Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Divine and Atonement ❯ Chapter Four ( Chapter 4 )

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

Wow, I sure got that out fast. I didn't lie when I said I was getting bombarded with ideas here. I actually enjoyed writing this chapter. I had fun with these two. Hell I'm such a dork that I even clapped for myself as I wrote this. True story. Anyways, here is to the longest chapter yet. Get ready 'cause now that I have laid the foundation, the story is really going to start picking up. Lots of action and such will be coming your way. It gives me tingles. I hope you all enjoy the Yuffie/Vincent interaction. I did my best to make it flow. Enjoy the story folks. R&R.

Isa

Disclaimer-If you had to ask, you must be an idiot.

Chapter Four

Introverts Stare at Their Shoes, Extroverts Stare at Yours

Time passed fairly quickly for Yuffie. After her shock at Vincent striking up a conversation with her, telling her not to be silent (something she will forever doubt really happening for years to come) to two fell in to a comfortable routine. Vincent was always the first one up and usually took the opportunity to bathe and eat before Yuffie woke up. And then once she awoke he would always be found in one of two places: on the floor cushions reading or by the tree waiting for any new messages from Zmrir. Yuffie was perplexed by the relationship between the man and the bird. They often got into these strange staring competitions, almost sizing each other up before one would eventually have to look away. Sometimes Vincent won, sometimes Zmrir. Yuffie just figured it to be a thing between predators for surely if ever a man could be classified as having a `predator' persona it would be Vincent Valentine. Or perhaps she was reading more to it than it really was and should simply label it as a `Man Thing'. Many strange and useless occurrences that happened with/between/around the male species that Yuffie couldn't and didn't want to understand often fell into that category. Cid and Barret had their own ever growing sections.

So while Vincent was doing his own morning routine, Yuffie had her own to go through. Every morning she would wake up and start her yoga stretches. She found they did wonders for her body and mind and thus never failed to complete them every morning. They often put Yuffie in a better mood and kept her body limber. Tifa had shown an interest in them a while back and Yuffie was happy to show the fellow martial artist a few poses. She had once offered to teach Vincent the few times she had caught him watching her, but he refused to acknowledge her request; quickly returning to the book he was reading or deciding he needed to go out. Perhaps he was afraid doing yoga would ruin his gothic image? Whatever his reason, Yuffie didn't care.

They were getting along just fine without worrying about that. They had even had a couple adventures. It had taken four days to wash the stench of the Mountain Wyvern out of Vincent's cape. Yuffie thought that perhaps she should have warned Vincent about their tending to build nests in those caves this time a year but she did apologize for that and wasn't he lucky that it wasn't a mother protecting her nest that he had run into? Well, Vincent did not find this the least bit funny even after the fact but Yuffie made it up by spending the next four days scrubbing the offensive odor out of his cloak. That should have promised her at least an interview for a place in heaven, she thought. Besides, his cloak had never looked better, or smelled as nice. It was possible she could convince him to thank her for such a job well done. Then again, considering the look on his face when he figured out that she had forgot to use the sandalwood soap and used her vanilla and ginger scented soap instead, maybe not.

They couldn't save his clothes though so they ended up burning them.

“Don't worry, Valentine. I'll buy you some new clothes. Maybe even have them embroidered with a picture of a Mountain Wyvern to commemorate the event?”

“Indeed” was all he said as he bowed his head further in his now clean cloak and closed his eyes.

But Yuffie had seen the small smirk he had tried to hide. She had noticed he did that a lot more these past few days. Well, considering the source, a lot more than normal. Like maybe once a day or two. So it wasn't much but hey, a ninja had to start somewhere.

She had even managed to get him to tell her about some of his travels. No one though, could accuse Vincent of being a story teller. In fact, Yuffie often found them lacking. Usually his recounts of his travels happened somewhat like this:

“So when you were traveling did you come across any strange people?”

“Yes.”

“Oh…where?”

“Everywhere.”

“Any place specific?”

“No.”

“Ugh!”

Or,

“You went back to the Crater?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I was looking for something.”

“What?”

“…”

Sigh, “Did you find it?”

“No.”

“Was it still infested with highly evolved monsters?”

“Yes.”

“And you went alone?”

“Of course.”

“What did you do with Ruth?”

“Left him in a cave a few miles south.”

