The Other Ancient
Chapter 36-The Hunt Continues
Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII CC. Obviously.
Keep Calm: 36th chapter, yay.
Zack: You don't sound very enthusiastic.
Keep Calm: That's because I was planning to end it at 35 chapters!
Autumn: Well, there's always 40 as a suitable second choice.
Keep Calm: We shall see. May I present, Chapter 36~The Hunt Continues
"I know what I'm capable of; I am a soldier now, a warrior. I am someone to fear, not hunt." -Pittacus Lore, The Rise of Nine
With Autumn
Her fingers clenched and unclenched her bedsheets, teeth biting at her lower lip. Frustration bubbled inside of her like a volcano about to erupt.
"I said I'm fine."
Her voice, edged with irritation, bounced off the pure white walls of her room-or should she say confinement.
It had been two weeks-two weeks-since she was tortured, and honestly she wanted to book it so she could work. Sure, she'd been out for two days, but this was seriously ridiculous.
The nurses and doctors insisted she allow her injuries to heal, but she was positive that aside from the nearly healed whip markings and the gunshot wounds still closing up, she was ready for duty.
Besides, a SOLDIER's healing abilities were double, near triple the average rate. She was absolutely suitable to go back into the field.
The nurse-Jackie-sent her a pointed look. "You know how your line of work is. There could be serious repercussions if you go back too early with your injuries still healing-most of your whip marks will scar. And we still don't know how your mental state is yet."
Trying her best to be polite, the brunette stifled a sigh. "Please, Jackie, I'm fine. I can walk around, run, fight, do everything I usually do without reopening my wounds, I swear. And to enter SOLDIER, you have to be extremely mentally stable."
She raised a finely shaped dark eyebrow. Okay, using 'extremely mentally stable' was a bit of a stretch, considering everyone knew what happened to Angeal and Genesis. They had seriously lost it.
But Autumn could see hesitation in Jackie's warm, unique lilac eyes. Yes, she almost had her.
"I promise I won't take any risks, but please, I really want-need-to get back to work."
For one of the very few, rare moments, she allowed her building desperation to surface, showing it on her face clear as day.
She was sick of being babied, getting poked and prodded and monitored constantly every day. And more than anything, she wanted meat. The hospital food consisted mainly of jello, bread and fruit. A nice, well-done t-bone steak sounded divine right about now.
"I'll talk to Dr. Kiski about it, but no promises." Jackie relented as the brunette grew a bright smile underneath her mask.
"Thank you so much Jackie! I really appreciate it."
"Mmm-hmm," The rich brown, curly-haired nurse hummed, her caramel highlights accentuated in the lighting as she turned to leave. "I'm only going to talk about it because your friends that visit seem like they'll keep you in line. Remember that."
"Sure!" The 1st agreed hastily.
The door shut closed, allowing Autumn to sink back into her bed with a sigh of relief, yanking her dark mask down.
Her cell phone rang, prompting the brunette to reach over and grab it off the desk nearby.
"Sakura."
"Hey sis! How're you feeling?"
"Just fine. Glad you called, though. I might get discharged today!"
As she recounted her conversation with Jackie to her twin, Aerith giggled.
"So now you'll have to listen to me. Do you know how scared I was?"
Autumn smiled, the sound of Aerith's airy, melodic voice stirring a sense of peace inside of her.
She didn't feel peaceful very often, and Aerith was usually the one to cause it. The reason behind it escaped her, though she never really cared. Aerith was Aerith, that was reason enough.
"Yup, considering you've been reminding me the past two weeks." The SOLDIER responded, dragging a hand over her face.
She never questioned how Aerith had been scared long before she'd been rescued. The brunette was aware of their connection-when one got seriously injured, the other felt it. She wasn't sure how they could sense when the other was in danger, but it did have its perks. And obvious downfalls.
"I feel so...icky."
"That's generally how people feel after getting tortured for several days." The chestnut-haired girl quipped, though she choked halfway through.
It was still difficult to process everything.
Aerith received a call from Zack, who sounded like he was trying not to appear frantic, that her sister returned from Junon half-dead and in the ICU. He said he'd call her when she woke up, but he got there when visiting hours were nearly over, so she had to call the next day. Since the hospital was above the plate, and Aerith was still deathly afraid of standing under the sky, she called every day. Zack also told her about his visits with her sister.
"Not because of that, I feel fine. It's just...I haven't worked out in two weeks! I feel so fat, and the food here is like mush. I think I gained a few pounds from doing nothing but sitting, resting and complaining in bed. I want real food, too." She jiggled her arm to test how much fat she'd gained, despite knowing Aerith couldn't see it.
