The Crypt

by CuteChibiChocoCloud

Disclaimer: I own Sephiroth, Cloud and a Cloud Clone: in the form of action figures. The real Sephiroth and co. are being held hostage in the evil claws of Square-Enix. Let us band together and save them!…but I get first dibs on Seph, then we'll figure out a rota for taking turns. (Who can honestly look at this and think I own FF? – thought not)

AN: This chapter is dedicated to LiLDraGoNs2er as well as ThePsychoticOne again, you know why. Thank you.

Chapter 14

Gazing out her bedroom window, she yearned to rejoin the outside world again. Everything was so beautiful out there: frost glittered like gems on the gravel and barks of the trees. Even with the slightly overcast sky, all she wanted to do was go and breath fresh air again. It made her wonder whether she was allowed to open any of the windows. She hadn't been told she couldn't do that.

Regardless of whether she'd get into trouble or not she undid the locks and pushed the window open. A blast of cool air hit her, making her shiver. Yet she was overjoyed at getting some fresh air again. It was something she'd underrated when she still had the freedom to do as she pleased. Anyway Winter was her favourite season, weather wise.

Leaning her head out she giggled at the simplicity of the source of joy. How sad that she only had situations such as this to keep herself entertained. If she was normal again, she would have been at home getting prepared for Christmas day, getting all her parcels neatly wrapped.

A patch of red on the landscape caught her attention, as she leaned out further, momentarily forgetting that her vision had been vastly improved since she'd turned immortal. Looking down amongst the trees, she spotted a man, wearing the scarlet garb that she had initially seen. He was scanning the area, but then looked up to where she stood. She nearly jolted back in shock, amazed by the colour of his eyes, as deep a blood red as his cape. For a moment he stood there, maintaining his line of vision. Then he retreated into the darkness of the woods.

Her mind was in a muddle as she closed the window over again. Who had that man been? Someone else after the Eíen's? Perhaps another member of the Turks? Whoever he was, she wasn't sure whether to tell the others about his appearance or not. She had been told that the blonde woman who had accidentally shot her had been 'ridded of'; She didn't want someone else killed. Especially in this case she'd feel totally responsible for the mysterious man's death.

Deciding to try her meditation exercise again to pass some time, she lowered herself to the floor and crossed her legs. After all, what else did she have to keep her occupied?

ffffff

Her first Christmas away from home. Anya felt nostalgic, wishing that she could have been sitting around the fir tree in the downstairs living room with her mum and dad. The smell of mother's cinnamon cookies wafting from the kitchen, nearly tempting her away from any gifts sat before her. Desperate for the gifts she had bought to be opened too. The excitement of it all making her giddy in the early hours of the morning, when they really should have been sleeping.

Everything was different now. There was no mum and dad; no cinnamon cookies in the kitchen; she had no gifts for anyone; no excitement. As bad as she felt, she couldn't help but feel melancholic.

Not that the three brothers noticed, too busy wrapped up in their own cheeriness and enthusiasm. Loz ripped violently at the shiny, purple paper, clearly anxious to find out what was inside.

"Chocolate!" he eyed up the large box of dark Belgian chocolates, wasting no time in digging into them. There was something about the flashing reindeer antlers on his head that couldn't be taken seriously. He really did act like a big kid when he wasn't forced into more serious circumstances.

"Thanks bros." Kadaj set aside the case of art materials, opting to focus on Loz shovelling the chocolates into his face. It was a rather humorous sight to behold. You'd have thought he'd been starved for a week the way the man was eating.

Holding out a box toward her, Yazoo grinned, "For you."

Blinking to wake herself up she dazed confusedly at the three brothers, "But, I couldn't get you guys anything."

Shaking the box in her direction the long haired brother said, "We know, but it's Christmas. And anyway, you'll be needing this in the future anyway."

Shrugging her shoulders and taking the box, which was quite weighty, Anya picked away at the star-patterned paper unhurriedly. Flicking open the metal case that was concealed under the paper, her green eyes widened at what sat inside. A medium sized revolver sat in felt padding, the dark grey metal reflecting the sparkle of the fairy lights.

"Thanks." she said half-heartedly. It was the first Christmas that she'd ever been bought a weapon. It seemed extremely wrong, but she remained silent anyway. Kadaj looked at her curiously, to which she returned a weak smile. He seemed to buy it as he returned to fishing out another present from under the tree.

With some more of the present giving and receiving out the way, she was handed another parcel. This one was long and slim, in the same star paper as before. Unenergetically she opened it up to reveal a similar metal box to the one that had held the revolver. She shouldn't have been surprised, but inside was yet another weapon. A lightweight sword sat snugly within the box. Shoving it back she burst into tears, covering her face with her hands. How callous to hand out fire-arms and weapons for Christmas! Had they been apart from proper society for so long that they forgot that Christmas was a time of joy and peace? Of happy innocence?

"What's wrong?" Loz asked, looking bewilderedly up from his chocolate box, nearly empty.

Standing to her feet she yelled at them, hands in balled fists, "Are you all brain dead? You don't give things like this for Christmas! It's like you're preparing me for bloody war!" Before any of them could stop her she ran for the door, shouting back as she left, "I hate you all!"

