'White flag nervously waving'

Dear Readers, I am so sorry for the long wait I have put you through!! (Nervous laugh, Please return the butcher knives to the kitchen drawer, that's better) I personally vowed I would never go for months without updating and guess what, I did. Huge apologizes! I sort of stopped writing, but thanks to my sister and an author friend of mine, they got my rear in gear and I completed this chapter in less than a week (they chained me to my laptop and threatened me with fifty lashing by a wet noodle. That's a heck of a lot of incentive!). I hope you will enjoy it and a little note, I changed my characters' thoughts from being in quotation marks to italics.

Anyways...have an awesome day. Happy Reading!

Chapter Seven- Hunted

"Alright, so why were we summoned this early on a Saturday morning? It has to be at least 8:00 a.m." Reno asked nonchalantly, reclining in Tseng's black, leather, office chair, his feet propped up on their leader's spacious, expensive desk.

"I don't really know, Tseng was rather vague," Elena replied, frowning at the fiery red-haired Turk, "He just told me it was highly classified, of national security, and required our unique skills. He will give us all the details when he arrives."

"Sounds good. Haven't had something big in a real, long time. Almost like Shinra forgot about us, the pricks. I need some extra gil anyway," Reno smirked, interlacing his fingers behind his head.

"Reno, would please take your filthy shoes off Tseng's desk! He should be here any minute," Elena hissed, annoyed with the disheveled and rude manner Reno always seemed to be in. This was something serious and he still had the gall to treat it like some fast food order. The quicker and sloppier it was done, the better. Plus, he was being so disrespectful towards Tseng's things! How he became a Turk is still a mystery to me, she thought with a shake of her head.

"I agree with Elena. You probably should remove yourself, Reno. I don't think Tseng would appreciate how you are using his office," Rude suddenly commented, causing Reno to quirk an eyebrow at their usually silent, continually sunglass wearing companion. Elena smiled in triumph.

"Two against one! Now get your sorry butt off that chair before I do it for you," Elena threatened.

"Right, that's some incentive move, Laney," Reno rolled his eyes.

"Give a guy a break, woman! I had to drag this sorry butt out of a very nice bed. The least Tseng can do is accommodate me," Reno replied smoothly.

"Really?" A cool, authoritative voice replied and in strolled Tseng, dressed professionally and every strand of hair in place. Reno immediately stumbled out of the chair to join Elena and Rude in Tseng's other office seats.

"I was just, uh, warming your seat for you, Tseng ol' pal," Reno explained hastily, flashing one of his award winning smiles.

"You are not forgiven," Tseng replied casually, though he inwardly grinned at the untidy Turk's antics. Reno always helped keep things light in the otherwise dark pursuit they did called a job. He set down three folders each stamped with the words Top Secret across them on his mahogany desk. His comrades reached forward to see who their next targets were and receive their debriefing.

"No freakin' way!" Reno exclaimed in amazement as a picture of Sephiroth glared up at him.

"I bet Hojo is one P. O. Professor!" he continued, still in shock.

"Yes, he is in fact," Tseng admitted, still recalling the seething expression on Hojo's face.

Not a way to start one's morning, he thought ruefully.

"As you can clearly see, Sephiroth has taken an unauthorized leave of absence from Shinra. It is our job to discover his trail and bring him back, unscathed," Tseng informed his still stunned co-workers.

"Wait a minute," Elena murmured, flipping through a couple more pages, "I thought we just..."

"Yes, we have an old favorite we're after, again. The Ancient, Aeris," Tseng sighed.

"It appears from the information that's been gathered, Sephiroth freed her, taking her along with him," Tseng finished, sitting down at his desk. Run far and run fast, Aeris, he thought, closing his eyes, You have been given a second chance at freedom. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you before, but I will do all I can to keep you free.

"Tseng, are you all right?" Elena asked softly, faint concern in her voice for their leader. Tseng's eyes flashed open, his face turning into a harden mask of a professional. How he hated when he would let his cover slip and emotions show when he was on a job!

"I was just thinking," he stated, a bit harsher than he wished. Softening he added, "This is a serious mission and it is going to take our finest to get the results Shinra deserves. Since we are going up against the strongest, most powerful man on the face of Gaia, do not try to engage him or overpower him," Tseng frowned slightly.