"What if Zack's finally beaten my latest data simulation? He won't let me live it down. And my missions have probably piled up, I most likely have assignments pending, I was going to train some new recruits...ugh, and my training with Sephiroth's been put on hold. Once I get back, he'll have me on the floor begging for mercy to pass the time!"
Autumn threw up her hands to further express her point.
"You always were the one to stress out about things too much. Don't worry, I'm sure Zack is taking care of it. Maybe your other SOLDIER friends are helping to lighten the load, too."
Despite still being on the fence about SOLDIER, the flower girl knew her sister trusted them. So, she'd decided to give them a chance. After all, if someone like Zack existed, whose to say other SOLDIERs weren't good, too?
"That makes it even worse!" The sapphire-eyed teen exclaimed. "Then I'll have to pay all of them back for taking care of my missions and assignments!"
Aerith sighed. "You don't have to pay them back-you went through a horrible experience, and they helped you. You can just say thank you."
"In SOLDIER, you always have to pay someone back. I mean, if you don't, it's just dishonorable. I have to." Autumn insisted.
"Fine then, pay them back. Do some of their missions and assignments. I'm sure you'll be able to do them without a problem." The chestnut-haired girl conceded.
Her twin chewed at her bottom lip, a rather terrible habit she'd picked up for relieving stress.
"Yeah..."
Aerith released a small laugh. "Will you stop it? You're giving me anxiety with all of your thinking!"
A smile drew itself across her face. "Sorry. I just need to escape this place. It's so boring."
"At least you have a lot of people visiting you, right?"
She opened her mouth to reply.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The light raps against the door were the only warnings the brunette had to scramble for her mask and shove it onto her face before Dr. Kiski turned the handle and strode in.
She was a rather tall woman, with a thin frame and silky black hair pulled into a messy bun. Her eyes were as opaque as Tseng's, though they were not as cold or hard, the shape a soft almond.
If there was anything more obvious than her name and appearance to give away she was from Wutai, Autumn would be honestly shocked. Though her height was unusual for someone of her ethnicity: generally Wutaian women were short. She suspected the woman was either only half-Wutaian or genetically blessed.
The doctor sent her a warm smile. "Jackie tells me you seem ready to be discharged, and that almost all of your injuries are healed."
"Yes," The brunette answered, hands clawing at her bedsheets nervously. "Gotta go, Aerith. Talk to you later."
"Okay."
Snapping her phone shut, Autumn redirected her attention to the doctor.
"Emphasis on almost." Dr. Kiski added, eyeing the teen.
Autumn held her breath. 'Please, please, pleaasee discharge me!'
Her mental prayers did nothing to abate her anxiety. If anything, it made it worse. But she had to get discharged, or she'd wind up trying to escape the confounded hospital without getting the doctor's approval.
The Wutaian doctor scribbled something down on her clipboard, rich brown eyes never leaving the papers as she continued.
"I will discharge you only if you promise to take good care of yourself, and don't take any risks. Your stitches will tear if you do anything too strenuous, therefore reopening your wounds. And I don't want to see you here again for the next month until you need your stitches removed. If I do, you'll be stuck here until you're fully recovered."
"Yes! Yes, I will!" The 1st speedily agreed, throwing off her blankets and sliding off the bed.
Autumn reached for a bag with clothes and a pair of shoes in it. There were some items for hygiene as well.
The brunette requested Aerith have Zack bring a bag of her clothes and a pair of shoes when he visited, claiming she'd finally convince the doctor to discharge her. Her twin was considerate to include shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush and toothpaste as well.
Autumn dashed out the door to the bathroom with the shower, relishing in the hot water hitting her poor, unclean skin. It felt good to shower-her hair needed it direly.
Half an hour later and she was thanking Dr. Kiski for finally discharging her, fast-walking out the door.
Autumn's POV
Once I was walking away from the hospital, I laughed, twirling around in the open space.
"I'm freee! The air smells so nice! And the sun! Oh how I've missed you!" I breathed, ignoring the bewildered stares I was receiving from passerbyes.
Zack had taken my ripped up outfit, materia and weapons to my apartment after telling him where I hid the spare key. I needed to get home as fast as possible to collect them.
Fishing out my PHS, I punched in the Director's number. On the third ring, he picked up.
"Sakura. I thought you were still resting up in the hospital."
"Yeah, well, I'm healed and ready to return to duty."
"As much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, you must first go through a psych eval."
A groan rumbled my throat. "What? Since when have you cared about those things?"
"Since the only female in SOLDIER, a 1st Class, was taken hostage and tortured for five days consecutively. I'm going to point out that the 1sts these days are not the most mentally stable."
"Okay, wait, there are only two 1sts going crazy, thank you. And I believe Angeal and Genesis are possibly going insane because of the experiments."
"Experiments? I was told Genesis is Project G, how is Angeal involved?"
