Part 5

My life will no longer belong to me once I take this step. Am I ready to take the chance?

Sephiroth's hand hovered over the form that would bring him into the armed forces. Fool! I have come too far to give up now! He signed his name on the final line of the form.

; is that really how I wish to sign my name? I don't want to be related to him in any sort of way. Why must he haunt me through name and mind?!

Zeki looked over Sephiroth's shoulder as he scanned his brain for another way to state his name.

"Sephiroth. . . .so, that's what your name is. Good. Now I won't have to continue calling you 'Kid,' I should've known that your father would choose a cool name like that."

Zack's face was completely serious. He had already signed his form and was just about to be sent with the next group to receive his dorm and uniform. "Sephiroth, the road to god hood. What was up with your father anyway? He seems a little, odd. What am I saying? He was the famous Professor Samuel Hojo, wasn't he?"

Sephiroth had walked away from the booth, handing over the form. He was now standing with Zack and Zeki. He tensed. Zack wasn't even there when he had signed his name, and anyway. . . . I wrote that in foreign symbols! Can Zeki.... No! Of course he couldn't! He was just a stupid kid.... Of course so am I.

"Zack? Could you tell me how you found out my father's name?"

"You told me."

"I told you?"

"Yes, in a dream. Long ago before I ever met you. In that dream I was in a field of snow, waiting for someone. A man with the uniform of a general walked up to me. He had long silver hair and green eyes that shined in the darkness of the night. His skin was as pale as the snow around us. 'Zack,' he said, 'You need to find my father, Professor Samuel Hojo. He will give you the power that you need.' The only difference between you and him was that his voice was not the calm one that comes through your mouth, but the one of a madman. His eyes had gleamed crazily as he walked away. In the dream I was sure that he was going to kill me then; He didn't. A voice echoed through the field. 'My name is Sephiroth,' then it began to rain cherry blossoms. They sliced through my body and the color of blood seeped into the snow. When I awoke that morning I refused to believe what the man had said. Then, many years later, I met you. I knew that your name was Sephiroth and that you were the one who told me that. I didn't want to tell you until I knew you a little better." Zack lowered his eyes to the ground.

"Zack.... that wasn't me."

The boy continued to stare.

"That is the insane man that lives within me. At times he takes over my body as he did when that table was thrown at you. Whatever happens, don't listen to him. Promise me, both of you."

Zeki nodded, but Zack did not respond. Sephiroth grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him.

"Promise me!"

Zack glared into the green eyes in front of him. "Perhaps I will, in time. I will trust what I see. Maybe this other guy is, in reality, more sane than you. I will not promise."

"Then, please, don't trust him. He tells lies. He hurts those that I love. I don't want to see either one of you dead by his sword. I fear that one day he may become strong enough to control me. He may grasp you to him for his plans."

"What are his plans?! If he lives in you, you should know! What does he plan to do to the Planet, or us?!"

"I.... I don't know."

"Then perhaps you should find out."

Zeki stood, staring at the two, not sure what to do. Lenoa ran up behind him.

"Hey, Zeki! What's up.... Oh my gosh...."

Pain shot through Sephiroth's brain. He let go of Zack's arms and fell to the ground. He reached for his head to calm it. His hair fell in silver strands to the ground around him, landing like a metallic pool. He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on the agony inside him. From his kneeling position, he was flattened against the ground by some invisible force. His hair looked like a wing against his right shoulder. His face went pale and blood, once again ran down it like liquid garnet. The last person he saw was his own mocking face looking at him. His eyes held fiery insanity beneath the surface.

_________

No. Why am I back in this cursed place?! The room was dark, all except the fire burning in the center, as always. And, as always, Jenny stood beside it. Her silver hair reflecting the green light. Her eyes smiled, but her face was grim.

Well, that was odd. She walked forward, Sephiroth stepped back.

"What do you want with me this time?"

"I would like to tell you of the dangers that lay ahead."

"And the best way to talk to me is to get the insane me to knock the sane me out, right?"

She shook her head. "I am sorry to say that I had no part in that incident. That man is getting out of hand. I will have to speak with him as soon as I am done here."

"I already know the dangers of what await here in the armed forces. I am sorry, but in this case, I can help myself."

"Fine. If you don't want my help, so be it." In a giant flash, the makou green fire engulfed her. The room seemed to shine brilliantly, but as quickly as it had come, it vanished; Jenny was no more.

A loud laugh echoed throughout the room. It turned to a snicker as the man stepped from the shadows. His eyes gleamed the colour of makou and his skin was as pale as the newly fallen snow. He wore the same black cloak and boots as he had on their first meeting. There was a slight difference to his appearance, though.

Sephiroth studied this for a while but came to nothing. He felt a slight disturbance on his back. The smell of feathers and blood. He heard a rip as his own black dress shirt fell to the ground. A wing folded around him. Soft and white against the darkness. This seemed to fill him with the power to voice above the opposite's loud snickers.

"What do you want with me?"

The man turned his icy gaze on Sephiroth. "What do I want with you? Nothing."

"So why are you here? Just to laugh at nothing?"

"Heh, of course not. I only come somewhere for a reason."

"What reason is that?"

"To control your body."

"Heh, I am sorry, that is not a gift that I can give."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Even if I could, I wouldn't."

"Are you sure?"

"I am a spirit apart from you. I can make my own decisions without your influence, so yes. I am sure."

"OK. I will need to kill you, then." A black wing unfolded from his body. It absorbed all light that it came in contact with, leaving the whole room in darkness. Sephiroth's eyes shone in the ebony surroundings. The General snickered.

"Can you make it in this darkness?"

