~Fang's POV~

Sighing, I watch Vanille attempt to use the materia Yuffie gave her. Nothing happens and she stomps in frustration, but Yuffie just laughs and says something to her that makes her stop pouting. Looks like I've been replaced already. Huffing irritably, I turn to look back out the window as the rain starts. It's been two days since we've last seen Vincent, and Cloud called to tell us that he may never return, he's just like that. Vanilla chooses to believe otherwise, and let the whole world known it in the process. I'm worried for the guy, he's always so depressed, it's a wonder he hasn't killed himself or something yet.

"Fang?" I hear Vanille say softly. I ignore her and count the drops on the windowpane. "What's wrong?"

"What do you mean," I give her a wide grin. "I'm just bored, that's all. What're you two doin?"

"Yuffie's show if me how to use materia, but I like our magic much better!"

"You are the best saboteur among us," I laugh.

"Aw, Fang!" She smiles. "You're the best physical attacker!"

"And Snow's our big ol' wall," I add. She giggles and skips back over toward Yuffie. My fake smile falls and I turn toward the glass again. He'd better not do anything stupid.

Suddenly, the lights flicker on and off before the power finally cuts. Groaning, I stand and stare into the dark part of the room, where Yuffie yelped in surprise at the sudden blackness. I sit back down on the couch, now unsure of what to do, and grab my spear, pulling the parts away from each other and swiping at small dried blood spots with my thumb. It feels like hours that we sit in the dark while the thunder and rain press on. I don't know where the two younger girls went, but I've nearly fallen asleep until the front door swings open. I jump to my feet, weapon raised to defend myself, as I creep close to the tall, thin figure in the doorway. They seem to notice me and reach over to the wall, flicking the lights on. Vincent?! He opens his mouth slightly to say something, but I slap him straight across the face before it comes out.

"Don't do that!"

"... My apologies."

"What the heck, Vince!" I rage, glaring up at him. His cheek is bright red where I struck it, and his red eyes flicker with surprise and confusion. "You can't just disappear like that and then days later return when the power's out... Wait, it came back?!"

"Must have," he says after a moment of silence and a glance toward the light switch. I scowl at him and stomp toward the couch, throwing myself into the cushions. Somehow, I get the feeling that Tifa furnished this place. He watches me in silence as he shuts the door and turns the lock like we should've. Then he glances down at his claw and sighs, twisting the piece of armor aimlessly. "I am sorry to have scared you..."

"You didn't scare me," I snap. "I was just.. Taken by surprise."

"Alright," the corner of his mouth quirks up in amusement. "I am sorry for taking you by surprise when you could have simply turned the lights on."

"I hate you," I mutter. He chuckles quietly to himself, unclasping his cloak and hanging it by the door. How can all that leather be comfortable when he's dripping wet from the rain? I fail to hide a grin when he leans forward and shakes his head, water spraying out from his dark hair. When he straightens again, he furrows his eyebrows at me.

"What?"

"You're like a dog," I laugh. His frown gets deeper, but it just makes me laugh louder.

"I have already told you before not to call me a 'dog'."

"You said 'doggy' or 'cute'."

"Monster is more like it," he grumbles and walks toward the kitchen. Stupid pointy shoes.

"You ain't a monster," I roll my eyes, following him. "You're just special." I hear him scoff and cross my arms, narrowing my eyes. "Do you really think you're a monster?"

"I'm more of a beast," he shakes his head. "No... Human?" He seems to be talking more to himself than me, staring into glass of water he has in front of him. "No... I am both." He looks up at me. "And I am neither."

"Huh?" I raise an eyebrow. He shakes his head and drinks his water, ignoring me skillfully. Unfortunately, I don't like to be ignored. "Oi! Vampy Boy! What the heck was that supposed to mean?"

"It would make no sense to you," he says without even glancing my way and sets his glass in the sink.

"Did you just call me stupid?!"

"I did not, and you would know that if you paid any attention at all."

"Oh yeah, insulting me makes everything better," I sneer.

"Then maybe you should not bother with my business."

"You talked to me!"

"You're the one following me around like a lost dog all the time."

"I do not... Ugh!" I restrain from hitting him again and bang my fist against the counter. Ow ow ow ow ow ow OW!

"Feel any better?" He raises an eyebrow. I swivel around and glare at him.

"Are you trying to get murdered in your sleep?"

"Perhaps it would be better than suffering," he shrugs. I clench my jaw tightly.

"Can you stop being the King of Angst of one second and look around you?! You have a beautiful world, you're alive, and you're free. You have friends. You don't hate everyone. You don't.. I get that you've had it rough, but if I'm going through a rough patch and you're the only one.around I can look to, how am I supposed to deal with all this? I'm definitely not going to tie a blanket around my neck and brood over my 'sins'!"

"Maybe it would not be wise for you to look to me then," he turns his back to me, starting to leave the room.

