Taming the Fates Amidst Chaos

'Internal thought'

'CHAOS SPEAKING'

* * * * * (Flashback)

~ (Time and/or story focus shift)

Chapter 18

Nanaki looked into Vincent's eyes, "You were right, we shouldn't have left. They escaped."

Scarlet eyes narrowed dangerously, "How?"

"I'm not really sure. Somehow they managed to melt down the door enough to get to the wires and then rigged them computer to deactivate the alarm. I called Reeve about it and the most he could guess was that they knew his systems from the labs."

Vincent nodded, "Once we're done here, take me to the airship. If that creature was one of theirs, they're somewhere nearby. I'll track them down myself." At Nanaki's nod of agreement, he turned to leave when he found himself attacked by a squealing ninja, "Vinny! You're awake!"

A golden claw grasped the girl's collar and lifted her away, dropping her onto the floor. "Stop calling me that." As he began to head toward the bar, he paused, "Yuffie?"

The small ninja sprung up and practically hopped to the gunman's side, "What is it Vinny?"

An exasperated sigh left him as Vincent continued into the bar, "Does the name Yufrena Kisaragi mean anything to you?"

As a choking sound came from the end of the bar, both of them turned to attention to an embarrassed Tseng. He quietly set his water glass on the dark wood, stood, and walked over the the bound and frustrated Reno. He called out toward the kitchen area, "Miss Lockheart? If it is alright with you, I need Reno untied to retrieve the packages Mr. Valentine requested. I personally guarantee his good behavior for the remainder of our visit."

Tifa made an affirmative sound and Tseng quickly removed the redhead's binding. Reno immediately rushed to the bar and drank what remained in the water glass. "Man, that was the nastiest taste, yo. I think it's even worse than Elena's poor excuse for cooking."

"Reno..."

"Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why didn't you just get the load yourself?"

The Turk commander gave no response, simply leveling a cold amber gaze on the redhead. Reno back away quickly, "Fine, fine."

When the bar doors closed behind the loudmouth Turk, the Wutaian man nodded to the watching gunman, "I apologize for interrupting. Please continue."

Vincent raised a dark eyebrow. He had his suspicions on why Reno had been sent out, but he turned his attention back to Yuffie, "Well?"

The ninja gave him a confused look, "Huh? Oh right, great-aunt Yufrena! Mom named me after her, though I'm glad she shortened it to Yuffie, Yufrena is too formal for a great ninja like me. She was one of our families greatest heroes before the Wutai war. She was a scientist but she used her influence to help many escape Shinra's influence. She was killed though. Shinra said that it was an accident, that an experimental subject got loose, tore her and her family apart. They sent her and her husband's remains but their son, he was only a few months old...they said there wasn't enough left of him to send back. Dad says that she would have never brought her family into that awful building, that she was caught and they killed all of them as payment for the trouble she caused. Why'd you wanna know?"

"I had a memory." His scarlet gaze fell to the Turk commander, "I need to talk to him alone, Yuffie," He left the confused ninja, taking a seat next to Tseng. "You know, don't you? The truth about what happened to Dr. Kisaragi? And her family?"

The dark haired Turk nodded, a grim look in his eyes, but he waited until Yuffie had left before speaking, "Shinra and Hojo had a nasty habit of recording everything, whether it be on paper or on camera. They told me in the orphanage that my last name was Kunari, that my parents had abandoned me on the doorstep. After I became a Turk, I had several connections dig up information for me. Four years ago, I finally saw for the first time the face of the one who should have been the most important person in my life, my mother. Only her name wasn't Kunari, it was Kisaragi. Two years ago, we uncovered several databases from the Midgar labs, most of them dedicated to a specific specimen. Dr. Kisaragi was seen in a few of them and her very brutal death was recorded."

The normally cool Wutaian gave a pained look to Vincent, "Can you imagine what it's like, watching as your own mother, someone you never knew, was savagely torn apart by the orders of a madman you once respected? I wish he was alive so I could tear him apart myself." Tseng paused for a moment as a strange feeling came over him, "Mr. Valentine?"

* * * * *

The sterile white hallways gleamed in the fluorescent lighting, stinging his eyes with their brightness, but that mattered little to Sin. He was focused on his Master, nothing else was more important. An angry scar that ran up the front of his torso burned if he breathed to deeply, but he wouldn't heal it or acknowledge it until Master allowed. It had been an interesting experience, seeing his own body pulled open, displaying the organs inside. Master had examined and prodded, giving orders that were quickly followed, Sin changing his anatomy before the Professor's eyes. That had been the first ability Master had tested, Sin's absolute control over the demon's and the transformations. After Master was done, the slave was now capable of consuming nearly anything, his organs a complex mixture of demon and human parts.

Once that had been finished, Master had ordered him to heal but to leave a fresh scar, testimony to his monstrosity. Other orders had been given, his outward appearance changed but he had been told to change back later, to his human guise. He would be allowed his "true form," as Master called it, once a few things were in order. "We need to have Dr. Kisaragi examine you once last time and then we will be on to bigger and better things." Sin listened but did not respond, there were no orders in it for him.

