The Reason

Chapter 11

He didn’t know exactly what had happened to Jexebel at Hojo’s mercy, but damn did he wish the madman were still alive.

He REALLY wanted to kill him again.


‘Damn him. Damn him to hell!’ Vincent thought, pounding his fist against the wall next to the lab’s entrance. He rested his head against the cool concrete, closing his eyes and taking a deep, cleansing breath.

“So what’s the deal with the new girl?” Came a voice from beside him. He turned to his left and saw Yuffie leaning against the wall casually.

“What about her?” He sounded guarded, but the hesitation in his voice was nothing new to Yuffie.

“Don’t bullshit me, Vincent. I saw the look on your face when you thought she was in trouble.”

‘Busted.’ His brain muttered.

‘No. She doesn’t know anything about it, and its none of her business.’ His mouth said silently.

‘Maybe I’ll have Shelke take a look at my head, too.’ Vincent complained internally.

Yuffie watched Vincent’s internal exchange, knowing full well what was going on.

“She’s got you, hasn’t she?” she asked softly. He didn’t have to answer. His silence was answer enough.

The two were silent for a moment, and then Yuffie yanked herself away from the wall to stand directly in front of Vincent. Without any warning, she lashed out and slapped him hard across a pale cheek. He said nothing. Didn’t move, even. He knew that it was going to happen eventually. He and Yuffie couldn’t avoid eachother forever. He just stood against the wall, his head still turned away from the force of the blow.

“Why couldn’t it have been me, Vincent?”

“I didn’t even want it to be her, Yuffie …” sighed Vincent after finally turning his head back to face her.

“But… Why… What does she have that I don’t Vincent? Can you answer me that?” Yuffie asked, her voice sounded empty, drained.

“It’s nothing like that. That has nothing to do with it.” He replied the sound of his voice was… different. There was warmth that was never there before.

Yuffie froze; she never expected to hear that voice from Vincent, but at the same time it was all she ever wanted to hear.

“Don’t act like you care about my feelings now! Not after all that I went through trying to get you to do just that!” she exclaimed pointing her finger in his face angrily.

“Yuffie,” Vincent said softly. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t give you what you wanted but you know as well as I do that no one has control of how they do – or do not – feel. It simply was not for us to be together. I was not ignorant to your feelings, and perhaps that was my mistake. I should have told you that it would never happen rather than lead you to believe that it could.”

Yuffie stood silently through his explanation, she appeared lost in thought for a moment, but then simply turned and rested against the wall beside him once more. “So what’s her name? Where’s she from?”

Vincent thought carefully before answering, Yuffie really didn’t need to know everything about Jexebel’s past. He would just give her the basics. “Jexebel,” he began “she’s from bone village, the old woman Cloud brought in a few days ago was her mother.” Yuffie nodded.

“She’s very beautiful,” She said longingly, “not like me.” Her voice was quiet as she bowed her head.

“Yuffie.” Vincent said, “You are beautiful and you’re strong and you’re talented and you’re smart. Don’t ever let anybody tell you otherwise.”

Yuffie gave Vincent a weak smile but was cut off when Shelke emerged from the lab, Jexebel close behind her. Jexebel was clutching a band-aid on her upper arm and pouting.

“I have administered the first series of injections. Hopefully the serum will work. If not, I’ll have to do an invasive surgery.” Shelke informed the couple.

Vincent turned to Jexebel, “Are you alright?”

“Yes.” Jexebel said softly. She noticed Yuffie standing next to Vincent and realized that they had not been introduced. She turned to Yuffie, “I’m sorry we’ve never been properly introduced.” She stuck out her hand, her other hand still clasping the Band-aid on her arm. “I’m Jexebel Strange.”

Yuffie hesitantly accepted Jexebel’s hand, she wanted to hate the dark woman before her, but the warmth in her eyes made it impossible.

“I’m Yuffie Kisaragi. Nice to meet you.” Yuffie said, shaking Jexebel’s hand. Jexebel smiled and turned back to Shelke to discuss her treatment plan.

Vincent watched the exchange with baited breath. He worried that Yuffie would dislike Jexebel and just plain ignore her. He also knew that would upset Jexebel. So when Yuffie very politely shook Jexebel’s hand and introduced herself, he breathed a sigh of relief. When Jexebel turned away, he caught Yuffie’s eye again. He understood her feelings. He smiled softly, surprising the Wutaian girl.

“Thank you.” He mouthed.