Chapter 17 – Progression
Zack had come and gone by the time Sephiroth arrived. Clarissa laughed at the sight of him trying to unfold out of the tiny car he had requisitioned from the company garage. She knew the reason he had done so was to keep himself out of sight from the general populace. At least until he got behind the gate of the complex where they were housed.
The boys had still been busy looking through the books when Zack came. As a matter of fact, the only reason they moved when Sephiroth came in was that Clarissa made them. It was dinner time, and they had to clean up. Thankfully, Sephiroth had once again brought enough groceries for several days.
Dinner was mostly quiet. The only conversation was from Clarissa. She was thrilled the boys were so enraptured with the book collection and asked them if they wanted her to read to them before bed. They were all blown away at the idea. Especially when she confirmed that for that night only, it would be alright for them to bring their blankets into the living room so they could all sleep together, Sephiroth included. Though both adults knew he didn't plan on sleeping. Not if he was there as a guard. Still, he could at least lay down until the boys fell asleep.
It wasn't long after they cleaned up before the boys had everything on the living room floor. Clarissa could hardly contain her grin at the muted excitement they were showing. Not everyone would have noticed, but it was easy for her to see since she had been around them nearly constantly for a couple of weeks already. She still kept those thoughts to herself. She didn't want to make them feel self-conscious about it.
It didn't take them long to get everything laid out. Clarissa had them lay down, and she covered them all up before she leaned against the couch and opened the book they had picked. It was a ridiculously long adventure novel, but she didn't question the choice. At least it was bonding time. Though, she did state that there was no way she could read the whole thing. It would have to come in sections. Secretly she was glad for it. The time she spent reading to them could only help.
Sephiroth was sitting on the end of the pallet across from them as Clarissa started reading. It was near to the end of the third chapter that Loz and Kadaj's eyes began to drift closed. Clarissa smiled at them while she finished the chapter. She then closed the book softly. Kadaj stirred, but he didn't wake. Yazoo gave her a hard look but didn't say anything before he turned over and scooted a little closer to his brother. It wasn't long at all before all three of them were asleep.
It was late by that time, and Sephiroth gave her a smile as he stood. "Why don't you get some sleep as well. I'm sure it has been a long day for you."
She gave him a tired look and tried to smile as well. "That's no joke." She only stood far enough to sit on the couch. She didn't want to be too far in case the boys woke up.
When Sephiroth turned to go check the windows and doors, she called out to stop him. "Hey, I wanted to thank you for being here tonight. They may not know how to show it much, but it means a lot to them."
When Sephiroth looked back, his eyes were haunted, and his voice was low. "I know. That is something I hope they can grow out of eventually."
Clarissa stood and moved to put a hand on his arm. She looked up with understanding. "Don't worry. About them or yourself. You may not see it, but you aren't as bad at it as you might think."
He let go of a little chuckle and shook his head before he answered. "Perhaps not, but I have good friends that helped."
She gave him a smile and patted his arm once before she went back to lay down. It gave her hope to know that recovery for them all was finally possible. Even if it would take time. Those thoughts and ones of Genesis were what finally ushered her into sleep.
Clarissa was thankful when her husband finally called the next day. They had both been too busy to do more than send a few texts since she got back to Midgar. The boys were still exploring the new apartment, so she had a few minutes to just sit and listen to his voice. She knew she had missed him but hadn't anticipated how good it would be to hear him speak. Even if he was irritated. She was especially grateful when he let her know that there was still no sign that Avalanche had been there.
His irritation stemmed from the fact that they had the other Soldiers secure the first facility, but not clear it. That meant that once he was finished at the second lab, he would have to go back to the first. It was anticipated to take them a little more than an extra week to go through it all, but that meant it could be anywhere between another three to four weeks before they got to see each other again. When she found out, she wasn't any more thrilled than Genesis. The one plus was that they both had more than enough to keep them busy. Not that it helped at night.
Despite the fact that they were separated, Genesis still found time to call each day over the next two weeks. Now that they were settled into the clearing part, he had a little more free time. Not much, but it was better than no communication at all. Clarissa was even more thrilled each night when he reported that there was still no sign of Avalanche again at either facility. She hoped that meant that perhaps Shears was considering her words after all. It would make their lives easier if he did, that was for sure.
As for the boys, they were settling into life in Midgar about as well as Clarissa had expected. They looked forward to the nights that Sephiroth could visit and tolerated the other Soldiers that came. Zack was the only that even seemed to break the ice with them at all. Not that they talked to him much, but it was only after his third visit that they at least quit trying to avoid him like they still did anyone else that didn't have Jenova cells. It was a start, and Clarissa was thrilled to see it.