The dark haired slave was led to a familiar steel room, the room he had resided in these last four years. Master ordered him to remain standing in the center of the room until otherwise instructed, then left Sin in the silence.

Several moments later, the scientist's voice entered his mind through the steel spike embedded in his neck, *Kisaragi is on her way. She is allowed to enter the room but do not react to her. If she tries to remove your collar, persuade her otherwise but do not injure her.* Not long after Master's transmission, the female scientist quietly entered and Sin studied the figure.

Dr. Yufrena Kisaragi was a small, slender woman at 5' 3" but she held a strong, assured presence. Long raven hair was pulled back in a tight bun, revealing a kindly face with almond-shaped, amber eyes and a dark gem embedded in her forehead. After she made sure the door was shut, she turned her attention to the silent captive. Bringing herself in front of him, she leaned forward and reached a small hand towards his face, moving several strands of dark hair away, "By Da-Chao, it's true," the woman softly whispered, tears gleaming in her eyes, "Vinny?"

The man gave no response but she smiled anyways, "Remember me? Little 'Rena from down the street? It is you, isn't it? They've changed your eyes and, Gaia, all those scars...," her eyes softened as she studied him, "Your hair has gotten long. I always told you it would be pretty if you grew it out. You've changed, but I know it's you. You and I were inseparable growing up. Everyone thought we were gonna get married when we got older."

She gave a small laugh as she continued to softly stroke his hair back, then her expression and tone grew serious, "Don't worry, I'll find a way to get you out of here Vinny. After all, you always watched out for me, guess it's time I payed you back." Her fingers drifted lower, barely brushing the silver metal around the silent man's neck. Yufrena quickly jerked back in surprise as a menacing growl erupted from the dark haired captive, his lips pulling back to reveal elongated canines. "Right! Message understood! No touchy the collar!"

An uneasy tension filled the room until the growling captive relaxed, Yufrena making sure to keep a friendly, nonthreatening stance. She smiled softly as the room fell silent and resumed her monologue, "They really got to you, didn't they? How? Last time I saw you, you were being recruited into the Turks. Everyone was positive you'd make commander in no time. We came to your graduation, my family and I. Gosh, it had been what, ten year since I'd seen you, since your dad moved out of Wutai? I think there were too many memories of your mom there for him. Anyway, you looked so handsome and proud on the platform, different from the shy boy I'd grown up with."

Her amber eyes sparkled with the memories before she shook her head and wiped at unshed tears, "Hey! Remember the little girl I introduced to you then? My niece? She's been promised to the Godo boy. I guess as heir to the Wutai throne, they gotta figure this stuff out early. Makes me glad I was the youngest. It's going to be scary when those two have kids though, with her free spirit and his stubbornness, I fear for Wutai's future."

Her wistful reminiscence ended as the steel door swung open, Dr. Kisaragi quickly changing to the appearance of the ideal scientist, cool and collected. Hojo entered the room, a triumphant grin on his face, "So, Dr. Kisaragi, I believe you have had ample time to examine the subject. What can you tell me?"

"The subject's mental state is completely silent. No matter the stimulus I have presented, there is no response, Professor Hojo. Have you rid him of his demons?"

"No, I don't do exorcisms Yufrena. I'm a scientist, not a priest." Hojo gave a smug grin, "Thank you for your analysis. You have been a great help. It's just unfortunate we won't be working together anymore."

The Wutaian scientist gave him a puzzled expression, "What do you mean Professor? I thought we were going to be running those field exams with the Turk recruits next week."

"A matter of grave concern has been brought to my attention and it seems plans have to be changed. But no matter, before we finish up here, I thought you might like to see the finished product of my subject here," Hojo waved an arm towards the silent captive.

"I thought you were done with his training?"

"His training, yes, but I am going to give you a rare delight, Dr. Kisaragi. You are going to be the first to witness my pet's true form. Sin!"

"Yes Master."

Yufrena was surprised by the strange multi-toned voice and found herself watching in horrid fascination as the pale flesh quivered and stretched. Claws extended from his hands and feet, the grating sound of bones twisting and growing causing her to pale. A loud, wet tearing sound filled the room as a pair of large red wings and a thick purple tail burst from the man's back. As everything settled into place, she forced herself to breathe deeply and swallow against the urge to throw up. Pride thick in his voice, Hojo stated, "Wings and hands of Chaos, feet and tail of Galian Beast. My personal favorites of his demons. Such a lovely little monster, perfectly suited for battle, wouldn't you agree, Yufrena?"

Taking a deep, shaky breath, the woman forced herself to nod, "I..if that is all, Professor, I think I'll..."

Hojo turned suddenly, pressing a switch in the steel wall, activating the lock down system for the small room, "No, my dear, we're not finished here yet."

Yufrena's eyes widened momentarily as she heard the door seal itself, "Professor?"