"But you're the only person I really trust," I say quietly. He freezes and looks down at the floor. Or maybe his pointy shoes... With a heavy and somewhat reluctant sigh, he finally looks at me as I awkwardly shift on my feet. Goodness Fang, what's happening to you?

"What about Vanille?"

"She... She tends to tell others what people tell her to keep secret. Or she lies. She lies a lot," I sigh and look at the wall.

"And how do you know I won't lie either?" How I know?

"There's just something telling me to trust you," I shrug. "And that never comes easily with me."

It feels like centuries later when I feel a curled finger lift my somewhat drooping head to look into crimson irises. It oddly feels like he's reading my mind, and it's a strange feeling of comfortable vulnerability. I close my eyes and pull him into a hug, my ear pressed against his chest where I can hear his strong and steady heartbeat thumping. Hesitantly, his arms pull me closer, sharp chin resting on my head. When I did I become so miserably weak? Opening one eye, I see Vanille doing some sort of happy dance and clapping quickly to herself with a big smile on her face. Then she gives me a thumbs up and scampers off. Laughing lightly, I close my eyes again. So tired...

~|~|~|~|~

I awaken to sunlight streaming through my window and pull the covers over my head with a groan. A soft chuckle pulls me from my morning laziness and I rip the blanket off my face to see Vincent standing in the doorway with a slight smile on his face.

"Why are you watching me sleep?" I mumble, flopping my head back to hit the pillow.

"I was just about to wake you up."

"Hmm," I hum. Then I remember that random moment last night and blush beet red. What on earth was I thinking?!

"The only reason it appeared I was 'staring' is that I was debating on whether or not to let you sleep, mainly because it took you less than a minute to fall asleep on me yesterday," he smirks. "But I decided that you would have my head if I did not."

"Vincent Valentine," I yawn, stretching my arms over my head. "I think that's the most you've ever said to me in one breath. You're usually so cold."

"Cold? Hmm... I guess that's just how I am, sorry." He frowns.

"Nah, don't worry about it. Now why would I have your head, Vampy?" His frown turns into a scowl.

"Reeve has found something on Hojo. He wants us in his office in an hour."

"Well that's not worth waking me up over," I scoff, snuggling down and closing my eyes. I hear a sigh and the soft sound of his pointy golden shoes hitting the carpet as he quietly walks toward me. I expect him to yank the blankets away and take them out of the room or something that Lightning would do, so I nearly jump out of my skin when I feel a pair of lips press to my forehead. Oh jeebus, now I'm probably a tomato. I'm gonna get him for that!

"I believe it was," he says firmly. I groan and pull the covers up over my head. Ha! No blushing now, huh Vinnie!? Apparently, he's not done picking on me, because next thing I know, my blanket is missing and I'm being carried to the bathroom. I frown and squeeze my eyes even tighter against the light of his apartment.

"Hey Vinnie, where're you goin?" I hear Yuffie ask cheerfully. He doesn't answer, just kicks the already open door open a little wider and pauses.

"Fang. I am giving you one last chance to wake up on your own," he says, humor thick in his voice, like he's holding a laugh in or something. I shake my head. And then I'm falling. Ow! My butt! Why am I soaking wet?! I look down and shiver.

"Seriously? A freezing cold bath?" I shiver again. I was built for the heat, not the cold.

"You would not get up," he smirks.

"I'm c-cold!" I whine, hugging my knees to my chest and rubbing my arms.

"Maybe if you would get out, you would be warmer," he raises an eyebrow. I've got some nice revenge in my brain right now, buddy. I don't think he expected me to grab the front of his shirt and yank him into the water. Thankfully, his reflexes let him turn before his head smacks into the wall or something, and I'm rewarded with a grumpy, sopping wet Valentine beside me, thick black hair hanging down in front of his face. He huffs and frowns at me miserably while I laugh at him.

"Now you c-can keep me warm, Vampy!" I tease. He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms.

"Why me?" He grumbles under his breath. I laugh again and splash him playfully.

"Because I'm the b-best!" He raises an eyebrow at me as I shiver again.

"If you spend so much time outside, why are you not used to the cold?"

"Pulse has two temperatures: hot, and really hot."

"I see."

"You're my best friend," I grin widely, laying my head on his shoulder.

"... Are you drunk?" I burst out laughing again and huddle closer to his warmth.

"I love you," I laugh. He chuckles softly and lays his head on top of mine. If only he realized how true that was.

~|~|~|~|~

"Hojo was spotted by one of our agents in Nibelheim. He entered the mansion, so it is very possible that he is going back to his old lab," Reeve says. I yawn boredly and look over at Tifa. She's chewing on her lip and glancing at a glaring Snow every once in awhile. What's up with the big oaf? And for some reason, Light keeps looking at Cloud like he's the most gorgeous man she's ever seen. Honestly, Light. You could've done better. Go for someone dark and mysterious and hot... Okay, don't because he's mi.. Everyone's...

"How do we know this isn't just another clone?" Hope speaks up.

