The Riyona Village

[blacKbird97]

Thanks everyone!! Everywhere else I've posted this, it never gets any comments. xDD I'm glad you guys like it. And as not to rush things for those who like a steady pace, I'll wait a bit before posting CH. 3.

[blacKbird97]

Well, here's chapter 3!! Hope you guys enjoy!! Comments would be awesome.
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Chapter 3, House Guests

"Kohana!" a young woman yelled behind the three while rushing over to them. Her eyes widened and worry and concern raced about in her mind as she looked upon her younger sister standing near the two alleged ‘demons’. "What are you doing with my little sister!?" She looked at Vincent and Kikyo, then to her younger sibling. "Where were you, Kohana!?"

The girl was silent for a moment, and then she responded to her sister. "I went to the garden. I was picking flowers for mother," Kohana replied to her older sister. "Then when I came back everyone was gone." The child then loosened her grip on Vincent's cloak and looked up at her sister’s worried face. "Don't worry. He didn't hurt me. He was with this girl."

Kikyo gave a warm smile, and the young woman gave her a small nod. The young woman, who was worried about her sister, turned to Vincent and paused for a moment as she exchanged eye contact with him. The Turk gazed intensely at her bluish gray eyes and felt himself lost in them for a moment. "Th-thank you for staying with my sister,” she said softly as she snapped out of her daze. “Is there anything I can do?"

Kikyo looked around and saw that the village people nervously went back to work and remained quiet. Kohana’s older sister, who was a little younger than Vincent, noticed that Kikyo was curiously looking at the people in the village. "They don't want any trouble,” she informed the priestess. “This is a peaceful place and it makes everyone nervous when a large group of random strangers are gathered around here."

"Why is that?" Kikyo asked the woman as she raised a brow.

"Well, they believe that both of you will attack us," the young woman replied, looking at Vincent for a brief moment. Her face blushed with color and she looked back at Kikyo. "Some of the younger boys saw you two from a distance. The elders thought that if we stayed in the forest where our protector is, then you would go away. But, anyway, it's getting late. Kohana and I have to make dinner. Will you all be staying?"

Vincent glanced over at Kikyo and then lowered his head. "You go ahead, Kikyo," he said as he closed his eyes. "I really don't need to eat or sleep. I'll just stay here outside."

"You can't stay outside!" Kohana replied grabbing his hand. "Come on! Come inside, please?"

"That would probably be best," Kikyo insisted, taking a step forward. The young woman looked up toward the darkening sky and then turned her attention to the others. "It seems that it's going to rain soon, and I highly doubt you want to get dramatically wet."

"Yeah! My sister can cook for everyone here and we have some extra room since it's just the two of us," Kohana continued as she persisted to bribe the Turk. The young girl then gave Vincent an innocent look hoping that he would come.

"If he doesn't want to come, leave him alone," Kohana's sister replied as she looked at him once again. "My name is Miyoushi, you can call me Miyo. I'll prepare some food for you anyway, if you care to eat some."

The man nodded in reply as his mind wandered away while looking at the young woman. Never had he been so captivated by a woman; not even Lucrecia appealed to him in such a manner. Trying to snap back to reality, Vincent then looked down at his hand with Kohana's. It had been a while since someone had actually touched the man without any intentions of harming him. He nodded and looked up at Miyo once again. "Well, if I get hungry, I'll come in," he told her in a soft tone. "So make an extra meal for me, just in case."

"No, don't stay out here!" Kohana pouted. "Like Kikyo said, it's going to rain."

"Stop it!" Miyo shouted reaching over to her sister. She lowered her head in embarrassment as she grabbed Kohana and carefully pulled her away from Vincent. "I apologize," she said to Vincent, bowing to him in respect. "She hasn't acting like this for some time now. She's only been this excited around our brother, but he departed some time ago. Anyway, we'll be in that house."

Miyo pointed to the rather large house behind them, and she grabbed a basket full of fresh fish before going inside with Kohana, dragging behind. Just as the priestess predicted, it started to rain heavily. Kikyo then walked up to The Turk after watching the whole scene. "I'm going inside and ask some questions," the young woman explained to him. She gazed at the house that Miyo and her younger sister had gone to, and she turned her attention to the man beside her a moment later. "They seem very fond of you, even though they barely know you."

Vincent's mind raced with thoughts of Miyo, and he suddenly frowned. "That's what I'm afraid of," he said as he turned to Kikyo. "If they knew who I really was, they would think differently."