"Hollander experimented on both of them when they were still developing in the womb. Apparently one of the possible side effects is mental degradation, as well as physical degradation. I think Angeal is more stable than Genesis since the project circled around Gillian, Angeal's mother."
"Project G."
"Project Gillian. I found a small journal of Hollander's in the data room regarding the project. They were notes and observations on their progress. To say the least, it was...unsettling." I grimaced at the memory.
"...Very well, I will disregard the psych eval. But if you begin showing any signs of stress, anxiety or paranoia, I will proceed as planned. Come to HQ ASAP, I have an assignment for you."
"Yes, sir!" I automatically replied, pocketing my phone and jogging down the maze of streets to Sector 8, where my apartment was located.
I was wearing mid-thigh length denim shorts, a red tanktop and sneakers. My hair was down since my blue ribbon was in my apartment. To be frank, it felt weird not dressed in the 1st Class uniform, but oddly releasing. The clothing wasn't as heavy or thick. Maybe I'd opt out the uniform for a cool pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Perhaps a leather jacket, too.
Reaching my apartment, I realized I might just have to, considering the uniforms were back at HQ and there was an assignment pending.
I hunted for my only pair of black, a bit above mid-thigh shorts, then discovered I had an unused sleeveless black turtleneck. Now all I needed was a leather jacket.
And what did I find five minutes later?
My long-sleeved zip-up leather jacket (colored black of course), that buttoned at the collar. I'd bought it on a whim when I was having a bad day. Apparently luck was on my side today.
The boots I'd bought were still perfectly fine, so I pulled those on as well as my pauldrons, belts, and gloves, which I'd also stowed away since they were part of the signature SOLDIER uniform.
I took the time to strap on the leather sheathe I used on the undercover op for my sword. Once that was done, I equipped all of my weapons and hurried down to HQ.
Crap, I spent half an hour getting ready. Hopefully the Director was in a lenient mood.
Once I dashed into HQ after avoiding the pests called the media, I received numerous stares and even the occasional taunt from the countless male employees of the infantry and SOLDIER due to my new attire.
One in particular made me halt in my tracks.
"Hey Gains! I see you had a change in wardrobe. Becoming a slut already or did you finally get into Sephiroth's pants and decided to show off?"
When I heard the jab, my head whipped towards the direction of a smug 3rd Class with a group of friends. I wasn't even remotely dressed as a slut. Sure, my shorts were a little short, but that was it.
Of course, I had to put him in his place, so I stalked over to him and did the only thing appropriate: clock him right across the face with a powerful left hook.
I supposed he was expecting something like angry shouts or a teary lecture, since it caught him completely off guard. His friends supported him back up, most gazing at me in caution and terror, though a select few shot spiteful glares.
I remained cool, eyes regarding him with little emotion.
"Learn your place, 3rd. It's better not to say things that don't make sense when attempting to insult someone, especially your superior. I am close friends with Sephiroth and nothing more just to clarify that part, and I am nowhere near a slut. Perhaps you should look up the definition next time before calling me that just because my shorts are a little short. Stay out of my way, or someone might get hurt."
I flashed a menacing glare around, from him to his friends.
They said nothing, so I simply continued to the elevators, catching stuff along the lines of "The Ice Queen of SOLDIER". I was actually starting to take pride in that nickname. In the midst of my storming, I somehow managed to trip over my own foot.
I collided face-first with the smooth polished floor, a pained groan escaping me. "Ah, just when I was on a role..."
Beginning to push myself up, I noticed I'd bruised my knees, but found I didn't really care. I hastily got to my feet, slamming my palm against the button to open the elevator. I didn't want anyone running me over when I was still down or something.
Standing in the elevator, waiting for the door to slide open with a gentle ding, my panicking commenced, leading to my abrupt decision to bang my head repeatedly against one of the spotless metal walls.
"What the heck did I just do?! Learn your place?! I need to learn MY place! What if the Director finds out? What if I get suspended for assaulting a fellow SOLDIER?! Why am I so impulsive!"
After a few minutes, I stopped to glance at the floor number. I was one away from the Director's office.
"...ow." I winced, bringing a hand to my probably bruised forehead.
"Ah, well, at least I didn't bang it hard enough to induce another concussion. I'll be fine."
Perhaps it was because I'd been locked up in a hospital for two weeks, but I'd been told talking to yourself was one of the tell-tale signs that you were going crazy. If so, then I'd infinitely blame the obstinate, overcautious doctors.
Ding
The elevator halted, prompting me to step out and enter the Director's office.
"Sakura Gains, SOLDIER 1st Class, has arrived! Did you miss me, Sir?" I declared as I stood before my boss, hands on my hips.
The ends of his lips twitched against his will, the beginnings of a small, amused smile surfacing.
