A/N: I know this chapter is a real roller coaster, but I hope it paves the way for what's to come. And there is still quite a bit, so enjoy! Also, the soundtrack for this chapter is Let It Be Me by Ray LaMontagne
Chapter 21
It was nearly two and a half weeks before the small contingent of Soldiers arrived in Wutai. Eve heard a commotion outside the command tent but was in the middle of trying to listen to a conversation that had been brought to her. It was a lost cause when the flap opened, and Sephiroth strode in. The Captain stood and saluted. Eve stood as well, but she could only stare. She looked him over several times to verify both that he was really there, but also that he was unhurt.
Sephiroth had not taken his eyes off her either. They were both pulled from their silent greeting by Captain Hawl's awkward address. "General. I was glad to hear you would be the one joining us. With you here, this war should be brought to an end quickly."
At the other Soldier's comment, Sephiroth finally gave her a slight nod before he turned to speak to Captain Hawl. Eve could feel her heart jumping around as she tried to refocus. She wasn't sure if he was still angry, but it hadn't seemed like it. She knew they were both busy, but she also knew that their next personal conversation wasn't too far away. The anticipation had her feeling lightheaded, even if she was still nervous.
Even though they were both busy, Eve found that just the sound of his voice worked like a balm on her nerves. There were also a few occasions where one or the other of them would look up and catch the other's eye. The looks didn't linger, but each one fuelled both the worry and joy that were warring within her.
Eve had lost track of the amount of time she had been working on the latest batch of missives, but she had to reread the last one several times before it clicked. She only realized it was because she was exhausted when Sephiroth called out to her quietly.
"Eve, it's after midnight. Go get some sleep. It will still be here in the morning."
She stood and stretched before she gave him a nod. "Tomorrow then." As tired as she was, her heart still lurched when he gave her a small smile. It was tinged with the hurt that lingered, but it was the most beautiful thing she had seen in weeks.
The next morning, she was back at the command tent early. She had barely been able to sleep. She couldn't stop herself from looking around before she went to the small desk she had been assigned. When she didn't see Sephiroth, her brow drew down. She wiped it away when Captain Hawl grinned at her.
"I am pretty sure it was only a few hours ago that he found his way to his cot. Don't worry, he'll be here soon enough."
Eve felt her face heat slightly at the knowing look he gave her, but she managed a nod. "Thank you." She disregarded his chuckle at her admission that he was correct in what she had been looking for. There was no point in denying it anyway. She ignored her nerves and got to work on a couple of recordings the scouts had brought in the night before.
She frowned at what she was hearing, but it wasn't until she heard the words Silver Demon for the second time, that she realized why the moniker sounded so familiar. At her realization, she jumped up so quickly that the tiny table was almost knocked over. Her abrupt action caused the Captain to look at her with a start. He didn't get to ask what it was as she pinned him with a nearly panicked look. "Where is Sephiroth?"
He shook his head, confusedly. "I already told you that he's probably sleeping. What's going on?"
She ignored his question and pressed on. "Where is his tent?"
He started to frown. "Look, I know what the two of you have going on is none of my business, but he needs sleep sometimes, the same as all of us."
She huffed at his refusal to answer and headed toward the exit. He stopped her before she could exit. "Jeez, if it's that important, he took the tent next to this one, in case something came up." She gave him a nod and rushed out.
She didn't pause before she flung the other tent's flap back and entered it. It was only a moment before she was back out again. She grabbed the nearest Soldier with a frown. "Where is the General?"
The man sneered at her. "I don't know."
She ignored his hostility and turned to find another person to ask. She ended up asking several more, and her panic was starting to get the best of her. None of them knew, or they weren't telling her. She had made it toward the outskirts of camp before she was stopped by Reno. "Hey, hey, what's the commotion all about, yo?"
Eve turned to him with a frown. "You didn't happen to see the General this morning, did you?"
Reno grinned when he realized who she was asking after. "Don't worry doll, I'm sure you'll get to see his pretty face soon."
Eve growled at him and gave him a glare. "Not now Reno. I need to find him."
His eyes widened at her use of his real name, and he sobered instantly. "I think they were sayin' he went to go do that sword swingy thing he does sometimes."
Eve's brows drew down. "His katas?"
"Yeah, those."
She gave him a nod. "Do you know where?"
He pointed toward the north of camp. "I think there is a clearing up that way he decided to use." She barely waited for him to finish before she sprinted off in the direction he pointed. She ignored his calls for an explanation as she sent up a prayer that she was wrong.