"Don't Professor me, you traitorous bitch!" The scientist snarled, "You thought you were so smart. You didn't think I'd notice when files on the SOLDIER program started to vanish? When prisoners and test subjects were transferred due to 'psychiatric causes,' only to escape en route? I've known for a while but I let it go. It was too insignificant a problem for a busy person such as myself. But then you had to start nosing in on the Jenova Project and my little pet here didn't you?" He gave an exasperated sigh and shook his head, Yufrena has been slowly backing away as he fumed, probably hoping to reach the surgical equipment. "Sin! Hold and subdue!"

Her amber eyes glanced to the creature and her breath caught. One second it was in the center of the room, head down as though asleep; the next second she felt an overbearing heat at her back as arms wrapped around her chest and she felt the chilling sting of fangs at the back of her neck. "V...vinny?"

A mad laughter filled the room, "Do you honestly believe he is your childhood friend still, you twit? Yes, I know that you two grew up together, that's why I chose your assistance in particular. You were his final test, I had to know if Vincent Valentine was truly dead. There are several cameras in this room and I watched as you poured your heartfelt friendship to him. Quite pathetic really, you call yourself a scientist? No matter."

Yufrena watched as the scientist paced in front of her, though she could not move her neck for fear of the teeth pressing tightly against her flesh, "So what will you do now, you sick bastard? You going to turn me into one of your pathetic experiments too?"

"While yes, I would love to see what your empathic abilities are capable of, you are too well connected to simply make disappear. No, I have something far more...entertaining in mind for you. You see, my pet here has been starved for a while. I tried to feed him before but I forgot that he couldn't take raw flesh at the time. That has been remedied. It will be a sad state that I send you back to Wutai in, your husband as well. Rest assured though, your son will be treated well here, receiving the sort of upbringing only Shinra can give," He made his way toward the door, entering the security code to deactivate the lock down. Turning back to the trembling woman, he smirked, "Put on a good show, Dr. Kisaragi, and I may even be kind enough to show little Tseng what happened to his dear mommy. Sin, have fun and feed." As the steel door closed on the woman's screams, Professor Hojo grinned and whistled a merry tune down the hallway.

* * * * *

"Mr. Valentine? What's wrong? Somebody get in here!"

'Master calls, we must go. Any that stand in our way shall be torn down.' Vincent blinked several times and realized he was shaking from head to toe. Amber eyes, all too familiar in the wake of his memory, stared at him with anxious worry. The gunman stood and took a step back, "I....I'm so sorry..." Turning, he fled from the bar, ignoring his friends as they called his name. He ran, some small part of him hoping that if he ran fast enough, his guilt-filled memories wouldn't follow. The dead black and red eyes in his mind mocked his foolishness.

____________________________________________________________________________________

A/N: This is one of the one's I've been wanting to get out for a while. Is it just me or are my chapters getting longer? *massages aching fingers* Well I hope my dark mind hasn't scarred any of you too badly yet.

SapphireDog
I kinda was figuring that Sin was a split personality (more so then the demonic 3 and Chaos :D) that Vincent subconsciously made to hide everything and anything that involved emotion, thought... life even from Hojo. But eventually it manifested off the demons already in his mind and became worse then just a spilt mind. In my eyes it basically became a poltergeist in a way and since Chaos is the strongest and can hold his own will other then Vincent, the other 3 were subjected to the spilt personality more and fueled it. :P -takes a big breath- I over think things :D Another great chapter :D I wonder how Marlene would act towards Vincent after that whole episode. Can’t wait for 18 :D
Frizz: *sweatdrops* Noo, no that's not it at allll...<_<;...;>_>...O_o *points and screams* Psychic WITCH...you're stealing my thoughts! LOL jk jk... actually your explanation is a lot better than how it keeps going through in my mind. Glad to know there is someone else out there that thinks on similar wavelengths as me.

Ainaloth
Aw yeah! Yazoo is back!! XD I wonder when he and Vincent will meet again...or him and Chaos..? O.O
Oh I'm probably being a boring reviewer since I only focus on Yazoo (but he IS my favorite..), I do love how you describe all the other characters and how you keep writing in a way that makes it hard to know what's going to happen. In other words: YOU ROCK!! :3
Frizz: Nothing boring about that at all, everyone has their fave's. Vincent happens to be mine and Yazoo happens to be yours, just lovely that both are here isn't it :3

Anonymous Sister of the Author
well i'm glad i make you laugh!!! when i read stories, i kind of see pictures of what's happening, not a movie.

it really surprised me when i found out that vincent had something ELSE inside of him! HOW MUCH ROOM DOES HE HAVE IN THERE?!?!?!!??!

oh, and yazoo wanted to enlist your help for his escape but i told him you wouldn't help because you're the one that gave him to me...he's currently tied up in my room.

UPDATE SOON PLEASE!!

ASOTA
Frizz: Is this soon enough for you? Only a couple hours after your review LOL. It appears Vincent has quite alot of rentable space for demons, whether they be inner or actual ones. Have fun with Yazoo...though I will need to borrow him for the next chapter, hope you don't mind.