This is the final chapter, so I do hope you all enjoy it! And don't forget to read my comments at the ending! They may be veeerrryyyy important!
WARNING: Dare I say it? SEX. Yup. More boy on boy action. (odd how I thought I wouldn't do this on the first chapter, and I've almost done it in every chapter after that…) Don't like boys fiddling with each other? Skip it!
Enjoy!
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A week had passed and Sephiroth showed no signs of recovery. The illness from the poison grew worse, and at times Genesis and Angeal began to wonder if there was any hope. It was the second day that Sephiroth had complained the pain was worse, and the third day the poison had reached up to his throat, the purple veins looked like bruises against his neck. Then he had troubles breathing, his throat felt like fire each time he swallowed. Later on he hardly woke up from slumber, and they watched closely to make sure he didn't suffocate. It was a stall in the mission as they had contacted Shinra's Headquarters on the matter. They weren't given any specific directions, only to tend to Sephiroth and return back to their duty once he was fully healed.
Halfway into the second week Angeal and Genesis had to brainstorm. There was no possible way they could continue to stay in the base camp without any other provisions. They were running low on medicine, food, water, and wood. They'd die if they stayed much longer.
"I believe we'll need to move out. Sephiroth said it only takes a day's time to get from this base to the next. Not only that, but it isn't safe to remain here. They know we're in this area by now, we've stayed too long," Angeal suggested. He was staring at Sephiroth who was propped neatly in bed with his pillow and the blankets surrounding him to keep warm.
Genesis thought otherwise. "No, we can't move on with him in this condition. We'll be slow, and it'll take much longer than a day to get there. Not to mention the weather is far too unpredictable. If we get caught out there when the snow and wind picks up we'll surely get lost. Sephiroth's body won't be able to handle the cold."
It was a stalemate. They had to choose one or the other. Angeal's azure eyes stared out at the softly descending snow. "If we leave now we could rush through and make it."
Genesis shook his head. It wasn't possible. Angeal's thoughts were far too irrational. "No, we won't be able to keep him warm! Angeal, we'll have to stay here. I'll search for more firewood. Maybe we should hunt down something to eat for tonight, but we can't head out just yet."
"If we stay we'll die, Genesis. I'm not going to wait until our rations are gone and we're forced to move on empty stomachs for who knows how long. We should take advantage of the weather now!"
"Let's stay one more night, at least. Please? I think it'd be best for Sephiroth."
Angeal moved from the redhead, hand rubbing his temple. He had never had to fight with Genesis before, but this persistent behavior was even getting on his nerves. "Let's see what Sephiroth wants to do. He's the one that will have to handle the situation, anyway." He strode over to the side of the bed, checking the marks on Sephiroth's neck before giving the figure's shoulder a shake. "Sephiroth. Sephiroth, wake up." Slowly the man opened up his bright green eyes, the slit pupils shrunk at the light around him. "Sephiroth, I need you awake to decide what we're going to do."
"I'm listening," Sephiroth replied, eyes settling on Angeal.
"We're running low on supplies and I find it best that we move out now while the weather permits," Angeal iterated to him.
"I think we should stay here one more night, you still need more rest before we start moving. The weather will be far too cold for you to keep warm in, especially if you can't move." Genesis had made his way over to Sephiroth's other side. "Just one more night."
"If we wait the weather might not be as well as it is now," Angeal argued to support his plan.
"The weather is already unpredictable, it might get worse within the next hour," Genesis fought back. Their eyes fell to silver-haired man, pondering what his motives would be.
But Sephiroth hardly knew what to say. He was in severe pain, that was a given, and he could hardly breathe. His body ached with each moment that he was awake, and his head throbbed in pain. For the most part he had wanted to go to the other camp for the longest time, but now that he was in this one he didn't want to move. What was he to choose? Angeal's plan of moving forward, or falling back and listening to Genesis? Ideally, he'd pick Angeal's plan, but something was calling him forth to Genesis's. The main issue that came to mind was the vulnerability to attack. Yes, they were vulnerable right now, but the enemy would have to travel here to get to them, and if they were paying close enough attention they wouldn't be able to be attacked. But, if they went forward and stayed within the bases for a few days, they would most surely fall victim to an attack. Especially since they had been laying low for an entire week. In fact, the base may already be overrun with enemy warriors. "We'll stay here for one more night."
Angeal frowned, thinking that Sephiroth would have surely picked his idea. "But why?"
"The enemy might have invaded our next base. They're aware we're out here, but they can't get here without being noticed. If we go in right now they'll capture us. Give me one more day to rest, and we'll head out tomorrow morning."
Genesis felt triumphant. Who would have thought that Sephiroth would side with him? "I'm glad you see it my way!"
"Don't get cocky," Angeal remarked. "We still need to be on the lookout." He thought Sephiroth's thoughts were faulty, but he didn't want to argue with the sick man. If they headed out tomorrow morning the enemy would be more likely to expect that then if they headed out at this hour. He glanced at Sephiroth who was already curling back up to sleep once again. His eyes caught the look on Genesis's face, how he seemed prepared to snuggle up against the slumbering figure. It was tiring to see him continuously act that way, even if it was more for Sephiroth's benefit than Genesis's pleasure. He just wanted Genesis to act less hormonal about it. "Genesis, why don't you keep watch for a few hours. I'll get some sleep and then we can switch off, all right?"
Genesis didn't want to leave Sephiroth's side, but it did seem better that way. At least he'd get him later that night, right? "All right. I'll holler if I hear anything." He moved himself toward each window, carefully glancing out each one while Angeal got in bed beside Sephiroth. It didn't take long for Angeal's breathing to grow heavy with soft snores, and Genesis took this opportunity to sit down and crack open the journal again.
'Perhaps I'm just crazy trying to take care of a child that cannot see me nor be held by me. Perhaps I'm insane with the idea that I can make him feel far better than how he's treated. I want to make sure Sephiroth grows up in a real world, not in this boxed up one. I might never see that day, but I will hope someone will help him get there to that point. It will be a beautiful miracle.
Today, I watched from the floor above as Sephiroth started to become familiar with his surroundings. There was a trap door that we could actually access his room, but this was for the more immediate cases of diaper changes when needed and feeding. I volunteered for both of those, and Hojo almost refused, but decided he didn't have use for me otherwise if he didn't assign me them. So I am lucky enough to have the jobs of interacting with Sephiroth.
The first day I went in there I found the room intimidating at how white it was, how uninteresting its features were. There was very little within, not even an actual bed for him to lay on. There wasn't a toy in sight, nothing friendly or welcoming for him to attach to. It was hell for anyone, and it felt like hell to me. I can't imagine how he must feel in this terrible place, so confined and hated. What does it feel like to be an experiment, to be prodded all the time just for a reaction? He shyly approached me, knowing that whoever came within his sight was most likely going to experiment on him. He had no reasons to run, though I thought if I were him I would have tried to escape any situation that involved a scientist. But no, he approached like a good little boy and peered up at me, prepared for anything to happen. I picked him up and could feel him cling to me. He was shaking, as if scared I wasn't real. But I am real, and I wanted him to know that. I gently set him on his back because I was only there to change him and feed him. I wasn't supposed to speak, nor show any signs of emotion, but I couldn't help but smile as he shied away from being undressed. So modest and at such a young age. But he didn't refrain from allowing me to do my job. My favorite part about spending time with him is feeding him. He always seems attentive about the food that we're giving him. Sadly it isn't anything appetizing, just slop that was put together to build up his immune system. It was worse than baby food, it was just a glop of unknown substances put together for him to down. The drinks were no better, but he took it in like it was the greatest part of his day. He grabbed for the spoon, seeing how I operated it and he wanted to try. It was cute, seeing how his hands couldn't hold it quite as skillfully as I could. He did make a mess, but it was manageable. Though, I hadn't thought it through completely. If he learns to feed himself, then there will be no use for me to go in and help. There will be no interaction. It would just be him and his food. I took the spoon away, carefully, but in a manner that showed I wanted to help him. His eyes stared at me, rather emotionless from the action. If I upset him he mostly likely didn't want to show it toward me. He had learned to shut off sadness relatively quickly. He still cried, but not as much as he used to.
The next day that I went in it was the same. And the next day. And the next. But one day that I went in there he did something funny, something strange and different for an experiment like him. I was changing his clothes and my fingers had glided against his belly. He giggled. I saw a start of a smile appear onto his face, and he pulled away at the touch, though he seemed intent for it to happen again. I reached forth and did it again, and the giggle came, along with a bigger smile. Human emotion. He was feeling happy, joyous, thrilled by the touch, to be played with and not played around with.
From above I was yelled at. Hojo screeched for me to clothe him and be done. I adjusted his shirt and rose, watching those chubby cheeks lose the smile they had. When I looked down at him from the glass floor, he was poking at his sides, trying to make himself giggle but being unable to.
The next day Hojo reprimanded me for my behavior before I went to visit him. He found my actions intolerable, saying I was trying to influence him. We, and I quote, "need him faceless, without structure, to see how he develops under no influences. JENOVA will come forth, she must, and then we'll see what he's truly like. Your blithering actions will disrupt the entire process, woman!" JENOVA will never come. She will not manipulate this child, nor influence him. She is an alien that is dormant, or most likely dead. She cannot fix this boy and she cannot make him work. He'll need influences or he'll be completely brainless for the rest of his life. Why make him suffer like that? I didn't argue, only apologized because I knew that I wouldn't be able to see him any longer if I fought.
We tested him. We strapped him down on a table that was within the confined room and started to stab pronged needles into his back. There were four types of substances within each prong, and this was our best way to test allergies all at once. There were six of these four-pronged needles, meaning 24 different needles stabbing into this poor child's back, just to see if he was allergic to any of them. Such a cruel thing to do since he'd never come in contact with over half of these substances. I was there to witness them press these needles into his back, making him scream each time they made contact with his skin. I winced whenever he winced, and my heart screamed whenever he did. I wanted to pull him out right there, drag him to safety, run off and show him the real world. I didn't move. Only watched as another set was pressed into his back, more screams erupting from him. When they finished they didn't hold him or tell him good job for letting them torture him. They didn't give him a sucker, a toy, or a pat on the shoulder. Hojo, instead, dropped the boy onto the floor where his thin blanket was at and walked off, waving for the rest of us to leave as well. I glanced back and saw that face, emotionless again. I saw the tears that were riding on the bottom lids of his eyes, but nothing came yet. And then I was too far away to tell if he was hurt.'
Genesis stared at the pages, choked up again. He turned his eyes away from the handwriting, taking a small breath to himself. That suffering…it didn't make sense to him. Why wasn't he allowed to have some pleasures of life? He was just a child…so young and innocent. He turned to the next entry, taking another breath hoping that it had something nice for once.
'It's been a few weeks since I made my last entry. There's a lot to document, but there hasn't been enough time to do so. Sephiroth has developed well for someone his age, but he is just a baby. Perhaps the first real problem that showed up was three weeks ago, when I was feeding him. He demanded the spoon, as usual, and I couldn't justify not giving it to him. I watched him eat, much better than he had done before, and finished his meal without my help. He looked proud, as if I should praise his growing experience. A part of me wanted to, I wished to hold him and say that he was a good boy for learning so quickly. But the other half of me felt doomed, knowing that my days of feeding him were numbered. Hojo was watching, of course, and he mentioned that my presence in giving him food was no longer needed. I nodded, but in my heart I knew that Sephiroth needed my presence even if he didn't need my assistance.
The next day I set the food in front of him, handing over the spoon carefully so that I wouldn't "influence" him with my touch. It was something Hojo demanded I do, and I felt as if I should break such a ridiculous rule. But I only obeyed, and Sephiroth readily grabbed it and began to eat. But when I moved to leave he stopped, a noise escaped his mouth. I glanced back to see his curious look wondering why I was going. I only pointed at his food for him to focus on it, and soon I went back upstairs. For the longest time he stared up at his ceiling, as if he could see us, but we knew it wasn't possible. And finally he turned his attention back to his food. His eyes attached to his spoon and he scooped up some slop, slowly putting it into his mouth. He didn't look satisfied, as if he ruined his own appetite.
A week later I was changing him and he moved to help me, as if he was being a big helper. He didn't realize he was repeating his own mistakes. Hojo ordered that I no longer had to dress him, as the boy was adjusting well without me. He was potty-trained, he knew how to eat by himself, and now he could dress himself. My use was growing thin. All I could do was go in and drop off his items in a cold, emotionless manner because Hojo ordered it to be so.
I went in to drop off his clothes and the boy grabbed them up, thinking I was there to help pull down his shirt when he first pulled it on. I wanted to stop and help, but I moved to leave instead. He stood there for the longest time with his shirt hiked up, his eyes scanning to where I had gone. He looked up, knowing I was hiding up there somewhere, and I felt bad. He didn't bother to fix his shirt, nor did he change his pants or other clothes. He sat down on his little blanket and fell back into his emotionless state.
He fell sick this week. He had puked on the floor since he had never had a problem like this before. I directed him to the toilet, showing him where his waste needed to go, but he couldn't seem to get the concept, or he wasn't fast enough to get there. Or…maybe he knew if he learned that he wouldn't get the contact he wanted? I spent a lot of time down there cleaning the area, and he'd watch me from his makeshift spot on the floor that was his bed. At night, he was feverish and couldn't sleep. It was reported that he was having bad nightmares, and during the day it was too bright for him to get any rest. I did some thinking, hoping Hojo would agree with me on this, and I told him that giving him a bear or stuffed toy to hold onto might help him. I gave reasons that stuffed toys could pass for the touch he wanted, and having something to touch would enhance chemicals in his brain to help build up his immunity. It took Hojo an entire day to think it over, and he allowed me to pick something up and let him have it. He gave no specifications, so I spent the greatest time searching for the perfect bear. The lady at the gift shop asked if it was for a child of mine. I smiled and nodded, I told her that he was sick and needed some comfort.
The day I went in there with the bear he perked up from his spot on the floor and he edged to sit up. His eyes were wide with wonder, curious about what it was. I watched him come over, waiting for me to give him some type of order. Instead I gave the bear a small hug, showing him what to do with it before holding it out to him. His arms wrapped around it greedily and he pet the soft fur that was on it. But something else attracted his attention. He gave it a small sniff and I saw his face relax. Before I had handed it over I had sprayed some perfume onto it. Hojo never knew and he didn't seem to complain about the looks of the bear. He never knew that I had searched long and hard for that bear. And now Sephiroth had it in his grasps, eyes trying to understand what it was, hands trying to discover why it felt that way, but his heart accepted that it was his. He laid back down content with what he received.
The next day he looked better and he carried the bear all over the place. It was his only companion in that disgusting chamber he lived in. But he didn't care about his living conditions, he only seemed glad that he now shared it with something else.'
Genesis smiled at that. A bear. He remembered the drawing Sephiroth made of it, and when he showed him what it looked like. The perfect bear…he had never thought someone could put that much thought into a gift.
He then heard something. His eyes dashed over to the windows, remembering he was supposed to be on duty. He tucked the book away and got up to see what it was when an explosion went off. Genesis fell hard onto his back, ears ringing at the blast of the noise. Wood fell onto him and his lungs filled with smoke. He coughed, unable to even hear himself do that, and he tried to scramble to find his sword. Someone struck him hard. His hearing came back and his eyes started to recollect who it was. Wutai warriors! He snatched up a piece of wood and slammed it into the figure, trying to defend himself with the wimpy thing, but he felt a sharp tip poke him in the back. His eyes went back, staring at the figure curiously. He felt trapped, so he dropped the wood, eyes shooting over to Angeal who was now awake and being handled as well.
"We've been looking for you boys for a long time," a gruff voice remarked to him, and the figure appeared from where the front door used to be. "But now you're in deep trouble. Your other SOLDIER friends didn't seem to make it…let's see if you can." He snapped his fingers and Genesis felt himself be pulled from the room out into the cold open air. Angeal was soon beside him.
"Sir, this one is poisoned." Their leader went over to find out who it was and he bellowed a laugh. It made Genesis feel sick, knowing that everyone recognized Sephiroth.
"Oho, my…the great 1st class SOLDIER isn't feeling well?" He pulled Sephiroth up by his collar and the two met eyes. "How beautiful…that look of agony." He caressed Sephiroth's cheek with the back of his fingers, "Poisoned. I can assume you met one of our friendly beasts, then."
