DISCLAIMER: No, despite my little obsession Sephiroth will never be mine!! *sob, sob* You'd better take good care of him, Squaresoft! _
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I didn't think I'd get anything done this week, but I just sat down and began writing and this is what I came up with. A new, pretty lengthy chapter! I'll try to update as soon as possible, even though this is a pretty busy week for me. Lot's of stuff happening.. Heh! Well, enjoy the chapter and don't forget to review.
CHAPTER 18.
I hate you
I love you
Leave
Don't go away
I can't decide if I like your face
Or if I wish it would stray
You're a child but you're malicious
You're sweet but don't remember my name
Heads you win and tails I'm lost
Love equals pain
- Jewel -
"I never knew love till I met you.." Aeris whispered, leering at Sephiroth though her words were not pointed at the silver-haired man. Aeris' petite body was glued to the side of Zenobius, as he swayed his jade-green bladed sword in the afternoon sun. "I've never been touched the way that you do.." Aeris continued, turning her eyes at Zenobius. She then placed a tender kiss on his cheek, and they both turned to look at Sephiroth. "What does it feel like?" Zenobius asked, pointing at Sephiroth with his sword that had freshly spilt blood on it. Sephiroth turned his gaze down, and watched his blood gush through a wound in his chest. "A little cold?" Aeris asked, and Zenobius and her laughed in unison. "Is your poor little heart breaking now?" Aeris left Zenobius' side, and walked over to Sephiroth, watching him as he fell to the ground. "Can you hear how tired it is of beating?" She whispered, staring into Sephiroth's eyes, as the sky exploded into colour, shades of red and orange so bright everything seemed to burn with intense flames. Sephiroth just watched her, as a powerless breath escaped his lips. "Don't you just wanna die..?" Aeris whispered in his ear, her soft voice suddenly so cruel and amused.
"NOOO!" Sephiroth bolted up, panting heavily as he stared at the wall in front of him. The torches had long ago died out, enveloping the room into eery darkness. Sephiroth struggled to catch his breath, the frightened look in his eyes slowly changing into indifference. It was just a meaningless dream, Sephiroth convinced himself. He then rested his head against his knees, staring calmly into the shadows. After the exhausting contact with Jenova last night, Sephiroth had fallen asleep almost insantly. He could feel the morning sun rising up to the sky, behind the thick forest. After a while Sephiroth layed his back against the stone again, trying fall back into sleep in spite of his recent nightmare.
After two hours of restless tossing and turning, Sephiroth jumped down from the altar, frustration and anger showing from his every movement. "This is stupid.." Sephiroth snorted, as he got quickly dressed and grabbed his Masamune. Why did he care if her feelings were real or not? He knew it wasn't going to last.. Nothing good ever lasted in his life. Sephiroth walked out of the temple, into the first rays of the morning sun. The rising sun was already peeking at him from on top of the trees. The light hurt his eyes after a badly slept night, so Sephiroth bowed his head towards the ground as he walked, to avoid the sting. The dry leaves were rustling beneath his black, knee-high boots, and the air was filled with the smell of dirt and decaying leaves. It was a beautiful morning, one that suggested the day was going to be sunny and warm. Sephiroth payed hardly any notice to a pair of squirrels, chasing each other up a tree. He walked past a few bushes to a clearing, following the faint sound of water running. Soon Sephiroth saw a small pond, shadowed by tall trees on it's other side.
He kneeled next to the pond, and reached his hand down towards the water. It felt cold and refreshing, and Sephiroth splashed it on his face and neck, enjoying the feel of water dripping down his skin. After quickly washing his hair, Sephiroth raised his eyes. That's when he noticed her. Aeris was standing in the shadows, looking at him with a pleased smile on her lips. "I see I managed to sneak up on a legendary SOLDIER General. Not bad for a flower-girl." She joked, her voice loud and clear due to the water between them. Sephiroth looked at Aeris a while, drying his hair in a white towel. "I didn't expect anyone to be awake at this hour." He finally answered her, scolding himself for always putting his guard down in Aeris' presence. This was just another example of how weak he had become. If Sephiroth was his normal self, he would have heard her coming a mile away. "Neither did I.." Aeris told him quietly, walking closer to him on the edge of the circular pond.
