XXVI
Chapter 26
Don't piss me off, it makes me angry!
Sephiroth closed his eyes, his breathing ragged and choked. His lungs were frozen, his feet and hands detached from his body, which ached. His teeth ached, his eyes burned even though they were clamped shut, his stomach churned, and his spine crawled. Jenova had her unworldly hands on his shoulders, preparing to step /into/ him. He knew the drill: it had happened to him all before. He shivered. He hated it. Hated it all. Hated that his hand and ankles burned where the Planet had attacked him: Hated Jenova, Hated himself for trusting Vincent: Hated Cloud for giving in so quickly. He hated himself for being no better.
There was a dull 'twang!' and Jenova screamed, releasing him, and Sephiroth opened his eyes, released from her spell, to see the alien stumble back, clutching its head, writing on the floor.
"YOU BITCH!" It screamed, writing and thrashing. "You fucking Cetra Hoar!"
The woman standing over Jenova narrowed her eyes darkly, her pole raised for another blow. Sephiroth stumbled back, startled and confused.
"You should talk…" She said softly. She lowered her weapon, and pulled a small glowing orb from her bangle. "You yank my soul from the Promised Land, you steal my form, you hurt my friends and loved ones, and you have the /spine/ to call me such names?!" The materia in her palm flared brilliantly, blinding Sephiroth, and he had to glance to the side, watching from the corner of his eyes. "Holy… Seal away this scourge..." She said softly. "Heal the Planet once and for all…" There was a brilliant flash as Jenova screamed again, louder than ever. The light washed over the others as well. Sephiroth shivered, feeling the heat pass through him, grasping momentarily at his soul then going on, deciding him worthy to live. He heard Zack gasp, along with a few others. Over the din of Holy, Jenova's scream suddenly cut off.
The light faded away, leaving Sephiroth standing before Aeris, stunned. Their eyes met, and Sephiroth had to look away at the intensity blazing there. He swallowed, feeing her sizing him up. Why should he fear her? He'd taken her down once before, hadn't he?
But that was it. He wouldn't harm her again, wouldn't hurt Cloud again, to save his own ass.
"Tell me," She said suddenly, breaking the silence. "What would you have done if Jenova had actually taken you?"
"I would have prayed that Cloud and his friends had the strength to kill me, again." He replied honestly.
"That was a dangerous stunt." She pointed out.
"I trusted Vincent. He knew you were here, I believe…" Sephiroth glanced over at his father to receive a stoic nod of confirmation. "He wouldn't have encouraged such idiocy had it not been without justification." Sephiroth finished. He met the Flower Girl's gaze, but did not glare. Her expression softened, a small smile gracing her delicate features.
"Go to Cloud, Sephiroth." She said softly, actually giving him a small shove towards Cloud, who was just sitting up. Sephiroth didn't hesitate, he rushed to Cloud's side, scooping up the blond and cradling him gently against his chest. Cloud whimpered, shivering. Sephiroth held him, kissing his forehead gently.
"Cloud… you're safe now…" He whispered, easing Cloud into a sitting position. Cloud looked up at him, eyes clear, finally, and smiled gently. Then, his vision trailed over Sephiroth's shoulder and alighted on Aeris. The real, the one and only. Cloud's eyes filled with tears, and he reached out unconsciously. Sephiroth felt his heart ache, wondering if he would loose his lover here and now, as he watched Cloud's face contort into an expression of the deepest love as he looked over to Aeris. If you love something, set it free…He thought sadly, helping Cloud to stand and approach her. Cloud stumbled his last few steps, weakly pushing away from Sephiroth and falling into Aeris' outstretched arms. He began to cry, loudly, shaking, wailing sobs that left everyone in the building silent and still. Sephiroth noticed Zack watching them sadly, and felt his throat close.
"You're- you're real…?" Cloud whispered around sobs. Aeris nodded, brushing his hair back.