Sephiroth pulled away from the touch and glared at him, "Enough…idle chatter. What will you do with us?"
The man chuckled before glancing at the others, "Tie them up and let's head out." Sephiroth was roughly tied up and pulled over to the others. They soon were brought toward a lot of chocobos, and each was strewn across one, tied to the feathered beast. Genesis would have complained and said he could sit upright and be good, but he wasn't sure if he should bother cooperating with the enemy. He'd follow Sephiroth's lead, although it seemed the man wouldn't be much of a leader in his poor situation. His eyes went over to his comrade and found that they were having far more difficulties with Sephiroth. It seemed the man was fighting, even though tied up, and the chocobo seemed very nervous around him. "Well if you're going to act like this then we'll obvious have to treat you much differently than the others." The Wutai leader slammed the hilt of his weapon into Sephiroth's jaw, causing him to drop. The group laughed as Sephiroth spit up some blood onto the fresh snow. "If he doesn't want to ride then drag him."
Genesis watched them bound the ropes to the saddle, and as Sephiroth tried to rise they slapped the chocobo's side forcing it to bound forward and knock Sephiroth back to the ground. They all laughed, finding Sephiroth's misfortune to be hilarious. But all Genesis could think about was the journal. How scary it was that what was going on now…was probably the same hateful, mistreatment that happened to him as a child. "Don't do that," Genesis snapped at them, though he sounded more concerned than hateful.
"What's the matter, don't like seeing him hurt? Ya pansy. Blindfold him to quit his bitchin'," their leader ordered, and soon Genesis felt his eyes be covered. Great. Now he wouldn't know what exactly was happening to Sephiroth… "Let's head out!" They moved quickly. Genesis felt the tug of the rope tighten on him as the chocobo made its bounds stretch further and further, its breathing becoming deep. He rested his head against its warm feathers, listening to its heartbeat throughout its entire body.
He wasn't sure how long their ride lasted, but it started to become unbearable, painful even. His back hurt from this position and the ropes were slicing into his skin. He wasn't wearing all of his layers, so unfortunately even the cold was bugging him. The chocobo could only warm up part of his body, while the rest had to suffer the blowing winds as they went through the air. Yet he could only imagine that Sephiroth's fate was much worse than his. It took so long for them to unbind him from the feathery beast, as if they were stalling on purpose knowing that he was in pain. But at last, he was free from the creature's back, and he felt his spine thank him for being able to straighten up. His blindfold was removed and he felt his eyes wince at the snowy landscape that soon came into full view. It was much brighter out now, and the base they were arriving into was much bigger than the ones they had been to previously. Genesis turned his attention toward Sephiroth who was being pulled up from the ground. His pant legs were ripped up and his knees and shins were covered in blood. It seemed he had dispersed most of the ride on them, although Genesis couldn't blame him. He wouldn't want to suffer scratching up his sides or front for an entire trip here.
"This way!" Genesis slowly fell in line behind Sephiroth as they were herded toward a section of the building. They moved downward, and soon entered into a dark, unfriendly area for prisoners. Genesis spotted a few other SOLDIER members with infantrymen in other cells. Once they had spotted them their faces lost their hope, as if they were doomed to die now that they were in there. Genesis was roughly thrown into a group of lower class operatives and he watched as Angeal was set into a different cell. But they didn't bother with Sephiroth, they stood around him like hungry animals, circling him and cackling at what they would do to him.
"I wonder what it'll feel like to be tortured before all of your dear followers," one spat.
"It'll be interesting to see if they'll like you once you're begging for mercy," another jibed.
Sephiroth didn't move nor make a comment. The poison still had its grasp on him and the ride over there was hard enough to get through. If he could last through this beating, he would be surprised. The first hit went at his kneecap, which sent him down onto the ground in a kneeling position. It was painful, but he kept in his discomfort and showed no facial expressions. They continued to hit him, over and over, trying to get anything out of him, but he refused. He wasn't going to show them anything. It was twenty minutes of 'torture' but they finally felt unsatisfied with the results.
"Well, if we can't break him…there's always humiliation." The group agreed and they slammed him down into a chair. One brought over a box and set it down on the table, pulling up two dresses. "What's more him? Pink and flashy, or baby blue, cute, and innocent?"
Most of the group agreed upon cute and innocent, and they jammed it on him though he was still tied up. He looked ridiculous, but Sephiroth only smiled at their efforts, "How do I look?"
Genesis was surprised that Sephiroth was playing it so coolly. He thought Sephiroth would stay silent and sullen, but he realized that would only play into what they wanted. Man. He didn't think he'd be able to handle humiliation like that, especially if it involved women's clothing.
"You look like you're not finished." The man pulled out some makeup, "How's about we pretty you up?" The group chuckled as blush and eyeshadow was poorly put on him. Then he grabbed up some lipstick and squeezed Sephiroth's face, "Here's something to make all the boys want you." He slopped it on, the lipstick looking worse than the rest of Sephiroth. But the 1st class SOLDIER hardly looked offended.
"Well? Did you do a good job?" Sephiroth's question started to irk the group.
"What do they do, put SOLDIER operatives through this to get into 1st class? He hardly seems upset."
"He's just trying to get on our nerves," another replied. "But he won't be acting like that for long. Tell us, who really irked you the most during your trek here? The gruff, black-haired guy or the ginger?"
Genesis glared. He was insulted in being called a ginger, considering his hair wasn't that red.
Sephiroth glanced over at Genesis almost to say 'obviously him' but calmly replied, "Why would it matter?"
"Just answer the question."
"Neither."
The man laughed and glanced over at Genesis, "I think, then, I'll pick for you." Genesis tensed up as he came over and pulled him from the cell. "What's more humiliating, having to fuck a peon in front of everyone, or being fucked by one?"
Genesis couldn't believe it. They were going to make him fuck Sephiroth? They were joking, right? His eyes went to Sephiroth's and he noticed the stern look he was giving him. Was he not supposed to show any fear or anything right now? He was surrounded by underdogs. He would have to show that there was nothing to fear as a SOLDIER no matter what they had to do.
"I think being fucked by one would be satisfying for this group," another remarked. They moved Genesis closer to Sephiroth and he held his weapon to Genesis's throat. "Give him something he won't be able to forget."
Genesis wasn't sure what to say to that. His eyes went to Sephiroth wondering if he should just follow their instructions. He noticed the look on Sephiroth's face, mostly pained from the poison, but also some disgust in his eyes. He got an idea, but he wasn't sure if it would work. Everything was worth a risk…right? "Can I have my hands free?"
"Do you think we're stupid?"
Yes. "I…can't exactly move when I'm bound like this."
"Oho, hear that boys? He wants to get into the motions, too!" The group laughed and Genesis felt stupid. Should have just sat on Sephiroth and asked him what they were supposed to do.
Sephiroth stared at Genesis before sighing. It seemed he was hardly planning, just acting out on what he was told. At this rate, Genesis would be fucking him in front of everyone. How humiliating. No. He'd have to keep his dignity no matter what would happen to him.
"Here, let's make it easy for him." A Wutai warrior grabbed Sephiroth and slammed him down onto the table so he was bent over, very vulnerable. "Pull down his pants and fuck him."
Genesis felt them cut the ropes on him. Seriously? That was…easy. Now to just play it off correctly…He went over to Sephiroth and watched as the man glared at him, as if daring him to even try. His hands went underneath the dress to grab onto Sephiroth's hips, though he made no motion to take his pants off. "Well? Pull them down."
Genesis shook his head, "You can't rush these things."
"Yeah? I can rush your death if that's how you're going to play."
For a moment Genesis panicked thinking he would die if he didn't obey, but he only gave a charming smile. "Calm down, I have to loosen him up. Have you ever tried to cram yourself into a tight place?"
Angeal, who was trying NOT to look, winced and covered his face. He wasn't sure if that was funny, disgusting, or both. Probably both.
Sephiroth pretty much died. He hid his face against the table, hair covering most of him, and he prayed that it would be over once they found out he wasn't going to scream. Then he felt Genesis's hands touch his. They were hot, burning practically. And he remembered…Genesis had all of their spell-casting materia! Why hadn't Genesis acted earlier?!?
As the ropes burned Genesis finally reached into Sephiroth's pocket, which under a poofy dress looked like he was reaching in Sephiroth's pants to toy with him. "Almost ready?" He questioned the man, as if Sephiroth was a part of any of this.
Sephiroth felt the pocket knife be passed into his hands and he nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be."
Genesis pulled his hands out from the skirt and grabbed up at Sephiroth's sides, as if preparing to slam himself into Sephiroth, but instead he pulled him to stand. He used Sephiroth's shoulders as support in lifting himself up to kick one Wutai guard in the face before landing down and blasting another one with fire right in the face. He twisted and got the other two with a shot of lightning before glancing around to make sure they were safe. "You could have helped, you know."
Sephiroth glared at him, "My arms are stuck."
Genesis sighed as if he was helpless while scooping up the keys to the cells. He threw them to Angeal who unlocked his cell and swooped around to get the others out as well. Genesis finally helped Sephiroth by pulling his arms up and out of the dress, "There, your arms are free. Now are you all right? You're bruised and bloody."
Sephiroth wiped at the crappy lipstick on his lips, "Let's just say being tortured and bled to death was more preferable than having you act like that toward me."
"Hey…it got us out, right?"
Angeal came over, "That's right. Imagine if Genesis couldn't pull it off." But the closer he got the more his smirk spread on his face. "Sephiroth, your makeup is atrocious."
Sephiroth sighed and noticed one glove was covered in lipstick, so he used the other to try and wipe his eyes off. "Sorry, I was in such a rush this morning." He noticed he still had the dress on and he grumbled, "Get this dumb thing off of me."
Genesis turned him around to unzip him when the zipper got caught, "Oh shoot."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sephiroth questioned.
"It's stuck."
"What?"
"Angeal, help me with this." Angeal handed the keys to someone else and came over, trying to pull the zipper down.
"Hmm…seems pretty stuck," Angeal remarked. "Could try pulling it down?"
"Good thinking." Genesis grabbed onto the hips of the dress and started to yank down to no avail. He kept pulling, but the fabric only ripped at the seams somewhat. "I think your hips are too big."
Sephiroth wasn't sure what to think of that. "Pull harder." He felt Genesis give another yank, but it didn't budge.
"Maybe it's your ass that's too big?" Genesis questioned and noticed that the prisoners were now gathering around watching this like it was some kind of show. Wow. If this didn't spread like wildfire into Midgar he'd be surprised. "Maybe I should pull up?"
"I think his chest would be bigger than his hips," a 3rd class SOLDIER commented. A few agreed with him.
Angeal snorted, "Are you sure?"
Sephiroth glared before letting his eyes fall onto Genesis, "Cut it off me."
"Where's the knife I gave you?"
Sephiroth hesitated. Where had he put it? He then realized what happened and he sighed, "It's stuck in the dress." As Genesis moved him to find it, he noticed the lump on the side of Sephiroth's stomach.
"Oh, that shouldn't be too hard to get. Hold still, I'll reach up and—"
"NO."
"Sephiroth, do you want the dress off or not?"
"Does anyone else have a knife?"
The rest of the group shook their heads, muttering how they were taken. One person raised their hand and quietly spoke up. "Um. Sir. Not to interrupt your situation, but…uh…shouldn't we think of a plan to get out of here without dying?" The others mumbled in agreement.
They were right, Sephiroth should have been focusing on that instead of this stupid problem. He went over to the table and grabbed the lipstick, throwing the cap off and started to draw on the table. "Right. Here's the base's basic shape, this is where we are currently at. A sentry tower was here, and our group came in this way. Has anyone else been able to investigate other holdings on this area?" His eyes went around the table and one person nodded. "Go ahead, point them out."
"Well…our possessions are held in the grounds right above us, but they're the most heavily guarded. Over here," he pointed a finger in the corner of the drawing, "was their medical unit. I think they have something you can use for the poison in your system."
Another person nodded, "And right beside it is their living corridors."
Genesis listened to them carefully, "You know a lot. Were you a stealth mission?" The two nodded. "I see. How unfortunate that so many of us were caught."
Angeal shook his head, "No, they were transported here, weren't you?" The group nodded. "So…they wanted us to believe this was their largest camp. It isn't. Have all of you always been together?"
"No, half of us came from the North on down. We reached the largest base first, but were overpowered rather quickly."
"And we came from the sides, but the terrain was too unfamiliar. They caught us off guard."
Sephiroth nodded, "Fighting in the enemy's territory is quite frustrating." He started to calculate it all before marking areas on the map with the lipstick. "All right. I want those from the North to go up and eradicate the room holding our weapons with Genesis's help. Stealth, act as a distraction over here, near the exit. You'll have Angeal with you. Don't get shot, but when they start firing I want you to fall down as if you're hurt. Then, the other group, I want you to do a surprise attack on anyone who approaches them. By that time the rest of us will have our weapons and we'll join you. When all of us exit, Genesis, I want you to set fire to this wing," he marked it with an X. "They'll pour out like ants, and then fight until they're all dead. Do not let any of them escape, understand?"
The group nodded, believing his words fully. But Genesis had to speak up, had to stop him. "Sephiroth, you're hardly able to stand, I don't think you should lead the attack."
"I'm not going to sit out and let anyone perish," Sephiroth commented. "Once the groups are diminished, we can get some medical supplies and food if the wing doesn't burn down. We'll contact Shinra afterward, and continue onward with our mission."
Genesis expected him to fight it, so he backed down and decided not to fight. If he couldn't change Sephiroth's mind before he obviously wouldn't be able to now. "I see. Then let's head out." Genesis's group dispersed and Angeal's soon followed, leaving Sephiroth's group behind. He went over to some water and washed his face, trying to get more of the makeup off before he had to do any fighting.
"S-Sephiroth…sir…" a 2nd class SOLDIER started to speak, "It was…very…hard to watch you take such tortures from these Wutai scum. It's good to see that you came out rather unharmed."
Sephiroth wasn't sure how to reply to that. First of all he didn't feel like he came out unscathed since he was still wearing the disgusting dress and was in so much pain he wanted to curl up and die. But he stuck it out, and he realized what he had to say to these younger kids. "As part of SOLDIER you have to risk all of your dignity and withstand the greatest humiliation for the safety of millions of others. Even if that means having to go through rape or castration."
The group felt a bit spooked. They weren't sure if they wanted to risk having any of those things happen to them. "Y-Yeah…for a minute there…I thought you'd really have to just take it from Genesis or something."
Sephiroth nodded, "I was right on that exact train of thought. Truly I believed he was going to obey their orders like a moron, but he proved me wrong."
A few members gave nervous chuckles. "Genesis can pull off some of the weirdest things."
"You never know what to expect from him. Now, let's get up there. I have a feeling they're prepared. Stay close and don't get spotted." As they rose up and heard the fighting going on, Sephiroth spotted the group heading back toward him. Alarms started to go off all around signaling that the rest of the base that they were free.
Genesis sliced the dress off of Sephiroth and handed him his sword, "Let's hurry!"
The group exited, and Genesis blasted the place with fire. They cut down the members that were closing in on Angeal's group, and soon the entire place went into a full fight of bloodshed. Sephiroth kept up rather well with the others as he struck down the enemy with his Masamune. But he could tell the further they killed people the worse things were getting. Something wasn't right. He hesitated, eyes refocusing to find what was wrong. Then…he heard it. Ticking. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and he held up his hand, "Fall back! This place is going to detonate!" Everyone scurried, slicing who they could that got in their way, but it was too late.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
~He lay there, motionless in the dark void. He felt soft music playing around him, almost like wind chimes. The joy of being there, not moving…it was wonderful. And he didn't hurt anymore. His eyes were closed, and Sephiroth didn't bother to open them up. Instead he continued to float in that eternal abyss, so loving and quiet.
Someone approached him and he felt their hand against his arm.
Seph…i…roth.
Sephiroth opened his mouth to speak, to say anything. His eyes started to open. Who was this figure? He…he had to know.
Seph…iroth.
"Mother?"~
"Sephiroth!"
Sephiroth opened his eyes and was staring at Genesis and Angeal. He tried to move but couldn't. Pain flowed back into him and he winced at the feeling. This wasn't what he wanted to wake up to.
"Sephiroth, are you all right? Sephiroth! Say something!" Genesis snapped at him, demanding his attention.
"Mm.." Sephiroth coughed a bit and tried to sit up. "Mm..other?"
