Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Divine and Atonement ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

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

Hello there!! Told you I wasn't done with this baby yet. I've been bombarded with ideas for this story for weeks now and have finally had time to start to get them down. I can't wait to see the rest of this story as it progresses. I'm so excited! I must say it is somewhat difficult to write for someone like Vincent because of how introverted he really is. I'm trying very hard to keep them in character as best I can. I've read some fics that turn him into a weeping, emotional, chatter box at the drop of a dime. I've heard of artistic license but, um...REALLY! Or they make Yuffie cry about every little thing every few paragraphs. I can't do that. I won't do that. Yes EVENTUALLY Vincent will start to open up, but not with a tearfest. There will be a relationship between the two but it will develop gradually. Lets face it, while physically Vincent is about 30 years old, emotionally he's...well he needs work. Good thing I've got lots of duct tape!! HAHA! On with the story!

Isa

Disclaimer- Waaaaaayyy to poor to own FFVII or its characters.

Chapter Three

The Silence is Deafening

`Thirty-four.' Claret eyes quickly scanned a few more paragraphs before once again leaving the page of the book. `Thirty-five.' The book had promised to be more engrossing than it actually was. But then again, he didn't normally have this type of distraction. If someone had told him that the Wutianese princess would be somewhat loud, Vincent wouldn't have denied it. If she had been accused of having the profound ability to annoy those around her, he would not raise a single argument. And in most cases, Vincent could be found avoiding those whose personalities were so opposed to his own. He liked peace and quiet, he liked to be left alone. These were things he had resigned himself to live without for the duration of his stay with the energetic ninja. And yet…

Had it been any other member of the infamous Avalanche group, Vincent wouldn't have thought much of it. He wasn't exactly the type to inspire friendly conversation. But the fact that it was Yuffie quite unsettled the normally very settled gunman. Almost like clockwork his claret eyes would leave the page of the book he was reading to stare at the ninja for a few moments before returning once again to the book. It had become a routine. And every time he looked at her, he would see the same thing. Yuffie Kisaragi of Clan Kisaragi, leader of Wutai and by her own account “The World's Greatest Ninja” was fast asleep.

It's not that he wasn't grateful for this at first; Vincent was just very surprised and grateful. But that was three days ago. Again, a somewhat worried looked crossed Vincent's face as he looked at the person causing this worry in the first place. His eyes settled once more over the still slumbering form of the ninja in question. How in the world could someone sleep for three days? Vincent recalled the dark smudges under Yuffie's eyes and the fatigue that lingered in them. But he never would have thought that the normally energetic ninja would skip sleep and go straight into a coma. This was unheard of.

Despite his misgivings, the shinobi seemed to be fairing quite well under the circumstances. Fearing a fever, the former Turk was pleased yet surprised to find none. And even in an apparent deep sleep the young woman found it impossible to keep still. Several times Vincent found himself walking over to Yuffie's cot to place the blanket over her, only to have it thrown back off moments later. He gave up after the first day however, letting the fur blanket lay on the floor where it fell. But wasn't three days long enough to catch up on whatever sleep she may have lost the past few weeks? Vincent was starting to do something he never made a habit of. He was worried. Already his eyes had left the book he was trying to read thirty-six times. And it was still early in the morning.

`This must stop.'

Just as he was setting down the book and stood up, the young woman must have pick up on his intent to wake her. There was a long, sleepy groan and Vincent watched as Yuffie proceeded to stretch in what he considered a cat like manner. Slowly, as though she had all the time in the world, Yuffie raised pale white arms above her head and pointed her toes as she stretched her body; causing her back to arch momentarily and another deep moan to escape her. Vincent paid no mind to the loud pops and cracks that accompanied the movements as the ninja brought her arms to her sides and rolled over, curling her legs under her and slowly pushing her arms once again above her head on the cot as she stretched her back. She finished her strange ritual by lying once more on her belly with her legs out behind her before pushing herself up on her arms, causing yet another outrageously loud crack to be heard as she arched her back one last time, letting her head fall back on a deep sigh.

Finally realizing she had an audience; Yuffie swung her head to the side as she grinned at her companion. “Mornin' Valentine,” came her sleepy greeting as she lifted her head back up and proceeded to stand up.

“You slept for three days.” Vincent said as Yuffie bent down to touch her toes then wrap her arms around her legs while holding the pose.