"Unless, of course, you have half of SOLDIER behind you," Reno supplied with a lazy smirk.

"Of course, but please use intelligence and cunning even when you have a lot of muscle," Tseng replied seriously.

" This is Sephiroth, destroyer of Wutai. Get prepared and meet at the hanger in one hour. Reno, you're flying the chopper. We have picked up their last know whereabouts," Tseng point to the location on his holographic touch-pad.

"It shouldn't take us long to reach. I don't have to remind you how important this mission is." Tseng gazed at each of his comrades for a long moment. Immediately their demeanors altered and as leader what he desired to see in his group surfaced on their visages.

"You got it, boss," Reno answered, his eyes looking brighter and more alert almost instantly. It was time for business.

"I'll be ready in thirty," Elena stated, rising up in a single, fluid motion. She straightened her suit, giving Tseng a curt nod and their eyes locked briefly. Tseng gave her a small smile before she exited the office.

Rude simply adjusted his glasses, a sign well understood by the others, do-not-mess-with-me-I'm-on-a-job.

Tseng stood alone in his office. Touches of pride pricked at his heart. No man could ask for finer associates in life. Each was loyal and honest to the other. A memory surfaced back to when Elana had just joined their ranks.

Rude and Tseng had taken the only pair of fold out chairs while Elena and Reno had to share a lime-green couch which had seen much better days as the four of them were kicking back at a Shinra airfield hanger.

"You did good, Elana. You passed exceptionally high," Tseng said in the conversation's momentary lapse of silence as they watched an airship take flight. Elena's cheeks immediately grew a darker red than the blush she was wearing. She fingered the edge of her dark suit before looking up at Tseng. Their eyes met for a second and Tseng could swear he saw something more than thankfulness from the compliment in her eyes...

"Yeah, a lot better that me, Laney," Reno added, breaking the moment, slinging an arm over Elena's shoulders, and sipping a beer all simultaneously . Elena rolled her eyes at the nickname Reno had given her. He had a horrible habit of pronouncing each syllable painfully slow, La...n..e..y.

"Well that's not hard to imagine," she grunted, harshly shoving Reno's offending arm off her. Reno grabbed his swaying beer from the sudden movement. He glared at her for a second, nursing the beer close to his chest.

"Geez, Laney, give me a bit of warning before you plan to rock the boat," he muttered begrudgingly. Elena just shook her blonde hair, a self satisfied smile on her lips. This earned a chuckle from the usually silent Rude.

"What's so funny?" Reno snorted at the bald black man. Rude removed his sunglasses to wipe a bit of dust off them.

"To see the smooth Reno frazzled by a woman," Rude replied simply, putting his sunglasses back on. Reno sighed and looked up at the heavens, evidently trying to figure how to change the conversation.

"So Elena, what do you think, now that you're a Turk," Reno suddenly asked. Tseng picked his head up slightly at the question.

"Well, I am proud to be a Turk. It's a nice feeling to know I am one of the best Shinra has to offer. I am capable to do any job given and do it well," she responded, glancing at Tseng, "Plus the gil isn't bad," she finished with a grin. Reno gave a mirthless chuckle.

"Or Shinra's worst," Reno muttered as he took another sip of his drink .

"We may do various things for Shinra, but in the end we are just hit-men, professional assassins. And once a Turk, you can't really back out. It's the price of our job, the good lifestyle for working for a corrupt corporation."

Elena bit her lower lip. "But we do good things. We take out terrorists and fanatics which would want to harm Shinra. Yes, Shinra is flawed like everything else is, but it keeps order and peace for the most part," Elena argued back.

"You may see things differently after you been here for a while," Reno grunted as he stood up and stretched.

"Well I am going to check out my new baby."

"Reno, technically the helicopter is Shinra's property, not yours," Rude stated to the lanky, unkempt man.

"Technically isn't part of my limited vocabulary," Reno smirked, " besides I am the one going to be flying it for missions. Anyone want to try it out with me?" Rude lifted his large build off the seat and nodded.

"I'm not in the mood," Tseng said with a smile, "thanks anyway."

"Laney?"

"I'm kinda drained from today. I think I'll stay with Tseng." Elena accentuated her words by reclining exhaustedly on the sagging couch.

