DISCLAIMER: I'm still not in possession of the characters or the universe of FF7. They're Squaresofts.. *sob,sob* This disclaimer business has begun to depress me.. *sigh* Like I hinted in the previous disclaimer, thanks to Riye for an idea! (I'm sure you know what I mean.)
AUTHOR'S NOTES: To start with: I'm *SO* sorry I've been a lazy writer lately. I just haven't been able to continue this until now.. Maybe I had an extreme case of writers block or something? *blinks* But moving on: I'm not entirely satisfied with the way this turned out, but I suppose I can always try and rewrite it later.. There aren't many A/S scenes (I know, it's just awful), but there's other stuff that will hopefully compensate for the lack of romance. Enjoy! ^_^ Oh and thanks so much for all the reviews!
CHAPTER 32.
And soon I
heard a roaring wind:
It did not come anear;
But with its sound it shook the sails,
That were so thin and sere.
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge -
An eery silence surrounded Icicle Village that morning. Only streaks of smoke rose to the skies from the chimneys of cabins, and a few loose snowflakes swirled in the icy breeze. Sun was shining from a clear blue sky, it's beams transforming the sparkling white snow into an ocean of untouched crystals. No footsteps were visible on the frozen ground, and snow covered under it's sheltering blanket every sign of human life. Brushes and brooms that had been forgotten against the houses walls, had been blown down, and icy frost had painted the walls of houses into white. Sephiroth stared at it all a moment, breathing in the scent of morning air. After the storm last night everything seemed somehow different, as though changed. Whereas yesterday Sephiroth hadn't even noticed the way sunlight hit the peaks of mountains in the distance, this morning he found himself lost in their golden glow.
It was so early, Sephiroth assumed the others were still asleep. Even the SOLDIERs, most likely. Every ounce of instinct in his body told him to be cautious and avoid sitting in plain view, but the sheer beaty of that morning blocked any such warnings from Sephiroth's mind. He had been stunned by all the colour and the sence of perfection that lingered in the air. As the wind hit against the snow, a quiet shuffle was heard, it's soft echo rushing against his ears. The small voice of nature recovering from a snowstorm woke Sephiroth from his moment of marvel, and brought his thoughts back to the issue at hand. It was something Sephiroth had tried hard not to think about, but could never completely escape.. He had spent the last night in the house Aeris had born in.
* * * * *
"This is bloody weird.." Cid grunted, and sat down on a black office chair. Tifa noticed he immediatly began fumbling for his cigarettes and the lighter.
"Tell me about it." Tifa agreed, while leaning against a railing. She could hardly believe it herself.
"Da owner of this house, dat Professor Gast.. He's Aeris' father right?" Barret checked, and Tifa nodded at him.
"Kinda ironic he worked for Shin-Ra and in da Jenova project.. Only to have his daughter fall in love with what he helped create." Barret muttered in a thoughtful voice. He stood by the window, gazing out at the view spreading through the frozen glass. They could all see Sephiroth, sitting on the stairs with his back turned to the house.
"I doubt it was anyone's big plan.." Tifa argued, but couldn't put aside how strongly the evidence at hand seemed to point in that direction.
"So Aeris doesn't know shit about this Gast guy?" Cid asked.
"Most likely.. I didn't understand much, but Sephiroth filled in the blanks." Tifa blushed, unaware of what had caused the reaction.
"Huh?" Cid and Barret glanced at the dark-haired girl suspiciously. "..What exactly did you two talk about?" Barret began, but Tifa just cleared her throat awkwardly, and changed the subject.
"ANYWAY.." She said, and turned to stare down at the staircase that led to the bottom floor of the log cabin. "Sephiroth thinks Aeris was born here.. But he couldn't say why Aeris' mother Ifalna had died at Midgar and not here, or what happened to Gast.. It's possible the Shin-Ra are involved.." Tifa clarified.
"Oh." Cid mumbled, and he and Barret shared a skeptical look. "Since when have ya been so in tune with Sephiroth's thinkin'?" Barret said, smiling.
Tifa stole an angry glance at him. "He told me, OK? ..And I'm NOT attracted to Sephiroth! The mere thought is revolting!" She spoke, voicing the thought in her teammates' minds.
"Yours is a forbidden love." Cid laughed, and Tifa took a step toward the older man with her fist clenched, with the intention of hitting him.
"Hey, truce!" Barret grabbed Tifas arm before anything happened.