"I always have." The young teenager replied as he spotted the other glowing green beacons. He drew his sword. The Murasame felt light in his steel grip. It shifted, then began to glow a pale silver. Sephiroth smiled.

"Sephiroth! Wake up! C'mon kid! Er, I can't believe that it happened AGAIN. Why does it have to be him? He has been through enough."

Heh, Zeki. Will you always be so caring? I hope that you keep your promise. He raised his sword. Stay calm kid. Concentrate.

"Your friend out there is calling you, boy. Why don't you go back to him? He'll miss you when you're gone."

"Heh. Sorry, I don't intend to loose this battle. I haven't lost one yet."

"Don't get cocky."

"Who ever said that I was cocky? I just have high goals."

"You won't have any goals once you are dead." The General inched forward, his boots not making a sound on the ground. The air was tense and cold.

"Who said that I would die?"

"I did." He jumped into the air, attempting to slice the young soldier in half. Sephiroth jumped out of the way and into the air. Another wing seemed to sprout, but nothing was there, except air. He was able to fly. He soared towards his opponent at a deadly speed, his sword ready to impale his enemy. He lunged, the General blocked, then whirled into a crescent. Sephiroth stopped it in front of his abdomen and brought it up over his head. The General used this move to his advantage and put his weight down, forcing Sephiroth to the floor. The young boy pulled his right leg out from under him and hooked his foot around the opposition's ankle. With enough pressure and speed, he knocked the older man off balance.

The General's eyes gleamed with fury. He jumped back to his feet as the younger boy brought his sword under and up, knocking the Masamune from the other's grasp. With one quick flick of his wrist, he slashed the officer on his leg, making it so he could not walk.

"Heh, looks like the first blood's mine. I win."

"Boy, this is the battle of life! You do not only play for the first blood! Kill me! I deserve it! Kill me now, or I will kill you later."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, I don't like to waste. I gotta go. See ya!"

_________

Sephiroth opened his foggy eyes to see Zack staring at him worriedly. Sephiroth felt a twang of pain as he remembered the fight they had earlier on that day. He looked away.

"You're not dead. It's amazing. You aren't dead."

The young boy looked into the deep hazel eyes of his friend. Confusion flooded over him.

"A man had come up to you and.... You are alive! That horrible.... I am so sorry, I didn't see him coming.... He just...."

Dark bags hung under Zack's teary eyes. He hugged Sephiroth and cried into his shoulder.

Sephiroth patted him on his back. He let his friend sob there for a while. Once the tears subsided into slight sniffles, he let go.

"I'm sorry. There was a man.... He had the look of insanity. His eyes were purple and his skin was so pale.... He wore a dark cloak of black and it hung over his face. His hair was silver, just like yours.... He looked nothing like you, but.... in a way he had the same feel.... I can't explain it. In his hand was a metal staff, a violet crystal was set beneath the glossy cover. It had one sharpened point. He whacked you upside your head, then you fell to the ground. The man took the pointed end and stabbed you in your heart.... I was so afraid that I would loose my best friend.... for the second time...."

"How long have I been out?"

"About three months."

"How is the training going?"

"Hard, but what do you expect? On the time that we have for ourselves I came here to keep an eye on you."

"Did anything happen while I was out?"

"You were engulfed in fire. You didn't scream, but it was not the blue fire that you had before. It was green, makou green...."

"Jenny...."

"What?"

"Nothing. Just one of the people living inside of me."

"What happened to the General?"

"You know about that?"

"I saw the whole battle in a dream last night."

"How were you sure that it was happening?"

"The guy that visited me the first time was there. The guy who said that I needed to find Hojo."

"I'm sorry, no. I don't know what happened to him. If I go back to sleep I probably will."

"Yeah, try to take over your brain. You know.... I think that I could tell him apart from you anyday. He seems so.... crazy."

"Heh, and I have to live with the guy. Man. Did you see anything else?"

"A girl. She had silver hair and her eyes were a beautiful silver- blue. Her skin was pale and her face were grim, though her eyes smiled."

"Did you hear what she said?"

"To you or to the General?"

"She talked to the General?!"

"Hey, hey! Don't work yourself up!"

"Did she or did she not?"

Zack sat in silence, afraid that Sephiroth would overdo it and pass out again.

"Answer me!"

"Yes."

"Did you hear what she said?"

"No, I'm sorry. It is as if she had the conversation locked."

"That little.... Can you describe the look on her face?"

"It was one of absolute fury. It was as if the General did something that she didn't approve of. After she yelled at him for a couple minutes, he shrugged and walked away."

"I have to go." Sephiroth began to rise off of the bed that he had been sitting on.

"Oh no you don't!" Zack pushed him back down again. "No matter what you say, you need more rest. Your wound has only begun to heal. You had a concussion from that blow and had a serious loss of blood. If you loose any more you will shrivel up like a prune. Now lay down and get some sleep. I have to go back. I will bring you something to eat. Stay there and don't wander off. I hear that Hojo is around, so keep your head."

"Woah, you are acting like my mother, or what she would have acted like had she not have died."

"Yeah, well...."

"Hey, does Zeki know about any of this?"

"No, I thought that you might have wanted to tell him."

"Keep it a secret for now, OK. Don't tell him that I have come back around. He will loose it worse than you did."

"Yeah, he has only been sticking to his training, never stopping. He might just die if he hears that his nearly dead friend is back. I understand your logic." Zack turned for the door.

"Zack?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"Go on now, else you will be late."

"Right."