Tears streaming down her face she bolted for the stairs. Realising what she had said she felt a pang of guilt. Saying that she hated them had been harsh - she'd have to apologise later. Right now though, she felt like they'd deserved it somewhat. What ever happened to gifts like puzzles and multi-coloured toe socks? She wanted normality again, badly.

Just as she thought this the embodiment of abnormality happened to be walking down the stairs as she ran up them, slamming smack bang into him. He grabbed her arm, saving her from rolling back down the steps. Stifling her sobs she sniffled as she looked up at him. Those eyes were far too cold.

"What is it that's made you so upset that you had to come hurtling up the stairs, hmm?" Sephiroth sounded humoured at her sorry state, letting go of her arm to allow her to straighten up again.

"Just a couple of presents I got from the others." When he raised a questioning eyebrow, she continued, "A gun and a sword. I just…it's not very festive, is it?"

"You miss your old life." He stated plainly, to which she nodded back, "I gathered as much. You should forgive them, they're not exactly used to giving gifts to a girl. One from this century might I add."

"I know." Wiping her face with a corner of her sleeve she went on, "I said some nasty things that I shouldn't have. I'm gonna have to say sorry to them."

"Hmph." He grumbled lowly, "They never invite me to any of these little gatherings they have. Always leaving me out."

"They didn't tell you that they were exchanging presents?" A bit more calmer now, she cocked her head in curiosity.

"No…Not that it matters anyway. I'm not one for Christmas, nor any other holiday celebration for that matter." Sad, he sounded like he meant it too.

"Sorry to hear that." She replied.

Eyeing her up like Christmas dinner he said, "I was actually on my way to see you. Quite…convenient really, that we should bump into one another."

"Eh, really?" She half-laughed nervously, subconsciously taking a step down, "Why did you want to see me?"

Chuckling he took a step down as well, keeping an even distance, "Apart from not having seen you for a rather long time, I too have a small present for you. Albeit not something you could wield in battle."

She managed to giggle at his sense of humour, even if he was acting strange again. Bringing forth his hand, within it he held a small, black velvet box. Flashing a brief smile his way -to be polite- she accepted the box. Lifting the lid she was taken aback from the contents. It was a stunning droplet ruby necklace, with gold snake chain.

"This is too much." She meant what she said.

"Nonsense. Here, I want to see it on you." Taking the necklace he motioned for her to turn around. Lowering it to lie on her chest she moved her hair so he could clip it easier at the back. Letting her hair back down he then spun her back around, hands on shoulders. Examining the jewel he nodded, muttering, "Yes, it looks like it was meant for you."

Never letting go of her shoulders, gaze never ceasing from her neck, Anya began to get nervous. Taking it upon herself to end the silence and perhaps get out of his presence she said, "Thank you, I-I don't know how to repay you."

A smile crept onto his face, "I'm sure you will…" Okay, he was getting scary again. That all consuming look he was wearing. Before she had swooned over it, but now…things were different, she was different. And there was that time, when she had just woken up… "Merry Christmas Anya."

"Merry Christmas to you too." His stare travelled up to her eyes, fixating itself there. She wondered if he knew how unnerving he was. Also, why hadn't he stopped looking, "Um, Sephiroth?"

"What? Is it too much to want a hug?" Oh, so that was what he was after. He should have said, instead of doing that eerie stare. It's not like she could mind read, even if the possibility of doing so was there.

Opening her arms she shuffled up a step into his embrace. She remembered the last time that they had been this close; dancing to a song in her mind. He was still warm, and welcoming…wait, she was not going back down this road again. This man was demented and frightening, not the sort of person she wanted to be with in any way, shape or form. If only she had the option of leaving this place for good.

Shoulders first she recoiled back to get away from him. The hug had went on long enough. However Sephiroth seemed to have other ideas, hands pushing her back into him.

"Where are you going?" On the outside, the question appeared innocent enough, but she knew otherwise. Especially with the tone of voice he used.

"I was-ugh, going to go say sorry to the guys. You know-I really think-"

"Hush." The 'sh' noise continued on, as a hand travelled up her back and took the back of her head. Her heart battered roughly, there was only one way this was going to end and she knew it, all too well, "A hug isn't the only thing I want from you. You said you wished to repay me. Well, don't deny me of what I want…"

ffffff

After several minutes of quarrelling, the brothers had voted for Kadaj to go check up on Anya. She had been distraught, so someone had to make sure she was alright. As per usual his brothers had both nominated him to do the deed. Whatever the dilemma, the two would make him do whatever was needed to be done. Stupid brothers…

There were voices in the distance. Knowing that one was Anya, he broke into a jog down the hallway. Just before he rounded the corner, the sight he found broke him to the core. Snapping back to where he wouldn't be seen, he shut his eyes to block out the image.

The kiss on the cheek wasn't enough anymore - not after that. That kiss was meant for him, not that scheming bastard. Sliding down the wall he dug his head into his knees, shuddering violently as he held back his anger.

"Mark my words Sephiroth, one day I will kill you."

ffffff

AN: D'aww poor Kadaj, he never gets a break. And a mysterious man in red? I'm sure all you clever folks have guessed who that is hehe. Loz in flashing reindeer antlers...squee! Can't help throwing in a little bit of cheer in there.