Premonitions II: Crisis Core

Chapter 83: The Homestead

Yuffie sat alone in her room. She had eaten, showered, and had just woken up from a nap, still taking in where she was: way down south, and an unimaginable distance from home.

She often wondered how she would get back. She then thought about stealing something, but decided to pass. There was nothing too valuable here.

Yuffie, along with everyone else, was staying in a hotel near the center of town, but, as the town had no visitors, it was practically useless until now.

Finally, sick of boredom, Yuffie decided to take a walk outside and get some fresh air. Upon stepping outdoors, the first person she saw was Jessie.

"How's Barret?" Yuffie asked.

"He's okay," Jessie replied.

"That's a load off," Yuffie said. "What did they say?"

"He was bitten by an Emerald Viper," Jessie continued. "They wander into this village every now and then. Their bites are painful, but not fatal."

"So," added Yuffie, "he'll live, right?"

"You bet!" Jessie answered.

Jessie had never seemed more relieved. It was obvious how she felt about him.

"Have you kissed yet?" Yuffie asked, rather suddenly.

"Not yet," Jessie replied, blushing slightly as she realized that all her friends were finding out. "The campfire was where we held hands for the first time."

"You seemed out of the funk these last couple of days," Yuffie observed. "Now I see why."

"I will admit I thought I might lose him from the snakebite," Jessie said. "It shocked me, since I never realized something that bad could happen to him."

"It's a new timeline," Yuffie pointed out. "There's no way of telling what's going to happen next."

"Just like there's no way of telling whether Sephiroth is in the area," Jessie added.

It was not something either woman liked to think about. The village seemed safe and peaceful, but Sephiroth could still easily be in the area, if not the village itself.

"You know what's funny?" Jessie began. "I was so focused on my own possible demise that I never considered that anything could happen to anyone else. I'm such a selfish asshole."

"Don't say that!" Yuffie assured her. "You cheated death. I'd have it on my mind if it was me."

Jessie smiled; it made her feel somewhat better.

"I guess today made me realize it could be any of us," she said. "Maybe...I shouldn't be too slow."

"I would open up to him," Yuffie suggested.

"Excuse me?" asked Jessie.

"I would open up to him," Yuffie repeated. "You know..."

"What do you mean?" Jessie asked.

"In every way," Yuffie clarified.

Jessie was silent. She was not sure if she would be moving too fast.

"You only live once," Yuffie added.

MEANWHILE...

Red XIII sat at the northern edge of the village, staring at the forest he had spent the morning in. He had been surprised to see a village on the other side of the forest, and wondered what else he might encounter along the way.

"There you are," greeted one of the female quadrupeds as she approached him.

Red XIII turned to her. He was still overwhelmed; despite exploring a brand new continent, this was one of the last things he had expected.

"My name is Giva," she greeted as she sat down next to him. "Daughter of Malana."

"I am Red XIII," he replied.

"Son of Red XII?" Giva asked.

Red XIII shook his head.

"My real name is Nanaki," he clarified. "Son of Seto. But everyone calls me Red XIII."

"I would like to call you Nanaki," Giva requested. "That is your real name."

Red XIII nodded.

"What is this place?" he asked.

"This is the Homestead," she replied. "Our refuge."

"Refuge?" Red XIII inquired.

"None of us were born in the Homestead," Giva continued. "We came here because it is safe."

"How did they get here?" Red XIII asked.

"We've been here for many years," Giva replied. "But we all made a pact to not discuss how we got here."

"But you have been to the Western Continent?"

"I have," Giva replied.

Red XIII looked back at the forest. He thought of what they all went through to arrive here.

"You know," he continued, "I wouldn't call this area safe. After all we went through to arrive here."

"And yet," said Giva, "this is only a stop for you, isn't it?"

"Yes," Red XIII answered. "We're on our way to Xenara."

"Xenara?" asked Giva.

"That's right," Red XIII replied. "Do you know how close we are?

"Never heard of it," Giva replied.

Red XIII was silent. So far, nobody on the Southern Continent had heard of Xenara.

"Who built this place?" he then asked.

"The humans did," Giva replied. "Long before I got here." Her eyes then widened. "Wait a minute, you said you were the son of Seto?"

"That is correct," Red XIII confirmed.

"I met him once," Giva revealed. "When I was really young. I think he mentioned he had a son my age, but I didn't know that was you. How's he doing?"

