AN: Thank you for the review! I'm really grateful - here's number four!

Chapter Six: Aftermaths

I woke up alone, which wasn't the most reassuring way I would have liked to begin the day. Does this mean I'm free to go, that what he told me was all an elaborate lie and now I was used, discarded? That sent a nasty chill down my spine. Which was worse, being used and discarded, but ultimately free to go, or trapped but with him still by my side?

I drew the covers closer to me and my heart didn't miss a beat when I noticed the door to the room where I used to be tied up was locked; I was able to make out the lock hooking the double doors together. What have I done?

Ruined; That's what I've done, I have ruined my life sleeping with this man. Is he even a man? He moves too quickly, he's physically too strong, but I can't see him to be some kind of monster because he's too human looking. The eyes, I forgot those slit pupils so his eyes were like those of a cat, or a snake. My life is permanently changed by this abduction. If he lets me go, I'm not going to forget something like this, so it will be forever engraved on my mind. What if I take a husband, I-I'm meant to be pure and virtuous, at least that's what I had planned for myself. Sorry honey, I was kidnapped aged twenty one and the guy sort of coerced, though I partly was willing, me into sex. I don't think that would work out too well, so I've also ruined my life all by myself.

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This is what Loz lived for sometimes. The fight he knew was going to ensue already has his blood pumping, ready for action. The second prong to the attack wasn't particularly endearing at all, but it had to be done. It was all part of the plan.

He didn't bother using any speed, instead preferring to stroll to the small dilapidated church. It was one of the few relics of the old Midgar that survived, by some miracle. Loz didn't believe in miracles, but still a miracle of a kind that it still stood as it was. Loz stopped outside it to look at it for a while. Around it lay rubble of buildings that did not meet such a lucky fate and Loz cracked his knuckles. This is where one of the fool Planet savers chose to live his life. Cloud Strife was an idiot and need to be put down before he could stir up trouble for the three of them. That wouldn't do at all, especially with one failed attempt already. Kadaj hadn't been pleased by their actions nearly killing Strife, but somehow had also been cheered by the closeness of his death. Kadaj had had a better day then, according to Yazoo. Yazoo's eyes told Loz that this meant nothing. Going from just warning Cloud to instructing Loz to finish the blond off today didn't bode well at all, but they had to follow Kadaj now; he had Jenova instructing him and what he said was as good as from Jenova herself, wherever she was. After dealing with these Planet savers, the next part of their plan would be put into motion: finding Jenova's body. Or head – whatever was left of her. Kadaj seemed adamant a part of her had survived otherwise they wouldn't be hearing her in their heads those years ago.

Loz didn't know what to make of the situation. As far as he was concerned, his main part in the plan concerned Neriah, since neither of the other two wanted to interact particularly with her if they could help it, yet they wanted her to be converted to their way of thinking and Loz knew that no-one would be willing to attempt to create such chaos – especially Neriah. She was pretty strong willed, but still… she did give in to him. She was growing on him, though she could be a little too outspoken at times, almost as if she forgot she was being held captive. On occasion, it lapsed his mind that she had been abducted by him and it disturbed him a little.

A job had to be done today, and he had to focus on that, so he cleared his head and slowly opened the large double doors of the church. He looked in to find that Cloud wasn't there and rolled his eyes, deciding that this wouldn't be a good start to the day if Kadaj threw an insane tantrum. He went to leave when he caught sight of another of the Planet savers – the dark haired one – Tifa. A slow grin crossed his face. Perhaps he wouldn't kill Cloud today, but if he could leave the man another message…

"Hello," he said in his baritone voice and the woman straightened before turning around to face him, a protective arm around the accompanying girl's shoulder.

"Who are you?" she asked suspiciously and Loz shrugged, stepping closer menacingly in a slow gait.

"I wouldn't exactly say I was a friend. I was looking for Strife, but he seems to be out, so I'll just relay a message to him," he said, deadening his eyes. Tifa gave Marlene, who she now wished hadn't come, a little push and leaned down to whisper, "You have to run when I say."