"Look, Tifa.." Barret began, and waited a moment for the girl to calm down. "So what, if this is Aeris' hometown? It's not like dat changes anythin'." He asked, and Tifa shrugged.
"I'm not sure.. But after we finished watching the videos, Sephiroth just went so quiet.. and.." Tifa explained, and Barret and Cid shared a look.
"Is he going to tell Aeris, what the hell is going on?" Cid asked in his turn, and Tifa turned her eyes to look out of the window. Sephiroth was still sitting on the stairs, looking absent somehow. The black clad man didn't seem to belong to the peaceful, tranquil scenery. The yellow glow of oil-lamps lit up to some of the windows of buildings, as the residents of Icicle Village began waking up to the new day.
"I don't know." Tifa answered Cid quietly, pondering why she was feeling such restlessness in her heart. She had the strangest feeling, that all of this had some greater purpose, and just maybe Sephiroth felt the same.
"We ought to head back to da hotel, right?" Barret suggested.
"Yeah, after all there's nothing we can do about Shin-Ra now." Tifa and Cid nodded in agreement.
"Shit.. It get's on my nerves, to know they're watchin' us like some goddamn vultures. Why can't they just fight us fair and square?" Barret muttered peevishly.
"They're not our primary concearn.." Tifa sighed, and shuffled along to the front door. Stepping out to the chilly air wasn't particularly appealing to her after a badly slept night. "At least not yet.. First we have to take care of Jenova and Zenobius.." She said, in a clearly hopeless tone. Barret and Cid followed her in silence, as Tifa opened the door and left the comforts of the cabin. Sephiroth was still seated with his back turned towards the AVALANCHErs, but he glanced behind him as he heard the door open.
"Hi." Tifa grinned from the doorway, and waved her hand nervously. Sephiroths expression never changed, if anything he looked only annoyed. "We we're thinking about going to the Inn.. Maybe you'd like to come too, and tell Aeris about everything..?" She asked cautiously. Sephiroth was quiet a moment, as he rose to his feet. Tifa smiled inwardly, as it was so obvious how much it troubled Sephiroth to be forced to look up at her. As he glanced down at the shorter woman, he looked very threatening again. A heavy bangle of hair shadowed his eyes, and Tifa turned her eyes away from his face. There always appeared to be something in his gaze; a piece missing. He was an incomplete puzzle, impossible to solve. Perhaps that was the very reason Aeris was so fascinated by him.
"No.." Sephiroth turned to meet the wind, that blew small particles of snow.
"You don't want to see her?" Tifa was dumbfounded.
"I..I can't. Not yet." Sephiroth muttered hastily, and took a step further away. After a brief moment of hesitation, he set off towards the woods with determined strides.
"He's one.. bloody screwed up guy." Cid voiced his thoughts, and both Tifa and Barret smiled at his observation. Sometimes when seeing the way Sephiroth reacted to conflicts they could only smile, and think what on earth was going through his mind.
"We'd better go.. But maybe it would be for the best if we don't mention anything of this to Aeris yet." Tifa suggested.
"Yeah.. I'm cool with that. Jus' don't tell me to like this. I mean, we're already at a point where we're keepin' secrets from each other.. What's next?" Barret growled, and glanced at Tifa. They started to walk to the Inn, as a complete silence reigned in the small village. While they wandered forth on the streets, Tifa couldn't stop herself from wondering if there was in fact reason behind Barrets' words. Cloud had kept constantly reminding Tifa what a risk Sephiroth was to them, but maybe their true enemy was far more dangerous, and somewhere deep within?
Perhaps it had never been Sephiroth who had turned them against each other, but their own insecurities and fears. Sometimes Tifa felt the way they all drifted away from each other. Before Aeris had begun dating Sephiroth Tifa had considered her to be a friend, but now she was forced to admit she didn't know much about Aeris at all. Why had she suddenly begun to push her away? Was it because she was afraid of losing Cloud? Tifa admitted she sometimes thought, that if Aeris could have Sephiroth, she'd have no problems getting Cloud to herself aswell.
"Tifa?" Barret began. He looked at the shorter, dark-haired woman with a concearned expression on his face, with that look in his eyes he usually had when speaking to his daughter Marlene.
"Yes..?" Tifa grinned shyly.
"Are ya OK? I'm sure Cid meant nothin' by that Sephiroth-comment. Dat's just the way he is.." Barret assured her.
