Chapter 13
Aeris' eyes fluttered open at the sound of breathing. She began to recognize her surroundings. A strong arm wrapped around her waist and light puffs of air tickled the back of her neck. With a wary eye she glanced at the clock and immediately jumped out of the bed murmuring softly about how late she was. Peeping from the sheets was a mound of black shaggy hair which soon opened his eyes and watched his new love trip and struggle with her uniform. The sheets gasped under his body which caused her to stop, "We didn't do anything last night right?" She was now rushing into the kitchen for a quick breakfast which left the Soldier curious.
"No, I don't think so. I can't even remember falling asleep here either. By the way," he saw her dart into the bathroom, "Why are you rushing? It's the weekend. Come back to bed?" She paused.
Come back to bed.
His words made her blush. She wasn't sure if it was out of embarrassment or excitement. Even though she was an innocent flower girl she always dreamt of waking up next to someone she adored. He caught her deep in thought and gave a handsome smile. The bed creaked as he rolled his body over and motioned for her to join him in the empty spot.
She stood for a minute and began to weigh her options but duty took over, "Sorry Zack, the General said he would train me today to make up for the day he was on the mission." Zack moan and rolled over in her bed, "Fine, I will just stay here." Aeris giggled at his child-like tone of voice.
"You really are just a playful puppy Zack." He scoffed at her and she walked over to him and leaned over to kiss him.
"I forgive you." Aeris smiled and looked at the clock once again
"I'm glad you forgive me but Sephiroth isn't as merciful." Zack peered at the clock and waved her off.
She turned down the hall that she once found herself at when Sephiroth caught her spying and rushed up to speak with the secretary, "Can you please inform the General that his student is waiting for him?"
The secretary smiled, "I'm sorry miss but the General just left about ten minutes ago. He won't be back until Wednesday."
Aeris' face scrunched up in confusion, "What should I do then, he is supposed to train me today." The secretary just stared at her. Aeris shook her head and apologized, "Is there a number I can reach him on?" She began to thumb through her papers on her desk and found something with scribbling on it, "Oh, it seems that you will be training with Sergeant Miller." She handed the note to Aeris, "His office is down this hall to the left. Have a good day." The secretary clearly announced that she did not want to be troubled with Aeris' problems. She sighed and made her way to Sergeant Miller's office.
Looking at the note she was sure that it was Sephiroth's handwriting but why wouldn't he contact her about this quick decision? She reached her hand up to knock on the door but was startled as she heard a loud crash in the room and then cursing. She pressed her ear up against the door and was able to distinguish two voices which one seemed to solely do the talking. A "Get out" was heard and she immediately backed off the door as it opened and a frightened cadet with blonde hair ran out. She looked at Miller and her jaw hung open.
"What yer looking at? I gotta control those dainty princesses somehow ha ha ha," He picked up some rubble off the floor which was the evidence of the crash, "Come on in sweetheart, don't be shy. The General told me I will be taking charge of your training until he gets back from whatever the hell he is doing," he gestured to the couch, "Have a seat so we can discuss some shit." Aeris began to reconsider his offer but he pulled her inside and sat her down. She looked up at him and began to take his appearance in. He looked different then the time she saw him at the training pool. He had on a black tracksuit which had yellow stripes down the sides of the arms and legs. Over his heart there was the Shin-Ra logo elegantly stitched. Right underneath the logo was the word Sergeant in yellow. His bright blue eyes stared at her in observation.
"You sure don't seem to be the same person he told me 'bout. He said you'd be talking my damn ear off about shit that don't even matter! Hurrah!" He hiked up his pant legs and sat down, "Tell me 'bout yourself missy."
"Uhh…mmm...well..."
"Well holy cannoli, she does have a vocal box." Aeris pushed a piece of hair behind her ear, "Well, I'm sure you know my name is Aeris."
He laughed and shook his head, "Nah he just referred to you as flower girl. Said you use to grow flowers in the slums. HA! Where did he get a load of that horse dukey from?" Aeris knitted her eyebrows together as she stared holes into the dark haired sergeant.
"Ah, this must be the temper he is talkin' bout. No worries, 'minds me of my daughters. I got 3 of 'em. Would you like to see 'em?" This man seemed to be more laid back than any of the other officials she ran into. Much more relaxed than Sephiroth anyway. He stood up and retrieved a picture from his desk and walked over to her, "This here is the oldest Helen. The one in the middle is the youngest and her name is Anna. This one right here is the middle child, her name is Gina. The woman behind them all is the boss Josephine. Love her to death."
