Disclaimer: If for some reason you think I own Final Fantasy VII or any of the characters, you may be in need of mental help. ^_^; [cough]
Author's Note: This is pretty much an AU fic, (alternate universe) and things may really get outta whack near the end…But we'll just have to wait and see about that, now won't we? ;-)
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Dreams of Tomorrow
Chapter 1
It was colder than usual. The heat system in his room must be broken again.
A young nine-year-old Sephiroth shivered, wrapping the poor excuse of a blanket around his already chilled body. What time was it? It would be nice if he had a clock around…But that was nothing more than wishful thinking.
His cold, unwelcome room was nothing more than that. Sephiroth often found himself wondering what a real room looked like. The kind of rooms that were inside those large, expensive mansions. Not to mention a more comfortable bed…
But no, he was locked in this…this chamber. This prison, really. He couldn't just get up and walk around outside freely. Well, he could, but not without a harsh scolding or even a beating. He just did what people told him to do.
The young boy shifted slightly, still shivering from the cold temperature.
It really is cold. Maybe the entire building's heat is down.
But he doubted that. One of the most powerful, wealthiest buildings in the world…without heat? Sephiroth smiled at the thought of it, despite himself. He could just imagine all the ShinRa employees complaining and whining about the sudden drop in temperature. And in the middle of winter, too. Maybe they'd have to wear those big, furry coats?
Sephiroth stifled a laugh at the thought of the entire ShinRa building wearing fur coats. He'd give anything to see that.
The silver-haired boy let out a pathetic sigh, and finally decided to lay down and try to sleep. He'd have to wake up early in the morning, after all, so Hojo could run another test or two on him. Maybe even give him a few injections…
Sephiroth winced at the thought, and tried to push it out of his mind. Staring at the ceiling above, he wondered if by some chance he would ever get a break from all the testing and injections. Maybe someday he would escape from this place, and run away, never to return again.
Someday…
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When morning came, Sephiroth was sound asleep, curled up in fetal position on his lumpy bed. Sunlight spilled through a tiny, dirty window, and played on his face, desperately begging him to awaken. The young boy groaned slightly, and rolled over on his side, ignoring the light completely. Almost as if the sunlight was offended, it grew brighter and warmer. Sephiroth reluctantly opened his eyes, and blinked away the rest of his desire for sleep.
He sat up on the edge of the bed, feet dangling over the side. It would only be a matter of minutes before Hojo came in, and dragged him to the lab. Sephiroth had to be awake and ready; he didn't exactly like the idea of Hojo screaming in his ear to wake up in the morning.
I wonder if that guy ever sleeps, Sephiroth narrowed his eyes instinctively at the thought of Hojo. He always seems to be up and about…I've almost never seen him anywhere but his lab. That guy has no life…
Minutes passed by. Those minutes soon accumulated and Sephiroth was becoming restless.
Not that I'm complaining at the idea of missing another "test", but what the heck is going on?
Maybe Hojo had some other experiment to work on? Sephiroth certainly didn't mind that. Maybe then he would stop testing on him if he had other things to do.
Suddenly the door opened with a hiss. The silver-haired boy looked up, only to see one of his caretakers staring right back at him with her cold eyes.
"Hojo says that you won't be having any tests today. He has found another specimen which has already taken up most of his time."
So I was right. He did have another "specimen" after all…No tests for today. The boy tried to suppress a smile, but couldn't if his life depended on it.
"But," the caretaker continued, looking annoyed for no apparent reason, "he also said that he will make up for what he missed. So no need to get all excited."
"…So what am I supposed to do?" Sephiroth ventured.
"You are supposed to stay in this room until told otherwise," came the dry reply. Abruptly, she spun on her heel, and headed back outside. "No breakfast today," she called back hastily. "Lunch and dinner will be brought to you at the proper time. Until then, I suggest you find a way to amuse yourself while you stay put," she added with finality in her tone.
With that, she left. The cold metallic doors slid behind her with a silent hiss.
…No breakfast?
His stomach growled, furiously irritated with the idea. Well, he would just have to make do. Like always.
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"Mommy? Mommy…where are you?"
A small girl cried into the pillow of the room she had been literally thrown into. Her chestnut-brown hair fell over her tear-strained face, but she didn't feel like sweeping it out of her emerald eyes. She let the tears fall freely, her only wish was to be in the arms of her mother and to hear her soothing voice, telling her that everything would be all right.
But she could feel it…everything was not all right…
So she did the only thing she could. She cried. She cried until sleep finally took her away into a land of restless dreams…
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AN: Didja like? Yes, I know the chapter was short, but they'll get longer! I promise! R/R please!