DISCLAIMER: Squaresoft should give the characters to me, since they're not gonna make a sequel to FF7. *pouts* It's just not fair.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks for the tip on Dio! All of you who reviewed deserve my big virtual hug!! ^_^ I'm so thrilled by all the positive comments I've gotten so far! I really didn't think I was that good of a writer. Hmm.. So let's just get to the chapter, eh? I hope you enjoy, it's 100% mushy goodness!!
CHAPTER 17.
Yet come to me in dreams,
that I may live
My very life again though cold in death:
Come back to me in dreams, that I may give
Pulse for pulse, breath for breath:
Speak low, lean low,
As long ago, my love, how long ago.
- Christina Rossetti -
"You're just gonna lay there and stare at me then?" Sephiroth glanced at Aeris with his other eye still closed. They were both lying on Sephiroth's wide bed, located next to a large scenery-window.
"Yep. That's the plan." Aeris beamed. "..Unless you have a better idea." She raised a brow mischievously.
"Aeris.." Sephiroth turned to face her, and studied her face closely. He was silent a long time, before he finally got around to speaking the words he had intended to use. "I had a really good time tonight.. Except for that whole roller-coaster incident." Sephiroth rolled his eyes.
"Com'on, I was impressed you scored such high points." Aeris laughed at him, enjoying the sight of him smiling so genuinely.
"It's not that.. I can't believe you made me win that stupid copy of my Masamune. I'm telling you, the clerk gave me a look." Sephiroth's voice was so calm and soothing, Aeris thought as she pressed her cheek deeper against the soft surface of a pillow. She had come to Sephiroth's room to talk and continue their date, but for some reason she couldn't bear the thought of returning to her room alone. She had begged Sephiroth to let her stay in his room for the night, and he hadn't refused.
"She didn't.." Aeris shook her head, smiling at him. It was almost unreal to watch as Sephiroth blinked lazily, breaking the hypnotizing contact between their eyes.
"It was embarrassing.." Sephiroth smiled with his eyes closed, moonlight decending on his silvery hair. This was one of the thousands of moments Aeris wished she could draw a picture of him, capture that breathtaking beaty in a painting.
"Anyway.. I didn't realize I was this tired." Sephiroth said quietly, almost like apologizing to Aeris, while his eyes remained closed.
"You just sleep.." Aeris smiled at him, not really surprised. He hadn't had much sleep the night before, as he had sat on a large bulk of stone, scanning the nocturnal scenery surrounding their camp. Aeris remembered waking up a few times during the night, and glancing up at him. Sephiroth had looked like a statue, as his Mako gaze wandered to the stars. She remembered hearing the hoot of an owl, and the way he had reacted to the noise. His expression had turned so concentrated and aware, she felt like there wasn't a thing in the world that could hurt her while Sephiroth kept guard. In the darkness of the forest, where every shadow seemed to be filled with watchful pairs of eyes, Aeris had felt so safe and important.
Her entire life she'd felt like she was walking on a wire, somehow maintaining her balance in life. But that night for the very first time, Aeris had felt like there was someone to catch her if she fell. Aeris closed her eyes, and listened to Sephiroth's breathing, slowing down as he drifted deeper into his peaceful slumber. "I love you." Aeris smiled at him sadly, watching a strand of silvery hair that had fallen down on his face, move slightly to the rhythm of his breathing.
* * * * *
"Aeris spent the night in Sephiroth's room." Yuffie whispered at Red.
"What?!" Tifa turned her head and looked at Yuffie shocked. "She didn't!!?" Tifa stared at her, as if waiting for Yuffie to tell her she was only kidding. Yuffie just smiled awkwardly, not saying anything.
"Does Cloud know?" Tifa asked.
"No, of course not. Spiky boy would hit the roof.." Yuffie shook her head.
"Good. Urgh. I sure hope nothing happened." Tifa winced in disgust. "The thought of him touching her.. Makes my stomach turn." She pushed away her plate of half eaten sandwiches.
"Don't be so dramatic, Tifa.." Red glanced at her as he continued his breakfast.
"Good morning." Aeris chirped as she walked into the dining room.
"Did you sleep well?" Tifa asked her, trying to figure out a polite way to ask if anything had happened between Aeris and Sephiroth.
"W-what? Of course. I slept really good. Actually, I couldn't have slept better." Aeris spoke quickly, poaring herself a cup of coffee with shaking hands.
"What about Sephiroth?" Yuffie asked her, and Aeris blushed bright red.
"H-how should I know? I don't know. I know nothing. What is this, an interrogation?" Aeris' voice was terribly nervous as she sat down at the end of the long table.
