Well everyone, I am back with another chapter! Thank you pangpond, ghost of gene rayburn, and KyuubiPandoraChan for the reviews I received. It's comforting to know this particular fanfic hasn't been completely forgotten in my absence of writing. It happens to the best of us. I myself remember waiting months to a year for an update so I can sympathize. A lot happened in my life, so I had to put it on hold :) But I am determined to finish it one way or another! And as quickly as my muse, creativity, and time allow.
It's always interesting to look back and remember the songs I have listened to that have helped shape this story. For the first few chapters I listened to the DaVinci Code soundtrack. Ah, it's haunting and otherworldly sounds propelled me forward. These next few chapters I have been working on have been a lot of Within Temptation. Absolutely love that band. I have listened to the Silent Force over and over again for this chapter. Mother Earth played a prominent role in previous chapters and in Chapter 12. Just some fun facts.
Anyways I am going off to have dinner. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter and the rest to come. Have a great time and happy reading!
Chapter Eleven- Face to Face
"Aeris, stop struggling," Sephiroth suddenly commanded in her right ear.
"Seph, it's you," Aeris gasped in surprise and relief. Suddenly her whole body felt limp, like over-cooked spaghetti. Everything was surreal and her mind seemed to be swimming through a thick fog. If he hadn't shown up, she didn't know what she would have done.
Probably get captured and shipped back into Hojo's clutches, she thought with a shudder.
"Come on," Sephiroth hissed, grabbing the discarded bag and hauling the stunned flower-girl backwards. The SOLDIERS would be on them in seconds. He knew this had not been a good idea, but he would be hard pressed if it got any worse. They both took off at a run, going behind many shops before turning right to flee down another alley. Sephiroth set down the bag and Aeris immediately rummaged through it.
"Here, add these to our supply bag," Aeris whispered, handing him the food. Sephiroth hastily shoved the much needed sustenance into their sack.
"These are for you," Aeris murmured, a slight brush creeping up her cheeks as she pulled out the metal shoulder guards. Sephiroth wordlessly took them, appraising the craftsmanship. They would be quite useful. He slipped them on and they fit like they had been fashioned for him.
"Thank you," he said quietly, appreciation on his visage. Aeris could feel every part of her go warm at his expression. Then it was over and reality set back in. Sephiroth craned his head out of the alleyway. His eyes detected no sign of the SOLDIERS. He could hear their leader shouting orders to split up and search the surrounding area. Without a warning Sephiroth took off across the street with Aeris in tow. Immediately he dragged them between two buildings that were very close together. Aeris' breaths came out in shallow gasps as they paused in their game of cat-and-mouse.
"Seph, do we have a plan?" Aeris whispered, pressed against Sephiroth's right side. They couldn't stay there for long. Sephiroth's breath came out in even, controlled pants. He craned his head so he caught just a glimpse of what they was up against. He could see about fifteen SOLDIERS and some grunts. Several options and scenarios played out in his mind. He finally decided on simply slipping away unnoticed and not engaging would be in their best interest.
"Yes, Aeris, I do. I want you to head into the woods. I'll take care of the issue here by creating a distraction."
"Seph, I don't want to split up," Aeris replied, her voice betraying the nervousness she felt. "We need to stick together and get away. I won't be separated from you," she finished in a low whisper. A gnawing feeling had been steadily growing in her stomach, a vague sense of dread spreading throughout her being. Already it had almost cost her her freedom when she had been off alone.
"Aeris, I still need you to head for the forest," Sephiroth replied, his tone stern. Noticing her frightened expression he added, "It will be only a few short minutes. Then I will find you," he murmured, giving her arm a faint squeeze.
"All right," she relented, before standing on her toes and throwing her arms around his neck. She hugged him fiercely for a second, allowing her fears to be absorbed by the strength and courage radiating from him. Sephiroth's arms wrapped around her waist, returning the gesture.
"Don't be long," she said softly in his ear before letting go. Every part of her tingled from the contact with him. She wished could stayed longer in that position.