"Yes, I'm real. Jenova brought me back as bait, but I'm here." She said softly. She tilted Cloud's head suddenly, looking down into his eyes. "Cloud…?" She began. Cloud looked up at her with watery eyes. "Do you love me?" Cloud froze, eyes wide in surprise. Sephiroth closed his eyes, bowing his head. Cloud smiled up at her sadly, brought her hand up to his lips, kissing it lightly.
"Aeris, you're beautiful: You're a loving, caring person, and you hold the love of every person whose heart you've touched." He said, voice trembling but strong. Aeris gave him a sad look. "But I'm in love with Sephiroth." He said finally. Aeris smiled warmly, Sephiroth's head snapped up. Somebody made a choked sound, but who it came from, nobody could tell in the echoing building.
"Good." She whispered, hugging him once before turning him back to Sephiroth. "Because he's waiting for you." Cloud staggered back to Sephiroth, sinking into his embrace slowly. Sephiroth shook.
"I thought you'd--" Sephiroth began shakily.
"Never." Cloud whispered back firmly.
"Ha ha. How sticky sweet…" Came a low, cool voice. Cloud spun around, clutching Sephiroth's shirt in a weak moment of terror. Aeris frowned darkly at the man. His hood was off, revealing piercing green eyes and long black hair. There were flecks of gold in his mako eyes, and he held a crooked smile. "I'm amazed you made it this far…. Funny how Jenova was so gullible." He said, stalking up to Sephiroth and Cloud. He tilted his head back arrogantly. "You came very close to ruining everything, General." He sneered. Sephiroth glared angrily. "Twice." The man added. That did it. Sephiroth swung back his arm, and punched the strange man square in the nose. The man let out a cry, stumbling backwards, clutching his nose. Then he bucked foreword, results of a solid kick upside the back of his head from Tifa, who stood over him, smiling. She looked up at Aeris, and grinned.
"The fella's such an asshole!" Aeris smirked lightly, nodding in agreement.
"Who th' fuck is he, anyway?!" Cid cried. Aeris snorted.
"A Cetra messenger. Meant to deliver only the most important messages to the material world." She glared down at him. "He's become too involved, and has grown deluded. He will be punished greatly." The man gave a small, scared sound, eyes rolling up to look at Aeris from the floor. She glared down at him. "Get out before I banish you myself." She said angrily. "And shame on you for abusing your powers!" He glared up at her for a moment, and she raised her pole threateningly, and he vanished in a swirl of green vapor. There was a long moment of silence.
"So its all over?" Barret asked suddenly, looking around, lost. Aeris nodded.
"Yes. I believe it is."
"So now what?" Yuffie asked, scratching her head. From the back of the room, Vincent snorted loudly.
"Don't everyone greet her all at once," He said dryly. Aeris laughed brightly.
"None of you have changed!" She cried, smiling. She paused, and turned to Sephiroth. "Except for you." She added. Sephiroth grimaced.
"I'm sorry," He said suddenly. She looked back up at him, and smiled.
"Thank you. Apology accepted." She said brightly. Cloud beamed, hugging Sephiroth happily. Sephiroth was just a little too unnerved from their day to smile fully, but he tried, giving a shaky half grin.
"I'm glad…but…can we go?" He asked earnestly. Cid burst into laughter, walking up and slapping Sephiroth across the back.
"Worn out, Kiddo?" Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, looking down where the gaping wound had sat in Cid's side. It was gone now, likely washed away with Holy. Sephiroth gave him a hard look.
"Yes. I need a vacation." He said flatly. Cid laughed again, and turned on his heel, leading the way out into Midgar.
"C'mon, then! I know this kind's short kid with chocobo hair that owns this big ol' villa in Costa del Sol!" Cloud snorted, and led Sephiroth out with him, following Aeris and the others.
AN: ONE MORE! yes, this is it, kids. . I gotta think of something else now! lol. Phew! I've been writing all afternoon, though! lol. Probably be my last chance to do that, too. . eck. But I won't abandon you! I promise! :) :)
But what am I saying?! I'm not done yet! haha!
Ok, this was kinda fluffy, wasn't it? eh, it gets fluffier, so get yer puke bags ready! lol. :)
MRE