"Morning." Sephiroth glanced coldly at Tifa, Yuffie and Red as he walked into the large room. Nobody dared to ask anything of him, so Sephiroth poared himself a cup of coffee in a oppressing silence. He walked over to Aeris, sitting down on the opposite side of the table.
"So.. Did you two have fun last night?" Red asked, realizing the obvious imply in his question. "On the scenery ride, I mean." He quickly corrected, making everyone smile at each other awkwardly.
"What is that, a new euphemism?" Sephiroth smirked.
"Sephy!" Aeris choked on her coffee, but Sephiroth just chuckled at her.
"So you two..?" Tifa stared at Aeris disgusted.
"Could we please change the subject? And no, we didn't.. And even if we had, it's none of your business!" Aeris whispered, glancing at Yuffie and Red.
"Even if you had what?" Cloud walked into the room, yawning as he looked at Aeris.
"..Taken the soup instead of sandwiches." Aeris explained, flashing a nervous smile at the spiky haired leader of their group.
"I see you forgot the sandwiches." Cloud told Aeris.
"Oh yeah, silly me." Aeris continued, giving Yuffie a warning look. She didn't want the young ninja to stir things up now that everything seemed to be finally calming down.
"Is Barret still sleeping?" Cloud asked as he sat down next to Tifa.
"Yeah, I think so.. I haven't seen him all morning." Tifa answered him with a smile.
"I haven't seen that Cait Sith either.." Yuffie muttered, as suddenly Barret rushed to the room.
"That damn cat stole the KeyStone!!" He explained, the relaxed expressions on everyone's faces suddenly turning dead serious.
"What?!" Cloud stood up and walked over to Barret.
"Well ya know.. I was supposed to watch the stone, right. Well, this morning I saw Cait Sith sneak out with it. I've been chasing im' around this damn place.. But I.. lost him.." Barret's breathing was still laboured.
"I knew it was a mistake to let that cat come along." Cloud muttered.
"It's not your fault.. How could you know." Tifa frowned apologetically.
"Yeah, it's not like this place is ran by Shin-Ra or anything.." Sephiroth muttered, but Aeris silenced him with a look.
"We have to get the stone back!" Cloud decided. "You don't have any idea where he was headed?" He asked Barret.
"No, man.. I told ya I lost track of 'im." Barret shook his head.
"It's no use.. Shin-Ra probably has it by now." Sephiroth spoke again, this time his voice lacking the usual sarcasm.
"Oh? Why'd they want it?" Cloud turned to him, deciding he wasn't going to let Sephiroth humiliate him again.
"To get to me.. I think." He glanced at Aeris, who seemed to understand where Sephiroth was going with it.
"Yeah, remember they collected the last Jenova cell samples from the reactor?" Aeris reminded Cloud. "And that scientist, Hojo, shot you at the lab.. He must want you for something." Her voice was slightly frightened as she looked at Sephiroth.
"Perhaps." Sephiroth nodded at Aeris, his voice suggesting it was the most likely option.
"So what now? Are we gonna go after Shin-Ra or what?" Cloud sighed, at lost with what to do next.
"It's too risky." Sephiroth leaned back on his chair. "It's what they want us to do." He continued.
"Hmm.. Hojo has always been curious of things.. I wonder if he'd acquire a stone that allows him to access the Temple of the Ancients, and then not use it?" Red asked for Sephiroth's opinion.
"Hmm.. I'd rather not see him enter that place." Sephiroth answered Red, shrugging slightly.
"Then let's go there and stop him." Cloud announced.
"A great plan, if only we knew where it is." Sephiroth told the blonde man. "Nobody knows the exact location, it's existence is but a rumour.. But since the key existed--" He continued.
"The temple must be for real." Aeris finished Sephiroth's sentence, and smiled briefly at him.
"I think there's a person we could ask about it.. At Cosmo Canyon." Red spoke, gathering everyone's glances.
"Then let's get going.. I don't think we should waste any time in finding that temple." Cloud sighed, and everyone quickly finished their breakfast's.
* * * * *
"Then I slashed at it like this and this.." Zack swung a long treebranch in the air. Aeris sat on top of a slide, watching as her boyfriend demonstrated his fighting skills in the middle of a playground. Aeris's eyes followed the swings that swayed blown by the wind, empty and abandoned. She smiled sadly, as the wind carried the first leaves of autumn into the slums. Aeris wished one day she'd see trees with green leaves, not only the faint whispers of life the dead leaves were.
