(How can I get Tifa to understand? I don't think she believes that I have no choice. This 'arrangement' is better than the one I had with Jenova. But will my friends ever accept it? Will Tifa? And what if I'm trapped with them forever. Can I do that to my friends…?) Cloud was in the lead. Zack followed him, and finally can the brothers with Dragon Shadow on Sefiroth's shoulder. He thoughts were his own for now. He didn't need to worry about anyone listing in. Much as he hated to admit it, they brothers were respecting his desire not to be reminded of their presence. Every once in a while, he'd hear what seemed like an echo from the other's conversation, but that was all. Although Cloud didn't like the echo, it was better than the whole conversation.
P
The passage the five traveled down, was identical to all the others. Dark, dreary, and damp. That suddenly changed. The passage opened up ahead. Cloud halted, uncertain of what to do. It was also that moment that Dragon Shadow gained the message from the others. Uncertainty ruled her thought. She knew Cloud didn't want to be reminded by her presence, but she also knew he had to know.
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The brothers didn't know what was bothering her.
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Dragon Shadow shook her head, then flew towards cloud. Sefiroth made to follow her, but held back. Cloud looked over surprised as she landed on his shoulder. "I know you don't want to be reminded of us, but there's something you should know…"
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Cloud shook his head. "It's not you that bothers me. But what is it?"
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Dragon Shadow shook her head, worried. "Jenova has captured the others. She will most likely try to take us as well. Indeed, I am sure of it. We are the most useful of them all…"
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Cloud didn't like the sound of that. Neither did the others. "So this room is most likely a trap?"
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Dragon Shadow nodded. "Compared to the rest of the tunnels, it is very different. If I were to lay a trap, this would be an ideal situation for it."
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Cloud looked back at his allies. (Not companions. Allies they may be, but I can't call those two companions…) "What should we do?"
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Dragon Shadow was looking into the room. "I believe there is enough room for me to…"
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Sefiroth looked up at her. "What is it?"
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"They're here. The two who offer me the thing I need." Dragon Shadow looked around the room again.
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Cloud and Zack didn't understand. And Cloud wasn't one for blind trust. "Who's in there?"
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Sephiroth looked at his brother. They both knew. "It may be best if I go on ahead with Dragon Shadow. Brother wait for me here. This way, we'll have help if they cause trouble…"
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"Now wait a second!" Cloud turned to the two, annoyed. "Who decided this?"
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Dragon Shadow knew he wouldn't listen to the brothers. "I think it may be best. You don't know what we're up against. I do."
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Cloud started to argue again, then decided not to. "Alright. I guess if everyone else thinks it's best, then I'll have to agree."
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Dragon Shadow and Sephiroth entered the room. Cloud, Zack, and Sefiroth stayed behind. None of them liked the idea, but neither was there anything that they could do. If it were a trap, the two walking into it would need help.
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But this trap wasn't hidden. In fact, Dragon Shadow and Sephiroth saw their foe as soon as they entered the room. It was the same pair of men they had met in the caverns under the mountain. "So you follow us even here." It was the larger warrior. The challenge was unmistakable.
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But Dragon Shadow wasn't going to give up. "We aren't following you. We're seeking someone else. This matter doesn't concern you."
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The warrior wasn't going to give up. "Then why are you here?"
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"As I said, we're following someone." Dragon Shadow knew she had to take a risk. "The same one who is lying to you."
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"Lying to us?" The disbelief was clear in the warrior's voice. "Why would she do that? What proof do you have?"
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Proof was one thing Dragon Shadow didn't have. "What proof do you have that I am?"
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"If you aren't here to kill us, why fight us?"
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Dragon Shadow couldn't believe he'd ask that. "Did you really give us any choice? It was fight or die. I have no intention of dying without a fight!"
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The two warriors drew their swords. "Neither do we."
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Dragon Shadow was getting very annoyed by this. "Think. If we were here to fight you, why would be standing here talking with you. It's not you we're after, and it never has been. Now will you please let us past?"
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The larger of the two warriors advanced a little. "I cannot. I swore I wouldn't let you past. And I will uphold that vow. Now fight me!"
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But Dragon Shadow would not. "You do not trust me? You do not trust my honor! Why? We are alike, the three of us."
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"Ha! We are not alike. I fight for the one with honor. Unlike you."
P
Dragon Shadow knew the small group would need all their strength in the coming battles. Now was not the time to fight. But given the situation, it may be the only choice…/FONT/BODY