“Did I now? No wonder I feel so good. Three days, huh?” Vincent just nodded as Yuffie straightened back up before bringing one leg behind her and over her head. Much like he had seen dancers do. “Well that is better than last time I guess. About a year ago I worked myself into such a frenzy after the death of Godo that when I finally did get some sleep, I slept for two weeks. Judoki was furious as I recall. So were the other guardians. I hope I didn't worry you.” Yuffie said as she did the same with her other leg.

“Not so much. You were not running a fever and did not seem to suffer any ill effects. I just let you be.” There was no need to tell her about the constant vigilance or checking through the small library Yuffie had brought for a medical book to explain what could be wrong with her. After all, there was only so much you could say to a person intent on turning themselves into a human pretzel. Why hadn't he figured on the ninja being so limber? And it certainly wasn't that interesting to watch. Vincent held back the sigh of relief as Yuffie finally came to the end of her morning stretches.

“Well, now that I got all the kinks out, I'm starving. You didn't happen to eat all the food the past three days, did you?”

“Hn.”

“I'll take that as a no. Good. I could eat a whole ox.”

Vincent decided he needed air. He had barely left the mountain at all the past three days. Only going out to relieve himself before coming back to keep on eye on his hostess. Yuffie saw him heading towards the exit and emerged from the fridge with her arms loaded and a packet of bacon gripped in her teeth.

“Yuff guining outshide? Gunig mish brekfashts.”

The dark gunman just raised an eyebrow as he attempted to decipher what the young woman was saying. “Start without me.”

Yuffie just shrugged as she shut the fridge door with a foot. “Shoot yerself.”

Vincent shook his head as he opened the door and followed the fire lit path down the stairs and outside. The instantly bright sun that greeted him when he exited the cave opening caused the former Turk to pause a moment and shade his eyes against the glare. After blinking his claret eyes back into focus, Vincent set off in the direction of the caves Yuffie had spoken of upon their arrival. He recalled her saying something about them having monsters in them. Vincent had been idle for too long and could feel Chaos getting restless. A cave full of monsters could prove the distraction he needed.

Chaos had been acting more restless the past few months than Vincent cared to admit. It was becoming increasing more difficult to contain the demon during fights and even around people. Chaos craved blood. He wished to bathe in it, drink it, and feel it flow over his claws. Vincent shuddered at the images the demon presented to his mind's eye. Images of his team mates' decimated bodies while Chaos licked their blood off his claws filled Vincent with anger and dread.

`Host, you are easy to toy with.'

`One might think you would be tired of it by now.'

Vincent noticed the cave was looming up ahead and nearly sighed in relief. Perhaps he could work off some of the pent up energy and aggression Chaos was feeding him.

`Perhaps if it were me doing the killing instead of you.'

`I will not risk letting you loose in your current blood lust with a comrade so near.'

The inhuman laughter that rang out in his head caused Vincent to pause while loading his gun. He had spent many years dealing with the demons within his body yet their laughter still unnerved even him. It did not sound natural or pleasant. He had gotten used to the deep and almost guttural monotone of Chaos's voice. It was smooth and animalistic, breathy and profound; a strange combination that spoke of something old and terrifying. But it was his laughter that still gave Vincent the chills.

`Finally admitting your inability to control me?'

`I'd rather not test fate. She has been an unkind mistress.'

Vincent proceeded to ignore any further comments made by the demon as he walked into the cool, damp recesses of the cave. Already his senses were on high alert while he waited for his eyes to adjust to the dark. Thankfully this didn't take long as he heard movement in a chamber to the right. Releasing the safety and coiling his muscles to attack at any moment, Vincent walked into the chamber.

Perhaps it would have been prudent on Yuffie's part to mention that the cave was home to Mountain Wyverns. It would have prevented Vincent's surprise at seeing one of the ancient beasts wrapped around a stalagmite with its gaping jaws looming above his head ready to release its acid fire. Prudent and Yuffie were two things that never went together though.

Vincent barely managed to leap out of the way as the fiery blast shot just beyond him. Chaos rumbled at the back of his mind, ready to join the fray. This was what he had been hoping for after all, a chance to get rid of some of his aggression. He just hadn't planned on taking on a creature that could eat a Behemoth on his first go.

