Chapter Fifteen

A loud knock woke Jyleth from her restless sleep. She jumped out of the bed, perhaps a little too fast, as she got her feet tangled in the sheets and struggled awkwardly with them for a moment before freeing herself. The knock came again just as she stepped from of the mess of the bed and sheets. She glared first at the bed, then the door, then gave the bed a look of disgust before rushing to answer the door.

"What?" Jyleth demanded before she even saw who was standing on the other side of the door. The waif-like girl standing there burdened with a large bundle gave a small yelp and leaped back, sending the package in her hand went flying in the air. Jyleth jumped forward and caught it deftly with one hand, heaving a sigh of irritation as she did. Then she looked at the girl, who was close to going into shock, trembling as she leaned against the wall on the other side of the hallway. Jyleth rolled her eyes and suppressed a laugh.

"Sorry about that," Jyleth said in a softer tone the girl. "I'm not much of a morning person, you know." She gave the girl what she hoped was a winning smile. It seemed to work, as the girl eased herself off the wall and didn't look quite like a wild chocobo.

"Dio sent these for you," the waif said in a timid tone. "He said you might like to wear them in the Arena today. You don't have to," she added hurriedly, "just a thought." Her message delivered, the girl fled down the hallway. Jyleth stared for a moment at her fleeing form, then turned her attention back to the package.

Wear, huh? The package wasn't heavy enough to be armor - not that Jyleth would wear any. Perhaps a peace offering? She closed the door, dropping the package on the bed. After a moment of contemplation, she picked the package back up and put it on the floor. Then she turned her attention back to the bed. Taking a hold of the tangled sheets, she ripped them off the bed in one pull, then threw them off in a corner. Feeling a little better, she picked the package up once more and sat on the middle of the bed with it in her lap.

Like a child with a new toy… she thought amusedly.

She ripped it open to reveal several pieces of green material that had a gold metallic sheen to it. Closer examination revealed it to be several articles of clothing. The first piece she examined turned out to be loose, flowing pants that were split open on the outside from just above the ankle cuff to slightly above mid-thigh, with a tie at the knee.

A little skimpy, I think, Jyleth thought, tossing the pants aside.

The next piece was actually a thick, heavy leather, the same green color, but not metallic. It was a halter top that laced in the front. Another piece of the metallic green material revealed itself as a sleeved, midriff-baring chemise. A final scrap of material turned out to be a hair tie of some kind.

Jyleth picked up the pants she had tossed aside a moment earlier, then laid the clothes out across the bed, appraising the whole outfit. She had to credit Dio for having a good eye for the colors, as they would set off her hair and eyes very nicely without making her skin look an unhealthy pale. The size even seemed at least close to hers, if not perfect. She laughed softly, imagining what she would look like fighting in it.

Like a savage princess, I imagine. Probably what Dio had in mind. She started to fold the clothing back up, not wanting to accept any "gifts" from Dio, as she guessed there had to be some sort of price, such as another challenge in addition to the two she still had to fight. The clothing was nice, and she did need a change from her heavy Northern cloth, but the price was probably more than she was willing to pay.

I could just put them on once, she thought, hesitating. Just to see what it would look like...

Unable to resist the lure of the flashy material, she quickly doffed her sleeping linens and managed to wrangle the outfit on. The laces on the front of the leather top slowed her down, as they required quite a lot of adjusting to get a proper fit, but the rest went on quite easily. She hair piece she tied around the braids she kept pulled back. The ends of the scarf were nearly as long as her hair.

She walked to her mirror, surprised at the person she saw walking toward here in the reflection. Her eyes flashed like emerald gems, the green heightened by the clothing. Her braids were streaks of red fire across her skin and clothing. Jyleth turned in a circle experimentally, examining every angle. Despite her initial impression of the outfit being too much, she found herself liking the way the material moved with her body, and the amount of freedom of movement it gave her.

Another unsolicited knock on her door interrupted her posing. She jumped and immediately felt embarrassed, even though she knew that the person on the other side of the door couldn't have possibly seen her preening before the mirror. The knock came again, and she hurried to the door to answer it.

Dio stood before her, his hand raised once more to give the door another knock. When he saw that she was wearing the outfit he had sent, he smiled broadly.

"So you like it?" He asked, taking in the full view without bothering to hide his obvious appreciation of the increased amount of skin showing.

"It's very nice Dio, but," Jyleth started, feeling completely flustered, "I can't accept it."

"Of course you can!" Dio exclaimed. "I mean, it's a gift, you know? I felt a little badly about not explaining the rules to you yesterday, you know, about the limitations on the battles. I just wanted to... apologize, you know?"

"No strings attached, then?" Jyleth asked, still suspicious, but wanting the keep the new clothes more with each passing minute.

"None at all!" Dio answered happily. "In fact, if you where them down the arena - you don't have to, you know - but if you do, I'll even help you a little. I kinda guess that you are looking for more that just the artifacts I have. I happen to know a few of the, shall we say, private collectors that took the rarer items. Perhaps this information would be of use to you?"