“Weren't you worried about him? That whole area is extremely dangerous!”

“No.”

“Do you have any idea how difficult it was to breed a golden chocobo with black feathers and his temperament?”

“Very difficult?”

“You Mr. Valentine are impossible!”

“…”

“Ugh!”

And so on and so forth. It continued like that for nearly a week. The one time there was any kind of dispute between them was when Vincent found out that Yuffie had ventured into the caves alone.

“Look, Valentine, I'm fine. Still alive, still have all my limbs and I'm not suffering any ill affects.”

“You should not have gone there alone.”

“You did.” Yuffie said as she put her fists on her hips and lifted her chin to glare at the taller man.

“Did you not tell me yourself that the Mountain Wyverns were nesting in those caves this time of year?” Vincent never raised his voice but then he never needed to. He usually scared the living shit out of people just by glaring at them. Yuffie though never had a problem looking him in the eye and had never once been intimidated by him, in any form he took.

“Yes, but I know how to avoid those places. I just needed to do something. I'm tired of being cooped up in that room all day. You can only do katas so many times a day, Valentine.”

“I apologize. I had no place telling you what to do. You can obviously take care of yourself.”

The young woman just looked at the stoic gunman before laughing and bringing her arms back down to her sides. “It is just no fun arguing with you, Valentine. You give up way too easily. Would it make you feel better if I at least tell you I'm going to the caves so you don't miss out on the fun yourself?”

“If that is what you wish to do.”

“Fine then. So, what are you making me for dinner tonight?”

The two started walking back through the wood towards their temporary hideaway. Vincent raised an eyebrow as he glanced down at his shorter companion before looking forward again. “Mountain Wyvern steaks.”

“Wouldn't you know that just happens to be my favorite?”

“Indeed.”

Yuffie smiled at the memory as she took a bite of the cucumber sandwich. They were running low on the supplies that she had brought but they certainly wouldn't starve. Besides, hopefully they would be leaving this place soon. Though she had grown fond of this little place away from the world, Yuffie could hear her title calling her.

`Poor Judoki. He must be in full panic mode now, having to take care of some of the lighter duties for over a week.' Yuffie thought with a smile.

Just then, Vincent returned from his post by the tree. He silently handed the small strip of paper to the shinobi as he continued to stand and wait for her to read it.

It was short and simple. As always Judoki was straight to the point, but then, that was why she had made him her second in command. Silver eyes read the message before her.

`Cloud coming to Wutai. Two days. Urgent.'

“Well, Valentine, pack it up. Looks like we're out of here.”

“It is time then?”

Yuffie nodded as she smiled up at the former Turk from her spot on the floor. “Yup, it seems that Cloud is on his way here with urgent news. He'll be here in two days.”

“How long does it take to travel from here to your city?”

“If we leave now it will take three days. But don't worry, I know a short cut.” The devilish grin that spread across her face at that moment would cause anyone concern. “So let's mosey!”

“It doesn't sound any better coming from you.”

“Yeah? Well shit, and I thought it had a nice ring to it.”

They were silent after that as they cleaned up the place and packed their belongings. Food that wasn't perishable they left there, as well as the cots and blankets as Yuffie assured Vincent that they would be fine where they left them.

“I'll come back to this place later to clear it out properly. It will take us about a day to reach the short cut and after that, we'll be in Wutai before you know it.” Yuffie turned the knob all the way to completely extinguish the flames before they left and then sealed the door once more behind them. “So long, vacation. It was nice while it lasted. Ready to go?”

Vincent nodded and Yuffie shouldered her pack before heading off through the woods in the opposite direction of the caves at the other end. It was not yet mid-day so the sun had not reached its full intensity yet. Plus they were under the shade of the forest. An hour later they were standing at the top of another mountain range preparing to climb back down the other side.

“Now you know why I was going into those caves, Valentine. I was keeping myself in shape for this.”

“Hmmm.”

“I'm glad I added those extra stretches this morning. Otherwise my muscles would be feeling it tonight.”

Vincent remained silent about this as they descended down the steep trail. Bamboo trees grew all around and the air was filled with their fresh scent. The intense green of the bamboo around them would have made it difficult for most people to find their way around, but Yuffie knew just where they were going. Once they reached more level ground, it became easier to move at a quicker pace. But they still had a long ways to go.