"Aeris, com'on!" Zack complained from below. "I was just about to show you my victory move." He explaided, twirling his make-belief sword around his fingers. "Cool, eh?" He asked, but Aeris didn't answer him.
She could feel the winter coming, how the days seemed to get shorter and shorter. It wasn't just that she saw autumn, she felt it..
"Aeris.." Zack tried to catch Aeris' attention, but her thoughts wandered away from him. The wind threw her curly hair, whispering incoherent words. Something about this time of year always made her feel so sad.
"You know, I'm gonna have to leave for my next assignment soon." Zack told Aeris, never noticing the absent look in her eyes. She stared past the piles of metal junk, past the brick walls crumbling due to their age. ~Aeris..~ A friendly voice whispered, as a sudden gust of wind raised dust from the ground. ~Don't be sad.. For nothing dies forever..~ It continued, forcing a longing smile on Aeris' lips. ~Winter is not an enemy to the earth.. It is what makes it come alive.~ The voice spoke, fading with the cool breeze. ~What would light be without darkness? Who could see, if blinded by it?~ It's final words awoke Aeris from her thoughts.
"Aeris, what do you say you go put on that dress I bought you and we go on a date? I hear it's karaoke night at the Wall Market bar." Zack smiled at Aeris.
"..Sure." Aeris smiled back at him, wondering why she had agreed. Sometimes it seemed she had nothing in common with Zack. He was so ambitious, so thrilled by power and authority. Aeris herself had always found weakness more appealing, far more courageous. But sometimes, when they were sitting alone and Zack looked at her with those incredible Mako-eyes of his, Aeris felt her heart skip a beat. She always searched his gaze for something, endlessly waiting for a sign, for that brief flash of recognition - yet never seeing in them what she sought. What she yerned to find.. The connection long forgotten.
* * * * *
Aeris stared at the four blue chocobo's they had rented from the Gold Saucer to cross a river on their way to Cosmo Canyon. "Four eh?" She smiled at Sephiroth. "I guess we'll have to share." She giggled, grabbing the reins of one of the birds.
"I guess so." Sephiroth smirked as he watched Aeris force her way on top of the chocobo.
"Huh.. I don't think I'll ever get used to these." Aeris studied the big bird she was sitting on.
"Naw, it just takes time." Sephiroth climbed up behind her and grabbed the reins. With a relaxed movement, he turned the bird around and walked it towards the small canyon they had to pass.
"OK, the route's pretty simple.. We have to pass this desert here, and continue across the river.." Cloud muttered to Barret, as they studied a travellers map they had bought.
"Tsk. I wish we'd get going already." Sephiroth sighed, and walked the chocobo around, an unsettled look in his eyes.
"Why?" Aeris asked him, not hearing anything in reply.
"Something doesn't feel right.." He explained, turning the nervous chocobo around.
"Hmm?" Aeris leaned closer to him, as if searching for refuge.
"Don't worry about it." Sephiroth continued, relieved to see the other AVALANCHEr's finally mount their chocobo's. Tifa and Cloud shared a chocobo, like Yuffie and Red aswell. Barret had the last chocobo, and he appeared to have improved a little in riding them.
Since it was still early morning, they walked rather slowly, not wanting to tire the chocobo's before the strain of crossing the river. Aeris watched the huge walls of rock on both sides of them, feeling strange anxioty gather into her body. She felt so trapped, for no apparent reason. Aeris tried to brush off the feeling and concentrated on watching the other chocobo's walking ahead of theirs.
"Hmm..?"
Aeris felt Sephiroth twitch behind her. She looked behind her shoulder, and noticed the pained look in his eyes. "..What is it?" Aeris asked quietly, wondering what it was he felt. It was so strange to be around Sephiroth. Many times during their journey Aeris had noticed him stare into the distance, his eyes never focusing on anything particular. It was almost like he saw through the scenery, through everything, straight into the essence of the world. What knowledge hid behind his eyes, Aeris wondered as she turned her eyes back at the steep walls of stone that edged the path they were walking on.
"N-nothing." Sephiroth answered her shakily, and encouraged their chocobo to hasten it's pace.
After they exited the still, cold air of the shadowy canyon, Aeris felt the sunshine lift her spirits. She watched the way the desert air distorted the scenery, thinking about how the barren sand of the desert seemed to quiver due to the heat.
"It won't take us long to reach the river." Sephiroth said, pointing towards a spot in the distance where the desert seemed to give way to green grass.
