Taming the Fates Amidst Chaos

'Internal thought'

'CHAOS SPEAKING'

~ (Time and/or story focus shift)

((A/N: Sorry bout the lack of smutty goodness but I promise there will be some in the next chapter!))

Chapter 22

"VINNY!!! Please no!"

Cloud fought against the darkness that threatened to overtake him as the desperate cry echoed in the ruins. A familiar deep voice whispered just next to his ear, "Yuff...ie."

The tight grip around his waist disappeared and he fell to the ground with a pained groan. The blond forced himself to open his eyes as several sets of footsteps rushed toward him. He first sought out Sin, afraid that the creature would go after the others. It appeared that the collared figure had stepped back several paces, hands pressed to his head as if in pain. Tseng was the first in the swordsman's field of vision and blue eyes widened as he leveled his gun on the staggering man. Cloud called out weakly, "N..no! Don't shoot! Vincent...he's fighting..."

"I am well aware of the situation, Mr. Strife, perhaps more so than you. If Mr. Valentine has any hope of winning this battle though, I will need to get closer."

"Are you sure boss? Just look at the guy! He's gonna rip you to shreds before you even get a chance, yo!"

Tseng pressed his lips in a thin line of grim determination as he began to take cautious steps toward the dark, swaying figure, "It's a risk I'll have to take, Reno."

The Wutaian man froze just outside of arm's reach as a pale face whipped up to look at him. The scarlet eyes kept shifting, filled with pain and sadness one second, flickering to a dark void the next. "You need to listen to me, Mr. Valentine. I can help you fight him back, but you need to let me get close enough to touch you."

Reno let out an angry whisper, not wanting the set off the tense situation any further, "Just fuckin' great. If Mr. Skitzo over there doesn't kill me, Rufus damn Shinra sure will."

Tseng began to inch forward again but was stopped by a low growl, blood-stained lips pulling back to reveal pointed teeth, "You know that if you let him win, let him kill us, you'll die too. Just like before." He wasn't certain but the growl seemed to lighten. He realized he needed to say the right thing quickly or this would all end here. The Turk commander desperately searched his mind for an idea when a warmth settled in the secret pocket in his jacket. He sighed inwardly, 'Thank you.'

Amber eyes met scarlet, dropping the emotional shields normally wrapped around the Wutaian. "Don't let my mother's sacrifice be for nothing, Vincent."

A pale, red clawed hand shot out, clenching onto Tseng's gun arm and pulling the man forward. Yuffie and Tifa cried out in shock, "Tseng!"

"Boss!" Reno shouted as he quickly drew his own gun.

"No Reno! Don't shoot! It's alright," Tseng called back in a shaky voice. A strange red light pulsed from the gem in his forehead, gradually shifting to a steady blue. A thin smile briefly touched the Wutaian's lips as he turned his attention back to the pale figure in front of him, "Though I must admit, you had me a little worried for a second, Mr. Valentine."

"Vincent," was the soft reply.

"Hm?"

"I think we are beyond formalities, Tseng. Call me Vincent."

The Turk commander gave a soft nod, "Alright Vincent." He glanced down at the silver-tinted hand pressing his own to the gunman's chest, "You can let go now. As long as I maintain contact with you, you'll be in control. At least for a little while, that is."

"I understand. Even if you had been trained as you should have, you wouldn't be able to hold this forever. I'm...grateful for what little time you have allowed me," Vincent glanced to the wary group several feet away, "Now they know...what I really am. Why couldn't they have just left me asleep three years ago? Then I wouldn't have..." His head dropped, allowing the long, wild hair to move forward and shield his face.

Tseng understood, he could feel the man's shame, guilt, and fear as plainly as if it were his own. Sliding his hand to grip the top of the gunman's shoulder, he turned towards the anxious stares. "He's in control for now."

There were several sighs of relief but no one moved towards the dark haired men. The empathic Turk felt a fresh wave of fear and realized that Vincent was not afraid of his own actions, rather he was afraid of their rejection. Tseng glanced toward the fire wolf, curious as to why even the gunman's closest friend was not offering words of encouragement. When he saw the golden, one-eyed gaze was studying the other present members of AVALANCHE, he understood. 'Vincent probably already knows he has Nanaki's support. It is the others that he is unsure of.'

The Wutaian was about to say something when a soft, unsure voice interrupted him, "Vincent?"

The collared gunman flinched at Yuffie's worried tone, but the ninja seemed to gain more confidence and moved closer, "Vinny?"

Scarlet eyes raised slightly to meet the woman's hopeful brown gaze, the normally unreadable depths shimmering with unshed tears. The young ninja gasped and rushed the rest of the way, trapping the winged figure in a fierce hug, "Don't scare us like that Vinny!"