She straightened and balled her hands into fists before charging at the silver haired man as fast as she could, "RUN!"

Marlene scrambled to the side of the church with a screech and dived under a table. She refused to leave Tifa when that man seemed out to hurt them. She hated the grin on his face with a passion.

Tifa threw a barrage of punches at the man, but he managed to deflect most of them with his Dual Hound, though was surprised at her strength and tenacity. It hadn't taken her two seconds to realise he was trouble and she immediately went to deal with it. He supposed the Planet savers weren't as foolish as he took them for.

Tifa fell back and gathered herself, determined to take this man down before he hurt her, Cloud or the church. Some things had to be preserved and this place was one of a few that had survived Meteor. The pink ribbon around her arm was for Aeris – everyone in the team wore one for her and she wasn't going to wear it in vain. With renewed determination she ran at him again, directing a kick at his chest with a grimace.

With ease Loz grabbed her attempted kick and spun her in several spins, before letting go with the intention for the dark haired woman to hit the wall, but somehow she twisted in the air and landed on her feet against the side of the wall. The petals from the flower bed had fluttered everywhere caused by their destruction. Loz hadn't looked at first, but his head rose, a grin gracing his face, but it faded when he saw her look down at him with dark eyes that were cold and hard. Murderous.

She flew at him, pushing her legs and arms off the walls and tackled him to the ground, her knees driven into his stomach, but he didn't cry out though the pain had finally touched him. In response, he levered his knees up so she was flipped up and over his head, falling hard on her back, and Loz took the opportunity to get up and ready himself for another attack.

On his feet, he swiftly checked his Dual Hound, a mixture of arm guard and something that could gouge with its twin points if need be. He barely took his eyes from the metal device when a punch hit him square in the solar plexus and he fell back, thankful the leather had absorbed most of the impact.

Tifa came at him again, but he quickly jerked his head back and avoided the blow, only to be hit with a flurry of a dozen more punches. All he could do was be hit and try to raise the Dual Hound in protection while backing off. It hadn't hurt, but it had surprised him. He stared at Tifa for a moment, surprised at her quick recovery, but all he saw was tiredness and anger. And so another smirk appeared on his face.

"You dare invade this church," she growled and lifted a leg, then snapped it into his face, causing Loz to stumble sideways from the impact to his jaw. Loz briefly squeezed his eyes shut from the searing pain that spread from his jaw across his face, but pushed it aside and surged forward, smashing his Dual Hound into Tifa's side, making her scream and grip the pain in her side, then roll and push both of her legs up and into his jaw. He saw this coming and used his inhuman speed to fall back and leap over her as she rolled to her feet, and then smash his Dual Hound into her back. She fell to the ground, the pain in her back throbbing intensely.

Loz halted for a moment, annoyed that the battle was going to end in such a pathetic manner, then grabbed Tifa's neck and yanked her head up, planting a blow in the back of her head. He turned Tifa over and let her fall to the floor, the flowers surrounding her. Loz had applied the right amount of force to the blow so her eyes were fluttering dazedly. She was just conscious enough to hear his speech before he departed; he needed to give her a message before leaving. Roughly, Loz picked her head off the floor and stared at her coldly.

"Just a warning - don't you or Strife try messing with us. This is what happens." He let go of her head and her eyes slid shut and remained still, unconscious on the bed of flowers. For a moment he pitied himself that he hadn't the time to relish the fight, instead focusing on the battle at hand as well as the speech afterward. Loz didn't even bother regarding her to make sure she was out when he turned on his heel and left the church, pausing to pick up a white flower as he left. He could present it to Neriah later.

His eyes swept over the room before he left, suddenly anticipating that Marlene had not listened to Tifa's advice. Sure enough, he spotted the little girl crouching in a corner and as soon as their eyes connected, the little girl ran to Tifa, calling the woman's name.

"Sorry little girl, but she's not waking up for a while. Why don't you come with me?" he tried to persuade the girl, but Marlene shook her head, her eyes riveted on Tifa.

Loz, tired of dealing with the child, menacingly approached her, making her turn and stare fearfully into his cool gaze. They departed, Marlene kicking and screaming under an arm while in the other dangled the flower.