She didn't know how far the clearing was, and she hoped that she was going in the right direction as she pushed her way through the underbrush. She was hurrying as fast as she could through the tree roots and such but stilled when she heard a sound that made her heart freeze in her chest. It was the sound of at many rifles being fired at the same time. They sounded as if they had suppressors, but Eve was familiar enough with the noise that even though they were muffled, she had no doubts as to what she was hearing.
Even with her heart in her throat, she quickly changed directions toward the sound. When she heard it again, she nearly stumbled. By that time, the trees had started to thin, and she got her first glimpse of something she was sure would haunt her nightmares for the rest of her life. Sephiroth was in the center of a circle of Wutainese troops that all held their weapons toward him. She could see where he had already been shot multiple times, and his bright blood was splattered across the grass. He had one hand on his side, and the other was holding up the Masamune to defend himself.
Eve realized that somehow, they had managed to get close enough to fire the first round without him detecting them. She felt sick when she realized it wouldn't have been too close since they were using long range rifles. She knew he was superhuman in so many ways, but the number of holes she could count at a glance, even from her distance, were enough to turn her stomach. She was too far away to take any of them out with her pistol yet, but she took off at a sprint. She wasn't fast enough to get there before they all fired once again.
Sephiroth was fast enough that he was able to deflect many of them, even with his injuries, but he was surrounded. He was not able to avoid all of them. When he coughed and fell to a knee, Eve saw red.
By that time, she was close enough that she fired off three shots in quick succession. Each hitting the three closest combatants. She hadn't aimed to kill, but she was sure they would remember the encounter. At that point, all the weapons turned toward her. She ignored them as she switched to casting and quickly threw up a protect and shell. It wouldn't be enough to keep everything out, but it gave her the time she needed to break through the space she had made in their circle and stand protectively over Sephiroth where he had finally fallen.
The materia she had on were already straining to be released. She wasn't sure if they were reacting to her fury, or if Minerva was helping for some reason, but for the first time since her initial training, she found that she had to fight to keep them back. As a result, she could feel the lightning crackling around her, and she was sure if she looked down the ground by her feet would have been blackened.
All the enemy soldiers had taken several steps back when they took in the sight of the woman that had just appeared in front of them. Had she been able to see herself, she might have understood their mumbling. The slight glow that her eyes usually held was gone, and its place was a brightness that rivaled many of the Soldiers. The air around her was eddying with the magical currents and caused her hair to look more like fire. When she caught the word akuma*, she swallowed her rage and tried to speak.
"I don't care what you think I am. I do not want to harm you, but I will annihilate every one of you without hesitation if you do not leave now."
Many of them jumped when she spoke, and several of them lowered their weapons. She could tell they were surprised that she addressed them in Wutainese, but more than that, they seemed to be unsure if it would be worth it to try to attack. As scared as they had been of Sephiroth, they had been confident because they had attacked him with stealth. None of them would have wanted to face him at full health and in close quarters. This woman was different altogether. She had not cast any spells, other than protective ones, and yet the pressure from the magic surrounding her was felt by them all, even at the distance they were standing. All it took was for the first one to drop his rifle and run for the rest to quickly follow suit.
As desperately as Eve wanted to drop and check on Sephiroth, she knew she couldn't afford to without putting them both at further risk until she was sure the enemies were all gone. When the last of them disappeared, she sent up a prayer to Minerva to watch over them, because she couldn't wait any longer. She turned and dropped to her knees next to him and choked on a sob. His usually pale skin was sallow and almost grey. She had not been bothered by the sight of blood since med school, and yet, she was currently fighting nausea.
As panicked as she was, she still reached for his wrist with shaking hands. She could barely see through her tears, but she bit her lip to keep from sobbing while she held his wrist. Finally, she felt a flutter against her fingertips. It was slow but steady. She nearly fell on him at that point, but her training had her wiping her eyes so she could try to see how bad the damage was. He was bleeding from multiple wounds, but the flow of blood was slowing. She wasn't sure if it was his fast healing, or if he had lost too much blood already. She knew there were likely bullets still lodged in his body, but they would have to be taken care of later. She needed to stop the blood loss. As much as she didn't want to make it worse for him, she cast a curaga to at least stop him from bleeding out.
Once that was done, she checked his pulse once again. She wasn't sure if it was slower now or not, and she had to fight back her fear. Her tears were streaming as she grabbed his face, ignoring the fact that she now had his blood all over and was smearing it further. She could barely see, but she still pleaded with him. "Please open your eyes! I can't carry you back alone, but if you don't wake up, I'm going to damn well try!"