"They are all so beautiful you must feel like the luckiest man alive."
He snorted, "I sure don't. Those baby girls are growing up all too fast and I'm stuck here while they are getting those boyfriend fellas. Breaks my heart to be away from them." He let out a short laugh, "You're alright in my book missy, not sure what the General was complaining 'bout. We will get along jus' fine. So how 'bout some training? " Aeris stood and nodded.
So he complained about me…he's such an asshole…An asshole that has a body of a god and hair like silk…and eyes like…I'm hopeless. I've got a man in my bed and another on my mind.
"Hurrah! Let's get some motion on the potion and do this do diddly thing!" She smirked at his word choice. Seems like nothing he says makes sense but at least he has a soul.
A soft murmur of voices bounced around the room like a ping pong contest. A select few professionals lined the table filling every seat. Shinra stood at the foot of the conference room table and cleared his throat.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. May I remind you that this meeting is confidential in all aspects which is why only a select few were asked to join today. Now you all must be questioning why I have called this meeting? I thought long and hard about this company and its Soldier program and I asked myself 'What could I do to make it more fierce than it already is'. That was a hard question to answer since Soldier already has acquired an insurmountable amount of prestige for the 1st class Soldiers and its renown indestructible General but what is it missing? After countless hours of thinking I have discovered that it does not have an espionage class." He knew this would startle people, which it did. "Now bear in mind the Shinra Company does have its Turk division but it is clearly separated from the Soldier division and that creates tension on the battlefield. With this new class I predict shorter missions and fewer casualties considering the fact that it will be a one man show. Now the reason this is a very private meeting is this: The less people who knows the better. I have asked General Sephiroth to collect some candidates he feels are up to par with the prerequisites. I'm sure you all have questions." His eyes shifted around the room.
"How exactly is this going to profit Shinra?" Scarlet spoke up.
"This is going to benefit us because instead of risking 100 lives we are risking one." Sephiroth rolled his eyes. Shinra just didn't want to have to pay for everything that comes with a Soldiers death and he knew it. As a General it was his duty to care for his army but Shinra lacked that compassion.
"Who is going to head the unit?" Heidegger scoffed
Shinra crossed his arms behind his back, "I haven't quite decided yet but it will be a member of soldier nonetheless." He glanced over at Sephiroth expectantly.
"If you think I have the time or patience to set up an espionage unit you are quite mistaken President. I have soldiers to train."
"You won't have any soldiers to train if you refuse. I'm sure we can work something out don't you think?" Sephiroth clenched his jaw. Threatening his job is one thing Sephiroth could not handle.
"How are we going to afford this? We have weapons to make, equipment to obtain- you must be thinking we are pulling money out of our asses."
"My dear Scarlet you have no faith in me. We have the budget for it. I've already made the appropriate cuts."
"I am actually quite interested to see how this turns out. It may be for the best." Lazard crossed his legs.
"Then it is settled. I will update you all confidentially about our progress. Meeting is adjourned. General might I have a word with you?" Sephiroth stayed in his chair and leaned it back. The room was cleared and Shinra sat back down in his chair.
"Who are you to think you won't be a part of this?" Shinra firmly asked
"It is simple; with all the training, office work, lab testing, and my own personal training I just do not have the adequate time to peruse this venture of yours- as interesting as it is." Shinra leaned back in his chair imitating Sephiroth.
"What will it take? A raise? Another office worker? More Vacation time?" Sephiroth scoffed. He never received vacation time to begin with.
"No lab tests." Shinra took a deep breath and shook his head
"Sephiroth I couldn't possibly allow that. We run those tests to keep you safe."
Sephiroth leaned forward and crossed his arms, "You run those test so you can figure out how to make more of me," Shinra shifted uncomfortable in his chair. Sephiroth wasn't as stupid as Shinra possibly thought. "Look, I'm not asking for much. Just bi-annual checkups is all I need. If something goes wrong I will tend to it as needed but extra lab visits will not make this process easy. I desire only this President, nothing more." Shinra thought hard for a moment. He began to nod slowly and unsurely, "Alright. As long as you confirm your involvement."
"Yes."
Shinra cleared his throat, "Good. Who are your selections thus far?" Sephiroth laid folders out on the table, "Aiden Strutters, Dominic Birchfield, London Missurani, and Zackary Fair for now." The president glossed over the files quickly.