The sun was just starting to set when they decided to make camp for the night. They had made it just the past the halfway point and Yuffie figured they would reach their destination before noon the next day. “I'll take first watch. I find it easier to stay up than try to wake up later.”

Vincent said nothing as he climbed into his bedroll. Yuffie assumed he had gone to sleep since he kept his back to her. But then again, she also knew Vincent required very little sleep. It was an unspoken rule between them. She never mentioned former loves or some of his eccentric habits and he never brought up Godo or the spasms in her leg she would try to hide.

With a sigh, Yuffie laid back and stared at the stars through the bamboo shoots. The bamboo reminded the young woman of the Forest of the Ancients. They were such a vibrant green that they seemed to glow even at night. It wasn't as if they were in a particularly dangerous area. But with Purists roaming around, it was better to be safe than sorry. Thus Yuffie and Vincent felt the need to keep watch.

Her birthday would be coming up soon. And with it came her coronation. She doubted she would be given many more opportunities to travel like this once she became Empress. Yuffie wished she could put it off till these threats to her friends could be taken cared of. But her country had been without an official ruler long enough. It wasn't fair to her people to deny them that bit of comfort.

She would just have to make the most of this last bit of freedom before duty and tradition took over her life. Besides she had already been given the chance to get to know one of the most mysterious men on the planet. Who would have thought her and Vincent would have gotten along so well? Though she did not fear he would behave as Cid and constantly tell her to shut the hell up, she had imagined though that he would ignore her at best. Their interactions with each other had been more than she could have hoped for. Sure she couldn't write a book on him, but maybe an introduction? A summary perhaps?

`Behold Vincent Valentine, the former Turk turned world savior. This dark and stoic man favors the three barreled Cerberus and has a killer aim. The love of his life met with a tragic end and his body and mind are inhabited by demons. Don't let that fool you though, he is a loyal friend, to the point of obsession and has an unexpected sense of humor. Also he cooks a mean Mountain Wyvern steak. Just keep him away from Golden Eagles, don't ask, just obey.'

Yuffie snickered to herself at her own thoughts. It sounded more like one of those profile summaries for a dating service. Something Vincent would never sign up for. Silver eyes turned and looked once more at the back of her companion. It really was a shame though; he was just so damn pretty. What right does a man have to eyelashes that long anyway? Oh well. It didn't seem like the type of question to ask him.

Yuffie continued to lie on the ground looking at the stars for a few more hours before a shadow suddenly blocked her view. The glow of his claret eyes proof of his inhuman qualities. “Is it that time already?”

“Almost, I could not sleep.”

“Alright then. It's all yours.” Yuffie stood up and walked to her bedroll. With a yawn and a salute to the man that was now leaning against some larger bamboo, the ninja was asleep before her head hit the ground.

A few hours later, Yuffie woke up and began her morning stretches just as the sun was about to rise. She had donned her blue frog collared tunic again so she could look a bit more presentable and secured the last clasps on her black boots. Neither ninja nor gunman spoke a word to each other as they cleared up the camp, making sure not to leave evidence of their stay.

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Yuffie said as she adjusted a strap on her pack.

Setting off at a brisk pace, the sun slowly climbed its way up in the sky as Yuffie and Vincent continued traveling the fairly level path. Just as the sun was nearing the point right above their heads, the bamboo trees thinned out and they had reached the edge of the bowl. There were several loose boulders scattered around the sheer rock wall before the duo. Yuffie walked over to a small group of them surrounding a few bamboo trees that had grown right to the rock face. Once the cluster of stones had been reached, a small entrance at the bottom of the wall could be seen. It was about two and a half feet in height and two feet wide. Plus it was partially blocked by a small boulder not quite three feet away from the opening.

“How do you feel about tight spaces, Valentine?”

Vincent squatted down and peered into the small opening.

“Your shortcut I presume?”

“Don't worry; this is just the first part. Once we get past this, it will be a breeze and we'll arrive at Wutai in no time. You will just have to trust me on this one.”

“Indeed.”

Yuffie laughed as Vincent stood back up. “Just do it the way I do. I find it helps if you go sideways. Although,” the ninja woman paused while passing a critical eye over her former teammate, “those shoulders of yours may pose a problem. Work out much, Valentine?” Vincent lifted an eyebrow and merely handed his weapon to Yuffie who nearly dropped the unexpected weight. “Point taken. Leviathan, that thing must weigh as much as I do. Oh well, might as well try while we are here. Just um…just think thin.”

