I'm back with the story! (Bloodshot eyes glazed over from writing at all hours of night) A big, big Thank You to forgiven4ever, pangpond, VIAMB, Phoenix Wings, little dog, Graceful Assassin, and Tishannia. Your reviews were wonderful as always and they warm my heart to no end when I receive them :) Thanks to all the others out there who are reading this as well. Hope you're enjoying it :)
Well I got a little sidetracked these last few days.. . I took a break from writing to do some reading and when I read, I pretty much stop everything else to finish the book as fast as possible. Took five days and read all three of the Twilight books. My friend Angel is crazy over them so I thought I would see what all the fuss was about. They're pretty good, not my favorites though. (I didn't care for Bella too much as a character. Edward was very sweet. They're fun books read for just a romance/adventure and to satisfy the total girl side of me) I'm curious how it will all end with Breaking Dawn. Strangest thing, the books are fine, but I love the author. I read her bio and think she is the coolest and really a sweet gal. She took a dream of hers, wrote for fun, created four books, and now is loved by millions; really amazing.
Well I have rattled long enough, sorry. On with my own literary piece...
Chapter Nine- Buried Understanding
Rufus stood alone in the massive office, the office which was once his father's. Golden sunlight filtered in the large room from the broad windows. Rufus' blue eyes glanced about the room. Various items from Wutai adorned the walls, commemorating his father's victory over the small, proud nation. Other things were set up to show off the powerful empire President Shinra had built. Rufus' fingers trailed the length of the hand-carved mahogany desk as he strolled. The office was lasciviously decorated in gold and burgundy colors. Yet, when it was all said and done, all the money, all the power, all the glory was worth nothing once you were dead. It was rather a pity, to be murdered by the very people you were trying to win over. President Shinra's relations with the masses were strained no matter how hard he tried to win them over with money. Money could never fully conceal his father's selfish, greedy heart. Now it was Rufus' turn. But instead of being murdered because of uncontrolled desires and greed, he would be smarter than President Shinra. He intended to live and to see his wants fulfilled.
Arcamondeez strolled coolly down the corridors of Shinra Headquarters, designer shoes barely making a sound on the marble hall. The news of Sephiroth's and the Ancient, Aeris', escape hadn't been very desirable, but it hadn't trouble him either. Years of patient waiting and a disciplined mind had calculated this as nothing more than a slight ruffle on the endless yards of fabric called fate. Nothing could change destiny. Actually he knew it was bound to happen and was pleased. Even with all his intellectual genius, Hojo lacked the ability to understand and sympathize with humans which made him an exceptional scientist. But Hojo's pride was his weakness, his stupidity his curse. Hojo simply couldn't alter his finest experiment into nothing more than an extremely advanced robot. He had wanted the creature to worship him like a lowly man groveling in the shadow of a deity. Well Hojo would pay for his shortcomings in full. Arcamondeez smiled wickedly. He passed before the oak double doors, adjusted his tie, and smoothed back a couple loose, brown strands of hair. He pushed open the doors. Time for his meeting with the late Shinra President's arrogant son.
"Prompt as usual, Arcamondeez," Rufus said coolly, his right hand's fingertips resting lightly on the desk of the deceased President Shinra.
"One has to be in my position. You never know what could happen if you're late," Arcamondeez replied as equally calm, though his voice held a twinge of ice. Both eyed the other for the briefest of seconds, eyes calculating and wary. Then Rufus nodded, walking out from behind his newly acquired desk , an arm behind his back.
"Yes, my father always trusted you as his advisor. Your punctual business manner always appealed to him as well as your infinite knowledge." Rufus paused. "I have heard some offhand rumors," Actually first-hand words of drunk SOLDIERS, " that a dangerous prisoner or two has escaped from Shinra. Could you shed any light on the matter?" he finished thinly.
"Oh, that," Arcamondeez replied with a disarming yet still, cold smile, seething inwardly. How did hear about them? "A simple prisoner transfer gone awry." Maybe I will need to keep a closer eye on him. He could cause me problems like his father. "Two disreputable characters who had tried to destroy a reactor broke free during a slight diversion in the transfer. It was only for a few minutes, but they were captured and put safely in custody again."