"Isn't that shampoo for women?" Aeris giggled, as she noticed the small bottle next to Sephiroth on the grass. "So? I have girly hair.." Sephiroth smirked amused, but Aeris noticed something angry in his eyes. "I was just thinking why your hair always smells like fine parfume.." Aeris grinned at him sheepishly, smelling the contents of the small shampoo-bottle. "I guess now I know." She continued, closing the bottle and placing it back on the ground. "What is it that you wanted?" Sephiroth asked Aeris, as he placed the towel and shampoo bottle back into an old looking, ash grey coloured bag. Aeris looked at Sephiroth, puzzled by his sudden hostility towards her. Yesterday he had been so sweet.. Something must've happened. Aeris wished she understood Sephiroth better, maybe then she could somehow help him..
"Nothing.. I just saw you and thought you might like some company." Aeris bit her lip, sitting down next to Sephiroth. She stared at the rippling surface of the dark, deep water, and noticed the reflection of Sephiroth's eyes. "But since I got a chance to talk to you.. I'd like to get to know you better." Aeris told him. "I don't know much about you.." She continued, wondering why Sephiroth's expression was filled with distrust. "Why do you care? What difference does it make?! It's all in the past, isn't it?" Sephiroth stood up, taking a temptative step away from her. "What's with you this morning?" Aeris stared at his back, completely confused by Sephiroth's hostile behaviour. "Don't you want to be with me anymore?" Aeris asked, and saw his rigid demeanour soften at her question. Sephiroth glanced down at her over his shoulder, such a quizzical look in his eyes. Aeris just stared back at him, frightened by what his answer might be. "It's not that.." Sephiroth sighed, bowing his head down a little. "What then? Please tell me.." Aeris watched as Sephiroth shook his head, his damp hair sticking to his clothing and not twirling in the wind as usual. "I don't want to talk about it." Sephiroth said coldly while walking away, leaving Aeris sitting alone on the grass that was still wet of dewdrops.
* * * * *
Red XIII was walking next to Aeris, as the AVALANCHEr's were preparing to leave for Cosmo Canyon. He noticed the deeply troubled look on Aeris face, and he had a pretty good idea of what had caused it too. "Sephiroth's being difficult again, huh?" Red grinned at Aeris, glad to see a slight smile forcing it's way on her lips. "Yep. I just can't help thinking what could've caused it.. We were doing so well.. Though he was a little strange yesterday." Aeris thought aloud. "Strange?" Cloud joined in on the conversation. "What do you mean by strange?" His voice was worried, almost to a ridiculous extent. "..Just a little distant, that's all." Aeris frowned, not comfortable talking with Cloud about Sephiroth. Aeris figured they'd only give her the same lecture of Sephiroth being a homicidal maniac. "Distant? ..Not in a crazy, killer type of a way, I hope?" Tifa spoke from behind Cloud, as they had already mounted their river chocobo. "Why do you care in what mood he's in? I thought you didn't want to know anything of him." Aeris looked at Cloud and Tifa a bit hurt look in her eyes. "Remember, the Niebelheim thing?" Cloud twitched, unnerved by the thought of Sephiroth losing it again.
"It's not like that.. You think all he ever thinks about is burning down stuff, well it isn't true!" Aeris defended Sephiroth, but silenced herself as she saw him walking to their chocobo from the forest, a neutral expression on his face. Something in him was very threatening though, and it made Aeris feel a little uncomfortable as she approached him. She knew Sephiroth could kill her with his bare hands, and it probably wouldn't even take him a long time. "H-hi." Aeris greeted him nervously. Sephiroth glanced at Aeris in silence, untying the reins of their chocobo. "Get up." Sephiroth told her, in such a tune he sounded more like a SOLDIER General than Aeris' boyfriend. "Sephiroth.." Aeris whispered, sad and frustrated that he was suddenly so unreachable. Sephiroth had completely dissappeared behind his thick walls of bitter hatred. Still, Aeris climbed up on their chocobo, and waited for Sephiroth to follow her example. Instead, he began walking the chocobo by pulling it behind him by it's reins, as though he wanted to avoid any fysical contact with Aeris. Even if she feared Sephiroth a little, Aeris still longed to be close to him.. She was deeply offended by his behaviour, especially after the events that had taken place last night.
