Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters places things blah blah blah, because Square-Enix does.

Cold Decency

Chapter One:

A dark figure perched on the roof of the inn at Rocket Town. A storm was coming and his blood red eyes saw the lightening come down like a hammer in the distance. Slowly shifting his piercing gaze across the town over the top of each comfortable little house he let his thoughts stray. What as become of him?

A slight push rendered his coffin lid light as a feather as it flew up in the air. Never before had he been this strong. Pushing this disturbing discovery out of his mind he focused on those who had awaken him. One of them was a lean young man with blonde hair that seemed to shoot off in random directions like he had been caught standing in front of a fan. More notably was the large sword that was strapped to his back. One hand rested uneasily close to the hilt while the other unconsciously was nudging a fairly scantily clad female with long brown hair and deep brown eyes to match behind him, as if to protect her from him. Quickly darting his eyes to the swordsman's other side a younger female quickly jumped out of his sight ducking behind the giant sword itself.

"He's gonna suck our BLOOD!" shouted this slip of a girl.

A small silence crept past Vincent decided to speak.

"I wish to do no such thing." was the monotonous reply.

Whether or not this small group had believed him the male stepped forward and spoke.

"I am Cloud Strife, who are you?"

Soon Vincent found himself listening to this mans story of hunting down Sephiroth, but calmly examined his intruders better. The two females definitely were fighters too, and he had some speculation that they were not pushovers. Never the less they stared at him with fear. Especially the small one who was no longer behind Cloud since he had moved. Instead she cringed and turned away quickly if their eyes should meet. Somewhere where humor might have once been he noted she should be more worried about the unbuttoned khaki shorts she was wearing that seemed to be on the verge of falling. The mature women looked on with fear, but held some kindness or sympathy in her eyes. Fear? Sympathy? It seemed like only yesterday women 'accidentally' bumped into him to make conversation. Perhaps Hojo truly had succeeded in his horrid promise.

Cloud finished his little story, and implored to hear Vincent's. Would these people really stop Sephiroth? Even though he had some obligation to do so himself one name stuck out more in his head.

"If I go with you will I meet Hojo?" he asked in a cold foreboding tone, which made all three of them shift uncomfortably.

"Yes, he is part of Shinra," the older female quickly said.

"Then if you will allow me I wish to join your faction, and my name is Vincent Valentine," Vincent said with the same eerie calm they would soon learn to accept.

Now he was here in Rocket Town debating his new body so to speak. While he traveled with Cloud, Tifa, and Yuffie he slowly learned about himself again more and more. At first he felt bad that all he had to offer was the small handgun in a battle. He learned better when he found his reflexes were twice as sharp and his aim was, if possible, more flawless. He could see in the dark caves of the Nibel Mountains, and found himself leading them through the insides. All the while the small shinobi kept making remarks about him being a vampire softly to Tifa.

"Look at his eyes, they are scary."

"I bet he covers the lower part of his face to hide his fangs."

"What is with that claw?"

"He was in a coffin for gawds sake!"

That last comment was rather loud and Vincent decided to turn around and silence her with his undying gaze. The effects were instantaneous as she gulped and practically turned to stone afraid to look away.

"I do not appreciate such remarks about my appearance, please stop."

He turned away and began navigating the dark passages again as Yuffie regained her composure and bravely retorted.

"Well maybe you shouldn't sleep in coffins!" she said defiantly as though she had just won some elaborate debate.

Just how the hell did Vinny-poo hear her anyway? She began to ponder that when a small wicked smile crept on her as she made a mental note to call Mr. Vincent McVampire "Vinny-poo" once she made sure he wouldn't drain her of her self-proclaimed cute blood.

When they had finally reached the exit of the mountains they met u p with the rest of the group. The one called Barret was suspicious of the ties he had from once being a Turk. The cat beast thing merely regarded this new member with one gold eye. Cait Sith seemed to keep its distance. Aeris however however was very receptive and seemed to warmly greet him. After Aeris calmly walked away without the least bit of fear he noticed Yuffie no longer was intimidated by him.

In fact the whole walk to Rocket Town was a constant barrage of questions from the young ninja. Jumping around him with unparalleled energy she tugged on his cape a few times winning a glare. Of course he felt no need to dignify her questions with a response.

"Why aren't you talking to me Vinny-poo?"

Vincent's hopes that no one else had heard the horrendous nickname since he trailed behind them fell short when Tifa and Barret burst out laughing. The rest of the team looked back confused.

Cloud thankfully interrupted, "Come on, we have to get to Rocket Town before nightfall. We are running low on potions and status cures."

The group resumed, and so did Yuffie. Actually Vincent had already learned quite a bit about this small female by just looking at her. Obviously she was Wutai, but what was more interesting was the marks on the frays of her headband. If what they said was true she was apparently related to the dynasty of Wutai. He wondered if anybody else on the team knew. The only reason he was able to recognize this was he was taught the Wutai language as a Turk due to the war that was brewing on the horizon.