Red XIII lowered his head.

"He...isn't," he answered. "Cosmo Canyon was attacked by the Gi Tribe. Their poisoned arrows turned him into stone. Is...that why you all fled? To escape the Gi?"

Giva shook her head.

"A man named Hojo tried to capture us," she replied. "He was a scientist working for the Shinra. I hope he didn't capture anyone. I think he wanted to do experiments on us."

Red XIII sighed.

"He captured me," he informed her.

Giva opened her mouth and widened her eyes in surprise.

"Nanaki...he...didn't...hurt you, did he?"

"He had spiteful intentions," Red XIII confirmed. "But I was rescued. Barret, who was bitten by the snake, was one of my rescuers."

Giva smiled.

"He seemed heroic when I first saw him," she said.

"He is," Red XIII insisted. "He's been through a lot, but he's a valueable part of us."

"I'm not a vengeful person," Giva continued, "but I would really like to see Hojo brought to justice.

Red XIII looked at her solemnly.

"I'm afraid Hojo is dead," he informed her.

MEANWHILE...

Barret sat in the hot tub in his hotel room. He was given the only room with a jacuzzi, as well as a pair of trunks. He was relieved to hear that he would live, but remained uneasy. There was no way of telling what else might be lurking ahead. He had been through enough in the past three days.

He suddenly heard the door to his room open, and had no doubt who it was.

The one who cared about him the most.

Jessie appeared moments later.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Okay," he replied.

She took a look at his submerged leg, and could see that the swelling was going down.

"Thank God," Jessie said. "You scared the shit out of me this morning!"

"Pardon me," he replied sarcastically. "Any sign of Sephiroth?"

"Not yet," Jessie replied as she made her way to a spot behind Barret. "And, even if there was, we wouldn't be going anywhere until you're healed."

Barret stared at the door leading out of the room with the hot tub. He felt guilty, holding up the mission. He wanted it to be over. He wanted a safer world.

He was dwelling on everything so hard that he disregarded the sound of rustling behind him. He continued to stare at the doorway even after he heard the soft splash next to him, and realized that Jessie had sat down with him in the tub. Yet, he still continued to stare at the doorway.

He wanted to continue the pursuit.

"Xenara isn't going anywhere," she assured him. "You need to heal. I was so focused on the timeline reclaiming me that I neglected everyone else."

"It's obvious now that's not gonna happen," Barret said.

"I know," she agreed. "Anything can happen to anyone now. I shouldn't have been so selfish."

"Don't worry 'bout it," he insisted. "I'll be feelin' the same way in nine years. Wherever the hell I am. Like any other survivor."

"My mom survived the plate collapse," Jessie mentioned. "She was having the same premonitions as I was. And now they're gone."

"There's a Mrs. Skurl?" Barret asked in surprised. "Sorry. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I should've realized you have a mother."

"Of course I do," Jessie giggled. "I'm not Eve!"

Barret smiled slightly. He was willing to admit that Jessie's presence was starting to always make him feel better.

"You know what's funny?" Jessie continued. "Skurl isn't even my real last name."

"It's not?" Barret asked. That came as a surprise.

Jessie shook her head.

"Skurl is my mom's name," Jessie. "Legally, I have my dad's last name."

"Which is?" he inquired.

"Raspberry," she replied. "My real last name is Raspberry."

"Jessie Raspberry," Barret said.

"I know," she sighed. "I hate it."

"You hate it?" Barret echoed. "Why?"

"It makes me sound like a porn star," she replied.

"It does not!" Barret insisted.

And then, Jessie simply sighed.

"This water feels so good," she said. "I could stay here all day."

"I suppose," Barret agreed.

"I saw a female Red XIII take interest in our Red XIII," Jessie pointed out.

"I noticed," he replied.

"What is Red XIII's species called, anyway?" she asked.

"I dunno," he answered. "We all thought he was the last one, so nobody asked."

Barret then sat back slightly, and then, out of the corner of his eye, spotted Jessie's bare shoulder.

His mouth immediately dried.

He had been expecting her to at least be wearing a bikini. That did not turn out to be the case.

He had also been suspecting that she had been planning something, with her changing the subject and all, but this had caught him off guard.

"Why're you naked?" he finally asked.

"Because that's how I'm comfortable," Jessie replied with a smile.

He tensed up again, and Jessie could tell.

"Does it bother you?" she asked.

Barret shook his head.