"I know, it's not that.." Tifa smiled, and decided to try and push all gloomy thoughts away from her mind. Think happy thoughts Tifa, she thought, and a smile curled her lips up. Aeris reminded Tifa of what she herself used to be like, before her mother got sick. She used to be so cheerful and happy too, a friend to everyone and oh so popular.. These days Tifa had difficulties enjoying happiness, without fearing she might loose it. The deaths of her parents had been such blows to Tifa, that she didn't readily let anyone get too close to her.
"It's right behind this corner." Cid snorted, and as the threesome circled to the other side they saw Cloud march to the opposite direction.
"Cloud!" Tifa tried to shout after him, but the blond-haired man was too far to hear her words. "Hmphf." Tifa puffed in frustration. "I wonder where's he going?" She continued, and Barret and Cid shared another look.
* * * * *
Sephiroth walked midst trees coated in snow, drawing in the surrounding somnolent air. His black boots kicked the light top layer of snow as he wandered forward on a road than ran through the forest like a dark ribbon. The dry shuffling of his feet was like a steady heartbeat among the dead forest. The bony, pale trees climbed steeply towards a clear blue sky, and Sephiroth glid past them like a shadow, with soft footfalls. His silvery hair licked the air like flames, each bangle intertwining with the wind. A heavy breath escaped Sephiroth's lips, as he sunk to his knees at the centre of a clearing enveloped by tall trees. He pressed his gloved hands against the ground, trying to catch his breath. The air was so cold it was laborous to breathe, and each time Sephiroth exhaled the warmth formed new ice-crystals of on his skin. The trees shook as a gust of wind pierced their black, gnarled branches. The snow carried their frantic whispers, gleaming in the first beams of the morning sun. It whirled about on the ground, forming and breaking wave-like patterns.
Slowly Sephiroth forced himself back to his feet, and cast a furtive glance at his surroundings. Heavy bangles of silvery hair fell down the sides of his face, and for a moment he looked like a predator who had just gotten scent of prey. His sences sharpened; it was as though even the snow blown by wind moved more slowly. Each muffled whisper as the snow stirred, reached Sephiroths ears as he took the first step. The heavy rustle of his feet woke the ravens that had slept in the trees, and the flapping of their ebony-black wings drew Sephiroth's gaze to the skies. He followed the birds as they flew over the treetops, towards a sea that was dimly visible in the horizon. Sephiroth blinked, as his hand slid to the handle of his Masamune. He drew the long-bladed sword out of it's sheath, effortlessly, and twirled it around his fingers. The spotlessly clean blade reflected a blaze of light towards the treetrunks, as Sephiroth turned on his feet. It was such an overpowering feeling, he smirked, and stretched out the hand that held the beatiful sword. Sephiroth closed his eyes, and enjoyed the disciplined motions that allowed his thoughts to astray. The Masamunes blade never wavered, as Sephiroth changed his point of balance from one foot to the other. The blade turned sideways, as the experienced warrior stroke air with his sword.
"Sephiroth!" Cloud yelled from behind him, and the eyes of the silver-haired man flew open. Sephiroth looked at the trees around him, before glancing at the blonde man over his shoulder. Clouds blue eyes were seething with rage, and he was clenching his fists. There was something surprised about Clouds expression too, which told he had most likely ran into Sephiroth by accident.
"Yes?" Sephiroth asked affectedly. He turned to Cloud slowly, his pasific green eyes strained and world-weary. A large snowflake floated past Sephiroths face, each sharp point glittering like crystal.
"I will not let you marry Aeris! How could you condemn her to a life with.. someone like you?" Cloud argued, waving his hand in Sephiroths direction as though to emphasize his words.
"To a life..?" Sephiroth laughed coldly, and his shoulders shook slightly. "It's fruitless to explain.. One must realize it himself.. There is no escape.. For we are merely pawns--" Sephiroth fell silent, and an evilish grin drew his lips up.
"What are you mumbling?!" Cloud shook his head, it was clear he hadn't understood.
None of them understood.. Except maybe.. her..
Sephiroth took a deep breath, blocking out every thought of his mind. He was perfectly content with just listening to the burdoned beat of his heart, feeling weight gather around it's hard, scarred shell. Sephiroth just kept breathing calmly, like a machine tuned to perfection.
"I won't let you harm her. It's best you just leave." Cloud said tensely, as Sephiroth walked closer.
"Best for whom, I wonder..?" Sephiroth cocked his head, staring straight at his rival without any fear in his eyes.