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I couldn't get to my clothes or the bathroom, which annoyed me to no end. I was effectively held prisoner in this bed until he returned, which more than pissed me off. Did he just expect me to happily sit here, or did he forget like with the food? Loz is more than a mystery sometimes; he's a full blown enigma.

I was just about to try yanking the double doors open to get to 'my' room when I heard the other door begin to unlock. A mixture of relief and annoyance flooded through me and I opened my mouth to indignantly yell, "You could have at least allowed me to get dressed!"

There was no reply and I started to get worried. Was he mad at me, or about to throw me out, or what? My body tensed as the door opened, then my eyes went wide.

"AHHH!" I screeched when the other silver haired men from that gang speech entered and I wrapped the covers as tightly as I could manage around myself, my eyes straining from nearly popping out of my head. The creepiest thing was how unconcerned they seemed about my position. They didn't seem in the least bit interested that I was naked. I shuddered; what were they going to do?

"I see that Loz has spent some time with you," the teenager said coolly, his eyes dead looking and disturbing. These two were so… inhuman compared to Loz. I wished I had some damn clothes, but it wasn't going to do any good.

"You're… Kadaj and Yazoo, right? Loz spoke about you," I said warily and Yazoo tipped his head to one side, his snake eyes focusing on my sharply. It was quite a contrast to that faraway expression he seemed to hold at the speech and made me even more uncomfortable.

"So he has told you about us. We were wondering if we should introduce ourselves as you shall be spending some time with us in the near future," a small cold smile curled onto Yazoo's lips and I shuffled as far back as I could, which wasn't nearly far enough.

"Time?" my voice shook slightly no matter how hard I tried to hold it steady. If they were as strong and agile as Loz, then I was more than done for. No hope for escape, nothing if they didn't want me to. As I thought this, Kadaj curled his lip in disgust and turned his intense blue-green eyes on me.

"Physical intimacy won't be on the cards if that's what you mean. As if. Loz can keep his little pet," he hissed and I recoiled, hurt by his comment. Kadaj turned to leave and looked to Yazoo, who returned to his more dreamy state and was looking into space.

"Yazoo, let's go. I have other business to attend to," Kadaj continued and Yazoo absently nodded before turning a softer gaze on me.

"We shall meet again… he has not mentioned you by name, as of yet," Yazoo trailed and I lowered my head. A part of me wanted to simply scream, another just tell him so they left and a last piece that was considering whether it was a good or bad sigh Loz hadn't referred to me by name. Was he protecting me somehow from them, or was I too worthless to even be given a name?

"Neriah," I said faintly and Yazoo nodded, then left with Kadaj, who ignored me completely and simply left. Those guys really shook me up and I hated every minute in their presence. Today has been awkward enough as it is, but to pile them on top of it all is just too much.

I sat in my swaddled covers for an hour before Loz returned, looking a little dishevelled but cheerful, and he frowned at my scared expression as soon as he entered.

"What? You look spooked," he said and I didn't say anything – it felt like my jaw had just seized up. I wasn't even angry at him anymore, just… a little scared. Okay, a bit terrified. I shrugged and he came closer, curiosity clear on his face.

"Neriah, what happened?" he said with a more forceful tone in his force, now beside the bed and I managed to meet his eyes.

"Um, Kadaj and Yazoo paid me a little visit," I explained and Loz's face hardened.

"What did they say or do?" he questioned stonily and I shrugged, shaking me head.

"Nothing much. I think they were introducing themselves, or something. Maybe checking up on me?" I suggested and Loz relaxed marginally before moving to where 'my' room was and unlocking it.