_________

After Zack left, Sephiroth got up out of bed and looked in the mirror hanging above the desk. There was a large wound on the left side of his chest. It had scar tissue around it, showing slight signs of healing. It ached to breath and at times he had to gasp to get any air, and that hurt him like hell. He sat in the desk chair.

"No wonder Zack didn't want me to start training. Who was that guy, anyway? It wasn't the General, he has my eyes. I have no enemies that I know of. Why would anyone want to kill me?" He sighed, then winced as pain shot through his chest. Come to think of it, his head hurt as well. "Arg! That damned bastard. I hate him now. The stupid...."

Zack walked through the door to see a shirtless Sephiroth go pale with pain.

"You painful little ass! I told you to get some rest! Ah well. Here, let me help you back...." He let Seph put his weight on him as he hobbled back to the bed.

Sephiroth groaned as he lay back down.

"So, what did you do while I was gone? Other than not listen to my advise."

"I didn't listen because you didn't tell me how bad it was!"

"I tried.... oh well, there is no reason for us to be fighting."

"What did you bring?"

"Hm? Oh, umm grewel."

Sephiroth grimaced. Zack just smiled and laughed.

"No, we had chicken broth and cornbread with a side of corn, but I didn't think that you would be able to stomach the corn or the bread, so I brought saltine crackers and some herbal tea. The cook and I have become quite good friends, actually. She is caring and lets me make some special orders for you so that you will get better faster. I warn you, the tea cleans you out."

"What did you feed me while I was out?"

"Monkey guts."

"I'm serious, dragon breath."

"Soup, tea, applesauce, liquids. Also the doctor had been giving you nutrients through an IV"

"Zack, what is the cook's name?"

"Elmyra."

"Thank Elmyra for me please." Sephiroth's voice faded as he passed out.

Part 6

"Estuans interius ira vehementi

Estuans interius ira vehementi

Sephiroth!!

Sephiroth!!

Estuans interius ira vehementi

Estuans interius ira vehementi

Sephiroth!!

Sephiroth!!"

It's a song....

"Sors immanis et innanis

Sors immanis et innanis

Estuans interius ira vehementi

Estuans interius ira vehementi

Sephiroth!!

Sephiroth!!"

They are saying my name....

"Veni veni venias

Ne me mori facias

Veni veni venias

Ne me mori facias

Veni veni venias

Ne me mori facias

Veni veni venias

Ne me mori facias

Glorioso generosa

Glorioso generosa

Veni veni venias

Ne me mori facias

Glorioso generosa

Glorioso generosa

Veni veni venias

Ne me mori facias

Glorioso generosa

Glorioso generosa

Veni veni venias

Ne me mori facias

Glorioso generosa

Glorioso generosa

Veni veni venias

Ne me mori facias...."

'Come come oh come, do not let me die?' 'Glorious and noble?' I am none of those things. Why are they chanting that? Wait.... 'Burning inside with a violent anger....' That's the General.... 'Fate monstrous and empty....' could that possibly be.... what I will come to see? A fate monstrous and empty? And my own name.... Sephiroth. The tree of life, the road to godhood, it's as though my father planned for all these things to happen to me. Why did I have only one wing? It is like the fate that I.... or the General reach for is the road to godhood, but it is a fate monstrous and empty. 'Come, come, oh come, do not let me die....' Those must be the people that I swear that I will protect, but will not be saved.... but why? They will think that I am glorious and noble. I already know that I will become a great General, whether I like it or not. I must fight for those who will die. I swear that I will never hurt unless I must and I will not shed blood that does not need to be. I will help the people of Midgar, maybe even the Planet. I shall do as much as possible before the General takes over....

_________

Zack shook his head. Why did that boy never listen to him? He could be so stubborn at times. The teen dabbed a cold cloth on Seph's forehead to cool his raising fever. He sighed. I guess that I will have to stay in here for the night, again....

Man, I wish that he would just listen to me. He has to be an Aquarius. Apparently he thinks that he can get along by himself today. Well, he might have something that he is brooding about. I'll ask him when he awakens. Zack dipped the cloth into the bowl of ice water on the table beside him. Sephiroth twitched as though he had heard a sound that struck him as important. His green eyes opened slightly.

"Zack?"

The boy looked at him.

"C-could you help me sit up?" His voice was a hoarse whisper. "I need you to help me with something...."

Zack lifted Sephiroth up so that he could lean against the wall.

"What is it?"

"Help me.... defeat.... the General.... he.... will kill.... so many.... innocents.... Don't.... let me.... turn.... into.... him...."

Zack nodded. "I will do what I can."

"Thank you.... He spills blood.... to quench.... his sword's.... thirst.... It is like.... a vampire.... It drinks.... the warm.... blood of it's.... victims.... I will one day be one.... I will fall to his.... strength...."

"Don't say such things. He wouldn't be so cold as to kill you when you are this ill."

"Are.... you.... sure? I think.... that he would.... That's the kind of man.... that he is."

"Go to sleep, Sephiroth. If you need me, I will be right beside the bed. You have a high fever and you may become delerious. Be carefull. The General may strike then."

Sephiroth nodded.

Zack lowered him back into bed and covered him with a light blanket, then continued to dab the cloth on the teenager's forehead.

"Good.... night.... Zack.... thank.... you...." Seph closed his eyes and drifted into a fiery slumber.

"Good night, Sephiroth."

_________

The next morning, Sephiroth was not awake. Zack shrugged and left as soon as he was called for. The nurse would continue her duties today. Zack had to continue his training. The only hard part of today that he would have to face would be hiding the secret of Seph. He was a strong guy, he pulled out of a coma and still held his memory. The wound was deep and was only now beginning to heal. The nurse said that once the healing process began, it would move along quickly. It was just getting it to begin that was the problem.