Angeal and Genesis both looked stunned at his words, more because he was speaking than what he said. Angeal helped him sit up, "Sephiroth, you're all right. Jesus, you scared us."
"Mother?" Sephiroth asked again. He saw how bloody he was yet he didn't feel any pain. "Mother?"
Genesis put his hand to Sephiroth's mouth, "Shh…Sephiroth, they'll hear you. Just…be quiet."
"M-Mother..?" Sephiroth asked again. What's…what's wrong with me? I can only say one word. What happened? What's going on?? He began to freak out, "Mother! Mother!" He tried to fight out of Angeal's grasp and found he could only move half of his body. Shit! Shit! I don't know what's going on! What happened? I got hit, but why can't I talk? And I can't move! Am I dying? Is this how people die? Why can't I feel pain?
"I'll go distract the grunts, you try to get him to be quiet." Angeal rose and moved off, calling their attention toward him. He rounded them up and did a head count, making sure everyone was fine before making them move further off. But they were curious about Sephiroth's condition.
"Is he okay? He's not moving," one grunt shakily questioned.
"Sephiroth is fine, it's just some head trauma."
"Is it severe?"
"No, he'll recover. He just needs some space."
"Will he make it?"
"Of course he will. It was just an explosion, he's just dizzy and disoriented. I'm sure a few of you would be in the same situation if you were as close as he was to the bomb." Their eyes exchanged between each other. They expected they'd all be dead, not disoriented. "Now does anyone need help with wounds?"
Genesis sat with Sephiroth, listening to him continue to repeat 'mother' over and over. He didn't know what to do. It was scary thinking that Sephiroth was so hurt that he couldn't even speak correctly anymore. They had called in for a ride home, knowing that they couldn't continue with Sephiroth in this condition. They had failed their mission. Maybe Wutai really was too strong for them? Sephiroth felt something in his pocket vibrating. He pointed, mumbling 'mother' a few times until Genesis pulled it out and answered. "Hello?"
"Genesis? Where's Sephiroth?"
It was the Director. "He's right here, he just can't talk right now."
"How is he? Are you all right?"
"We're all fine, we found a few prisoners, but um.." his eyes lowered to the disoriented SOLDIER before him. "Sephiroth got hit with most of the blast from an explosion inside their base. He's pretty beat up and I'm not sure how much he can comprehend anymore."
"We'll return all of you directly back here. The rides shouldn't take that long to retrieve you."
"That's good, we don't have anything to help with Sephiroth's problem."
"Don't worry," Lazard remarked, "You'll be safe returning home. We've been contacted that Wutai wants to negotiate now. It seems the amount of bases you've taken out previously have taken a large impact in their supplies. They must not have heard about Sephiroth's condition, which falls perfectly in our favor."
"Yeah…that is good. So, our mission is over? We actually finished?"
"Yes, you'll be able to relax and heal up once you come home."
Genesis was so glad to hear that. He couldn't wait to be warm again and get to eat actual food. Perhaps he'd even be able to get on Sephiroth's better side since he'd be out of the guy's hair? His eyes wet down to Sephiroth who had started to doze off, and he reached down to comfortingly rub his shoulder.
"Thank you, Director, for the good news."
"Well, it was all thanks to you and the others. Now I must be going."
Genesis hung up and pocketed Sephiroth's phone. His eyes went back down to Sephiroth, seeing his eyes were shut, a small smile across his face as if he was pretending to sleep. "Rest," he whispered, hand still on his shoulder. "You made…such a beautiful sacrifice."
OoOoOoOoO
"How…is he?"
Genesis had been waiting two whole weeks to see him. It seemed Sephiroth had never actually been hit by the explosion, to their surprise, and it was the shockwave that had actually caused him such traumatic problems. The chip planted within his brain had moved when he fell down, and with that pressed into parts that were sensitive it overrode Sephiroth's system. It paralyzed part of him, made it so he couldn't speak correctly, yet was still able to comprehend everything around him. His problems hadn't stopped there, as Sephiroth was suffering from malnutrition, bruising, and the scraps on his knees from his chocobo experience. Genesis had expected him to heal within the week, or at least be able to function properly, but surgery after surgery had only come up with failed results. The chip had to be removed, to Hojo's disappointment, and Sephiroth fell into a coma for a day. His recovery wasn't happening quickly, and Genesis was too afraid to go see. But finally after Angeal urged him to go see Sephiroth had he come down to the confined basements to find out where Sephiroth was all this time.
"Well, unfortunately he's forgotten everything, or at least isn't reacting to anything. I had a feeling that would happen when we went to remove the chip. He'll either start to recognize things slowly over time or he'll be stuck in this stupor until he relearns everything again. But we might just scrap the whole thing—"
"Scrap?" Genesis questioned. They'd just throw Sephiroth out?
"Well if he's completely destroyed mentally than there's nothing we can do with him aside from poke around with the cells he received from JENOVA. He's of no use to Shinra's SOLDIER force if he can't do anything, but he'll be a nice experiment for science until he dies."
Genesis felt sick at those words, but had to fight it. "You mean if he can't recover. But…he obviously will. It's Sephiroth, he has always recovered. And besides, he heals quickly, it's part of JENOVA's traits…"
"Believe me, boy, I know everything about JENOVA and this coddling boy, you needn't tell me details. The percent of him completely crashing is a slim 27.8 percent. Now, did you come down here just to ask how he was or can I assume correctly that you wanted to see him?"
Genesis nodded several times. He wanted to make sure Sephiroth was fine, he didn't want to take anyone's word for it. They went further into the confines of the basement, deep within the darker rooms that Genesis remembered first meeting the boy. And there he was, in that disgusting small room with the window. There was a door where they had actually destroyed the walls to set him free, but Genesis noticed that the locks were on the outside so he couldn't escape. He approached the glass, peering in at the room. It still lacked anything to furnish it, and it was just as creepy and unsettling as the first time he had seen it. His eyes dove from side to side until he spotted his knees. Back in his corner, as if hiding from the attention of onlookers. "Has he been sitting there for long?"
Hojo nodded, "Yes. Whenever he's not sleeping he's sitting in that corner."
Genesis gave the room another glance before turning to Hojo, "I'd like to go inside to talk to him."
"Of course you would," Hojo remarked dryly as he went over to the door and unlocked it. He came inside with Genesis and propped the door open, arriving over to give the boy a smack to his arm. "Sephiroth, you have a guest." He stepped back then to take notes and see if Sephiroth would act any differently.
Genesis slowly approached him, as if afraid to spook the boy. He looked emotionless, blank, his face stony as he stared at nothing. "Sephiroth?" At first there was no response, but Sephiroth finally dragged his eyes from the air before him to Genesis's face. "Hey, it's Genesis." He didn't know what Sephiroth knew or remembered anymore. He'd play it safe. "How are you feeling?"
Hojo snorted, "You do realize he can't respond, correct?"
Genesis glanced back at him, "That doesn't mean anything." He returned his eyes to the man and his smile came to his face, "You look better than you did last time I saw you."
Angeal soon came down into the depths of the basement and saw the isolation chamber. He came into the doorway and noticed Genesis near Sephiroth with Hojo off to the side. He approached calmly, looking at Hojo and the man waved for him to have a look. As he came over Hojo made his escape, rather uninterested since Sephiroth didn't respond at all to either of them. Angeal gave him a warm smile, "Hello, Sephiroth. It's Angeal. Remember?"
Sephiroth stared at him hardly interested in his presence. Angeal took a seat on the bench near the window before turning to face Genesis, "I thought it'd be best if we both were in here."
"Yeah, he hasn't said anything, but that's to be expected." Genesis turned Sephiroth and sat next to him. "So…Sephiroth…hope you don't mind our presence." The figure stared at him, wondering what he meant. Genesis gave him a gentle smile, "Feels like we're starting all over again, huh?"
Sephiroth returned the smile.
Angeal leaned forward and looked surprised, "See that? He smiled back at you!"
"Yeah, I noticed. That's a great smile, Sephiroth," Genesis commented and gave him a pat on the knee. "Keep that up and you'll be back to normal in no time."
Sephiroth looked at where Genesis had grabbed him before reaching out, letting his own hand touch Genesis's leg. He squeezed and watched Genesis jerk, a laugh erupting from Genesis. "Sephiroth!"
Sephiroth smiled again, but wider. A small laugh escaped him, making the others lean even closer.
"You must be feeling better, huh?" Genesis remarked. "You know just where to jab me to get a good reaction."
Sephiroth nodded slowly before trying to speak, having to slowly pronounce each word. "I…feel…like…everything…is so…slow."
Genesis grabbed Sephiroth's hand gently as he spoke. It was good to at least hear his voice. "It's just temporary. You'll be fine soon."
Angeal was surprised at Sephiroth's reactions. Him. Speaking. Already! Maybe it was just the connection that he had with Genesis that could bring forth his ability to speak. He couldn't blame Sephiroth for not talking at all, though, Hojo wasn't exactly a person that anyone would want to start chatting with. "That's right. Maybe we can ask Hojo to see if you can go to your room instead of staying in here?"
Sephiroth gently gave a slow, well thought out nod. It was obvious that no one in their right mind, or wrong mind, would want to stay in such a room.
Angeal and Genesis moved to find Hojo and the man was ordering peons around as usual. Genesis approached him casually, as if he knew the man would have to say yes. "Hojo, I think it'd be helpful if Sephiroth was returned to his room."
Hojo gave him a perturbed look, "And why is that?"
"It'll help with his recovery. He'll start to remember things better that way."
"He could escape—"
"No, we'll keep an eye on him. It isn't like I'd push him in his room and leave."
Hojo would have argued but he looked to be rather busy with other things. He sneered, prepared to insult all of them, but finally spat, "Fine, but that means he's your responsibility. I better not hear anymore complaints."
"You won't," Genesis quipped back. They headed back in the room and found Sephiroth standing there waiting for them. "He said we can do what we want with you." He came forward and grabbed Sephiroth's arm, "How fast can you walk?"
"Not…very…fast." He started to move forward. It was like a very casual, very thoughtful walk, as if Sephiroth didn't have anywhere to really go. It could at least pass off as a normal walk, though.
"That's a good pace, we'll just pretend we're going nowhere soon."
Sephiroth felt himself be tugged and they headed out of the dungeon-like cell and towards freedom. His eyes took in the busy area of the front desk as they casually made their way toward the stairs. Of course, it wouldn't be a normal day if someone didn't come up to take a picture of them.
"Can I get a picture of you three together? We're doing a story on how Wutai surrendered thanks to our brave SOLDIER operatives!"
Genesis wanted to say no as Sephiroth gave a simple nod. So much for avoiding people. Sephiroth simply turned to him and asked, "How's my…hair?"
Genesis wasn't sure what to say. It looked perfectly fine, but he was surprised Sephiroth even cared for a picture at this moment in time. "Flawless, as usual."
"Good."
They posed for the picture and the photographer beamed at how nice it turned out. Then Sephiroth grabbed Genesis in a headlock and grinded his knuckles into Genesis's skull. "You know, we should go eat at…Genesis's favorite place."
Angeal smirked, "Oooh, I almost think we should."
Genesis glared, fixing his hair as best as he could, "Um, I thought you wanted to go to your room to rest?"
"It…can wait."
"Are you sure?"
Sephiroth gave him an incredulous look, "Yes."
They made their way outside into the open air, the world buzzing around them while they took their pace slowly to the restaurant.
"I guess you haven't had anything good to eat since you've been out all this time, huh?" Genesis remarked while they went past another photographer.
"I've..been asleep…for most of it." They filtered past a small group of girls who waved at them and whistled.
"This feels nice," Genesis remarked as they walked onward, "Everyone is begging for our attention."
"It seems creepy if you think about it. The whole world stalking you," Angeal remarked, "Then again, you like those types of things, Genesis. I guess I can understand why you enjoy being stared at so much."
"Shut up," Genesis grumbled, though he was still in high spirits once they got inside and ordered their food. "Just like old times, huh?"
"It feels like…it's…been forever," Sephiroth remarked, fingers toying with the placemats made of paper.
It was then that Genesis picked up on it. Had…Sephiroth regained his old memory? "Sephiroth, you remember this place?"
"I..do." He flipped the paper over, pointing at the kids, "Remember…that one was supposed…to be you?"
"Yes, but…you lost your memories, remember? Are they all back?"
Sephiroth shrugged, "As if I...know."
"You remember our trip to the bases to defeat Wutai warriors, correct?" Angeal asked.
"Yes."
"You remember meeting Lucrecia?"
"Who?"
"Um…" Genesis quickly covered it up, "She was just a girl that used to work here."
"Oh. No…I don't remember…her."
"Well, at least some of your memories are back." Genesis watched the waitress hand them their food and he smiled at Sephiroth, "Eat up, then we'll get you back to your room so you can rest. Hopefully you'll feel better in the morning."
"Hopefully," Sephiroth replied, gently cutting into the food he got and slowly eating it.
As Angeal watched Sephiroth he got a big grin on his face, "Hey, don't pork down too much. It's hard enough carrying your fat ass around all the time."
Genesis almost choked on his drink at Angeal's comment while Sephiroth just gave him a seedy glare.
"I'm not fat…you're just weak and stupid."
"Suuure. Every time they make me pick you up because no one else can do it, and you're always heavier than a dead elephant."
"One day you'll regret saying that…" Sephiroth commented, noticing his speech was getting much better.
"The day I break my back because of you, perhaps." Angeal gave his usual grin toward the man and laughed at the response of Sephiroth's eyes rolling at him. "Hey, Genesis was the first one to say your ass was too big."
Genesis looked away, "Yeah well, we were trying to get that dress off and it really wasn't working."
Sephiroth sighed, "I hope the others know…to keep their traps shut about that."
"Oh don't worry, our debriefing was mostly about you." Angeal picked up his drink and sipped at it. "Lazard's face was quite humorous when we told him that part of the adventure, though."
"You told Lazard?" Sephiroth snapped. He'd never live this down he could imagine.
"Yeah, we told him everything. Well, not everything, but enough that he got the general picture of what went down while we were off in that fucking negative degree weather." Genesis grumbled under his breath, "Fuck winter."
"Aw, what's the matter, Genesis? Didn't you enjoy cuddling Sephiroth at night?" Angeal was on a roll this morning.
"Oh, I enjoyed every minute of it. The passionate words we exchanged, the tender and shallow breathing, and even the occasional ass squeeze." Genesis moved a piece of his hair out of his eyes. "It wasn't so much that part, but the traveling through it that was irritating."
"I hardly remember…any of it," Sephiroth mentioned. "There was snow and ice, then it…was cold because I fell…and then there was an explosion." He grabbed a French fry and poked it into some ketchup, staring at it carefully. "It felt more like I had a dream, a…really bad one."
"I wish it was just a dream," Genesis mumbled. "You fell in a well, do you remember that?"
Angeal smirked, "We called for Lassie, but she couldn't make it."
"Very funny. And I do remember that because I stabbed myself with my stupid sword." Sephiroth was so pissed about that when he realized he was talking normally. "Hey, I'm fixed."
"So was Lassie," Angeal remarked.
"I meant…" Sephiroth tried to think of the words and shook his head, "Dammit, now I can't remember any good comebacks."
"Give it time," Genesis said. He gave Sephiroth's arm a soft punch. "I'm sure once you rest everything will click."
Sephiroth finished his drink and set the cup down. He wiped his hands off on the napkin and sighed, "Oh that would be lovely." His eyes shifted over to a boy who was in a SOLDIER uniform that had entered. The black hair moved about this way and that before spotting them and he came over like he had something urgent to tell them.
"Angeal! Aw man, I heard you were back but I haven't been able to find you anywhere!"
Angeal glanced up at him curiously. "Have you tried sending me an e-mail?"
"Yeah, I did. You never replied."
Angeal smirked, "Oh that's right, I keep leaving it in the room because I'm tired of getting pointless messages."
The boy crossed his arms over his chest, "Hey, I was just worried about you, man. After I heard what happened to Sephiroth I thought that maybe you were suffering from severe backlash or something."
Sephiroth glanced up at him rather put off. "I'm perfectly fine."
"I heard something about dress fittings gone bad from the other guys," he remarked. "And being bent over tables. It didn't sound friendly."
"Nothing happened," Genesis defended both of them. "We had everything under control. They were just…weird and thought playing dress up would make a mockery of Sephiroth."