Jyleth narrowed her eyes at him for a moment. Whatever information he was offering her, it probably wasn't any more than what she already had. But, she had planned on wearing the outfit for the Arena - and whatever else - anyway, so it wouldn't hurt.

"It might be," she said, nodding slowly. "I have to prepare for today's challenge. Thank you for the clothes, Dio, I accept your apology." She shut the door before he could say anymore.

She returned the mirror, studying her reflection carefully. The figure staring back at her looked wildly exotic and mysterious. Perhaps, she thought, noticing the sharp lines of battle-hardened muscles, a little too wild for some. I'm so pale, she mused, don't need to camouflage if I ever go back north - I'll just blend in with the snow. She turned slowly, considering the milky white skin that had never seen the light of day. I wonder what I'll look like with a tan? The clock rang suddenly, reminding her she still had to get ready for the challenge that would take place just a few hours from now. Stretching, warming up... and all in new clothes. She smiled delightedly as she gathered up her weapons and headed off to the practice area of the Battle Arena.

When Avalanche woke the next morning, neither Red nor Vincent was to be seen. Barret grumbled under his breath about the lack of "stick-togetherness" in the group as he packed away his tent, but he was the only one who said anything about the missing members. The rest quietly packed up and followed Cloud from the campsite.

Cloud skirted Bone Village on the way back, taking them on a path directly toward the Highwind instead. During the short lunch break, Cid pulled out his PHS, quietly considering the small black device before him. After a few minutes and a cigarette, he put the PHS back without using it. When they arrived at the Highwind late in the evening, Cid ran up to the bridge, then returned shortly with a look of irritation on his face.

"Highwind isn't going to fly today," he announced, scowling up at the bridge.

"Why not?" Cloud looking questionly around him, as if there would be some obvious visible reason why the airship was not working.

"Just some mechanical problems, it won't delay us too long," Cid answered a little too quickly. Gyrn came stomping down from the bridge a moment later, glaring at Cid. The effect of the glare was spoiled a bit by the fact that the young mechanic had several smudges of oil on his face.

"Don't say it, Gyrn," Cid warned, waving his finger at the young man, "I don't care. I don't want to know. I'm not arguing. Just fix it."

Gyrn tossed the tool he had been carrying at Cid. Cid caught it deftly, then growled in annoyance and marched off to door marked "Mechanical Room." Gyrn shook his head, then turned back to the bridge, swiping up a toolbox from the stairs as he walked by.

"That was interesting," Tifa noted, unable to hide the smile on her face after watching the interacting between the two. She looked at Cloud, then laughed when she saw he was sheepishly trying to hide his own smile.

"I think we should leave them to their work," Cloud announced. "We aren't that far from the beach…would you like to go for a walk, Tifa?" He held his hand out to her, and she quickly reached out and grabbed it.

"I'd love to," she answered with a smile, motioning to the door. Cloud smiled back, then turned his attention to Barret.

"You could use the time to look for Vincent and Red…" he suggested. Barret shrugged, mumbling something that sounded like agreement.

"I dunno what bothers me more," Barret said to no one in particular after the pair had left, "Vincent and Red going, Sephiroth still bein' alive, or Cloud actin' like two people a' once."

"Cloud," Cid step, opening the door from the mechanical room, "definitely Cloud.'

"You was listening to me!" Barret exclaimed, glaring at the pilot.

"Of course I was," Cid explained calmly. "Did you think I was actually repairing something?" Barret stared blankly at Cid. "There's nothing wrong with my ship, Barret," Cid continued, realizing Barret had not caught his drift. "Highwind is in perfect working order. What isn't in perfect working order is Cloud. So Highwind is going to stay grounded until he gets grounded."

"You are a smart man, Cid," Barret said, smiling broadly. "Is there anything I can help ya fix?"

Cid shrugged, puffing on his cigarette. "Think Cloud had a good idea - we should go look for Vincent and Red. Gyrn has instructions to keep the Highwind 'broke' until we are all aboard."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Barret turned and headed off the Highwind, with Cid following closely.

Vincent watched the large red animal slowly pace below him. Red had found his hiding spot a few hours ago, but had not chosen to say anything to him. Instead, he had quietly laid down and the base of the tree and waited. Or, at least, waited until about half an hour ago. Red was showing signs of growing very impatient.

Vincent sighed, closing his eyes and wishing for the silence of the cave. Wishing for his memories to stop tormenting him. His fingers grazed the raised collar that shielded the lower half of his face from view, then clenched the material angrily. Her face flashed before him again, and this time, he could not suppress the memory.

He had thought he would never look at another woman after Lucretia. He had thought there could never be another who would catch his eyes, another that could make his breath catch when she turned her gaze on him.

But he had thought wrong. When he had joined the group of adventurers, all he had wanted was an escape, and revenge, something he could not find in his sleep in the coffin. But then he had seen her - the angel with eyes so mahogany-rich that they glinted red when the light hit them at just the right angle. Eyes like his, holding so much hurt inside.