"I'm worried about Aeris. That's all." Cloud hissed, and drew his sword. The blonde man seemed confident he could just scare Sephiroth away, but the older man wasn't so easily startled. His pasific green eyes looked clear and focused, as he lifted the blade of Masamune to a vertical position. After a brief moment of silence, he lowered the blade in a graceful motion.
"Is this really necessary?" Cloud blinked, he had most likely not expected Sephiroth to want to battle him after what had happened near Wutai.
"You tell me." Sephiroth smirked, and lauched a half-hearted attack at Cloud the blonde man could easily block.
"What's wrong with you?" Cloud growled, as he pushed the taller man back. He took a sharp turn, his spiky, straw-blonde hair twitching, and lifted his sword to block the next slash of Sephiroths sword.
"Or more like what is it this time? ..Jenova called you a bad boy or something?" Cloud asked, knowing he was provoking Sephiroth.
"Shut up!" The silver haired man roared, casting fire3 on Cloud. The heat of his spell caused a few dry branches to go up in flames. The smoke that rose from them was dark and thick, reminding Cloud of the burning houses of Niebelheim, the intense flames and screams of people.
"Deep down you're just a coward! You keep running from those who might actually care for you, to the arms of those who ignore you and use you for their own ends.. Why?! Why did you attack everyone back then?" Cloud asked, noticing the sullen look on Sephiroths face. Something he had said had obviously gotten through the older man's defences.
"You could've told me.. Any of us.. We were all there! We admired you!" Clouds voice growled, as his anger blended to the bitterness he still felt about that day so many years ago.
"It gets on my nerves when people talk like that! You were no different than Hojo, or my caretakers.. You never admired me, you didn't know the first thing about me! You looked up to a specimen.. The perfect SOLDIER.. I wonder if you even perceived me as a human being?" Sephiroth finished his speach, and turned his back at Cloud.
"So you saw it fit to kill most of us?" Cloud snapped at his former unit leader.
"Don't you get it?" Sephiroth turned on his heels, his entire body tense with irritation. "All my accomplishments, they weren't even mine! I was nothing! They took away my life, everything but this power I once embraced in hope it might banish my bitter memories.." Sephiroth gritted his teeth. "I was but a shell of a person.. For so long I forgot what it was like to feel.. And I.. I believed everything Jenova told me. She knew exactly what to say.." Sephiroth kept talking, as he walked further away.
"I would've died gladly for her dream." He said then, thoughtfully.
"Why..? You must've had some idea of what she was up to.." Cloud asked, still holding onto his sword. He knew Sephiroth to be quick-tempered and unpredictable, and he didn't want to take any chances with him. Cloud was still concearned, if Sephiroth wanted revenge for what had happened at the second temple of Ancients.
"Huh? You're in no position to ask me that." Sephiroth glanced at Cloud.
"What.. do you mean?" The blond-haired man was taken aback by what his former unit leader had said. Sephiroth threw his head back and laughed, in a scornful tone. "I can't be from the Jenova project, I don't even have the tattoo!" Cloud pointed at Sephiroths hand, covered by a black glove, and almost instictevely the older man folded his arms to hide the black number one.
"Besides, I KNOW I had a childhood, and a mother.. Whom you killed!" Cloud tried to control his anger. How dared Sephiroth say they had anything in common!
"But isn't it true.." Sephiroth closed his eyes, a sardonic smile on his lips. "Haven't you felt her fingers wrap themselves around your mind.. And their squeeze?" He asked, as a flurry of snow past him by.
Cloud remembered still what had happened at the Temple of the Ancients, and even before that at the Shin-Ra mansion. His mind had gone completely blank, painfully so, and Cloud could almost hear the muffled voice of a woman, chanting him to sleep. "But.. When?" Cloud stammered. "It's after Niebelheim, isn't it.. That's when everything became a blur. After I fought you.." Cloud took a step after Sephiroth, who was walking on the edge of the forest.
"Why didn't you tell me before! It's your fault if I'm nothing but a puppet of Jenovas!" He kept shouting, but Sephiroth just walked away as though he hadn't even heard Clouds words. "Answer me!" Cloud yelled, and ran after Sephiroth. The older man glanced down at the blonde man, who was breathing fast with an enraged look on his face.
"Doesn't feel too good, now does it?" Sephiroth smirked.
"What did he do to me? Are there Jenova cells in me? ..Aren't I a threat to everyone?" Cloud asked, ignoring Sephiroth's comment.
"Perhaps those are questions you should ask Hojo.." Sephiroth's expression turned sullen at the mention of his father. "For there are limits to my knowledge." He muttered, as though annoyed by the fact.