Sephiroth should be fine now that the process has begun. Zack thought as he ran to the obstacle course for the morning run. He found his place in the lines. He stood between Zeki and Lenoa. The blue uniforms were uncomfortable and didn't fit very well.

Zack shifted once as the officer walked in. He was one of the ugliest people that Zack had ever seen. He was extremely tan and had long bleached blonde hair that was orange at the roots. His eyes were bloodshot and an ugly shade of olive. A long pale scar waved across his face. It ranged from his right eyebrow to his left ear. He was blind in his right eye and his hands were bony and long. He wore the uniform of a Lutenant. It was a black camofloge design and cut like the ancient army uniforms. He wore ebony boots and a crimson cloak that clasped at the neck with a golden strap. His feet were too large for his lanky body and his noze was long and narrow.

"Soldiers! Attention!" All the members lined in front of the Lutenant saluted him, then stood at attention.

"Today we will do the everyday drills and then run 50 extera laps around the course for Bahamut's outburst yesterday. Then, we will line up swiftly and silently for the morning meal of grits and orange juice. Eat your fill, you will need it. We will be the last to eat, so the quicker that you finish, the quicker you eat. Now MOVE!"

They all ran to the course, each trying to beat the other. Soon the competition was between Zack and Zeki. They were the last ones of each team to still be qualified to continue. The air was tense as they took off. Weaving between flags, crawling beneath nets, climbing wooden walls, and swimming across a swift current. They were on the last lap, Both fighting for the lead. They were climbing a steep hill on which the finish line awaited. Zack stumbled and lagged behind as Zeki sped ahead. After regaining his ballance, Zack jumped high into the air, over Zeki and made a wild dash to the finish; Zack had won.

Zeki glared daggers at the young boy. His aqua eyes held a fury that could barely be contained beneath the surface. His face could nearly be read as "I will kill you." Why had Zeki changed so much? Maybe he was turning cold, like Sephiroth was seen on the outside. No, he was just being his depressed bastardized self. It was like Zeki now had a heart to kill Zack just because he had not promised Sephiroth before he got put into a coma.

But no one knew that that was going to happen. No excuse, Zeki wanted to shed some blood, Zack's blood. How was Zack going to get him back to normal? He had already raked his brain for answers. Even if Sephiroth was suddenly better, Zeki wouldn't go back to his normal self. Maybe this is his normal self....

They ran this course the rest of the times and by the time the troop was done each one of the soldiers seemed nearly dead from exhaustion, other than Zack, Zeki, and Lenoa. Zeki was too busy making icy faces at people as they glared at him or looked at him in total disgust. Zack was worried about whether the nurse had found out that Sephiroth was awake yet or not, and Lenoa was smiling at everyone. What an odd group they were.

Zeki smiled crazily to the man who passed as they entered the cafeteria. He had short cut blonde hair and goggles that sat on top of his head. He looked about 16 or so. He carried a wooden spear in his hand. He wore a navy denim jacket and a white scarf. His pants were khaki and his boots were dark brown. His face went grim as he saw Zeki's odd look. He didn't even seem to notice Zack. It was as if he was a lone shadow without a person to follow.

Lenoa stood in line, ignoring the glances towards her. Zack wasn't surprised that the guys were drooling over her. She was, after all, a very attractive young lady. Why aren't I one of those guys? Was it because I had that accident a few years ago? No, I would have died if it wasn't for Lenoa. I hadn't seen her in years, but then I met Sephiroth and I had to meet up with her again. She has helped me on many such occasions. I have no right to invade her privacy. He continued to stare at the food that Elmyra had given him. He waved thanks to her as he passed.

And what's up with Zeki. I'm glad that I didn't tell him, he might have gone insane.... like the General. How can I help Seph?! That is a battle between him and the General. I can not interfere in any way. I can't enter his brain. Maybe.... if I can see his battles and dreams.... can I stop them?

_________

The nurse came a few times during the day to take Sephiroth's temperature and give him some fresh stuff in his IV. At these times, the young teenager had lost consciousness. His mind buzzed with ways to defeat the General during the final battle. Every once in a while, the man who delivered the blow flashed across his mind. It was like he had seen the man before.

Breathing was hard, but through the day he regained his strength. He still could not stand as he had the first day and often drifted off into sleep. His face began to regain color and his eyes began to focus. The wound on his chest went numb from time to time, but these times were blessed relieving times for him. He felt a large pressure, but barely any pain. He was grateful when Zack finally returned to the room.

"So," Sephiroth rasped, "how was your day?"

"Weird. Zeki seems to get closer to the line of insanity every day. It's like he is stumbling down a hill towards his breaking point."

"How was the training?"

"Rough. Zeki burst yesterday in the Lieutenant's face. Because of him, we had to run 50 extra laps around the obstacle course."

"Is it day still, or evening? I can't tell."

"Oh, it's about 8:00 PM."

"Thank you. What did you do today, other than run?"

"We practiced drills with a rifle and battled each other in fencing."

"Who did you get paired up with?"

"Zeki. That kid wants to kill me, I'm telling you."

Sephrioth shook his head. "I don't think he does. It might just be a longing for decent competition. That happens quite often with new bees."

"'New bees?' If we are new bees, then what are you?"

"I am not exactly new to the program. My father tests the soldiers for certain things, like the possibility of joining SOLDIER."

"Yes, this is true. I guess we will just have to see what happens. If I die I will be very upset."

Sephiroth attempted to laugh at this comment, but was only able to smirk.

"Do you think that you can eat? Or must I feed you again?"