At first, she hadn't given more than they occasional curious glance, as her eyes always seemed to fixate on the young, spikey-blonde-headed boy that was the leader. But when that boy had turned his attentions to the green-eyed Ancient, Vincent had found the angel, Tifa, had turned her attention to him. It was casual at first, the slightest accidental touch of a hand there, catching her looking at him when she thought he wasn't paying attention. Then, one night, while they were staying at the Golden Saucer, she had come to his room, begging him to escort her around the Saucer.

"You want me to go with you?" He remembered asking, shocked and flattered she had come to him.

"Well, yes, who else is there?" She had responded coyly.

"Well, there's Barret and Cloud…" he trailed off when she turned her back to him.

"Barret is boring," she announced, "and Cloud took her out earlier." She had turned back to him, smiling sweetly, "You don't have anything else planned, do you?"

He, of course, hadn't had anything else planned, and had acquiesced with her desire to be her escort for the night. The rest of the night seemed somewhat hazy, filled with bright, flashing lights and sweet confections. He barely remembered any of it, except for the very last moments he had spent with her, which he remembered with pinpoint accuracy.

"Why do you always hide your face?" She had asked softly as they stood in a darkened corned, watching other late night goers trying to get in one more attraction before sleep called them home. Her delicate fingers had stroked the raised collar teasingly.

"I…" Vincent shifted uncomfortably, not sure how to explain, or even if he should explain. "Hojo… he…" Vincent sighed, raising his golden claw. "This wasn’t the only remembrance he left me with."

"Well," she said, with one eyebrow cocked, amusement shining in her eyes. "It can't be all that bad. Let me see." Vincent hesitated, but she didn't wait for him to answer. Instead she reached up and undid the buckles, revealing his entire face to her.

"I don't see.." she said, confusing crossing her features. Vincent shrugged, then opened his mouth slightly, so that she might see. She gasped slightly, pulling away from him. "Fangs?" She said in a frightened whisper. "Fangs, coffin, not aging…he made you into a monster!" Her voice steadily raised as she spoke, making the last word seem quite loud in the quiet foyer.

"He thought it was funny," Vincent tried to explain, stepping closer to her. She back away from him, holding her hands up protectively in front of her.

"No closer," she said, "I know how to fight one of the undead."

"I wouldn't-" he started, but she cut him off.

"You are a monster," she declared again, "it is of your nature. Maybe you can overcome it for now, but one day, you might betray us. I'll be watching you." With that, she turned away, stalking across the foyer.

"I would never hurt you," he whispered to her retreating back, "I would never hurt you, Tifa." After that night, she had redoubled her attentions to Cloud, never looking at Vincent unless he got to close to her, and then, it was only a glare.

He wasn't sure that he had kept his promise to her. After all, he had dragged her into another adventure, one that could prove as deadly as the first. He had pulled her away from her two infant children, and also turned her beloved husband's world on its end. Perhaps it would be better for him to leave the group.

"Are you going to stay up there all day, or are you going to stop acting like a child and rejoin the group?" Nanaki demanded from below, finally breaking the silence.

Vincent didn't answer, closing his eyes and wishing Red would leave him in his misery.

"You humans," Red growled from below, "always thinking others have the same limitations as you do." A moment later, Vincent was startled by the rustling sound of another climbing the tree. He looked down to see Red bounding from branch to branch to his position. The giant cat positioned himself neatly in front of Vincent with his last jump.

"You forget I have excellent hearing," Red said, meeting Vincent's eyes. "I heard what she said to you, and, unlike you, I know better that to accept those words at face value. She's under a lot of stress, especially considering the circumstances. You just happened to be convenient to vent on. She didn't mean anything by it.'

"This goes deeper than that, Nanaki," Vincent said, closing his eyes and resting his head back on the tree trunk. "I think it would be better if I didn't rejoin the group. I'm a danger to all of you."

"You have shown before that you can control the demon the stems from your rage for our cause," Red countered, "you are a very valuable addition to our fight. We can't afford to lose you."

"What you can't afford is the danger I am to you," Vincent replied stubbornly. He yelped a moment later as a giant paw swatted him from the side and knocked him off his perch. He went crashing down through the tree, landing hard on his back with the wind knocked out of him.

"That was to knock some sense into you," Red said, leaping down from the tree to land beside him. "Stay down," he continued, placing a paw on Vincent's chest and shoving him back down. Vincent glared at the red cat furiously, but Nanaki simply shifted his weight and laid down on Vincent's chest. "My, this is a comfortable place, I think I could sleep here all day," Nanaki said, yawning widely. He brought his face around and met Vincent's eyes once more. "Unless, of course, you are ready to join the group?"

"Let me up," Vincent demanded, pushing futilely at Nanaki's body. The tail swatted at face, encouraging him to discontinue the effort.

"Are you going to stop pouting?" Red demanded, "or will I get my nap?" They stared each other down for several long minutes, then Vincent finally relented, sighing and closing his eyes.

"Alright, I'll rejoin. Now get off me, I can't breathe!" Red happily complied, although he purposely stepped on Vincent's chest as he walked away.

Continue to Chapter Sixteen...