Vincent attempted to keep out of the striking range while keeping an eye on both the head and tail. Fangs the size of a grown man dripped with acid and poison while jeweled eyes watched its prey with morbid fascination. Most of its snake like body remained wrapped around the stalagmite while its tail moved almost lazily at the rear of the chamber. Vincent realized he had very few shots to make that could actually kill the giant beast. This one was smart too to have lived long enough to get this large.

The Wyvern took Vincent's hesitation as an opportunity to attack and he was forced to roll away while attempting to fire a shot at the beast's head as it struck. The beast recoiled with a roar as Vincent's bullet grazed its face, leaving a large bloody gap where most of its nose had been. The giant tail thrashed about, colliding with the cavern walls and causing it to shake as the ceiling began to give way. Vincent had to move fast in order to avoid getting caught in a cave in.

`Host, I wish to take care of this. Let me take care of this.'

`Since when did you get so polite about killing something?'

`Merely changing tactics, Host.'

`I do not need you to do this. I can take care of it myself.'

`Than do so already. I grow weary of this battle.'

Vincent fought not to roll his eyes as he dodged another attack from the snake like dragon. The beast had stopped whipping its tail into the walls but was instead preparing to unleash yet another blast in an attempt to finish off the gunman. Vincent saw his opportunity and cocked the gun while taking careful aim. Just as the creature's cavernous mouth was open at its fullest, Vincent pulled the trigger, the bullet screaming as it blasted out of his powerful rifle and through the air.

Years of intense battle had taught the gunman that head wounds, no matter how small, always bled a lot. And that bleeding merely compounded upon itself a hundredfold when a head gets blown apart. Vincent sighed as he looked down at his now ruined outfit. Brain matter and other bits of skull covered every part of him and more kept falling from the now gruesome ceiling. A gloved hand reached up to pull a piece of the creature's skull fragment from his cheek.

`That was a bit…anticlimactic. If you were going to make such a mess, perhaps you should have allowed me to kill it.'

Though it was true that Vincent normally preferred a clean kill, he couldn't deny a small smile of satisfaction at the complete and total destruction of the monster. Not just anyone could take on a fully grown Mountain Wyvern and live to tell about it. He felt some of the pressure he had been feeling the past few days lift off his chest.

Sparing one last glance at the now decapitated body thrashing about in its death throws; Vincent left the chamber and walked out of the cave. Coming back to the secret entrance of the hideaway, he stopped to consider the lake situated before it. Perhaps a quick dunk to get rid of most of the mess was in order. Not even bothering to remove his boots, Vincent calmly walked into the lake as far as he could still reach the bottom and dunked his head. Claret eyes watched as the water around him turned a deep burgundy red and pieces of brain matter and bone floated off his form.

`Whatever fish are in these waters, they shall have a small meal.'

When the water around him was no longer so red and his lungs had just started to burn, Vincent walked back out of the water and wrung out his wet hair and cape. After passing through the secret entrance and hearing the rock wall shut once more behind him, Vincent decided to take off his boots and leave them to dry. Climbing up the stone steps and trailing water behind him, the stoic gunman thought that perhaps it was time to take advantage of the hot spring pool this hideaway offered.

Vincent's return found the shinobi woman in the middle of the room listening to her small portable headset and doing katas. Her eyes were closed as she moved about the room gracefully with her giant shurikin in her hand. Quickly spinning around with her weapon held out from her, Yuffie suddenly stopped and kicked up, holding her leg up beside her head. Metallic silver eyes opened as she brought her leg down and looked at Vincent.

She smiled and closed her eyes once more, continuing on with her routine. “Missed a spot.” She said, indicating an area on her forehead.

Vincent reached up with a gloved hand wiped away a smear of blood. “Thank you.” Going over to his pack, he grabbed it before heading over to the room with the hot spring pool. Sunlight streamed in through the triangular opening at the side of the room, reveling blue painted walls. A deep sigh was heard as Vincent lowered himself into the hot water. Usually he was left with cold lakes or streams to bathe in during his travels. This was a welcomed luxury. His eyes drifted closed as his mind wandered to the past events that lead him here. He probably would have left the Western Continent by now if he had not been stopped by Yuffie. Who were these `Purists' and what did they want with him?