"There's another river to be crossed before we reach Cosmo Canyon. And some pretty big forests, as well.. I think we'll arrive to Cosmo Canyon by sundown though." Cloud spoke to Barret, Red and Yuffie who were a little bit behind Clouds and Tifas chocobo. "Yeah.." Red seemed to enjoy walking on the ground too, as chocobo-riding didn't seem to be his thing. Yuffie enjoyed having a chocobo all to herself, and made it spurt small distances just to feel the wind blow her hair. Barret was riding his chocobo calmly beside Tifas and Clouds chocobo, and they began to discuss why Shin-Ra might want Sephiroth back. "It's likely they want to study Sephiroth further, to make more SOLDIER's like him. I mean, imagine having a whole army of Sephiroth's. It'd be easy to conquer the world." Cloud thought, glancing at Barret. "Yeah, but dat President is pretty much in control already." Barret snorted. "Maybe it's not the President who wants him back." Red thought, his eyes fixed on Sephiroth and Aeris who walking in front of everyone. "Who then?" Cloud muttered, realizing the obvious answer even before Red spoke. "Professor Hojo.." Red said. "Imagine the world being run by him.. A scary thought, isn't it?" Red continued to speak, as they walked at a slow pace out of Gongaga Village. "Yeah.. It is." Cloud said, glancing at Sephiroth. He was supposed to be Hojo's great success. That, in Cloud's opinion, told more about Hojo than anything.
"Hey, why the long faces? Let's do something fun while we travel. This is so boring, to just watch the back's of chocobo's heads all the time." Yuffie suggested, trying to lift everyone's spirits. "Let's sing!" She suggested, and immediatly began the first song that came to her mind. "Ooh, 100 bottles of beer on the wall, 100 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 99 bottles of beer on the wall.." Yuffie began, causing everyone to roll their eyes. "Com'on, everybody! You're no fun!" she continued, undisturbed by the looks her teammates gave her. "99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall.."
* * * * *
"Sir! They're coming!" A SOLDIER in a blue uniform informed Sephiroth. They were standing in front of a wooden building, the wind growing slowly stronger. Sephiroth glanced down at the man next to him, then turned his eyes back at the horizon. "I know." Sephiroth said coldly, listening to the explosions everywhere. He smelled gunpowder in the air, the smoke of burning houses and corpses filling his sences. "Sir! We are losing men rapidly.. Please, tell us what to do!" The lower rank SOLDIER spoke. Sephiroth just stared blankly in front of him, not flinching at the face of such total destruction. "They will kill us all!" The man spoke again, such fear of death in his voice. Sephiroth just tilted his head as he saw a building nearby burst into flames. Screaming people rushed past him, holding onto their children as they ran. "General!! We can't stay here!" The man urged Sephiroth to do something, to order them to retreat. Yet Sephiroth spoke nothing, he just stood in his place and nearly tasted the fear of his men. But Sephiroth wasn't their keeper nor guardian angel.. "Please.. You'll get us all killed!" Sephiroth glanced briefly at his men, not remembering the names of any of them. Even their faces seemed foreign to him. "Then leave.. as you please." Sephiroth said with his eyes closed, lifting his face to meet a large ball of sheer flames flying towards him. Sephiroth heard the horrified screams of his men, while he cast a shell-spell around himself. They should have listened to their instincts, Sephiroth mused as the fireball hit ground, the intense flames devouring everything in sight. They should have run like animals..
* * * * *
"28 bottles of beer on the wall, 28 bottles of beer, take one down and pass it around, 27 bottles of beer on the wall--" Yuffie suddenly stopped her singing. "Hey, I got an idea. Let's play 'spot the carcase'! And oh, am I so lucky, there's one!" Yuffie pointed towards the body of a dead monster. Flies buzzed around it, the smell of rotting flesh lingered in the air. "Yay, one point for me!" Yuffie beamed. "I wonder who killed it.. Not that many people walk around here.." Cloud glanced at Sephiroth, expecting him to have some comment. Instead, Sephiroth just stared into the distance, deeply in thought. "You don't think it's Zenobius.. do you?" Tifa asked Cloud, and the blonde man just nodded at her in reply. "It's likely.. He probably thinks we have that damn KeyStone.." Cloud muttered, as they continued walking again. It was early afternoon when they reached the river, and crossed it almost in complete silence. They entered a forest near the river, and kept walking at a slightly hastened pace. Cloud desperately wanted to reach Cosmo Canyon today, so that they'd have some idea of what to do next.
