Her sin

By: Arish

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7. *sigh

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STUFF TO NOTE:

Italics: Sephiroth's POV

Bold: Flash back

Normal Text: Tifa's POV

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She stood there, the silence thick as she shivered. It was cold, so very cold. But she knew he would be here. She knew this because she was here. And that she, was Aeris. Yes, Sephiroth would be here because she was here. She wrapped her arms around herself in a pathetic effort to keep warm. She stared at the silent village. It was ominous looking as she gazed upon it. Yes, she knew the woman was here. She'd seen her enter it hours earlier. Her hand went to the PHS on her side. Why did she hesitate to call them? Cloud loves Aeris… so why… why did she hesitate? Isn't his happiness what would make her happy? It grew colder suddenly, a tall shadow blocking the light of the warm campfire she had left to look at the sleeping city before her. Please be someone else… Please! She begged no one in particular. Don't look…don't look! Her mind screamed this at her.

Against her better judgement she did, a lump forming in her throat as she saw the gleam of fire bouncing off metal. Long silvery hair, endless black of leather, pale skin, and dead mako green eyes. Tifa jumped up and found herself staring into those eyes. They were emotionless, light green with a glow that pierced you. As if they could see you, the real you. She jumped back, surprised and uncomfortable at the closeness of them. He stood there still, that cocky smirk appearing on his usually emotionless face. She could only glare, questions whirling around in her head. One of them is -How did he come up to me so quietly?

"What, what are you doing here?" she finally found her voice. And was especially glad she didn't sound like she felt just then. Scared, but she was sure she looked it. He continued to look amused before occupying the lone seat near her fire. He was silent as he took out his sword, aware of how tense she got when she saw it, and started to clean it.

A sharp pain on her side almost sent her doubling over in pain. Stupid phantom pain… and that sword but she was too afraid to pay much attention to it. Only the sword registered in her thoughts. Her mind frantic to find a way out of this predicament, run! No good, he could easily catch up with her. So, looking as calm as she could, she sat down in the soft grass while absently smoothing down her miniskirt. Still too close, but that didn't matter. She could have been on the other side of the planet and it still would be to close.

"It's a fine thing you're not as impulsive as Cloud," he said, finally speaking. Her head snapped up to look at him. This man was full of surprises; she didn't expect his voice to be so calm and soothing. Almost like a flowing river, cool and clean. He was still smiling as he peered at her through his impossibly long bangs.

"Oh?" she replied her courage building. He only nodded at that while looking down at the cloth in his gloved hands. It slowly gained a bloody color from cleaning his wrenched weapon. Shinra, SOLDIER, she hated them all. But she hated the man before her most of all.

"So. Why do you continue to fight?" he asked, his tone casual. As if they were two good friends sitting in the living room reminiscing. She hated how he constantly kept his cool like that. His presence demanded respect, she could see that all right. But the simple face that no matter what Sephiroth did, he'd always have someone to admire him unnerved her.

"What kind of question is that?" she hissed.

Her anger festered, boiled, always eternally deep. It was always there. He knew this, because Tifa Lockhart felt it. She felt it because he caused it, and so he knew.

"Obviously, he said while stretching, the right one to ask" Anger, hate, her almost knew what she was thinking. Her mouth opened, then closed as if to think of something witty to retaliate. Or just maybe she was scared of him… duh.

"Well?" he said setting down his sword a moment to glance up at her. She looked down at her hands that were playing with a blade of grass.

"I… really don't know," she said meekly, which only induced an amused grunt from him.

"Yeah, typical answer. But with one minor flaw. Just how long are you going to live to be able to answer that?" he said quietly. He absolutely loved the look that crossed her face then. It sent shivers of pleasure down his back. It was the sort of look that never made him doubt he was dangerous, that he had power. That scared rabbit look, as if she wanted to bury herself into the deepest debts of the Planet. Not that it would help her anyhow. He couldn't help but smile at the thoughts of Mother speaking to him of her plans. Plans for them… A genuine smile that made the woman tilt her head and look at him. Her face was a mix of that fear he so loved and a quiet curiosity.

"I don't see what' s so funny about this," She said, while at the same time just ruining his fun time. Too much courage! Nothing like his little puppet… maybe. She also had too much anger and jealousy. His puppet possessed these things as well. Though hers was real feelings while as his puppets were only an illusion to keep his sanity. Well, any sanity that he had left at least.