"I'm glad." Aeris said, smiling as their chocobo increased it's speed to a point in which it began running lazily. The air-current hitting against Aeris' face cooled her down, blowing at the few strands of her hair that sweat had glued to her forehead. They galloped aside the others, enjoying the passing scenery. In the middle of the desert, Aeris saw the the Gold Saucer, rising from the ground like a huge metallic mushroom. The thought made Aeris smile slightly, and forget all about the strange fear she had felt only a brief moment ago.
After reaching the river, their group took a little break and allowed their blue chocobo's to drink from the river. Aeris watched the chocobo's, as she sat down in the shadow of a tall tree. Sephiroth walked over to her, and sat down next to her, folding his legs beneath him. They glanced at each other in silence, not having anything to say. Aeris enjoyed the feel of grass beneath heg legs, and lifted her face towards the sky. Large, different shaped clouds wandered by, their shape shifting with the wind that blew them. The leaves rustled quietly, forming a strange play of light and shadow on Aeris' closed eyelids.
Sephiroth watched her in silence, then turned his head away. It had been such luxury for him to wake up next to her. He remembered watching her sleep, her arm extended towards him. He recalled watching Aeris' fingers twitch as her body prepared to wake up. Such simple little things gave him such a rush, burning each moment to his memory. Sephiroth had wanted to pinch himself, half expecting him to wake up alone in some foreign place. Instead, Aeris' lips had curved into a drowzy smile, as her eyelid's fluttered open. "Hi." She had whispered, her voice a little hoarse after just waking up. It had been such a strange feeling to look into her eyes - like he had seen her for the very first time that morning.
"You look like you're a million miles away.." Aeris said, and as Sephiroth turned his head, he saw she was staring straight at him. That admiration in her voice made Sephiroth feel a little uncomfortable.
"..Maybe I am." Sephiroth answered, staring at back at her. Nothing seemed simple, anymore. Most of his life Sephiroth hadn't wanted anything but to survive.. He had lead his life believing only in himself, trusting only in his strength. A person can only take that much dissappointment, Sephiroth thought, he still remembered times when he had hoped, wished, begged-- It seemed so long ago, it could have just as well been from the life of a completely different person. When he had been a child, for some reason unknown to him, people around him had hated him. He could feel it when they looked at him scornfully, whispered bitter words as he walked by. But Sephiroth was not the kind to let it get to him.. He had not allowed himself to be crushed. He had begun to hate everyone back the same way as he was hated.. After a while Sephiroth had stopped listening, stopped watching; he was too convinced he'd meet hatred where ever he went. Everyone had been an enemy to him.
Now it seemed like he could see again, as if the blindfold of prejudice had been lifted from his eyes. Still, it was difficult for Sephiroth to really care. He had spent his life shielding his heart from everyone by building up walls around him; masking every true aspect of his character. For some reason, the thought of someone reaching his core had been horrifying to Sephiroth, as though even he himself was frightened of what there'd lay. Maybe there wasn't anything, Sephiroth mused. Maybe whatever there had once been, was long gone, dead and destroyed. Whatever the truth, Sephiroth didn't want Aeris to reach it. If she really saw deep into him, how badly scarred he was inside.. Sephiroth sighed. She, just like so many before her, saw one of his many masks and mistaked it for who he was. What he really was, had to be something unsightly and vile, a soul so battered it was nearly beyond recognition. Sephiroth didn't want Aeris to pity him, nor feel responsible for keeping him sane. People who couldn't take care of themselves didn't deserve to live.. nor feel happiness. Sephiroth had never believed he was above the rule, he had just never had to question his wellbeing before. Aeris made him feel weak and frail - each touch seemed to make him that much weaker. The more time Sephiroth spent with Aeris, the stronger she seemed. Just like with Sephiroth, Aeris' appearence hid her true essence. She was stronger than he.
"Wow.. It's such a beautiful day, isn't it?" Aeris sighed at him blissfully.
"I guess." Sephiroth answered her coldly, after all, he had been well taught to hide his emotions. They were something he had been forbidden to have. He was supposed to be Hojo's great success, never a human being.. Ever since he had been a child, he had been treated like the SOLDIER he was destined to become. Follow orders no questions asked, kill that, destroy this - tolerate any environment, don't feel pain.. Never cry, never care, never fall in love.. They were human weaknesses, something that made him vulnerable. The thought of exposing his heart to anyone was more frightening to Sephiroth, than anyone realized.
"OK, what's up?" Aeris turned to face him, heaving a frustrated sigh. "You've been acting weird ever since we left Gold Saucer!" She continued, rolling her eyes as Sephiroth turned his head away from her.