"O.K. , see you guys later," Reno said with a wave before trotting away with Rude in tow.

"Is it true, what Reno says?" Elena asked quietly after a few moments of comfortable silence.

"Yes," Tseng replied solemnly, looking at the fading, orange sun's rays.

"Is it worth it, in the end, to be a Turk, Tseng," Elena queried uncertainly as she sat up and pulled at a few, loose strands of the couch. Tseng turned his face to stare at the newest member of the Turks.

"I asked myself that same question and I believe in the end, yes. I think at the core of a Turk there is something noble. A Turk is good to his word, always. You could depend on a Turk with your life if the situation arose. And Turks stayed stay together, no matter what. Gaining those qualities from becoming a Turk gives me enough reason to continue on as Shinra's finest."

Tseng sat down in his chair. Yes, it was enough. He was a better man than the one from his past. The memory dissipated instantly as he riffled through the papers, but the feeling of pride remained. The clock on his computer screen indicated he still had over half an hour before meeting the group at the hanger. He leaned back in his seat, interlacing his fingers behind his head, and closing his eyes. His breathing became relaxed and steady as drifted into a meditative state. In his mind he could see Sephiroth. He stepped forward towards the image of the imposing man and was enveloped by it. This is what made Tseng the best. If I were Sephiroth, what would I do?

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Sephiroth tossed uneasily in his sleep. His body quivered as his mind was caught in the throes of another nightmare. He couldn't escape the lecherous grasps of the scientists as his body was laid bare for their instruments of torture. His whole existence felt swallowed up in the mass of hands and needles prodding him relentlessly. He was nothing in their eyes except JEC01. His body couldn't move, he couldn't even let out a scream. Just when he thought he would be overwhelmed by the feelings of loneliness, emptiness, and despair, it vanished. He sat up, startled and wary. His green mako eyes widened in shock as suddenly another form entered his dream. Aeris was sitting next to him, her small hands folded on her lap. She faced him, her rosy lips parted in a smile. Just like always in every other dream he had of her.

"I don't understand, why are you here? Always in my dreams," Sephiroth asked, confusion lacing his words as he scooted away to put some distance between their bodies. Aeris didn't reply. Instead she was suddenly right beside him. So close Sephiroth could even smell her hair. It was that of lilac. One of her petite hands reached up and gently descended over his heart. Sephiroth's breath hitched in his throat as her lips came near his left ear.

"You don't have to be alone, Sephiroth," she whispered softly.

Sephiroth immediately bolted up into a sitting position, panting heavily. It was still dark. The gray haze of morning hadn't even illuminated the earth. He sat still for a moment, his body shaking and drenched in sweat. The last few tendrils of his dream clung to his consciousness. It had Aeris in it, the woman he had freed from Shinra, but that wasn't what unnerved him so. It was those final words of the dream that she spoke and the feelings she evoked. Was it peace or contentment? He didn't know. All he knew was what he once thought a fantasy to ease his pain of reality was a flesh and blood woman. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the uncomfortable emotions he was experiencing. He needed to keep things simple. Return Aeris, then get his revenge.

Sephiroth took in his surroundings. With mild interest he noticed his coat was folded neatly beside him. On top of it was the water canteen and a pile of berries. On closer inspection he found them to be blackberries. His head jerked up to see Aeris on her designated side of the fire, happily munching on said berries in the palm of her hand. Aeris must have felt his heated gaze for her head snapped up to see a pair of luminous, green eyes in the darkness peering intently at her.

"Oh good morning, Sephiroth," Aeris exclaimed pleasantly, pleased to see her companion back from the land of slumber.

" I didn't notice you were awake. I just got up twenty minutes ago, I think. I found a stream not to too far from here and refilled the canteen. The water is good, very crisp tasting. And I also found a blackberry bush. The berries are absolutely divine! I picked some for you as well," (I would end sentence here and start a new with Aeris pointed...) Aeris pointed to the neat, little mound she had created. Sephiroth only continued to stare at her strangely.

Aeris began to feel slightly self-conscious and sneaked a glance at her dress. It wasn't stained, just a little rumpled. Aeris popped another blackberry into her mouth, savoring its sweet juice. I wish he could be a little more friendly at times. Well in my dreams he does talk to me, but he's more bewildered than anything. Yet bewildered is better than stoic and silent.