"I just didn't see it coming," he replied.

Still smiling, Jessie place her arm on his bare shoulder.

"It's an uncertain future, remember?" she said.

"I suppose you're right," he said.

He then turned his head toward Jessie, but made sure to keep his eyes at her bare shoulders and above. At least for now.

"So then," Jessie continued, "what are we going to do after this is all over?"

"Who knows?" Barret answered. "We have to find a way home first."

Jessie was silent for a moment; that was something she had not considered. Of course, she still had Barret.

And, at that moment, she had dared herself to do something.

"Honestly," she began as she leaned over. "You're home."

And she pecked him on the cheek.

For a few seconds, nothing happened.

Jessie did not move.

Should I have done that? she thought to herself.

Then, suddenly, Barret sprang out of the tub and stopped a few feet away.

Jessie immediately sprang after him, passing him and stopping in the doorway. She then turned around and gave him a sincere look.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

She did not care that she was dripping water all over the floor.

"Sorry," Barret apologized as he lowered his head and shook it. "It's just that...I've been hurt before. I...lost someone."

"I know," Jessie replied. "I remember you telling me about Mia."

"Myrna," Barret corrected.

"Sorry," Jessie said. "And I know I can't be a replacement for her."

"Nobody can," he agreed. "And I'll admit I'm afraid of gettin' hurt again."

And then, to Jessie's surprise, he gently stroked her hair.

"But," he continued, "I think it's worth the risk."

He then leaned in and kissed her deeply.

So he's feeling the same way I'm feeling! Jessie thought happily to herself. He was holding it back as much as I was!

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.

Funny, she realized. I never thought I'd kiss him for the first time in the nude!

"So are you my boyfriend now?" Jessie giggled with a smile.

"Yes," Barret replied.

She kissed him again; it was the moment she had been hoping for for the past week.

She then looked at him, her eyes beginning to tear.

"I just wish I could show you how happy I am!" she giggled.

"Don't worry 'bout that," Barret assured her.

"Do you want to see me dance?" Jessie suddenly asked.

She's butt naked, Barret thought to himself. What pass it up?

"Sure," he replied.

"Okay!" Jessie giggled.

She took a few steps back, and did a twirl on one leg, allowing Barret a good view of her in all her glory. Water splattered everywhere, but the floor was tile anyway.

"I was color-guard captain in high school," she said. "And an actress."

"I never knew that," Barret admitted.

"You know," she began, "now that I'm your girlfriend, I can take you to meet my mom. She makes one hell of a pizza."

"What about your dad?" Barret asked. "Is he alive?"

Jessie stopped dancing, and a solemn look appeared on her face.

"Sorry," he apologized.

"No, it's okay," Jessie assured him. "I guess it just depends on what you mean by alive."

Barret gave her a look of empathy.

"Only tell me when you're ready," he insisted. "Though you can always tell me what's on your mind."

"Seriously," she replied, "I'd like to try acting again."

"That'll be great," he complimented.

And then, another idea popped into Jessie's mind. She had just been told to speak her mind, so she decided to act on it.

"I need to take a shower," she announced with a grin.

She then turned around, and walked slowly toward the bathroom, flaunting her exposed rear end.

Barret remained in place, enjoying the show.

"Stop staring at my butt and join me!" she commanded.

Barret slipped off his trunks and followed her.

MEANWHILE...

The sun was beginning to set, and the sky had turned red. Red XIII and Giva were sitting on a grassy knoll near the town square. They had been together the entire day.

"So Giva," Red XIII began, "could anyone in this town know where Xenara is?"

"We've been living head for many years, but none of us have ever seen a place called Xenara," Giva explained.

"Never?" he asked. "Nobody's ever mentioned it?"

"Honestly, I can't remember," she replied.

"You can't remember?" Red XIII asked.

He was surprised. Giva seemed wise and of a sound mind. This did not sound right.

"None of us can," Giva continued. "We all lost quite a few memories of our old life when we came here."

"That sounds strange," Red XIII pointed out.

"Some say," Giva continued, "it's the wrath of the Great Father."

"The Great Father?" Red XIII inquired.

"Forty years ago," Giva continued, "when we first came to this continent, we passed an area that was said to belong to the Great Father. And that the Great Father would punish anyone who disturbed him."

The Great Father, Red XIII thought. Where have I heard that title before?

"The Great Father," he said aloud, "is he a...god?"