"Seriously, you're gonna tell me what's wrong." Aeris forcefully turned his head, and studied his eyes curiously. "Or else.." She leaned closer to Sephiroth. "I'm gonna tickle you real bad." She grinned at him.
"Nothing's wrong. I just.." Sephiroth tried to think of what to say. He didn't want to burden Aeris with his memories, because one of the things he liked most about Aeris was that looking at her made him forget the pain of his past.. He didn't want that beautiful smile of hers to ever remind Sephiroth of Hojo or his teachers who punished him by locking him into dark rooms. "..Don't like sunshine that much." Sephiroth snorted, uninterested in continuing the conversation he had gotten himself into.
"OK, just remember you asked for this." Aeris giggled as she launched at Sephiroth, tickling him furiously.
"Stop it, you crazy woman!" Sephiroth laughed, her touch making him forget his gloomy thoughts.
"You gonna give up?" Aeris asked him, giggling with her melodious voice.
"..Never." Sephiroth smiled at her, suddenly very aware of the position they were in. Aeris was sitting on his stomach, pinning him to the ground. She was smiling light-heartedly at him, glad that she had managed to tickle a legendary SOLDIER. It took a while before Aeris noticed she was sitting on Sephiroth, and the realization made her cheeks fluster. "You gonna let me get up now?" Sephiroth asked her, amused by the extremely embarrassed look on her face.
"S-sure." She stammered, and tried to get off of him as elegantly as possible.
"Hey, were leaving.." Red shouted from a far, and Aeris and Sephiroth got up from the grass.
Aeris glanced at Sephiroth, as she walked past him towards the others. She wished Sephiroth would tell her if something was bothering him. Aeris watched as he quietly walked beside her, so close yet light-years away. The troubled, thoughtful look in Sephiroth's eyes never dissappeared, as he grabbed the reins of their blue chocobo and waited for Aeris to get on top of it.
"OK, let's go..?" Cloud shouted, a bit uncertainly as his chocobo took it's first careful steps on the river's surface. As if by some magical force, the water's surface supported the weight of the chocobo and it's passangers.
"Ready?" Sephiroth murmured, as he steered their chocobo towards the river.
"Sure." Aeris smiled at him, absent-mindedly staring into the depths of the river. The water seemed so dark and muddy, and not being able to see the bottom of it, Aeris wondered what it looked like. Their chocobo leaped into the river from the bank, and spurted across the water. The splashing sounds the bird's feet made as it ran seemed somehow biculiar to Aeris, and she listened to them closely. It didn't take long for them to reach solid ground, and their chocobo rose from the water, warking happily. Aeris smiled at the bird, stroking the blue feathers just behind it's head. "Good chocobo." She whispered, hearing Sephiroth chuckle behind her.
"What?" She asked him, perplexed by his sudden light mood.
"..Uh, nothing." Sephiroth cleared his throat, his voice serious again. "We'll have to spend the night out.. There's no way we'll reach Cosmo Canyon tonight." He said, trying to change the subject.
Aeris just nodded at him in reply, smiling as she leaned back against Sephiroth's chest. In the coolness of the cloudy afternoon, his body felt so warm.
"What's that?" Aeris pointed at a small village, located midst a thick forest.
"..Gongaga village." Sephiroth muttered, and noticed the Cloud steer their group towards it. Sephiroth turned their chocobo, and made it race past tall trees. Aeris closed her eyes, too frightened to watch the scenery, that seemed to blur due to the speed their chocobo was running at. Sephiroth seemed to enjoy the speed though, and as he guided the blue bird through the forest he seemed to know exactly where to go. When the village was in sight, Sephiroth slowly pulled back the reins, making the chocobo stop smoothly.
"Look at that." Sephiroth stared at the remains of a Mako Reactor, a small distance away. There was nothing left of the building except ruins, junk metal was scattered everywhere. There must've been a huge explosion here, to send such big pieces of metal so far away from the reactor.
"Isn't that a Mako reactor?" Aeris asked, staring at the ruins.
"Well.. At least it used to be one." Sephiroth said, turning their chocobo around. The others jumped down from their chocobo's, tying the reins into a white picket fence surrounding a cemetary to prevent the big birds from running away.
Aeris watched as Sephiroth finished tying their chocobo, and then joined the others at the house in the far corner of the village.
"We're gonna have to sleep on the floor.. not enough bed's." Cloud muttered, as he turned from the owner of the house. They walked into the small bedroom, and noticed there was not much of floor either. In complete silence they spread their sleeping bags. Aeris listened a while as the others talked about going to eat something. Sephiroth, on the other hand, got up and walked to the front door with his things.
