Other Fan Fiction / Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Distorted Perception ❯ Setting Boundaries ( Chapter 11 )

Chapter Eleven

Setting Boundaries

 

Aeris' church, as the others had so titled it, was still in its condition of disrepair. Decades of forgotten faith had left the building to ruin. Having housed the homeless, played the part of the den of thieves, and suffered some more than violent raids during SOLDIER's beginning, the church still stood.

 

Floor swept, and most of the rubble cleaned away, it was a fair sight better than when he'd arrived six months ago.

 

With classes that never had more than twenty students at a time, only a few tables were needed. There was plenty of room, considering many of the pews were beyond mending and had been done away with.

 

It was definitely an odd environment. Crumbling pillars almost seemed threatening upon first entering, making one wonder if the structure might collapse at a strong wind. The jagged breaks in the rooftop certainly kept the place well lit during the day, but it didn't help stop the spreading of plant life.

 

Aeris, however, was quite keen on the flowers that grew like a small Eden right before the altar. Not only had she first met Cloud there, but also the cushioned bed had saved the ex-SOLDIER's life.

 

Vincent didn't care much for appearances, so the lush vines that twined around the tall stone pillars, reaching to the heavens and loft above, didn't bother him. Many of the students enjoyed the setting. For the most part, Sector 5 was a drab dessert of dirt and poverty, so flowers and anything living and green was a scarce commodity.

 

It was dangerous when it rained though. It wasn't often, only when a nasty storm brought torrents of horizontal sheets that swept below the above plateau. It wasn't that the plate blotted out the sky or covered the sector, but they were so close, that when it rained, it usually didn't even reach them. However, on the occasions that it did, Vincent always wondered how the wood hadn't rotted away entirely. It did help that most of the church was stone, but the roofing was not, and would remain a liability until reconstruction.

 

 

It was late. Well passed midnight, Vincent found himself staring at the crescent moon in a transfixed state.

 

Seated on the cold stone steps of what used to serve as an altar, the raven-haired gunman reclined back on his elbows. Pale moonlight filtered in, casting an almost luminescent aura around the white and yellow thicket of flowers. Vincent sat just within reach of those rays, able to look through the hole in the roof at the night sky. The moon wasn't full, but it was such a clear atmosphere, that even light from the stars seemed to cast its shine down to their planet.

 

Darkly clad, wearing black slacks and a black dress shirt, his pale skin stood out even more for the contrast. To top it all off, he was draped in the ever comforting folds of his thick red cloak. Aeris never liked him to wear it around the children, reprimanding that his choice in black clothing did little to sooth their imaginative minds that he wasn't a vampire, and that the cloak could probably have parents pounding on the church door. Not to mention it almost made it seem like he were a priest conducting sermons instead of teaching algebra. What irony he'd found in her reference to him being a holy man. If he were to choose titles, a vampire was far more suiting.

 

At this recollection, Vincent gave a small smirk. Young innocence was a wonder. He could have transformed into Chaos before those kids and they'd start asking him questions about whether it hurt or how long he could fly. He'd wager a hefty bet that more than a few would even ask for a ride.

 

It was almost relieving to see how the state of the world hadn't hurt them. Children could still be children, even the older group he taught.

 

Not that he cared about them. But, taking a leaf from Aeris book of making the well being of the world her responsibility, it was one less thing for him to have to deal with. That was all.

 

Their constant chatter and curious natures were still as annoying now as it was when he'd first arrived. The never-ending streams of requests for him to stay late and hang out with them was still just as tiring, along with the sparkly eyed looks of adoration. He couldn't stand it. The only reason he sometimes, well, more often than not, stayed late was because some of them needed extra help. That was all.

 

The only reason he knew their names by heart was because Aeris said he wasn't allowed to assign them numbers. That was all, nothing more.

 

His attachment was nonexistent, since he couldn't care less.

 

The only reason he put up with the front of Shinra's turning over a new leaf ploy was so that Aeris would be happy. This whole school thing was her idea to begin with. She was just a little too preoccupied to deal with it alone, so he'd stepped in temporarily. When the time came, he'd leave without so much as looking back at a single youthful face, because he didn't care.

 

A deep rumbling laughter filled his head. `You've grown soft,' the voice spoke.

 

Red eyes narrowed despite the lack of anything visible to glare at. “And you've become tame,” Vincent spat back in respite.