"Well, you'd be the one 'returning to the Planet' not I" he said carelessly as he sat lazily in the chair and staring at her. Yes, she would be a perfect little puppet. So agile and pretty, a perfect match for the one he already had. When she didn't reply to his answer, again he resumed tending to his beloved blade.

"Why… why are you here?" she whimpered. She could have knocked herself out for that one. She sounded really pathetic just then.

"Your should know, he looked up at her once again, you wished me to be here. And what a coincidence, I am indeed here now. So, what do you plan to do with this opportunity?" he said it slowly, his voice now low and soothing again. He watched her carefully as she processed his question.

"O-opportunity?" she blinked, surprised at the question. Could he really be like an angel that granted certain wishes? Hmph, more like a one-winged angel of death. If Tifa only knew how right she was on the second comment. But that was impossible, how could he know what she wished in the first place? She told no one of what she desired, it was kept closely guarded in the darkest corners of her mind.

He could have laughed just then at the horrified expression that crossed her face as she gawked at him. That's right my pretty little puppet, we're playing chess. I made my move! Come little puppet, he taunted, let see what move you'll make next. He sat patiently and waited for her to sort out her thoughts.

"How, what… no who" she rambled; now lost in her thoughts. This was utterly impossible, how could he know. She looked up, and knows he knew her wish. She knew it by his stare, that unwavering stare of his.

"Miss Lockhart… your move" he said quietly. Calm, constant and cool.

"I, I, my…" she stuttered trying to find the right words.

"Your desire Miss Lockhart, YOUR wish. Something you want to happen" he said slowly, his tone low and stoic. That look of hers appeared, and she looked up at him. Fear absolute fear but yet understanding.

"I want… I want Cloud to love me," she said meekly. He didn't look satisfied with her answer though.

"And why has this not happened… an obstacle perhaps?" the sentence ended in a low purr. It made her freeze in thought, but she didn't have to think too long on this one. Obstacle, what could that be? No.... she couldn't reply and her mouth went dry.

"Who is that obstacle?" he said bluntly. Yes, all according to plan. Puppet, I can see your strings forming for me. All was silent; the wind blew at them from all sides. Finally, her reply came. Her voice no higher then a whisper, but he heard it.

"Aeris" She said fearfully, as if saying the Cetra's name would make her magically appear before them. It makes his job a lot easier, but where would all the fun of the hunt be then? So she sat there, in all her fear, curiosity, anger, and jealousy.

That one word she despised even more then the man sitting just a few feet in front of her. Her hands were balled up into fists on her lap and she stared at them. Mix of emotions, she didn't know which to feel at that exact moment. But she picked one because it festered up inside of her, ANGER.

"Little Miss Perfect, she started with a hiss, she never does wrong. A goddess to be put on a pedestal by all the people I've known. HE only knew her for a few moments before falling head over heels for her. It makes me sick! It makes me so angry! SHE wasn't there with us in Nibelheim. She didn't share our pain! And she doesn't even know… how much we hate you!" At first she started calmly, now she was hysterical from her anger. So she kept talking, almost oblivious to him unless she was cursing him.

That's it… let it all out.

"The only reason she wants him is because he looks like her first boyfriend she was obsessed with named Zack!" she finished, a small sound of all she felt escaping from her through a scream of the last word. Zack, Zack! Oh! She covered her mouth, her eyes slowly met his, and now they thought the same.

"How… how do you know…?" she said quietly, her voice now drained of all emotion. Dead, she wanted Aeris dead. Yes, that was her deepest desire. Her eyes went huge when he stood and walked up to her. He left his weapon near the chair… but he was still capable of killing her with his bare hands. When he reached her he bent down on one knee and stared at her a few moment. She closed her eyes and flinched, expecting pain. But he only brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. The gesture seemed so familiar… just like at the Shinra Building… but she had always thought that was Cloud… saving her from her nightmares….

She opened her eyes… had she fallen asleep? No… she could have done such a thing? It could be, because she now found herself back in the cramp cell of the Science wing she shared with Cloud. Where they were held captive before waking up to an open door. They had always wondered why it was… She froze when she heard a faint click of the door opening. Once again, she saw Sephiroth, but he didn't seem to see her. He stood in the doorway, an eerily cold look to him. Nothing like the calm one she had encountered earlier. His gaze fell immediately on Cloud, who was deeply slumbering. His chest rose and fell slowly with a pace only a sleeping person could keep. He looked like a child when he slept, all the seriousness and anything else melting off his face. Only the childlike innocence remained… Sephiroth's hand, which was lazily handing on his side, gripped the handle of his Masume. He was about to take it from his sheath, but a small sound broke his concentration from Cloud to… her!