Unfortunately, the Soldiers were still the only other people that the boys were exposed to. Clarissa asked them each day if they wanted to get out. There had ba a few times that Loz looked like he wanted to say yes, but at a glance from the other two, it was decided they were not yet ready. That didn't keep her from asking every day anyway.
The only exception to their isolation was the two times that Shalua came to visit with Shelke. The two girls had come over late in the afternoon a couple of times and stayed for dinner. The first time Clarissa could barely contain her grin when the boys had to show Shelke that they now knew the songs she had mentioned the first time she visited. It was adorable to watch them all run through the actions of the children's songs. Even more so when they roped Clarissa into helping.
All in all, the boys were progressing slowly toward learning to become part of society, but Clarissa wasn't as worried as she once was. She knew they trusted her now, and they trusted Sephiroth. She had a feeling that it wouldn't be long until they trusted Genesis as well. Not once he was back. No matter the speed with which they adapted, she could tell that they would eventually learn to have mostly normal lives, and it made her proud. Despite not wanting to make them self-conscious, she still made sure to tell them that too. At least a few times. There was no point in making them clam up again after all.
It had been nearly three weeks that the boys had been in Midgar with Clarissa. Genesis was supposed to arrive in a couple of days as well. That helped boost the mood around the dinner table that night significantly. It didn't hurt that Zack was the Soldier assigned to guard duty that night, either.
The Second was still sitting at the table after everything was cleared away and was currently showing the three boys some card tricks he had picked up. Clarissa had to fight not to laugh at Zack's disappointment when Yazoo was quick to point out the method behind each of them.
She let it go on a longer than usual, just because they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Still, after the fifth trick, she had to call a halt to it. If she hadn't, then Zack probably would have kept trying until he found one the boys couldn't figure out just by watching. Not that it would have happened.
Once the boys got ready for bed, Clarissa laid them down and read a couple of chapters of the new book they had asked her to read. It had become something of a tradition each night. She no longer had to lay down when they did, but they still preferred if she slept in the same bed when she did finally go to sleep.
Once they had drifted off, Clarissa went out to clean up so she could get to sleep herself. She paused when she saw Zack still sitting at the table, trying to figure out how Yazoo kept spotting the trick. She chuckled under her breath before she walked over to him. She gave him a consoling pat on the shoulder as she spoke. "Don't take it personally. Instead of trying to figure out what you are doing wrong, you should think about it like you are trying to pull one over on the General."
Zack looked up at her with wide eyes. He then looked toward where the boys were sleeping before he put his face in his hand and groaned. He was giving her a plaintive look when he finally responded. "Man, they are still so little. It's hard to remember that they are practically just like him. No wonder I kept failing."
Clarissa chuckled again when she answered. "Don't let it get to you." She then paused as she tried to stifle a yawn. She gave him a chagrined look when it passed. "Sorry, I guess I'm more tired than I thought. I'm going to go grab a shower and head to bed. Do you need anything?"
He waved her off. "Nah, you go get some sleep. I've got this under control."
Clarissa gave him a grin and wave as she headed to the shower finally. It wasn't long afterward that she was curled up with the boys and dreaming of Genesis coming home.
Clarissa was wrenched awake by a loud sound. She jerked herself upright and tried to clear the sleep from her head as she listened to see if she could tell what it was. It was only a moment later that she heard a familiar noise that sent chills down her spine. The sound of blades clashing was unmistakable. She didn't hesitate to jump up and grab her kōdachi, where she kept them on top of one of the dressers.
By that point, the boys were all awake and alert as well. They were already standing next to the bed. Clarissa knelt in front of them and whispered. "Stay back. Let me see what is going on." When it looked like they were going to object, she gave them all a frown. "Not now."
She knew it was harsh, but they didn't have time. She opened the door a crack and nearly screamed when she saw Zack fall to the blades of two Ravens at the same time. Her instincts kicked in at that point, and she ran out with a yell. Thankfully Shiva's materia was in the handle of one of her kōdachi, and she immediately summoned the ice elemental.
She barely noted that there had to be more than a dozen Ravens as more came from the kitchen as well. She tried not to think about the depth of the issue as she threw out a sheet of ice. She knew it would not keep the mindless soldiers down, but it was enough to get them away from Zack.
As soon as there was a little space, she gestured for Shiva to put up a barrier and maintain it. She then ran to where Zack was bleeding all over the floor. She had to swallow a choked sound as she dropped to her knees next to her friend. Her hands were shaking when she reached out to check his pulse.
She nearly started crying when she immediately felt his pulse. Though she didn't give herself time to break down. Instead, she cast her best curaga. Unfortunately, it was not as good as it should have been. She could already feel the drain on her power from Shiva maintaining the barrier. The sound of the Ravens breaking it in multiple locations was a frantic backdrop to the fear she forced herself to swallow.