She'll smile to you today.. And tomorrow she'll have found someone new, and she'll laugh at your pitiful weakness.. Jenova kept talking to Sephiroth, never allowing his head rest for Sephiroth to gather his thoughts. "Urgh." Sephiroth rubbed his temples, trying his best to act as though nothing was wrong. He had felt Jenova reach into his mind already while they were travelling towards Gongaga village, but he didn't want to tell Aeris anything. He knew she'd be frightened. And maybe she had good reason to.. After all, Jenova feared and hated Aeris. But as much as Sephiroth tried to convince himself Jenova was only trying to lure him into changing sides, her words made horrible sence to Sephiroth. His dream had woken up such terrible jealousy in Sephiroth, he felt like Aeris was already drifting away from him, into the arms of another. You'll lose her, you'll lose me.. You'd be better off dead, don't you think? Jenova laughed, her voice not particularly sympathetic. I suppose that's the way they all want to see you, anyway.. Destroyed. She continued.
"It's pretty windy today." Aeris spoke, desperately trying to begin a conversation. "It's not really the weather you're interested in.. If you want to know something, just ask." Sephiroth spoke, without turning his eyes at Aeris. "Sephy.." Aeris bowed her head. "You make everything I say seem so bad; like I had some secret motive to be interested in you.." She spoke. "If something's bothering you, I want to help you.." Aeris continued, watching at Sephiroth's back, hoping he'd turn to face her, even for a moment. "I don't need your help." Sephiroth's voice was so cold, he seemed almost angry at Aeris' question. "Nobody's strong enough to survive alone.. not even you." Aeris continued, knowing she was stretching Sephiroth's temper. During these few days, she had hoped Sephiroth would open up to her voluntarily, but he hadn't. It seemed the only way to make him speak his mind, was to forcefully break through his defences. "I'm not weak." Sephiroth said, his voice nearly a snarl. "I didn't say that.. Gosh, you're really something." Aeris shook her head in despair. She began to think maybe this was not the proper way to make him talk either. It seemed Sephiroth didn't like to be on the defence.
"I'll tell you what: answer one simple question, and I'll back off, OK?" Aeris asked him, noticing Sephiroth finally glance at her over his shoulder. What she saw in his eyes was such deep anguish, it went beyond comparison. The first time Aeris had ever taken a good look at Sephiroth, she had thought he had the saddest eyes she had ever seen. Even when his voice was filled with anger and resentment, his eyes were always sad - as though he had permanent tears in them. "Fine." Sephiroth snorted, wanting more than anything, to be left alone with his thoughts now that Jenova appeared to have finally pulled back from his mind, leaving behind only a throbbing headache. "Hmm.." Aeris tried to think of a perfect question. "Why did you join SOLDIER?" She asked. "I was raised for it." Sephiroth said, staring at the road as he walked. "I was a natural born killer.." He continued, laughing druly, with his shoulders shaking slightly. "Raised for it?" Aeris tried, but Sephiroth only glanced at her, no emotion evident on his beautiful face. "That's two questions." He spoke, and fell back into his thoughts.
* * * * *
"Well?" Zenobius asked, staring down at a monster he had just killed. They don't have the stone.. It was stolen. Jenova's voice seemed a little irritated, as she moved closer to Zenobius. "..Great." Zenobius muttered, poking at the dead monster with the tip of his sword. "So we'll wait, huh?" Zenobius turned his eyes at the purple alien, hovering a few inches above ground. I'm tired of waiting.. It seems to do us no good. Jenova said. Maybe we should attempt a more direct approach. She mused, turning to face Zenobius. "Oh.. You mean it's time to eliminate a certain little cetra?" Zenobius snickered. Yes.. I'm concearned her influence will make Sephiroth more difficult to control.. So far he's doing everything as expected. Jenova's voice seemed confident. "Wouldn't it be easier to just drag his dead body to the reunion? You'd still get more cells.." Zenobius asked the female alien. I suppose.. Though that wouldn't be much fun.. And after being burried alive underground for two thousand years, you'd want a little fun too.. Jenova laughed, a slightly insane tune to her voice.
"Could you explain it to me again, how you control the puppets?" Zenobius asked, genuinely interested. He was charmed by the power Jenova had over Sephiroth and Cloud. Certainly.. But controlling the other is much more easier than controlling Sephiroth.. You see, Sephiroth can't be controlled directly through his cells. But his mind makes him weak.. It's easy to twist any powerful emotion within him into a destructive rage. Jenova spoke, warmth in her voice as she thought back to the things that had taken place in Niebelheim. After being betrayed by humans, Jenova enjoyed to watch a little suffery. "You sound like you're proud of him." Zenobius snorted, not caring to hear Jenova praise someone he had lost a battle to. Not really, dear.. He amuses me. It's strange such a fragile person is capable of such massive destruction.. Jenova continued, her voice cold as she thought back to the things she had seen a glimpse of in Sephiroth's mind. "I wonder if you'll see him the same way after I've killed him.." Zenobius leered, still firmly believing that he could kill the former SOLDIER General if he really put his mind to it. Hmm.. I suppose that's something I can't know until then..