Since their packs were mostly empty as they were down to the bare essentials, Yuffie didn't worry about being hindered by them. With a salute to her still silent partner, the limber shinobi woman settled herself before the opening. Due to the location of the boulder, she had to make a slight `L' shape as she turned her body sideways and kept her legs out in front of her. She sent one last jaunty smile up at her partner. “You'll just be begging me to teach you yoga after this, Valentine.” And proceeded to pull and wiggle her petite frame through the hole.

After a minute or so, Yuffie was all the way in and she looked down once the light from the opening became blocked. “Hey Valentine, if you get stuck let me know and I'll help nudge you out.”

Vincent didn't say anything as he followed Yuffie's movements through the opening. It was a tight squeeze but eventually he was all the way in as well and trailing behind the young ninja as they continued to move onward.

“Stuck yet?”

“No.”

“Good. It will start opening up here real soon and then you will even be able to stand up.”

“…”

“Some day you will look back on this and laugh, Valentine.”

“Doubtful.”

Yuffie laughed as she pulled herself onward and after a few minutes stood up and dusted herself off. Vincent soon followed suit as he stood up and looked around him. A quick check of her pack and such reassured the ninja she didn't loose anything along the way.

Yuffie took the opportunity as well to look around as she pressed onward. The cave was extremely large yet beautiful as glowing ivy and mako crystals created enough blue tinged light to travel the caves comfortably. There was a great chasm before them with a depth even Yuffie didn't know and a natural walkway spanning the dark void.

“See, that wasn't so bad, was it?” she said with a grin.

Silence met the ninja's ears but Yuffie only shrugged as she indicated for Vincent to follow her. A dull roar in the background got louder as Yuffie lead Vincent through a series of tunnels that seemed like a maze. Which in fact they were but she wasn't going to point that out. Eventually they passed through a narrow corridor where any conversation Yuffie may have wanted to hold with Vincent would have needed to be shouted. Coming around a curve, the corridor opened up into a massive chamber that looked as though it could have housed dozens of her Guardians' pagodas and there still would have been room to spare.

Enormous mako crystals grew from the stone ceiling and glowing ivy vines climbed the walls and dangled from the ceiling as well. The chamber was so large most of it remained in darkness as they were too far away to be seen. Stone steps lead down towards a wide flat area with a fast moving river rushed by and towards a tunnel in the middle of the chamber. The source of the river and the noise was a two hundred foot waterfall that emerged from the open mouth of Leviathan which had been carved into the stone.

“Impressive, isn't it? I've come here since I was a little girl and it never fails to catch my breath.”

“What is this place?”

Yuffie considered the mysterious man before her, then shrugged and started walking down the stone steps. “Just a short cut, Valentine. My, short cut. Just make sure you forget this part of the trip. Can't have everybody knowing about my secrets, can I?”

“You trust me with this secret of yours?”

Yuffie made a very un-princess like snort as she continued down the stairs. “Idiot. I trust you with my life.”

She had taken a few more steps before she realized her shadow wasn't following her. “What?” Yuffie asked, taking it the somewhat bewildered look on his normally hidden face. “It's true you know. After everything we have been through, why wouldn't I trust you with my life?”

Vincent shook his head before catching up with the ninja.

“You trust me as well, don't you?”

“Perhaps.”

“What? What do you mean `perhaps'?” Her voice echoing off the walls rang with indignation.

“As I recall you had once been quite the notorious thief.”

“But…that was years ago! And I gave all the material back to you! Besides, you all know why I stole them. It wasn't as if I had wanted to.”

“You also led us into many traps and ambushes.”

Yuffie stood on top of the last three steps as Vincent walked on past. Her mouth was currently doing a wonderful impression of the Koi fish in her pond back home. “Hey! That's not fair! It was never intentional. Besides, you're in my territory now, buster. No one knows these mountains better than I do. So you are going to have no choice but to trust me if you want to find your way out of here.” She said as she poked him in the chest.

Vincent just stared down at her before turning away. “Indeed.”

`Indeed.'

