hey people! it's me again! So far, i've only recieved 2 reviews ("`.) but it at least they weren't anything harsh. anyhow, here's the second chapter. You'll notice that i have widened the spaces between each paragraph. Not to make it seem longer...hehe. But to make it easier for you guys to read. i tried reading the first chapter all over again for some inspiration but soon after all i got was a headache! please please please don't forget to review after you've read so i'd know how to improve my work. enjoy! ^-^

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I scrabbled up quickly to my feet, my gaze still fixed onto the monster's deep incision. Slowly, I took a few uncertain steps towards the corpse that lay still on its unmade deathbed of dried leaves and unfertile earth. Geez, Tifa. I scolded myself. For chrisake, the thing is dead. You don't expect it to just get up and leave, do you? The thought made me shudder. A putrid stench emanating from the corpse pervaded my nostrils and made me gag. Eeew. I cringed, placing my hand over my mouth. Good thing I hadn't eaten dinner yet. Otherwise, I could've thrown up right then and there. Then, my thoughts wandered off back to the hideout. I wonder what the others are doing right now. Are they organizing a search party? Worried sick that I could've been captured by the enemy? Or are they rejoicing that finally high strung Tifa is outta the way? Either way, I won't be coming back… ever. I can never show my face to anyone after what I just did. They'd probably just laugh at my face. I can hear their teasing voices right now, like annoying, twittering birds.


"Aww…poor love struck Tifa!"…

"Tifa, I never knew!"


I can imagine their faces so vividly hovering around me. Barret, laughing out loud with tears steaming down his dark, rugged face, clutching his stomach with his normal hand. As if he was having the most intense side stitch in his life. Yuffie, with a broad smile plastered on her cheeky face. Cid, grinning wildly, as though a malicious thought just crossed his mind. Vincent, although his mouth was hooded completely by a mask, his mysterious eyes glazed with a familiar glint in their depths. The kind of glint you wouldn't miss in a person who chuckles...

And Cloud. His face scrunched up in a pitiful look that seemed to say, "I'm sorry, but it is Aeris whom I love, and not you."

A rogue tear slid down my cheek. The sharp pain of utter humiliation, sadness, and longing, in equal proportions, regained power over my sanity, but this time around, it was more intense and abysmal, penetrating deep, farther down the recesses of my weeping soul. The pain shot through my entire body, and rendered it helpless. I sank down to my knees, my face, buried in my frail hands. I didn't care if the dead body was just inches away from me. That was the least of my problems. Another fresh batch of tears flowed into my palms.


Why am I so weak? I tried to cease the unbroken stream of tears that dampened my face and salted my hands, but to no avail. They just poured endlessly. The more I tried to suppress them, the more it ached. It's true. Crying is the best way to vent all the unwanted hurt out of your system. But in my case, the pain was perpetually stubborn, clinging on to me as I tried to get rid of it.


Suddenly a cool, comforting wind swirled around me, levitating the dead leaves in a swift, willowy movement. It caressed my skin and soothened my throbbing veins. The trees whispered their silky, melodious chant into my harried ears, somehow making me feel lightheaded. The mysterious gauze that draped heavily over the forest melted away into a haven of dreams, fantasy, and lilting lullabies.


Everything became all the more ethereal and strangely, yet soothingly calm. The entire forest lapsed into an eerie silence as the silvery music of the trees, wind, and moon played softly, continuously in the background. Beautiful. Stimulating. Strangely hypnotic. I sank down into a comfortable position. My side, rested on the grainy sand that oddly felt like cotton. A hiccup lodged in my throat. My body felt so drained. Tired. Exhausted, physically and emotionally. The tears have already ran out, and left marks on my face. Marks that may be washed away by water, but can never be forgotten.

Before I knew it, my breaths grew steady and my features softened out. I drifted off to an uneasy slumber, lingering between sleep and wakefulness.






A strange presence divulged itself, and reeled me back into consciousness. Inevitably, my eyes slid open, still heavy from interrupted sleep. I blinked several times, feeling slightly woozy. Where am I? I noticed I wasn't greeted by the familiarity of my own bedroom. Instead, menacing groves and shifting sands acknowledged themselves, stirring confusion in my mind.


Then the vague, seemingly distant memory washed over me. Flashes of what seemed like excerpt from eons ago pierced my cognizance, and I ruefully pushed them away. It was then I felt filthy. My hair, tousled and tangled gathered grime and withered leaves. My face felt tight and tear stained. My skin, dotted with miniscule markings of pebbles and the like. My clothes, clung with brownish stains.


Then I felt it again. The presence. I scanned the area that encompassed me. It was still dusky. Most of the corners were still enveloped in darkness, which was slowly fading away. Seminal and pristine moonlight filtered through the looming leaves overhead. The enchanting melody that once embraced me and lulled me into a spasmodic sleep was gone. Replaced by the irrepressible silence which throbbed and pulsated monotonously, making Goosebumps pop all over my bare arms.


I did another all over, scrutinizing every corner that remained hidden by lush bushes and thick, spun vines. Curiosity swept over me, accompanied with a feeling of dread. Curiosity of what lay before me. Of what I was going to face. However my curiosity was tinged with fear. For maybe whatever it was that was lurking behind the shadows was meant to be left alone. Unseen. Untouched. Unheard of. But the strange presence emitted a potent, persistent force that grew stronger every time I resisted.


Suddenly, out of the corner of eye, I saw something fleet silently across the darkness. So swiftly that the forest seemed untainted by its very presence. I shifted my gaze to a tree shrouded in an unearthly light. Silvery speckles drifted around it, casting an eerie yet enchanting glow on its emerald foliage. Its rough, contorted boughs glowed in heavenly radiance that made me squint. The lone tree laden in cold, barren earth seemed to have wakened from its eternal, dreamless slumber as delicate, white flowers blossomed voluminously amidst myriad green. I shielded my eyes from the daunting splendor that drew the breath out of me. It was only then I noticed someone underneath the verdant tree.


I furrowed my brows to get a closer look at the person bathed in warm, flooding light. Unmistakably, it was a man donned in a black coat.


Thud. Thud. Oh, no…It can't be.


He was leaning on the tree, his arms folded across him as though in silent contemplation.


Could it?

His long silvery spun hair tumbled down his shoulders.

Please, God…

His skin radiated a delicate milky glow.

Thud thud. Thud thud.


My eyes trailed to something fastened at the back of his shoulders. A masamune? It's…it's…The man's head turned towards my direction. His gaze, unfaltering, met mine. It burned a whole right through me, delving deep into the recesses my soul. Our eyes locked with intensity.


Sephiroth.