* * * * *
"We're finally there.." Red spoke as he stared at the long stairs leading up to his home town, Cosmo Canyon. The small town was mainly dug into a mountain, but some wooden structures were visible on the towns front as well. A large camp-fire was burning brightly at the ground level, inviting the tired AVALANCHEr's towards the town. "Urgh. I'm beat." Yuffie muttered, voicing everyone's thoughts. It had been a long day, even though most of them had been riding chocobo's. Only Red and Sephiroth had walked the entire way from Gongaga Village to Cosmo Canyon, but for completely different reasons. Red preferred to walk, but Sephiroth had wanted to avoid Aeris noticing his discomfort. "Come on, it's only a little further." Red encouraged the others, leading their small team up the staircase, towards a man guarding the entrance to the town. "Nanaki!! You're back!" He proclaimed, genuine joy in his voice as he greeted Red XIII. "Nanaki?" Cloud and Tifa looked at each other puzzled. "That's my birthname.." Red grinned sheepishly, and led their group past the guard into the town.
"This is my hometown.. It's been long since I've had a chance to visit it." Red spoke, obviously moved by seeing all the familiar places and faces again. "We must go see my grandfather, Bugenhagen.. He has spent many years here, studying the Planet. He knows a lot about the Ancients; he should know where the temple is too." Red explained, as they walked up a staircase, leading to the entrance of the cave system. "Wow.." Aeris looked around her, taking in the lively surroundings. The caves reminded her of Fort Condor though, and especially her first date with Sephiroth, which made her feel a little sad. She glanced at Sephiroth, not noticing any change in his mood. He was still brooding in silence, and as much as Aeris wanted to make him feel better, she didn't want to break the promise she had made Sephiroth. That way, he'd maybe grow to trust Aeris more.
"It's this way.." Red seemed awfully enthusiastic to see Bugenhagen. They passed a booth selling weapons, and a large storage room filled with wooden containers, crates and tools. Finally Red led them to a room, that had a large, metallic door at the far corner of it. "Bugenhagens place is just up these ladders", Red said and somehow managed to reach the end of the long ladders. Just a few feet from them, was the entrance to a large house. The AVALANCHEr's entered the room behind the door, being led by Red. It looked like a combined living room and kitchen, there was a small fridge and a dining table, with several chairs to sit on. On the wall nearby the entrance to the room, was a heavy wooden door. Further down the room, there was another set of ladders leading even higher up. "He's probably at the telescope. You just make yourself at home!" Red announced, and ran towards the stairs. While everyone else sat down next to the table, Sephiroth wandered to the corner of the room. He sat down on a wooden crate, staring out into the darkening night with little interest.
It took a while before Red returned to the others, he and the grey-haired old man had probably had a lot of catching up to do. "OK everyone, this is Bugenhagen." Red introduced the man. "He sort of adopted me after my parents died." Red nodded at the old man, and received an encouraging smile from Aeris. "Ho Ho Hoo!! It's good to see so many new faces!!" Bugenhagen laughed heartedly, but his smile suddenly turned into a frown, as he noticed Sephiroth sitting by the window. "The General.." Bugenhagen muttered, and then turned to Aeris. "Well then, you are the Ancient searching for the temple, eh?" He asked, and she nodded back at him. "Yes.. But if you know anything else of them, I'd like to know.." Aeris tried to smile as warmly as possible, her eyes inevetably drawn back to Sephiroth. "Come then, I wish to show you something." Bugenhagen signaled for the others to join him in the room behind the wooden door. Sephiroth stood up reluctantly, and as he passed Bugenhagen, he felt the old man's gaze studying him curiously.