"..I'm still not letting you marry Aeris!" Cloud stated, as Sephiroth turned to leave.
"I know." The silver-haired man laughed druly in return.
* * * * *
Tifa entered the big lobby of the Inn, and spent a moment just taking in her surroundings. Near the staircase a cleaning woman had climbed to a ladder, in order to dust the pendant lamps that hung from the ceiling. Verdant indoor plants edged the register desk, behind which a clerk read a red-covered book with a smile on his lips. From the kitchen the jingle of plates and other dishes was heard, and in the dining room a few people had already begun their breakfast. Tifa could see Red and Vincent sitting by a table made of pine, and she began walking to them with Barret and Cid following her just a step behind. On the table next to Red and Vincent, Cait Sith sat alone.
"Hey, we just saw Cloud storm out.. Where was he headed?" Tifa asked Red, who lifted his cat-like head from a bowl that obviously had coffee in it.
"I'm not sure.." Red began apologetically. "I'm afraid Cait Sith here blew the lid on a quite significant secret.." He explained, and shook his mane in despair. Tifa stole a quick glance at Cait Sith, but the odd creature just grinned uncomfortably.
"What secret?" Tifa asked in a hushed voice, and sat down next to Red. Even though the space around them looked barren, Tifa was used to talking in whispers.
"Aeris and Sephiroth are planning to get married." Cait Sith revealed, just as Red had opened his mouth to speak.
"Really?" Tifa looked at Red, bewildered by the news. "It's the next step, naturally, but.. It may take me a long while before I get used to the idea." Tifa muttered, suddenly understanding why Cloud had left in such a rush. He had wanted to get away from everyone to cool down. That was probably the best thing to do, since Aeris hardly needed anyone's judgemental words after everything that she had been through.
"I think it'll take Cloud a lot longer.. But to my next question.. Have you three seen Sephiroth anywhere? He didn't come back here last night.." Red inquired.
"Yeah, we bumped into him yesterday.. You should probably know, there are SOLDIERs around. We couldn't tell what they were up to. I just hope Cloud won't run into them." Tifa wringed her brow in worry.
"So where did you sleep last night?" Red asked, and Tifa glanced at Cid and Barret for support. The two men were engaged in a conversation with Cait Sith, and never noticed her pleeing look.
"In one of the cabins around here. You know, in an ordinary, run of the mill log cabin." Tifa explained quickly, and let out a fit of false laughter.
"Oh." Red and Vincent shared a doubtful look.
Soon they saw Yuffie jumping down the stairs to the lobby. She looked as energetic as always, unlike Aeris who followed the younger girl a bit behind, yawning. She was dressed in a pink sweater and a long, burgundy coloured skirt. Despite how tired she seemed like, Aeris still managed to smile as she saw Tifa and the others.
"Hi! I'm so glad to see that you're OK!" She greeted them, and walked over to sit down across from Tifa. "That awful storm kept me up all night.." She began, and Tifa smiled to herself as she noticed Aeris was looking around furtively, as though searching for something. Or someone, Tifa added in her thoughts.
"Sephiroth was with us, if that's what you're thinking.. But.." Tifa started to explain, but silenced herself as she realized she didn't know what to tell Aeris. She decided to just think of something and deal with the consequences later, as Aeris kept staring at her waiting for an answer. "There are SOLDIER troops outside, and he probably went to check out what they were up to.. Before telling you anything." Tifa grinned.
"That sounds like him alright." Aeris smiled warmly. "You said there are SOLDIER troops around? Aren't we in danger?" She asked then, in a bit more frightened tone.
"I'm not sure. I suppose they're waiting for us to get the Black Materia.. So we should be safe until then." Tifa shrugged.
"So today's the day we have to leave for the Crater.." Tifa sounded regretful. She had enjoyed their brief pause from fighting, and she wouldn't have wanted it to end so soon.
"Yes, indeed.. But doesn't it strike you odd, that we haven't seen any traces of Jenova or Zenobius anywhere? And now the SOLDIERs, who had previously made every effort to destroy AVALANCHE, would just suddenly be content with merely observing us?" Vincent revealed his thoughts, and a concearned silence spread among the incomplete party.
"Sumthin' fishy's goin' on." Barret grunted, nodding in Vincents direction.
"I feel like a mouse in a labyrinth." Tifa grinned sheepishly.
"I wonder where Sephiroth is.." Aeris mumbled, as though she had missed Vincents words all together. "I want to tell him about a dream I had last night.." She continued, and Yuffie rolled her eyes.