"Well, the guys are enjoying describing it. I think someone's making a picture, too, but it's hard to say. I wasn't really paying attention that much."
Angeal shook his head, "As usual, Zack. Was there anything else you needed?"
Zack smirked, "No, I just wanted to make sure you weren't dead. Seems you're still in working order!"
"Surprise," Angeal commented without infliction in his voice. "Now go do a few missions and kill off some of that energy. Or do some squats, you're good at that."
Zack gave a salute before rushing off like an excited puppy ready for play. Sephiroth snorted as he toyed with his cup. "I'm glad I don't have to work with 2nd class SOLDIERs or else I'd go insane."
"Why, because they like to talk about you in dresses?"
Sephiroth's eyes snapped over to Genesis, "Make a remark about that again and I'll castrate both of you." He watched the waitress come over as he forced Genesis to pay for him and they left the restaurant, full and happy now. "Hmm…it'll be nice to sleep in a real bed."
"I bet." Genesis glanced at the time, "I could go for a nap myself."
"You two are so lazy," Angeal chastised. "You'd think after all of that walking and killing that the two of you would be super SOLDIERs or something, but instead you're worse."
"I have several good reasons as to why I can be lazy," Sephiroth reasoned, "You do realize I'm suffering from all of your blunders, correct?" They gave him a look that said 'like what?' "Poisoning, going underneath the ice, being bombarded at night and taken hostage, bloody knees, severe torture…" He nodded, "I could say those were all your fault."
"We'd hate to leave you unscathed, you don't learn anything that way," Genesis joked. "Besides, you have bad luck. Maybe you should put on a few Luck enhancers? Maybe then it'll get out of the negatives."
They were in the elevator and Angeal glanced at them as they bickered somewhat. Yeesh, he didn't ask for this. "I'm going to my room."
Genesis thought Angeal would want to be around Sephiroth more, but he didn't fight that he wanted to go off somewhere else. Maybe the guy just wanted some alone time? "I'll be with Sephiroth if you need me."
Angeal gave him a 'are you serious?' look before getting off.
For a moment neither Sephiroth nor Genesis spoke trying to figure out why he gave them that look. But it quickly clicked in Genesis's mind. He remembered he told Angeal that he and Sephiroth…oh man. The guy probably thought they were going to go fuck each other! "Oh jeez, he thinks we're going to go get freaky."
Sephiroth's eyes opened wide, "Why would he think that?"
"Because he believes you and I are…gay?"
"I don't ever remember Angeal revealing that he thought like that about me. Huh." Sephiroth went to his door and saw what was posted on it. A drawing of him in some ridiculous frilly outfit. He snatched it off, crumpled it up, and threw it into the potted plant. "I can tell this won't be the last time I see that."
Genesis entered into the nice room and closed the door behind him, venturing over to the couch to take a seat. "I keep forgetting how nice your room is."
Sephiroth sat down on the bed and looked down at his hands. He saw the ring Genesis had forced onto his finger and he tried to get it off again, but it didn't budge. "You know…I don't think I'll ever get this off. It's stuck."
Genesis saw what he was talking about and he laughed, "I'm sorry, it was just a spur of the moment thing. I guess you can keep it. At least you can't lose it unless someone takes your finger."
Sephiroth grabbed up LOVELESS that was on the nightstand, "Well, if I'm taking the ring you can have this back."
Genesis stared at the book for a moment before reaching out and grabbing it, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that battle."
"It happens," Sephiroth replied before sitting on the edge of the bed, stripping off his clothes. He slipped underneath the covers and looked over at the redhead who was thumbing through LOVELESS like he had forgotten something in the pages. "Genesis."
"Yes?"
"Get in bed."
Genesis smirked at his demand, as if Sephiroth couldn't sleep without him. He gently put the book down and stripped his own clothing, getting in beside him, "Better?"
"Of course."
But Genesis didn't want to nap just yet. He still had some questions for the silver-haired man. "Sephiroth…how long were you in that chamber…? I mean, you recovered very quickly once you saw us, but…Hojo made it sound like you were dead."
"I'm..not sure. I couldn't remember anything when I was in there, and I really didn't care. But I saw you approach and it all started to click. I know I haven't remembered everything, but the things I do remember are very clear to me." He held up a hand to stare at it, as if the limb was unfamiliar to him. "When Hojo gave me the first surgery to insert the chips…and from this day, it's mostly blurry. I remember parts of it, and some of my behavior, but it comes in and out. It didn't feel like I was even there."
"You kind of weren't. You were just…a jerk."
Sephiroth laughed, "I can imagine. I apologize for my rash behavior."
"No, it wasn't your fault…" Genesis counted a few dots on the ceiling before turning his eyes to his friend taking in his body and facial expression. "I wonder why I spurred everything for you."
"Perhaps it's because you were a main influence in everything I have become?"
Genesis softly smiled at those words. Sephiroth looked up to him? He was his main influence? It softened his heart. "Well…I suppose."
"It's true."
"Yeah, we have experienced a lot of things together." It went silent for a moment, their eyes resting onto each other. They were both having the same thought, but neither was sure if they should act upon it. At last, Sephiroth was the one to make the first move. He rolled himself on top of Genesis, pressing his body into his as he leaned forward and kissed Genesis's soft lips. "Sephiroth?" Genesis questioned his actions, though he was ready for them to start he was surprised that Sephiroth was acting on such urges. Usually it was him!
"I've been thinking…since it'll just be the two of us for the rest of the day…why not indulge in each other's presence?"
Genesis nervously laughed, "Well…I wouldn't mind getting to take our time, usually we're rushed."
Sephiroth kissed Genesis's collar bone while his hand rested on his neck, almost tickling the redhead with his touch. "We can definitely slow things down…" he kissed up Genesis's neck and gave his lower lip a soft, gentle bite.
"Slow? So…you want to be soft and sensual this time?" Genesis kissed him back as he rested in his spot, practically letting Sephiroth do what he wanted with him. "I've never known you to be gentle."
Sephiroth gave him another kiss, green eyes staring directly into Genesis's blue ones. He moved in for his neck again, giving it a loving kiss before replying. "Then you're in for a surprise."
For the first twenty minutes they hadn't moved from such a position as they were tenderly stroking each other, sliding their hands across each other's skin to feel all the muscles tighten and relax at the touch. Sephiroth was calm, relaxed, taking in the moment and appealing to all of his senses as he continued to stroke Genesis. The redhead, on the other hand, was yearning for more. He kept pressing himself harder against Sephiroth, wishing the man would want to start. He even started to gasp slightly whenever Sephiroth's hands went onto his exposed thigh. He craved for Sephiroth to toy with him, to taste him, but Sephiroth continued his soft stroking instead. At last Genesis couldn't take it any longer and he started to beg, "Oh Sephiroth, please just start, I'm going to blow."
Sephiroth smirked at his words, "Oh? Well…I suppose." His hand brushed up his shaft and Genesis tightened up at the feeling, "I'd hate to make you wait." He moved down, grabbing onto Genesis and he watched the man tense up again. He licked up the shaft slowly, letting his tongue wrap around him. His hot breath on Genesis made him moan slightly, tensing his legs as he wanted to thrust but had to stop himself. Sephiroth put his mouth around the head and let his tongue move about, almost roughly, and he noticed the reaction instantly in Genesis. The figure let out a 'oh god' before he started to rock his hips. Sephiroth could feel Genesis in the back of his throat, and each time the figure moved it felt like it was getting further and further down. He let Genesis continue his motions, listening to the soft moans as his tongue slid against the tender flesh. The taste was enjoyable, and Sephiroth felt turned on whenever Genesis's thighs tensed while his teeth graced his soft skin. Sephiroth would let him slide out almost completely, only to let it come fully back in, deeply thrusting him, giving him pleasure when he was the one supposed to be giving it. And he could taste the flow of semen enter his mouth. When it first arrived, it burned, far back in his throat as he tried to swallow while Genesis was still in his mouth. Yet that taste finally set himself off as well, and he didn't want to take it slow anymore. He pulled away and noticed the hungered expression on Genesis's face. Instantly Genesis got up and grabbed onto Sephiroth, pushing him down so that he was on top.
"You never let me dominate you," Genesis commented as he started to push himself into Sephiroth, watching the figure tense up and relax as the rhythm began between them.
"I can just…tell you wanted to…" Sephiroth murmured between heavy breaths. "I'd hate to say no to someone who…who begs…" He took a moment, letting out a pleasurable gasp that was soon muffled by Genesis's mouth connecting with his.
Their joyful moments continued as they didn't play hard, but kept up their soft rhythm, hands toying with each other hungrily for more and more as their day soon progressed to night. And when they were exhausted from their actions and couldn't go on they rested against each other, their warmth giving each other the greatest comfort. It was like that well into the morning when they were waking up still snuggling as the sun began to beat down on them through the windows.
Sephiroth kissed Genesis's neck a few times to wake him up, and once the blue eyes opened to connect with his he smiled, "I'm going to take a shower."
The redhead gave a few nods before rolling over in bed to fall back asleep. Sephiroth went into the bathroom silently, getting into the shower to rinse off and prepare for the next day. When he finished he studied his looks in the mirror, combing through his long hair slowly when he thought of something.
The book. Genesis had been carrying around a journal of some sort during the trip, correct? What was inside it that he hadn't bothered to tell him before?
He turned away from the mirror and let his eyes slide out the door to see the figure still tightly snuggled in bed. He could easily take it. And…
His eyes went to LOVELESS that was sitting on the couch where Genesis had set it down. Slipping that in its place would be easy, Genesis wouldn't know until he went to read it. He had to. He was curious, he had to figure out what was such a secret…
His footsteps were unheard as he moved out toward Genesis's clothes and started to rummage into his coat. He pulled out the journal easily enough and soon placed LOVELESS into its position. He needed a good place to hide the journal as well until Genesis left…
Sephiroth moved his eye over to the kitchen and he went toward it, opening up the cupboard to find a place for it to stay. He tossed it up on the highest shelf knowing Genesis wouldn't bother reaching up there and closed it gently. When he arrived back into the room it was obvious to see that Genesis hadn't heard him at all during his accomplishment of stealing the journal. He got down, sitting on the bed and reached out to rub his back. "Genesis, are you awake yet?"
Genesis slowly sat up, yawning as he was awoken again. "Yes…I'm awake."
"Then you should get prepared for the day. I'm sure you have plenty to do for Lazard, right?"
"I hope not," Genesis muttered, "I want another week off."
"Angeal's right, you are lazy." Sephiroth rose and then heard someone knock on his door. He waved for Genesis to hide in the bathroom and he slowly went over to open the door. As he opened it he saw the hallway was empty. His eyes went down and he saw a cake sitting out. But it wasn't just a normal cake, it had decorative frosting that showed him in a dress. It said 'Congrats on Getting Better' but setting eyes on this only made his mood worse. He picked it up to get a better look. "Who even makes cakes like these?"
Laughter from down the hallway told Sephiroth that the group was sticking around waiting to hear what he had to say about it. "Ha ha, very funny, it's so humorous," Sephiroth muttered. He brought it in. Like hell if he would share with them this ridiculous cake. As soon as he shut the door Genesis opened up the bathroom door and came over to see what it was.
"A cake? Of…you in a dress. Haha, they got the colors right and everything. That's pretty cool."
Sephiroth glared, "Get some clothes on before I throw this on you and throw you out in the hallway."
Genesis smirked, "You mean you're not going to eat it off of me?"
Sephiroth shook his head and pointed, "Hurry it up, I don't know when they'll be back." He set the cake down at the kitchen table. "I have a feeling Lazard and the other higher ups will want to see me now that I'm functioning properly." He watched Genesis put his clothes on and his eyes turned to the ceiling. "I'm not sure if they'll be glad I'm fine or wishing I'd break apart already."
"What makes you say that?" Genesis fixed his black shirt on slowly before fixing the armor neatly onto himself. It wouldn't make sense for the higher ups to want to get rid of Sephiroth, he was a valuable asset in all of the missions they had.
"Well...I'm not exactly perfect anymore."
"Perfect in what way?"
"They wanted me to forget…but I'm starting to remember…" Especially JENOVA.
"Just act like you're clueless about the past. Maybe even act a bit dumb around them now after that whole explosion incident. Just show them that you're loyal and can still work and I doubt they'd voice any concerns about keeping you or not. Besides, you're too good to just scrap."
"That's not what Hojo said."
"Hojo is a mad scientist, he throws away lab rats when he doesn't get the correct results. He's not the President, and the President wants you to reel in ratings and fight in his wars."
Sephiroth let his eyes fall back onto Genesis. "You're right. I'm just worried over nothing."
Genesis leaned into him and kissed him tenderly before pulling back and putting something in his hands. Sephiroth looked down and saw it was his phone. "I've been holding onto it ever since you've been out. I'm sure you have plenty of messages to answer."
"Or to delete and ignore," Sephiroth commented as he opened it up to go through it all. He noticed most were from Lazard as a mass email explosion over the Wutai war and other things he had already heard about personally, but he stopped at one in particular. "Oh…no."
"What?" Genesis questioned, leaning closer to see what was wrong.
"There's a dinner tonight to celebrate our return."
Genesis frowned, "You know…we haven't exactly won the war quite yet. They did say negotiating, that doesn't mean winning."
"Yes, well, if they don't negotiate well than it seems we'll be back in the cold weather, won't we?"
"Unless we're moved to the southern bases. Besides, it'll depend on the time of year. It is wintertime right now."
"It is?" Sephiroth questioned. He didn't even remember what month it was. Well, not that it mattered, he didn't need to know what day it was, just the specifics of when he needed to be somewhere.
"Yes." They watched as a new message popped up on Sephiroth's phone and they glanced at it. "Oh look, Lazard is summoning you."
"How wonderful," Sephiroth remarked as he closed his phone and pocketed it. "I suppose." He went to the door and opened it up, "Shouldn't keep him waiting."
Genesis followed him out and over to the elevator. They were silent as Genesis watched the floors go down until it reached his floor. He glanced at Sephiroth and gave him a small smile, "I'll see you later."
Sephiroth made his way to Lazard's after that, arriving into the man's office slowly. He noticed the blonde in there shuffling away paperwork. As soon as Lazard's eyes fell on Sephiroth the figure smiled, "Sephiroth, it's good to see you. How are you feeling? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
"Hojo said you weren't doing too well for quite awhile there. When did you recover?"
"Sometime yesterday. Genesis and Angeal came to visit and things started to click into place."
"I see. How's your memory? Do you remember much about the mission?"
Sephiroth wasn't much for lying, but he thought that Genesis's strategy on playing dumb would probably be handier than saying that he remembered how poorly they had treated him. He shook his head, "It's fuzzy. I remember a few things, but not much."
"Understandable. We'll give you a few more days to relax before you get back into your usual working hours." Lazard leaned forward, fingers linking together as he stared at Sephiroth quizzically. At first Sephiroth thought he knew that he was lying, but he reminded himself that Lazard always assumed that position when he was getting serious. "I'm not sure how far you've caught up on emails, but we're having a celebration tonight."
"Yes, I just looked at that."
"You'll have to attend."
"Have to?" Sephiroth questioned him. "Why?"
"Because Angeal, Genesis, and yourself are 1st class SOLDIERs. You'll be rewarded for your efforts on your mission. Though we did not infiltrate the largest base, you did take out numerous smaller ones. They're vulnerable now, and they haven't time to build up a good defense. Not to mention our negotiating should turn out effectively between our leaders."
"I see." Sephiroth still didn't want to go, but knew he had no choice in the matter.
"Don't worry, you won't have to make any speeches or anything."
"No dressing up I hope?"
"Of course not. Just brush your hair and you'll be fine." Lazard smirked. "Now, I've heard from Genesis and Angeal how your treatment went when you were captured."
Sephiroth sighed, "Oh yes, being put in a dress. They were angry that I wasn't reacting to them hitting me, so they thought they could humiliate me."
"Yes, I can imagine they'd stoop to other tortures once they found out one wasn't working. Are you having any troubles with it around the other operatives?"
"They drew me a picture and made me a cake, but other than that I haven't heard or seen anything else relating to the incident." And he hoped this was their stopping point.
"If things get out of hand don't hesitate to say anything."
"I think I can handle it."
"Just in case, though," Lazard remarked. "Now, I called you in here mostly to see how you were doing. Hojo wanted me to check up on you regularly. If you start to feel sick or anything just let me know."