Rufus smiled acidly. Really Arcamondeez, quite a different version.
"Excellent," Rufus said, seeming pleased, "Now do you have any leads on the murderer or murderers of my father," Rufus asked, purposefully letting the smallest bit of hopefulness creep into his tone. Time to play the naïve, unassuming card.
It was Arcamondeez's turn to smile.
"Yes, in fact, this is the very matter I wished to discuss with you. They're a fanatical group called Avalanche. Shinra haters and extremists. They believe Shinra is draining the planet of its life by using the mako. At least that's one of their excuses besides hating Shinra's control. They have caused us numerous problems like the murder of your father and destroyed reactors. They're consider a top priority," Arcamondeez supplied, his deep voice smooth and convincing.
Rufus rubbed his chin, taking in Arcamondeez's words.
"What is your advice on the matter?" Rufus queried.
"I believe you should devote your time to finding and eliminating these radicals before things get out of hand more than they already have. It would be a pity to end up just like your father. He became too lax and trusting in his own power not to even have bodyguards, " Arcamondeez replied, unsympathetically. Kidnapped and murdered in a common alleyway. What a tragedy.
"I would like to get the Turks on this matter immediately," Rufus stated firmly.
"Good choice," Arcamondeez agreed. Then looking down at his watch he said nonchalantly,
"Excuse me sir, but I have to meet with the department of science."
"Of course. Thank you, Arcamondeez. I'm glad to have your assistance and expertise." Rufus curtly nodded, turning to face the window.
Arcamondeez left the room, once again shutting the large doors behind him. Foolish, naïve boy. He smirked. Maybe Rufus wouldn't be that big of a problem after all.
I never did like him, Rufus thought sitting down at his desk and turning to his computer, Avalanche, huh. We will see, Arcamondeez, we will see. Two can play this game of deception.
4 4 4 4 4
The morning air was still, yet cool and refreshing as a new day began. The first rays of dawn touched the slumbering pair, causing Sephiroth to stir. His green eyes opened languorously. As his senses and mind became more aware, he noticed absently he had slept longer than usual. Instead of gray, his eyes were met with pink and orange hues splashed across the sky. A sigh caused his head to gaze downward, reminding him he was not alone. A small grin played across his lips as he took in the sight of Aeris' sleeping. His left arm was still wrapped loosely around her waist while his right was currently propping him in an upright position. After a second, his right hand came forward and unclasped some of the metal buckles. He breathed a sigh of relief, it had been rather constricting.
He knew they should be moving on, but for some reason he didn't rouse Aeris. After so many days of grueling traveling, he felt a brief pause was necessary. Besides he hadn't reflected in days. He was so caught up in escaping he hadn't had a bit of time to conduct one of his usual habits.
Spending so many years alone, reflecting had become a huge part of his life. Being gifted with a brilliant mind, but not being able to share it with anyone, he mused and thought continually to himself. It actually saved his sanity.
I really don't know anything about her. She has a home and mother in Midgar, she's a Cetra, she's wanted by Shinra, and chased often by the Turks. Where does she get her bizarre ideas on life? Last night just proved my point again. People are selfish, disgusting animals. I remember Hojo saying the world is a dark, cruel place that I would never want to bea part of. Ha, crueler than him? He replied yes. At least I can understand how you became the way you are Hojo. Aeris suddenly mumbled in her sleep, severing Sephiroth's thoughts.
"Five more minutes mom," she garbled. Then she smiled slightly, snugging her head closer to his neck. Her left hand also had found its way to resting on Sephiroth's chest, and it slowly, gently roved over the broad expanse.
Sephiroth felt the heat return to his body and a pleasant tingling sensation course through him. He was becoming more accustomed to these strange sensations. The thought to stroke her hair once more flickered in his mind and he was about to, when he paused. His hand was encased in his leather glove with flecks of dried blood on it. He couldn't touch her like this. Bringing his hand to his mouth, he took the glove between his teeth, and pulled it off. The sight that greeted him caused him to involuntarily shudder. The branded tattoo glared at him.