Aeris felt a brush creep on her cheeks. What would he think about that! She having dreams about him. Gods, I hope he wouldn't think of me perverted. Aeris gulped nervously. What if he could read her thoughts? Maybe that was the reason for the strange looks he was giving her.

Ahhh! O.K. Think of something else. Berries!

"So Sephiroth, are you going to try the berries or let them shrivel up.? I mean if blackberries aren't your thing, I can eat them for you," Aeris hastily asked. That seemed to snap him out of his stupor.

"No, it's fine," he replied, taking several in his mouth at once. Flavor like he had never tasted before exploded on his taste buds. He had never had anything so heavenly.

Aeris didn't miss the expression of pure enjoyment. When a face was usually void of emotion, it wasn't hard to notice a change.

"Good, aren't they.?" Aeris grinned.

"Delicious. I have only seen them in pictures. This is my first time every sampling a berry," Sephiroth murmured, momentarily letting down his guard before Aeris while quickly devouring the pile.

"You think these are good,?" Aeris replied, elated by his response. "You should try my mother's pies then. Especially strawberry-rhubarb. Just the thought makes my mouth water," Aeris sighed.

"Maybe in Midgar, before we part ways, you could try a piece," Aeris ventured. This returned Sephiroth's mask in an instant.

"I will be gone the moment I return you," Sephiroth said flatly though his heart secretly argued with the answer. I want to understand you Aeris. What makes you different? When I am near you, my hatred quells. I don't have to be alone? Does that mean..."I have more important matters to attend to."

"Oh," was all Aeris could muster.

Sephiroth arose and put his trench coat once more. He quickly and expertly clasped all the metal buckles. Lastly, he sheathed Masamune to his hip. Grabbing the canteen, he took a long sip. A sense of urgency began to tug at his limbs as the world began to gray in the morning's light. Stay focused! We have rested far too long. Stupid of me! We will just have to make up for my mistake by doubling our speed. At least my body is finally rid of that accursed virus!

"Scatter the ashes Aeris. I am going take care of the half burned pieces of wood," Sephiroth commanded.

Aeris immediately jumped to life. She knew that tone. She hurriedly went to her task with vigor and a smile. He said my name.

Sephiroth returned seconds later.

"Good," he said, surveying her handy work. Without another word he began to run and so did Aeris, towards the rising sun and farther from imprisonment.

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Tseng rubbed his chin thoughtfully. They had arrived at the clumping of trees less than ten minutes ago. Already the area was busy with teams of SOLDIER milling about, ascertaining the surroundings. It seemed that Sephiroth and Aeris had parted ways, Sephiroth in the direction of Rocket Town, Aeris to Costa de Sol.

That doesn't seem to fit. Tseng's brow furrowed. He looked up at the birch trees and wished they could relate the tale that happened here. He lowered his gaze to stare into the small forest. Sephiroth is clever. He wouldn't leave such a noticeable trail. And sending Aeris on her own? That's ridiculous. He wouldn't go through all the trouble to free her only to have her be captured again. And if my gut feeling is right, I think he got her out of Shinra to spite Hojo. Heck, I know I would.

Tseng's feet moved on their own accord, going deeper into the woods. His previous meditation as Sephiroth was still very fresh in his mind.

Yes, this feels right. The sixth sense in Tseng seemed to keep propelling forward, directing him this was the course Sephiroth had taken.

"Boss, what are your orders?" Reno's voice stopped Tseng in his tracks.

"Have Elena follow Aeris' trail with a squadron of SOLDIER. Put Rude on Sephiroth's, same orders. You will team with me. Oh, and radio over a couple more squadrons for us," Tseng replied.

"Boss, where are we heading?" Reno tried to keep the puzzlement out of his voice. He trusted Tseng more than any other human on the planet and respected his judgment. Tseng had proven himself many a time. It just was confusing, sometimes, following Tseng's gut feeling.

"We are going south, Reno," Tseng replied calmly, the wind picking up to tug at his black ponytail.

