A/N: Hey y'all, I'm back. I know my updates are very sporadic, but I've had to wait for forever to get my computer replace…which means I had to rewrite EVERYTHING AGAIN! Both on this story and my other FFVII fic—the one I began writing three years ago! WAHH! AND I couldn't update at school cuz apparently, isn't "school appropriate"! D: my Boss (CrimsonpuppetP) musta thought I'd ditched my other story because o' that! URGH! FRUSTRATIOOOOON! But n e wayz, thank you all for the support all the same!
To Cinnamon Cloud: Well, if Seph didn't give him permission to get into trouble…I did! Lol. Glad you understand Genny's predicament. Yep, Genesis is still Genesis, despite Angeal's and Seph's determination. And yes, your review is greatly accepted. Enjoy and I hope you review again! -_^
To scorpiosgirl: Way to go, girlfriend! I knew you'd be the first to figure it out from the start. I appreciate you being so patient with me, despite my rather neglected updates. Well, I'm sure you know the story. On to the mission! (Calvary Call) CHARGE! -_^
To Kala Sathinee: Yay! So glad you were excited for the new chapt! -_^ Yeah, it's sad, huh? But, unfortunately, he's far from out of the woods. Hope this chapt is satisfactory! ;)
To Tsukikkage234: Good guess, but no. More details on 'the child' will gradually come along. And when the pieces start to come together, it'll really knock you on the floor! ^_^ I hope you don't hate the reveal, though… Oh, and enjoy your flashback! ;)
To gothicdragon752: I'm so glad you haven't forgotten me completely! I'm soooooo sorry my updating took so damned long, but my computer is a piece of *bleep* sometimes! Urgh! But n e ways, I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you're still addicted to this fic! ^_^ and don't be mad at Genny; he's still struggling with his moods and handling closeness and all that stuff. It'll get a little tedious at times, but there is a reason and cause for all that other than the obvious. All will be explained in good time. In the meantime, keep an eye out for more 'magic updates'! ;)
P.S. If anyone out there knows CrimsonpuppetP, I know it's a lot to ask, but will someone—anyone—pleez contact her and tell her I'm still working on Darkened Eclipse and I have to rewrite all my chapters (AGAIN!) and to not give up on me? I haven't forgotten her and I can't get ahold of her myself. Pleez, if anyone can send that little message for me, I would be eternally grateful! I desperately need her to contact me!
Chapter Ten: Phantom Pain
When SOLDIERS were on the battlefield, it's as if their personal life disappears completely—any arguments or intimate memories they shared with another were immediately forgotten. The only thing on their minds was the current objective and nothing else.
Even after so long deprived of such a sentiment, SOLDIER First-Class Genesis had warmed back up to the sudden and complete switch almost too easily. His team of twelve crouched obediently behind him among the darkness in the trees, waiting for their cue. The SOLDIER Second-Class crouching behind the bushes not four feet to his right held his wrist poised in front of him, the index finder of his other hand ready to hit the button on the watch. It was Eleven-thirteen p.m. Three minutes, Lazard had said. Three minutes before the bomb ignites. Not a single split second more. Save as many as you can. It was an entire village. People were going to die.
The Turks had assigned a bomb squad to try and disarm the explosive trap, but there was no absolute guarantee. And the squad would evacuate as soon as the ticker hit fifteen seconds.
The communicator in Genesis's ear crackled to life and he heard the SOLDIER General's voice, "Is your crew in position?"
Genesis pressed a hand to his ear to allow himself to hear better, as he glanced back at the troops behind him, "All in place. Nobody knows we're here."
"Good. My unit is near the South Bridge. We'll draw the Crescent Unit to the halfway point of the river—there'll be an ambush waiting for them. We'll try to keep them in check as long as we can. In the meantime, you evacuate as many civilians as you can to the Forest Glade."
"Understood."
"Remember, if the bomb can't be defused, get your team out of there. Even if the explosion doesn't kill everyone, the entire village will be lit ablaze, forming a giant flaming death trap."
"Right. We'll be awaiting your signal." That said, the connection was severed and everyone was silent.