 

More laughter followed. The sound of Chaos' amusement eventually died down. `Perhaps,' the dark voice admitted without qualm. `But only since you opened your eyes.'

 

Though Vincent was not wont to talking to himself, it wasn't exactly the case considering the spirit forces inside. However, if he so chose he could reply in thought alone. But, he'd grown accustomed to speaking with an actual voice, it made it feel more like there were truly two sides to the conversation and he wasn't simply schizophrenic.

 

“Am I a fool to still question whether this is all just an easy escape?” the gunman wondered, directing his question to the dark winged demon within himself.

 

When no reply came, Vincent tilted his head back. The stair behind his back jabbed him uncomfortably. Turning on his side, he curled up and half hugged the top most step with his folded arms. Setting his head down, he managed to glimpse the sky at an angle glance upward.

 

It was a warm evening, his cloak hardly needed, but it was an old comfort that he couldn't seem to rid himself of.

 

“Will I ever forget?” Vincent asked, seemingly to the empty room, or perhaps a hidden choir of angels in the shadows above.

 

`Never,' Chaos answered sternly.

 

It was difficult to believe that everything Hojo had done had been done for no good reason. Even now, in retrospect, it seemed far more plausible that he'd done something, anything, to deserve it. It just didn't seem right that the mad doctor had experimented on him in such brutal ways simply for the sake of twisted pleasure. He'd been human, a man in love. And for that, his soul was torn and all but destroyed. It was sickening to know he'd spent most of his life, almost fifty-nine years, lost and under ludicrous impressions.

 

It was ever more pathetic, that even while he now felt he had a truthful grasp on reality, he was always questioning it and never accepting it completely. There were days when sleep would evade him and his mind would become fearful that this was some test to see if he could stick to path of atonement. But, then Nanaki would find him before long and read his eyes, shortly after reprimanding him and supplying him with much needed reassurances.

 

His only proof that he'd finally come to the correct conclusions was Chaos. The dark winged beast that was previously uncontrollable and constantly crying out for death, had settled down. In fact, Chaos was almost as big an assuring companion as Nanaki or Aeris. The demon would ridicule him for his weakness under Hojo's hand, making snide comments about how it had taken him long enough to finally open up his damn eyes. While this wasn't necessarily proof of anything, the fact that this most untamed spirit force no longer carried any hints of violent threatening or killing was solid proof. Chaos wanted revenge, and killing Hojo had done just that. For Lucrecia, for himself, and perhaps even for Sephiroth.

 

Yet, his mind was still troubled.

 

Two years was not very long at all. With a year gone and his life in order, he now found himself consumed with thoughts of a certain blond swordsman.

 

Where had Cloud gone?

 

It was for the best though. The young leader who seemed so intent on intimacy, chaste as it might be, would probably not understand his current predicament.

 

As it was, Vincent could barely stand physical contact. It was a foolish notion in the back of his mind that he couldn't get rid of. His instincts were programmed to shy from even the gentlest of touches, seeing them as only rough hands.

 

It hadn't been a problem until recently. Before, he'd wanted to back away and refuse all contact, but he'd harbored an even greater force to do whatever others wanted of him. The worst part was, he still had those disgusting feelings of complacency. It was a tiny, distant voice that rarely spoke up anymore, but he heard it whenever he saw that inadvertently hurt gleam in Nanaki or Aeris' eyes at his shunning actions. It told him to suck it up and let them touch him to their heart's content, but he couldn't manage to go against his better instincts.

 

Poor Aeris had been quite surprised, not sure how to handle his flinching actions when she cupped his cheek not for the first time.

 

But, as Chaos had said, he'd never forget. Maybe one day, he'd be able to put it all behind, but not now. Not when his two years weren't up.

 

Sighing, Vincent curled closer into the folds of his cloak. Briefly, he shut his eyes, wondering if that night was going to again bring him no sleep.

 

Behind closed lids, bright blue eyes shown. His own crimson ones snapped open. Tonight was going to be sleepless. He was restless, wondering where their stupid leader had run off to.

 

Aeris had placated that separating them had been for both their good. Vincent understood completely. Reflecting on that day on the beach when the Ancient had first expressed her wishes, he'd been beyond relieved.

