10

With her mouth hanging open, she stared wide eyed at the man behind Yazoo. Suddenly she asked herself how she could have been so dumb. It had been obvious, hadn't it?!

Instead of the fat, old, bald pervert, she saw herself confronted with a tall man in his mid twenties. And the last thing he was, was fat and bald. She had seen him uncountable times before. And like nearly every woman on the planet she had desired him, freaked out when he was on TV and had her secret dreams about candle light dinners and romantic beach walks. This just wasn't happening…

It was.

The great General Sephiroth, idol of millions of people slowly walked towards her, smiling his heart breaking smile, his impressive long silver hair waving behind him.

Elena shut her mouth and opened it, just to shut it again. She was totally caught of guard. She didn't know what to say nor what to do. Everything was spinning around and when he reached out to shake her hand, her world went black.

"Can you hear me?" The voice was muffled and she had some difficulties to understand it.

Something cool was spread into her face and with a moan she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was a blur of silver and green, but after a while she managed to focus her view. Elena looked into two wonderful, emerald cat eyes, which where full of concern and belonged to the man she had been secretly in love with since the first time she had seen him. But then, who wasn´t?

She suddenly noticed his strong arms around her shoulders, holding her, stopping her from falling to the hard ground. How often had she imagined this in her lonely nights when it was just her and her thoughts…

Now it was real and for a moment she was the luckiest woman on the planet. That was, until she remembered how it had come to the situation.

Struggling, she broke free and sat on the cold floor, still a bit confused and disorientated.

"I suppose she's alright now," someone stated sarcastically and she recognised this someone tobe Yazoo, who leaned against the table, legs and arms crossed. "I told you it wouldn't be a good idea," he added into his fathers direction.

"Yes. You have been right. Like always. But now it happened and cannot be made undone. I would appreciate it if you would get a glass of water for our guest, " Sephiroth replied politely, looking up from his crouched position. Without complaining this time Yazoo left them and the general threw his attention back at Elena. "Shall I help you up?"

"No, no. I'm fine, thanks." She hurried to jump to her feet and regretted it soon after. Her vision blurred again and she grabbed the table for support.

"You better sit down," Sephiroth advised with this commanding voice of his, and before she even could think about it she sat on a chair.

"I apologise for this. We should have prepared you." He sat down in front of her, looking apologetic.

"No, really. I am sorry for causing you trouble. Normally I'm not one to fall unconscious." She shock her head and looked down at her still shaking hands.

"Don´t worry. That happens constantly. I'm used to it." He gave her a small, reassuring smile, Elena nearly lost herself in, as a glass of water blocked her view and was set down in front of her.

"Thank you." She looked up at Yazoo gratefully, who just gave her a short nod. He still seemed to be tense and worried, albeit not so much about her but what she might could tell his father…

Elena took a big sip of her water. So here she was. Sitting at a table with the great general. The paedophile, sadistic general. This thought was so absurd she nearly choked.

This just couldn't be. Somehow they must have made a mistake. There had to be a logical explanation for all of this. She begged that there was one.

Sephiroth just sat patiently on his chair, waiting for her to start a conversation. He didn't look the least bit like a monster, on the contrary his features were relaxed and soft, his eyes friendly.

"Do you feel better now?"

"Yes, thank you," Elena managed to say with a harsh voice and took another sip.

"May you tell me now why you wanted to talk to me?"

"I… yes, I…" she stuttered, blushing. What was she going to do now? She had no idea what to tell him!

"Just relax, take a deep breath and try again," the general told her in a way one would talk to a child, but it worked. After taking a deep breath an idea hit her and she spoke again. "It is about Kadaj."

Was it just the dimming light outside or did his view darken?

"What is it with Kadaj? Did he get himself into trouble?" It must have been the light. His voice was concerned and soothing, holding no signs that he was angry.

Nevertheless she hurried to deny this by shaking her head. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Yazoo clutching his jaw.

"No, I'm just a bit worried because… Well it seems he has a problem to make friends. After two months he still isolates himself and I thought it might help him to visit one of our school clubs. So his classmates and he can get along better."

Before Sephiroth had the chance to answer, their attention was captured by a harsh choking sound. Their heads turned around to watch Yazoo who was hanging next to the sink, gasping for air. His eyes rolled wildly until they could only see the white, and a second later he fell to the ground, squirming in agony, trying to breath.

Elena was too shocked by the sudden interruption, but the general reacted so fast she didn´t even see him move.

Cradling the squirming body in his arms he fingered something out of his pocket, all the time whispering reassuring words and stroking over the boy´s head. His face was nearly as pale as his sons when he carefully inserted a white, little pill into his mouth.