"You can get washed and dressed while I go out for a while. You know not to try anything, Neriah," he said and left, locking all the doors behind him. I stayed where I was for a while, thinking. When I looked down at the end of the bed where he'd been standing, a beautiful white flower lay and my mouth fell open. I froze for several minutes in pure shock. What the hell was he thinking? After some time I cautiously got up, dragging the covers with me for modesty, and approached the flower. Where had he got it and why? Perhaps it was a ploy to charm me – to convince me that he wants me in some sick, strange way. It's all part of a ploy is the only conclusion I can draw. With a frown I picked it up and stroked its delicate petals. It was velvety to the touch and very beautiful. Though Meteor wrecked Midgar and allowed for plants and wildlife to grow where the land had been cleared, nothing like this had grown, only scrubby short plants with no flowers. Midgar plants were like its people – fighting for survival without a care for beauty.

A part of me wanted to get rid of the flower, but I just couldn't destroy something as striking as this in a dull world of concrete and machinery. It would be… unacceptable. Instead I took it into the bathroom a few rooms away and tipped out the cup that had held toothbrushes and filled it with water. My new makeshift vase complete, I placed the flower gently in the water and took a moment to admire it before turning away to shower and dressed. I really needed some more clothes if I was going to be held here all this time. Perhaps I could bring it up with Loz. Where had he gone?

A shower and some dressing later and I sat in my usual spot in the room adjacent to Loz's on the solid unvarnished floorboards with my back to the pitifully tiny letterbox window made of a yellowish misted glass. Cross-legged, I closed my eyes and attempted to meditate. I'd never learnt to meditate, but I did what I thought could be considered meditation; calm steady breaths, my hands lightly resting on my knees and clearing my head of troublesome thoughts. I wasn't a captive when I was meditating, I was… elsewhere, buried in my thoughts. The happiest thoughts I had, which weren't tons. Many of them had my best friend Beliqua in them. I missed her and wondered if she thought I'd been murdered. She was pretty much all I had for a family and vice-versa. Though I could be quite strong physically, she had an inner strength that could crush mine. She would probably manage fine without me. Beliqua was a survivor.

I didn't like these thoughts at all. Too upsetting… I shifted my legs about since one was starting to go to sleep and redirected my thoughts elsewhere. My clothes. Maybe I could get Loz to take me to my house to get my clothes, though I guess it would be a little risky. Beliqua might have cleared it out, or even be there. Someone new might have already moved in. I still had my house key in my trouser pocket, which could come in useful.

With a heavy sigh, I had had enough of meditating and thinking. I just wanted to go to sleep and never wake up. I couldn't leave myself so vulnerable with Loz about no matter what had happened between us. I couldn't let it happen again, but was there anything else I could do? Hopefully he would leave me alone.

I stood up and balled my hands into fists and paced around. Part of my routine was to try the handles on all the doors – just in case. One was opposite the window, a plain wooden door that didn't look like it led to anywhere worthwhile. But when it opened in my hand, it made my heart leap with renewed hope. I yanked it open wider to peer into the darkness, my eyes alight with curiosity.

"Oh." It was a closet. No clothes, but plenty of other things to entertain. Books, papers, a few scattered pens. More useless things like music CDs – no player in sight. Still, books could make this thing a little more bearable. I began rummaging through all this stuff and wondered whose it was. It didn't look like Loz's, but more likely the previous owner of this place, wherever they were. If they were lucky, they were killed in Meteor, if not… they met a silver haired man and met a most likely gruesome end. Kadaj and Yazoo didn't look pleasant at all. At least Loz tried to be a little human, though he failed and was just a jackass. But better than those other two. If I were in their captivity, I reckon I'd be chained up and never fed. And on that train of thought – why the hell was I here anyway? Loz hadn't done much so far, except… did that have a point? Why me out of everyone? He'd told me I'd been chosen, but with no indication for what purpose. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought that the three of them were in on it together.

To calm my nerves I picked up a book and shut the cupboard then returned to my spot by the window and read. I didn't know how calm and uneventful the next few days were going to be. Until that say Loz made an announcement that surprised me to no end. That day showed me something about Loz I'd never really noticed or thought about before. It also made me realise some things about myself I would have rather not and set the scene for a whole chain of events I was going to both regret and look back on in the future with a fondly pained look. Those memories had been both been painful, but held something I never wanted to forget. How foolish. Hindsight is a funny thing now, but…

… I think even with the benefit of hindsight, the silly thing is… I think I would still go through with it all.