Chapter Ten

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 7 or any of the characters in it. However, I do own a couple of original characters, such as the two unknown people that had appeared at the end of the last chapter. Anyways, on with the story.

Aeris stared up at the sky, closing her eyes briefly as a gentle breeze swept past her. The playful breeze ruffled her dress and unbound hair, a content look spreading upon her features. Aeris then opened her eyes, expecting to see the beautiful sky once more, but her eyes met a dark sky. The gentle breeze turned almost.. fierce.

"What's going on?"

Aeris asked herself aloud, alarm vividly written upon her features as she stared at the sky, before looking around. The grass had turned brown, the trees bare of leaves; everything looked almost dead around her. Aeris shrieked in horror, her eyes wide. What was going on? Just before she had closed her eyes, everything had been so vibrantly alive!

"Scared? How cute."

Aeris whipped around in alarm at the sound of a voice she didn't recognize, her emerald eyes still wide with fear.

"W-who are you?"

Aeris asked timidly, taking a step backwards, but only for the person to take a step foreword. It was a woman, but something about her just sent chills down Aeris's spine. The woman was dressed in silk black robes that had a hood on it, but the hood was currently down. Her eyes were a brilliant sapphire, but they seemed to glow. And the glow had nothing to do with mako. Her hair was long, and fell way past her waist in a river of cold ebony.

"Who am I, you ask? Now, I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise we have in store for you, your companion, and the Planet."

"What are you talking about?"

Aeris blinked in surprise, staring at the mysterious woman in confusion. The woman laughed, even her laughter sent chills down her spine as well. Aeris did not like this woman, and she knew this the moment she laid her gentle emerald eyes on the woman's form.

"Like I said, I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise."

And with that, the woman was gone. But, she had left something behind. Something Aeris did not like. Aeris didn't know how to describe them, except for calling them some kind of freakishly large monster that she had never seen before. Aeris turned, not even daring to scream, as she broke out into a run. The creatures screeched in devious delight, giving chase.

Aeris knew she couldn't out run them, but that didn't stop her from trying. Where was Sephiroth when she needed him? Wait, what was she thinking? Relying on the very man that had killed her? No thank you. Aeris continued to run, that is, until something tackled her to the ground.

Aeris screamed, closing her eyes in fear as she waited for the final blow. However, it never came, for she was shaken awake...?

Sephiroth had instantly become alert once the girl had started screaming and crying in her sleep, tossing and turning in her bed. The only thing he could think of, was that she was obviously having a nightmare. Without even thinking twice, he was at her bed side at once, hands shaking her shoulders.

"Aeris, wake up. Wake up right now. Come on, Aeris."

He continued to shake her, but then winced as she let out a piercing, shrill scream that he instantly knew was a scream of pure terror. Right after she screamed, her emerald eyes snapped open, salty tears streaming down her face as she tried to catch her breath. Aeris then broke down fully, sobs wracking her small frame as she cried pitifully.

Sephiroth didn't know how to handle this, in fact, he had never had to handle something like this. He stared down at her with slightly startled jade green eyes, feeling unsure of himself for about the first time in his life.

I don't know what to do. I've never had to comfort someone before. It never really bothered me when I saw someone upset. After all, no one ever comforted me. Why would I have done such a thing when no one had done that to me?

Sephiroth thought to himself bitterly, before he pushed his thoughts away in order to deal with the current problem. He couldn't have that girl crying and being so loud. It might... draw attention. Unwanted attention.

"Hey, it was only a dream. Come on, quit crying."

Sephiroth said in a soft tone, though he sounded a little cold. It was the best he could do at trying to speak in a soothing tone. He had never had to speak in such a tone, and that was why he had trouble dealing with this. Aeris continued to cry, but she lifted her emerald eyes to meet his jade green eyes.

Aeris took a deep breath as she attempted to calm herself, secretly wishing that he would at least attempt to comfort her. That wasn't going to happen, she could tell. Why would he even want to comfort her? He didn't want anything to do with her, and the only reason he was here with him, was because he was being forced to. She finally managed to regain her composure, her tears reducing only to a tear or two as she spoke.