"Of course."
"The President is also curious about your recovery as well, so I'll be informing him of your condition."
"Anything else?"
"Nope. We'll see you at the dinner tonight. Don't overwork yourself."
"I won't." Like he had anything to do. He left the office and decided he'd roam the front area for awhile. Perhaps someone had something for him to do to pass time? He had a feeling Angeal and Genesis would be busy somewhere else. Once in the elevator he sighed deeply and looked at the time on his cell phone before the doors opened. He hated Shinra's hosted dinners. The food was fine and talking to people was okay, but he didn't like the vast recognition he always got. It just didn't feel comfortable at times.
Once he reached the first floor he descended the stairs to leave and perhaps go on a walk, but he stopped to glance at a tour of people that were allowed to see Shinra's working place. Of course, the tour guide easily spotted him and she pointed right at him, "Oh, everyone look, it's our legendary hero Sephiroth! He just returned from battle against the Wutai warriors!" The crowd gave a few cheers when one small kid came dashing right up to him.
"Can I have your autograph, please??"
Sephiroth stared down at him and gently took the little book he was handed before signing neatly in it. "There."
"Thank you!"
"Sephiroth, do you think you could take a picture with my son?" a woman called out happily.
It was a picture, right? That couldn't be too bad. "Of course. Where is he?" She brought over a small carrier and Sephiroth saw the tiny child inside. "Oh, it's a baby." He had never held one of those before. As the woman pulled it up and helped place it in his arms he almost felt comforted by the small, frail creature. "He's very small."
"He's only a month old."
A month old? That was definitely young. He posed for the picture and handed the child back carefully. "He's very cute." Did that sound like him? Well, it was a nice thing to at least say.
"Why thank you!"
As Sephiroth watched the group leave he made his own way toward the outdoors. A small walk couldn't hurt, and he could at least think over a few things without being bugged by someone. He ignored the rushing people and the noise around him while he zoned out on his walk to nowhere in particular.
They took my memory away because they wanted me to be a killing machine. Yet, I am still here with them…still fighting for them even though my memory has returned. They don't know that it has, but I daresay that my bluff will not last long. And how will I avoid the situation again? Last time I tapped into my powers and time had stopped, yet they got me anyway because of Angeal. And those powers haven't been working on command, they come and go. I cannot rely on it to save me every time. Will they even bother with removing my memories again? But then again…what was the main antagonist that caused such problems? Sephiroth moved past a child that was purchasing a balloon from a nearby stand. He noticed the attraction the child had toward one of the blue balloons. Sephiroth pulled his eyes from the scene, wondering what it was like to be a normal child like that. Then it struck him. How could I have forgotten? They took my memory because I said that I would find JENOVA. If they know my memory has returned, then they will immediately rip my memories from me again, no matter what it takes. JENOVA. What is it that makes you such a mystery? Like a spark, another thought came to mind. That journal might answer my questions…but I shouldn't rush these things. I must be careful when I read it so no others will find me pouring through it. Genesis will most likely ask if I have found it within my room, as he'll believe that's where he lost it. I can play dumb past him, but if Angeal finds me with it he will definitely tell Genesis. I can't let that happen. Where can I go that they will never find me? Sephiroth's footsteps stopped as he came to one of the quieter areas of Midgar. His attention went over toward the area leading to the Slums…and the memory came flooding back to him. That woman…in the church. Surely she wasn't there anymore, was she? And the church would be a good place to hide.
While he stood there, prepared to continue his journey, someone had called out his name. Gently he turned to the voice and saw Angeal standing there. "Sephiroth, what are you doing?"
"Just taking a walk, why? Am I not allowed to do that?"
Angeal smirked, "I can never tell what's going on in your mind. Besides, you just recently recovered, don't I have reason to worry?"
"Did you think I got out here by sleepwalking?"
"I don't think you know how to put your clothes back on before you get out of bed, especially if you're asleep."
"What makes you think I slept without clothes on?"
Angeal's eyes met Sephiroth's and he seemed to be amused by the question. "Sephiroth, Genesis is a talker, did you expect him to be quiet about what you did?"
That was the last thing Sephiroth wanted to hear. Even if Angeal knew about it, he didn't want Genesis saying things to him, let alone right after they were together. "What did he say?"
"Well…against my wishes he did mention a few things, but I don't want to repeat them."
"Just spit it out."
Angeal snorted at Sephiroth's sudden interest. This was way too good. "He said you were very clingy and cuddly last night."
Sephiroth looked the other direction making sure no one was around, "I don't see why he had to tell you that."
"Ha. Then you probably don't want to hear the rest."
"There's more? Tell me."
Angeal shrugged and moved somewhat, "He did mention something along the lines of your tongue knowing how to rub him the right way."
Sephiroth, for once in his life, felt embarrassed. Why would Genesis talk about that part of their night together to Angeal? "Was there more?" He kept calm, hoping Genesis kept the details to himself.
"Not really, he just said he wanted to spend more nights with you."
"I'm sure he does."
They started to walk back, though slowly so they could keep talking privately. "Tell me, Sephiroth, do you really like Genesis or is this all because he's easy access?"
"May I ask why you want to know?"
"Because I don't think it'll be very good for either of you if it's just because you're trying to satisfy yourselves by fucking each other. One of you will take it the wrong way at some point, and then all hell will break loose."
Sephiroth wasn't really sure. He enjoyed Genesis at times, and hated him other times. But this whole experience and time they were having together…was it for love or for pleasure? "I…didn't think about those consequences. I'll talk things over with Genesis, see what his take is on it."
"So you're not even sure yourself about it?"
Sephiroth shook his head, "Not really."
"Hmm…you might want to figure out where your feelings are at before you continue on with what you're doing. Wouldn't want Genesis to get the wrong idea."
Sephiroth nodded but wasn't sure if this conversation should even matter to Angeal. What happened between him and Genesis was their problem, not Angeal's. "So, what are you doing today?" He had asked the question as soon as they stepped back into the busy sector, easily pushing away from their previous conversation.
"Not sure. I was told to take the day off because we're having the celebration tonight and they didn't want me to wear myself out."
"Hmm. You know what we could do?"
"No, I will not do that with you," Angeal remarked quickly.
Sephiroth stared at him wondering what had planted itself into his head. "I was suggesting we go into the training room, but considering you're too frightened to fight against me, I suppose I'll just have to find someone else willing to get their pride ripped from them."
Angeal snorted, "I was joking. Now let's go, we haven't fought against each other in a long time. Think we should bother calling Genesis?"
"Of course, that way when he gets hurt he'll look beautiful for the banquet tonight."
Angeal laughed, "That's what I was thinking."
Sephiroth pulled out his phone and called the guy. When Genesis answered he smirked, "What are doing right now? Nothing important?"
"Um. I just finished doing some stuff. Why?"
"Meet us in the training room."
"You want to fight? Are you crazy? You just recovered."
"Exactly, now that I'm recovered I'm in perfect shape to fight again."
"Not what I meant. If you get hurt or strain yourself—"
"Everyone will be angry at you for playing dirty, that's what. We'll see you in a few minutes." Sephiroth hung up before Genesis could reply and he nodded at Angeal that they should go.
When they arrived they found Genesis already in there waiting for them. The redhead held his sword loosely as he came forth, "Are you sure about this?"
"Stop worrying so much," Sephiroth remarked as he flicked his blade gently to watch the light shine off of it. "Pick where you want to go and let's dance."
Genesis sighed and watched the room change into a ballroom. "Sorry, the dance thing stuck in my mind." He raised his sword to touch the red blade, "I hope you're ready."
"Of course I am," Sephiroth commented. Then the three blasted toward each other, blades smashing together sending sparks at the contact. Angeal and Genesis headed for Sephiroth and he easily maneuvered around Angeal and crashed his blade into Genesis's, sending the boy backward. He turned and blocked an attack from Angeal before he sent him flying as well, and soon sparred against Genesis. Sephiroth stayed mostly on the defensive, his usual strategy, and waited for Genesis to leave the perfect opening. But Angeal came forward and shoved Genesis out of the way, hitting Sephiroth's Masamune hard. He felt the hilt twist his wrist painfully, but paid no heed to it as he soon fought Angeal back so that he was at a safer distance. The three collided their blades together before trying to take one of the other's on, mostly ending up that Sephiroth would be attacked from both sides. Sephiroth swung and caused Genesis to slide away while he locked blades with Angeal.
Angeal and Sephiroth were focused on each other, matching their strength like never before. But a shadow casted over him. As Sephiroth went to look up something connected with his face. He remembered falling and cursing a lot, but he wasn't sure what exactly had happened.
Angeal, although, got the whole view of it. Genesis had leapt over them prepared to strike down on their swords, but Angeal had accidentally grabbed Genesis's ankle thinking it'd be funny to see the guy fall. Instead his kneecap went right into Sephiroth's face, and the two dropped on the ground and laid there like they had died. "Guys?"
Genesis was the first to say anything, "Ouch, I think you twisted my ankle…and my kneecap really hurts." His eyes went to Sephiroth who hadn't moved from his face down position. "Sephiroth?"
He held up a finger to signify 'hold on' and he took a moment to himself before facing them, blood caked his face, "My nose isn't broken, is it?"
"Dear God," Angeal remarked before bending down to stare at his nose, "It doesn't look broken."
"Sephiroth you're bleeding all over!" Genesis screamed, which was louder than what he meant to do.
"Yeah, I noticed," Sephiroth retorted before covering his nose, "So…who wants to clean this all up?"
"Who cares about the floor, we should get your nose fixed," Genesis remarked. He let the ballroom disappear and the bloody spot on the floor showed up more than it had previously. "Is it still bleeding?"
Sephiroth nodded, "Yes. It's getting everywhere." His hair was getting coated in it, and his neck and chest was sticky from the stray blood that dripped down. "Give me something to cover my nose for now, we can go to my room to fix this."
Genesis patted himself wondering what he had on that could help, "I don't have anything?"
Angeal rolled his eyes and grabbed Genesis's shirt, ripping it right off of him. "Here, Sephiroth." He bent down and pressed the shirt hard against Sephiroth's face, "Put some pressure on it."
"That hurts!" Sephiroth snapped when the strong force came against his nose.
"Good, at least you still have feeling in your nose." He yanked Sephiroth up, "Now let's go."
They got into an elevator that stopped at the next floor and Zack entered in all smiles until he saw Genesis shirtless and Sephiroth holding the shirt to his face. "Uhh…"
"Hey, Zack, how's your day going?"
Zack tilted his head to the side, "Fine? What happened here?"
"Nothing that concerns you," Sephiroth sniped at him.
Genesis decided to fill him in, "Sephiroth's nose is bleeding."
"Oh…is that why he's sniffing your shirt?"
Sephiroth glared, "I'm not sniffing it."
Angeal, in order to stop Sephiroth from verbally attacking Zack, pressed the shirt harder against Sephiroth's face, "Well we'd love to keep chatting, but it looks like your floor is coming up."
Zack stared at the door before nodding, "Yeah, right. Have fun with that…uh…" Zack's hand circled his face, "thing."
Sephiroth pushed Angeal's hand away, "That hurts and I'd appreciate it if you'd stop!"
"Please, I was only saving you from saying something rude and intolerant toward the boy."
"I'll say what I damn well please," Sephiroth sniped back.
"Right. We're at your floor finally, let's go." As they turned to head toward Sephiroth's room they found a group of SOLDIER operatives standing around. They froze in their spots as they approached and Angeal frowned at their presence. "Why are you right outside Sephiroth's door?"
The operatives looked between each other. What should they say? A few mutters and incomprehensible noises escaped them before Genesis snorted, "Typical. Get out of here if you've got nothing better to do." He pushed open Sephiroth's door yearning to put a shirt on when they all saw what was going on inside. While a few operatives were taping up pictures, others were painting on the windows. But it wasn't them that had bothered Sephiroth, it was the small group dressing up a mannequin with a blue dress that looked very much like the one he had been forced into. Sephiroth's eyebrow twitched at the sight and his grip on Angeal tightened.
"Get. Out. Now." His words were unfriendly, cold, and demanding. But the group froze in their tracks, unable to move from what they were doing. They were at the mercy of the 1sts and it didn't look good. Silence fell over everyone before Sephiroth got a nasty little idea. "All right, if you're going to stay…I might as well make you worth my time. Do 100 squats, and count them out loud." He stepped closer, "NOW."
The cluster of men gathered in a line and began to do squats, counting out loud. Sephiroth pulled the shirt away to see if his nose was still bleeding, and unfortunately it was. Blood dripped onto his hand and he gathered the shirt back toward it, "I hope you didn't want this shirt back."
Genesis noticed at how the black shirt had gathered quite a reddish hued color on it. "Um…yeah probably not. I'm going to borrow one from you." He opened Sephiroth's closet but only found a few shirts in there, none of which were a part of Shinra's standard clothing. He sighed and poked through them to see what all they were, but it ended up just being a black shirt with buttons for every single one of them. "So much to choose from," he remarked sarcastically while he pulled one out.
"Shut up," Sephiroth quipped back as he moved into the kitchen while Angeal directed him over to the sink. "Have any strategies in stopping this?"
"Yeah. Genesis, you done trying to look pretty?" He noticed the look he got causing him to smirk. "Then get your ass over here and pinch Sephiroth's nose right on the bridge, all right?" He helped Genesis position his hand, "Yup, like that." Angeal swiftly grabbed up a kitchen towel and soaked it in cold water, soon finding a hand mirror that he brought over to Sephiroth, "Here. Wipe yourself up a bit."
Sephiroth stared in the mirror and noticed the entire bloody mess, "I look terrible." He wiped off his chest as well as he could, a red tint leaving its mark on him as he worked upward. Soon he was mostly clean and he dumped the shirt into the sink while now using the wash cloth to block the blood from getting anywhere. His attention went over to the group doing squats, "I can't hear you."
"Fifty-seven, sir, fifty-eight, sir, fifty-nine, sir."
"How long do I have to do this?" Genesis asked Angeal as his hand was getting tired.
"Fifteen minutes," Angeal remarked.
"What? My arm is getting tired."
"How is your arm getting tired?" Sephiroth questioned. How did Genesis ever get into SOLDIER again?
"Because my arm is up and the blood is pooling elsewhere…" He growled, "I'm short, what did you expect?"
Sephiroth slowly leaned his elbows onto the counter, "Is that better for your poor arm?"
"Yes, you're too kind."
Angeal watched the clock and his eyes went back to the counting SOLDIER operatives, eyes going up and down at each squat they did.
"Seventy-seven, sir, seventy-eight, sir, seventy-nine, sir."
"Mmm…I love the sound of men counting their failures in unison," Sephiroth whispered. He pulled the cloth away but noticed his nose was still dripping quite a bit. "Pinch harder, Genesis."
"I'm pinching as hard as I can. Your nose is turning colors."
"Is it?"
"Yes, it looks painful."
"I can't feel it."
Angeal nodded, "Good, that means it's working."
They fell rather silent until the group had finished their 100 count. "Do all of you feel idiotic and unaccomplished now?" Sephiroth asked as his eyes went over to them. They grumbled and didn't give him much of a response. "Now remove yourselves from my room…but leave the stuff. I like the dress, it's such a nice color." He sounded sarcastic, almost cynical with the way he said it. The group filed out leaving the three of them there to deal with Sephiroth's nosebleed. It didn't seem to let up even with Genesis pinching as hard as he could. "Are you sure this works?"
"Yes, it should. If it doesn't you're in for some trouble," Angeal warily remarked. "The flow should stop by the time fifteen minutes pass."
Sephiroth shakily pointed at a chair, "Could you get me something to sit on? I'm getting dizzy."
Angeal pulled a chair up and Sephiroth sat down. It felt weird for Sephiroth to be so light-headed from a nosebleed. But it continued onward, the time ticking down along with Sephiroth's ability to sit up straight. Genesis kept a hold on the figure's nose while doing his best to support him. "We're almost there, Sephiroth. Just a few more minutes."
"Hmm…" was his only reply as his legs were shaking. "I need to lie down."
"Not yet," Angeal warned, "You can lie down in a few minutes."
Genesis and Angeal were both watching the clock closely when it finally hit the fifteen minute mark. Angeal nodded for Genesis to slowly let go and the boy did. Sephiroth went to rub his nose to see if it was still there but Genesis grabbed it, "Don't touch, it might bleed again. Hold still, I'll wipe you up a bit and then you can lie down and get some water in you. You've lost a lot of blood."