"What." Sephiroth glanced at Bugenhagen coldly, but he didn't turn his eyes away. He had probably lived long enough to not really have any fears left. "In your veins, courses the blood of Jenova.." Bugenhagens voice was so faraway, everyone turned their heads to find out what the two men were talking about. Sephiroth turned his eyes away from Bugenhagen, somewhat intriqued by what information the old man might have of his family tree. "It's strange you'd be in the company of the last of the Cetra.." Bugenhagen spoke. "Ha. How little do you know.. I am as much a cetra as my mother is." Sephiroth snorted, wondering if there was any reason to ask such a senile old geezer anything. It seemed, he didn't know even the most simple things of the Ancients. "..Jenova?" Bugenhagen looked at Sephiroth puzzled. "She's not a Cetra.. not on this Planet, anyway." Bugenhagen spoke, hearing Cloud and Tifa clear their throats loudly. They backed away from Sephiroth slowly, wondering how he might react to the knowledge that he had once again been living a lie. "W-what?" Sephiroth just stared at Bugenhagen. "Surely she is!" He insisted, desperately wanting to prove Bugenhagen wrong. He looked at Aeris, then at Bugenhagen..
Thoughts racing through his mind, Sephiroth realized Jenova and Aeris had nothing in common appearance-wise. Whereas Aeris looked positively angelic, Jenova seemed more like a monster from a twisted nightmare. Sephiroth tilted his head as he contemplated the information he had received. What was he then, if not an Ancient? "Ho ho hoo!" Bugenhagen nodded, "Jenova's.." The old man walked to a hologram machine, and flicked off the lights. A model of the planets began to move, comets burning across the sky as thousands of little stars twinkled in the air. "An alien.. The Crisis from the Sky.. Nobody know's exactly where she came from.. Over two thousand years ago." Bugenhagen explained, watching the eery glow of Sephiroth's eyes, that seemed to surpass even the brightest stars his machine created. There was such utter confusion in his eyes, it was hard to believe a man with such sad eyes was half the evil alien responsible for bringing the Planet to a brink of complete destruction. "She was welcomed by the cetra, but soon turned greedy as she saw all the power this Planet possessed.. It was because of Jenova, that the cetra have almost become extinct.." Bugenhagen continued to speak, as the others kept glancing at Sephiroth nervously, half expecting him to suddenly scorch the room they were in. Aeris looked at him sadly, wondering what must be going through his mind.
"This girl here," Bugenhagen pointed at Aeris. "Is the last one.. The only one who can stop Jenova." He spoke, forcing Aeris and Sephiroth to look at each other uncomfortably. A moment later, Sephiroth turned his back and strode out of the room. "Sephiroth!" Aeris tried, but he was soon gone. "Grandfather.. I wish you had not told him." Red said to Bugenhagen, his head bowed from sympathy to Aeris. "Ho ho hoo.. Do you not think he has a right to know?" Bugenhagen answered Red. "He's gonna go do the pyromanical-killer thing--" Yuffie spoke, noticing Aeris sit down on a sofa, so close to tears of despair. They were all tired from the strain of walking the entire day, but Aeris had had such an emotional overload to begin with. "What's wrong?" Bugenhagen asked, giving a white handkerchief to the young woman. She looked so young, as the first sobs escaped her lips. "..Nothing." Aeris said quietly, embarrassed by everyone looking at her. "Aeris and Sephiroth.. Were sort of close." Red spoke. "Oh!" Bugenhagen nodded, understanding the message hidden behind the lion-like creature's nervous voice. "Hohohoo! It is rather poetic, don't you think.." He spoke, walking to the light switch to put on the lights again. "The son of darkness.." Bugenhagen spoke and flicked the switch, "And the daughter of light.."
"So what is he exactly?" Cloud glanced at Bugenhagen. "Hard to say.. I've been so isolated these last few years.. I do not even know all the details of the Jenova-project.. Just that Sephiroth was a part of it." Bugenhagen explained. "What do you mean?" Aeris asked. "He was experimented upon.. From birth, most likely.. Or even before that.. Hohohoo." Bugenhagen explained. "But you wished to know about the Temple, right? That is an easy question. It is southeast from here, near the town of Mideel." Bugenhagen quickly changed the subject, not wanting to hurt the young cetra-woman any further. "Now, you must all be tired.. Why won't you rest a while, we'll continue from here tomorrow." Bugenhagen suggested, and everyone was willing to accept his offer, even though the fear of what Sephiroth was doing and where he was, overcast a shadow over everyone's head.
Do you think Sephy's behaving more like his usual, evilish self? Huh.. What a depressing chapter.. Yet I had to write it. Otherwise I'll write Seph too nice!! That's my biggest problem.. I wish I could write him as realistically as others have!! Anyway, this fic is just wayyyy too long. I'm impressed so many people have bothered to read such long chapters!! ^_^ Thanks for any suggestions on this fic, I really apprecciate it!!