During the next uncountable minutes, B Unit sat and watched impatiently as the patrolling Wutai guards paced to and fro, keeping villagers in their houses and such. At one point, they spotted a lone dog scuffing around here and there, searching for food. Then a guard shouted at the animal, giving it such a powerful kick that sent it sliding across the dirt a few feet. A little girl came running out of the nearest house, reaching for the poor canine despite her parent's cries to stay inside. Two guards approached with spears and guns. The child flinched, burying her face into her pet's fur. They almost stroke when a middle-aged man ran out from two houses down, urging them to show pity. The child retreated with her dog into her house. The guards, now angered, ganged up on the noble soul. One kicked him down. The other raised his spear. Genesis tore his gaze away and ducked down just as blood sprayed from the villager's chest.
Maybe he shouldn't have come back to this…
"Commander?"
The copper-haired leader looked up at the Second-Class with the watch. Brown eyes were watching him intently, concerned. Genesis tried to smile reassuringly, only to have that strange grimace appear instead, "Be ready; A Unit is on their way."
The subordinate nodded curtly, taking the hint. "Yes, sir."
Not too long after, a cry of disturbance breached the silence. All Guards on duty were joined by others on their brake. Men in ShinRa-issued uniforms met over fifty troops of Wutai halfway. Clangs of metal and battle cries were heard clearly to B Unit's hiding place.
"Now!" Genesis hissed and the Second-Class started the timer. No sooner had he done so, Genesis's squad rose and sprinted towards the village while A Unit drove many of the Wutaian troops away, "You know the drill: free as many as you can, get out of here in less than three minutes!"
With that, his team scattered. Genesis himself headed in the direction of the houses off the far edge. Drawing out his handgun from the holster on the small of his back (well hidden by his coat), he aimed carefully at the bolt on the first door and fired. With this, he easily swung the door open, only to be caught from behind by the throat. Wutai assassin, he thought. Individual guards to watch over the hostages. Dammit.
Struggling for a moment, Genesis finally succeeded in flipping the combatant off of him. His opponent was obviously well-trained; whilst regaining his feet, the assassin swung a leg out to trip Genesis, but failed. Then he raised his spear to bring it down on the auburn head, only to be stopped by an invisible force. The Wutaian watched in horrified fascination as a beautiful, well-structured sword seemed to materialize in its owner's poised hands.
One of Genesis's hands was placed on the blade, the other on the hilt, keeping the block balanced. The two opposing fighters struggled for a moment as they tried to throw the other back, but soon resulted in Genesis aiming a perfect kick to his enemy's abdomen. Both parties stumbled back, but Genesis recovered quicker. He was about to strike the killing blow, but the assassin was far from giving up.
A low dive Genesis hadn't seen coming knocked him off his feet. His sword slipped out of his hand, sliding a few feet away. His vision blurred for a second, but he caught his attacker's wrist just as a jagged blade came down to stab him. This guy was good, but not good enough.
In a split instant, Genesis had the handgun's barrel up against the base of his enemy's neck. He scowled petulantly, "You just made me waste a bullet."
BANG!
A dead body and a bloody mess collapsed on top of the SOLDIER. Genesis shoved the corpse away and regained his feet, retrieving his precious sword. When he looked up, a man—and who he assumed was his two or three-year-old son—he hadn't noticed before cowered by the fireplace. Their eyes were wide having seen the short, but gruesome scene.
Genesis wiped away a splatter of warm blood from his face a little nervously. "You need to get out of here. A bomb has been armed."
That seemed to be enough for the man gave a curt nod and gathered the small boy up in his arms before hurrying out the door.
Once outside, Genesis glanced around him to see running and panicking civilians in all directions. A few of his team hurried about, anxious to usher the villagers away from this place. A certain SOLDIER caught his eye, "Thompson!" a dirty blonde immediately changed course and ran his way. "Where's Walters?"
"At the town square, sir. Several women and children are being held there."
Genesis nodded, "Very well. Take these two," he nudged the frightened father closer to his subordinate. "And any other civilians you find and get them to the Glade."
"Yes sir!" then the SOLDIER seemed to notice the blood. "Commander, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Get them out of here!"
Genesis didn't turn back as he ran deeper into the small town. A few Wutaians dared to intercept him, only to be lifeless on the ground within seconds at the mercy of his sword. He passed several houses with their front doors wide open, indicating his team had already freed the residing families. Those that weren't he swiftly infiltrated, quickly doing away with any opposer and ushered survivors out. Only once did he come across a small family who refused to follow him; the father held tight to his wife and two girls, too scared to listen that SOLDIER was here to help them. Despite Genesis's best efforts, they wouldn't budge and the commander had no choice but to leave them.
