Author's Note: The chapter has a dream-like sequence that is fully italicized.

Smooches- Momo

Chapter Twenty: Connections of the Dual Soul

Zhora POV

Lately I've been having these odd dreams. I'd be stuck in this all white room sitting across from Zharelle, and she's not speaking. I then look into her deep, brown eyes looking for an answer, but she never responds. She just stares at me as if to say, "I don't have to say a thing to you, bitch." Her stare is cold, stoic and intent.

I awoke abruptly to the sound of my alarm clock. I was drenched in a cold sweat, and my body was shaking. I felt unreal, and my surroundings seemed even faker. I stumbled into the bathroom and dunked my head into some cold water to get me out of the dream-like trance. I looked over at my wall calendar and saw the date. My eyes widened. Dammit, I have to hurry and get to the military office. We start the search today! I thought. I quickly showered and then dressed to get ready to go.

Zharelle POV

I'm out of it. I can't think straight, I can't look straight, and I can't even move. On top of that I've been having these weird dreams about white rooms and seeing my sister. Maybe I do need to lay off of the alcohol for a minute. I woke up and took a cold shower. Then I made some coffee. At this point, Fayne was still in bed sleeping, and I was ready to go see Cloud.

Since today was the last day we'd be on vacation, I wanted to spend it just with him. I texted him to ask if he wanted to eat breakfast together, but when he texted me back I became sad. He said he had some matters to attend to and that he, Rude and Reno may be leaving Icicle Inn early. I wonder why he has to leave so early.

Cloud POV

Today, Rude, Reno and I were going to have a meeting in my room and then leave. Rude was pacing while Reno was playing with a paper clip like it was an action figure, and I was texting Zharelle. Rude then cleared his throat.

"Rufus wants us to meet him at the Gold Saucer. He said he needed to discuss some things with us and Don Corneo. I don't know why we have to talk to him, but we'll see when we get there. He asks for us to fly directly there." He said.

"Well I don't have any desert clothes, yo! I would have to fly back home to get clothes!" Reno whined. Rude crossed his arms.

"That's why I brought you guys some clothes. Take your suitcases, and let's get the hell out of here." Rude said. "I'm going to the helicopter. I'll see you in ten." He exited the room, leaving me with a pouty Reno.

When I went to check out of the hotel I saw Zharelle sitting with Fayne. They were probably waiting for the carriage to take them home. She perked up when she saw me.

"Cloud!" She exclaimed. I looked at her somberly. She approached me and gave me a hug. I didn't reciprocate.

"Listen, I have to go. I have to attend a business venue for a week. I'll see you back in Edge." I said. I kissed her on the lips and started for the door. She stopped me.

"Well, I want to go with you." She chimed. I sighed.

"Zharelle, don't make this difficult. Just go home." I said. Her face showed sadness.

"I'll see you soon, then. Be safe." She blew a kiss to me as Fayne and Reno shared one last kiss.

"I'll see you soon, yo." He said.

Zhora POV

For three hours straight, my crew, Tenchi, Larsah and I were flying around the city searching for the group. Larsah is my best friend and secretary who I have been friends with since we were three. She was a beautiful young woman with an hourglass figure and beautiful, chocolate eyes. She sported tight, vintage clothing, honey-brown hair and a mole right on her cheek. When we were younger, she and I had a few flings, if you know what I mean. Sometimes we still do.

While we searched the city, we found nothing. We raided houses, abandoned buildings, and even their old hideout, but we found no information that would lead us to their hideout. Finally we left Marhyn and decided to tour the Forbidden Caverns.

The Forbidden Caverns was an area that we (the government of course) sectioned off to the public because we wanted to research it. We've reviewed several accounts of people going into this cavern and never returning. Well, I was going to make sure that our crew would return safely, sanely and most of all in one piece.

I decided to split the soldiers into groups. I grouped myself, Tenchi and Larsah with the best group and entered the caverns. The Forbidden Caverns were dark and damp. It was filled with odd-coloured crystals, and every time I looked at one, I began to feel odd. As we went deeper and deeper into the cavern, I began to feel weirder and weirder. Suddenly I began to see weird shapes and colours. My vision became blurry and I started to feel myself fade out.

"Zhora…" I heard Larsah say faintly. Suddenly everything went black.

The room was… white. Everything about it from the walls to the floor and ceiling were completely white. There were two chairs, a coffee table and a tea set in the middle of the table. I saw a shape and a body that looked just like me, but the head was bowed down. The body was clothed in a Lolita-styled light pink dress, and the hair was parted into bowed, curly pigtails. I poured some tea into a cup and slowly sipped from it slowly, all the while trying to look at the face. It didn't falter, nor did it move. Suddenly I felt the need to speak to it.

"Wh-who are you?" I asked it. There was a pause. It chuckled.

"You honestly don't know who I am? Zhora, what the hell is wrong with you?" The face looked up, it was Zharelle, well, and it could be Zharelle.

"Zharelle I-"

"Oh ho-ho, I'm not Zharelle! Who could ever compare me to that bitch?" she retorted. She's a little too bitchy and blunt to be Zharelle.

"Then who are you?" The figure laughed again. This is becoming intense.

"I am the halfway point between you and Zharelle. You see, through me you technically see her and vice versa. The name's Zhara, and I'm basically called your 'limbo'. In your dreams you're not seeing Zharelle, you're seeing me!" She spoke, pouring some tea. I groaned.

"Well, what are you and why the hell did you call me here? I don't need to be here, I have plenty of unfinished business to attend to, and you're just hindering me from doing my job! Now if you would please, I would like to get back to normal." I hissed. She laughed again.

"You obviously don't see why you're here. Honey, I didn't call you here. You came here on your own free will."

"My own free will?"

"Yes! You also don't realize that you, both you and Zharelle, have special gifts and that I know where Zharelle is at all times, and I know where you are at all times." She said. Wait a minute…she knows where Zharelle is?
"Hey, what powers are you mentioning, and if you truly know where Zharelle is, then where is she?" Zhara laughed again.

"I can't tell you! You need Zharelle's permission, duh!" Ok, now she's being quite difficult.

"Then what's the point of having you if you can't even connect us?" She stared at me dead in the eyes.

"I have a purpose. I can connect you to, but the catch is that one has to be willing to see the other. I can't force you upon her, unless…"

"Unless what?"

"Unless…I… I mean you both find out what your powers are, but until then I need permission. Well until then, my dear, tootles!" The room began to slowly become black again. I felt myself drifting into darkness again.

Obviously there's a lot about me that I don't know, and now I need to know.