My dream of freedom is finally my reality. I will never give up it. I will never let my life be dictated again; I don't know how I endured it for so long. And I will never let this become Aeris' fate. She is far too pure to be tainted by them. Yes, she is strong, but she would never last in their hands. Her spirit would be broken forever.
The dominant urgency flared up in him.
"Aeris, time to go," he said, not noticing how roughly he was shaking her. It was his first time waking someone up.
Aeris' emerald eyes flashed open as her brain try to make sense of the sudden movement. She could hear Sephiroth's voice, though it seemed faraway.
"What's with the earthquake, Seph?" she groaned, picking up her head. Sunlight and birds chirping greeted her senses. It was far too bright and happy while she was still so tired and disorientated. She groaned again and dropped her head back on Sephiroth's body.
"No you don't," Sephiroth muttered, undoing the rest of the buckles. He continued to rattle Aeris until she squirmed away on her own accord.
"Okay, I'm up," she sighed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, "You didn't have to get so pushy about it," she added sourly, standing and straightening some of the rumples on her dress.
"No, I did have to get a little pushy," Sephiroth smirked, getting to the upright position and adjusting his leather trench coat. His mischievous streak had kicked in again and the urge to see her cheeks turn that red shade couldn't be smothered. Aeris certainly brought out the strangest things in him. He was experiencing emotions he had never felt before and he couldn't stop them even if he tried nor did he want to. It seemed like all the humanity in him that had been suppressed all those years was bursting forth and all he could do was go for the ride.
"I think you would have been more than happy to stay in your current position Aeris," he continued coming closer to her, the bag from last night in his left hand. Bending down slightly, he brought his face close to the side of her head. He could hear her breathing becoming slightly erratic as his lips were a mere inch away from her ear.
Aeris gulped as she felt the Sephiroth's breath on her ear. It was deliciously unnerving to have him so close. Curse her stupid girl hormones. Those traitors. Her heart suddenly began to beat faster and she vaguely wondered if he knew what he was doing to her.
"With your hand wandering over my chest," he whispered as Aeris let out a gasp. He pulled back in triumphant, wanting to see his handy work. Aeris' cheeks were indeed a flaming crimson color and her exquisite green eyes were widened in shock.
"I did that?" she exclaimed under her breath. It wasn't her fault her fingers had a mind of their own! She was sleeping for Pete's sake. Darn Sephiroth. Always noticing those things and embarrassing her. Well, he wasn't going to have the full satisfaction, not this time. Aeris smiled slightly to herself.
"Hmm, Sephiroth, I didn't know you had a sense of humor," she replied easily. Sephiroth grinned down at her. Well, that was unexpected, he thought, no retort coming to mind. An unsaid truce passed between the two. Sephiroth's hand dug into his bag and pulled out some dried fruit.
"Here's some breakfast," he said, handing her an assortment of dried apricots, apple slices, and blueberries.
"Thank you," she replied, quickly and neatly nibbling down her pile.
"Your welcome," Sephiroth said quietly before taking a bite of his own. Aeris' head shot up.
"Did you just say what I think you said," she queried in bewilderment.
"Don't you remember last night? I was the old dog named Seph who you taught some manners to," Sephiroth answered.
"Yeah," Aeris said, nodding her lips pressed against her right hand. She giggled. "I was really tired. Do you mind if I call you Seph? But I have no problem calling you Sephiroth if that's what you want."
Sephiroth thought about it as he shouldered the bag and sheathed Masamune. A nickname for him? It seemed rather foreign, but she was a close companion to him. Yet, don't nicknames mean signs of affection for one another? I think I either heard or read about that somewhere. Then again it would be nice.
"Alright," he said, taking a sip from the water canteen. Aeris beamed. The two began their trek.
4 4 4 4 4
Tseng carefully picked his way through the pile of bodies the SOLDIER grunts had created. It had been just a few hours since they had arrived and it had been nothing short of disgusting. A mercenary named Harvey had certainly given a cryptic message. He didn't give any details, just the last location of Sephiroth and Aeris, a compound in the forest. The man sounded absolutely terrified and had hung up almost immediately.