"No, it wasn't just a dream. One of the members of the group that wishes to hurt the Planet met me in my dreams. I think she somehow invaded my dream in order to taunt me. I don't know."

"Then we need to quit fooling around, and start trying to gather information about these people. See if anyone around as heard anything, like suspicious rumors that might have something to do with them."

Aeris nodded in agreement with Sephiroth, reaching up to whip the tears from her face. She then blushed, looking timidly at the bed.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, I didn't mean to scream out and cry in my sleep. I was just... so scared."

What am I saying? It's not like he cares about how I felt.

Aeris thought to herself sadly, then blinked. Why did she even care so much about whether he cared about how she felt or not.

"...Don't worry about it. Now, I think we should get out of this place. It would be a good idea to assume they know where we are, so we should leave. Hurry up and get ready."

With that said, Sephiroth turned around and left the room in order for her to change in privacy. Aeris sighed and got up out of bed and moved over to her bed. Hurriedly, she changed into her green dress and got ready. A few minutes later, after she had gathered her belongings and tidied herself up, Sephiroth entered the room once again.

"Let's go."

He said simply, no emotion showing upon his slight pale face as he stared down at her. Aeris nodded, and followed after him as he turned to leave the room.

Meanwhile

"Do you have any idea of what have you have done? You're lucky that your foolish error was not severe enough to cripple us and ruin our plan. What were you thinking?"

A cold, collected voice lectured the blue eyed woman. Although it was not evident in his tone, the blue eyed woman could tell that her master was angry at her. Fortunately, he was only irritated, but angry none the less.

"I'm sorry, master. I was only trying to scare the girl, shatter her ho—"

"I don't care! You didn't think, and thus you messed up. Be thankful that I am going to forgive you."

"Yes, master."

She bowed, grateful for her master's forgiveness. Deep down inside, she despised the way she was being treated. All she had done was enter the girl's dreams and taunt her, it wasn't like she had told the girl their plan or anything.

"However, you still went against orders. Because of you, the two are aware that we know where they are, and are fleeing from that area as we speak."

He then turned his attention to the silent man beside the blue eyed woman, the cold, ruthless amber eyed man.

"I want you to continue tracking them, and keep an eye on them. Report anything that you deem important, such as any plans that might think up. I do not expect failure, but I do not need to worry, do I? You have never failed me before, unlike your partner here."

The amber eyed man dipped into a graceful, respectful bow as he lowered his gaze.

"Of course, master. I will not fail you."

And with that, the amber eyed man was gone once his master had given him the indication that he could leave. The blue eyed woman went to leave as well, but she was stopped.

"I did not give you permission to leave yet. I am not done talking to you. I have a job for you. This is your chance to redeem yourself. I want you to disguise yourself and make friends with the flower girl and her guardian. Get close to them, and learn as much as you can about them. You must gain their trust. Do you understand me? And do not, by any means, mess this up by trying to kill them or do some other kind of plan of your own."

The blue eyed woman dipped into a bow like the amber eyed man had, but not as graceful as he had done. She was just a little more clumsy.

"Yes, master. I will not fail or disappoint you again."

"You had better not, if you don't want to face my wrath. Now go, you are dismissed."

He waved a hand at her in dismissal, sitting back into a comfortable position in his throne-like chair. With another 'yes, master', the woman was gone. Master, as he was known, sighed wearily. His form was bathed in shadows, and no one had ever really seen his true features. He was merely known as their Master, a man not wise to anger.

"Soon, Gaia. You will suffer, and your pathetic attempts at saving yourself will never work. There is no way you can win. None at all."

The man closed his eyes, a content smirk forming upon his lips, even though that could not be seen due to the shadows that bathed his form. If things started going downhill, he would have to start handling things himself.

Author's Notes: Another plot twist. Another appearance of the mysterious two people. And their master has made an appearance? Who are these people? Dun dun dun... Although, I apologize for the crappy quality of this chapter. I'm having trouble getting chapters written, because writer's block is trying to attack me. so, the next chapters might be delayed. Though, some reviews might inspire me, if you know what I mean. Anyways, please review and I'll see you guys ( and gals ) in the next chapter! P.S. I apologize for any errors in spelling. I think I need to get an editor or something. O.o;