"Cloud… no… don't leave… She only… Zack" Tifa saw herself curled up in that small but comfortable cot. A small look of recognition crossed his face when he turned to her. He now knelt beside the cot, uncomfortably close to her. He closed his eyes and gently touched her forehead.

"Cloud, she whimpered, you like…like Zack. Aeris only wants you because… I wish…" the rest of what she had said was not noticeable, Tifa's attention was on him. She noticed her eyes had opened then, but they had a blank look to them.

"Shh, calm down now, he said soothingly, we shall see about your wish later Miss Lockhart" he brushed the hair in her face out of the way. She nodded tiredly before closing her eyes and resuming a calm sleep much like her cell companions. He left the room and did not bother locking the door.

She opened her eyes then and stared into his gorgeous green ones once again.

"What did you wish Miss Lockhart" he whispered as his eyes narrowed at her silence.

"I wished she would die… so she wouldn't deceive Cloud anymore" she finally answered.

"Really? Then ask…" he said, his tone still low.

"Ask" she said, that scared rabbit look appearing again. He nodded, and all was silent again. He stood, and looked down at her as he patiently waited.

"I…" her heart pounded. Was this right? Yes… it had to be. She stood up and met his gaze squarely. His attention was still on her fully… like a soldier awaiting orders. She shivered at that thought, but still opened her mouth to speak again.

"I wish… you would kill Aeris" she said finally, she voice small at first but growing stronger as it came out.

"Why?" So full of questions that he already knew the answer to, this Sephiroth was. But she supposed he just wanted her to verbalize all of it.

"Cloud would hate me if I did it myself," she said looking down.

"I see… well" his hand shot out, and he smirked when she flinched. She looked up at him, a confused look on her face.

"A hand shake to close the deal, his tone was innocent, after all… you do need me" he hand trembled as she clasped his hand. She looked like she would have cried or fainted when his hand closed to shake it. She didn't like the warmth of his hand. Wasn't and enemy supposed to be unpleasant in every way possible? If so, this man broke every unwritten rule. She caught the metallic smell of metal as he pulled his hand away. It made her face go dazed, it reminded her of Cloud. She watched him as he picked up his Masume and sheathed it.

"That's all? No strings?" she said, not liking how easy that just was. He could have laughed at that… no strings… it was funny to hear his puppet say that.

"No strings" he repeated to amuse her.

"Oh, she said staring at him thoughtfully, well then I'd better get back to the group and tell them I found her" she murmured, not quite sure why she had even told him that.

"You do that" he answered, and watched silently as she picked up her belonging near the fire. Strangely, she felt nothing as she walked away from him. No fear… she was only oddly contented. It didn't seem right, so she stopped.

"Sephiroth…" she whispered, it was the first time during there little conversation she had actually said his name. The fire had gone out the moment she had started walking away, so she could no longer see the silver haired warrior.

"I-I know you're lying about the no strings" she stuttered both from the cold and the fear welling up inside of her again. She would have thought he was gone by now, but his quiet voice replied to her statement. It echoed from all sides, so she couldn't pinpoint an exact spot could be.

"Maybe so Miss Lockhart" was the reply. She ran them, as fast as her legs would take her. From that, a cold laughter echoed behind her in amusement. And from the realization she had just dealt with the devil himself, a cold dread filled her. Now the flower girl would die, and it was all her fault.

Sephiroth smiled at himself as he watched his puppet sprint away. He didn't fret about it; he knew how he would find her. Like Cloud Strife…and now he had another puppet. A pretty one… and a brave one quite the pair they'd make. He turned and walked into the village. The ironic thing about this whole scenario was that it was similar to one he'd had with Cloud. He ignored the exhausted diggers as he climbed up the ladder. What luck! He watched Aeris emerge into the forest. Good, it wouldn't be difficult to follow her now. Silently he entered the forest thinking of how he'd kill her. No… he'd wait for the right time. Maybe until his Puppet came, so he could crush that unbreakable spirit of his. His new puppet would benefit from that… she could comfort him. Yes, he loved that idea! Fun… and a chance to fulfill Mother's wishes… And so, with those last thoughts in mind, he entered his puppet Cloud's dreams… just as Aeris roamed out of them….

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Author's note: I thought of this when I pondered about the death of Aeris. So why not put more depth into it more then just a sword through her stomach?