"Heh, my energy reserves were used up yesterday when I went to go check my wound. I have been trying to take it easy, but I can't really get used to laying around. I'm used to roaming and fighting living trees and the sort."

"So in other words...."

"I need to be fed."

Zack laughed then brought out a bowl.

"What are we having today? If it's baby food I will be very upset."

"Sephiroth, it is winter. Do you think that I would feed you something cold? No. It's microwaved baby food."

Seph glared, jokingly.

"Heh, it's chicken noodle soup and hot cocoa. Also a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. Oh, and I hope that you like crackers. You will have a lot of them in the weeks to come."

Sephiroth moaned. "How long will it take for this to heal?"

"I don't know. I could ask Lenoa."

"How is she?"

"Man, in a crazy world, she is the only person that has stayed the same."

"I would tell you to say 'hi' for me, but then she might tell Zeki."

"I highly doubt it. Zeki doesn't talk to anyone these days. He only laughs at air and grins menacingly at trees. He glares daggers at nearly anyone. He nearly made one of the astronauts-in-training piss his pants at lunch. And he freaked ShinRa's secretary out during practice. Each day he gets hotter to the young girls, and more psychotic to us! It's crazy!"

"Calm down Zack. I don't want you hyperventilating on me. Then who would be worrying over me? If Zeki is acting like that, I highly doubt that it would be him."

"What will we do if he snaps?"

"I will find something to help him, even if I have to find a cure to insanity myself."

"And if you can't do it?"

"I know someone who could, but she won't do anything until he does snap. That's just the kind of girl she is."

_________

Weeks passed and each day Sephiroth became a little stronger. He was soon able to feed himself and walk for long periods of time. He still wouldn't let Zack tell Zeki. He didn't want Zeki going crazy until he was completely well. Little did he know that he wouldn't have to wait long.

Breathing soon became easy once more and He began to practice swordplay in his room.

Strange, it's like I was never knocked out at all. He sat down on his bed and decided that tomorrow would be that dreaded day that seemed so far away. He would leave to begin training.

The day passed and Zack came.

"Hey, Seph. How are you today?"

"Heh, pretty good. You?"

"Tired. Thank goodness! Our troop gets a day off tomorrow. I will probably spend it with you, here at the base."

"Zack? I am not staying in the room tomorrow. I am going to join the ranks."

"Are you sure? How is your wound?"

"Healed. The last of the scar tissue folded over and it sealed. I can practice swordplay as if I was never out and I can do anything that I could before. I have all my strength back, so you don't have to worry about me on the field. Really, what we should be doing is figuring out a way to tell Zeki and have him break without him killing every person in sight."

"We could try to get him into an ally way without him noticing."

"Nah, I don't think that will work. Maybe we could lock him in the bathroom."

"What if there was someone else in there, or someone really had to go?"

"Yeah, I see your point."

"We could can him."

"Heh, imagine his face when we cured him, then told him.... No, we can't do that to Zeki, of all people. We need to make it so that he doesn't see me until you guys have him trapped."

"Hmmmm.... On each of our days off, he goes to the bar."

"Hey, wait! tomorrow is my birthday! Grrr.... we'll put off the celebration until he is sane."

"No! Wait! We could use that to our advantage."

"How?"

"There is no bar on base, he goes to the one in the sector 2 slums. Not many people go there. They think that it is an ugly dump that sells cough syrup with a small amount of alcohol, so they work their way up to sector 4. The only person in there is usually Zeki and the bar tender. We could get up early to get you there so that Zeki won't see you. You can hide someplace while I tell the old guy. I would then sit down and wait for Zeki."

"And where does my birthday come in?"

"A giant cake comes out of the kitchen, carried by Lenoa."

"We need to talk to her. Does she know that I am awake?"

"No, the nurse keeps everything quiet. Anyway, since no one is ever in the bar, Zeki will wonder whose cake it is. Especially when it doesn't come to him. By that time, I will have locked the door. The cake will go to a dude in a black trench coat and weird green eyes. You will, of course, be wearing a hat. When the cake comes to you, take off your coat and hat, so that you can enjoy the cake. Zeki will then go insane when he sees you up and walking about."

"Are you sure that will work? The thought stream of Zeki didn't seem quite the same as it had been last time I saw him."

"You forget, he is nearly insane."

"True. We need Lenoa. Could you go get her for me?"

"Sure. I'll be back in a little while." Zack turned and walked out the door.

Sephiroth sighed. Tomorrow would be his 14th birthday. Why did he have to subject himself to such torture? He wanted his friend back, the only way to do that would be to make him go insane. He shook his head, letting his silver hair wave back and forth. Zeki had been his friend since the beginning of his journey.

To think, that wasn't very long ago. But he was still there at every turn, trying to help. Now Sephiroth would pay him back by granting him insanity. Would Jenny help him after his out burst? That was a while ago, she should have cooled down by now. Then why hadn't he heard from her?

_________

"Jenny!" Sephiroth was walking around the campsite, trying to find his female look alike. "Jenny! Come here! I need your help, your expertise! Please, help my friend!"

The young boy fell to his knees. "Please, I would do anything to help him."

A large flash of makou green blinded the young boy.

"Anything?"

"Yes."

"I can do nothing for Zeki until he has lost it."

"You have heard the plan. I know that you have. Please, once we do our part, can you help him?"

"I will do what I can."

"What about the payment?"

"Don't worry about it. Go, Zack will soon return. You mustn't let him know that you have been speaking with me."