"No thanks to you," Sephiroth growled.
"Odd how he loses functions yet his mentality stays intact," Angeal joked. He hoisted Sephiroth up and brought him over to the bed, planting him down into it while Genesis handed him some water. They watched Sephiroth empty the glass quickly before handing it back for a refill. "I'm sure you'll be fine by tonight!"
"It's not like I'm going anywhere," Sephiroth retorted before a groan escaped him, "Oh no, that stupid banquet." He had forgotten! "I hope my nose isn't bruised."
"It's…a little blackish…might be because you're still lacking blood. I'm sure we can cover up anything wrong with you."
"How? By wearing a veil? A helmet?" Sephiroth took the glass from Angeal and started to take another drink.
"Makeup? Then again we don't have any of that…unless these guys left you some," Genesis questioned, his eyes dashed around the apartment.
"Well, I'd hate to interrupt this love quarrel," Angeal interjected, "I've got other things to do before tonight arrives."
Sephiroth almost choked on the water he was drinking before he glared at Angeal, "Do you mind?"
"Mind what?"
"I hardly know if they're keeping cameras in here now, who knows what they've done to my room while I've been out."
"They wouldn't go that far. They're grunts, they know nothing. Besides," Angeal turned and headed to the doorway, "I think you two wanted to talk privately anyway." He exited and the two stared at each other awkwardly. It didn't feel right having Angeal know about it. To them it was like they lost Angeal's respect. It didn't even show through Angeal's actions, but it was just the thoughts of him knowing what they did together was enough to deter their friendship.
Genesis took a seat on the bed and finally glanced at Sephiroth as they had been silent for several minutes after Angeal had left, wondering what the man really thought about them. "So…what's there to talk about? I didn't have anything in particular in mind…"
But Sephiroth knew what Angeal had been getting at. Their previous conversation before the training session. Whether or not he was in this for the love and friendship or if it was just that hormonal satisfaction… "I…do, but…I'm not sure how to word it."
"Take your time."
If Genesis wants the relationship, am I willing to go through with it? I've never been in one and I have never thought that I needed one. What makes me prepared now? How can I tell…that it's what I want? Do I really love him? Or is this all lust? If he wants me and I just want to use him, should I go through with the relationship anyway in hopes of falling in love? But then there's the option that he may not want the relationship at all. Then what? Do we continue acting out on each other until we find true love? But what if feelings develop from one of us…and not the other? Sephiroth was puzzled by his thoughts and feelings, but knew he would never know what to do until he asked. "Genesis, the way we acted last night…I'm curious…" He hesitated, searching for his words while he kept his eyes on the glass in his hand. "I…wanted to know if…if you thought…no, if we're…" He shook his head. What to say? "Are we acting onto each other because we want to be with each other, or because we need occasional satisfaction? What did you want…" he paused, "a…relationship or just the pleasure people often seek?"
Genesis was surprised at his question, but he had thought it over as well. He was beginning to like Sephiroth now that he had returned to a more normal level, he had even pitied him when he read about what had happened to him. The pain that Sephiroth went through, it had struck Genesis hard. But even after all of that he still felt cheated in his own ways. He had a goal, and that was to allow Sephiroth to see JENOVA whenever that may be. Yet, he wasn't sure if he could continue to love. There wasn't much of an emotional attachment, as he had slowly lost interest as time went on. It was too painful each time that Sephiroth had rejected him, and he didn't want to say he wanted him now and have the man reject him yet again. He was tired of that agony. The touch and tender moments they had, though, was something he didn't want to lose. Would Sephiroth call it all off if he denied the relationship? His eyes connected with Sephiroth's as he noticed how anxious his were to find out his answer. Those eyes, how they burned with worry and confusion, almost warmed Genesis's heart. Still he felt something else as well. Jealousy. It rose up again, that feeling of envy as he stared at Sephiroth's unique physique. Everyone adored him because of it…and he had worked far more than Sephiroth ever had. He was supposed to forget this, supposed to push it away and pretend it never bothered him. But he couldn't. That jealousy made him choose his answer accordingly.
"I don't think it would be wise if we claimed to be in a relationship, nor acted like we are in one. To be blunt about it, we could slip up and someone would notice. Someone always finds out. We cannot risk our jobs and our reputations because of what we're doing. Also, it could ruin our friendship. If we fought or if something went wrong between us…we would find it harder to piece ourselves back together. And…we do like to fight." He gave a small smile to lighten up the subject, but noticed that Sephiroth's expression hadn't changed. "But I do enjoy being around you. I feel very…joyful? Happy? I'm not sure if there are words to describe it. But when I'm with you, everything feels good, like there's nothing that could make my day better." He grabbed Sephiroth's hand gently, "I think…it's…fine if we get together once in awhile…" Genesis wondered if Sephiroth would fall for it. If he'd go along with what he said and accept his lies. His jealousy was driving him to say those words, all because he wanted to watch Sephiroth be in pain when he broke his heart and watched him shatter when he found out his true origins. All that pain…even if he had read about it…it was as if he couldn't relate to it anymore. All those journals and entries about Sephiroth being cruelly treated…
He yearned to get in on it, to be the scientist that poked and prodded Sephiroth until he broke down.
Sephiroth shook his head, "I understand about our jobs, and our reputations. We shouldn't sacrifice those for something that might fall apart. But…why continue on with this game? With acting out on each other? It'll only drive us to question ourselves and what we're doing…"
"No it won't, at least I haven't a doubt in my mind what I'm doing. Just because we fuck each other doesn't mean I'll suddenly demand to claim you."
His words didn't sit well with Sephiroth, "And why not? Is it because you just want to use me?"
"No, that's not what I was saying. I know where my priorities stand, and they're above the things I crave for."
"Odd…it used to be the other way around."
Genesis wanted to slap him, but chose not to. "I'm surprised you're still upset about what happened in our past…considering you weren't the one that was emotionally abused by it."
Sephiroth sat up more, "You were the one that denied our friendship and said I stole everything from you, claiming that I was your main antagonist, yet you never even bothered to hear me out on any of my decisions or how I felt about the situations."
"Why would I bother doing that?" Genesis had sniped back before thinking over his words. His heart was pounding, the anger driving him to reply in such a way.
"I can't believe you." Sephiroth felt so ashamed to even have acted interested in Genesis. This was why he hated him so much. "I think it's pathetic that your opinion, your feelings, your reputation matters…yet when I had said the exact same things before you denied they were important. You're selfish! You haven't bothered changing at all. I've gone through more pain, more tests, more work than you have! You know…I wasn't even going to bother in telling you this…" He got up and went into the kitchen, yanking the journal out of its hiding place. "I stole this from you because I knew it contained information on me. I was going to read it and find out why you had to hide it from me, as if you cared about my reaction to it. I know you don't. Now I'm not even going to bother," He tossed it on the floor near Genesis's feet. "Whatever it contains about me…can't be as cruel and as hateful as yourself."
Genesis saw the journal and he bent down, picking it up. He had forgotten about it here…such a grave mistake he had made. Yet Sephiroth didn't read it…
Wait.
"I'm surprised you'd say that about me…because if you had read this book, you would have found me to be the kindest person you know." He saw Sephiroth glare but it only made him smile, "And it's true, too. The things they did to you. Poor, little Sephiroth…just a small child. You were helpless, weak, sensitive…and they tore you apart. You think I'm heartless, I can tell. But these people…" he waved the book before him, "showed you no mercy. Not a single one." He left out the detail of the woman that had keenly written how she thought of Sephiroth as a son. He didn't want Sephiroth to have any hope at all. "They took your food away, they threw you into the dark, they beat you until you cried, and exposed you to harmful situations. These scientists watched you wallow in agony as they refused to hold you, they screamed at you when you did bad things, they even set you into isolation." Sephiroth had been looking down until he had said those words. The figure stared directly at him. Isolation. He remembered that. "Oh? But of course you remember the isolation. That's how we first met… And I had thought that you were just a normal human being. I was wrong, I've read what you are, what you're capable of." Genesis popped the journal open and ripped out a picture, "Not even your own mother gave a damn about you, and your father…" he laughed, "Your father hated you as well." He tossed the photograph at Sephiroth's feet. "There, a gift from me to you. She was the only woman that had made physical contact with you, and it was just another test. She didn't care about your feelings, she didn't care if you were well or not, or if you liked being held by her. It was all just a test, and once you failed the test she never touched you ever again. How does that feel to not even receive loving care from another being? You were an experiment to everyone….and you still are."
Sephiroth didn't pick it up. He felt too sick, too hurt, too confused to even move from his position. He turned his eyes away from the floor so that his back was to Genesis. "Please leave."
Genesis stayed silent for awhile until he finally made his way to the door, finished with being there. But Sephiroth halted him.
"I can understand wanting revenge for losing your spot with the media. I understand that you worked hard and you feel cheated, that you need to find a way to gain back what you've lost. It's easy to see why you hate me, why you're against everything I do because it should be you doing it and not myself. But…this…" Sephiroth shook his head, "This amounts to nothing that has happened to you. You suffered for what…almost two years now? I have gone through pain for my entire life. You promised retribution when I got out of isolation, you promised happiness…I've yet to experience any of that. And it's always because of you. The moment you find me content with things you tear it apart. Why? Can't you see I've suffered enough?"
"You don't even know what you've been through."
"What's worse, knowing what has happened…or not knowing? I wanted to learn. You refused. Why? Because once I reached the passing point, the time where I became stronger than yourself, you shut me off. You denied me everything I needed to know, and I had work around you to learn the simplest of things." Sephiroth sighed, "I wanted to know about my parents…but this isn't how I wanted to learn it. You could have told me anything…but the fact that you're gloating that they hated me…that they abandoned me so I could be tested on and treated poorly…is sickening. I wanted to be your friend, I've had to hold myself back and rework everything just because I wanted you to accept me. Because no one else has ever done such a thing before. But you've proven to me that I'm nothing. As you said, I'm just an experiment to everyone." Sephiroth pitifully looked over at Genesis, "You win."
Genesis watched Sephiroth carefully. He had moved to the kitchen and sat down, putting his head in his hands. Yet he didn't leave. Genesis took a step closer, standing in the kitchen doorway as he watched Sephiroth carefully.
"I'd appreciate it if you'd remove yourself from my room." Sephiroth noticed no movement. He glared over at him, completely enraged, "Aren't you satisfied yet?"
"What do you mean I won?"
Sephiroth looked away from him, "What else could it mean? I'm upset! I'm miserable! That's exactly what you wanted! I regret everything, I wish I had stayed a moron for the rest of my life in that room, unknown to your existence out in this world." Sephiroth looked at his hands before turning his eyes back to Genesis, "I wish I could go back to never expressing emotions because they were beaten out of me. You thought it was funny…that I didn't know how to smile…I remember how you laughed that I couldn't do it right. You want to know why? It's because the minute I showed any emotion, any happiness, anything pertaining to being human…they shunned me. They'd disappear for weeks. I've suppressed most of the memories…I never thought they were important, I forgot most of them…but I do remember that lingering feeling you get when someone's presence leaves you. It's the worst feeling you can ever have, because you know they won't be coming back. And sitting there…pretending that I didn't enjoy their presence…having to hold myself back from reacting...was the hardest trial I had to go through. Daily. Sometimes I couldn't do it. Then I'd be punished. Like I'm a worthless dog that jumped up on a guest, they hit me and then left me alone for the longest time. Imagine how I felt when they no longer had to come in contact with me. Once I learned how to do the most basic of things they stopped coming." His attention focused on the table before him, no longer able to look at Genesis. "I used to cry every time I went to bed. Then I forgot how to…and I forgot what day it was, what time it was…everything. I don't remember anything in isolation because it meshed together so much, because I was so alone….You probably don't care, and I know you don't, but you haven't experienced pain until you've sat in the same spot for over 15 years and never realized you changed, grown, got better at a talent or started to like someone. It was emptiness…forever. And…you and everyone else believes it should have stayed that way."
Genesis wasn't sure how to feel about that. The fact that Sephiroth had suppressed everything…for this long. He probably would have never thought of it, never brought it up or learned of it if he hadn't forced him to. Yet, he was…glad. Was he just glad that he had won, though? That he had caused him the ultimate suffering, or glad that Sephiroth finally remembered what his agony used to be? "Look, I've…been selfish about my motives and how I've treated you, and I'm sorry about what has happened to you, but it makes no difference on what I believe. I do still think…you deserve a life like a normal human being…but I find it hard to do such…when…you take away from my life and my goals. The reason that you have a life is so you can live it the way you want it, not to…to take someone else's dream and make it your own."
Sephiroth glared, "I didn't choose my position because you wanted it! I didn't choose anything! I never have! Don't you understand anything I say to you? I wasn't given any options, I was promoted, I was told to act a certain way, and I did as I was told. I'm just obedient, and you hate that because it's used against you, because the President and Lazard have no use for you as long as I function and continue to function. And even if you hadn't bothered to take me out of isolation, the President would have assigned someone else, and this would have still turned out the same way. You'd blame me for becoming 1st, for taking your glory, for stealing your spotlight." He got up, "Just get out. The reason I bothered talking to you was because…I've never had anyone to turn to before. And I still don't. Now go."
Genesis moved from his spot and he turned back to have his last remarks, "You know…I still don't pity you. I just find you pathetic, more than anything. You yearn for attention because of what went on with your life. What did you expect, for me to apologize and say that I was wrong about you?"
Sephiroth pitifully looked at the floor, "I…just wanted to be your friend."
Genesis opened the door silently, back to Sephiroth as he remarked, "That will never happen. And you know it." He closed the door behind him. He felt tired, drained, unsure of himself and of his words. It was another hectic argument that went on, and he didn't know what to even say to Angeal. The man would get curious, and he had a feeling that if he didn't spill what went on then Sephiroth would. Last thing he needed was Angeal turning against him. He wouldn't let that happen…especially if it benefited that lab rat.
Meanwhile, Sephiroth had waited several minutes after the door closed to pick up the photo. He had been curious to see it all along, to touch it and find out what it was he had missed. He didn't want Genesis thinking him greedy and childish for picking it up, and he didn't want the man to have anymore of an upper-hand on him. Yet, as soon as Sephiroth laid eyes on the photograph he felt the sadness wash over him. An innocent child wearing plain garb sat in a woman's lap, holding onto her somewhat scared. She held a book in the confines of her hand, and the other supported him. She was young and pretty, but she showed no signs of emotion in the picture that was taken of her. He instantly believed it was because of him, because she didn't want to hold him…
He felt heartbroken. Genesis had hurt him before, but this was the worst feeling he had ever had. The sickening rush of that lump in his throat and his chest tightening up had been something he wished to never feel. Weakly he got back into bed and curled up in the sheets, smelling Genesis's scent in them. He wanted it to go away, to stop plaguing him. It made him realize…that he really did care for Genesis and now he'd never get to be with him.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Director Lazard sat near the President during the banquet, their eyes scanning each SOLDIER that was walking around. They had spotted Angeal and Genesis easily as the two were popular amongst the lower classmen, yet Sephiroth had yet to show. The party had been going on for a good 45 minutes without the silver-haired man gracing the area or sending a message to either of them. It had the President very edgy, and he continued to toy with his blonde moustache watching the doors to reveal their star.
"Lazard, I'm becoming quite impatient with that boy. Where is he?"
Lazard hadn't a clue what happened to him. He would have thought Sephiroth would arrive with Genesis and Angeal, but unfortunately neither had brought in the 1st class SOLDIER. "I've tried calling him, Mr. President, but it seems Sephiroth isn't answering. He knew the banquet was tonight, we talked about it this morning. He wouldn't deliberately disobey orders, he's not one to shirk duties."
"The awards start in five minutes with or without him."
"He may be injured, sir, he did just arrive out of Hojo's care not too long ago."
The President grumbled and noticed Hojo was absent as well. "Talk to Genesis and Angeal. If they have no word of his whereabouts go to Hojo. I'll hold off until you return or call me."
Lazard nodded and arrived toward the two 1st class members, waving his hands for the others to leave them. "The President is curious to where Sephiroth is."
Angeal shook his head, "I'm not sure, last time I talked to him we had just finished stopping his nose from bleeding. Unless it started up again and he passed out, I wouldn't know where he is."
"A nosebleed?" Lazard questioned.