Deciding to ignore the tall gunman for the moment, Yuffie marched past him and towards the small boat anchored in the rushing water. Making sure it was properly secure and in working condition, the ninja stepped into the boat and stashed her pack under her seat. Then she looked pointedly at the cloaked man before indicating the unoccupied seat before her.

A dark eyebrow rose up before Vincent calmly walked towards the edge of the bank and carefully lowered himself into the rocking boat. Yuffie wasted no time for as soon as Vincent had placed his pack under his seat, the ninja released the tether that anchored the boat to the shore. Vincent glared over his shoulder at her as the boat shot forward which Yuffie answered with a cheeky grin.

The speed at which the boat traveled forced the ninja to grab the handles located on either side of her. She felt smug satisfaction at seeing Vincent doing the same. In no time they had entered the tunnel and the sound of the swiftly flowing water caused a strange echo. Smaller mako crystals lined the walls of the tunnel, casting a strange blue glow about them. Yuffie thought it was beautiful.

“You know, Valentine, under different circumstances this might almost be considered romantic. Quick, say something cheesy and endearing.”

“I think there is a pebble in my boot.”

“A flawless delivery, Valentine.”

“Hmmm.”

Yuffie remained quiet during the rest of the journey. The swift current took them around many twists and bends, but the boat stayed true and they never took on any water. Yuffie could feel the current starting to pick up and knew they were reaching the end of their three hour journey.

“Yuffie, why does it feel we are constantly moving at a downhill angle?”

“Because we are. Water doesn't move this fast uphill, Valentine.”

Vincent looked back over his shoulder at the smug ninja behind him. “Is there something you should warn me about?”

Yuffie smiled and shook her head. “Nope, only that you should probably get ready to duck.”

At that moment the boat took a definite pitch forward as the water seemed to drop suddenly at a new angle. Vincent had a few seconds to turn back around and duck his head as the boat passed the lower ceiling of the tunnel. Both parties got splashed at bit as the boat shot out of the tunnel and onto more level water.

The sudden stillness of the air around them was a strange thing after listening to water echo off tunnel walls for so long. They had arrived to a small underground lake. The chamber it was in was very large but naturally made. In the middle of the lake was a large white statue of the god Leviathan rising out of the water. Yuffie could feel the peace of the chamber enter her body and relax her mind. The current carried the boat around the 80 foot statue towards stone steps that led straight into the water.

Once the boat touched these steps, Vincent carefully stepped out first and was soon followed by Yuffie. She grabbed her pack and walked towards the center of the stairs so she was standing directly before the statue. The ninja bowed very low and saw Vincent bow a bit stiffly out of the corner of her eye. “Thank you, Watcher of the Waves, for our safe journey.”

With one last bow before the deity, Yuffie nodded to Vincent and they slowly climbed up the stairs. “In case you were wondering, we are directly below the main Temple of Leviathan. This part here is restricted. Very few people are allowed here.”

“Than I am honored you showed me this place.”

The ninja smiled at her tall companion as they proceeded to the top of the stairs to a large stone door. It was covered with ornate carvings and ancient Wutai manuscript. The mechanics for opening the door may have been old but they were very complicated. Of one did not have the key, the door would not open and could not even be forced.

Claret eyes widened perceptibly as Yuffie pulled the key out from one of her pockets. Noticing the strange look on Vincent's face, the young woman paused while inserting the key into the lock. “What?”

“Your weavers, I think, are geniuses.”

Yuffie tilted her head to the side as she regarded the gunman. “Pardon? I don't get it?”

But the former Turk chose not to elaborate. Yuffie just sighed as she shook her head. `And people say that I don't make sense when I talk.'

Turning the key with an audible click, the many locks on the door released and Yuffie turned the knob, pushing the door open with an ease that belied the sheer size of the door. Once the duo where on the other side, she shut it and locked it again, placing the key back into her pocket.

They walked up several more steps before reaching another door. This one was a simple wood one, painted red and unlocked. The priests of the temple had long since gotten used to seeing their princess coming through that red door. In fact they would have thought something was amiss if she didn't. But for her to emerge with a companion, well that was unheard of. Several pairs of eyes followed Yuffie and Vincent as they left the temple. They were too well mannered to whisper their shock in front of the Princess, but the Head Priest would be sure to hear about it.

`Just one more headache I will get to deal with.'