As he approached the town square, Genesis caught sight of his loyal subordinate Walters and two others. Another SOLDIER lay motionless on the ground. Some of the patrol guards had stayed behind and were now locked in heated battle with his troops. Genesis let familiar heat rise up in his palm, summoning a spell he needed no materia to cast. An instant later, all of the remainder of the Crescent Unit ran or collapsed in screaming masses of flame.
The SOLDIERS immediately hurried to the hostages huddled by the large statue in the center of the village. Genesis couldn't help but notice that many were bleeding. "Walters!" said First-Class hurried over. "What hap--" he cut himself of with a gasp of pain. He clutched his stomach in reflex, but didn't take his eyes off of his follower, "What happened here?"
"As soon as the Wutai troops spotted us, they began to open fire on the women and children they held out here. Only four were killed before we reached them. And Elliot fell taking out the guard with the guns." Genesis inwardly cursed. "We've got less than a minute before the bomb detonates." At this, Genesis nodded.
"Alright, get these women out of here; I'm going through one last sweep to try and free anyone I can reach."
"Yes, sir." Walters headed off to pass on the order while his superior officer sprinted in the opposite direction.
After a few steps, a throbbing stab passed through his abdomen again. Genesis stopped for a moment as he pressed a fist to the center of the pain. He didn't remember getting shot or stabbed, but there was no time to look. Pushing himself and ignoring the growing pain as best as he could, he dashed off in the direction of shut houses. His powerful sense of smell told him which houses that family's had survived or not. As he headed towards a small, two-story house with its door still bolted, a Wutai soldier from the neighboring house burst out, ready to charge. Without looking, Genesis whipped out his firearm and shot twice. The Wutaian fell dead just as Genesis reached the door. He blew the door open, surprised that no assassin awaited him. He could see no one, but he heard a wailing of a baby on the second floor.
He took the steps two at a time towards the sound. Upstairs he found a woman and two children huddled beside her, one infant in her arms. As usual, Genesis led them out.
The more Genesis moved, the more the pain in his abdomen grew. He almost didn't hear Walter's voice calling at him not ten feet away. He finally looked up when he reached him. Walters looked distressed.
"Commander! We've got ten seconds; we've got to go!" Genesis nodded and tried to follow, only to hit the ground after a few steps. The pain was excruciating. He suddenly remembered the cause of the pain when he felt something warm and thick ooze into his leather uniform and boots. He cursed to himself, praying what he feared wasn't true. "Commander, what is it? Are you--?"
The next seconds that followed were very confusing; everything happened at once: he felt Walters drop down beside him, and then knocked him over. A loud BOOM echoed in his ears. Suddenly, several strangely blurry houses were in flaming splinters. Those that were still somewhat intact were almost nearly engulfed in flames. A woman was screaming, nearly drowning out Walters's cries.
"…mander! Commander! Are you alright?" Genesis shook his head to clear the fuzziness there. He felt the same, trickling wetness on the left side of his forehead. "Sir, we need to get out of here, now! This whole village is in flames! We'll burn alive if we stay much longer."
Genesis nodded as he tried to push himself up with Walters's help. "Sir, you're hurt! You're bleeding everywhere."
"I'm f--"
A woman's cry pierced his eardrums again. His head began to throb. He hadn't realized she was at their sides, "My baby! My little girl is still inside my house! She'll burn alive!" Walters tried to sustain her, telling her it was too late and they needed to flee from the village, but to little avail, "No! I have to go back! She'll die if we leave her there!"
"Ma'am, there's nothing we can do! It's too…"
The voices around Genesis began to drown out in his mind. He could see all the chaos around him, but everything was jumbled and hazy. The only voices he could hear were the ones in his head.
"My baby!...She'll die!...I have to go back!..."
The baby's dead…can't go back…too late…
He couldn't remember willing his body to run back in the direction from which he came. And he couldn't hear Walters's calls to bring him back, only the desperate cries of a mother.
A redheaded mother.
Calling for her baby.
Her baby who was going to die if someone didn't help.
When he reached the house, it was almost obliterated. The door was hanging on a single hinge, the staircase was half-encased in fire, one half of the building was already gone, a few floorboards from the floor above had already collapsed.
Determined, Genesis shoved his way through the mess. Faint wails led him back upstairs, to the very room he'd taken the woman and her children from. Flames and smoke obstructed his vision of the room terribly, but the cries were loudest in here. Eventually, he found his way to a far corner, where he caught a faint hint of a pink sleeper under a crib. Carefully, he kneeled down to peer under the baby bed to find a small, pigtail-haired girl hiding, clutching a brown teddy bear close to her.