When there was no response, she nearly shook him. It was only her ingrained training that kept her from losing it entirely. She ended up dropping her head on his chest and sobbing. She was shocked out of her misery when she finally heard his voice. "Do you mind moving a little. I am certain there is still something lodged there."
She sat up and stared at his face. He was grimacing in obvious pain, but he was awake and alive. She forgot everything at that moment and flung herself on him with heaving sobs. She didn't realize how tight she was holding him until he reached for her shoulders and tried to push her back a little. "I thought doctors were supposed to be gentler with their patients."
She sat up with a sound that was part laugh and part sniffle. She tried to wipe her eyes and looked him over again. "You're alive."
His grimace softened, and he reached up. He hesitated, but finally cupped her cheek and used his thumb to wipe away her tears that were still falling. "I'm not that easy to kill."
She laughed wetly and leaned into his touch for a moment. She didn't let it linger as, despite his assurances, she knew he still needed medical attention. She sat back and tried to help him into a seated position. He ended up doing most of the work, and she paled considerably at the sight of all the blood. She had to force herself to not think about it being his, or she was going to lose it again.
Once he was seated, she tried to see if there were still any open wounds. When she tried to pull the lapel of his duster back to check, he gently grabbed her wrist. "I'll be fine. I need a moment, and then we can make our way back to camp."
She grimaced, but let her hands drop. They watched each other in silence for several moments, before Eve had to look away awkwardly. Now that the emergency was passed, everything else came crowding back in.
She nearly jumped when he lightly touched her hand. She looked back to see all his questions in his eyes, but he didn't get to ask them. They both turned to the sound of clapping and watched in shock as Genesis walked out of the woods. "What a wonderful performance. Heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time."
Eve was instantly on her feet and glaring at the man. "You saw him being attacked and let it happen!?"
She felt Sephiroth get to his feet but ignored it in favor of glaring at Genesis. He sneered at her but shook his head. "Not at all. I only caught the last act. Your despair was quite touching."
Eve nearly snarled at him, but they were both shocked when Sephiroth moved past her so quickly, she barely saw him. It wasn't until Genesis went flying that Eve realized the General had punched the man so hard that he was lifted off his feet.
Sephiroth was glaring at Genesis as he slowly got back to his feet. Genesis sneered again. "I was uncertain about how you would react, but I suppose I have my answer."
Sephiroth's voice was cold when he responded. "I don't know why you left, and that is something we can discuss, but you nearly killed Eve. Using your strength against an unenhanced person is never acceptable."
Genesis' eyes widened for several moments before he huffed a bitter laugh. "Your little Cetra nearly burned this forest down, and you are worried that I abused her?"
Both Eve and Sephiroth froze at those words. Sephiroth slowly turned to her, and she could see the confusion in his eyes as he spoke. "Cetra?"
She shook her head. "No, I'm… I don't think I'm Cetra."
They turned back to Genesis when he scoffed. "No? Then explain how you were able to channel the force of the planet. Not a measly spell, but the power of the Goddess herself."
Sephiroth's eyes widened when Eve didn't deny that she had done such a thing. She could only shake her head in denial. Before she could say anything, a voice resounded in her head. 'Peace child. I know you have been afraid to ask, but my Knight is not incorrect. Cetra and Human are not so different. You are my Avatar on Gaia, thus by your nature are you Cetra as well.'
When Eve refocused on the men standing in front of her, she grimaced. Sephiroth was still staring with confusion, but his scowl was growing as he took several steps back toward her. His voice was low, and she could hear his pain again. "How many secrets have you been keeping?"
She shook her head and swallowed the lump in her throat. "I do not want to keep anything from you. I meant what my note said. I will not hold anything back."
His eyes flashed for a moment, but she didn't get to continue when Genesis laughed bitterly again. "You nearly scrambled my brain with all of those visions, and yet you have told your lover nothing? How ironic is that."
She glared at him and tried to speak through gritted teeth. "Stay out of this."
Her gaze was drawn back to Sephiroth when he spoke. "I hate to admit it, but he has a point. Is that what happened? You told him what you have been hiding from me?"
Eve vehemently wished that the Crimson idiot was anywhere other than staring at the two of them. She didn't have the luxury of putting it off, though. She briefly wondered if she could show Sephiroth the same way she had Genesis. She was shocked when Minerva spoke up again. 'It could be possible, but it will not be easy. My Knight had the means to open a channel, even if it was instinct only. For the one known as the Calamity's child, your bond will need to be strong.'