Tseng sighed. Forty bodies, slaughtered by one man. The poor fools, he thought bitterly. They never knew they had dug their own graves by trying to capture Sephiroth. His eyes hardened. And Sephiroth was freely running across the planet. Tseng had long known of Sephiroth's hatred for humans. Hojo had created that flawlessly. The perfect SOLDIER. None greater or finer than him. Now Sephiroth was free to do as he pleased. Would he start killing for spite? Tseng couldn't let that happen. Plus the name of Shinra could be fully destroyed if the company's poster boy for winning the Wutai war was suddenly a crazed murderer.
"Elena and Rude are on their way. They should be here in a couple of hours," Reno said, strolling up to their leader. Tseng just nodded.
"Quite the mess, huh. I guess old Sephiroth hasn't lost his edge with numerous opponents," Reno continued to the silent man beside him. He took a sidelong glance at Tseng.
"What I don't understand is why is there one alive? Sephiroth's good. He wouldn't make a mistake like that. Why would he leave one to show us his trail after doing so much work to conceal his escape? You don't think he had a conscience attack?" Reno gave a mirthless chuckle.
"Or is he toying with us? Luring us for sport?" Tseng said quietly, his voice cold. Reno shuddered slightly at the thought.
"Your guess is as good as mine boss." Reno shrugged, trying to sound indifferent. "Hey, do you think Aeris is still with him?"
"I have no doubt," Tseng replied tersely.
"Do you think she's safe with him? Is he keeping her against her will?" Reno asked hesitantly.
"For her sake, I hope not. There are just too many unanswered questions, Reno and we will only know the truth once we capture them." Tseng started to walk away.
"Have you gone through all the computer files and downloaded the information this mercenary Harvey had?" he said without turning once to look at Reno.
"Yeah boss." Reno said.
"Good," Tseng replied, entering one of the main buildings. Reno was left to watch the grunts continue their messy work.
I hope this mission is over soon. Being the garbage guy is never fun. This whole job just seems messed up. I need a drink and a raise, Reno thought grudgingly as he trudged away.
4 4 4 4 4
After intervals of running and walking, they were finally walking again. Aeris was relieved. When she was home, she wasn't going to buy that green dress with her saved up money. No sir. She was going to get herself a comfortable pair of shoes that actually fit her feet properly. These brown garden boots had to be at least two sizes too big! She could feel the blisters all over her feet and the ones that had popped. It hurt like the dickens to keep up with Sephiroth.
Speaking of Sephiroth... Aeris could feel a more changes in him, though she had never voiced it. They were subtle, slowly coming forth, the layers unraveling. It was the little changes in him she noticed and they meant the most to her. It was the way he acknowledged her as an equal, the way he would smile as he teased her, the way his eyes would lose a bit of their hardness and bitterness when he looked at her, the way his voice had lost his coldness when he talked to her. It seemed the farther they got from Shinra, the more human he became.
Kindness and compassion can go a long way. She smiled some. Proves my point, miracles can happen even to the most coldest, hardened of souls. Most just need and want someone to reach out and care. Maybe he would like to try a piece of my mom's pie when we reach Midgar. I wonder what mom would think of him. 'Look what I dragged home! Yeah, he looks intimidating, but he's gotten better. He was ten times scarier before. Don't worry, he doesn't bite unless you're involved with Shinra. We're still working on that.'
"Aeris?"
"Hmm, I'm sorry Sephiroth, were you saying something? I sort of got caught up in my thoughts," Aeris replied, her face flushing.
"Indeed," Sephiroth said with a shake of his head, causing his long, silver hair to ripple like waves. His hair is beautiful, Aeris thought, marveling how nice it still looked with all the 'roughing it' they were doing. I wonder if it is as silky as it appears. Would he let me...
"I was wondering if you could tell me a little about your home in Midgar," Sephiroth repeated.
"My home? Really?" Aeris said puzzled. Sephiroth is interested in my life?
"Alright," she continued, her hands clasped behind her back and a bounce in her step.