"So, tell us then! ..Unless it was R-rated, of course." Yuffie cringed, as she began her breakfast.
"Well.. It was about this city.. and.." Aeris began, swallowing hard. The subject was obviously difficult for her, and Tifa wondered if her dream had anything to do with the fact she was half cetra.
"I heard this this delicate voice, that adviced me to go there.. Eh, never mind." Aeris laughed. "I must sound weird to you.." She shook her head gently.
"Sephiroth would understand, he was with me the last time I.." Aeris suddenly stopped, as she recalled the strange dream she had had before her abrupt departure for the Temple of the Ancients. The mess she had gotten herself into thanks to listening to her dreams had taught Aeris to think twice about running to any un-known places on her own.
"You mean.. back then near Mideel, when you and he got captured?" Yuffie asked, and Aeris nodded with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"What town was it then?" Tifa kept asking.
"I don't know really. But it was definately on this continent." Aeris bit her lip, a deeply troubled look in her eyes. The tone of that dream had been so ominous and dark..
"The only other town around here I know is Bone Village. But there's hardly anything there.. I can't see why you should go there?" Tifa wondered.
"It wasn't Bone Village.." Aeris claimed, and turned silent again. She couldn't say, what the name of the place was, or where exactly it was located; but she knew she could find it should she begin travelling towards it.
"Shouldn't you go find.. Sephiroth soon?" Tifa asked, in a friendly tone.
Aeris smiled back at her before answering, glad that her friend finally seemed to be more open to the idea of her and Sephiroth being together. "Yeah. I think so." She answered, and begun gobbling down the breakfast that had already been served to their table.
* * * * *
A grey-furred Bandersnatch was circling Sephiroth, it's long white teeth dripping saliva. It's beady black eyes were measuring him like so much fresh meat. A low growl rose from the throat of the monstrous wolf, as it leaped towards Sephiroth from between two pale treetrunks. The silver-haired warrior jumped aside just in time, and his feet lifted some of the light snow into air as they met ground again.
"..Come on now.." Sephiroth whispered, his eyes locked to the nervously moving animal. The Bandersnatch pawed at the ground, preparing for a new attack. As the creature galloped from the right side, Sephiroth rotated the blade of his sword in front of him, and slashed at the creature as it jumped towards him with it's jaws open. Blood was splattered on the sparkling white ground, and the grey monster fell back down to the snow lifeless. It's hind leg twitched a little, but after that the Bandersnatch only layed still. The delicate breeze ruffled it's grey fur, drying the recently spilt blood. Sephiroth tilted the Masamune's blade in front of his eyes, and watched as the deep red liquid poared down from the metal's surface. Slowly and thoroughly he wiped the blade clean with a white paper napkin, and inspected his sword before sliding it back into it's sheath.
"Stupid creature.." Sephiroth grunted, as his eyes glid over the monster he had just killed. It's mouth had remained open, and a long pink tongue slid out to the snow. Sephiroth crouched down next to the carcase, thinking how the fierce monster suddenly looked so pathetic. It was obvious the monster had been driven away from it's pack, since usually Bandersnathes hunted in groups of tree or four females. Absent-mindedly Sephiroths hands combed trough the animals well-groomed fur. He could feel the strong muscles and sinews, just below it's skin. Warmth still radiated from the dead monster, melting the ground below it. As Sephiroth straightened himself again, he noticed something reflected light to his eyes from the base of a tree. When he walked to the tree, Sephiroth noticed it was a silver ring, in which there were three green stones. As Sephiroths fingertips sweeped over them, he realized the stones were crystallized mako. He kept studying the beatiful ring, and after he had brushed off all the snow, he found a small engraving.
"Eternally yours?" Sephiroth read it aloud, and wondered if the series of numbers that followed the text was in fact someones wedding date.
Sephiroth closed the piece of jewelry within his fist, and turned to begin his walk back to Icicle Village. Nobody would miss a 23 year old ring.. Sephiroth's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a sight of of a unit of SOLDIERs lead by a brown-haired, pale looking man. The lower class officers, dressed in blue uniforms, aimed their riffles at Sephiroth. The entire unit stood still but none of them looked surprised to have found a legendary SOLDIER General on their patrol. Sephiroth wringed his brow displeased, understanding he had most likely been followed for some time now. But why had they waited so long before revealing themselves?