 

Looking back, he was even more relieved than his previously guilt ridden and confused mind could have ever been. If he'd started a relationship with the spiky blond back then, he'd have been submissively appeasing to the young man's every whim. At the first sign of lust within the slightly immature and inexperienced young man's Mako eyes, Vincent would have immediately dropped to his knees and bent over. And the love struck puppy wouldn't have known the difference between misplaced feelings of duty and true reciprocation.

 

Eventually, however, Cloud would have understood, but who knew how long they might have been together by then. If the blond had been mislead and remained under some impression that they'd become deeply involved lovers, and then one day realized that his partner was simply with him to make up for nonexistent sins, it would have been disastrous.

 

Aeris had foreseen this. She'd been the unbiased set of eyes, able to see both sides clearly. She'd recognized Cloud's growing desires, the small gleams of affection and wonder in the leader's eyes when staring at the mysterious new party member. Knowing Cloud's past, it had been easy to spot the inexperienced seeds of love sprouting.

 

However, the sweet Ancient had not foreseen the negative reaction Cloud would have at being denied what his eyes had settled upon. Though, Vincent had an inexplicable feeling that perhaps the blond swordsman had achieved some self-realization in the matter, and departed for his own reasons.

 

The gentle creaking of the large double doors caught his attention. Not stirring, he feigned ignorance for a moment. The subdued sound of expensive shoes against the sanded wooden planks of the floor hinted that the new arrival was trying to be quiet. With a small smirk, Vincent found the attempt pathetic.

 

It was at times like that he felt cursed beyond reason. He was a man without a doubt, albeit not the most masculine of sorts. Yet, every person he seemed to attract was also male. Then again, it was less insulting in regards to him being feminine if he were to think that these men were simply power hungry and sensed Chaos within him. Yes, it was much more reassuring to think that these men were attracted to Chaos and not him.

 

“It's a bit late and unorthodox for you to be here,” Vincent spoke evenly, just loud enough for the intruder to hear.

 

“I have a passion for my work, I like to know what's going on at every moment,” the well-mannered voice of Shinra's president explained.

 

“This church is not where your funds are going. The school is around back,” Vincent pointed out coldly. “But, you already knew that,” his voice was subtly accusing.

 

Soft chuckling filled the air. “I tried your apartment, but you weren't there.”

 

Lifting his head from his folded arms, Vincent moved for the first time. Sitting upright he scowled towards the white suit businessman. “You're a terrible liar,” he accused outright this time. He cared little for these games of the slicked haired blond.

 

“Am I that transparent?” Rufus asked with a tone of disbelief. In truth, he was actually a great liar, but this ex-Turk seemed to see through everything.

 

Crimson eyes glared, relaying the message that he was merely putting up with the president's presence for the sake of their contract. “If you went to my apartment, Nanaki would be here now.”

 

Humming in agreement, Rufus stepped closer, regardless of the icy glare he was receiving at each step. “Your friend doesn't seem to like me very much,” he complained in mock hurt.

 

At the slight inflexion the rich man spoke with when calling the tiger creature his `friend', Vincent's scowl deepened. “He's a fair judge in character,” he retorted defensively.

 

“If I didn't know any better, I'd say you don't like me much either.” Stepping within the light, the shadows hiding his form from sight receded. Blues eyes stared intently into crimson red.

 

Scoffing, Vincent kindly pointed out, for at least the fifth time, “I generally don't make nice with people who employ scientists to perform experiments on live human specimens without any consent.”

 

For the first time, the impassive features of Shinra's president showed emotion. Pale thin lips frowned. “I've told you before that I was unaware of that.”

 

Raising his head to better meet Shinra's gaze, Vincent stared stubbornly for a lengthened moment. “So you say,” he finally spoke with a nod of acceptance. What did it matter anymore? He wasn't about to go on a killing spree of everyone who could be traced to simply walking across the mansion's lawn whilst he was held captive in the basement below. Rufus Shinra had never been his target, and without Chaos raising hell about it, he was more than able to simply let it go.

 

A subtle smile graced the president's features. Casually raking a hand through his pristinely kept hair, he strode even closer, towering over the curled form huddled within that thick red cloak.

 

Vincent was momentarily taken aback by the man's audacity in approaching so closely. Having plainly established a good four-foot boundary with all their previous meetings, the young president had never shown any gesture that might break the invisible barrier.