"I live in Sector 5 of the Midgar slums with my mom. It's not as bad as you might think. It can be rather ugly, worn down, and dark at times if you really look at. Sort of like the people there. Then you can find some spots that are really special. Well I did. It's an abandoned church with a sagging roof that has a massive hole in it. That's a whole other story in itself. In this church there's a patch of dirt where I grow flowers, the only flowers in all of Midgar or at least in the slums. I sell them and the money helps mom and I keep ourselves afloat. I also like to brighten a person's life with them." She paused to look at her attentive listener. His head was slightly bent forward and cocked to one side, seeming to take it all in.
"Why do the flowers only grow in the church?" He queried curiously.
"I really don't know." Aeris' brow furrowed, "Maybe that's where the planet hasn't been polluted or it could be my Cetra blood. I have a natural green thumb." She smiled modestly, before her eyes became cautious and serious.
"Sephiroth, could you tell me about your life?" She whispered quietly, barely loud enough for normal human ears to hear. Sephiroth stiffened and his own eyes instinctively hardened at the innocent request. He walked more briskly, undecided. Suppressed memories seeped into his system, poisoning his composure. The anger and resentment he felt wasn't because of her or her query. His past was something he never shared, locked in the vaults of his soul. It had made him strong, but at a price, small pieces of his heart slowly dissolving with the days.
Aeris could feel the change almost immediately. The barriers that had been coming down suddenly flared up in full force. She unconsciously winced at the anger and bitterness that seemed to radiate from him. She knew better than to ask, yet something in her had urged her. She didn't know why the hidden pieces needing revealing, but the strange prompting told her there was a reason. It gave her enough courage to ask and she waited quietly.
Sephiroth exhaled sharply, wrestling inwardly. Should he tell her anything or not? His defenses had been weakened by her. He couldn't deny it. She was so different from the others, always kind and honest, never hurting him. Should he allow her more of himself than what he had already given? Another memory drifted by, making everything else pale for a moment. His dream. Her words. You don't have to be alone.
"I grew up in the Shinra labs," he said, his voice low and tense, "I have always been there, since the beginning of my existence. A human lab rat used exclusively for scientific experimentation." He could feel Aeris stiffening as well beside him.
He waited for it, the pity to come, the sympathy so his justification could be swift and merciless. He knew how to handle those accursed, false emotions. He could then throw them in her face and stop opening up his buried past. He waited, but it never came.
Aeris was silent, head slightly bowed and her eyes as solemn and unreadable as his. The fury he had been prepared to release on her dissolved. Her silence prompted him to continue.
" My only purpose for existing was to take life. I was trained to be a first class SOLDIER. I surpassed even that," he stated with defiance . "I became the greatest for I was genetically altered. Every cell in my body has been twisted in one way or another by Hojo. How I hate him," he hissed, his fists balling at his sides.
"He experimented on me mercilessly, continually. At first the pain was unbearable. Then as time wore on, I trained my mind and body to become numbed and almost immune to it, though it was never fully possible." The lovely contours of his elegant face continued to twist into horrible glowers. He smiled acidly at his next words.
"Then President Shinra started the war against Wutai, the greedy, egotistical, swine. Ha, all for publicity and to gain the people of Midgar's love. I was sent to end it after he discovered he had overreached his power, overstepped his boundaries with that little spit of a people. Hojo had always kept me near, his prize. Unleashing me on Wutai was the biggest mistake he ever made." He laughed cruelly.
"Oh, I did end it Aeris. I released the hell that they had inflicted on me in the labs. I enjoyed it, the power I had and I momentarily forgot all the tortures that had made me. But what I loved was the long repressed freedom. I was free. I could do anything. No one to dictate me, control me. After the battle, I was returned to the Shinra labs, but forever changed. I knew freedom. It was like a drug. I began to slowly break from the mental confines instilled in me. My dream, freedom. Now it is my reality." His lips curled into a small, hard smile. Still silence fell upon his ears. Aeris hadn't said a word.
The pleasure at his previous words dissipated swiftly as he continued. Pain now gripped ruthlessly at the shards in his heart. Unconsciously his voice betrayed his feelings.