_________

Zack entered the room just as Sephiroth opened his eyes. Behind him was Lenoa, her eyes filled with worry. Seph was laying on his bed. He swiftly closed his eyes so that Lenoa wouldn't notice. The two walked over to his bed. Lenoa's hands clenched around two dog tags around her neck.

She sighed and looked at Sephiroth.

"Zack, he looks a lot better than he did last time I was here. He has regained his color and his wound is healed." At this point Sephiroth still wasn't wearing a shirt. He didn't want it to look suspicious.

She reached down to stroke her friend's face. Sephiroth reached up and held her hand in his. She gasped as his shining green eyes opened.

The teenager sat up in the bed and released Lenoa's hand.

"He is a lot better than you thought."

Sephiroth stood. "I'm sorry to have frightened you. I was just resting a little."

" 'Just resting a little?' How long have you been awake?!"

"Mmm, about.... Zack how long has it been?"

"About 5 weeks."

"5 WEEKS?! You two didn't tell me this! Why?!"

Sephiroth shook his head, not expecting this reaction from a doctor. "We were afraid that you might tell Zeki."

"NO one talks to Zeki anymore. He's too crazy."

"Shh, calm down, Lenoa. Someone might hear you...." Zack looked like he just realized that this was a bad idea.

"Lenoa, We need your help. Tomorrow, we are heading to the Sector 2 bar. We will talk to the bar tender and let him know what we are doing in the morning. We are planning to get Zeki back, to make him sane again. I have a way to do that. Now, here's the plan...."





Part 7

Lenoa stood at the entrance to the bar kitchen, her hands on her hips and her eyes skeptical.

"Guys, are you sure that this will work?"

Zack nodded. "Of course I'm sure. Hah! Who is the mastermind now? Lenoa can no longer push me into the well!"

"Er, Zack, we aren't kids anymore. When was the last time that I did that?"

"Um...." He began to count on his fingers, "about, five years ago?"

"Bingo! Now, if we are going to do this, let's get it over with."

"Um, Zack?"

The dark-haired boy turned to Sephiroth.

"Why must I wear this uncomfortable thing?"

"It isn't uncomfortable. You just aren't used to shirts. And it isn't a 'thing' it's a trench coat. You are supposed to be in disguise."

"How many other people in Midgar have silver hair and green eyes?"

"You should have thought of that yesterday. Now just GO he will be here soon."

Sephiroth nodded and sat down at his designated chair. He crossed his arms over his chest and began to act as if he was dozing. He leaned back in the chair so far that it touched the wall behind him. He pulled his hat over his eyes and sipped at the sake in front of him. The door opened and Zeki sat down on a bench at the bar.

"Good morning Zeki." The bar tender jumped over to him, thanking the Cetra that his best customer had entered. The sooner that he came, the sooner the kids could get rid of his madness. "What are you to have today?"

"Shut yer f***n' mouth and get me some mai tai."

The man nodded and scurried off. Zeki looked to his left to see Zack sipping on a cup of sake. He sneered at his past companion. Sephiroth shifted in his chair. Not too much, for if he did he would surely fall out from tenseness. He didn't see why he had to do this. Hurt his friend to help him? How was that possible?

Zeki soon became impatient with the man.

"Hey! OLD MAN! Hurry up! I'm not sitting here for my health, y' know! I came to drink and get hangovers! So hurry up so that I can get started!"

The bar tender ran out, bottle of mai tai in hand he placed it in front of the fiery-haired young soldier. Zack tapped his fingers on the counter. When was Lenoa going to come out?! It seemed like she was taking forever!

As if those slight tapps summoned her, she walked out of the kitchen.

Zeki looked around, confused. He then shrugged and began to chug the alcoholic beverage straight from the bottle. Lenoa walked over to Sephiroth, and the boy took off his jacket and hat as he sat up in the chair. On his face was the expression of "Oh, my! How did you know?!"

Zeki looked at Sephiroth, then blinked. Zack walked over to the young soldier and began to cut the cake. Zeki, then did the most unexpected thing.... He laughed.

The boy arose from his stool and danced over to the table. He stopped right in front of Lenoa.

"You," he began, slow and quiet, "are.... the nicest woman that I have ever met. No," as Lenoa was about to reply, or scream, Zack wasn't sure which, Zeki covered her mouth with his hand. "Don't say anything, or else your friend here will be.... how should I put it? Killed is such a lame word.... mutilated.... murdered.... eliminated.... wiped from existence.... choose one, I have more. You were kind enough to wait for me to get here before you began the party." He pulled out a gun from his jacket pocket. "Well, let me say that it has only begun."

He slid his hand away from her mouth, and her lip just quivered. No one had expected this. He walked over to Zack, his gun pointed at his head. "And, you, dear Zack.... You were planning this the whole time. It isn't nice to keep secrets. You wanted me to go insane, didn't you? That hurts me so much!" He wiped an imaginary tear out of his eye. Zack stiffened. "Well, I have a secret that I have been keeping from you! I already am insane!" He began to laugh, but a few seconds later stopped abruptly. "No, wait. To follow the theory that all mad men claim that they are sane.... I'M PERFECTLY NORMAL!" Saliva flew onto Zack's face. The boy calmly wiped it off. Zeki turned the gun point on Lenoa. Her silent sobs seemed to annoy him.

He turned his fiery gaze to Sephiroth. "Aw, look how weak she is. She is crying from fear. Why don't you help her? She wants you to." Zeki threw the cake off the table and held the gun to Seph's temple. The boy's face was only inches away from Seph's own. "Heh, now you.... YOU are the worst of us all. You hold a secret that you won't tell anyone, except the little voices in your head. In that way, you are just like me. I could kill you right now, I do need your power. There are two ways that I can get it."

