Guilt’s Cost: Part XXVIII

Homecoming

It wasn’t until late the next day that Tseng’s airship reached its destination. Tifa, unable to withstand the suspense, had asked everyone on the ship where they were going, but no one would crack no matter how much she begged. Vincent had retreated into himself somewhat after his confession to Tifa about being Sephiroth’s father, and it pained her deeply to see him so quiet. He had spent much of the trip up on deck alone, only coming inside late during the night to go to sleep. When Tifa had attempted to touch him that night in bed, he had kindly turned her down, not feeling up to any sort of physical escapade. Tifa didn’t let this get to her, though; knowing that it wasn’t personal. Vincent was a complicated man, and it took time for him to learn how to deal with his feelings; something that she had come to appreciate.

Tseng had the pilot bring the ship down in the middle of a field on the outskirts of town. Everyone disembarked and stood trying to figure out where Tseng had brought them.

Vincent stood on the edge of the group, closing his eyes as he inhaled the warm breeze. The distinct smell of his hometown was unmistakable, and he immediately turned to his brother, eyes narrowed in anger. "You brought me to Wutai?"

Tseng was shaken by Vincent’s reaction. "Yes, I thought it would be nice for us to visit some of our relatives."

"I don’t have any relatives. All of Father’s family is dead, the only ones here are your mother’s family." Vincent snarled through clenched teeth.

He took a step toward his brother, still not certain why he was mad. "But they remember you, too. You were just as dear to them as I, even if you aren’t blood relatives."

"I’m going back on the ship." Vincent said, starting to walk away.

Tifa took chase of Vincent, grabbing his arm before he started up the ladder to the airship’s deck. "Vincent, what’s wrong?"

He kept his gaze fixed to the side of the craft. "Damn it, Tifa. There is nothing here for me but bad memories."

"Vincent, Tseng tried to do something nice, now grow up." Tifa said, tightening the hold on his cybernetic arm.

He jerked his arm free of her grasp, and looked down at her, clearly irritated. "Tifa, listen to me. I don’t want to be here. Yeah, Tseng has some real nice family here, and I’m certain that they would just love to see me, but I can’t go into town."

"Why?" Tifa demanded. "You know, you’ve been a real pain in the ass since telling me that Sephiroth was your son. Although I am very much aware that Vincent Valentine likes to get all self absorbed and angry when he’s hurting, I still am getting sick of it. You straighten the Hell up and go apologize to your brother."

He leaned closer to her, his eyes narrow. The rage beginning to boil up within him was getting out of control. "Don’t talk to me like you are my mother, because you are not. Have a wonderful time here in Wutai, but don’t expect me to stay."

Tifa saw Chaos flashing behind his eyes, and at a loss for what to do she slapped him hard across the face. "Knock it off!"

Vincent spun from the force of her blow and steadied himself against the side of the ship. He brought his human hand up to the side of his face where she had struck him. He had bit his tongue, and spat a small amount of blood down on the ground. "Oh shit."

Tifa covered her mouth with her hands, horrified at what she had done. "Oh Vincent, I’m sorry!"

He slowly turned to face her, having pushed Chaos from his mind. His expression was one of apology. "Thanks, Tifa. You smacked him right the Hell out of me…"

She put her arms around him. "I know you wouldn’t talk to me like that, and I was getting scared."

He smiled weakly. "When I told you about Sephiroth and Aeris the other day, I was really upset and he started to try and take over again. I have been fighting him during this whole trip. That’s why I’ve been a little distant. I’m sorry."

She giggled to herself at the thought of having slapped Chaos. "Anytime, Vincent."

"I still am not thrilled about being here, though." He admitted.

"That’s all right. Maybe you and I can find some things to do to take your mind off the past." She smiled, winking at him.

Vincent clenched his teeth at her innuendo, suppressing the urge to get aroused. "Come on, let’s go."

They walked back to the others, seeing that they were all staring slack jawed from the spectacle they had just witnessed.

Vincent hung his head and walked over to Tseng. "Sorry."

Tseng accepted his apology. "It’s nothing, Tsuvati. You can still speak Wutain, right?"

He nodded. Although he hadn’t done so in over thirty years, it was his first language and not something that he could ever forget. "Yes, I can."

"Good, because there are a lot of our relatives that only speak it." Tseng said as he started walking toward town.

Tseng led them straight to a small house on the edge of town. Vincent examined it as they got nearer, recognizing the curved red eaves and exposed wall beams as that of Tseng’s Aunt Yokazi’s home.

Vincent walked next to his brother. "Is she still alive?"

Tseng smiled. "Very much so. She writes me all the time to tell me of our cousins."

He couldn’t believe it. "How old is Yokazi now?"

"One hundred and twelve." Tseng too was amazed at the woman’s longevity. "She still does everything for herself, too. She still works in the market three days a week."

Vincent shook his head, amazed. "She always was an incredible woman."

"Yes, and she still is." Tseng replied.

They got to the door and Tseng knocked. After several seconds, the door slowly opened and a tiny old woman stepped out. Age had bent her forward somewhat, and her face was wrinkled, but her ever-present kind smile still beamed. "Tseng?"

Tseng smiled down at her, having to speak to her in Wutain. "Hello, Aunt Yokazi. I have brought a surprise for you."

The old woman clasped her hands in front of her; eagerly awaiting what Tseng had in store. "What is it, Tseng?"

Tseng took her by the arm and led her up to Vincent. "Aunt Yokazi, I have brought home Tsuvati."

The old woman’s ancient eyes went wide in disbelief. Her voice crackled despite the Wutain language’s natural smoothness. "Tsuvati? You are alive? How can this be? How can you be so young?"

Vincent had no difficulty picking back up on speaking his native language. "It is me, Yokazi. There were many changes made to me at the hands of Shin Ra, but it is still me. I am sorry for never letting you know that I was all right."

She smiled and embraced him. The old woman had always had a deep liking for him from the time her sister had married Vincent’s father. "Who are your friends?"

Vincent made the rest of the introductions. Tifa and Reno waved as they were pointed to; not understanding what was being said, as they had never learned Wutain. When Vincent introduced Angel, she stepped forward.

"Tsuvati, this is you daughter?" Yokazi asked, admiring the young woman’s beauty.

"Yes." Vincent said with pride.

Angel had been taught the language while in the acceleration chamber. "It is an honor to meet you."

Yokazi threw her arms around Angel, delighted at the thought of Vincent having a child. "I am so glad you came! I cannot wait to tell you all the stories I have of your father and uncle from their childhood. Please, come in!"