrance closed once more leaving the duo in total darkness. Without any hesitation Yuffie walked two more steps before her foot met with resistance. “I knew those steps where around her somewhere. Hang on and I'll get us some light.”

Feeling for the wall once again with her fingers, Yuffie found the niche she was looking for and smiled to herself. “Fire.” She said and a small flame leapt from her fingers into the niche that was filled with a liquid of some kind. This niche continued on up the path of the stairs till it was lost from sight around a curve although the glow from the now flaming trail told of its continued journey.

“There that is better. I realize it may seem a little rustic but don't worry. I was planning on using this place so I cleaned it up and got it ready for our stay here. It is well stocked with food and other supplies to last us up to a week or so. After that we would have to hunt, not that I think that will be a big deal for you.” Yuffie said as Vincent followed behind her. Though the place was obviously old, it was maintained very well and the steps were even and straight. Along the ceiling and walls where random carvings of religious symbols and of the Wutai god Leviathan. The niche along the stairs itself was made to look like the great dragon.

After coming to a landing that curved right and going up several more steps, they finally made it to a great door set in the stone itself. Pulling the key out from a hidden pocket, Yuffie unlocked the door before opening it with a dramatic flare and bowing to her taller companion. “May I present for you sir, the presidential suite.”

Vincent walked through and stood in the middle of a large domed room. Yuffie hurried past him and threw her things on a fur covered cot in far corner before flinging herself down beside it. She stared up at the high ceiling feeling peaceful for the first time in weeks as her eyes followed the large diamonds that had been placed in the blue stones above her set in the constellation of Leviathan. Yuffie looked around trying to see things as Vincent was. The floor itself was level and smooth as were the walls and the doomed ceiling gave the impression of size to a room that probably only twenty-five meters in diameter. There was a small seating area to one side made up of large pillows and a low table to eat on. The niche that had disappeared in a hole by the door continued on around the room. Yuffie had set up a cot for Vincent at the opposite end of the room than hers. There was even a thick wooden changing screen to give her privacy when she wanted to change.

Not that I think he would look, I just don't want either of us to be uncomfortable.

Deciding that if she stayed on that cot any longer she would start to fall asleep, Yuffie quickly sat up and marched over to where Vincent was still standing in the middle of the room. “So are you ready for the grand tour?”

Vincent just lifted and eyebrow and nodded.

“Alright then, so well um this room is obviously the main living area. My cot is over there and yours is on the other side over there. This is the sitting area should you feel the desire to relax.” Yuffie continued on as she pointed out the various shelves and cabinets set up around the room. “This one here as all of our food and this one has the medical supplies should we need them. That shelf over there is full of books for you that I picked out myself. I don't really know your tastes so I got something of everything. Um…oh yes follow me this way.”

Yuffie led Vincent to a door that was somewhat hidden by the mural painted on it and opened it to show him what was beyond. It was a room of sorts that was actually exposed to the elements at the far end with an opening just large enough for Yuffie to kneel under. She had left the door behind her open so light from the other room would follow them to provide some illumination. In the middle of the room about fifteen feet from the arched opening was a small pool that apparently was a hot spring. Yuffie had tried it out when she had come here to get this place ready and couldn't wait to use it again. “This incase you couldn't tell is a bathing room. As it is difficult to get modern plumbing out here, I'm afraid any business you need to do will have to be done outside. Now if you don't mind I am in dire need of a hot soak and wish to take one before I put this stinky body in that wonderful bed. I'll just get my things so I don't disturb you.”

The ninja walked past Vincent as he too walked out of the bathing area and went strait to the bookshelf to search for something to read. Yuffie grabbed her bag off her bed and shut the door to the main room behind her, using the last of the moonlight streaming in through the opening to provide the light for her. After stripping off her grimy clothes, Yuffie sank into the heavenly water with a sigh.

“Oh yes, I needed this. Leviathan how I needed this. No more traveling for a least a week. And besides, how bad could it be living here with Valentine? Stress free for seven days sounds absolutely wonderful. Hell, a week in this hot spring sounds absolutely wonderful right now.” She sighed deeply once again before ducking her head under the water and proceeding to wash her hair. After soaking till she was good and pruney, Yuffie reluctantly left the hot spring and dressed in her usual tight black shorts but instead wore a white tank top. She had carefully cleaned her headband and set it up before the archway with some pebbles on its tips so it could dry. Then after grabbing her bag, Yuffie opened the door and stepped back out into the main living area.

There she discovered Vincent settled on one of the large futons in the sitting area with a book between his large hands. He didn't even bother to acknowledge her presence which Yuffie tried really hard not to find offensive.

What did you expect, Yuffie? A smile, a gesture, a nod? Or how about a “Did you enjoy your bath? You did a wonderful job picking out books for me, Yuffie. This one here is just so enthralling, I can't put it down. Not even to look at you.”

“Well the hot spring is free if you wish to use it. I have a fresh bar of soap for you to use just incase you don't have your own.”

Vincent just nodded once, eyes never leaving the book.

“Would you mind terribly if I turned down the fire? I don't think I will be able to sleep well with it being this bright in here. Would you like a candle to read by?”

Again the stoic gunman just nodded his head.

Yuffie sighed before tossing her bag to the floor under her cot before walking over to one of the cabinets and placing a lighted candle on the floor besides Vincent. He mumbled out a thank you but said nothing more as Yuffie turned a knob on the wall which turned the bright orange flames around the room into glowing blue orbs of light from the nearly extinguished fire. Settling down under the heavy fur blankets as the room within the mountain was bound to get cold, Yuffie whispered good-night and promptly fell asleep; dreaming of red eyed men and throwing gigantic bars of soap at them.

AN: Sooooo...what do you think? Like it? Love it? Hate it? Can't tell yet? Please tell me, reviews really make my day. Make me feel all tingly inside.