Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to FFVII (though I wish) or any of the characters; they still belong to their respective creators/owners.

Chapter 1

Vincent ran his hand coolly through his hair as he gazed at the setting sun. He had always had a slight fascination of the burning sky as it slid into thick darkness. Perhaps it was just his anticipation for that darkness that he studied the falling sun so often.

He sat in a tree above the camp, his lack of needed sleep quite helpful during camping rounds. The crackling of the campfire illuminated Vincent's face mysteriously as the others slept on.

It had been several days after they had defeated Sephiroth, and the world lay in shambles and ruin. Though Holy had successfully prevented Meteor from completely annihilating the planet, several parts had broken through the atmosphere and collided with the planet. Not only that, but the after math of the Weapons and the reversal of the Lifestream from the battle in the Northern Crater had not helped things. The Highwind was inoperable, laying north of Bone Village in the outskirts of the enchanted forest, where it had finally given in to the extreme damage it had taken. Though many found this a nuisance, Vincent was silently glad to prolong his return; he had no clear path now that his mission had been completed.

Lucrecia, he thought to himself. Finally he had avenged her death and memory, wiping out Hojo, Jenova and Sephiroth. The only link to her left was…him.

Vincent glanced down from his perch to find Tifa and Red XIII asleep by the campfire, awaiting their turn to take watch. Of all his companions, he enjoyed their company the most, slight though that enjoyment might be. Tifa, an energetic, optimistic woman, was exactly the opposite of him in his current state, and Red XIII was quite knowledgeable, and shared interesting views and facts he had learned in his studies and stay in Shinra about Jenova that Vincent found most intriguing.

Vincent shifted his gaze again, carefully and masterfully avoiding her eyes. Though she was silent he knew her to be awake; her change in breathing had given her cover away.

"Are you awake, Vincent?"

Vincent sat quietly in his tree, his right arm propped up against his knee. He quietly nodded in response, not turning towards her.

"Should I take over? It's getting dark already…" She looked at him, trying to study the lines of his face with the waning light of the campfire, but his expression was unreadable.

Vincent merely shook his head weakly, and Tifa sighed.

"You really should sleep some time, Vincent, even though you don't need it quite as often, you don't know what we'll find now that Sephiroth is gone." She grew quiet as she waited for Vincent to respond. When he did not oblige, she sighed again heavily, continuing. "I've wanted to ask you since we defeated Hojo as the lab, Vincent. Where are you planning on going, now that everything is all said and done?"

This seemed to penetrate Vincent. He bowed his head slightly, his deep red eyes gazing at her. She always felt a chill run through her body when she met those eyes, but it was not a hostile or malevolent glare, just one that seemed to read her thoughts and see her soul. It unsettled her greatly.

"I…have not decided," he said hesitantly, careful for his choice of words. He turned away from her and stared at the stars, now glowing brilliantly above.

Tifa studied him for a second, then said softly, "You're thinking of locking yourself back in that mansion, aren't you?" Vincent closed his eyes and she smiled slightly. "Now that Meteor is destroyed, the world's in no immediate danger. Mako production has been stopped, thanks to Reeve, and Shinra cannot oppress anyone anymore now that Rufus is gone…" She blinked for a second, realizing Vincent had moved from his perch and rested his back against the tree in front of her, his feet on the ground as he stared at the fire with his cold, empty eyes.

"Why don't you come with us?" she asked suddenly, catching Vincent off-guard. He simply looked at her, an eyebrow arched up in confusion. "I meant come back with me and Cloud, help fix up Midgar a bit and maybe start a new life. You don't have to lock yourself in that coffin again." She shuddered at the thought of his old resting place, a black morbid coffin that held him and his…powers in check.

Vincent shook his head weakly again, his eyes not leaving the fire. "I do not wish to be a burden any longer," he said after a moment of silence.

Tifa's face contorted into frustration and anger, and she sat up, hands on her knees as she pouted. "But what else is there for you to do? I hate thinking some one like you would isolate himself…"

"Too late."

The impact of his simple and blunt words caught her for a second, and she opened her mouth stupidly, then closed it. Her expression softened a little and she relaxed. "Maybe not, it's your choice to remain cold and alone. As when you joined us, it's always been your choice if you wished to have friends or not."