She was glad to see that her efforts were enough to stop the bleeding, even if it wasn't enough for Zack to wake up. Once she was sure he would be alright, she stood. She braced herself since she knew it would be better to face the Ravens before her magic was drained.
Before she could give the command to lower the ice shield, she felt the boys crowd in behind her. She turned to them and tried to keep her fear from her voice as she spoke. "You three need to run. Now. I think the bedroom is clear. It is a long drop, but the three of you should be fine. Go. Now."
They all three gave her frowns, but it was Kadaj that made a sharp gesture as he shook his head. "No! We can take care of ourselves. We aren't leaving.
Clarissa took a deep breath and tried to give them a smile. "I know you can, which is why I need you to run. I can hold them back for a little while, but Zack is injured. I need you to go get Sephiroth. We need help."
There was a brief pause while the boys tried to assimilate what she was saying. She shook her head at their hesitation. "Please. I can keep Zack safe, but I need you to hurry!"
It was only a few moments later that Kadaj gave her a sharp nod. As soon as he did, all three boys ran back in the bedroom. She watched long enough to see them open the window and push the screen out. It was a two-story jump, but she had no doubts the three of them were built to handle it.
Yazoo was the last one to jump. She caught his eye when he paused and looked back. She gave him a nod before he turned and followed the other two. Once he was out, she raised a prayer to Minerva that all the Ravens were in the apartment. As long as those boys got to safety, she could face what was to come without reservation.
She then turned and pulled Zack back as far away from the barrier as she could. She knew the time had come. She couldn't keep it up forever. Once he was out of the way, Clarissa squared her shoulders and motioned for Shiva to let the barrier fall. She snarled at the Ravens that all rushed forward as soon as the ice was out of the way.
Sephiroth sat up with disorientation. Something had woken him, and he couldn't sense anything nearby. It was only a few moments later that he felt a wave of terror and rage. It was so unexpected that it took him a moment to place it as coming through the bond that had been formed with the three boys. It was still distant, but he didn't question it. Instead, he was immediately up. He didn't even bother thinking about changing from his sleep pants before he headed out.
He thought about banging on Angeal's door, but he didn't want to waste time. Instead, he paused long enough to grab his phone before he rushed out. He was already running down the hall as he dialed the Commander's number. Thankfully, Angeal picked up on the third ring. "Sephiroth? What's going on."
Sephiroth had made it to the elevator by that point. His voice was hard when he answered. "I don't know exactly, but something has happened with the boys. I am headed to the apartment now."
That was all Angeal needed to hear. "I'll meet you there."
As soon as he had that confirmation, Sephiroth hung up. He almost cursed the speed of the elevator and wished he had taken the stairs. Not that it would have been any faster, but he could feel the boys' terror building, and it had him on edge.
As soon as he was on the first floor, he paused. He knew a car would be faster, but there was a process to take one of the company cars, and he didn't have time. Plus, he could feel that the boys were headed toward the building, and he didn't want to miss them. Instead, he immediately headed out. He ignored the few guards as he raced toward where he could feel the boys the strongest.
He had no thoughts of what people might think if they caught sight of him. Instead, he was running down streets and through alleys as he focused on the feeling coming from the three boys.
He wasn't sure how long he had been running, but he was getting more frustrated the longer it took. It was as he exited another alley that he stopped. He had caught a flash of silver heading down another alley down the street. He almost called out but paused when he realized that there could be someone chasing them. If that was the case, he didn't want to alert them to his presence.
Instead, he raced to the other alley and headed after them. It was only a few seconds later that he saw the three boys and finally did call out since he could see there was no one else. "Kadaj, Loz, Yazoo!"
The boys skidded to a halt and turned to him. He could tell that they were all trying to hide their fear, so he didn't mention it. Though he did jog to them and knelt so he could look them in the eye. "I felt that something was wrong. Why are you out here instead of with Clarissa?"
He was shocked when Loz immediately started crying. Kadaj barely spared a look at his brother before he turned back to Sephiroth with a scowl. "The apartment was attacked, and Zack was injured. She had us run to get you while she held them back."
Sephiroth took in a sharp breath. He almost told them to stay put while he went to investigate, but he immediately realized that if anyone was looking for the boys as well, then it would be safer for them to go with him. He then gave them all a nod as he stood. "Stay close to me."
Kadaj didn't move right away. He looked up at the older man with a glare. "We are going back to help her."
Sephiroth almost smiled at the boy's determination. "Yes, we are. Now, stay close." That was all they need to hear before they fell into step behind him.
A/N: I know that took a turn there at the end, but you all knew something had to happen, right? Still, we are heading into the final arc of this story, so I will ask that you all stick with me. I hope it will be an entertaining ride. Thanks for reading, and cheers!