So why can't I just go back? Her little victory count would make her feel like she can convince anyone to do anything, which is true for nearly anyone but her. One day she'll try to talk her way out of something and it don't work. Again, I'm not calling her an idiot. She's considerably smarter than most people I've met. But she tends to tally up wins and losses, and when she's ahead, she thinks she's invincible. Everytime she gets knocked to the ground and has to take time to recover. Then she jumps right back in. Not stupid, just tenacious. 
                          
        I peel my soggy cape off and lay it flat across the drier part of the floor, hoping for it to dry. It would be better for me to just continue on my journey away from this long trip, hoping that they all forget me just as I will try to forget them. But what's the point of either of those two decisions? They both seem like endless, faith-dependent situations. I don't know what would happen in either. And I only have tonight to choose, because idiotically, as always, Cloud decided not to consider people other than himself, Sephiroth, and Tifa. Nanaki has to travel quite far to Cosmo Canyon and back, Yuffie to Wutai, and Barret to Kalm. How are they supposed to come back in time without their visits lasting all of five minutes? I'm going in circles... 
                          
         A large gust of freezing wind blasts in through the mouth of the cave, puffing my fire out and blowing waves of icy rainwater in. Miserably wet with no hope of drying off, I sit in silence, waiting for the storm to pass. If I go back, Violet shouldn't consider it a win on her part. I realized that I haven't been thinking correctly the entire journey and decided to come back to fix my view. Not because her annoying little tantrum changed my mind. 
                          
Why are you being so stubborn about this? 
                          
Because if I don't, she'll...
                          
You're being as bad as her. And I can't believe I'm the one telling you this. 
                          
          I go back to ignoring the demon and trying to find a place out of the wind. There's no such luck for me, and I resort to sitting in the back of the cave and waiting for dawn to come. It does, eventually, and I force myself to my feet, pushing all emotions away and walking toward Rocket Town with a nearly blank mind. ... Ran like a coward. 
                          
         I can tell it's nearing noon by the time I can see the massive airship hovering on the horizon. I wonder who came back? I shake my head. The real question is who didn't. I think I can see Yuffie and Cait Sith racing toward the Highwind like it's their last hope. Nanaki must already be in board. I reach up toward the rope ladder and start pulling myself into the ship, wondering if this is a good idea. Once inside, my feet automatically carry me toward the cockpit at a casual pace. 
                          
"I'm back!" I hear Cait Sith shout cheerily. Almost there. Even from a distance, I can see where everyone is. Yuffie pouting in Cid's direction, Tifa smiling at Cait, and Violet scowling in the spot I once occupied in the cockpit. A couple steps closer, and Yuffie notices. 
                          
"Vinnie!?" She squeaks, excitement and energy bouncing around in her gray irises. Violet looks up quickly, surprise quickly getting overtaken by anger. I frown back. Sorry. 
                          
"Ya came, Vin!" Cid grins, clapping a hand down on my back. "Had to admit, we didn't think you'd be coming back!" Even his words seem a little forced. I sigh. I should've never returned. 
                          
"Neither did I," Violet huffs, brushing past me and walking down the corrider to the deck. Cid scowls up at me. 
                          
"You piss me off." 
                          
"... How?" I raise an eyebrow. 
                          
"What d'ya mean how?! You #-&(#-%- left her with nothin' else but her doubts and then waltzed right back in the next day like nothin' happened!" I wasn't aware that this was you're problem.