"Alright General, I trust your judgment so I approve. I will notify them and you will begin teaching them. I figure you would know the most about creeping around am I wrong?" Shinra laughed, "You are dismissed General. Please begin to construct weapon and equipment blueprints that you see fit. Also work hand in hand with Scarlet for the weapons. You have until Friday to give her the blueprints." Sephiroth nodded and stood up, "One more thing sir." Shinra glanced at him, "I want Angeal Hewley to be my equivalent in this. I want him as a right-hand man." Shinra nodded, "Very well. Shall I notify him for you?"
"No, I will do it myself." Sephiroth gave a small bow and walked outside the conference room. Right as the door shut he closed his eyes.
How the hell do I make a gun
"One, two, three."
Stomp. Stomp. Crash
"One, two, three."
Stumble. Trip. Fall
"One, two-."
Groan, Grumble
Sgt. Miller began to understand what Sephiroth was dealing with. This girl still isn't coordinated. Over and over again he was teaching this girl one maneuver and two hours have passed and Aeris showed no signs of improvement. He put his hands on his hips and looked at the slump on the floor. He felt a familiar pang in his heart.
"Aeris come on now get it together. I'm here to help ya' but you gotta help yourself first! Now stop looking like a homeless Moogle and get yourself in the game!"
"Are you a Sergeant or a Coach?" Her frustrated eyes looked on his and he actually felt intimidated. He held out his hand to her, "Look missy, I usually don't stand for that time of sorry assed attitude but I see you are tryin' hard. Let's take a break from combat. Did the Gen' ever teach you what to do on the battlefield in case of an emergency?"
Aeris' eyes widened, "Battlefield! I don't want anything to do with that! I didn't sign up to be on the battlefield." The Sergeant stared at her blankly, "Missy you signed up for Soldier did you not?"
"Well I- um- It wasn't my fault!"
"Wasn't your fault? Drop down and give me 500 soldier!"
"But...but"
"NOW!" Aeris positioned herself into a pushup and began to proceed as she heard him say a soft 'sorry ass'. A foot on her back stopped her, "You don't go down 'till I tell ya to! Ready? And down!" Aeris looked at him without moving.
He put his hands on his hips, "See, this is the part, right here, where you lower your body to the floor. Then once you do that you push yourself back up to the starting position and say ONE really loud? Ok? Got it? Let's try this again. Ready? And down!" Aeris didn't budge. Sergeant Miller gave her a blank stare as he threw his hands up in the air.
"What? Now you are just agitatin' me."
She looked over her shoulder, "I would appreciate it if you would remove your foot." He stomped his foot down and gawked at her, "Thank you very much sergeant. And I would also much prefer to go at my own pace so if you would like me to do this properly you would go sit down." He was amused and astonished. He shrugged and sat down not wanting to argue with the woman, "You know, I could reprimand you to the General for your behavior." His voice was full of amusement. Aeris was only on number 4 and she was shaking, "But I won't 'cause you got spunk and I like it. Now as for what I was saying about the battlefield, allotta shit goes down there and someone always needs to be alert with what is going on to the surrounding squad members. Say for instance Lieutenant Fair was to get his head blown off what would you do?" Aeris froze in terror. The image of Zack being killed haunts her every day. She would want nothing more than Zack to not be in Soldier anymore. Sergeant Miller saw the expression on her face, "You need to be careful about relationships 'round here girly. You gotta avoid anything that have the potential to stifle a soldier's prowess," he pushed up his chest with pride, "You get him off focus he might mess up big time and you might find yourself searching for his tags." Aeris eyes saddened and she nodded. He decided to relieve her of her pushups.
He stood up energetically, "Come on sweetheart; let's go run some laps 'till we throw up breakfast, lunch, and dinner…from yesterday! Hurrah!" Aeris watched him rush to the door. She hit her head in annoyance, "Come on flower girl let's put some pep in that sour step of yours!" She grudgingly stood and followed him yet again.
"So what you are telling me is Shinra is developing an espionage division?" Angeal sat his mug down on the table in front of him. Sephiroth continued to pace in front of the window. Angeal looked up at the ceiling a stared for a couple of seconds knowing this would attract Sephiroth's attention. Sephiroth paused, "Care to explain?" Angeal let out a short laugh, "You know this might be a possible challenge for us. Think about it, as an espionage unit we will have to infiltrate from above." He looked back at Sephiroth who was intently staring at him, "We are Soldiers Sephiroth. We don't know how to be covert- that's what the Turks are for." Sephiroth turned his back to Angeal, "I understand but the President made a valid point. The Turks and Soldiers operate on different standards and we don't necessarily agree with the Turks. Instead of using Turks we might as well use Soldier operatives. I don't feel that the Turks have the ability that top Soldiers do to carry out these certain types of missions."