"I'm not sure," she replied. "How else could he take our memories away?"

Of course! Red XIII realized. Sephiroth was being taken to see him.

Which means we are getting close.

"Have you heard of a man named Sephiroth?"

Giva shook her head.

"Is that who you're looking for?" she asked.

Red XIII nodded.

"Remember Meteor?" he asked.

"Of course," she replied. "I'm still expecting to see it every time I look up."

"Sephiroth was responsible for that," he informed her.

"And you didn't destroy him?" she asked.

"It's a long story," he answered. "We had him petrified, but someone freed him. We think he came this way. But if you're not used to visitors, I doubt he came here without getting noticed."

"You know," Giva began, "several villagers reported seeing a stranger a few yards south of the village."

Red XIII's eyes widened.

"Did he have long, silver hair?"

"I never saw him myself," Giva replied.

This has to be a clue.

"What's south of here?" he asked.

"The Emerald Cave," Giva answered. "When we first came here, we came through there."

"The Emerald Cave," Red XIII echoed.

"You got it," Giva confirmed. "It's just south of here. You can't miss it."

A perfect place for Sephiroth to hide.

Red XIII shook his head.

"I need to get the others," he announced.

Giva displayed a concerned look.

"Your friend is still recovering," she mentioned. "It will soon be dark. You're all exhausted from your trip through the forest."

Red XIII looked to the south. He then scanned the rest of the village.

"You'll still have your quest tomorrow morning," Giva pointed out. "Your place Xenara isn't going to get up and walk away."

"I guess you're right," Red XIII agreed.

"Besides," she continued as she slowly approached him, "when will you ever see another of your kind again?"

And she rubbed her head against his.

LATER...

Zack lay in bed, unable to sleep. All he could think about was Sephiroth. He had caused him to be sealed away for four years. He had taken everything from him. Now, it would be time to take everything from Sephiroth. He could never stress it enough; when they found Sephiroth, he would be the one who killed him.

Suddenly, Zack's ears were pierced by a roar.

A loud, angry roar.

"Get the fuck away from me, asshole!" he heard Giva yell.

"What the hell was that?" Zack asked himself.

He lay wide awake in bed for the next ten minutes.

Then he realized what had just occurred.

And he began cracking up.

THE NEXT MORNING...

Friday, February 8, 0008

Red XIII stood before everyone early the next day outside their lodging. He felt as if they were nearing the end of their quest, and he needed to tell them what he knew.

"A stranger has been spotted in the southern outskirts of this village," Red XIII began.

"Could it be Sephiroth?" Zack asked.

"I can't see it being anyone else," Red XIII confirmed.

"So this is it," Cait Sith.

"Well," Jessie began, "how do we go about this."

"We'll definitely have to think of a way to knock him out," Red XIII said.

"I can do that," Cait Sith announced. "My fists on his head."

"And after that?" asked Yuffie.

"We'll need to find a place to contain him," Barret replied. "Obviously."

Zack thought about his sword.

He had other plans.

The seven travelers made their way through the peaceful village. They passed the humans and the quadrupeds, interacting as if there was no difference in between them.

Near the southern edge of the Homestead, they passed Giva. Upon seeing them, she quickly turned and ran off; she almost seemed embarrassed.

They passed the southernmost building in the village. And then, they spotted the mouth of the Emerald Cave. Beyond was a tunnel, which quickly turned to the right and disappeared from view.

"This is where we go from here," Red XIII announced.

"Where does it lead to?" Cait Sith asked.

"Further south," Red XIII replied. "We'll find out the rest when we get there."

Jessie then noticed the scratch marks on Red XIII's face.

"What happened to your face?" she asked.

"It's nothing," Red XIII quickly insisted.

It was then that a smirk appeared on Zack's face.

"What's so funny?" Yuffie whispered.

"I heard him and Giva last night," Zack whispered.

"And?" Yuffie whispered.

"They mated," Zack whispered back. "They had sex."

"So what?" Yuffie whispered. "Grow up!"

Zack then whispered to Yuffie what he knew about male feline anatomy.

Yuffie immediately gasped and covered her mouth.

"Oh...my...God!" she whispered.

Red XIII noticed this.

"I don't know what's so funny," he said, "but now is not the time to laugh."

"Why's that?" Zack asked, trying in vain not to chuckle.

"Because," Red XIII continued, "I am quite sure that Sephiroth is in the cave."