"I won't be," he muttered, looking down at her face. Giving her a small grin, he released her as well. Aeris immediately raced away and melted into the foliage. The whole exchange had taken less than a minute. Yet, during that moment, time seemed to have stopped. No, he would not be long. His mind immediately switched to strategies. Some grunts were closing in on his hiding place. He dashed down the alley and ran behind some more buildings when his searching eyes finally spotted his target. The Shinra barracks was the last structure at the end of the town. It would serve his purpose perfectly.
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Tseng calmly strolled up to the petrified storekeeper. Reno was on one side and Rude on the other of the shaking man.
"I haven't done anything wrong. I am a law-abiding citizen. What is the meaning of this?" the general storekeeper questioned, his voice coming out stronger than what he felt.
"We know you haven't done anything that merits our visit. It's what you might have that is valuable. Do you have any information concerning a certain woman?" Tseng replied, his voice detached as he produced a picture of Aeris.
The man gulped and felt a bead of sweat run down the side of his face. They were talking about that sweet woman whose outfit looked liked it had seen better days. What could Shinra possibly want with one so innocent and young as her? Should he lie and tell them he knew nothing? He licked his lips hesitantly until he felt something prodding his side. Reno had his Electro-Mag Rod out, his right hand leisurely gripping the electric, stun weapon.
"Whatever sense of honor or nobility you might be feeling right now that's keeping your trap shut, I suggest you lose it," Reno said, his voice sounding bored. "It's in your best interest if you just comply and get this over with. Then life can go back to normal," Reno continued with a shrug. "The choice is up to you, but things might get a little uncomfortable if you don't."
"I did have a young woman like the one in the picture come to my shop. She bought some food and a couple of other things," the shopkeeper mumbled, his mouth feeling drier with every passing second. Tseng's lips turned up into the smallest of smiles.
"Now that wasn't so bad," Reno exclaimed happily, giving the man's back a firm smack with his free hand. He was relieved the man wasn't being stubborn. They were finally closing in and the mission would soon be done.
"Was there anyone else with the woman?" Elena asked. She was standing slightly behind Tseng.
"No, she was alone, but she did mention a man. She bought a pair of shoulder guards for him," the man answered, his words coming out in a tired, defeated tone.
"One last question. Which direction did she head?" Tseng questioned, a plan formulating in his mind. The shopkeeper simply pointed out the window and to the left.
"Rude, order our SOLDIER division to enter the town and search," Tseng commanded, strolling out the door with the rest of the Turks following his lead.
"Have a good rest of your day," Reno said, giving a mock salute as he sauntered away.
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Without a warning, the Shinra barracks burst into red and orange flames. It was if an inferno from Hades had suddenly exploded from its underground depths to consume the structure.
"What the hell..." Reno managed to utter before it seemed everyone in the town came out of the woodwork. His voice was drowned out while shouts and screams permeated the air as people and SOLDIERS raced to put out the blaze.
Tseng's eyes narrowed at the bizarre fire at the end of the road. It was too ironic, too perfect...a decoy. Tseng took off running, but through the alleyways. The rest of the Turks followed suit. Tseng swore he saw a flash of silver and black slipping into the trees.
"Boss, what is it?" Elena asked as Tseng came to a halt.
"Sephiroth," he replied coolly without giving her a glance. He could hear her clothes rustling as she stiffened in alarm. He took a step forward, his shoe crunching on something. Looking down at his feet was a crumpled paper bag. Snatching it off the ground he opened it. Sure enough there was a receipt for pauldrons and food.
"Reno and Elena send your SOLDIERS into the woods here. Aeris entered at this point, I'm sure of it. Keep it quiet, I want her captured this time. Rude and I are going after Sephiroth. He's probably going to make a large circle in case he is being followed before joining up with her."
"You got it, sir," Reno said with a grin. Grabbing his radio, he called in his division. Elena started off into the forest at a brisk jog, Reno right beside her.
"It ends here," Tseng muttered.