"I have been alone almost all my life. I have no recollection of my parents or knowledge of my origins. No companionship to speak of. I have always been different, a freakish creature of science," he muttered. His voice was hollow and empty despite the attempt hatred had tried in masking it. Some things could not be hidden by hatred. Even at the core of the most wretched person, humanity still resided. The need to connect to another, to be cared for. Silence came between the pair, the minutes dragging by.
Aeris' voice startled him. His head turned sharply to stare at her bowed one. Her voice was low and almost unrecognizable to him for it was practically akin to his own.
"I ,too, have known and felt what you have, though on varying degrees. I, too, have lost both my parents. I never knew my father," she stated, her head raising slowly up to meet his gaze. Sadness flicked in her emerald eyes.
"I was in the Shinra labs once, long ago when I was just a young child. My mother, Ifalna, and I both had been captured and brought to Hojo," her voice shook and her right hand came up to move the braid of hair resting on her neck. In bold, black ink, permanently staining her smooth, creamy skin was the tattoo, Cetra02. Sephiroth's eyes widen slightly in astonishment. She let go of her hair and smiled wistfully.
"I can't recall much but the fear and despair my mother felt. It seemed to crush my very spirit," she paused, meeting his alarmed gaze. She shallowed thickly before continuing.
"I don't know who or how, but someone helped us escape. I can barely remember it, fleeting images and feelings. The frigid night air, the stars wheeling overhead, and suddenly my mother was hurt badly. She was dying and there was nothing I could do." Her eyes began to mist despite her best efforts not to cry. She inhaled shakily then exhaled slowly, releasing some of the pain and tension.
"Somehow we weren't captured again and before my mother died, a woman named Elmyra Gainsborough found us. My mother had her promise to care for me and Elmyra did without a second's hesitation." A fond smile tugged at the corner of her cheeks.
"Elmyra has been the mother I never had. I could never ask for a greater gift than being her daughter. Maybe that's why I hate death so much. I know how fragile life is, how quickly it can be snatched away," she continued gently, her voice softer and sweeter than it had ever been before.
" I ,too, have been alone a good part of my life, Sephiroth," Aeris murmured. "I have felt the sting of rejection on a lesser scale. When I was little, I would sometimes go off to talk to the planet. No one could understand me except Elmyra. Almost all the children at school thought I was weird and strange, something not to be associated with. It hurt, ached, to be thought of like that, judged without even knowing me. It was hard not to become bitter about it, Sephiroth, very hard," she smiled wryly.
Sephiroth listened in surprise and wonder. There truly was no bitterness in her words, no hatred in her eyes. How is that possible?
"Funny thing about bitterness though. It is like a poison you drink and you wait for the other person to die. But it is you, that slowly gets eaten away, not the other person." Sephiroth regarded her serene expression through his jaded eyes.
"What stopped you from becoming bitter?" he asked quietly, his eyes averting hers.
"Reaching out to people, regardless. Loving them even when they didn't. Instinctively I knew it was the only way, especially if I wanted my heart to continue on and have a happy life. It worked and I have never regretted it." A silence fell between the two as they continued to walk slowly. Unknowingly, both their thoughts were on the other and a realization began to dawn on them.
"You and I aren't so different Sephiroth," Aeris said, her musical voice low, but lighter. Sephiroth nodded.
"No, we aren't," he whispered. The pain in his heart ebbed quietly back along with the memories, anger, and hatred though none were fully forgotten.
An unspoken understanding seemingly passed through their hearts. A connection formed from the similar circumstances they both had endured. Together they found comfort in the knowledge they weren't alone, the other understood.
Their bodies seemed to move on their own accord nearer until their arms and hands were scant inches from the other. Slowly their fingers touched and their knuckles brushed. The backs of their hands caressed the other for a second. Aeris couldn't keep back her smile as Sephiroth's longer fingers delicately trailed down her hand and intertwined his gloved digits with her own.
"I'm glad I met you Aeris," Sephiroth said as they walked hand in hand.
"So am I," she replied and Sephiroth could feel the familiar warmth course through his veins from her hand. This time, he didn't resist it.