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Harvey Brad pushed through the tangled undergrowth, the vines and branches tugging at his wiry, brown hair, tan pants, and green t-shirt. The heat of summer began to be felt more prominently and he mopped his sweating brow with a tattered rag he kept in his back pocket. His beady eyes took in the campsite and nodded. He was pleased with the arrangement. It could easily pass for a poor man's hovel trying to rough it in the wilderness. He took one last glance at the stew bubbling over the fire pit he had created. Darn, did it smell good! He stepped forward, then abruptly turned on his heel and hastened to the pot. With a wooden ladle, he scooped up a good portion of the meal. Everything about it tasted of perfection. With Shinra gil, you sure could by good ingredients. He had to admit, working for them had been the best choice he had every made. His whole life had been hard, from being a scrawny kid on the streets to the sinewy, cunning man he was today. He didn't regret his past too much. It also had been good, now that he thought about it. It gave him skills he could use to his advantage as a mercenary.

He put the ladle down by the pot and got up from his crouched position. He strolled forward once more until he was back in the undergrowth. Reaching a clearing, he pulled out his holographic pad and turned it on. Two faces, vastly different from each other save for their green eyes, glimmered up at him. Two escapees from Shinra's Labs. That certainly was an unheard of thing. The massive reward for their capture had been sent to every mercenary the company knew. It was a smart move by Shinra. Harvey grinned as he checked his inbox for the fifth time. He had some connections of his own. Finally one of them had contacted him with word that the pair had been spotted. Not only spotted, but heading precisely in his direction! It couldn't be a better set up even if he had planned it. He just might take a vacation to Costa de Sol after this venture.

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Sephiroth's long strides ate up the ground as the duo jogged. Hour after hour past passed and the sun was well overhead. Sephiroth's face bore a self-satisfied smirk. It felt exhilarating to run! Freedom never tasted so sweet. He could hear Aeris panting heavily, but doggedly keeping up with him though it meant she was always a few feet behind. The long night's rest seemed to do wonders for her as well.

In the beginning she stayed beside him, her shorter legs pumping hard and fast. He would take peeks occasionally to see her face set in a determined, but happy expression. She seemed to be enjoying this just like him. Soon it became a sort of running contest. Sephiroth didn't go full out, knowing full well she would be left behind for good, but he sprinted rapidly. Sometimes they would share glances, each goading the other.

She is certainly made of stronger stuff than what her appearance would say. I can't believe I am thinking this, but I am impressed. Sephiroth was rarely impressed. When you were the very best and strongest, very little could invoke admiration. Yet, slowly, as the miles drifted by, she was being elevated in his mind. He absently began to reevaluate Aeris since the moment they met and compare her to his other dealings with humans. All paled in the comparison. Maybe she deserves status with Zack. Maybe she deserves my attention. Maybe.

I can't keep up with this pace of his anymore, Aeris concluded, her blistered feet burning like hot coals and her exhausted frame wheezing and quivering with every step she took. It was impressive to watch Sephiroth run, his muscular form never faltering. His hair billowed like a curtain of molten silver in the wind, his long strides showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. Aeris ,on the other hand, had to walk or she would surely pass out. Giving one last burst of energy, she got beside him to make her request known.

"Sephiroth," gasp, "could we," pant, "please walk for a bit," Aeris finished, finally spitting out the last words. Sephiroth felt only light annoyance, mainly from having to rein in his body, but he complied knowing his companion's request wasn't unreasonable or ill-founded. He couldn't believe she had gone so long to begin with.

Aeris let out a huge rush of air. Her legs felt like rubber noodles attach to a heaving beached whale. She certainly was going to feel this for weeks to come!

"Thank you," she wheezed, trying to suck in as much air as possible. Sephiroth gave her a nod comma earning a smile. She stepped lightly as she walked, musing absently. His aura felt less hostile around her. It was strange. She didn't quite understand it herself, but she could sense a change. I think I felt it in my dreams. Maybe a barrier was broken or at least weakened in his subconscious.

"Now that were are walking, we can talk," Aeris suddenly said.

"Why would we want to do that?" Sephiroth asked, wanting to antagonize her a wee bit.

"When you can think of something else to do that will occupy the time we have to walk, then we won't talk. Otherwise we talk," Aeris replied easily, sauntering ahead.

"Also it is what normal people do to get to know one another," Aeris said over her shoulder.