4 4 4 4 4
After pocketing his Fire materia, Sephiroth ran at an almost blinding pace, zigzagging through the foliage with precision and accuracy. He redoubled his steps several times and dashed through a couple of steams. If the Turks were to employ dogs, he would give them give hell to discover his trail.
His eyes were hardened flecks of steel as he at last began to return to the direction Aeris had taken. He was beginning to despise this current predicament with each passing minute. Buried emotions he had forgotten while with Aeris flared in him with a vengeance. Again he was hunted like a common criminal. It was making his blood seethe. That is when he paused in his tracks.
It would never end, would it? Until he completed his promise to return Aeris, he would be hounded relentlessly. Why did that madman want him so badly? What was left for him to accomplish at Hojo's bidding? Sephiroth could think of nothing but rotting in his cell once again. Maybe Hojo thrived off of his suffering, gave him a reason to keep existing. Sephiroth snarled at the idea, his hatred festering.
He stopped at a tree, his hand griping one of the branches fiercely, imaging Hojo's neck in its place. He also saw the President of Shinra, the scientists, everyone that was a component of Shinra.
"Why the hell am I alive?" he growled, looking at the sky. Never in his life had he felt such an intense loathing towards life in general. Why were any of them alive? Why did relief only seem to come with the thought of bringing death? Was the purpose of living so one could eventually die? Would his pain really be lessened if he erased those who had wronged him? His soul and mind wrestled with unanswered questions currently filling him to the very core.
"Why am I alive?" he repeated with a soft snarl. What was the point for all his strength and intelligence when it was only needed to kill? Anyone could kill. Absolutely anyone could take a life. Except for maybe Aeris. As hard as he might imagine, he could not wrap his mind around the idea of her killing a single soul. The thought of her brought him out of his reverie. He needed to get to her before the Turks did. He knew they would be close by. He would continue his questions later.
He trotted at an easy pace, spying a clearing up ahead. She was probably there. Entering it, he saw....no one. His brows furrowed. He continued forward, eyes scourging the area. He began jogging again. Ten minutes passed and apprehension grew in his gut. Where was she? He could see the end of the forest coming into view. Perhaps she had continued farther than he had first anticipated. Breaking out of the cover of the evergreens and pines, he froze, stunned.
His eyes became like incandescent, smoldering coals of rage. Standing before him, in a semi-circle were at least one hundred SOLDIERS and grunts. All were positioned with various guns and swords trained at his intimidating form. He easily loomed over most of them because of his height and more importantly because of his carefully crafted persona. He could see many of the grunts shaking in their boots, drops of perspiration glistening on their foreheads. The SOLDIERS, on the other hand, stood their ground, though most had trouble keeping their gazes unflinching. He felt the familiar sting of humiliation. The great general Sephiroth was having to answer to these low-ranking, pathetic, weak humans. He even recognized some of the men with whom he had trained with. He could only imagine what they had been told. Their leader was nothing more than a glorified, Shinra slave. Yes, the humiliation was a bitter pill to swallow.
Yet, the thing that pushed him over the edge was seeing Aeris being firmly held around the waist by the Turk, Reno, with his Electro-Mag rod grinding into her exposed throat. The whites of her eyes and her shallow, quick breaths easily displayed her fear. Reno's visage, on the other hand, held a look of gloating and supreme satisfaction. It was enough to cause Sephiroth's blood boil anew for several reasons. Part of him was infuriated with the Turks getting their hands on the girl he had so skillfully been keeping from Hojo. The other felt anger as acid memories surfaced at being held and tortured against his will. The sense of powerlessness he sympathized with.
Sephiroth, Aeris thought with relief and trepidation, How in Gaia's name are we going to get out of this? Nothing short of slaughtering every man here was the only answer she received. She shuddered. This was so stupid, so idiotic, it was driving her mad. These SOLDIERS would most likely die because of them. They were not worth the end of all these young men teeming with life and families of their own. These men had no idea what they were getting into. It was not their fault. They were just following orders. Think, think, think she thought in desperation, Planet, help me!
"Nice of you to finally arrive on the scene Sephiroth," Reno suddenly said, digging his weapon a little deeper into Aeris' neck. It did not go unnoticed by Sephiroth.