Eve felt both hopeful and worried. She knew how she felt for Sephiroth, but she was uncertain if he felt the same, especially now. She hardened her resolve and answered. 'If we can even try, then I will do it. I want to show him everything. As much as I don't want to hurt him, he deserves to know. He has to know that I will not hold anything back.'
Eve could feel Minerva hesitate before she finally answered. 'Everything?'
Eve gave a mental nod. 'Yes, everything.'
She felt the affirmation from Minerva as her eyes refocused on Sephiroth. His look was drawn, but she steeled herself. "I have been told that I should be able to show you in the same way." She paused and eyed the blood that was still drying on his chest with a grimace. "I don't want to put you through too much yet, though. It might be best to wait until you are looked at."
He moved to stand right in front of her, and she nearly flinched at his cold voice. "I am unsure why you have told me several times now that you will tell me, and then keep delaying, but my patience is running out."
She clenched her jaw to keep from saying something she would regret. As unfair as she felt his assessment was, she could understand. She tried her best to clear her frustration from her face as she looked up to him. She had to swallow a couple of times before she could make her voice work. "Sephiroth, when I first met you, I had no idea what was going on, and once I did, I have tried my best to do what was asked of me. In that time, I was surprised by what I learned of you, and despite warnings, I ended up falling in love with you. I love you, and I do not want to hurt you. That is part of what has delayed this for so long, but I will not hide anything from you anymore."
His eyes had gotten wide at her confession, and Eve was frightened that he was going to turn and walk away. It was several tense minutes later that he finally reached out. He clenched his fist back to his side before he made contact. His voice was strained. "You love me?"
Eve took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes."
She watched as he swallowed several times before he spoke again. "How?"
She shook her head, and her gaze softened. "Easily. You have shown me that you are more than what people assume you to be. You are kind and patient. You are funny, in a dry sort of way, and there is so much more. The question should be how could I not fall in love."
His eyes roved over her face several times before he turned. Eve felt her heart shatter as she watched his bowed head and his fist clench several times. Tears had instantly sprung up, but she gasped when he turned back, and she saw hope. He walked back and took one of her hands without hesitation. "I am unsure of how to respond. I will admit that I am still confused. How can I believe this is real when there is so much I don't know."
Eve felt like she had been slapped, even though it didn't look as though he were rejecting her. She tried to get her emotions under control again. "Let me show you."
His eyes narrowed. "How?"
She reached out and took his other hand. "If you will allow it, I can try to show you everything I have seen."
She saw a brief flash of confusion again before he masked it. He looked deeply in her eyes for several moments before he nodded. "If you are willing to share everything, I would like to know."
She nodded once and moved her right hand to his wrist where his bangle was. She looked in his eyes. "This may not be easy."
He raised a brow at her admonition. "What ever is?"
She almost laughed at his quip, but took a deep breath and pushed her energy into his materia. There was resistance at first. Something seemed to be pushing back. It was several tense moments later that she was able to overcome whatever it was. She felt as if her consciousness passed through an oily barrier. She wondered briefly if what she felt was Jenova's presence in his mind, but all thoughts were washed away under the deluge of images that came rushing up through her.
She distantly felt Sephiroth's grip on her wrist tighten when the visions started pouring into him, but the sensation was soon lost. She felt like her entire existence was being ripped to shreds as she watched the possible future play out in agonizing details. It was made even worse when aspects from their individual pasts were added. The sights of him being tortured as a child made her want to vomit, and she might have if her body wasn't frozen in the grip of the Goddess' power.
When her own past started pouring out as well, her mind frantically tried to shut the images out. She didn't want to relive them, and she never wanted to subject Sephiroth to them. Despite her mental struggles, all of her painful past rushed through them, from her father's death to the days she spent alone and ashamed in the streets before she was finally found by David and his family.
When Eve's mind was stretched until it felt like it might snap, the images finally slowed and came to a stop. As soon as the power left her, she felt her knees give out. She was shocked when a pair of strong arms caught her and pulled her up until she was cradled against Sephiroth's chest. At that point, he fell to his knees, but she was barely jostled, he was holding her so tightly.
Neither of them moved or said anything for uncounted minutes. Eve could barely keep her eyes open, she was so exhausted. She finally managed to look up, and she saw Sephiroth's eyes closed, and tears were on his cheeks. She reached up and touched his face, which caused him to start. She could see the pain clearly in his eyes, but when they landed on her, there was wonder as well.
Eve could barely make her voice work, but she managed a whisper. "No matter what, I love you." She barely saw something flash in his eyes before her body gave up and she blacked out.
A/N 2: *akuma - demon