Sassy. Sephiroth balked as the word appeared and vanished in his mind. Where the hell did that come from!? The longer he was with her, the stranger the effect she seemed to have on him.

"Alright, Aeris, what do you want to talk about?" Sephiroth snorted, reaching her side.

"What is your favorite color?" It was the first thing that popped into her head. She put her hands behind her back, smiling demurely up at him.

"Red."

"Really..." Aeris was momentarily stunned."I thought it would be black."

"No. And now let me venture a guess, yours happens to be pink."

"Nope. It's turquoise," Aeris giggled a bit.

"Why black then, Sephiroth? For the attire?"

"Why pink?" Sephiroth bantered back.

"Well it's a dress my mom found for me that was on sale. It was a surprise ,which was rare for her, and when I opened the box, I immediately fell in love with it. Besides pink looks good on me, I think. Your turn."

"Being at Shinra, you don't really have much choice in attire color. Black was pretty much my only option besides navy blue which I despise."

Aeris gave him a sidelong glance."You must have been there a long time," she said quietly.

"A lifetime," Sephiroth replied as equally soft.

"So what do you plan to do with your life, now that you are free,?" Aeris asked.

"Seek revenge," he replied, his eyes darkening in the process.

"You escaped Shinra's labs to seek revenge? That is what your purpose for in life is now that it is within your control?" Aeris exclaimed.

"And something is wrong with that?" Sephiroth challenged.

"I thought you had something better in mind," Aeris murmured.

"Aeris, life is a miserable existence filled with pain and suffering. It doesn't have a purpose."

"Yes it does!" Aeris cried.

"Oh, well, pray tell me, since you seemed to be so heated on this subject," Sephiroth replied.

"There is so much to life, that it would be impossible to describe it all to you, but here's what I know. Yes, there is suffering, and pain, but that is only a small part. Life is beautiful, teeming with so much to do. The purpose of life is to become better as people. We were made to help each other. But you wonder what the point of life is. Well I believe to love is the point of life."

"Love?" Sephiroth questioned, the word foreign on his tongue. Aeris paused, her face contorting to one deep in thought. She stood like that for many minutes before she finally spoke, her voice low and melodious.

"Love is the greatest power on this earth, yet the most hardest to attain, give, and keep. For love is a choice we choose everyday. It is a choice to put others before ourselves every time, and seeks only their good and happiness. If you have never experienced love, it is very hard to explain, yet when you do, you can not help but want to have more and give more of it. It envelopes you whole, like a warm, comforting blanket. It makes you smile and laugh. Love is what gives you hope, because with love you know things can only get better."

"You live in fairy tales, Aeris," Sephiroth scoffed.

"And you, in nightmares Sephiroth," Aeris sighed.

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The sun's oppressive rays beat down on the unlikely pair. Sweat began to drip down Aeris' back, making an uncomfortable trickle.

"How the heck is he not burning up in all that black leather! I would be a puddle of Aeris goo if I wore that! If I were a guy, I would take advantage of being able to go shirtless by now," she exclaimed under her breath. Even now her red jacket was becoming stifling to wear!

"Especially if I was in as good of shape as he is. He does have very nice, defined pectorals," Aeris mumbled as an afterthought, her eyes wandering over to his form. His trench coat being void of a shirt was opened just enough to show off a portion of his chest and toned abs. Sephiroth's head jerked in her direction, one finely shaped eyebrow arching elegantly upward. Aeris immediately diverted her gaze, but it was too late. The first smile to grace his lips in years appeared.

"Really?" Sephiroth purred, causing Aeris to turn redder than her jacket.

Oh gods, he heard! He heard! Stupid, stupid! What do I say!

"Um, yes, you must work out or something. Shinra must have nice gyms," Aeris stuttered, now wishing she could really melt into a puddle.

"You truly think so.?" Sephiroth's grin grew as she fidgeted.

"Hey, look! We are coming to another forest. I bet it will be cooler in the shade. That will be nice for us," Aeris exclaimed in relief, glad to have something else to talk about. She hurriedly removed her jacket and tied it around her waist.

"Especially for me, since I am so hot in my coat," Sephiroth replied smoothly. He hadn't had this much fun in years. There was no way he was letting her off this easily.