"Sakura, you're assignment is in Modeoheim with Tseng, Zack, and these two infantrymen. Tseng is currently retrieving Zack for the job. Genesis has been sighted there. Angeal may be with him. You're to board the chopper we're about to send out to pick them up."
"Yes, sir!" I saluted, leaving with the infantrymen to board the chopper.
"So, which one of you are gonna pilot this thing?" I queried.
One yanked off his helmet, revealing the grinning face of Sarrel. "I am, naturally!"
I stared for a few minutes, then turned to the other infantryman. "What about you? Are you a licensed pilot?"
He stiffened, shaking his head no.
I frowned. It was almost like I scared him.
"Hey! I've been piloting for a while, thank you very much!" The auburn-haired young man defended indignantly.
Ironically, Sarrel was the oldest in my group of infantry friends-a year away from becoming 20 and officially entering adulthood. Well, technically, he already was an adult, but he wouldn't be in the teens anymore.
'Yeah, because nearly two years is quite a while.' I thought sardonically.
"Are you sure we aren't going to crash?"
Sarrel started up the helicopter, already in cockpit with his headset on. The propellers gradually increased in speed, the fierce gusts of wind buffeting my hair and clothes.
"I'm positive!" He shouted, voice nearly lost over the power of the spinning blades.
The other infantryman offered me a hand into the chopper, like a gentleman. I was conflicted. Should I take it and be polite? Or refuse and show my independence? The latter echoed in my head. Well, I did have a reputation to uphold.
"No, thank you. I'm fine. But the gesture is nice." I smiled under my mask, leaping in without hesitation.
He simply tucked his chin into his scarf.
...Where had I seen that before? It struck a sense of familiarity. The memory tugged at my mind, like a fish struggling to free itself from a hook. After a few minutes, it finally wriggled free, swimming away from my grasp of recognition and recollection.
"So, I assume we're going to pick up Tseng and Zack? Where are they, anyways?"
"I got a call from Tseng saying he finally found him at some church in the Sector 5 slums. Never knew he had a girlfriend, but that's apparently what it's about. Lucky dog." Sarrel answered loudly, the door sliding shut as we departed.
'Oh yes, lucky indeed. Lucky he's not in the hospital himself for dating my sister and unaware that the Turks, notorious for following people, were following him.'
The other infantryman squirmed in his seat a little. I was beginning to seriously worry if I actually frightened people this much.
"Are you okay? You look a little...sick." I said, moving to sit beside him.
He averted his gaze elsewhere, but nodded his head.
"Oh, well, as long as you feel alright."
It was a little awkward, sitting beside someone so stiff and taciturn. He never even glanced at me, which I found a bit strange.
When we picked up Tseng and Zack, they looked neutral about the fact they had to sit together. It was an improvement from Zack attempting to nervously start up conversations and the Wutaian showing no emotion except hints of irritation. The bench-like seats could only hold two people, and I'd already taken the one with the unknown infantryman.
Of course, Zack began pestering me with endless concerns. "Are you sure you should be back to work already? Did you get the doctor's approval?"
"Yes, I got the doctor's approval! You can go to the gosh darn hospital and check with her yourself! She's Dr. Kiski, look it up!" I snapped, folding my arms.
"But what about your injuries? Will any of them be affected?"
"My injuries are fine! And no, they won't. Any more pointless questions you wanna spit out?" I sighed, massaging my temples.
Zack stared at me blankly, a concerned, serious look on his face. It wasn't often he gave me that look-it meant he was contemplating.
"I don't know if you really are fit for duty, but I've got your back. You know that, right?"
"Yes, Zack, I know. Thanks. Get back to thinking about Angeal and Genesis, the targets of our assignment. Now, how far away are we from Modeoheim?"
Tseng was the one who asked Sarrel, and after several minutes of discussion, he turned to us with an answer.
"Six hours."
I felt my eyes bulge. "SIX HOURS?! Why so long?"
"It's a little south of Icicle Inn, so we have quite the distance to cover. To reassure any worries about rations and using the facility, I'm sure you're well-acquainted enough with these helicopters to know that isn't an issue." He replied.
I just wanted to get there already. Because I was back on my feet, and the search for Angeal and Genesis wasn't over. I felt like it was far from it. Shinra was making us hunt down two of my closest friends like they were either game or rabid animals in need of putting down.
Genesis had the nerve to wage war against Shinra with his army of copies and monsters, and Angeal went back and forth in terms of sides. Not to mention he successfully attacked HQ. What was Genesis even after? Shinra? The gift of the goddess? A cure?
The hunt was still on, except now I was beginning to wonder just who was being hunted, and who exactly the hunter was.
A/N: Sorry for the extended wait! I've been packing again, to move again. And I've had to study, drive places and more, so it's been a pretty stressful summer. Review, favorite and follow! They inspire me to write more! ^^