Kikyo stared at him before looking at the village people going into their huts, still a little frightened from previous events. Beginning to get soaked by the rain, the priestess gazed at the Turk before speaking once more. "They seem different from the other people here," she concluded as she exhaled a quick breath. "They're giving you the chance to show who you are, and you apparently didn't seem to notice. Maybe it's best if they don't know, then."

As she finished her statement, Kikyo trudged up a short path up to the house. The aroma of food filled the house, and the pleasant scent brought a smile to the priestess' face. "Do you always pre-cook your food?" she asked Miyo, as her eye caught a collection of pre-cooked foods in the kitchen.

"No, but today seemed different than others," the hostess replied with a smile. "I guess my feeling was right. I have some fish, bread, brown rice, some potatoes, and yams. There's more than enough for us and your friend."

"Well, I barely know him myself," the priestess retorted while sitting down at the table. She continued after food was placed before her, and she took plenty of food and placed it on her plate. "We aren't from this world, or so it may seem that way. He seems weird to me."

The man looked up to the heavens and closed his eyes. He felt the cool rain caress upon his skin like a thousand tear drops from thousands of souls and he enjoyed the loud crackle of the thunder. It had been a while since Vincent Valentine stood in the rain, and, as usual, he was alone.

It's strange, he remembered Cloud Strife saying to him from a moment like this a while ago. Even though the rain looks violent and cruel, in reality, it's actually tranquil and calm. It's kind of like you, Vincent.

"He doesn't seem weird to me!" Kohana shouted at Kikyo with food in her mouth. "Vincent is nice!"

Kikyo raised her eyebrow at the little girl. Miyo noticed and said, "Calm down Kohana. Although he seems nice we don't know him. For all we know, he could be a demon with those red eyes." Kikyo turned to Miyo and replied, "He told me he was human at first, but I'm not sure of what he is now. I do sense a great power from him though."

"So how did you all get here in the first place?" Miyo asked making a meal for Vincent.

"Well I felt a force pulling me backwards." Kikyo replied, "I thought it was from my enemy but it was greater than that. It seems like a vortex of some sort sucked us all here. What is this place anyway?"

Miyo replied saying, "It's called Riyona, named after the spirit of the forest. Riyona is our protector and we built a small shrine as an offering. We don't travel far from our home so we're not sure about what's really out there. That's why the village sometimes gets scared when something out of place or someone looks like they can threaten our home. It's been a while since we've had visitors but I'm glad that you all came. It's been boring lately. Excuse me for a moment."

Miyo got up from her seat and grabbed a small cloak. As she looked upon to Vincent's soaked form, her eyes glistened and she felt her heart pounding through her chest. The young woman felt her entire face blush, and she then cleared her throat to gain the Turk's attention. "You should come inside," she said softly while biting her lower lip. "You'll get sick out here, and I don't want you to be alone."

Vincent opened his eyes and looked over to Miyo. He stopped and froze in place as his eyes widened at the sight of her. "She's... she's beautiful," he thought to himself. "I'm surprised she's even noticing my existence... But... she would never understand. I've always been alone."

The Turk sighed and swallowed his pride as began to walk over to the young woman. "F-fine," he replied while stuttering as he followed her inside.

"Yay!" Kohana called, as she rushed over to Vincent. "You came!"

"Wait!" Miyo shouted at Kohana giving her a large towel. "Give this to Vincent."

"OK!" Kohana replied as she gave him the towel. "Here dry off. Miyo kept some food hot for you." Before she went back to her seat, she whispered to him, "I think she's starting to like you." Without another word, she giggled and sat down at her chair once more to continue eating.

"Kohana, calm down," Miyo said as she gave Vincent a plate of food with a small smile. "I hope you like it."

The man looked down and took the plate from Miyo. "Thank you," he said avoiding eye contact with any of the girls. Vincent sat down and began to eat his meal. It had been a long time since anyone had made food for him, and it had been a while since he actually had a hot meal.

After he was done eating his dinner, Vincent finally looked up at the girls. As he shifted his eyes to each girl, an overwhelming feeling began to grow in the man. It was a feeling that he never felt before in his life. No one, not even his father, expressed this emotion to him. It was the feeling of being wanted and cared for. It was the warmth and love of a family.

End of Chapter 3

[R0ad H0g]

Good chapter, I just wonder how big a role Riyona will play in the story.

[blacKbird97]

Originally Posted by R0ad H0g

Good chapter, I just wonder how big a role Riyona will play in the story.

Well hopefully you'll stick around and see.

[Sonja~Soulheart]

nice chapter!! :'D oh and..vincent's starting to like someone? honeylemontea?! :'D XD

[blacKbird97]

Originally Posted by Sonja~Soulheart

nice chapter!! :'D oh and..vincent's starting to like someone? honeylemontea?! :'D XD

A little unique for the character, no?