Luckily the main temple was close to the palace so Yuffie would not have to walk through town to reach home. As much as she loved her people, she did not want to deal with them or their questions. They had arrived at Wutai without causing a stir and Yuffie wanted to keep it that way. There was no reason to announce her movements, nor the movements of her friends to the enemy. That was part of the reason she had chosen that particular entrance into Wutai. They could travel undetected and quickly.

It was Staniv who met them at the rear gates of the palace. He was soon followed by Judoki. Both men bowed low before their princess and gave Vincent a quick and courteous bow of greeting.

“A messenger pigeon from the temple informed us of your arrival, Princess. But don't worry. The only ones who know are those who need to.” Staniv said; already knowing the question Yuffie was going to ask.

“Fine then. Any news?” she asked as she led the small group into the back entrance of the palace.

“Our border patrol has noted a few cloaked men roaming just outside Wutai territory. They don't enter it, but they are moving around it.” Judoki signaled for a few servants to come forward and they took Yuffie and Vincent's packs for them. The group entered a small room which turned out to be Yuffie's private library. They gathered around the small table in the center and waited while another young woman of the household served them tea.

Yuffie smiled and thanked the woman as she picked up the tray and shut the shoji screen behind her. She had been surrounded by servants all her life, yet she always remembered to thank them every time. Yuffie may be used to servants, but she wasn't used to people acting so stiff and formal around her or being called `Princess' or `Your Grace' all the time. She knew it would only get worse once she was crowned Empress.

She grimaced into her cup as she took a sip of tea. Who would have thought she would ever miss being called `Brat'? “So did our diversion work then?”

“Yes. That is why we believe they are only searching outside our borders. The Purists believe your friend over there has left Wutai. Although, I did not appreciate waiting three days for a letter from you.”

Yuffie had set her cup on the table and spun it around with her finger tips. “My apologies. I fell asleep.”

Judoki snorted as he folded his arms. “No matter. You are back and safe so I may finally start to rest easy this night.”

Vincent took the moment of silence as an opportunity to speak up. “When is Cloud expected to be here?”

Staniv looked up from pouring himself more tea and almost smiled at the gunman. He remembered when he had first laid eyes on the strange man three years ago when he traveled with Yuffie. “He is expected to be here later this evening. Apparently he has something urgent he wishes to discus with you.”

Yuffie finished off the last of her cup and rose up from the table. The men rose up too and the young woman had to fight off the laugh. But her smile gave her away. “Who said chivalry was dead? I think that is enough for now gentlemen unless you have something more pressing to discuss?”

Neither man said anything, so Yuffie nodded and opened up the shoji screen once more. A young maid was there instantly and she bowed low before the ninja. Yuffie tried not to groan. “Please show Mr. Valentine to his quarters please. He is a guest of honor.” Turning back towards her companion. “I'm sorry that I must leave you for now but I'm filthy and starving so I'm off to get cleaned up and then…

“I'm sorry to interrupt, Your Grace, but there is an urgent message.” The servant bowed low to encompass the whole group before looking back up at Yuffie. “There is a gentleman by the name of Xyler Malakai who wishes to speak with you on the video screen.”

“Xyler Malakai?”

“Yes, Princess. He claims it is a matter of state. That it has something to do with the men of his that you threw out of Wutai.”

Yuffie felt the blood drain her face. A sense of dread filled the ninja as she excused the man still kneeling before her. Feigning a calm she did not have, she looked at her three companions still standing around the table. Judoki and Staniv had shocked looks on their faces while Vincent remained as unreadable as ever. The slight narrowing of his eyes indicated his curiosity as to what would cause the reactions he was seeing.

Yuffie decided to clarify things for him. Clearing her throat, she looked at all three men in turn before coming last to Vincent and looking him right in the eye as she spoke. “It would seem I have an audience, via video, with a Mr. Xyler Malakai, founder and leader of the Purists organization. And he claims it is a matter of state.”

AN: Incase you haven't guessed, this guy is the villain. And I mean his is EEEEEEEEEEVVVVVIIILLLLLL. I did not like the previous name as it did not fit the character I have painted in my mind. Some people have names that fit them wonderfully. This guy I wish to have a name that even when you say it, you almost feel you have to whisper it. As if saying it too loud would somehow summon him. I don't want to give too much away but I just wanted to explain the change to those you who loyally follow my story. I don't want to confuse anyone.