He froze, stunned at first at the innocent beauty before reaching a hand out to the cowering girl—probably no more than five years old. "It's okay," he surprised himself by saying, "I'll get you out."
"Mama!" she sobbed. Genesis tried so hard to ignore the sudden stab to his heart.
"I'll bring you to her. I'll bring you to your mama. I promise."
He couldn't remember how he did it, but Genesis soon found himself cradling a frightened little girl to his chest, using his jacket to shield her from the smoke and intense flames. He was halfway down the hall when his abdominal pain surged again. He hissed as he fell to the ground, landing on his side to prevent crushing the child in his arms. Not a foot away, a flaming timber landed near his head, but he barely noticed it. He was sure he heard someone's voice, but he couldn't make out the words or who it belonged to; all he could understand was the wailing of the young child. All he could feel was the unbearable pain in his stomach as more thick wetness flowed down into his boots and onto the floor under him.
"…esis! Genesis, where are you?"
Eyes he hadn't realized he'd closed slid open a fraction. He saw a dark figure outlined amongst the flames by the staircase. It rushed over as Genesis tried to push himself up. He felt a gentle hand on his cheek.
"We must get out of here, now. This house is about to give way. And the flames are moving toward the town's power generator."
Genesis nodded, but winced when the pain in his head increased tenfold. He was pulled to his feet and they made their way to the stairs. Once there, the figure next to him leaped over the railing to land near the door. Genesis was about to follow suit, only to have another chunk of the ceiling come down and smash through the railing. The commander lost his footing and he came tumbling down to the harsh floorboards below. He held the precious cargo tighter in his arms while he was pulled to his feet again. With the help of his aide, the three made it out of the house just in the nick of time.
They ran and ran to the closest edge of the village, the massive fires licking at their heels. Genesis stumbled once or twice, but the figure next to him dragged him along. When finally they reached the edge of the forest, Genesis felt a strong shove before falling face-down to the ground; the larger body covered his own. Then he heard another loud BOOM!
All was quiet for a long time.
00
00
After what seemed like hours, the weight on Genesis's back eased.
Sephiroth sat up, observing the destroyed village behind them. Genesis still hadn't moved, but he could hear quick and erratic breathing coming from his direction. Running back into a burning building like that…and obviously injured. The General couldn't decide whether he should be angry at Genesis's rash actions or relieved that he was safe. Some first mission back…
He turned back to face his younger friend, a might concerned considering the state he'd found him in. He was still lying prone on the small, grassy hillock. His arms had come up to support some of his weight. His eyes remained fixed on the bundle beneath him.
"Genesis…"
"Wake up," was the quiet whisper he got. It was the first trace of emotion Sephiroth had heard in years. Sadly, this emotion wasn't happy or relieved—it was hopeful…distraught, yet hopeful. "We're safe, now. We're out."
Sephiroth edged closer to get a better look at what Genesis held so protectively. He placed a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder, only to be completely ignored. "Gen--?"
"Wake up. Please. We're going to go see your mama. Remember? She…she wants to see you. Don't you want to see our mama?"
Sephiroth managed to catch sight of the tiny figure in Genesis's hold. It was a little girl, barely out of the toddler stage. Soft, creamy skin; golden little pigtails; beautiful, half-lidded blue eyes. Eyes that Sephiroth knew couldn't see Genesis anymore. Eyes that were as blank and lifeless as they were beautiful. Surprisingly even to himself, Sephiroth's gut wrenched a little. No. Not that again. He can't see that again…
His fingers tightened a little on his friend's shoulder, "Genesis." When the younger ignored him, he tried again. "…Genny." The commander's breath hitched and he tilted his head a little in the General's direction, but didn't take his gaze away from the small child in his arms. "Genny…she won't wake up."
"She has to. I promised…I promised her I'd…take her to her mama. She has to see her mama!" Sephiroth gently pried Genesis away from the little girl, pulling him back against his chest. Genesis resisted, but it was weak. "I promised…I promised…"
"You tried, angel. She was already hurt before you found her. You couldn't have known."
"But she…I couldn't…I promised her…"
"Not even angels are saints, Genny."
00
00
Genesis was numb by the time Sephiroth managed to pull him away and began to head back to the rendezvous point at the Forest Glade. Angeal was right: Genesis wasn't ready for this mission. Even Angeal would have handled the concept of dead children a might better than their younger friend was.