There are only two things that I can think of that he could do now. Kill me, of kiss me. I hope that he does neither.

"You shouldn't hope anything, boy! I could do either to you now, I could do both. I choose.... my way." Instead of doing the two things Sephiroth had thought, he leaned over and licked the teenager. Sephiroth didn't even flinch.

"One question, Zeki. How can you get my power by licking me?"

"That's the beauty of it you see! I can't!" He then kissed the boy.

Seph, of course, struggled. He did NOT like the feeling of this! His mind exploded with power. It thought the same thing, over and over and over again. Whywhywhywhywhywhwhywhywhywhywhywhy?

Zack truly didn't want to look, but the brilliant flare of green light shocked him. It covered the whole bar and Sephiroth was at it's source. It made Zeki fly across the room. All the air around the boy seemed to be full of power. Power that Zack had never felt. Sephiroth's hair flew straight up in a wind felt only by him. The floor of the bar indented into the shape of the Tree of Life, the Sephiroth.

The color faded and he was lifted into a silver breeze. He hovered there, unconscious. His hair around him seemed to form a shimmering wing on his right side, and one that absorbed all light on the left. His skin turned pale as a bright purple light enveloped him.

Even through the depths of his mind the three could hear him scream. It curdled the blood in Zack's veins and Lenoa attached herself to his arm, then backed away from him, seeing Zeki's murderous glare.

A blinding flash of red light simmered, then there, where Sephiroth had been stood a woman with Seph's long silver hair and pale skin. Her eyes were cold as ice and she was clad in leather from head to toe.

She thrust her hands out in front of her and murmured "Venir compagnon, limites ton pouvoir. Envoyer il vers moi." She then cupped her hands as if receiving something. Into the darkness the beauty faded, clutching her precious prize to her body.

Zeki coughed. "Come companion, confine thy power. Send it to me...." He then collapsed onto the floor.

Seph was there on the table where the cake had once been. The bar was no longer a bar. It was a dump.

Lenoa sniffled. "I don't get it.... he wasn't supposed to do that."

Zack walked up to her. "C'mon man! Pull yourself together! You are the only one who can help them. I am not even strong enough to do that. I don't have the training and skill."

"Now, tell me, Zack. Who kept their head in that crazy thing called a fight? I know that I certainly didn't! So stop complaining. You should be glad that Zeki didn't kill you."

Zack sighed and ran into the back room to apologize to the Bar tender about the mess.

_________

Zack bowed again to the man. "I am really very sorry, we did not expect that to happen. I thought that I knew the boy's mind frame. Apparently I was wrong."

The soldier got thwaped in the head with a wooden cane. "You had better be sorry! The only problem with sorry is that it doesn't un-do do the damage! You will have to work to get the money so that you can repair the destruction that you did with your own two hands. I built this with my own two hands, you can repair it!"

Zack bowed and got hit. Bowed again and got hit, this pattern continued for many long minutes, it was as though Zack wanted this punishment.

What am I thinking?! I have been in the army too long! At this point, Lenoa walked in.

The old man hit Zack again. "You see, you should learn responsibility and find a young girl to teach you how to be calm and peaceful, like that young girl over there." He pointed to Lenoa. The old man then opened his eyes. They were the same silver-ish violet as Lenoa's.

"Grandpa?"

"Lenoa?"

The short, bald man ran forward to hug his granddaughter. She knelt down and cried for a few moments.

"Were you that young girl in the fight?"

With her arms still around the small man, she nodded.

"I am so sorry! I haven't seen you in so long that I didn't recognize you." He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back. "Here, let me see you. My, you sure have grown and blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Hmm...." He turned to Zack, "You don't seem like such a bad kid." He turned back to Lenoa. "I am now allowing you to date." He then began to walk away.

"Grandpa! This is Zack! My best friend! I can't just...."

"Technicalities, technicalities...." His voice trailed off as he left the room to check on Sephiroth and Zeki. His bald head gleamed in the light streaming through the window. One hand was resting behind his back, the other gripped his wooden cane.

Lenoa sighed. She looked at Zack who was facing the back wall.

The girl blushed. "Do you think he was serious about the...."

"Forget about it." Zack brushed off his pants. "He was probably just joking. Pay the old man no mind." (Zack always calls Lenoa's Grandpa "Old man.")

Lenoa turned to the door to follow her grandfather.

_________

Lenoa leaned over Zeki. "Grandpa? Do you think that he will be OK?"

"I don't know. We will just have to wait and see."

A figure at the other end of the room shifted, then sat up. Green eyes opened as he leaned against the wall behind him. Sephiroth's shirt was torn and ragged. The hem of his pants were just as bad, if not worse.

"Heh," his voice was tired and hoarse. "Where have I heard that before?"

The doctor smiled to see that at lest one of her companions was going to make it.

The boy winced as a burst of pain shot through his head. He slumped over, grasping his head. He shifted, trying to make the agony subside. Through his mouth a roar erupted. A blue haze covered his vision as he was taken back into his mind. He was, once again, going to see what was to be.

_________

Zack fell to the ground as if a force pushed him to it. His head throbbed with a dull pain. He felt as though he had been brought into another time to see the future or past. He reached for his head to calm the pain's fury. He collapsed as another wave of torture overtook him in one blow.

_________

A girl in a pink dress knelt on an altar, waiting for an answer from the Planet. She had been praying all day, and still she had no answer. Still, she was quiet and patient with her mentor. Ever since she was little she had been able to speak to her.