Shock and a small amount of hope entered Vincent's heart as he awkwardly moved a red clawed hand around to return the embrace. Realizing what she was doing, Yuffie backed away, laughing nervously, "Ha ha, um yeah, sorry 'bout that! Just...um, checking to see if you had any loose materia." A small movement caught her attention, "Hey! You've got a tail! Can I touch it?"

"Yuffie," Tifa admonished as she and Cloud made their way towards the gunman. The blond had his right arm over her shoulders and was leaning heavily on her for support. "Let Vincent be, ok? There are more important..."

"I know, Tifa. Jeez, I was just trying to...EEEK!" The thieving ninja squealed and jumped as the furry purple tail slid up her lower leg.

Reno fell to the ground laughing and even Tseng couldn't keep from snickering. The empathic Wutaian could feel Vincent's amusement and glanced at the gunman. Fanged teeth bit lightly on a pale bottom lip and scarlet eyes were closed as the winged shoulders began to shake.

"Vincent? What's wrong?" Tifa called, worried that he was upset. At her tone, the rest of the group turned wary gazes to the dark haired man.

Tseng smiled inwardly at their misinterpretation and was about to explain, but realized he wouldn't have to when a small snicker escaped the normally silent gunman. Then, as though a dam had been broken, Vincent let out a deep, rich laugh. Nearly everyone froze at the heartfelt sound but, one by one, they soon joined in.

As the group fell into a more comfortable silence, Tseng could feel that a great deal of weight had been lifted from the gunman's spirit. When the mood had passed, Vincent quickly turned a serious gaze toward one man in particular, "Cloud? I'm..."

"Don't worry about it Vincent. I've had a hell of a lot worse. Though," Cloud paused, frowning at the collared man though his eyes glinted with humor, "You could have found a less painful way of telling me to stop going easy on you when we spar."

Vincent smirked, "Would you have listened?"

"Hmph, probably not."

Tseng and Vincent gave a simultaneous pained gasp and the blue gem on the Wutaian's forehead flickered red momentarily. The gunman glanced at the empath and nodded, "Looks like my time is almost up. I must leave soon."

"Why, Vinny? All we have to do is take off that stupid collar, right?" The young ninja reached for the silver metal but her hand was quickly grabbed by a golden claw.

"No Yuffie. If anyone tries to take this off without the bracer, the electrical shock will kill them before they succeed. The same thing will happen to me if I try to remove it, but the current will only render me unconscious. I have to find a way of destroying Sin before I even think about getting the collar off anyway. It is the only thing that controls him and I don't want to think about him being loose without it." Vincent fixed each person in turn with a serious scarlet and amber gaze, "If any of you see me after this, kill me or run. Those are your only two options since it will be Sin and not me. If I do get free, I will contact you by other means first."

Tifa placed a hand on the demonic silver arm, "We could just follow you and take out the Remnants. That way we can get the bracer before you get hurt anymore."

Vincent shook his head, "That would be a violation of the orders 'we' were given. I am supposed to make sure that no one follows and that means I have to do this alone. Tseng was right earlier. If any of you die by my hand, even if Sin is in control, I won't have the will to fight him anymore."

Nanaki came forward then, nuzzling the red-clawed hand as the collared gunman automatically stroked the fire wolf's head, "You will be missed, my friend."

"Its not fair!" Yuffie sniffled.

"Life never is." Vincent glanced to the side, noticing Death Penalty laying amonst some of the rubble. He turned his gaze to Tseng, "Break the connection. I will hold him off long enough on my own."

The empathic Turk let go and he quickly moved to retrieve the gleaming gun. Removing a small red orb, his Hades summon, from the materia slots, he tossed it to the crying ninja, "I'll be back for that."

With that, the gunman leapt into the air, refusing to look back even as the figures became lost to the ruined buildings.

'Master will be most displeased.'

'Why Sin? You followed your orders. You had fun, you fed, and they are not following.'

'But Master wanted us to kill the blond one.'

'When did he say that? I heard no such order and I know that you know better than to assume what Master wants.'

Sin fell silent and Vincent gave a small smile. Even if he wasn't sure he could win, he was going to make things as difficult as possible for the ones trying to cage him.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Emo_Panda
OMG! I've read your story from beginning to end and I must say...IT KICKS SO MUCH ASS!!!!! So much so you can consider me a fangirl! Maybe not your #1 fangirl cause ASOTA would 'flay' me with the evil paper clips of doom, but I'm definately your second fangirl XD. I feel so bad for Vincent wahhh that evil Hojo is a monster. Kinda wished I had killed him with my highly sharpened butter knife grrrr. Anyway I must also tell you that your plot and writing is bitchin' and I can't wait for more smut! Because uke Vincent is HOT!! *passes out from Vince uke overload* @_@
Frizz: I think Vincent all around is hot, whether he is Seme or Uke. As for the fangirl war...I don't know if I could ever put a rank on any of you guys. You're all so awesome.