The only sound during their trek was the scuffing of feet against fallen leaves and twigs. Sephiroth found Genesis stumbling more and more, hissing every now and then while holding his abdomen. Despite the dark leather, the General could clearly make out the rivers of blood all over his uniform. He also didn't like the way his head was looking either. According to Walters, he'd hit it fairly hard on the brick ground when the subordinate SOLDIER tried to cover him from the blast. He was sure he'd spotted a few burns here and there as well.
So, Sephiroth helped him along as best as he could manage—draping his friend's arm over his shoulders and holding him up with an arm held gently around the younger's waist. The General had a hunch as to why Genesis found it hard to walk, however wrong he hoped he was.
When finally they'd reached the opening, several tents and med units were set up around three or four campfires. Civilians were being checked and treated for injury, children cried and called for their parents or siblings, and a few SOLDIERS were trying to accounts for lost lives. Sephiroth approached a tall, broad SOLDIER pacing his way around groups of families, Genesis still in tow.
"Saige."
The First-Class immediately whipped around to attention, "Yes, sir!"
"How many injured and how many dead?"
"We lost three Second-Classes down by the bank, sir. Third-Classes Johnson and Hiroi are currently missing. And Second-Class Elliot and Third-Class Takami were killed on Commander Rhapsodos's team. Many others are injured, but only two have been severely burned by the fire and explosion."
Sephiroth grimly nodded, "Very well. I expect a report in my tent tomorrow at 0900. Carry on."
"Yes, sir," the two First-Classes were about to shuffle away, but Saige spoke up again. "Sirs. Commander Genesis seems badly injured. Walters informed me he was bleeding on sight and he's seemed to have suffered a concussion. Perhaps I can--"
"I will examine the Commander myself. I want a med kit brought to my tent on the double."
"Do you request Restore Materia, sir?"
"No. Keep it for use on the civilians."
"Yes, sir!"
The First-Class hurried off to carry out his superior's orders. Genesis tried to pull away, but Sephiroth held a firm grip on him, "We're going to my tent."
"I can patch myself up in my own--"
"Don't argue. Knowing you, you won't take care of yourself properly. I'm going to make sure you're cared for."
Genesis's head fell in defeat, but Sephiroth didn't miss the dark words uttered by his friend, "You really don't trust me." The General sighed, but said nothing. This would never get easy…
00
00
By the time they reached the spacious private tent, a lamp had already been lit and the requested medical kit sat on the desk directly across from the entrance. Sephiroth laid a thick towel at the foot of his cot and sat Genesis down—immediately, the copper-haired SOLDIER crossed his legs and firmly gripped the edge of his seat. The General gathered up the kit and a smaller towel before coming to sit beside his friend.
Genesis's hair was soaked crimson in some areas, a thin trail leading down his temple. Sephiroth dipped a corner of the white hand towel into the water basin on the nightstand before pressing it to the severed area, "You apparently have contracted a concussion, but with your mako level, it should heal overnight. That is, assuming you don't go to sleep too soon." He received a microscopic nod.
It didn't take long for the General to finish mopping up the blood—both his friend's and not—from Genesis's face, checking for anymore head injuries. When finally he reached for a fresh towel, he took a moment to notice his friend hadn't moved a muscle. Sephiroth sighed, contemplating how to go through with the rest of this.
"Um, Genesis, I need to ask you to remove your coat for me." A reaction from Genesis finally triggered when he looked up with a brief sign a fear in his eyes for a split second, and then it melting back into his trademark impassiveness. "I can't clean the rest of the blood without you removing your coat and harness." Genesis didn't move. "Just for a moment. …Please."
There was that damn 'P' word again. If there was any particular word Sephiroth hated, it was that one. He hated using it, he hated what it reminded him of, and he hated every single Gaia-damned thing about it.
Sephiroth was brought out of his dark musings when the blood-stained red coat lay out on his cot and Genesis's shaking hands were working on unbuckling the straps over his chest. After silently assuring his friend that he was only going to assist in removing them, Sephiroth took up the suddenly difficult task himself. He couldn't help but wince at how strong the scent of human blood had become.
Leather creaked and crackled when Genesis tightened the cross in his legs. As understandable as the gesture was, Sephiroth couldn't finish his task if Genesis insisted on closing himself in like always.