[animegal]

XDDD Nice! Seems very familiar too. Then again, I did aid in writing of this story. XDDD

Awesome story, as always! :3

[All-Star Gamer]

two words: Very cool.

[blacKbird97]

Originally Posted by Allstargamer

two words: Very cool.

Thank you!! I always appreciate comments, so thanks! Chapter 4 will be coming soon.

[Gullwing Yunie]

Nice! I like your writing style! ^_^

I shall continue to read this. =]

[Sonja~Soulheart]

Originally Posted by blacKbird97

Thank you!! I always appreciate comments, so thanks! Chapter 4 will be coming soon.

yay! chapter 4 will be here soon!!! :'D XD

[blacKbird97]

Originally Posted by Sonja~Soulheart

yay! chapter 4 will be here soon!!! :'D XD

Sorry about the delay, I'll be posting it either today or tomorrow.

[blacKbird97]

Here it is. Hope you like. ^__^
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Chapter 4, Conversations

Smiling, Miyo nodded and looked over to the Turk. "Any time," she said gently, fixing her own food. As always, the young woman was certain to feed others before she would dare to eat her own food. She sat down next to Kohana and then began to finally eat her dinner.

"So Miyo," Kikyo continued, lifted her head, "tell me more about this Riyona spirit."

"Well," the hostess began, swallowing and putting down her utensil, "based on what my mother told me when I was young, hundreds of years ago, Riyona was a great spirit that wanted to reign over his own land and be at peace. When he finally found that place, which was here, he created the forest where he lived there peacefully for many years. But as humans became destructive, causing chaos, they destroyed much of the forest and Riyona became enraged. He sent out a sickness that almost wiped out our race. Those who defied his rule were then deformed because of Riyona's plague, and they were cast away, labeled as demons." Looking sternly to her sister, Miyo raised a brow and folded her arms across her chest. "Isn't it time for bed, Kohana?"

"Ah! I'm not sleepy Miyo!" her sister whined while rubbing her eyes.

"It's past your bed time and we have to help cook and set up for the festival," the woman replied to the child, her voice was gentle, yet stern. "If you go to bed now, I'll let you stay up late tomorrow."

"There's a festival?" Kikyo asked, curious about the event.

"Yes, I'll tell you about it when I put Kohana to bed," Miyo replied, shifting her eyes to sister once again. She rose to her feet and grasped the child's wrist. The woman motioned to the direction of her bedroom, the child responded with a pout, and the two walked into the bedroom, leaving Kikyo and Vincent alone together at the table.

"This world," the Turk muttered, raising his eyes toward Kikyo. "It's so peaceful, no? I haven't seen a place as such for ages. It's so... nostalgic." The priestess, who sat parallel to Vincent, blinked as she gave a small nod in response. It was strange; something inside of her compelled her to agree.

Returning a few moments later, Miyo emerged, shaking her head at Kohana's antics before she fell asleep. "Sorry about that," the young woman apologized, gaining a smile. She gazed at Vincent and Kikyo before continuing her story. "Now where was I? Oh, of course, the demons. Even to this day, the demons try to get back at Riyona by trying to destroy the forest. My parents died at the hands of some of the demons with those intentions. Anyway, since we take from the forest and use its resources, we have a festival every year in the honor of Riyona, in which we thank him for providing us with the herbs and plants we live on. This time of year a rare healing plant blooms, called a Spider-Lily Flower, and we use them for their medicinal properties. I've heard that if you were to go deep in the forest, you'll come across a waterfall where Riyona's heart is. The elders say that we should protect the forest or our land is destined to die. That's why we ran to the forest after hearing about demons. I was so worried about Kohana, and I'm really glad that you found her and everything. I owe you all so much."

"You owe us nothing," Vincent said, crossing his arms as he took a quick glance at Kikyo. "We don't deserve your hospitality." The man looked up to Miyo and expressed no emotion. "I apologize for the loss of your parents. It's unfortunate how they met their end."

Kikyo looked at him and replied, "Don't mind him, he seems to like pushing people away. But he's right, you don't owe us anything. You've done enough."

"No, you two protected my sister, the only survivor in my family," Miyo uttered in a soft voice. "The least I could do is provide you with food and a place to stay until you find a way home. It's always boring here. This is the most excitement we've had in months, maybe years." The young woman paused before continuing.

She then looked at Vincent, saying to him, "You don't have to be sorry about my parents. Loved ones die everyday; it's part of life. Yes, it's unfortunate that they died under terrible circumstance but it's even worst to see Kohana not know anything about our parents. I tell her a few stories about them but she never experienced the love from them since they died when she was a baby. You know how hard that is for a child?"