"Sh, kitten, it´s over soon. I´m here…" He continued stroking the shivering boy´s head, softly pulling sweat wet hair out of his face, and rocking for and back a bit, to calm the youth down.

Elena, who had jumped from her seat when she had heard the unexpected noise, sat down heavily, taking a deep breath on her own. So he really was ill. And it seemed to be bad.

Seeing how lovingly and worriedly Sephiroth treated his child, noticing the fear in his eyes made her shaking her head in disbelief. This man wouldn´t hurt Yazoo. Therefore they must have made a mistake.

"Excuse me."

Elena nodded and watched the general carrying Yazoo, whose breathing became regular again, out of the kitchen.

She drank the rest of her water and waited nearly 20 minutes for his return. Finally he came back, looking tired but relieved.

"How is he?"

"Better." He answered shortly, pouring himself a glass of water and drinking it with his back turned towards her.

"I think, I better go now…" She grabbed her bag and left the table, when he sat down the glass and came after her.

"Wait, I´ll drive you home."

"Oh no, that´s not necessary, I can walk on my own! Surely you have more important things to do-"

"I insist. It is already dark outside and the streets are not save these days. Above all for a young woman."

Giving in, she followed him through the hall and outside to a black limousine. It was just impossible to resist him. And honestly, she didn´t really want to. First of, it was dangerous in the city, secondly she didn´t know the way back and lastly there were worse things than getting driven home by the great general.

She sat next to him and he started the engine.

Most of the way they drove without talking, Yazoo´s attack still had its impact on both of them. Elena had been convinced that the boy had lied and was perfectly fine but the events of the evening had told her otherwise.

She cleared her throat and started the conversation she had to made. "Does he get these attacks often?"

Not taking his eyes away from the empty street Sephiroth sighed. "It´s getting worse lately. Especially when something discomposes him."

"I´m asking, because neither of us teachers knew he is that ill. And if he´s getting an attack at school, we won´t be able to help him…"

"The school doctor is informed. But you are right, the risk is too high. I just did not want him to feel… weak and different. You know, he is such a proud person…His classmates should not know, he has enough problems being the youngest anyway."

"I see…" Elena didn´t know what else to say and they fell silent again. Outside the dark houses and few people passed by. At least it had stopped raining. A half moon spend the only, poor light. Electricity was a luxury these days, expensive, and everybody tried to use as little light as possible. The nights had become dark again, the former busy nightlife had been reduced to a minimum.

"Did Kadaj show you around the house?" The question came out so unexpected that she was about to tell the truth,when the young teacher remembered her promise.

She wet her lips. "Not much. Only the entrance and the kitchen."

"Mh."

"But what I saw was impressive. A very unique style. And everything was so incredible clean…" She couldn´t resist, but to mention this.

"Yes. That´s the boys work."

His frankness really surprised her. Making an innocent face she asked "You mean they clean it? But don´t you have enough money to pay someone to do that?"

He laughed. "Of course I have. But that is not the point. They have to learn what work really is. They shall not forget where we come from. I don´t want them to become arrogant, spoiled brats, not knowing what to do with their money but taking drugs. We are privileged and they should make this experience on their own. They have to learn that there is another life and they shall respect working people. I have seen enough of those upper class kids, who command around others, looking down on them and feeling like something better. They are not. When they have learned this lesson I will have no problem to offer them whatever I can. I know they do not like it and think I want to torture them, but I hope some day they will understand."

"Oh." She could have smacked herself for thinking he was a sadistic, avaricious pervert. Ashamed, she glanced outside the window.

"You have to drive right. It´s the second house on the left."

He slowly took the corner and finally stopped in front of her apartment.

"Here we are. Before you leave I want you to do me a favour."

She looked up at him in surprise. Sephiroth had turned his head towards her and met her gaze intensively. Suddenly Elena knew that she would do everything he´d request from her.

"Yes?" Elena breathed, leaving the car door half open.

"I want you to not tell anyone about who the boys father is. I don´t want them to have advantages, or maybe disadvantages at school. No comments of my identity to anyone."

"Ok…" Gods, he was so beautiful…

Flashing her a thankful smile he nodded, then he took something out of his pocket and put it into her sweating hand. "This is my number. If there are any problems with one of the boys don´t hesitate to call me, alright?"

Her heart forgot to pound for nearly a second. "Y-yes, of course. You can count on me," she stuttered and hastily put the card into her bag.

"Thank you. Well, I don´t want to steal more of your time. Good night."

"Good night." With shaking legs, Elena left the car, shut the door and waved her hands for a good bye. She watched the general wheeling the car and driving away. Incredibly relieved that her worries were entirley unfounded and clutching her bag and the precious in it to her chest tightly, she made her way up to the apartment.