"I can do the rest myself," The commander's quiet voice said after a moment. He didn't look at Sephiroth. "You don't--"
"I want to be sure, Genesis. Let me help you," When Sephiroth reached for him, Genesis tensed up even more. So this is what Hollander put up with all these years…
"Please, just…let me take care of it myself. I can--"
"Genesis," those green eyes were suddenly very close again as the General gently but firmly held Genesis's arm, "I only want to clean you up and check for anymore wounds."
"I'm fine. I--"
"Let me help you…alright? I promise when we're done you can go back to your tent or for a walk or anything you wish. Just allow me this one peace of mind. …I won't hurt you." Genesis turned his head away, but eased his self-defense a bit. Sephiroth took this as his cue and knelt on the ground, gently nudging his friend's knees apart. He set the basin down beside him, repeating his previous actions. There was a lot of blood in just the clothes alone. Some wasn't Genesis's, but most of it definitely was. Growing up, Sephiroth had become well-accustomed to the smell of his friend's blood.
After a while when Sephiroth was mopping up Genesis's left leg and the water in the basin began to take on a very pink hue, Sephiroth cautiously spoke up again, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Genesis continued to stare at the far wall of the tent, "What you talking about?"
"Don't pretend you haven't put the pieces together," when Sephiroth received nothing but silence, he sighed, "The blood on your legs smells like hormones."
"…It was a newsflash for me, too."
The General shook his head in a berating manner as he dipped the towel in the basin again, "If it was close to this time, you shouldn't have come."
"It's been spasmodic lately; I had no way of knowing. It happened just shortly after the infiltration began."
"Between the nature of this assignment and the routines you go through when this hits--If I hadn't come along and found you, you--"
"If you hadn't come along, I probably would have been put out of my misery by now."
Sephiroth's brow furrowed a little.
That stung. A lot.
"How can you say that? Are you telling me this was just another death attempt, then? Is that the reason you insisted on taking Angeal's place?"
Genesis flinched only slightly. His eyes cast down to the ground, "No."
"Should I be expected to believe that? After all those times in the past, are you trying to tell me you didn't have a small thought of relapse?"
"I didn't come to die. I wanted…"
Sephiroth looked up again when Genesis felt silent, "Why, then? What is it that drove you to come back? What possessed you to go back into that house?"
Genesis unconsciously shut his eyes. Jumbled thoughts were racing around in his head again.
"My baby! She'll die!"
…he'll die!…please help us…
"I can't leave her!"
…I won't gi--
Beautiful blue eyes…just like--
"I don't know," The commander tilted his head up a little, yet stared at nothing. "Something just drove me back. Like…something was calling me…"
"And what if you had died in there?" Sephiroth's voice dropped an octave after a moment. He took another moment to look up at the blank eyes of his friend. "Your pains are crippling, we both know that. Do you realize what could have happened to you if you'd stayed a moment longer?"
Genesis turned his gaze away again, "What does it matter? It was all for nothing anyways."
Sephiroth's grip tightened around the stained towel in his hand, red liquid dripping onto the ground. "What does it matter? Don't you care what happens to you in the least?"
"Quite honestly?" there was a long pause. Then, "No. I'm not searching for my death any longer, but I wouldn't mind if it came and found me."
"And what about us, Genesis? What about me and Angeal? What do you suppose would become of us if you let yourself die?" at this, the younger SOLDIER's head fell down.
"I'd be out of your hair. You wouldn't have to worry about me every hour of the day anymore."
GAIA-DAMMIT!
Sephiroth couldn't help it—he was angry. He wasn't sure if his anger was directed at Genesis himself or the idea that he just didn't understand that Sephiroth cared for his friend because he wanted to, not because he felt obligated to.
"You still don't understand! We care deeply for you! You're our closest friend! We want you to be happy, not this shell of your former self you've turned into."
"…stop it."
"I know you've grown up under harsh conditions, and I know things have happened to you that shouldn't have, but why can't you understand we want to help you? Look at yourself! Look at what you've become! Why do you insist on hating yourself and pushing those of us who love you away? Why won't you let us--?"
"Sephiroth, let go!"
Sephiroth froze. He must have been so caught up in his aggravation that he didn't realize he'd pinned his friend to the cot, his hands holding viselike grips on his arms. And he found himself staring into a pair of petrified blue eyes. The moment just registered in his mind that Genesis had actually screamed in fright at him.
Green eyes widened and strong hands loosened their grip. "Oh, Gaia. I'm sorry, Genesis."
As soon as the pressure on his arms lifted, Genesis scrambled up from under his friend, booking it to the other side of the tent. Frightened blue eyes stared back at the General who tried to approach, but only received a cower in return.