"I understand that hardship," the man said as he looked away from the two girls. He knew exactly what this small family was enduring. When he was small, Vincent had lost his mother, who was unable to provide him with any siblings. His father was never home during his childhood because of his extensive research, and Vincent was always alone.

Out of this loneliness, the man was inspired to join the Turks, or the Investigation Division of the General Affairs Department of the Shinra Electric Power Company. There, he became powerful gunman he was today and where he met Lucrecia Crescent and his entire life afterwards fell into place. Vincent was silent for a long moment and fell into deep thought.

"Throughout my life, I just wanted to be an ordinary woman, and being a priestess, I thought I was not permitted to display emotion," Kikyo muttered, there was a hint of sadness in her voice. "I grew up hiding a lot of things inside, and I almost became this lost soul. I understand how attached a child could be, Miyo, especially with no parents."

"I see that we all lost some part of ourselves," the hostess added, cleaning up and putting any other food away. "When my parents died, I felt so terribly alone. To make matters worse, I had to take care of my infant sister and try to get a hold of myself. One day, when Kohana and I were in the garden, I realized that our happiness is connected with our outlook on life. I've always try to stay positive even if it's not for myself."

Vincent lowered his eyes and thought of his painful past yet again. The man took his hand and placed it upon his chest and felt his heart beating. "It's there alright", he said to himself. "But it feels like it's not really there and it's been ripped out of me."

The Turk barely expressed any emotions, but when he did, they often got a hold of him and would get out of control. The image of the Chaos creature he once had the ability to transform into appeared in his head and felt his stomach churn at the sight of it. "Stop it," he commanded himself in his head. "Get ahold of yourself."

Miyo finished cleaning up, which wasn't much, and sat down in front of the two people she had welcomed into her home. She noticed Kikyo starting to doze off a little, and she then looked over to Vincent. The young woman gazed curiously as she saw him in an uneasy thought. "Are you alright?" she asked, taking a step toward him. "Maybe you should get some sleep."

"I'm fine," he quickly snapped as he looked up at Miyo with his intense red eyes. Vincent quickly regained his emotionless face and he stood upon his feet. "I don't need any sleep."

"Well, I do," Kikyo responded, also getting up. "Is there any room left?"

Miyo quickly lowered her head, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Yes," the woman replied to the priestess. "Down the hall, to the left. There's an empty room."

Kikyo walked toward the hallway before turning to the Turk. "I sense that you're suppressing something, but either way you'll end up hurting yourself as well as others," the woman explained to the man. She then turned her attention to the hostess, continuing, "Miyo, if you can find a way to help us get home that would be greatly appreciated. Although, this place seems better than my world."

Miyo gave Kikyo a small nod, and the priestess went to her room. Miyo gazed at Vincent and saw his red eyes intensify with the light coming forth from the house's fireplace. She had a confused look on her face and she didn't want to question him or make him angry at her. "I don't know what you're thinking, but whatever the problems are, they're not here in this world," Miyo said softly, offering a bit of comfort. "I'm not sure of how to get you back home yet, but I'll find a way to help you and Kikyo. I'm sure that you'll be happy then."

Miyo fell silent with a loss for words. She didn't like the air that seemed gloomy like the rain, so she looked around and got up, seeing the flowers that Kohana picked earlier. She went over and picked them up before placing them on a table as she took a tall glass and placed it outside. She then asked Vincent, giving a smile, "Did you bring these flowers in?"

The Turk glanced over his shoulder and nodded. As he crossed his arms and focused once again on the fire, he fell silent for a long moment. The thunder outside crackled and the man attempted to warm his cold hands. "We've both lost people that we once held dear," he said as he looked up at Miyo. "I understand what loss can feel like."

Miyo brought in the tall glass, now filled with water, and placed the flowers inside. She placed them on the table and said, "Yeah, you feel abandoned and alone. You end up feeling all of these emotions and you want to bottle them inside because you feel like the world doesn't care or understand."

She looked out at the rain for a moment and she then looked at Vincent once again. "But you know," the young woman continued, raising her head, "things happen and all we can do is keep moving on until it's our time. The love we felt for them, if it was there, is still present, but we can always grow more love for others as well and give ourselves the happiness that we truly deserve."

Vincent looked down once more and reflected on Miyo's words. "Am I really worth deserving happiness?" the Turk asked himself, he blinked slowly. The man shook his head and gazed up at the young woman.

"I have no emotions or love within me," he told her demonstrating his emotionless face. "I've tried to conjure enough happiness within me, but something or someone always deprives me of it, and the wonderful feeling vanishes. So, how can I move on when there is nothing else for me to love or to hold dear?"