"Gongratulations. Not that many manage to take me by surprise.. But of course, even less survive to tell anyone about it." Sephiroth grinned surly, while drawing his sword from it's sheath.
"You do realize, there is no way we can allow an ex-General to join an anti-government organization. It would be too great of a security risk." The unit leader announced with an indifferent voice. His expression was smug, and it unnerved Sephiroth almost as much as it annoyed him. It was likely the Shin-Ra still had something up their sleeve.
"We cannot let AVALANCHE get their hands on the Black Materia.. For the safety of the General public, of course. Also, Jenova mustn't be killed.. for Shin-Ra needs her." The man explained, and sneered.
"You're digging your own graves.. Jenova'll become indestructible unless she's stopped." Sephiroth growled. The unit leader snapped his fingers, and his subordinates opened fire. Thanks to his perfect reflexes, Sephiroth was able to avoid getting shot by jumping back.
"You should know, General.. There's no such thing, that can't be destroyed." The man smiled, almost friendly, and signaled for his men to keep shooting. Sephiroth chanted a protective barrier against the bullets, and was just about to begin his counter attack, as he felt something hit against his side painfully. He lowered his hand to the aching spot, and his fingers met a red dart. Sephiroth cringed inwardly, thinking how annoying it was that he never seemed to learn. The SOLDIERs had only been a diversion, that were meant to attract Sephiroth's attention for so long a sniper could shoot at him with his tranquillizer-gun. The Shin-Ra weren't stupid enough to try and defeat him with conventional methods. Using his last option, Sephiroth quickly teleported from the clearing, finding himself significantly closer to Icicle Village.
Sephiroth had been prepared to flee in case the Shin-Ra would mobilize their troops. It had payed off to be cautious, but at the same time Sephiroth knew he would never make it to the town, even though it was already visible from where he was standing. He could feel the Shin-Ra's sedatives had begun to take their affect. The SOLDIERs had most likely been in contact with Hojo while trying to figure out a battle strategy, Sephiroth thought, as he pulled out the dart and dropped it to the ground. With great difficulty, he faltered to a nearby tree, and sunk to the ground with his back supported against it's pale grey trunk. Sephiroth closed his eyes, and his head dropped a little to the side as he lost consiousness. His fist, that Sephiroth had held tightly closed, opened up, revealing the silver ring. It's small mako crystals glowed a dim green light, that was clearly visible against Sephiroth's black gloves. In the middle of the snowy scenery, the ring twinkled like a bright, faraway star.
* * * * *
You're
still protecting that wretched cetra, aren't you son..
"..Go away."
The best thing you could do for her, is to go as far away
from her as possible..
~If you leave her alone, she will be killed by Jenova..~
"..Stop it."
Your so called friends would rather kill you that let you
pose a threat to that little wench..
"Shut up!"
~The world will be destroyed.. Everything she holds dear will
perish..~
I am the rightful heir to his Planet! All Planets belong to
our kind! You are one of us, how could you deny it!? You
fool!
~Do you really want to watch her die?~
"Leave me alone, both of you! Just go away! ..Go.."
Aeris looked at the dark form of Sephiroth, huddled by a tree. He was trashing around like having a nightmare, so she ran quickly closer to see what was wrong with him. "Sephy..?" Aeris whispered, and kneeled to his side. Sephiroth's eyes remained closed in spite of the demanding tone of Aeris' voice, but as her fingers crept to the side of his face, they suddenly bolted open.
"H-huh?" The look in Sephiroth's eyes was pure bewilderment.
"Are you OK?" Aeris asked concearned, shocked to see the silver-haired man grab her wrist. He pulled Aeris to her feet as he rose up, and scanned her body with his eyes. The look of utter confusion never left Sephiroth's gaze.
"Where am I? What's happening to me? Who are you?!" He muttered, gritting his teeth in silent despair.
"Don't you remember..?" Aeris stared at Sephiroth's face, ignoring the throbbing ache in her wrist that Sephiroth still held tightly in his grasp. "What've they done to you.." Aeris' words came out as a throaty moan, as her boyfriend suddenly twisted her wrist, forcing her to back up a few steps until her back was pressed against the treetrunk.
"Shut up. I don't know what joke you're trying to pull on me, but it won't work." He hissed, and Aeris pulled her hand loose. Tears shone in her eyes, as she kept staring at Sephiroth.
His pasific green eyes were glowing restlessly, almost as if there was a tempest raging inside of his head. "Sephy.." Aeris' voice trembled, but she was silenced by Sephiroth's fingers, that wound themselves around her throat, choking her. "You're hurting me.." She gagged, trying to draw in light, shallow breaths.