During his travels he had heard whispers of strange disappearances. Perhaps he should have paid more attention. But then again, he had his own problems to deal with. The increasing difficulty he was experiencing trying to control the demons within him had sent him to Rufus in hopes of finding clues in Hojo's old notes. Rufus had been very accommodating and also very curious, but he left Vincent alone as he dug through Shinra's warehouse. He found nothing though. Nothing that applied to him or what he was going through. He found it strange that almost all reports pertaining to him where not there. Vincent had assumed at the time that perhaps they had been destroyed when Avalanche had attacked the lab three years ago.

And then it clicked. Not only were his files missing, but so too were the ones about Nanaki and Cloud. Hojo had kept meticulous notes on every experiment he had ever preformed. Yet the lists of those hundreds of people he had experimented on were not at the warehouse either. Vincent fought to stay calm as he quickly scrubbed himself down with Yuffie's sandalwood scented soap. There had to be some other reason those notes weren't at the warehouse Vincent searched through. Perhaps they were stored at another location or had been destroyed. But his instincts told him otherwise.

Dunking under the water to rinse the soap out of his hair, Vincent stood up and climbed out of the pool. Quickly drying himself off, he dressed in a clean set of clothes from his pack and left his cape in a wide patch of sunlight to dry. Tying the bandana back into his hair, he walked out of the small room and into the main area. Yuffie was kneeling at the small eating table with a pen and a parchment of paper before her. She raised an eyebrow at his somewhat casual appearance yet said nothing of it as she indicated the paper before her.

“I'm checking in with Judoki and the others. I was supposed to send them a message when we first got here to let them know we made it but…well…anyways I figured it would be best to do so now.”

“You are writing it?”

“Yes. Cid was worried they might try taping into radio signals and listen in on the PHS, or that they may use it as a means to track us. He says he working on it right now but in the meantime we have other means to communicate with them.”

“Are you not worried they would intercept this?”

Yuffie laughed as she continued to write. “If they could read ancient Wutianese I would be. Anything you want me to add? Cid would be checking up with Judoki so he could send any message you wish to Cloud.”

“Have them ask Rufus Shinra if there have been any thefts or strange occurrences at their warehouses or offices. I wish to know if they are missing any unusual documents.”

The ninja regarded the man before her. “All right then. Anything else?”

Vincent shook his head before returning to his spot on the cushioned floor and picking up the discarded book. Yuffie finished writing the note then rolled it up tight and tying a piece of leather around it. “Wanna see how they will get this?”

She didn't bother to see if her silent companion followed as she walked towards the room with the bathing pool. Stepping around Vincent's cloak, Yuffie crouched down and crawled out the triangular opening.

Vincent was surprised to see a narrow ledge about a foot and a half wide outside the opening. Yuffie was walking along it as though there was a three hundred foot drop just to the left of her. She stopped mid-step to look over her shoulder at him. “Coming?”

He nodded and she continued on the narrow path till them came to a fairly large round ledge that supported a tree. Vincent watched as she reached into a hollowed out hole in its trunk and pulled out a large, thick leather glove. Yuffie slipped on the glove which reached just past her elbow. “Behold Valentine, the finest mail carrier service in the world!” And walking towards the ledge, Yuffie let out a shrill whistle while holding the gloved hand in the air.

An answering cry could be heard as a large golden eagle was seen soaring in the air before them. Vincent watched as it flew towards them, the sun glinting off its golden wings. It slowly circled above them before pulling its wings back and diving down towards the ninja. Yuffie laughed as the eagle pulled up at the last second and landed the gloved arm, its enormous wings flapping twice more before being gracefully folded.

Yuffie pulled some pieces of bacon from some hidden pocket and fed it to the bird before turning once more to Vincent. “This is Zmrir. I trained him myself. He is our fastest messenger bird and the most beautiful. Aren't you, Zmrir?”

Vincent watched with amusement as the bird preened and seemed to puff out it chest a bit at the young woman's words. Then golden eyes locked on to his for a moment and Vincent felt as though the bird was assessing him somewhat. While man and bird were locked in a staring contest, Yuffie sighed dramatically and reached for the message she had stashed in the tree. She tossed it towards Vincent who was forced to blink and catch it. “Here, make yourself useful. Tie this to the strap on his leg here. I folded it so small so it wouldn't appear that he was carrying anything. Plus it won't hinder his flying.” Seeing the gunman's hesitation, she sighed again before marching over to him. “Would you prefer to hold the bird while I tie it? He is very well mannered so he won't bite you.”