"Genny, I…I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Shallow breathing was all to be heard for a few moments. Genesis cast a quick glance at the tent flap, and then back at Sephiroth. His eyes had clouded over when he spoke, "You were sorry back then, too."
Then he was gone.
A few moments had passed when Sephiroth wearily buried his face in his hands. Why did it have to become this way?
Suddenly, he reached for his phone. He needed to talk to Angeal.
00
00
The path twisted and turned in no particular direction. He wasn't sure where he was headed; all he knew was it took him further and further away from the one person he'd always held so tightly to. He wasn't sure why he pushed him away, like all the others, but it was just how it happened. He'd always depended on Sephiroth's protection, but he now felt he didn't deserve it—that he shouldn't have tangled himself into the lives of the two greatest people in the world. He ruined their lives; why should he plaster himself to them?
It must have been an hour—maybe two—by the time the rustling of running water reached his ears. After cornering around a few more trees, he was met with the shining full moon glistening on the river's surface. A single willow tree stood just feet away from the bank's edge. It was peaceful, and quiet, and secluded. His kind of place.
As if on automatic, Genesis sat himself down at the base of the tree, bringing his knees up in a childlike manner to hug them to his chest. He watched the water's moderate flow for a while until he could bear its simple beauty no more. Finally, he buried his eyes into his knees, tangling his fingers on one hand into his hair. At last, he let a sob rack his shoulders.
He loved Sephiroth. And Angeal. They were the closest thing to a real family he had. Why was he so afraid of them? How could he be so selfish?
00
00
"I think it best you three leave."
"No!" a smaller hand clasped a slightly larger one. "No, don't leave me. Please!"
"We're not leaving you. We're right here."
"If you want him to cooperate and keep the child alive, I suggest you let at least them stay."
"You all will contaminate the area! You must leave."
"NO!" small sobs were heard and the other hand joined the first, squeezing with all the strength they had. "Please stay here! I don't want to be alone!"
"I need to take him to the O.R. There's no time!"
"Then, give them surgical gowns and let them in with him. He won't go in alone."
"It's the only way, Doctor. Choose fast, or we'll lose them both."
"Angeal, Tseng, you must see reason! I cannot--"
"We're done with this discussion. You two, come with me into Pre-OP."
"I'll be back, I promise," a small kiss on the forehead and the comfort was gone.
"Wait! You cannot--" the doctor was cut off by another agonizing scream. The time was almost here.
00
00
There was a tiny wailing somewhere in the distance. All was dark, but somehow peaceful. The pain had gone, and he was a bit warmer than usual, but he was comfortable.
Metal instruments were clinking. Some people were speaking in the distance. He didn't pay it much heed, though. Everything was peaceful, and he was tired, so--
"Hey, Genesis. Wake up."
Angeal? Go away…
"Hey, come on, Sleepy. You have a visitor."
"Mmph," was all he managed at first before opening his eyes, wincing at the white light all around him. He tried to push himself up and a pair of strong arms helped him. He leaned his back against something soft. A bed? Pillows? When was he moved? When did he fall--
Looking around him, he realized he was in the quarantine recovery room. The surgery was over?
He could make out the slightly-unclear image of Angeal standing at his bedside. He could tell by the air around him that the older SOLDIER was smiling. Then he saw the unmistakable white coat of Doctor Hollander some distance away. Beside him, Tseng, in his standard Turk uniform. Hollander seemed to carefully pass something to the Turk. Tseng turned and paced to his direction.
A small, yet somehow cute sound greeted him.
"Say hello, Genesis."
Tseng half sat himself on the edge of the hospital bed. He had a white bundle in his arms. Genesis shut his eyes and turned away.
Angeal's hand came to rest on his shoulder, "Hey, Genesis. It's alright. We just want you to take a look, that's all." The coppered-haired SOLDIER shook his head. "Please?"
"I don't want to see it."
"Just one look? You won't regret it."
Finally, he gave in and slowly turned back around. He blinked hard. The first thing his eyes locked on to was a pair of deep blue pools. Then a mass of light, messy locks of hair. And then…a tiny, toothless smile.
Genesis's heart stopped. His breath hitched. His eyes became impossibly wide.
A minuscule little hand mindlessly reached out, swatting at nothing.
He heard Tseng laugh a little, "Would you like you hold him?" Genesis gave a distracted nod. The Turk carefully transferred the delicate bundle into his arms. "Here…support his head with your arm, there. Yes, just like that. Now say hi."