"..Sephiroth?" Aeris called out for him. Sephiroth glanced at Aeris, and then walked out without saying a word. Aeris' eyes followed his back through the window, as Sephiroth walked slowly towards the reactor, darkness falling down upon him.
"Where's he going?" Cloud noticed the way Aeris stared after him, but couldn't hear a reply. It was as though Aeris hadn't even heard the question..
"Aeris.. I'm a little worried about you." Tifa said from on top of her sleeping bag. "You shouldn't get too involved with.. him. Things could get out of hand." She continued, glancing at Cloud as she spoke.
"What do you mean?" Aeris asked her, not understanding what she was talking about.
"Sephiroth masters probably a million ways to kill a person - and I'd rather not see him try any of them on you." She said, her voice a little nervous. Both Tifa and Cloud knew after all, that Aeris and Sephiroth had become quite close during the few days.
"He wouldn't hurt me.." Aeris looked at the others a bit hurt. It seemed unfair, that her lovelife was a public matter everybody seemed to have an opinion about.
"It's just that.. He's been a SOLDIER most of his life, and.. We just feel that there are more suitable men for you than him." Tifa's voice was quiet, almost as if she knew Aeris wouldn't like what she heard. Still, Tifa had to speak her mind. At least then she wouldn't have to feel guilty for not warning Aeris about him.
"Shouldn't I be the judge of that?" Aeris turned her eyes from Tifa to Cloud.
"I just wanted to let you know what you're getting yourself into. He's a.." Cloud searched for a politically correct term for what Sephiroth was. "Difficult person.. With a bad temper." Tifa suggested.
Aeris looked at Red and Yuffie for support, but even they seemed to be quiet, looking at the ground as if silently agreeing with Cloud and Tifa. "And some serious problems." Barret added.
"It could be he's just using you.." Tifa shrugged, feeling a little guilty for causing tears to appear in Aeris' eyes.
"What kind of a future do you see yourself having with him? Think about it.." Cloud added, sighing as Aeris stood up and ran out of the house in tears. "Aeris!" He shouted after her, and was about to go looking for her when Tifa grabbed his arm.
"Let her go.. She needs a little time." Tifa told him, a sad frown on her lips. She had wished she'd never be forced to tell Aeris the things they had just said, but after seeing Aeris spend so much time with Sephiroth, Tifa felt it was her duty.
"Yeah.. You're probably right." Cloud sighed, and sat back down.
* * * * *
After walking around a while, thinking about the things Cloud and Tifa had said, Aeris was forced to admit they weren't exactly wrong. But how could she stop herself from feeling this way, Aeris thought. Even if Sephiroth would end up being the death of her, she couldn't really imagine a life without him either.. not anymore. Whenever she thought about the future, all she saw was Sephiroth.. Aeris walked past the cemetary, glancing briefly at the names on the gravestone's as she entered a narrow path leading to the reactor. The forest was so dark and frightening, Aeris briefly thought about turning back. Yet she kept walking, listening to the crickets and her own nervous heartbeat. Finally reaching the clearing the Reactor was located on, Aeris saw Sephiroth practising with his sword in the moonlight. He had his eyes closed, as he turned and plunged at an invisible enemy, the shiny blade of the Masamune reflecting the faint glow of the moon. As he turned and held the blade protectively in front of his chest, Sephiroth opened his eyes and noticed Aeris standing only a few meters away. He had no idea for how long had she been watching him. "Hi." She told him, in a strange voice.
Sephiroth followed Aeris with his eyes, as she walked over to the ruins and sat down on a large, smooth piece of metal. "Did they warn you of me?" He asked her, guessing the reason for the sad look in her eyes.
"They did.." Aeris nodded, not surprised Sephiroth had been able to guess her thoughts.
"So..?" Sephiroth sheathed his sword, and stared at her. She just shrugged, silenced by the sounds of the night. Everything seemed so alive, even around the Mako reactor.
"Come, I'll show you something." Sephiroth began walking towards the forest. Aeris jumped down from the piece of junk metal she had been sitting on, and ran after Sephiroth. She followed him deep into the woods, trying to appear as confident and brave as possible. She soon noticed an old building, a small temple made of white marble. It was crumbling, as the lush vegetation of the forest was wrapping leaves and vines around it.
"Wow.. It's beautiful." Aeris smiled briefly as she entered the temple. Even in the dark shadows of the room, she saw writings engraved into the wall. Sephiroth lit up old torches on the sides of the building, that eluminated the room beautifully. The flames cast their warm glow on the pale marble, revealing words of a strange language.