Angeal shifted on the couch, "But they do their job just fine. They are assassins, they are the espionage." He reached for his coffee.
"I understand. But there are things that even Turks can't do that Soldiers can."
Angeal smirked and leaned toward Sephiroth, "And what's that?"
"Well, I'm not sure." He walked over to his desk and leaned on the front of it, "I was hoping you would fill that in for me." Angeal laughed and Sephiroth smiled. They were comfortable with each other which was saying a lot considering their ranks and the circumstances in which they met.
"Soldiers have the ability to fight under several conditions. Turks are the pampered part of Shinra."
Angeal ran his hand through his black hair, "Yeah, we do like getting are hands dirty. Alright so you've made your point. Any candidates?"
Sephiroth reached around and picked up the four folders he showed Shinra, "Here, look through them and tell me if you agree." Angeal took the folders and spread them out on the coffee table.
"Birchfield, Fair, Strutters, and Missurani." He took a minute to flip through their files, "I'd say it's quite the solid bunch. So what are our orders?"
"We are to sketch blueprints of both weapons and equipment for Scarlet to create. I've been in this army for quite some time but," he looked to the floor, his bangs covered his face, "I truly don't know much about espionage."
Angeal chewed on his lip in thinking, "Well, I would assume this is more of a competition so we can't very well go to the Turks." Sephiroth nodded. Angeal stacked the folders and stood up, "What if we go to the slums? People steal all the time. Maybe we can catch them in the act and see how they do it?" Sephiroth wrinkled his face up in disgust but he knew where Angeal was coming from.
Angeal walked up to Sephiroth and yanked his hair, "Come on you know it will be fun. When is the last time you wore something besides a Shinra outfit ne? Get changed and meet me in the lobby in thirty minutes. I'll be waiting." Angeal left and Sephiroth rolled his eyes.
Zack was homesick. He sat on the soldier floor sulking on the table. He missed his family. Footsteps approaching wasn't enough to cause him to move.
"What are you doing?"
Zack sighed, "I'm sulking." He raised his head up. What he saw was questionable. Angeal was standing in front of him with dark blue jeans, a gray shirt, a black zip up hoodie jacket, and a hat that was promoting the sports team the Midgar Zoloms. Zack turned his head to the side. Angeal smirked and grabbed Zack.
"Look, don't ask questions but you are coming with me." Zack shook his head in protest but Angeal hoisted him over his shoulder and walked off to meet Sephiroth.
Sephiroth was sitting at one of the tables by the elevators in the lobby. He was wearing black loose jeans, a black v-neck shirt and a pinstriped fedora." Angeal and Zack stepped off the elevator and walked next to Sephiroth.
"Nice hat. Who'd you steal it from?"
Sephiroth smirked, "If I knew how to steal do you think we would be going through this?" Angeal laughed and Zack was confused.
"We will explain later. Right now let's head to the slums."
Upon arrival several people moved rapidly in ragged clothing. Zack looked up at Sephiroth which in turn made him uncomfortable.
"What?"
Zack gave a puppy dog look, "Where did you get that hat." Sephiroth rolled his eyes, "A chick I banged got it for me." Zack nodded and silently moved away from him. After walking a few minutes they pulled off into an abandoned alley way.
"Alright Zack, here is the deal." Angeal was looking around to make sure the cost was clear. Sephiroth was blocking the entrance for security reasons, "Shinra has decided to open an espionage division and Sephiroth feels that you should be a part of it. Now the thing is we are trying to figure out what we should teach you guys in order to be successful so we are here in the slums observing theft." Zack nodded.
"Head's up. We have someone approaching a vendor." Zack and Angeal rushed up to look over Sephiroth's shoulder. Low and behold a man with his head down walked up behind the street vendor, reached over, and took some merchandise without anyone around him noticing.
"You got that Sephiroth? You try it." Sephiroth squinted his eyes at Angeal who suggested that. Angeal pushed him out of the ally way which for starters, already attracted some eyes. He regained his General like stature and walked through the crowds. He saw a booth that didn't have a merchant by it so he decided to approach it. He walked up to it and realized it was a bread vendor. He silenced his footsteps and grabbed a loaf of bread quickly and kept walking.
