Guilt’s Cost: Part XXXIV

Apology

Vincent lay on the grass with his eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his face. He felt a shadow move over him, and looked up seeing a girl staring down at him.

She managed a weak smile. "Hi ya, Vince."

He sat up immediately, looking around nervously. "Yuffie? Where’s that Genji guy?"

"He didn’t really feel like coming out today." She said as she sat down next to Tifa.

Tifa was delighted to see her friend again. "Oh Yuffie! I’m so glad you’re here. How are you?"

Yuffie stared down at the ground before her, obviously uncomfortable. "Yeah, I’m fine. I kind of came out looking for you two."

Tifa placed a hand on Yuffie’s shoulder. "What’s wrong?"

Yuffie squirmed where she sat. "Uh, Vince, I just wanted to say that I know it wasn’t you that attacked me last night or back all those years ago. When Tifa said that it was Chaos controlling you, I knew it was the truth. Even though I know you hated me, you really weren’t the kind of person that would do that sort of thing."

Vincent cocked an eyebrow, trying to cover his embarrassment over the events of which she spoke with a stoic façade. "I thank you for your forgiveness, and I apologize for not being able to control that demon. But Yuffie, I didn’t hate you. Sure, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I didn’t find you irritating at times, but hate is too strong a word."

She nodded without looking at him. "I should have respected you more and not have harassed you so much. I was kind of a pain, but I’ve grown up a lot since then. Now I know better, that there are just some people that you have to let come to you. Some people just don’t find perky and persistent likable."

Tifa was taken aback by the girl’s apology and explanation. This clearly was a sign that Yuffie had matured over the last few years. "Vincent was in a lot of pain back then and he was just trying to get through it. When he looked me up not too long ago, I realized that he was very different. He has a good heart and it’s starting to show more all the time."

Yuffie looked at Tifa, her expression confused. "I saw you and Vincent on the bridge before I pointed you out to Genji, and maybe I’m mistaken, but what would Cloud think about you going around with Vincent like that?"

Tifa’s eyes filled with tears, and she hung her head. "Cloud…"

Vincent put his arm around Tifa and looked Yuffie in the eye. "I’m afraid that Cloud is no longer with us."

Yuffie was still naive on some level and the real meaning of his statement eluded her. "What do you mean? Where did he go?"

Vincent shook his head slightly, knowing that he was going to have to spell things out for Yuffie; one of the things that had always bothered him about her. A girl that needs all the details and a man of few words apparently don’t mix well. "Yuffie, Cloud is dead."

She covered her mouth with her hands, eyes growing wide. "What? How?"

"Suicide." Vincent said quietly. "I came to visit Tifa and he killed himself that night. Tifa and I have been traveling together ever since."

"Oh Tifa, I’m so sorry." Yuffie said, tears starting to mark her cheeks. "I had no idea. You never mentioned that he was having problems in your letters."

Tifa shrugged. "I didn’t ever write about it, I was trying to pretend that everything between us was fine. Even though Aeris died all that time ago, he couldn’t get over the heartache and that is what drove him to it."

Yuffie sniffed back the tears and sighed. "I’m really sorry Tifa. If there is anything I can do for you, let me know."

She smiled at her friend. Tifa had always liked Yuffie and her energy. "Thanks Yuffie."

There was an awkward silence for a few moments, as everyone became lost in their own thoughts about Cloud. Tifa was becoming depressed and needed to get them on another subject. "So Genji is your husband?"

Yuffie beamed with the pride of a smitten girl. "Yes he is! I was so lucky to get him! His family is very powerful and I have been in love with him since we were kids. Once I came back to Wutai with all that materia, Godo rewarded me with arranging our marriage. I couldn’t have wished for anything more. He’s so handsome."

Tifa shuddered on the inside thinking that Genji was quite brutish. "I’m glad you are so happy. He seems to be very devoted."

Yuffie’s smile faltered for a moment as she remembered telling her husband that Vincent had attacked her seven years before. "Yeah, he would do anything to protect me. Gosh, if a guy even looks at me wrong he really goes after them. He’s a real honor defender."

Vincent recalled all too well how strong Genji was and how ill tempered he had been the night before. "I doubt many people challenge him."

Yuffie grinned. "Nope. I can get away with anything and people won’t dare to react. It’s great."

Being aware of what a pest Yuffie could be, Vincent took her last statement to heart. "I don’t doubt it."

Yuffie donned her confused look again. "So tell me, what are you two doing in Wutai if Cloud is dead, and what the Hell are Reno and Tseng doing here, too?"

Tifa took Vincent’s hand in her own. "Well, Vincent and I are…involved."

Yuffie’s confusion deepened. "You and Vincent? What about all that whiney Lucretia crap you used to spew all the time? ‘Oh, I shall never love another’ and all that?"

Vincent held Tifa’s hand tighter and forced a smile. "I am beyond that now. I came to realize over the years that Tifa was by far more like me than anyone else. Apparently she has found something redeeming in me and has stayed."

Yuffie couldn’t see what Tifa had found in Vincent. He was attractive and all, but that didn’t seem like a good enough reason to put up with the world’s most depressing person. "Okay, so what about being here and the two old Turks?"

Tifa giggled. "Well, turns out that Tseng was still alive and running ASRIO."

Vincent continued for her. "Being my brother, he wanted to help me and Tifa and so invited us to stay with him. Reno has been working there as well for some time."

Yuffie put up a hand. "Wait a second, back up. Tseng being alive somehow I can buy, but being your brother? Come on."

Tifa laughed out loud. "No, it’s true! They are brothers! Moreover, Vincent has a daughter."

The thought of Vincent having reproduced was more than she could take. "The Hell? Since when?"

Vincent smiled at the thought of Angel. "She was created in a Shin Ra lab. Tseng and Reno broke her out of there and introduced her to me not too long ago. She and Reno are now engaged."

Yuffie fell over on her side laughing. "Oh man, that is too much! Stop it, you’re killing me! You hate Reno! He wants to marry your kid? Oh geez!"

Tifa realized that Tseng had returned and she nudged Vincent. "They’re back."

Vincent stood and faced his brother and Aunt. "Tseng, you remember Yuffie, right?"

He smiled and nodded at Yuffie, who was picking herself up off the ground. "Yes."

Yokazi looked at the girl. "You are Godo’s daughter?"

Yuffie snapped into speaking Wutain. "Yes I am."

"Ah, that is nice." The old woman smiled. "You know my nephew Tsuvati?"

"Who?" Yuffie cocked her head.

Tseng laughed. "Vincent’s name is Tsuvati."

Yuffie turned back to Vincent. "Holy crap! You’re Wutain?"

Vincent rolled his eyes, becoming annoyed at having to rehash this information to everyone he met. "Yes, Yuffie. Born and raised."

Tseng rubbed salt into the wound. "Yuffie, we are Vatasis."

Yuffie stamped the ground. "Vatasis? Oh my God! You’re kidding! Kisigaris and Vatasis are practically related! How come you never said anything about this before Vince?"

He narrowed his eyes. "You never asked."

"Holy crap!" Yuffie couldn’t contain herself. "I’ve got to go and tell my dad about this."

Tifa embraced Yuffie before she ran off. "Maybe we can see you again before we go."

Yuffie stepped back. "I sure hope so."

Vincent stood smiling faintly. "Good bye."

Yuffie steeled herself and managed to gather the strength to do something that shocked most of those present. She ran over and threw her arms around Vincent. "Bye Vince."

He had to fight the urge to push her away from him. Vincent closed his eyes and gave in, lightly putting his arms around her in return. "Thanks Yuffie."