SapphireDog
Dear ASOTA

HEY! I'VE TRIED TO BE NICE BUT YOU HAVE CROSSED THE LINE!!! THE BATTLE IS ON ASOTA!!! IT IS ON!! BATTLE ROYAL BITCH! BATTLE ROYAL!! I WILL TAKE YOU OUT AND SLAP YOU SILLY! YOU HEAR ME?! IM SHARPENING MY PAPERCLIP AND I'LL SHOVE IT UP YOUR-Vincent's hand pops out of no were and covers mouth- MGHMSH! -insert hojo type insane laughter- YOU will rue the day YOU messed with ME! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA! I will never submit to you! I refuse to lose! You will go down before I let you win!

Love, Sapph.
--

Woot! -insert more awesome battle music from last chapter- Ewwwww! -acts like a child-FRIZZZZZZZZZZ, VINCENT'S EATTING CLOUD!..AGAIN! That can't be good for the stomach. No protein :O Wow, I need sleep :D Pleaseeee Vincent, snap out of it :'(

Vincent:....I'm not goinging anywhere :S It's not like I'm dead-
Sapph: DON'T SAY THAT DUMBASS! ITS A JINX!

Update again soon :D
Frizz: Normally, it is not good for the stomach but with all of Hojo's manipulations, Sin is capable of digesting raw human flesh. Gross right? *shudders*

SapphireDog
Dear Emo_Panda..

Ah hell nah! You DO NOT want to go there.. There is a battle and the Paperclip of death is MINE. AND ITS SHARP! Be warned >:o I can only share the title with so many people :o So fair warning! You and that sharp butter knife best be watchin yourselves! Cause ASOTA AND I WILL TAKE YOU DOWN WIT US! -evil glare directed towards ASOTA- And Vincent sooo is not a Uke when it comes to Yazoo :o Yazoo would take it like a -Vincent's hand once again pops out of no where and covers mouth- mpgch. Though uke!vincent IS hot :o but only with pilots (huge Cid/Vin fan right here) or evil long-swordman XD p.s. Vincent (or at least his hair, boots and cape) is soooooo mine :o

Fair warning from Sapph.
Frizz: *hides behind Vincent and laughs as the battle continues* Only the genius that is my muse knows who will be seme and who will be uke...and who will be both (hint) in this storyline.

Anonymous Sister of the Author
oh my god!!! don't let vincent eat cloud!!! it's not healthy!!!
ASOTA
Frizz: Yeah, particularly with all that hair gel in those spikes of his LOL

Anonymous Sister of the Author
poor, poor sapphiredog... tsk... i never said anything about you submitting to me... i'm just GOING TO KILL YOU!!!!!!!!! *tackles sapphiredog, wrestles away the SHARP paperclip and holds it to sapphiredog's neck* i know this is cliche, but any last words before you go to the place where all imposter #1 fangirls go?

oh, and emo_panda? you're DAMN RIGHT!!! I WOULD FLAY YOU!!!

(sorry sapphiredog, i'm not very energetic today...)

with sweet lovings,
ASOTA
Frizz: Woah woah! I come bearing peace offerings to my rabid fangirls, ASOTA and SapphireDog. *Drops a naked Vincent and Reno, tied in red silk ribbons, and runs away quickly*

Vincent and Reno: *sweatdrops* "Mmph!"

Emo_Panda
Dear SapphireDog..

I said I'd be Frizz's 2nd fangirl!! The number one spot is between you and ASOTA. That means either you or ASOTA has got to win first place fangirl! I know when chicks start sharpening paperclips to back away. But if you insist on taking me down the dark abyss that is the fangirl battle with you (and ASOTA) that's fine by me, cause I'll be the only chick with a parachute watching you fall while I float down. XD

Oh and yeah Vincent would totally be the seme if he was with Yazoo...but not with Sephy! X3 Sephy would tame that smexy long haired Chaos hosting ass!! X3

Vincent: O.O
Sephiroth: *grins slyly, then drags Vincent to the nearest Hotel*

*sharpens favorite butter knife* >:o

Oh and Vincent don't eat Cloud!! You might indigestion.

Love Emo_Panda

P.S You can have Vincent. I like Zack more. XP
Frizz: Hmmm...well then here! I already gave the other two Vincent and Reno so.... *Drops a naked, red silk ribbon tied, Zack*

Kuragari
*gaping* o.o ,,,,,,, UPDATE!!!!
Frizz: Your wish is my command!

Ainaloth
*runs naked and cackling after Yazoo*

Yazoo: Good GOD!! My eyes!! MY EYES!!!

...you didn't see that, ok? And I can't wait to see what tricks you have up your sleeve, concerning Yazoo. XD

*tries her hypnotizing skills* O.o O.O o.O : smeeex...smeeeeeeex...smeeeeeeeeeex...
Frizz: Sorry your hypnotism didn't work this time, but I promise there will be some smexy goodness next chapter!