Before Vincent could protest, Yuffie deposited the bird onto his gauntlet covered arm. Bird and man regarded each other as Yuffie pulled off her glove and tied the message to Zmrir's leg; muttering under her breath about grown men being such babies and why she always seemed to get stuck with them. “There, all done.”

Yuffie pulled more bacon from her mysterious pocket and gave it to the bird. “Take this message to Judoki my love. And be safe.” The great Golden Eagle rubbed its head against his mistress's hand before taking off to the skies once more. “Well that should keep Judoki from further panic attacks. Ready, Valentine?”

Vincent nodded as he followed the ninja but at a slower pace. He contemplated the genius of ninja clothing as Yuffie always managed to pull objects from pockets that didn't seem to exist. She was still in the white top and black shots she had slept in past three days. They didn't look different from other clothing.

Once back inside Vincent picked up his book and continued to read while Yuffie rummaged through the various cabinets. Giving up, the young woman walked over to the book shelf and found one that interested her before kneeling once again at the low table with the book before her. Vincent watched her from the corner of his eye. Yuffie's lips would move as she read the words before her. Her cheek rested on one hand while the other hand lay on her leg, its fingers constantly tapping out a rhythm.

Something was different about the young woman. He couldn't quite place his finger on it. He caught himself watching occasionally, looking for clues that would help him figure this new persona out. Vincent couldn't recall a single time during their previous travels that Yuffie was ever this quiet. It wasn't natural. Could a person really change that much in just a year? Then again, helping to save the world twice and take over the ruling of a country would do much to hasten the process he supposed.

`But that shouldn't mean a complete personality change.'

“Yuffie.”

Her head shot up at his unexpected words, causing her hair to swing a bit around her face. “Valentine.”

`Again with the last name.'

“What troubles you?”

She blinked. The look on her face causing Vincent to wonder if his question had offended her somehow.

“You aren't normally so…quite.” He hoped the clarification would help. Instead she looked even more bewildered than she had previously. The disbelief in her voice further proved it.

“My being quiet bothers you?”

`Yes.' “No, I just know it is not in your nature to be this silent for such long periods of time.”

“Are you saying you are willing to actually participate with me in a…gasp…conversation?”

“The current one hasn't been too painful.” He deadpanned.

A pair of delicate dark eyebrows shot up before musical laughter filled room. That was one thing Vincent did like about Yuffie, her laughter. It was neither fake nor forced. She didn't laugh like she was afraid of being heard, but she didn't sound like a goose either. Yuffie laughed with her whole being, straight from the heart. It was a nice change from the laughter he heard in head throughout the day.

“Who knew giving you the silent treatment was all that was needed to get you to crack a joke?”

“Was that your intention?”

Yuffie wiped a tear out of her eye with a finger as she shook her head at him. “No, but the outcome was well worth it. I was just trying to be quiet and give you space since I figured that is what you wanted.”

“I did not take an oath of silence. And neither should you. If you wish to talk to me Yuffie, you may. Just be aware I won't answer all your questions.”

“Fine then. I understand. And thank you. There is one thing I have been dying to ask you. Actually there are several but I'll save them for another time.”

“You wish to know about my message to Cloud?”

“It has something to do with the Purists, doesn't it?”

Vincent nodded as he set his book down and folded his arms. “As I was going through Shinra's old records, many of them turned up missing. I thought nothing of it at the time but now it seems like too much of a coincidence.”

“Coincidence? How so?”

“Hojo kept everything. Every experiment he ever preformed, whether it failed or not, he kept the notes on it. The lists of those he experimented on, as well as the notes on Cloud, Nanaki, and me are missing.”

Yuffie gasped as the meaning behind Vincent's words came to her. “If Rufus doesn't have them…”

“Let's just hope he does or that they were destroyed.”

“Tomorrow we'll send a message to Reeve as well. If anyone would know about old records of Shinra's it would be him.”

Vincent said nothing as his companion rose from her seat and stretched. “Well, that was fun. We should do it again sometime. But for now I think I hear that pool calling my name.”

“Indeed.” Was all the gunman said as he picked up his book once more, wondering if he was ever going to get the opportunity to finish it.

For some reason this made Yuffie laugh once more as she closed the door behind her.

AN: So? Still enjoying it so far? Let me know what you think!!