Vincent sat quiet for a minute, as if contemplating something. Then he raised his left arm, a metallic, golden claw the reflected the dancing brilliance of the flames. "I am an ex-Turk, who has been turned into what you see before you: A demon. If there is no need for power, then I am but a walking corpse, surrounded in hatred and sorrow. A natural and reasonable prejudice engulfs me always, for I am…abnormal."

This was the most Vincent had ever said at once, and Tifa could make out the guilt and sadness in his eyes before he closed them, letting his left claw fall limp.

"You're not a demon, Vincent," she mumbled, almost inaudible. However, Vincent could hear her perfectly. Under his cloak the corner of his mouth edged slightly into a smirk.

"Then what do you call Chaos? Hellmasker, Galian or Gigas?" Vincent retorted, and Tifa knew she spoke of his demon counterparts.

Vincent had long ago been conducted in experiments that Tifa had not understood completely, and never pushed the subject with this dark and mysterious ally. There was great evidence that he was different, but his ability to transform into four difference demonic entities was by far the most disturbing.

She could tell his transformations were painful and searing, but he must have used tremendous willpower not only to transform but to keep his demons under control. Her insides turned to ice as she thought of Vincent's most powerful ego, Chaos, loose upon her and her comrades.

"You see?" he said, studying her face, clearly understanding the thoughts running through her mind as though they were said aloud. "Even among…friends, you must still be wary. I prefer desolation and isolation to pain and sorrow."

Now Tifa grew angry.

"So you'd rather hide than take a risk?" she whispered, her voice rising. "You are damn pathetic then, if you take the easy way out! Just look at Cloud, at Barret, at me! We've had things happen throughout lives, too! You don't see us locking ourselves away!"

"How many of you can turn?" he asked simply, gazing distantly at his claw. This was an effective counter, and Tifa was silent.

"Vincent…"

Vincent stood up suddenly, his cloak wrapping around him as if it wished to embrace him. "Perhaps you should take watch. I must go for a walk." And with a swish of his cloak he vanished from his spot, disappearing into the thick and impending forest around them.

"Vincent…" she repeated softly, gazing at the spot where he had stood and sobbed silently. He keeps shielding himself from anyone to stop them from getting close. Why does he want to remain so hidden? Can't he see he's surrounded by friends that care for him?

She became buried in her thoughts, and a small voice spoke in the back of her mind. 'Surrounded by friends?' Tifa could hear the sneer in its voice.

Yes, by friends! He may scare us on occasions, but if you get to know him, he's not a bad guy…

'And how many people besides you think this? How many people have gotten to know him, hm?'

Tifa sat in silence as she wondered that herself. Surely Cloud, or Red XIII or even Yuffie had some connection with him.

But she couldn't see any.

She tried anyhow. Vincent chats with Nanaki a lot. Nanaki, Red XIII's real name, gave a small growl suddenly and rolled on his side, his tail resting on his nose. A strange and intelligent creature, a red lion-like being who's tail tip was a burning flame. He talks all the time about different stuff…

'No, just about things related to her…' Tifa knew the voice meant Lucrecia, Vincent's late wife who gave her life in an experiment, giving birth to the great and terrible Sephiroth and who's blood became that of Jenova's. 'He is only concerned with learning more about those in his past, about more reasons to torment himself…'

Tifa could find no flaw in her subconscious reasoning, knowing it to be the truth. He still has me.

'Exactly.'

This was such a bizarre reply that she did not know what to make of it. She pondered over it for a second, then stared at the flames hoping the logic would jump out at her. What are you saying?

'Nothing.'

Tifa grew angry at herself, knowing she was missing something important her subconscious knew. Seething, she lay down and stared at the night sky, the stars shining bright above her.

"They look beautiful tonight."

Tifa turned slightly and saw Red XIII staring at the sky as well, following her gaze. He returned his eyes to Tifa and said, "Maybe I should take watch from here."

Tifa nodded silently, grateful that her feline friend had allowed her to focus more on her thoughts than her surroundings. She lay her head on her bag and curled inside her sleeping bag, closing her eyes and fell into an uneasy sleep as she questioned herself.

A/N: Slow chapter, I know, but I'm putting in a few more here too, so it's all good. I'm trying to keep everyone in character, but I find it pretty hard, seeing as I'm new to this. Please R&R people, thanks!