Threads of Time
Part 1
The Cave
Hikari: HI! Wow, it's weird posting stuff on FanFic! I haven't posted anything since August of last year, and haven't posted a new story since July. (Oh, and for those of you (aka, no one) who care about Journey to the Past, sorry, but it's been discontinued. My notebook with it in it got soaked, and I forgot where I was going, so until I remember, it's stopped). So much has happened, like the fact my one shot at love slipped right through my fingers, I'm obsessed with Bleach and Final Fantasy now, I'm set to go to a Con in September as Yuki Cross from Vampire Knight (which is gonna be great, because I'm 7 inches taller than her, and I'll be wearing heels as well), and Jet has some competition for my favorite bishie, what with me knowing Zack Fair *swoons*
Vincent: Fangirl…
Hikari: You shut up! You're just mad I didn't put you in more.
Vincent: You know that's not true. I hate the spotlight.
Hikari: I know, it's just weird having a co-host who doesn't want to be the main character.
Vincent: Speaking of which, why isn't Zack here?
Hikari: …-.- He's dead, darling.
Vincent: That doesn't stop you from fantasizing about him.
Hikari: Vincent… that sounds really, really wrong. Like I'm imagining having sex with him, or wishing he hadn't died.
Vincent: Isn't that what you do? I hear-
Hikari: I DO NOT OWN FINAL FANTASY LET'S START THE STORY!
~-~-~-~-~
Looking back on it all, I realize there was no way of knowing what deep shit I was getting myself into. It seemed just like any other of my crappy days. I was fleeing from the only life I'd every known without anyone by my side. If I hadn't met him… I guess you could say I would have survived. I wouldn't have hurt my dear friend, because I never would have met him. Ah, well, it's all in the past. Except, because of my stupidity and arrogance, one young boy will never walk among the living again, and another one will have to live with the burden that he thinks he killed the former. What else is there to say besides that?
Ah, yes. This is my story.
It all started at night fall, in one of the many caves I inhibited over the years. I had just settled down for the night when I heard a voice.
"Hello? Is anyone in here?"
Shit. Not as planned, not as planned!. I dove behind one of the rocks, as a shape passed by my hiding place. My heart sped up as he drew closer…
…and then I saw my sword. The crimson-colored blade was propped up against the rock I had so stupidly chosen as my hiding place. When (for it was inevitable) he found me, I'd have only my thin rapier to defend myself. That'd snap in a second, especially against the hunk of metal on the man's back. If I could only reach Benihime…
"I know you're in here. I saw someone run in. Hope you don't mind, but there's a storm out there." When I didn't answer, he continued, "Thanks. I take the silence as alright…I'm Zack, by the way."
He dropped off, and silence ensued. I heard him sit across the cave from my rock and Benihime. I heard a clock, saw a spark, and then shadows danced across the cave's walls. I ducked back below my rock, so as to not cast shadows from the fire.
"Ah, found you. You're behind the rock. That sword looks familiar…" he trailed off.
My palms broke out into a cold sweat. He must be with SOLDIER! I thought, wringing my hands. An idea came to my mind.
I dropped my voice, in order to sound male, "I'm a nomad. We've most likely crossed paths or blades before."
A laugh erupted through the cave, "I doubt it. I'm just a SOLDIER, second class. I got separated from my teacher, Angeal," he stopped, sounding embarrassed, "Sorry, I'm babbling. Why don't you tell me about yourself?"
I flinched, "I'll pass. I'm not much of a talker."
"I don't want to seem like I'm blathering on about me. Tell me something," the boy countered.
"I'm not interesting. I'm a runaway. I have no home, I have no family, I have no friends. I'm no one," I sighed, sliding down the rock.
"I'd argue that." His voice came from right above my head, making me jump a foot in the air. I instantly leapt to my feet, unsheathing my rapier, and pointing it at the boy.
"Oh, you're a girl! No wonder your voice sounded weird. Wait…," his voice trailed off, "I know you."
My heat beat faster, "No, you don't!" I cried, lunging at him rapier out.
"Woah, watch it!" Zack yelled. In one fluent motion, he tore the sword from my hand and pushed me to the wall. His hand on my left shoulder, I finally got a good look at him.
His body (from his stomach down) was covered by the rock, but I could tell he was a few inches taller than me. His black hair stood upon his head, framing mako green eyes on a boyish frame. The hilt of his sword peeked over his right shoulder. He couldn't have been too much younger than I was.
"Where do I know you from?" Zack asked, his eyes narrowing.
"I'd appreciate it if you let me go," I snarled, acting tough.
The boy shook his head, "No, no, that won't do. Ah! I know where you're from! You're a first class, aren't you?"
Fear turned my blood cold. With a quick adrenaline rush, I clawed at his pretty face.
Zack ducked, sliding over the rock. He placed his free hand on my other shoulder. The gap between the rock and the cave wall was so small; I could feel his breath on my other shoulder. The gap between the rock and the cave wall was so small, I could feel his breath on my cheek, "Back off, please," I snapped.