"Fine! Be all silent and rude then!" Yuffie whined as she stopped bouncing and started to stomp in annoyance.

Vincent spent the rest of his time cleaning his Sniper CR that was found in the caves. He stared blankly at his materia. That's odd he thought, why are they out of order?

Later that night at the hotel when they had just checked in and unpacked some things in their rooms Vincent's manners got the best of him. Walking to the room that was designated for the women he hesitantly raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Tifa's burgundy eyes looked at him quizzically as she opened the door. A kind smile was on her face though imploring Vincent to state his business.

"I would like to speak with Yuffie please," Vincent said softly without tone.

"Oh Yuffie VINCENT would like to have a word with you..." said Tifa with a laugh as she walked away to get the shinobi.

"Me?" squeaked a nervous Yuffie.

Yuffie soon appeared in the doorway with a nervous glance at Vincent.

"Miss Kisagari I would like to apologize about my rudeness earlier." Vincent said quickly but without emotion.

A small blush came up to Yuffie's cheeks when she processed what was just said.

"Um... yea no problem Vinny... I mean Vincent!" she said sheepishly looking at her chocobo socks as if they were the most captivating objects in the world.

"Have a good night," Vincent simply said and turned to walk away. About two strides down the hotel hallway he heard Tifa and Aeris burst into laughter.

It was worse when Vincent realized he could almost hear everything in the hotel. No matter where he was inside he heard the voices of people in other rooms. The girls on the team though were holding an interesting conversation concerning him.

"He's mysterious don't you think Yuffie?" laughed Tifa.

"Do you think the rest of his face is as handsome underneath his cloak Yuffie?" added Aeris.

"NO, I think he is a stinky old vampire, and I am going out to get some air!" was Yuffie's forceful response. Then as if on cue Vincent's sharp ears heard the window in the girls room open and Yuffie jump out.

Another conversation met his ears from a couple he did not know.

"Oh Harry what if my husband finds out?" giggled a voice that screamed whore.

Perhaps I should 'get some air' as well thought Vincent, who didn't wish to hear where this new conversation was leading.

So know he found relative peace to sort his thoughts on the roof of the inn. Such minor social occurrences though were secondary thoughts though. Somewhere in his abnormal heart he was worried. Would this group of bizarre, but nice people, accept him when he turned into one of the beasts within?

"GET BACK HERE!" yelled a husky voice.

Vincent shifted his gaze to see a small figure running out of the materia shop chased by a rather stout man. His sharp vision saw the girl turn around in to mock the overweight man for being to slow.

"Try and make me old man!" gloated Yuffie sticking out her tongue.

The man growled with anger and reached into a pocket hidden by his coat and produced a gun. Yuffie froze in place under the aim of the gun which shook slightly in the angry mans hands.

The man's tense hand began to squeeze the trigger, and Yuffie's eyes shut as her hands flew over her ears.

She awaited the loud bang, but nothing came. Cautiously cracking open one eye all she saw was a red cape in front of her.

"What the hell are you?" said the man forgetting all his anger as it was quickly replaced by fear.

Vincent walked towards the man without a noise. His steel plated boots almost seemed to glide across the ground. The man raised the gun again with a shout, but with one fluid movement Vincent grabbed the gun with his claw.

"Oh my dear god," said the fat man as he stumbled back watching in horror as his gun was crushed in the sparkling gold gauntlet avoiding the scrutiny of this demon's red eyes.

"You shall not harm my teammate, now forget this and leave her alone," Vincent's sharp voice cut through him like a hot Ultima Sword through butter.

"Yeah sure... she can keep the materia!" stumbled the man as he crawled back into the shop locking the door behind him.

Vincent just looked at the door and let the now broken gun fall from his hands.

"Vincent Valentine!" Yuffie said from behind him in a serious voice.

He turned smoothly around to see an excited Yuffie.

"That was SO AWESOMELY COOL!" shouted Yuffie, "He almost pissed his pants when you stepped in! I mean I could've taken care of him with my super ninja punch (she made the little jabbing motion with her fist in the air to prove her point), but he just ran like a coward! I almost want to share some of my new materia with you!"

"Did you steal that man's materia Yuffie?" queried Vincent.

"That's not important, but thanking you is!" said Yuffie passing off Vincent's question.

"Thanks!" she said as she quickly hugged his waist.

Vincent stiffened quickly caught off guard and growing increasingly uncomfortable.

Yuffie seemed to catch on and let go just as quick as she had hugged. A faint blush could be seen on her cheeks. She silently prayed it was to dark for Vincent to see it. Wait this is Mr. Vincent McVampire we are talking about here of course he can see it she thought. This only caused her blush to deepen. Time to make a hasty retreat her brain yelled as she ran away towards the inn leaving a confused Vincent.

Well more to come I suppose, and if you have the time please review