"What is this place..?" Aeris gently ran her fingers across the letters, feeling the cool stone beneath her fingers. Sephiroth walked past her into the inner chamber of the temple, lighting up some more torches.
"See for yourself." Sephiroth said, and stared deep into the flame of a torch he had just lit. The flame seemed to dance in the dusty air, and made the shadows retreat into the forest. Aeris walked into the circular room, and stared at a stone altar in the middle of the room. She walked over to it, and noticed there was a name engraved to the surface of it.
"This place is someone's grave, isn't it?" Aeris asked, leaning against the stone altar.
"I'm sure the body's been moved elsewhere, when the reactor was built.." Sephiroth explained, letting his eyes wander into the darkness of the surrounding forest. Aeris turned her back against the altar, and smiled longingly at Sephiroth. His eyes shone light into the darkness, as he began talking again.
"Still.. Someone must've loved that person very much, to build something as great as this." Sephiroth spoke, sighing as he turned to look at Aeris again. The flames of the torches quivered in a weak gust of wind, shadowing him as he approached Aeris. "I know maybe it doesn't mean that much coming from someone like me.. But I do love you." Sephiroth said, and lifted Aeris' chin with his gloved hand. Aeris felt his thumb gently caress her skin until he reluctantly pulled back his hand. "I'm just not sure if.." Sephiroth fell silent, and watched as Aeris grabbed his hand and removed the black glove. He stared at the exposed tattoo on the back of his hand, then returned his gaze at Aeris. "..I'm putting you in danger.." Sephiroth watched Aeris' lips draw into a smile, as she lifted his hand and pressed a kiss on it. Wasn't she repulsed by such an act, Sephiroth thought? After all, his hands had mercilessly killed people. Aeris slowly removed his other glove too, enjoying the look of confusion on Sephiroth's face. She held his warm hands, gently pulling him closer to her.
"Aren't you frightened of me..? Don't you know what I'm capable of?" Sephiroth asked, his voice as quiet as a whisper.
Aeris watched his eyes, that seemed like two deep pools of Mako, and noticed the clear reflection of her in his vertical pupils. "I don't care.. It doesn't change the way I feel about you.. Nothing can." Aeris whispered him, as a moth flew mindlessly to the flames flickering near the altar. "I'd love you even if you were a monster.." She continued, feeling Sephiroth absent-mindedly place his hand on her waist.
"Aren't you scared.. of what this means.." Sephiroth continued, leaning closer to Aeris. She felt his breathing on her skin, as he pressed his lips against hers. "That something so wrong.. feels so.." He said, taking a deep breath as their kissing became more fiery. Aeris rested her palm on Sephiroth's jaw, thrilled to feel him tilt his head against her touch. The irrational fear she felt in her cells each time Sephiroth touched her, seemed to only make every kiss an adrenaline rush that left her thirsting for more. She felt him gently lift her to sit on top of the stone altar, while they still continued their passionate kiss. Not fully aware of what was happening, Aeris tilted her head to the right, allowing Sephiroth to place nervous, passion fueled kisses on her shoulder, then on the side of her neck as his lips travelled up her skin.
Her thoughts were filled with such exciting fear, Aeris moaned quietly as Sephiroth nibbled at her ear. When their eyes met again, Aeris couldn't mistake the lust in Sephiroth's eyes. Still he just stared at her, his hands lingering on the sides of Aeris' waist, as though Sephiroth was waiting for some sign of Aeris' consent. "If you want me to stop.. Just say so." Sephiroth held his eyes closed, and breathed in the sent of Aeris' hair. "I don't want you to think you can't refuse.." He whispered in her ear, and the feel of his cheek brushing against her's sent shivers along Aeris' spine. She watched deep into Sephiroth's eyes, mesmerized by the glow of Mako. The darker the night surrounding them became, the more vividly she saw his eyes, shining through the shadows. Aeris lowered her hand down Sephiroth's chest, and opened the belt holding his black leather coat. She noticed him blink lazily, as Aeris placed the palm of her hand on his chest. She was thrilled to feel his heart beat fast beneath his warm skin, and smiled shyly at Sephiroth's confused expression. A cold evening breeze blew Sephiroth's silvery hair, and he turned his head away, to meet the wind. There was something about Sephiroth, that surrounded him with a mystical aura, turning every touch into a surreal experience.
"Aeris..? Where are you.. It's late!" Aeris heard Yuffie shouting from the direction of the reactor.
Sephiroth turned his eyes back at Aeris, slowly retreating away from her. His fingers brushed against Aeris' thighs as he backed away, turning his back at her. A hole in the ceiling shone rays of moonlight down on Aeris, who was smiling shyly as she sat in the saphire-blue light.