"Here outside it's starting to get a little warm now and everyone is tired of trailing your sorry butt around this god-forsaken continent. So would you please hurry up and surrender so we can all get on with our lives," Reno finished nonchalantly, his arrogance only furthering Sephiroth's rage. Yet Sephiroth remained silent. Reno quirked an eyebrow. Time to change tactics on this guy, he thought, hoping he wasn't dealing his cards too hastily. Damn, where is Tseng and Rude?
"Are we going to stand here all day, staring daggers at each other, or do I have to use a little persuasion," Reno said, his voice suddenly growing menacing and his eyes hardening. He hated to be the bad guy, but he was a Turk and he couldn't let his feelings get in the way. Turning up the voltage on his rod, he let it glow before giving Aeris a slight shock.
Aeris gave a small cry pain and surprise. With all her dealings with the Turks, they had never purposely harmed her, but now it seemed that had all been flung out the door. Reno,of all the Turks, to actually use his weapon on her! Now she was mad. How dare he. The gall of this guy; who did he think he was? She tried to turn her head and yell at him, but his rod restrained her movement. She fumed in anger and frustration. When this was all over and if they ever met again, she was going to give him one heck of a piece of her mind.
Though Aeris tried to muffled the noise of her affliction, the damage was already done. Sephiroth took one step forward, his sword hand now going to rest on Masamune's hilt.
Good, found a pressure point, Reno thought with relief, hoping he could somehow use Aeris to his advantage. He was never very good with negotiations, this was his boss's department. He could only hope to have Tseng show up or Sephiroth to give in.
"Reno, are you out of your mind?" Elena suddenly hissed in his ear after getting over her shock at what she had just witnessed. She had been standing idly at his side, content to simply watch the exchange between Reno and Sephiroth.
"Hojo could have are heads and our jobs. We were strictly told that she was to be returned unharmed," she continued heatedly, trying hard to kept her outraged voice at a whisper so Sephiroth couldn't hear.
"Laney, please shut up and let me handle this. Right now she is all I have to work with. I am trying to not get anyone killed and wrap this up as neatly as possible. Got it?" he replied, his voice unnaturally hard and level. Elena could only let out an aggravated sigh.
This is really bad. Planet, please a little help! A plan of escape, a way out, anything before Seph loses it completely and heads start to fly, Aeris begged mentally. Suddenly she could hear the familiar strains of Gaia's melodious voice,
We can hear you, child, and we know of your predicament. We have an idea. It might work, but it might not. Several images flashed through Aeris' mind as she saw what the Planet had concocted for their beloved child. Aeris took in a quick breath. This could work. Her heart began to beat erratically. How could she tell Sephiroth?
Sephiroth has great telepathic abilities, our child. If you try hard enough, you may be able to reach him. Hurry, before it is too late. The voice began to reside from her consciousness.
Thank you, Planet, Aeris thought gratefully. Sephiroth's voice suddenly dragged her back into the present moment.
"I am surprised Turk. I don't believe Hojo would be very pleased if he knew what you were doing with a prized piece of his research," Sephiroth said darkly, an acid smile on his lips. It took all of Reno's willpower not to look away.
"Hojo ordered us to employ whatever means necessary,"Reno replied, "Now for someone like you, I know this probably doesn't bother you very much." He released another voltage of electricity into Aeris' body. The pain caused her almost to scream, but in the nick of time she violently bit down on her lip, causing a small trickle of blood to drip down her chin. Sephiroth took another step, his hand going white from griping Masamune's pommel so tightly. A strange tightening gripped his chest as he was forced to watch Reno's torture on her. This was another foreign sensation to the hardened warrior. He could kill them all so easily, yet something caused him to bide his time for a little while longer.
"She's pretty hardy, Sephiroth, but she'll crack pretty soon if I keep continuing. I won't kill her of course. It would kinda defeat my whole purpose, but she could be permanently damaged in some way. Now I know she means absolutely zlit to you, so you won't mind..." Another wave of agony ripped through Aeris' body as she endure another taste of Reno's weapon. She momentarily felt light-headed from the painful sensations coursing through her body.