"We don't," Reeve shakes his head. "Which is why I'm sending you out in teams to the towns with sightings. The teams will be there for a few days just to report anything unusual, and then Cid with pick you all up and bring you back here. I just need to know who is going to be..."

"Reeve," Vincent surprises us by interrupting him. "I have already told you once before that I will not be mixing in with your plans."

"Please Vincent..." Reeve starts. The dark man shakes his head.

"No. Why do we need to waste time on teams? They would be useless." Well excuse sir! "Why not just find and... Eliminate them all?"

"Because we aren't bloodthirsty jerks like you!" Lightning glares at him. I frown at her, my kind of a warning look.

"Lightning, please," Reeve frowns. "Alright, so that's one less person. Can we..."

"Hojo is a dangerous person," Vincent clenches his jaw. "It would be better to fight in larger groups."

"Vincent, I would appreciate you not telling me how to do my job," Reeve pinches the bridge of his nose. Without another word, Vincent turns and leaves the room, tattered cape sweeping out behind him.

"Great, now he's gonna disappear again," I huff.

"I know the feeling," Tifa raises an eyebrow at Cloud. He looks down at his boots and avoids her stern gaze. She must be a hard hitter if he's scared like that.

"Anyway!" Reeve says loudly to get our attention. "Our team for Nibelheim will be Tifa and Cloud because they already know the area. I would send Vincent too, but he's not here. Uh... Lightning and Hope, you go with them too. Tifa, why don't you go with Snow and Yuffie to Kalm? Sazh, Fang, and Vanille... Er, you're going to have to figure Junon out on your own."

"Great," I grumble, crossing my arms.

"More exploring? How fun," Sazh says sarcastically, grinning anyway.

"Don't be such party poopers," Vanille frowns.

"You have three hour before your chocobos are taken back to the ranch, so I would hurry up and leave," Reeve waves us off. I roll my eyes and nod for Sazh and Vanille to follow me.

"Wait! What about Dajh?" Sazh exclaims.

"The boy will be safe here," Reeve smiles. "It'll only be a few days, Sazh."

"Right," he nods. I'm surprised he's not demanding he take his son with him. Shrugging it off, I lead the way out of the building and toward the cluster of chocobos just outside the city limits.

"You two don't need anything, do you?" I look back at Sazh and Vanille. They shake their heads. "Good." The boy taking care of the birds hands me a map and we head toward the last three chocobos waiting. I guess the others headed off right away. I mount the bird nearest to me and Vanille and Sazh follow my example. I start to move forward when my chocobo warks and pulls back.

"Come on you stupid animal!" I groan.

"I don't believe that will help anything," I hear a deep voice behind me.

"What are you doing here?" I snap at Vincent. "Aren't we too weak and useless for you?" He sighs and shakes his head.

"I did not mean for my statement to sound that way. My apologies."

"Yeah, whatever. What do you want?"

"Be nice, Fang!" Vanille scolds.

"I am to accompany you to Junon."

"Sorry, no rides left," I turn around and start riding again. A big thump on the back of he chocobo startles me and I turn to see Vincent riding behind me with an eyebrow raised. He did that just to annoy me, didn't he?

"We must be off, correct?"

"I hate you," I mumble before driving the bird toward the direction of the city.

"So bipolar," he sighs and wraps his arms around my waist.

"Hold onto the feathers, Vampy," I snap. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"But don't you want me to keep you warm?"

"I'm going to murder you."

"I think I might murder you first," he teases.

By the time we reach the stupid waterfront city, Vincent is sound asleep as he naps with the side of his head pressed between my shoulder blades and his arms hanging loosely around me. Aw. He's so cute when he sleeps! Geeze, I'm starting to sound like Vanille.

"This is place, I think," Sazh stops his chocobo outside the inn. I nod and Vanille grins at me.

"Aw! Fang, you didn't tell me he liked you!" My eyes widen and I try to force the rising color away.

"Er, I don't... He doesn't. He just fell asleep."

"Riiiiight," Sazh smiles. "Just like Light and Cloud didn't end up making out when they were supposed to be sparring."

"They what?!" I raise me eyebrows. Vincent stirs behind me and I cringe. Whoops.

"Vincent! You're awake!" Vanille giggles. "Do you like..."

"It looks like it's gonna rain," I say over her. "Let's get inside."

Vincent nods and slides off behind me and takes reins from my hands.

"I will bring them to the stable."

"All three?!" Vanille squeaks incredulously.

"Yes," he nods, smiling slightly.

"Okay! See you there!" She waves and pulls me into the inn. Sazh shrugs and follows us inside.

"Are you, like, the people Mr. Tuesti got rooms for?" The person behind the front desk asks.

"Who?" I raise an eyebrow. She rolls her eyes and sighs with exasperation.

"Never mind, like, yeah. Anyway, like, my boss said the last two rooms were rented out, so you guys need to, like, scadaddle." What is with her and the word 'like'? Sazh suppresses a laugh and Vanille smiles at the woman sweetly.

"They are with me," Vincent says, entering the inn. She nods and beams at him as if she wasn't just being weird.