"Alright Zack, I'm going to try." Angeal did the same thing except it was an apple vendor. He was able to obtain two apples. Angeal and Sephiroth glanced at Zack from across the ways and signaled that it was his turn. Zack surveyed his area and found an accessory table that was being watched by an elderly woman. He began to wander over to the table when the woman wasn't looking. He loitered around then reached out and grabbed whatever he could and hastily walked off. But as soon as he placed the item in his pocket the woman stood up and cocked what Zack clearly heard was a shot gun. Sephiroth and Angeal gasped in the distance.
"What are you doing boy?" Zack began to stammer and began to back away from the old woman who was packing some heat. Zack darted off in any direction but before he knew it she called some patrol officers to run after him. Sadly enough he knew exactly who the patrol officers were and if they caught him stealing he would be done for as a ranking officer. He began to pick up his pace and jump into the shadows. He took a sharp left turn which led him into a narrow street with a dead end but he didn't have time to turn around because he could hear their voices yelling at him. His eyes locked onto a pipe that crawled straight up the wall. He jumped on it and shimmied his way to the roof but the guard saw his leg. The guard yelled at his partner to surround it but Zack didn't let that happen. He climbed back down the other side and barely missed the other guard as he ducked behind a dumpster. Once the guard passed he ran straight for another street which in turn led him straight to Sephiroth and Angeal.
"Well done. That was quite impressive. Seems like you can outrun rookie guards." Zack was panting over Angeal's voice. The old lady turned the corner and Zack's mouth opened wide. Instead of shooting him she patted Angeal on the back. Zack eyes widened, "Sorry Zack. This is Mrs. Perkins. We paid her to do that." Zack stood astonished.
"Angeal you must come and try some new coffee we just got. I'm sure you love it. You should too General." Angeal and Sephiroth both smiled agreeing as the old woman parted ways to head back to her coffee shop.
"What the-."
Angeal slapped Zack on his back, "I called her before I dragged you to the lobby. Her son runs that booth and I told her I wanted to see how fast you could run."
"How did you know I would go for her?"
Angeal grinned and ruffled his hair, "Because you have a soft spot for old women." Zack then remembered his grandmother and her cooking. Zack grunted as another wave of homesickness rushed over him.
Zack grumbled, "I'm hungry." Sephiroth and Angeal pulled out a loaf of bread and two apples. They glanced at Zack, "By the way, What did you steal?" Zack stuffed his hand into his pocket and what he brought out had both Angeal and Sephiroth in stitches. There in the palm of his hand was a miniature stuffed Moogle with a ribbon tied around its neck.
"You should keep it Zack. Maybe one day it will come in handy in the field. It will definitely scare away any enemy." Angeal gloated
Zack scoffed, "You know what I sure will! There is a use for it and I will prove it to you." Sephiroth began to walk away, "I hope it will be in my lifetime."
"Assholes. Both of you are Assholes!" He jogged to catch up with them
On a normal day the apartment was still. It was usually relaxing after several rough nights of stomping footsteps, hot showers, and countless amounts of studying. It liked being alone without the owner parading around with her adored one. The walls would sigh from desperate relief. The stillness would filled the air. The soft hum of refrigerator was all that was mostly heard. The scent of a Soldier and a flower girl mixed to create a delicate perfume of sorts. It grew accustomed to that smell. The walls embraced it. The furniture held it. The floor secured it. Their scent was everywhere.
Today was not a normal day.
Instead of the warmth of the Soldier and the Flower Girls scent, the stench of death crept through the rooms silently. It was so faint that it could not be picked up but it was there. The walls were tense with emotion that it could not express. Danger lurked around the corners unseen by a normal eye. The rooms were heavy but it was not noticed or shown, but the floor felt it. If only the walls could talk.
The sound of a door shutting disturbed the thoughts of the room.
"I don't remember it being that difficult to open a door."
It tried to stop her.
She stepped in and began to walk to her room. On the way there she ran her hip into the sofa. She turned around and gave it a menacing look.
It tried to warn her.
She walked into her room and placed her things down on the floor. She turned to walk into her bathroom but a snag in the carpet caused her to trip.
It could try no more
She stood to her feet, "Why is it so cold in here?" She went to the thermostat to turn up the heat
The stench of death was too powerful
She opened her bathroom door and fear struck her enough to stumble backwards. She stood still staring at it. There on the mirror written with blood:
Your life is no longer beautiful
Before she could take in enough air to scream the mirror shattered before her eyes and fell into a million little pieces.
Jazzy here! I finally updated! Took forever right? So I'm experimenting with this story right now just to kinda mix it up so we will see how it goes. Reviews are very important to me because I want to make a story not only enjoyable for me but for you as well! Next chapter will be up shortly!
Much love
jazzy