"I was once happy," he said, moving on, with a dry tone. Lucrecia's face appeared in his head, and he remembered what his life was like all those years ago. "But just as quickly as it happened, it vanished right before my eyes. And now, because of the Jenova cells inside of me, my emotions have been greatly suppressed and I've become an animal. Now, I'm forced to live a life that I don't want."

Miyo grinned in response, showing one of her brightest smiles. Although she was rather tired, she didn't show it; she was glad to have someone to talk to. "No love? No emotions?" she thought, raising one of her eyebrows.

"Everyone feels something, even though it doesn't seem like it," the young woman replied to him. "Earlier today, you had to feel at least something when you got here. You wanted to be alone, even when we invited you inside and it started raining. I also see you deep in thought from time to time. I know it's confusing, but like I said, everyone deserves even a little happiness, even you. You don't need anything to move on. You can make your own decisions and do what you want. If fighting makes you happy, do it. If you found someone that makes you feel happy, stay around. I don't know what makes you happy, but you have the power to find it for yourself. "


Vincent nodded and walked towards the front door to watch the rain continue to pour down. "I must be still searching then," he said solemnly, crossing his arms. He looked over to Miyo, and he leaned against the wall. "It's strange how I can speak to you in such a manner. I haven't had a good conversation with anyone for a long time. I feel... much lighter."

"That's because you're saying how you feel instead of keeping it inside," Miyo said, giving a warm smile. "Although I don't have anyone to talk to, the flowers in the garden listen." She looked over at the bouquet of flowers and nodded. "I'm sure that you'll find your happiness, Vincent. You have a good heart even though you don't show it."

Vincent nodded and stared into the bouquet. He thought for a moment and then spoke once more. "Why are you doing this?" he asked as he looked up at Miyo's smile. "I'm a complete stranger, and you've welcomed me and Kikyo into your house. I've only met you today, but by the way we speak to each other, it seems we've known each other for a long time. So, why are being so kind to me?"

"Well, there must some good in you to protect my little sister" she responded, looking into his eyes. "My parents, before they died, were kind and peaceful people. They taught me to be kind as well. No one around here is my age, and for a majority of the time, I'm taking care of Kohana or working in the garden." Miyo sighed as she gazed into the fire. The rain had slowed down as the night sky started to appear.

Vincent nodded and looked up at the starry sky. "I guess there is," he said with a blank face as he crossed his arms. "Then, I assume it was enjoyable to talk to someone besides your sister and the flowers. Tell me, Miyo, how old are you?"

"Twenty-four." she replied with a hint of hesitation. "My parents died when I was fifteen, and Kohana is nine now. Everyone else is either older or younger here. Why do you ask?"

"No reason, I was just curious," he quickly snapped. Vincent brushed away the hair that was in front of his eye and he spoke once more. "I was about your age then when I joined the Turks. Time really flies."

"You're curious... about my age?" Miyo replied, raising her eyebrow. She let out a weary yawn, but she was still interested to know about Vincent's world. "To me, you look just a little older than I am. You all must age slowly in your world."

Letting out a sigh, the hostess looked down the dark hallway in which Kikyo and Kohana had gone to rest. Smiling, she gazed at Vincent. "I wish I could stay up any longer, but the festival is tomorrow and I'll be pre-cooking food and setting up. If you need a bed to rest, there's a room over there." the young woman uttered, pointing to the room down the hall. "I'll be in the next one over, to the right. If you need anything, feel free to get it."

The young woman walked over to the fire place and lit a lantern before putting the large fire out. She walked up to Vincent and gave him the lantern, her smile never left her place. "Here you go," she whispered, looking to his face once again. The young woman broadened her smile as she watched the light's reflection in the Turk's passionate, red eyes. "I'm really happy to have met Kikyo and a great person like you, Vincent Perhaps you would care to stay for a while more? There's more to this world than meets the eye."

Walking into the dark hall, Miyo gave the man a reassuring nod before proceeding into the darkness. Her smile seemed to have enchanted him.

He sat down in a chair and let out a sigh as her face and words of reassuring comfort bloomed in his mind over and over. The Turk raised his head once to gaze into the corridor in which the woman had retired to, and after he lowered his head, he set the lantern upon the floor beside him. Although he had arrived not too long ago, the mysterious world known as "Riyona" began to leave a growing impression on Vincent Valentine.

End of Chapter 4

[R0ad H0g]

Good chapter, it has a sense of closure to it.

[Sonja~Soulheart]

oh awesome chapter! :'D i love this a whole lot! :'D