Her hair hung in a high ponytail. A pink ribbon was tied into it, a white piece of materia set into the knot. Her red jacket kept her warm in this palace of ice. Aeris knew that this was the best place to communicate with the Planet. She had to ask for help. A meteor was flying towards them at a radical speed. As the last Cetra in existence, it was her duty to protect the people of her land, and even the land herself.

It was to be a large duty, but one she had to stand up to. Her mind was traveling, she had to concentrate, or else she would never be able to hear the Planet's wise words before she died.

Aeris did not see or hear her companion coming up to her. He raised his sword as if it was not of his own will. As it rose above his head, he struggled to get control of his body before he.... The sword began to fall.

A voice called his name. He stepped back from the Cetra, looking as if he just woke up from a horrible nightmare. He shook with fear. Tension filled the air. What had been controlling him? He glared at nothing. Sephiroth was here; He was the only one with that power. A figure dropped from above, sword unsheathed. For a moment, the young man thought that it had to have been himself.

That was until he saw that the man was clad in solid black and silver hair flew behind him. Sephiroth jumped from above, impaling the last hope of the future. No blood seeped from the wound. The Masamune made sure that not even a drop was spilled.

Aeris's green eyes opened as though to say, "I'm sorry. I should have told you...." Her face went pale as she slipped from the blade and fell to the icy floor. The General stepped back from the girl. Cloud ran to her, he propped her up onto his arm. Tears ran down his face as he fumed his fury on the murderer.

The General just shook his head in amusement. He laughed at the young man. His green eyes gleamed with insane fire.

Cloud told the older man a numerous amount of times to shut up. There was no reason for him to be lying anymore. "We will never hear her laugh, or cry again. She will never get angry and she will never smile. What are we to do now?"

The General continued to laugh. He told the boy that he couldn't possibly have feelings, he was a puppet. He then jumped into the air, dropping something as he flew off.

_________

Zack awoke in his own room. His mind ringing with the remnants of the dream. What had it been all about? That girl seemed familiar, but he had never seen her. She looked quite a bit like the little girl in the library. She had those same eyes, and her hair.... but it couldn't possibly have been her. Zack rolled over to see Zeki staring at him.

Zack jumped and scooted towards the wall. His eyes widened in fear. His hair seemed to become more spiky in his adrenaline rush. Zack had not been expecting to see Zeki at this time. Wait, what time is it? He looked at Zeki. Now is not the time for one to be checking one's watch. He shifted uncomfortably.

Zeki's eyes were deep in despair. His face was pale and dark bags hung under his eyes. Aqua stared into hazel for long moments before someone spoke.

"Y.... you're alive...."

Zack looked at his sane companion skeptically. "Wha'?"

"You passed out in the kitchen of the sector 2 bar.... I am so sorry for what I did.... It's just like I...." He lunged at Zack.

The boy tried to scramble away, but then realized that the teenager was merely hugging him. Zeki began to sob into his friend's shoulder. My, where have I seen this before? He patted the boy on the back. Once Zeki's tears subsided into slight sniffles, he let go.

Zack smiled. "So, how long have I been out?"

"Not long. Only about a day."

"What time is it?"

"Oh, it's about 8:00 PM."

Zack laughed. "Man, I'm hungry."

"We are having chicken broth and cornbread with a side of corn."

"Heh, the exact same...."

"Hmm?"

"Oh, this is nearly the same conversation that Seph and I had the day that he regained consciousness. He scattered it throughout the evening, though. How is the Kid, by the way?"

Zeki looked to the floor.

"Zeki....?"

"He is still out. Lenoa is watching over him. He passed out the same time as you. He was back for a few seconds, or so Lenoa's grandpa says, then he clutched his head and screamed. They heard you from the kitchen doing the same. Seph passed out then, and so did you."

Zack shook his head and heaved a deep sigh. "I am sorry, Zeki.I know you feel responsible, but when you look at it from another angle, it was my own."

"Your own?" Zeki mumbled. He lifted his eyes to look at his companion. "No, Zack. I have looked at it from every angle, but still I see no one else to blame."

"So place the blame on no one. There is no reason to blame yourself. You had gone insane because of my stubborn-ness. If I would have just said 'I promise' to him, none of this would have happened."

The door swung open and the argument was abruptly cut off by two figures in the doorway.

Zeki's head shot up with a start and a large grin spread across his pale face. "Seph!" was the only word there spoken. Zeki charged for the boy and latched himself around his neck.

At first Sephirothseemed shocked with the sudden burst of emotion, but he soon warmed up to it and embraced Zeki to calm his shaky nerve.

Loud sobbs soon began to errupt from the boy's mouth and silent tears ran down Sephiroth's cheek. The pain was equally shared between the two.

Zack felt a dampness on his own cheek, but did not bother to wipe it away. Instead he looked to the other figure and smiled at her. Lenoa rolled her teary eyes, but did not utter a word.

As everything quited down, Zeki began to mumble apologies for what he had done. This led into another fit of tears. Sephiroth smiled and pat him on the back.

Lenoa glided over to sit by Zack on the bed and watch the touching spectacle. It wasn't every day you got to see Sephiroth Hojo cry in that hauntingly silent way.

Note: Woah.... That didn't take very long for me to write! The other part took about a year! Too much writer's block. I don't think that anybody has read this yet, so I am hoping to get an E-mail from some once they do. Oh! My cousin Rashell is turning my stuff into mangas! Sugoi, ne? Also, in the last one my note was signed '~Neki-chan" I, Haily, am Neko-chan. This is a nick-name from My Sailor moon Fan-Fic called Solar Stars. I hope I don't get any mis-understandings! Well, Jaa!

~Haily Firestone Rocksmith