No, I have to keep it together and concentrate on reaching Seph's mind, she thought fiercely. Secretly she wished she was actually biting Reno's hand and then kneeing him in the groin before escaping.
"Unless, you have some part of you that doesn't want this, which I highly doubt. All in all, it's your choice," Reno said, challenging Sephiroth and praying the reverse psychology would work. Sephiroth opened his mouth to reply, but stopped. His body suddenly stiffened. Reno's eyes glanced warily at the taller man. What had just transpired?
Sephiroth? Can you hear me?
Aeris? How are you doing this?
Never mind that, the Planet told me you had strong telepathy so I thought I would give it a try.
Aeris, is anything wrong with your body?
I'm all right, Seph. I think I have a way for us to escape without hurting these men.
Aeris... She could practically feel the annoyance from him, but she was tired of men and their stupidity.
I know you probably don't understand, but just try for one second to see my train of logic. Do these people need to be killed? Is it really all that necessary? They are just doing what they have been told, it is nothing personal. The person who would actually deserve your wrath is Hojo and he isn't even here! You're a tactical general, for Gaia's sake. Wouldn't you take the most efficient path that requires minimum effort and gains maximum results? Our whole purpose is simply to get away unscathed. Am I right?
Silence greeted her awaiting consciousness for a few of seconds. Exasperation flooded her. He had two seconds tops before she got ticked.
What do you have in mind Aeris?
Sephiroth's hand loosened from Masamune. He forced himself to lessen the rage in his eyes and relax some of his overly tense muscles. Reno and Elena took this all into account almost instantly. Reno let out a small sigh at Sephiroth's less menacing stance. It wasn't complete victory, but it was a start.
Looks like Sephiroth is finally coming to his senses. We all might come out of this...
Sephiroth took a couple more steps forward, his right hand outstretched. Though he hated to his use these next words, he would begrudgingly do it. Aeris had asked him and her words did appeal to the common sense in him.
"Relinquish Aeris to me. I promise to not harm your men and go quietly," he stated solemnly, his eyes boring into the redheaded Turk. Reno stared back suspiciously. This was too easy...yet Sephiroth hadn't done anything aggressive. Rather strange for a man as powerful as he to submit like so. Also he didn't appear to be unstable or a vicious killer. Maybe his first impression at Harvey's compound was wrong. Perhaps the general had killed all the men in defense and to rescue Aeris. Sephiroth had always been an enigma and this new layer revealed another side Reno had never seen.
"Agreed," Reno replied, giving Aeris a rough shove in Sephiroth's direction. He motioned with his other hand and several of the SOLDIERS and grunts stood down. Aeris stumbled forward and was easily caught by Sephiroth with one arm. Hauling her to his body, he bent his head down till his lips were near the shell of her ear. Reno's eyes narrowed ever so slightly and he nodded to his men to come forward and take the pair into custody.
"Are you ready?" Sephiroth whispered. Aeris nodded, putting her arms around his strong neck. Sephiroth wrapped his own arms securely around her waist. Sephiroth closed his eyes, a smirk beginning to form on his lips. He summoned all his power, mental and physical. Then in a flash he opened them. They were glowing a vivid green.
"I lied, Reno," he muttered, his smirk growing.
"I won't be going quietly!"
Suddenly a brilliant, white light engulfed the pair, causing their hair to fly upward. The light shot forth, showering the men and momentarily blinding them. Tremors could be felt on the ground as the earth shook from some mighty, invisible power. Reno crashed heavily to his knees, Elena stumbling beside him. As quickly as it had started it was over. Reno sprang to his feet.
"What the hell was that?" he shouted, his face a mixture of shock and fury. His eyes widened. The place where Aeris and Sephiroth had stood...
"Oh shit," was all he could say. They were gone.
I am soooooo curious... who thought it was Sephiroth who grabbed Aeris or the SOLDIERS at the end of the last chapter?