 

The gunman was both angry and apprehensive. His anger was over the liberty this man was taking and the undeniable fear that crept along his spine. More than capable of fending for himself, he hated feeling fear of any kind. Perhaps, he was afraid that he'd suddenly revert to his former self and be rendered helpless within the restrained confines of his conscious that wouldn't allow him to fight back.

 

“You should leave,” the raven-haired man spoke suddenly, an unmistakable flash of fear crossing those red eyes.

 

With concern that seemed nothing but mocking to the gunman, Rufus stooped closer. “Why do you fear me?”

 

Defensively, Vincent hissed out, “I don't”

 

As if to prove a point, Rufus kneeled in a genuflecting manner and reached a hand out. At the flinching reaction, he let his arm fall away.

 

Forcefully masking all traces of fear, Vincent scowled once more, glaring as harshly as he could manage.

 

Before Vincent could utter a reprimanding reply to Rufus' actions, an echoing voice resounded through the above structure of crossing beams and supports for the high roof. “Keep your distance,” was the harsh order.

 

Red eyes widened in familiar recognition. It wasn't exactly the same as he remembered, the voice was a bit deeper and gruffer, and with the bellowing echo it was hard to tell.

 

The brash businessman shot quick glances around the shadowed area, scouring the high ceiling for the source of disturbance. “And who are you to tell me what to do?” the foolhardy reply came with an arrogance only held by the upper class.

 

Vincent's trained eyes barely managed to catch the blur of movement as a dark shadow suddenly approached. From the far corner, the shadow seemed to fly as it crossed each wooden beam.

 

There was little warning for Shinra's president as the metallic sheen of a broadsword crashed down. Effectively stabbed directly into the hard wooden flooring just before marble steps, the large sword separated the stunned president from an equally stunned gunman.

 

The wielder remained crouched, hand still gripping the hilt of his sword. Back turned to the gunman, Cloud slowly raised his head. Bright blue eyes flashed threateningly in the moonlight as the spiky haired blond glared fiercely towards Rufus Shinra. “Keep your distance,” Cloud bit out darkly.

 

“Cloud?” Vincent spoke softly with an incredulous tone.

 

The swordsman's defensive demeanor abruptly dropped. Uprooting the blade from the floorboards, the blond deftly secured it at his back with a practiced arc of the blade through the air. Vincent imagined the sound it made cutting the air.

 

Turning, Cloud took up Rufus' previous position. “Forgive me, it's premature,” the blond spoke.

 

Before Vincent could commit the subtle changes in the fighter's face to memory, he was gone. Blinking in disbelief, Vincent turned his head upright. The inhuman movements were the least of his concern as he saw that same shadowed form dart like a silhouette against the sky.

 

“Cloud Strife?” Rufus spoke with no trace of shock or unsettlement over the sudden event.

 

Without thinking about his actions, Vincent stood up unclasped his cloak. Letting the garment fall to the ground he kept his eyes trained on the sky. With the intent to follow the swordsman, the gunman called on Chaos for help.

 

`You're a fool,' the demon cursed.

 

“I don't care,” Vincent spoke, unaware of the president's continued presence. “I want to follow him,” the raven-haired gunman urged.

 

It was just one more ridiculous and inexplicable response he was having. But he felt as though he was losing something important. The swordsman moved with a speed that only came from great strength and level of power. There was only way Vincent could possibly hope to follow.

 

Rushed, with hands that shook a bit, Vincent unbuttoned his shirt.

 

“What are you doing?” the blond president asked in shock.

 

Red eyes snapped to the man nearby. “I'm following,” he responded. With haste, he struggled to cast his shirt aside, the pale skin of his torso exposed. “Please, Chaos!” he shouted with desperation.

 

`Fool,' the demon cursed once more, but this time complied.

 

With a painful bursting of dark bat-like wings, Vincent staggered forward and nearly fell to his knees. Gritting his teeth, he painfully stretched the appendages. Baring fangs, he sought to follow with his air born ability.

 

TBC….

 

A/N Not the longest of chapters, but I got some action in there at the end. No doubt there are spelling and grammar errors and the like, but you know how it can be. All the kinks won't be smoothed out until much later, when my eyes are clearer and the story is finished. Unless it's really bad, like to the point where you don't even know what I was saying, then I'd like to know so that I can fix it. Anyways, please review, I love to get feedback, it lets me know if I'm keepings everything in order and going in the right direction.