"No. You're the girl I was sent to find. Now, I've found you. Mission accomplished."
"Good for you. I'd give you a pat on the back, but my arms are kinda NUMB. What the fuck are you doing to me?"
This got a reaction. A smug expression broke across his already smug face. "It's a pressure point. Quickest way to render an enemy defenseless."
I Knew that. My teacher had been the first SOLDIER to use pressure points in fighting. Apparently, this Angeal person was teaching Zack the technique, or Zack was doing extra credit, "Yeah, I know the technique, but you're doing it wrong. You've got the spot to disarm me. Literally. Let go, or else my arm's are going to fall off."
This got his attention, "Oh. Sorry. Where's the right spot?"
I couldn't believe the idiot was asking me this. His hands released my shoulders, feeling instantly returning to them.
"Right…HERE!" I brought my now feeling hands to his throat. Choking off the air to his throat, I pushed his socked face to the rock's surface, "You will learn much from paying heed to what I am," my hands crept down his arms 'till I found his hands. My pale, callused hands pulled his black-leathered gloved ones up by the wrist, pinning them next to his hand, "My name is Wanderer. I have no second name. I trained under Vaeltraa Heartnet when I joined SOLDIER. She has since deceased. My weapon, Benihime, is a one-of-a-kind weapon from a now deceased sword-maker. I am trained to use my rapier, as well as many hidden weapons, and yet you have nerve to accost me! What do you have to say for yourself, boy?"
Zack's eyes widened, apparently in shock, "I…uh…it was my job?"
I sneered, "Oh ho, so you know, do you? Yes, I ran away like a cowardly dog with my tail between my legs. And they want me back? How… outrageous! They do no respect my wishes!" I leaned forward, my nose mere millimeters from his, "Tell your teacher, that stupid Lazard and that ass Sephiroth to leave me alone."
"I'll…" the boy sputtered, at a loss for words for the first time since we'd met, "I'll pass the message on."
"Good boy. Now, I bid you adieu," pressing the full of my weight into his wrists, I back flipped over his head. As soon as I landed on the other side, I pulled Benihime off the stone and attached it to my back.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Apparently, his frozen mouth had regained working order.
This boy was a moron, "If I told you, I wouldn't be hiding, would I? Goodbye, Zack."
"You're not going anywhere," another voice growled from behind me.
I hand, much stronger than the boy sitting on the rock's was, grasped my shoulder. That voice…
"You!" I spat as soon as I saw the man's face.
"Yes, me," Angeal Hewley said, his face, like always, was indifferent, "You're coming with us, Wanderer."
"Fat chance," I spat, trying to twist out of his grasp.
Angeal's grip tightened, "No. You're coming back to SOLDIER to explain yourself and face your punishment, whether you like it or not. Now, stop struggling!"
"No!"
"Fine," Angeal pulled me towards him before slamming my head against the wall.
Black spots danced across my vision, "Fuck! What the hell?" I yelled, grasping the back of my skull, "You trying to kill me?"
"Zack, the Turks will be here soon," Angeal told his subordinate, who now was on the side of the rock that Angeal and I were on, "We just have to keep her here."
"Piss off," I spat, standing shakily.
Zack grasped my arm, but it wasn't in malice. It felt like he actually cared whether or not I fell flat on my face or ass, but it had to be an act, "You okay?" he questioned.
"You shouldn't worry about your enemies," I spat, tearing my arm from his grasp, and instantly regretting it. The world seemed to spin.
When I glanced at the elder of the two in my company, I saw his back was turned, talking on his cell phone. When my mako green eyes met Zack's of the same color, I start to back out of the cave slowly.
He didn't stop me.
As soon as my feet hit the soft grass of the outside world, my mind cleared, the black spots vanished, and my knees found strength again.
"Will we meet again?" Zack's voice asked.
"If our paths ever cross again, I pity you," I replied.
"Then, I promise I'll see you again," Zack shot back, "I never break a promise."
I sighed and turned to see him with a sad look on his face, "I'll hold you to that," I smiled.
"ZACK FAIR!" Angeal yelled from inside the cave.
"Crap. I have to run," the boy said, "you have 5 minutes."
"More than enough. See you later, Zack Fair," I laughed, taking off into the night.
How was I to know that boy would be my eventual demise?
~-~-~-~-~
Hikari: DUN DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUUUUUN! Ha ha… yeah, anyways… this takes place about a year before the events of Crisis Core. There will be from 5-8 parts, the first three already written and the next one started on. The events span from Crisis Core (1-3), Advent Children (next one or two) and Dirge of Cerberus (next one or two). Of course, this might be for naught, as I haven't been keeping up on typing, so I now have 12 more pages to type up.
Vincent: As I was saying earlier, you-
Hikari: SEE YOU NEXT TIME!
Afterthoughts/Notes: Vaeltraa means "wanderer" in Finnish… I think.
Heartnet is the main character's, Train's, from Black Cat (manga/anime) last name.
Benihime is Urahara's, from Bleach (manga/anime), sword name.
Both are highly recommended.