From Passion into Love
Kia Appicello
Chapter 1
I sat against the back wall of the mobile cage. My partner, Yuffie, and I were the last two in the wooden box. This last show would be our last chance to escape. Well…..For Yuffie to Escape. The plan was to get my black-haired partner free, and myself sold. I was not too thrilled about the plan, but it was the only one we could come up with that would allow us to hopefully find the man who was buying and killing our people each month.
The carriage came to a stop, and I opened bright blue eyes in time to nearly avoid the hand reaching for my arm. As in the past, I calmly allowed the guards to pull me from the cage and towards what should have been the holding cage before the show. I was surprised when I looked up and found myself standing in front of a huge mansion. Quickly breaking from my trance, I glanced at Yuffie and caught her nod. I nodded back and tilted my head down in order for my hair to hide my face. For a moment, the guards paused to look at me, giving me the break I needed.
Without warning, I dashed to my left, faking a right around the guard there and running. Tossing a look over my shoulder, I grinned when I noticed the guards following me, paying absolutely no attention to my partner, who was quietly sneaking off. I upped the speed a little, and turned back to my path, only to run headlong into a solid wall. As I landed on my back, I realized that the wall I had run into was actually a broad-shouldered man with dark black hair, and light blue-grey eyes. While I was examining the man in front of me, the guards caught up, one jerking me off the ground and onto my feet.
"I apologize, Lord Angeal. We thought she was unwell, and didn't realize it was a trick." The gears in my head clicked, and I suddenly realized where I was.
Angeal Hewely was known amongst both races, being one of three half-vampire, half-humans. His lover, Genesis Rhapsodos, and their son, Zack, were also half blood. The three were famous in my world as being the only vampires in the world to befriend the greatest vampire in the universe, and be protected by the human prince, Rufus Shinra.
I could feel the blood in my veins boiling and closed my eyes as I realized that I was being sold to the great lord himself, and trembled. Lord Sephiroth was famous for being the only vampire welcomed into the Shinra Palace. He was also known for his extreme dislike for the Sanctuary.
The guards holding my arms chuckled when they realized I was trembling. A cool hand slipped under my chin, and I felt myself being gently forced to look up.
"Open your eyes, little one." The soft voice was hard to resist, and I soon found myself staring into the eyes of the dark-haired vampire. "What is your name?" I swallowed, and tensed a little, drawing on my last reserve of hope that he didn't know who I was.
"My name is Aki Strife." My heart plummeted when I saw a spark of recognition in Lord Angeal's eyes.
"From the Sanctuary?" If my shaking didn't confirm his suspicions, I know the fear in my eyes did. I almost panicked when I felt a hand against the back of my neck, and saw a softening in light eyes that made me almost relax. "Do not worry, Aki. Rest."
That is all I remember before darkness swept over my vision, and I fell into unconsciousness.
The first thing I noticed when I came to my senses was I was lying on something warm and soft. Warmth surrounded me for the first time in months, and a cool hand was stoking my hair, a hushed voice softly singing above my head. For a moment of weakness before I opened my eyes, I thought I was home.
"Daddy?" The stroking stopped, and I blinked my eyes open, half expecting to be scolded for calling him that. Instead, I found bright, sparkling blue eyes staring at me from under spiky black bangs, and a smile aimed at me from the face that held the eyes.
"I may be old enough, but I doubt I'm your father." Before I realized I had even moved, I had flattened myself against the wall furthest from the man standing beside the bed. "Easy, kiddo. Easy. I'm not going to hurt you."
"Who are you?" Not the most creative line in my arsenal, but it was the only thing my sleep-fogged brain could think of.
"Easy." The tone that this guy used was that one would use to calm a wild animal, and I didn't like it. "My name's Zack." Again, my heart plummeted, and I pressed closer to the wall. "You're from the Sanctuary, right? Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. No one here is. Look. You're awake now, and Seph wanted to talk to you as soon as you woke up. He's not going to hurt you. He just wants to have dinner and talk. There are clothes in the bathroom for you, and you can go ahead and use the shower, and whatever you need to clean up. I'll be outside, waiting. And please don't try to escape. The wards will send you right back, in a bouncing sort of way." I blinked slightly at Zack's babbling, and tilted my head as he started to leave.
"Wait." Those pretty blue eyes turned back to me, and I chewed on my lower lip for a second. "If Lord Sephiroth doesn't want to kill me, what does he want? If it's information on the Sanctuary, forget it. I'd never betray the people I love to him." Zack smiled softly and settled on the edge of the bed.
"Seph's done with playing with the human prince. He would rather help his own people, now. He's been looking for the Sanctuary recently to offer help to those willing to accept it." I narrowed my eyes at him, and he raised his hands. "I swear it. If you want, you can search my memories." I blinked again, shocked that this guy would be so trusting. I shook my head, and he rose to leave again, pausing in the doorway. "You're the little sister of Cloud Strife, right? Is he doing ok?" My eyes met his, and I saw something I wasn't prepared for: love.
"You know my brother?" Black spikes moved as he nodded.
"Yeah. If you're up to it later, I'll tell you my side if you tell me some stuff." I considered it for a moment. On the one hand, I could figure out how this guy knew Cloud, and if Sephiroth was really interested in what this guy was suggesting. On the other hand, it could be a trap. I nodded.
"Sure." The grin on Zack's face was enough to make me smile in return.
"Cool! Well, why don't you get ready for meeting Seph?" I nodded, and he left, leaving me to my thoughts.
'How can I trust them? What if it's a trap? But…..Zack seemed really sincere about what he was saying. Is it all just an act? What about Lord Angeal? Was his kindness and everything fake?' My internal debate lasted throughout the short shower I took, and me getting dressed. When I finally became aware of my surroundings, I realized I was standing in front of the mirror, watching my reflection. I let my eyes sweep over the black pants, laced up the sides, and the black vest-top, laced down the front. Nervously, I took two chunks of hair and quickly braided them, creating a "Y" with them and braiding the ends together. After fussing for a few minutes, I finally gave up and opened the door, jumping back with surprise when Zack fell in backwards. Hiding a laugh behind my hand, I reached to help the dark-haired Halfling to his feet.
"Ready? This way!" I followed Zack down stairs and hallways, the fighter side of me automatically noting every direction we turned while the child side of me compared the man leading me to a puppy.
Eventually, we stopped in front of an ornate door, and he turned to look at me.
"Don't worry. Seph just wants to talk." Surprising me with his speed, Zack darted closer and pressed a kiss to my cheek. I blushed as he ran off, leaving me to deal with the famous lord by myself. I took a deep breath to steady myself, and pushed the door open, slipping silently in. My eyes swept the room, and I was confused to find myself the only living….nonliving….whatever…..thing in it. I took a few more steps, and looked up to meet the eyes of a stunning man in a portrait above the fireplace. Silver hair danced around the pale form clad in black and framed beautiful aquamarine eyes.
"Welcome, Aki Strife." My heart raced as I whirled around, my own eyes meeting aquamarine eyes. The very same from the portrait. I swallowed and backed up a little as the vampire moved further into the room. My breath left me as it finally, truly hit me who I was standing in front of.
The very vampire from the stories my father told me when I was younger. The very man who protected the empire from attack from the enemies with just his sword and his name.
Lord Sephiroth himself.