"Yeah, you are..." Aeris' face contorted in embarrassment as she got his implications. She walked faster putting some distance between herself and her teasing companion.

Men. Aeris groaned.

In a matter of moments, both were swallowed by the dense foliage of the forest.

"Sephiroth, could I have a protein bar?"

Sephiroth nodded, fishing one out for each of them.

"These aren't too bad considering..." Aeris was saying as she finished hers when Sephiroth's head jerked up

"SSSSHHHH!" Sephiroth suddenly instructed, placing a gloved finger on his lips. Both stopped, Aeris holding her breath and wondering what was up. She scooted a little behind her warrior companion. In a second, Sephiroth drew Masamune and held it out before him. Noises of something moving through the bush caught Aeris' ears. How did he hear that?

Aeris gulped. A figure suddenly blundered through the undergrowth!

"Oh my!" the startled man exclaimed as he stood facing the business end of Sephiroth's sword. His beady, gray eyes darted nervously between the glaring man and petrified woman.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" Sephiroth asked tersely, his eyes staring daggers.

"I'm Harvey Brad, a woodsman who calls this forest his home. I mean you no harm," Harvey replied shakily, gulping in the process.

"I was just getting some water for my camp," he added nervously, lifting up a metal pail that was currently being held in a trembling hand.

"The camp, it's all I have. After that slime-ridden Shinra scum took everything away from me." Harvey spat on the ground.

"You have had dealings with Shinra?" Aeris asked, moving out from behind Sephiroth. Harvey nodded in reply.

"They didn't like me none too much since I was protesting against them using their mako reactors. Doing bad stuff to the planet and all. They thought I was part of some group, can't recall the name."

"Avalanche?" Aeris supplied.

"Yeah, that's the one. I wasn't, but they wouldn't believe me. They took away my home, everything, and tortured me for information. After a while, they figured I was telling the truth and released me."

"How awful," Aeris murmured in sympathy. Harvey's head bobbed up and down in agreement.

"I came out here so they could never bother me again. Thankfully it's remote enough and serves me well," Harvey moped his brow, casting the slightest of fearful glances at Sephiroth who hadn't moved the entire time. Instead, Sephiroth observed the unfolding scene, weighing the man before himself and Aeris. Sephiroth's body tensed as their eyes met. Something about this man didn't sit well with him. The saying, Evil knows evil, surfaced instantly in his mind. A touch on his sword arm broke his musing.

"I don't think he means us any harm Sephiroth," Aeris whispered, her large, emerald eyes imploring him to lower his sword. True, she felt something not quite on the level with this Harvey person, but then his aura was rather hard to decipher. It was like a huge muddle of gray. Slowly, the sword descended with Sephiroth's eyes remaining locked on hers.

"I wouldn't be so sure,"he muttered quietly to her, feeling her warmth seep through the leather. To his wonder, it didn't pain or bother him. A cough caused both their heads to return their attention back on the scruffy character and Aeris to remove her hand.

"You both look like you have traveled a long way and could use a good meal. I have some stew cooking. Nothing fancy, but it's hardy. Sticks to your bones ribs is the common saying kinda stuff. Your You're welcome to it," Harvey offered with a shrug.

"We should give him the benefit of the doubt," Aeris said softly. She had always made it a rule not to judge people before she got to know them.

"Besides, I think you can protect us if anything should turn funny," she added with a small grin. Sephiroth gave Harvey another glance and then returned to Aeris. His eyes roved down her body and with painful realization noticed her slender form looking far too lean for its own good. Why had he been so blinded to that fact?

Maybe because my own body requires so little to sustain it. Also she never complains about hunger. She would make a good SOLDIER. Besides Aeris is right; that little urchin poses no threat to me.

"We accept," Sephiroth replied with a glare, sheathing his weapon, "under one condition. You must never speak of meeting us to anyone. Understood.?" Harvey raised both his hands up.

"That's fine by me," Harvey agreed hastily, picking up his pail and turning to walk down a small, overgrown trail. Aeris smiled up at Sephiroth.

"Thank you. I am rather famished," she said before moving forward, leaving Sephiroth to bring up the rear.