"You should go." Sephiroth told Aeris, with his back turned at her.
"What about you?" Aeris asked him, biting her lip in worry.
"I'll sleep here.." Sephiroth told her, hearing Yuffie call Aeris again.
"Won't it be cold?" Aeris asked, tilting her head gently as she watched Sephiroth's back.
"I'm used to it." Sephiroth answered, walking over to a wall. He leaned against it, holding his gaze locked to the eery, shadowy forest. "..And besides, I'd rather not be cramped up in that small room with everyone." He explained, Yuffie's voice echoing louder now.
"I'll see you in the morning then." Aeris jumped down from the stone altar, and took a cautious step closer to Sephiroth. "I love you." She whispered and walked away. Sephiroth listened to her fading footsteps in silence, walking back to the stone altar. Once she'd walked too far to be heard, he jumped on top of it and layed down on his back.
Now tell me, dear boy.. Is the love of an inexperienced girl worth giving up immortality? Jenova whispered, her words almost too quiet to hear. Sephiroth didn't answer her, just turned to his side, trying to block Jenova's voice from his mind.
She mistakes her feelings for more than they really are.. There is only one who truly embraces what you are.. Me. Jenova continued, her voice lacking any compassion. If you keep denying yourself, you'll end up alone. You'll become a pitiful weakling, tamed by humans.. She reasoned, laughing druly as she felt the fear in Sephiroth.
You cannot escape what you are.. Jenova kept pushing her point, noticing her words sink into to Sephiroth's mind. If that girl saw your true visage, do you think she wouldn't turn her eyes away? Do you think she would.. kiss you? Jenova asked, laughing to such a mocking tune.
"Let me be.. Aren't you with Zenobius now?" Sephiroth's voice was angry.
Aren't you with my enemy? Jenova countered, Haven't we all strayed from our true path?
* * * * *
"You've been with Sephiroth, haven't you?" Yuffie asked, as she and Aeris walked back towards the house the AVALANCHEr's were staying at.
"How did you know that?" Aeris blushed a little.
"Well.. Beside the fact that your eyes are glazed over, I thought I heard his voice." Yuffie explained.
"Yeah well.. We talked." Aeris explained, not really wanting to get into a discussion of relationships with Yuffie. Aeris was troubled by Sephiroth's behaviour. It seemed the closer she got to him, the more he seemed to withdraw and push Aeris away. What was it, he didn't want her to see? That he was vulnerable, like any other human being? It seemed ironic, that the things Sephiroth loathed about himself, were also the things Aeris most liked about him. Whenever his fingers met Aeris' skin, she could feel how inexperienced he was at showing any positive emotion. There was always something in Sephiroth's eyes, that suggested he didn't really know how to express his affection towards Aeris. The only way he was taught to touch people after all, was to hurt them, to kill.. It was such sweet sorrow, to watch him try so hard at being kind.
Aeris thought, it wasn't unnatural that Sephiroth felt compassion and even love.. It was that he had no means to express his emotions. They just seemed to bottle up inside of him, both the good and the bad. She wondered how many sorrows he had been forced to deny, never allowing any doubt to creep into his voice.
"And then I was all like: whoa boy, slow down.." Yuffie laughed, clearly ending a speach Aeris had completely missed.
"Oh." Aeris smiled at her sheepishly, trying to turn her attention from Sephiroth to the small house at the far end of the village. "On second thought.. Do you think there's somewhere I could go to eat?" Aeris asked Yuffie, feeling she wasn't ready to face Cloud and Tifa yet. Nothing stood in between their romance, so it was easy for them to judge Aeris' feelings. They all saw Aeris as a naive silly girl, who felt attracted to Sephiroth due to his looks. But it was beyond such simple explanations.. A love so strong as hers was almost frightening. Almost, Aeris smiled as she glanced in the direction Yuffie was pointing to.
"Yeah, sure.. There's a little restaurant there.." Yuffie began talking again as they walked, but Aeris didn't hear her words. When she briefly closed her eyes, she could smell the nearly intoxicating scent of lavender and lilacs, stuck to her skin.
Whatta chapter eh? Sorry about that definately R-rated stuff I refer to as the temple-scene. Do you think I have to change the rating of this fic..? That wasn't too nasty, was it? I'm not sure how you feel about smut.. If you want/don't want me to do more, just tell me. ^_^ Anyway, these chapters just keep getting longer and longer.. And this one's just simply massive!!! Stay tuned for chapter 18!!