"Genesis kneed him in the face while we were training," Angeal nonchalantly remarked. "It didn't leave that much of a bruise."
Lazard turned his attention to Genesis, "I see. And do you know about him?"
"I left his room shortly after Angeal did. He was perfectly fine, he just needed some rest. You could easily check his room, he doesn't lock it when he's in there."
Lazard nodded a thank-you and exited the area, taking the elevator up to Sephiroth's room. He stepped into the quiet hallway and listened to his footsteps resound until he reached the correct door. As he opened it up he noticed the bed wasn't made and looked like someone had just left it. His eyes honed in on something weird. Blood? The trail moved across the floor and he looked at the bathroom where he saw Sephiroth passed out on the tile. Inward he rushed and down onto his knees beside the man. "Sephiroth!! Sephiroth!!" He shook him slightly and noticed a small reaction occur from the shaking. "Sephiroth, wake up!"
Sephiroth slowly opened his eyes and turned his attention toward Lazard, "D-Director?"
"Yes, are you all right? What happened?"
Sephiroth shook his head, moving his hand up to help push himself up. Within his grasps was a photo that Lazard couldn't discern, and he gently pulled it from his grasp. He saw the child and woman together, and though he knew not of its origins, he had a feeling it was Sephiroth. "Where did you find this?"
"Is…the banquet starting? I…brushed my hair like you said…" Sephiroth dizzily got onto his hands and knees, sitting up as best as he could. "How do…I look?"
"Terrible, Sephiroth, your nose is bleeding, you're dizzy, and clearly not at your best state of mentality right now. Just sit still, okay? I'm calling for some help."
"I-I'm fine…Genesis…just…hit me…it's okay, I'll be fine…"
Lazard removed himself from the bathroom, photograph still in hand as he dialed Hojo's number. "Hojo, I'm admitting Sephiroth under your care. He's lost a lot of blood and it's not getting any better. I'll tell you the details once I get him to your lab." He hung up and called Angeal who quickly answered, "Get up here, I need you to carry Sephiroth to Hojo's lab."
"What—"
"Later, just get up here now!"
When Angeal arrived he noticed the mess Sephiroth was in and he gently went over, lifting up Sephiroth's chin to look into his eyes. "Sephiroth? We're going to move you, okay?"
"No…I…I like it right here..it's nice…"
"I know a better spot that's very comfortable."
"I…I don't want to move."
"I'll carry you," Angeal offered, but watched Sephiroth lazily shake his head.
"No…I don't want you…to do that. I can walk…I promise."
Angeal grabbed him and pulled him up, noticing that Sephiroth couldn't even hold his own weight. Gently he swooped his legs out from under him to carry the man better, "You're walking so fast you're floating, can you believe it?" He carried him out of the bathroom and toward the hallway as Lazard led them there.
"Bullshit…" Sephiroth snarled as he tried to lift his head to glare at him, but he was too weak to do so.
Once they arrived in Hojo's lab the mad scientist quickly hooked him up and made sure everything was in working order before turning to them. "I believe since his last visit here he hasn't eaten enough food to keep up any vitamin or mineral balance. The fool basically increased the problem when he starved himself. You're his watcher, shouldn't you have known he was skipping meals?" Hojo snidely spoke to Angeal.
"Friend, not watcher. And I had no idea he hadn't eaten all day today."
"Why else would his nose bleed that much and so many times?" Hojo quipped. "Of course you wouldn't think it would link to that. Never you mind, he'll be fine once he gets his system built back up. A sugar cookie and some orange juice will work wonders on the weak, blood withdrawn men."
Lazard held out a photo, "Professor, I believe we have other matters to discuss as well. I found this in his hand when I first discovered him on the floor."
Hojo snatched the photo from him and glanced it over before smirking, "Hmm..why yes, it's him as a babe with one of those worthless women scientists thinking they can evoke care for him. How stupid of her, she got fired a few years after I hired her."
"How did he find such a thing?" Lazard questioned, "It couldn't have been lying around."
Angeal gravely widened his eyes as he knew what might have happened, "He…was given it."
"What?" Both Hojo and Lazard remarked.
"Genesis had discovered a journal…linking to Sephiroth's treatment. It's like the Project S reports, except he had found two that linked to people that were there at the incident." Not that he'd say Lucrecia's dairy was one of them… "One of them detailed Sephiroth's experiments, I guess. Genesis told me a few things about it, though I never read it."
"Where did he get such things?" Lazard questioned.
"Nibelheim," Hojo replied dryly. "It's where we first started researching on the boy before we transferred here. Though the mere fact that Genesis would taunt him with such a photo is quite pitiful. They fight more often then they act like friends, I'm surprised they even try."
"Fighting? They were fine this morning," Angeal commented. What did Genesis do now?
"Obviously their minds changed rather quickly by the afternoon. Such stress on Sephiroth's body probably made him forget to feed himself. Also, you said that he was resting after the nosebleed, correct?"
"Yes."
"A body doesn't need to rest after such a thing. With enough liquids put back into his system, he should have easily recovered in less than an hour. Fatigued a bit, yes, but staying in bed for the rest of the day is hardly what he does. He's an active person, he gets bored easily. Meaning something upset him, and it means Genesis didn't give him bubbly thoughts in saying 'look, this could be your mother'."
"It isn't his mother," Angeal remarked.
"He doesn't know that, he's got shit for brains because of Genesis coddling with him. If I were in charge I'd drop that redhead quickly and replace him with someone with less dramatic undertones. I'm tired of having to fix Sephiroth every time that pernicious boy breaks him."
"What are you going to do? When he gets better he'll want to know more about the photograph, I'm sure."
"I'll give him some stupid sob story and downplay Genesis easily enough. Though Sephiroth might not like me, he has always trusted my words over Genesis's."
"Even if he knows you were a part of destroying his childhood?"
The three exchanged looks before Hojo cleared his throat, "Science, my dear boy, has destructive behaviors. If you cannot handle the consequences then you simply step back and get out of the way. This is a race, and only some of us come out at top. The others piddle away pretending to be scientists when their jobs merely link to poking plants and trying to make hypotheses that always fail!" Hojo glanced in at Sephiroth as the man went back to sleep. "Though in my line of work, I simply get to the results of things. If it works, good, if it doesn't, keep testing. If Genesis wasn't such a birdbrain I would almost say that he's a scientist himself, as you've seen that he has poked and prodded Sephiroth enough times to make him react rather unfriendly."
"Yes…you could say that."
Lazard watched the sleeping figure before turning to the both of them, "This isn't good. Their fighting causes a drift in our missions, and though we're negotiating with Wutai doesn't mean we're finished with this war. Another mission might come up where all three of you will need to be together again…"
"Replace Genesis with a 2nd class SOLDIER, that will boil his blood. And imagine how much experience that 2nd class nimrod will get with two 1sts before him," Hojo remarked. "If I remember correctly the first big mission Genesis had he got wounded, and this time around he made a stupid decision and had to drag Sephiroth's half dead body around before letting him almost be exploded to smithereens."
Angeal started to wonder how Hojo knew all of this information. The scientist hardly seemed interested in SOLDIER operatives, let alone the actual elite group. He must have been really bored in his off time to study up what missions they had been on. "I suppose replacing him is an option. You could easily send him somewhere else."
"I can't imagine that going over well," Lazard remarked, "He'd think we're all turning against him."
"Good, hopefully he'll quit and go back to farming," Hojo spat.
"Perhaps we should just wait…deciding things now might not be the greatest thing. They could become friends again."
"And then fight again and cause more hell normally ending in Sephiroth being hurt," Hojo retorted. "I think not. Genesis needs to be far away from Sephiroth, and Sephiroth needs to be watched by someone more attentive. That ape of a redhead is too busy staring at himself and glorifying over what he should be in everyone's eyes that he doesn't watch what Sephiroth is doing. Not that I can give you any better credit," he sniped at Angeal, "I was expecting someone to keenly befriend Sephiroth and let him show his true potential. He'll never get there with that numbskull pulling him down with worthless information about his past."
"He's interested in his past, though, he's just as human as everyone else. He just wants to know the basics…it's like adopted children wanting to know their biological parents. It's a curiosity thing, you can't push him away from innocent thoughts."
"Sephiroth can discover his past without the help of Genesis. He can formulate his own thoughts and feelings about if he was loved or not, and he can learn from those experiences. I'm assuming Genesis pulled something stupid, as usual, and made him think negatively about his upbringing."
"How couldn't you think negatively about being an experiment with no parents?"
Lazard held up his hand, "Not to interrupt the conversation, but unfortunately we don't have time to argue. Hojo, do as you do best. Angeal, we must return. We have rewards that need to be handed out."
As they removed themselves from the room Angeal turned to Lazard. He didn't know what exactly to say to the Director, but the fact that it all pointed to Genesis made him afraid for his friend's position in SOLDIER. "Sir, should I…confront Genesis?"
"No, he'll know that Hojo and myself were talking about him. If he chooses to speak, let him, but do not question his actions. Right now Sephiroth's recovery is more important than making Genesis tell us what he's learned about Sephiroth's beginnings." As they arrived back in Lazard moved over to the President giving the large man a delicate smile. "Sephiroth's suffering from blood loss, he's with Hojo right now."
"What? How'd that happen?"
"They were training, we can go into details later. Shall we start the awards?"
The President bobbled his head, "Yes, yes. Let me get up." President Shinra removed himself from his comfortable chair and made his way up to the stage, the room falling silent as he had graced the spotlight. "Gentlemen!" His eyes turned to Scarlet, "Ladies." A few chuckles went throughout the crowd. "We've gathered here today for our wonderful men who have returned from their battles in Wutai. As most of you know, we had sent out a small group of 2nd class SOLDIER operatives to destroy the bases Wutai has set up against the continent's borders. Unfortunately, they had disappeared and we thought they were dead. But, as a quick decision from our Director and myself, we sent out our three 1st class SOLDIERs to do the job. It was risky, but we all know they have talent with the swords they wield. And through the blizzards and torrid weather, they battled gallantly together. They felled many bases, they reaped the results we had asked for, and they had rescued several operatives that had been captured during this war. And so, with their battle skills at the very base they were captured in, they broke free and destroyed our enemies with no mercy, and with that power our Wutai members had to back down. To go through such battles and stand the heat, or shall I say bitter cold, of the situations given to them, our 1st class members fought bravely to protect this planet and to protect all of you. And so, today we shall award them for risking their lives to save millions of others."
The crowds cheered for awhile until the President held up his hand, "Scarlet, my dear, hand out the awards."
Scarlet rose from her spot in her slinky red dress. As Genesis and Angeal turned their eyes to her they noticed her well equipped figure as she came forth. The slit in her dress was high and her dress front was low cut. It barely left anything to the imagination, but as she stepped forward the crowd whistled at her appearance. Her eyes glanced over the crowd, a smirk on her lips as she stopped beside Genesis. Her heels made her taller than him, and once the crowds stopped their hoodlum she pulled up the first medal and put it around Genesis's neck gently, "Congratulations on your valiant victory, sugar." She moved to Angeal, coming face to face with him as she pulled up the medal. She set it around his neck as well and smiled, "Congratulations on your heroic win, handsome." Of course, since Sephiroth wasn't there she keenly noticed and turned to the President, "Where's our Hero?"
The President wondered how to explain it as he wasn't given much details, but Angeal stepped forward to explain the problem. Angeal smirked at the President and bowed his head slightly to him before getting the 'okay' to explain. "It's pretty obvious Sephiroth isn't here right now, I'm sure all of you would have noticed the towering figure with silver hair if he was amongst us." A few chuckles escaped the audience. "Those of you were there at our last battle know what happened, but I'll reiterate the situation so everyone can be clear what had happened. The three of us split into different groups with other operatives to take out the base we were captured in. By the time all of us regrouped we were fighting off every warrior that came pouring out of the buildings, but Sephiroth called us to retreat. It wasn't because we were outnumbered, and we all knew we could easily defeat the enemy. Sephiroth had sensed something the rest of us hadn't noticed. A bomb. The base was going to self-destruct. Luckily, most of us got out of harms way, and only a few were injured, but Sephiroth was the closest to the explosion. When we returned he was gone for close to two weeks trying to recover. Yesterday was his first time out, and he was fine. Today didn't seem very different, but we all know Sephiroth's luck." He glanced at Genesis before smirking back to the crowd, "He suggested we train. We warned him, told him it was a bad idea, but he's stubborn. We all know he's rather rebellious when he doesn't get his way." Everyone mumbled in agreement. "So we trained, and Genesis had leapt out of nowhere and cracked Sephiroth in the face with his kneecap." Several 'oohs' and 'owws' escaped the audience. "Those of you who were there in Sephiroth's room saw the bloody mess. By the time we got it to stop he had lost quite a bit of blood so we told him to rest. At some point in time it started up again, but he hadn't contacted any of us, so we found him passed out from blood loss. Thankfully we got him to Hojo's who easily rationalized what probably happened, and Sephiroth will be fine." The crowd cheered. "But! I think, as a dear friend of Sephiroth's, that he needs some visitors. Sure he seems callous and rude to most people, even to me at times, but he'd appreciate it if you said hi to him. And when you do visit, tell him I sent you." Everyone laughed and cheered again at the thought of getting to annoy Sephiroth to death. Angeal turned to the President again and waved his hand for him to take the stand.
"Right. And now all of you enjoy the feast and have a good time! Scarlet and I will take a visit down to the lab to award Sephiroth his medal, and we'll be back to mingle amongst you." More cheering happened when the two finally drifted off together.
Scarlet's heels clicked as she walked alongside President Shinra to the lab area, and when they entered they found Hojo scribbling things down on his clipboard as usual. When the scientist spotted them he seemed miffed at their presence, but pulled off a half-assed smile, "Mr. President, Scarlet…what brings you here?"
"Awards," Scarlet remarked gently. "Where's Sephiroth?"
Hojo stared at her revealing getup before nodding behind himself, "That way. Careful, he's not in the greatest condition."
But Scarlet entered anyway and found that Sephiroth was wide awake. "Well, I was expecting you to be asleep."
Sephiroth gently sat up, "It was…just blood loss, nothing terrible."
"We came here to give you your award! It's a pity you couldn't make it to the banquet, but being rushed to recover is simply something we don't want to press on you." She held out the medal for him, "Congratulations on your return from your adventure, we're proud to have such a SOLDIER as unique and as powerful as yourself amongst our ranks."
Sephiroth gently took it from Scarlet and his eyes went up to her, "Um…thank you." He had never been given such a gift before.
The President came forth, though, and slapped Sephiroth's arm happily. "There's our gallant boy! Angeal told everyone what happened, such a pity that you could have made it if you hadn't stubbornly asked to train."
"Well, if Genesis wasn't dumb I clearly would have made it," Sephiroth bitterly remarked.
"Yes, friends do have a tendency to make the most damage. But I'm sure as the years go on you'll look back at this moment and cherish it."
Sephiroth wanted to say 'doubt it' but chose not to respond. He gave a small smile and nodded before lowering his eyes back to the medal in his hands.
"Once you get better don't forget to mingle with everyone, take pictures with babies, pose for the media, you know the deal. Those people out there love you and what you're doing." He pulled out his wallet and grabbed a wad of cash, cramming it into Sephiroth's hand, "Here, take a pretty girl out on a date while you're at it. Maybe a FEW girls at once? Yes, that sounds better."
Sephiroth was surprised at the amount that was just forked over into his hands and he looked right into the President's gleaming eyes, "But Mr. President, I hardly know any girls besides the secretaries here."
"Oh? Very true, you work most of the time don't you? Well, I'll set you up with some of the finest ladies in Midgar! You won't regret it, trust me. Now get some more rest! I'll figure out the rest for you!" He gave Sephiroth's shoulder a shake before easing himself out of the room with Scarlet in tote.
Sephiroth didn't even know what to do with all the gil he was just given. He set it on the bedside table and placed the medal beside it. He rested back into the blankets and closed his eyes, though rest didn't come to him. The sickness and worry over what Genesis had said was still plaguing him, and while he sat in the lab area he could only think about all the things he had tried suppressing over the years. The pain and the loneliness, the regret and anger he once felt.
"Sephiroth, they're gone. I have a question for you, my boy," Hojo called out as he entered the room and gently closed the door. He turned to stare at him and saw that Sephiroth had glanced over. "Tell me…how'd you get this photograph?" He held it out and Sephiroth winced, eyes quickly diverting to somewhere else.