4 4 4 4 4 4 4

"This is delicious. The best stew I have had in ages!" Aeris exclaimed as she dug her spoon into the plastic bowl Harvey had given her. The three were seated around a blazing fire even though it was early afternoon. A plain yellow tent was pitched behind them while crates were stacked on the left creating a semi-circle around the camp. Various, miscellaneous tools were scattered about as well giving a lived-in atmosphere. Sephiroth nodded slightly, agreeing with Aeris. He had never had a tastier meal. Harvey beamed at the compliment.

"It's my great-grandmother's recipe. The trick is to sauté the meat first with onions and garlic, then let it simmer real low all day." Harvey took a bite as well before his faced grimaced dramatically.

"Oh, I apologize! This is awful! I completely forgot the salt!" Harvey jumped up. Aeris shrugged to Sephiroth. Salt missing made no difference for them after what they had been living off of.

"Give me a couple minutes. I have salt around here somewhere. It just isn't complete without it," Harvey said as he began to rummage through the crates in earnest.

"If you say so," Aeris giggled, eating another spoonful. Sephiroth glowered at Harvey's back. The more he was around this flighty man, the more he disliked him. It was good thing the twerp stayed on the other side. Something about those gray eyes...the mock hospitality...this whole arrangement. His thoughts wandered on as he watched the flames lick greedily towards the heavens.

"What are you brooding about," Aeris queried jokingly.

"Nothing. Just speculating," Sephiroth answered, taking a bite from his bowl. Aeris set her stew down briefly and pulled her knees to her chest. Her slender arms wrapped around her legs and she laid her head down.

"I do pity him," Aeris murmured.

"Who?" Sephiroth asked, puzzled by the randomness of the statement.

"Hojo, I pity him. What an existence to condemn oneself. Torturing people for what reason? No reason. Never to have true friends or know love. Such a waste of a life."

"You can not be serious," Sephiroth snorted indignantly.

"I am."

"You are a bizarre one, Aeris. Your compassion will be your downfall. Look where it's already gotten you. Thrown in a cell and on the run for the rest of your life," Sephiroth grunted, shaking his head.

"Yes, and if I hadn't been captured, we would have never met and think how sad that would be." Aeris didn't miss a beat. Sephiroth just stared at her flabbergast, his mouth agape.

"I know, my beauty has stopped all reason from flowing in your brain and all you can do is stare at me in awe," Aeris razzed the still speechless Sephiroth.

"Yeah, something like that," he mumbled.

"Here it is," Harvey cried triumphantly, suddenly appearing in front of the pair.

"Turns out I have two salt shakers, go figure," he continued, handing each of them one.

"Thanks," Aeris said, pouring a generous amount on her stew.

"Oh you need more stew, darling. You could use more meat on your bones," Harvey said sweetly, too sweetly for Sephiroth's taste. Harvey's hand brushed Aeris' as he took her bowl and ladle out more. He handed it back to her and faced Sephiroth.

"I, ur, think I'll go back to my stew," Harvey chuckled nervously as he met the silver-haired man's Bet beat it scumbag expression. He scurried back to his spot.

"Smart move," Sephiroth said under his breath, pouring salt onto his food. Aeris finished hers in record time.

"That was good, Haaarrrveeeyyy," Aeris slurred suddenly, patting her content belly.

"I think I am all worrrnnnn out, Sephtherooth. I am going to hiiiitttt the hay..." Aeris slowly sunk to the ground in a small ball.

She must have really overexerted herself. Sleep well.

Sephiroth tried to set his bowl down, but the ground moved unsteadily, almost like waves. He shook his head, trying to clear his vision. Suddenly his fingers lost all their strength and the bowl clattered to the ground.

What is happening!

Sephiroth's thoughts began to merge and blend crazily. He tried to stand, but his legs collapsed like a deck of cards knocked over by the slightest breeze. The fire before him contorted madly like a kaleidescope, its colors bursting from orange to purple. Then he saw Harvey's leering face, the fire's flames illuminating it. His eyes seemed to be transformed to blood red in the fire's light. Slowly, the sinewy man made his way towards Sephiroth's prone body, a gun in hand.

No! Sephiroth's mind screamed when he felt the prick of a tranquilizer dart pierce the soft flesh of his neck. Then another.

"Sweet dreams, Sephiroth," Harvey whispered. Sephiroth's eyes last image was an evil grin plastered on Harvey's visage. Then the world went black.