He looked down at the fragile form of life, which stared right back up at him. It was so tiny, so…beautiful. A tiny hand came up again, fingers outstretched as far as they would go. Genesis raised his own hand. His fingers aligned with those of the child in his arms. So small… "Hi there, little one."
"He's beautiful, isn't he?"
Genesis's head snapped up in the direction of the voice he hadn't realized was there. Beside the heart monitor, sat Sephiroth in a chair in a close-by corner. He sat idly, feigning comfort, while his eyes watched in both pain and happiness at the younger friend and the infant. It was as if there was an invisible boundary separated him from the small crowd not three feet away.
Genesis held a silent gaze with him for a moment before nodding shyly, then smiling down at the cooing bundle, "Yes, he is. He's so small."
"Six pounds, eleven ounces," Angeal stated proudly. "And perfectly healthy." He offered a finger to tickle the infant's cheek. A weak smile cracked the little one's face again as he latched onto the finger and held tight.
"You know, he needs a name," Sephiroth's voice broke the silence again. He still didn't move from his seat. "Doctor Hollander can't simply write 'beautiful and small' on the birth certificate."
Genesis glanced back up at him, for once at a loss for words, "A name?" his gaze fell back to the blue, blue eyes. "I-I don't…know. I never gave it any thought."
Finally, Sephiroth slowly rose from his seat, approaching the bed a little tentatively. He sat himself on the bed, much akin to the way Tseng had. He peered over Genesis's shoulder at the tiny creature. It returned the stare as if both were lost in some sort of trance. Sephiroth studied the newborn eyes; the messy hair; the soft, creamy skin—heavenly skin just like Genesis's. He smiled a little.
"Hm. How about--"
00
00
"Professor Hojo?"
The scientist looked up from his microscope and turned towards the voice of his assistant, "Yes, Suzuki. What is it?"
"We're closing up the labs for the night, sir."
"You'll have to wait a while longer, Suzuki; I'm not quite finished yet."
"Professor, it's nearly two o'clock in the morning. We must--"
"I will leave when my evaluation is finished and not one second before!" the assistant scientist jumped a little and clammed up. Hojo turned back to his work. After a moment, Suzuki crept up behind his superior, staring at the large mako tank against the wall in front of them.
"How much longer do you think until it's ready, Professor?"
Hojo glanced up at the point of his subordinate's interest for a moment before resuming his work, "Not long, with any luck. I still have s few minor procedures to carry out before it's released. When that time comes, my experiment will rival even Sephiroth's power."
"But, sir. Sephiroth is your greatest creation, the most powerful being in existence. How can something so trivial as this--"
"You forget, Suzuki, that part of this specimen's structure is composed of S cells. With the power I've given it, and if duplicating it becomes possible, I will have created the greatest entity in the history of existence! Two of the greatest powers will be under my hand."
"Professor," Suzuki muttered, stepping closer to the glowing tank and placing his hand up against it. "How can you be sure it will be as vulnerable to you as Sephiroth? If it becomes as powerful as you say, how can you guarantee you will be in control of that power?"
"This specimen and Sephiroth have the same weakness: love. Sephiroth knows he has no family, no typical childhood, thus a part of him is left bare. With this creation, I can implant any delusion I wish—and take it away just as easy." An eerie smile stretched the scientist's lips as he too drew closer to the tank, studying the subject inside. "His neural patterns are already mapped out. To him, illusions and memories are one and the same. When he's released, he will believe he will have grown up in a small town, very far from here. He will believe he has a family, and friends. In reality, people have already been prepared with the stories he'll believe, and will apparently prove them legitimate. He won't realize I control his very existence. He'll think he won't be alone, but he will be—just like my other great creations."
Maniacal laughter echoed throughout the empty labs. The walls seemed to still ring from the horrible sound—a sound that could almost wake the dead from terrible nightmares.
And it did.
When the secluded room was still and silent, dormant eyes opened to peer out from a world of green.
A/N: YIPE! This chapt was loooong! Well, at least for me… But, y'all, I jes couldn't stop. I love it when the plot starts to creep in and becomes intense! Whee! (you know, a buddy of mine once told me I say 'whee!' at the oddest times…and that I'm the only one to say it when I hug someone…sorry, guys, I've been doped up on pain meds and then withdrawal from pain meds after I got surgery right before Christmas! Knee surgery! Ack!) Well, I hope y'all liked this installment and I hope it wasn't too confusing for ya! L8erz!