Disclaimer: For the last time, I don't own 'em! Yeesh peoples!
Author's Note: Agh! I'm trying to squeeze in another chapter!! Ahhhhhh!!! [loses sanity]
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Dreams of Tomorrow
Chapter 3
The silver-haired boy stood as still as a statue while his mind debated over what he should do next.
Okay, just quietly close the door and get outta here! the logical part of his brain screamed.
No! Go in, go in! You were curious about that girl in the first place, weren't you? said the inquisitive other half.
"Great," Sephiroth commented dryly, finding himself glaring at the doorknob. "Just great."
He looked around to make sure no one was watching and boldly took a step into the room, ignoring his shrieking logical half of mind. He reached out a hand behind him, and attempted to slowly and quietly close the door.
…Squeeeeeeaak…
Sephiroth froze, realizing it was the metal hinges causing the high-pitched noise. A feeling of uneasiness swept over him.
I feel like a criminal breaking into a room, he thought bitterly. Maybe this isn't such a good idea…
He took the time to look at his surroundings, seeming that it was the only thing he could decide to do at the moment. It was probably twice the size of his own room, and the heat actually worked. Strangely, there was carpet beneath his shoes; not the icy marble floors that he knew so well. His eyes fell upon two stuffed animals tossed in a quiet corner. How come he never got stuff like this? Sephiroth frowned, making an effort to mentally thrust away the feeling of jealousy, but failing miserably.
Quite unexpectedly, the door swung fully open and hit him right between the shoulder blades, causing him to stagger sideways and almost slam into the nearby wall.
"Ugh…" he managed, his mind a muddled mess for a few rare seconds. Sephiroth didn't even see the young woman who had just walked in, and she didn't seem to notice him either.
"Hello, Aeris. My name is Amy, and I'll be your caretaker. Is there anything I can-" she stopped, noticing that Aeris was still asleep, but mostly because of the shuffling noises coming from behind the door.
"…Sephiroth?!" he blonde-haired woman gasped, hastily pushing the door away from the distressed boy. She gently grabbed him by the shoulders and steadied him on his feet. "What are you doing here?"
The boy shook away his puzzlement and looked up at the woman. Her voice was stern, but not threatening. That was something new.
"I…uh…"
"Don't you know how much trouble you'll be in if Professor Hojo caught you here?"
Sephiroth winced at the thought of being punished by Hojo.
"Go back to your room," she said softly, without giving Sephiroth a chance to answer.
The boy found himself being confused all over again. That was happening a lot, lately.
"…what? You're not gonna… tell him?"
The young woman stood up straight, regaining her composure as well as the authority in her voice.
"No harm done. The Professor doesn't need to know. Now, out," she urged delicately and pointed at the open door.
Sephiroth nodded and awkwardly stepped out, looking unsure of himself. Looking back only once, he closed the door behind him and retreated towards his own room, thanking whatever god there was he made it out without a scolding.
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Amy watched young Sephiroth leave through the small door-window, a small smile apparent on her features. When he was out of sight, she let out an exasperated sigh and solemnly shook her head.
"…Who was that?" came a tiny voice from the other side of the room.
"Oh!" Amy turned around to face Aeris, sitting on the edge of the bed looking tired. Her emerald green eyes suggested weariness, and Amy felt a pang of pity for the young girl.
"You're awake," the she said, stating the obvious.
Aeris nodded, ignoring the locks of hair sweeping her face.
"Who was that?" she repeated.
"That, my young friend, is a little mischief-maker wandering the halls," she replied jokingly; she knew Sephiroth rarely broke the strict rules that were set for him.
Aeris gave a faint hint of a smile, then questioningly furrowed her brow. At least, the best an eight-year old could furrow a brow. Amy smiled at that.
"Who are you…? And where's my mommy?" Little Aeris' eyes started to water with tears, and Amy thought she felt a dagger of sorrow pierce her heart.
"I'm Amy, your caretaker. You mother is… in a different room at the moment, Aeris," she retorted as calmly she could. She tried to ignore the guilty feeling pounding in the back of her conscience.
"W-will I get to see her?" Aeris asked, every word seeming to drip with fragile hope.
The young woman didn't know how to answer that question. She struggled to keep her poise, but it all fell to pieces when she looked at that innocent face and deep-green eyes.
"I...hope so, Aeris. I hope so. You…might get the chance to see her." Amy thought that if she stretched the word "might" any more, it would snap back and slap her in the face.
"Do you promise?"
"I'm not certain that-"
"Promise me! Please!" Aeris looked like she was about to burst into tears, and most likely was.
"I…I promise," came the reposed reply.
Without warning, Aeris practically leapt off the bed and ran to Amy, embracing her in the biggest hug she could accomplish with her short arms. The little girl cried openly, no longer willing to hide the tears that were impatiently on the verge of falling.
Amy was…unsure of what do to. Confused, even. She had never met a girl like this before. This girl…Aeris…she was definitely different, but she wasn't quite sure how. She let the girl cry for a few silent moments, and finally, but gently, pulled her away.
"Hush…Don't cry, Aeris. I promised you would see her, right?"
Aeris sniffed and nodded, looking down at the carpeted floor.
"Then don't worry about it."
"Will…I get to see the others?"
"What do you mean?" She didn't understand what the "others" were.
"The other kids. Aren't other kids here?" she questioned in her miniature voice, looking her caretaker in the eyes.
"…No, not exactly." There was that dagger again…
"What about that boy? The one that was here in this room?"
"You mean Sephiroth? I don't think that he's allowed to visit you, Aeris," she returned carefully.
"Can I visit him?"
No, access is a little restricted…
"I'll see what I can do," the words rolled off her tongue before she could stop them. Amy attempted to correct herself, saying something like "but I doubt I'd be able to" but stopped when she felt Aeris' arms wrap around her waist again.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Amy smiled and nodded, trying to say something before she made a promise that she couldn't keep, but she had a nagging feeling that it was a little too late…
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Sephiroth walked up to his room, and blinked at the closed doors. Unlike Aeris' room, you had to have some sort of access code to enter his room.
That was something he didn't have at the moment.
"Oh, man…"
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AN: Sorry nothing much happened, but it was the best place to stop the chapter!! Really it was! Please don't kill me! O_o;; Anyways, I actually managed to add one more chapter before I leave. (Which is tomorrow at 4 A.M. -_-;;) Please R/R, and I'll update a soon as I get back! I promise!!!