"It doesn't matter."
"Now let's not play stubborn with me! I'm simply asking because I'm bound to give you some sound advice. Something you're probably yearning for right now, yes?"
Sephiroth didn't know what he wanted right now. "Genesis gave it to me. He had a journal containing pictures of me…and he gave me that one to…" he stopped. "To…" He wasn't sure if he could say it.
"To what?"
"To upset me…because he said that…my parents hated me and would never hold me…much like that woman in the photo. He basically told me…that I shouldn't hope for anything good to happen in my life, because the reality is I'm an experiment to everyone around me, and no one regards me as anything else but that."
Hojo set the photo down onto the table and he paced, thinking it over. Such damage to Sephiroth's emotional level was obvious. "Do you always believe everything that man spits out? You do realize he puts you down because he's jealous of what you've become, correct?"
"His jealousy probably makes him say the truth more than anything else."
"Nonsense, Genesis wants to hurt you so that you'll give up and let him take what's yours."
"Was it even mine to begin with?"
Hojo shook his head, "Such a pity that the redhead has poisoned your mind so deeply! Has he really affected you this badly?"
Sephiroth nodded, "Yes."
"I wondered why. Tell me, what bugs you the most?"
What was digging at him right now? The worst part… He wasn't sure, all of it was terrible. "The fact that he…can continue to degrade me…hate me…when he knows the truth about my life and everything that has happened to me."
"The isolation?"
"The torture, the tests, the isolation…everything!" Sephiroth sat up and glared at Hojo, "The things that you forced me through because of who I am. I'm not a person…I'm just another number. The only thing Genesis made me realize was that my life was filled with suffering, and to satisfy your lab results I had to fake that I didn't care. But why's it matter? Everything that ever went on in there, in that plain room…has just amplified itself out here. Maybe if someone raised me like a normal child, had forgotten the fact that I'm different…" He shook his head, "Maybe I wouldn't have noticed the harshness of this world…let alone care what Genesis told me. But that would never happen…" He pulled his knees up, resting his elbows on them, "No one could dare look at me and think that I'm normal…" There was silent after that, a long thoughtful silence between the two of them before Sephiroth turned his eyes to the window that he once could only see from the other side. He remembered the appreciation he had for that room…how nice it felt to be in it and to draw quietly while he was clueless. It was nice not having to deal with emotions or to wrestle with decisions. He didn't have to be smart to impress anyone, he just had to be healthy. That was it. "It's too late to go back…isn't it?"
Hojo followed his eyes to the dark, lonely chamber. The lights were off and the confined room within hadn't changed ever since Sephiroth had left it. They had used it for storage at times or if their other rooms were filled up with more important things, but it was rather useless now. "I'm afraid it is, Sephiroth."
Their serious subject was quickly broken when they heard a cluster of operatives coming in. One was Zack, one of the few losers that Sephiroth could easily pick out like a sore thumb. They were holding a box that was wrapped up neatly with a big bow on it. "Sephiroth!! We came to visit you!"
"Why?" Sephiroth asked, almost showing his depression outwardly toward them.
"Angeal sent us to make you feel better, so we thought we'd act quickly!" Zack set the box in Sephiroth's lap. "Open it up! You'll like what's inside."
Sephiroth glared at him and then at the box, "Oh let me guess…a dress?"
"No? You already have that in your room," one of the others commented.
"Oh right, how silly of me to forget." Sephiroth tore the bow off and threw it at Zack before slipping the paper off, popping the lid off of the box. He looked inside and frowned, "A dead dog?"
"It's sleeping!" Zack cooed, giving it a small poke and the dog's eyes opened up to see what was going on. "Great gift, huh?"
Sephiroth stared at the boxed puppy. Reminded him of his own situation not too long ago. Forever stuck away in a small, cramped area without any love or affection. Luckily someone thought puppies were too cute to be hated the way he had been. "You do realize I live here in Shinra's Headquarters, correct? And the policy is no animals."
Zack and the others exchanged looks before the boy spoke up, "They don't have to know."
"I'm gone for weeks on end doing missions. Unless someone babysits it the stupid thing will die from neglect."
"We found it on the streets anyway, it was going to die if we hadn't rescued it," one mentioned but quickly shut up once Sephiroth's eyes landed on him.
The dog whimpered a bit and Sephiroth looked back into the box, watching those big round eyes stare at him sadly. He eased his hands into the box and pulled it out, feeling its soft baby fur and watching its fat, clumsy paws make contact with his skin. "I suppose I'll keep it until I find someone willing to take it in."
"At least it'll make you feel good while you're recovering! I heard that the chemicals produced when you pet an animal stimulate happiness!"
"Wonderful," Sephiroth commented and watched it curl up in his lap to pass out again.
"What are you going to name it?" one SOLDIER asked.
Sephiroth didn't care what he was going to name it. The dumb thing would be gone soon enough. But… "How's about Zack? Yes, a perfect name for a dog. That way when people ask me how my day is going, I can easily say 'oh, Zack shit on the carpet' and they'll think it's you."
Zack stared at him and frowned, "Oh…gee thanks."
Sephiroth smirked, "I knew you'd enjoy that." He gave a small sigh, "Now if you're done bothering me you can go."
"Get well soon," Zack remarked.
"Have fun with Zack," the other replied.
"That's…just creepy," the last one commented as they filed out.
It went silent again and Hojo felt like his IQ had dropped while standing there. His eyes went down to the furball that was asleep in Sephiroth's lap. "Do tell, does it make you feel any better?"
"No." He picked the dog up and moved it onto the pillow, "It's just a dog."
"You know…strangely enough they acted hospitable toward you." Sephiroth stared at Hojo wondering what he was getting at. "They don't think you're an experiment. The media doesn't either. Everyone except a select few regard you as a leader and as a strong human being."
Sephiroth shook his head, "No, they—"
"Don't be an imbecile. It's true! Forget everything Genesis told you and all of his worthless, jealous emotions he's tried to pinpoint on you. Sephiroth, you are the greatest being that has graced this planet. And if you went back into hiding you would deny these people help. Genesis cannot save this world…only you. Experiment or not…the world loves you."
Sephiroth miserably looked from the dog to Hojo. They needed him? They…loved him? Maybe…Genesis was wrong.
Did he really need Genesis as a friend…when he had everyone else around him that would rather support him than that jealous redhead? Then again…once Genesis realized he wasn't needed, wouldn't the man come running back to him begging for forgiveness?
It…was possible.
"You're right." Sephiroth sighed, "His words and his opinion don't matter…not anymore, at least. I have far better things to worry about then whether he considers me a friend or not."
Hojo smirked. Yes! He had broken through. Finally. "Now this time stay away from him before he tries something stupid again. I'm getting tired of that redhead pushing your buttons."
"You're getting tired of it? How do you think I feel?" Sephiroth grabbed a piece of the blanket and tucked the puppy in. "I'm going to sleep…I hope by tomorrow I'll be fine."
OoOoOoOoOoO
~Sephiroth looked around at the abyss around him, soon finding the voice that usually touched his ears in his dreams.
Have you forgotten me?
He shook his head. Clearly he hadn't, he was thinking about JENOVA this entire time. "One day I'll find you."
Genesis knows.
"Knows…what?"
The location.
Sephiroth shook his head. Even if Genesis knew, even if he had gone and seen her…he cared not. Genesis may have the answers to where JENOVA lay, but if Genesis could find them…then so could he. "I'll find you without his help."~
He felt something licking him and a few chuckles sounded near him. Sephiroth opened his eyes to see the puppy planted on his face, giant paw right on top of one of his eyes. "Do you mind?" He remarked, pulling it away unhappily. His eyes met another group of SOLDIER operatives. "Do you realize what time it is?"
"Morning."
Sephiroth looked at the time. Already? He…didn't remember sleeping that long. "I see. Why are you…" He stopped himself. "Angeal, right?"
They nodded. "We brought you breakfast in bed!"
"You do realize I can move and I'm not crippled…"
"Yeah? We're still giving you breakfast. Pancakes with chocolate syrup. We heard you like it that way."
Hmm, how could he pass up such a good breakfast meal? He might as well just have them fork it over. "Yes, fine, I'll eat. One of you take Zack out, I don't want him to pee on the bed."
The figures snorted somewhat while one volunteered to take the puppy away. Pancakes were set before him and he easily covered them in syrup, and then began to eat like a king. Hojo's talk yesterday made sense to me, yet I still feel wounded. I would like to speak to Angeal…and he clearly must care if he keeps sending everyone to keep an eye on me. Yet I need to talk to him privately, alone. I want to know…what he thinks of me. Am I an experiment to him as well…or is Genesis lying? I regard Angeal…with utmost respect. He is what always kept us from fighting, and he had always been the honest type. Not once has he ever tried to hurt me…It will be his opinion that matters the most. His eyes turned to the boy that returned with the dog. "Thank you. I have a favor to ask of you, will you find Angeal and get him for me?"
"Of course, sir."
He didn't have to wait for long as the man he was looking for easily showed up looking worried. "You hurt or something? Some nervous SOLDIER came running up to me saying you needed me!"
Sephiroth smirked at his words, "No, it's…nothing too urgent, I…just needed to…talk to you. Have you spoke to Genesis?"
"Well, we've talked but not about what you're worried about I'm guessing."
Sephiroth looked away, "I see. Tell me, Angeal…the honest truth…" He took a deep breath. He could handle this. "Do you think I'm nothing but an experiment? Is Genesis correct about me being nothing but something to toy with? Yesterday…"
"He acted stupidly because he's jealous and wants to cause someone pain. He takes it out on you because he knows you've suffered a lot, and that you're familiar to the anguish." Angeal came forth and stared down at his comrade, "No, Sephiroth, I don't think you're just an experiment. You're my friend. Just as Genesis is my friend. He may be stupid, selfish, and hard to get along with…but he's still my friend. And you may be stubborn, have a terrible history, and you might never forgive him, but that doesn't make you less human than any of the rest of us. You're a person with feelings that cares about what we think and say about you because you want to fit in. That's normal. And as your friend, I want you to know that you don't need to worry about what has happened to you previously before we met. We'll stay friends until we're both dead. Then we can meet up in the Lifestream and start all over again, hmm?"
Sephiroth smiled at his words, "I…" he shook his head. "That's…what I wanted to hear. But…I wanted Genesis to say the same thing as well."
Angeal sighed, "Yeah…understandable. In due time…he'll apologize, you'll forgive him…and this quarrel will be forgotten."
Sephiroth gave a small nod, "I…hope you're right."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
A year had passed. As Sephiroth stood silently in place as Genesis prepared to speak, he chose not to face him. He remembered the pain of the past. A full year ago Genesis had made the comment to me that I am nothing to everyone, yet time and time again people have proven their love and desire to keep me around and alive, not because I give good results, but because they adore my presence. I am more than a machine for war, I am more than a guinea pig on the wheel. Once upon a time I couldn't even multiply, I couldn't read, and I couldn't tell one animal from the other. Here I am, only a few years later and I am the smartest person that graces Midgar, and perhaps even this world. Yet to this day I am still pained by the words he had never apologized for. We made up, but there wasn't an apology and there wasn't any forgiving. And as we avoided doing both of those we have avoided ourselves. We are no longer personal, we are concise and honest. But still, it lingers there, the pain…and he knows it. And to him…he finds it an advantage.
"LOVELESS….Act I."
Yet the confidence he draws is from his jealousy for my status, the people that have grown to love me. He will never reach this point, and we both know that. He doesn't believe it, but he knows…and that alone is what gives me the advantage instead.
"How can I not…when you've beaten it into my head?"
And here he coolly picks up his sword, prepared to fight, prepared to show me that he is to be the next greatest fighter that has graced Midgar, that has graced the Planet. But it will only wind up in him failing, because we both know that I am the stronger member, that I do not strive out of the pits of jealousy, that I have the upper hand because he fights for nothing…and I fight for everything. I fight because I have once lived at the bottom in a place that no man should ever live. I fight because if I hadn't, I would never be standing in this place facing these two. I fight because it is my duty, and it will always be my duty.
Their swords clashed together, Sephiroth battled against Angeal and Genesis as if it were an art, or a dance that was well practiced. No one hit the other, just the swords dancing around as they moved out of the way and pushed each other around.
It meant nothing to Sephiroth. The fury he felt as Genesis's jealousy began to rise, the hatred he bestowed in each fiery blast that came toward him…
And even the pitiful end, when Genesis tried to pull himself together to act as if the battle was a stalemate and no one had won.
His wound is just like his pride. Torn open and pained by what he has so foolishly done to himself. I don't pity him, even when I should. I cannot regard him as a friend anymore, and as he walks away quoting LOVELESS once more…I can only tell that his words are meant toward me. That he will return and continue to battle me for my spot, no matter how many times he must lose.
Sephiroth left the area and travelled to Hojo's old lab area. Renovations had moved it to a different floor, and now the basement was all but abandoned. Yet Sephiroth often visited it for quiet time and to gather himself. As he walked through the dust gathered place he laid eyes on the isolation chamber. He came forth and set his hand gently on the piece of glass, letting his eyes fall inward at the room that once used to be his entire world.
"There once was a fortuneteller…who said Angeal would bridge his two friends together as if to negotiate between them…and it would end in his bitter death. This fallout would cause hatred between the two that lost their dying friend…and make them turn against each other. One is jealous of the other's accomplishments…and the other….blinded by obsession." He let his hand fall from the glass, "Whether it's the truth…or not…I cannot give up my goals in finding JENOVA." He closed his eyes gently. "My…mother."
A silent moment washed over him when he turned then, away from the chamber that lay useless and unneeded. His feet carried him back toward the exit, yet he stopped once. One more reflection, one more glance at it. "You're nothing but a memory now." He faced forward and headed out. And then it was silent once again in the chamber, no more guests to come forth and grace its presence, no one to use it ever again.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
The End.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Yup, it's the end! Longest fiction I've written before, and probably my favorite. Please review and tell me what you think about each chapter, your favorite parts, what really struck you, and what you think about the fiction as a whole. Was it good, bad? Tell me what you think!
Also, this was one of the few endings that I had decided to make. If a large amount of you find it unsatisfactory, I may very well write a different ending (not that it'll be any fluffier or happier than this one) but I do listen to all of your reviews and comments, and I cherish what my readers think about my stories!
I'd like to thank all of you for fav'ing this, for reading, for waiting for my garble to be updated. I appreciate you all, and I really hope you'll stick around to read other fictions that I will be writing.
Lastly I'd like to explain why I chose to do this ending this particular way. If you don't care and think this is great than woohoo! You don't need to read this! But yeah, truthfully I chose this ending because I did want to tie it into the game as well as I could. Throughout this fiction Sephiroth and Genesis both clashed violently, which in the game you don't see as much. I had to obviously find a way to tone that down, otherwise you'd expect the entire game to be a massive bitchfit! This is why I created the drift between them when Sephiroth remembers all of the tortures. And the reason why I chose Genesis to not reveal the woman that once cared for him. I thought that if he read the journal Sephiroth would have too much hope, and then he'd be less of how he was in Crisis Core. Also why the reason I decided for Genesis and Sephiroth to break apart once again. I played it on Genesis's jealousy, because he's a man who must be on top, even if it means losing something he loves. He did, indeed, like Sephiroth, but his past experiences with Sephiroth's rejection and his goal toward becoming the Hero had caused him to make his final decision. Also, I thought that would tie into why Sephiroth and Genesis are very trite toward each other. You notice in the games that the times they talked to each other they hardly seemed like they were once friends. Hence the reason why Sephiroth kept refusing to go on missions to find Genesis, and also why Sephiroth refuses to help Genesis stop his degradation (although Genesis was pretty much a moron in the game for being like 'hey your mom's an old alien chick, now will you help me?' Failure at being a comforting friend!!) The one thing that makes this fic less likely to be a 'possibility' to the game is Zack. Clearly he had never seen the 1st class SOLDIER before Sephiroth saved his tooshy in Banora, so he really wouldn't be giving him puppies. But I thought it'd be a cute touch to the 'Zack the Puppy' thing.
Ahem. I think that's a good enough reasoning, nyeh? Any questions can easily be answered once you comment. And please review, though I already asked before, but I really do strive to figure out what my audience likes! I write to entertain you guys, you got to tell me what it is you like!
Now goodbye, and I'll see you guys in another fiction!!!