"What have you done to Jenova? I was supposed to rescue her.." Sephiroth tilted his head, as a faint whisper of some memory ran through his head. His free hand rose to his temple, and a shadow of pain passed his features.
"..This can't be happening.. I love you." Aeris' voice broke, and even though she felt Sephiroth loosen his hold on her throat, her breathing was still laboured. She could hardly believe, that only moments ago she had been planning her wedding ceremony, peacefully oblivious of what was to come. "You have to remember.." Aeris pleaded, but her voice had no effect on Sephiroth.
"Remember these..? You bought them for me." Aeris lifted her hands to show her new bracelets. A gust of wind blew against Sephiroths back, throwing his long hair towards Aeris. For the moment it took her to release a breath she hadn't noticed she had been holding back, the silvery bangles held the two closed in their own private universe. Without either of them noticing, they leaned closer, as though to satisfy some urge of vital importance.
Oh god I want to kiss him.
"Oh I get it.. Trying to get me to change sides, hmm? How ingenious of you.." Sephiroth smiled spitefully, and pulled back. For a fleeing moment, Aeris thought she saw hesitation in his eyes, as though a part of him still remembered everything.
"I would never do that!" Aeris shook her head, and tried to consentrate on thinking. "Jenova's not your mother, you're with AVALANCHE now, and we were going to get married! Please.. You must believe me!" Aeris tried to hug Sephiroth, but felt him flinch at her slightest touch.
"How dare you." Sephiroth's voice was filled with malice, and he shoved Aeris away. His push was so forceful, the air left Aeris' lungs as her back hit against the treetrunk behind her.
I never thought I could fear him.
"I'm not so easily feinted from my mission.." Sephiroth's lips curled up to a smirk. "Especially not by such obvious lies.." He continued, but in spite of his cold exterior something kept Sephiroth from attacking Aeris. May it be curiousity towards a foolish, yet brave enemy - or the longing of his soul for it's counterpart.
"But they're not.. I'd never lie to you." Aeris swallowed hard, and listened to her nervous heartbeat. The man who stood in front of her seemed to have nothing in common with the Sephiroth she had grown to know and love, except his appearance. "You know that.. Deep in your heart, you must know." She whispered, staring at Sephiroth with scared eyes.
"Stop this childish act of yours, for it's not working." His expression was cold, but there was tension in his voice that suggested otherwise.
"What are you going to do?" Aeris asked in a small voice, that made her seem very young. She knew she looked like a frightened little schoolgirl, and the sparkle that appeared in Sephiroth's eyes caused a shiver to run through her body like an electric shock. It was some kind of malicious pleasure, that caused him to take a deep calming breath.
Like a cat toying with a mouse.
"I'm not sure.." Sephiroth said affectedly, drawing his sword slowly. He placed the blades tip on Aeris' throat, and then slowly lowered it down the cloth of her pink dress. "..I should kill you.." He whispered, as the blade halted at the location of Aeris' heart. A moment passed, as he just stared at the blade.
"Go ahead." Aeris spoke defiantly, raising her eyes from the sword to meet Sephiroth's gaze. And there it was again, that childlike blank expression. Suddenly his vertical pupils dilated, and Sephiroth shook his head as though fighting for the control of his body with some unknown power. Aeris just looked at him, feeling a teardrop freeze on her cheek.
"Ugh.." Sephiroth groaned, and lifted both of his hands to his head.
I could run away now. I could fight back.
"Sephy..?" Aeris asked, as she took a step forward. "Look at me.." She pleaded, and placed her hand on Sephiroth's arm cautiously.
"..J-jenova?" Was all he managed to choke out. "Get away from me!" He yelled then, backing up from Aeris' reach.
She wasn't sure to whom Sephiroth had meant the threat, but didn't attempt to approach him again. Even if her body was yerning for his touch..
"What..?" Sephiroth stumbled further back, and stared at Aeris wide-eyed. "What's happening to me..?" He questioned her angrily, and then turned around to face the hillside that led down towards the Crater valley.
"Sephiroth, please!" Aeris shouted after him, but he never turned around to see Aeris reach her arm out for him. Slowly she lowered it back down, watching Sephiroth grow more and more distant. A storm of emotions in her mind, Aeris kept her eyes glued to the horizon. What had happened? Someone had to have attacked him. Perhaps Jenova had deviced a new means of controlling Sephiroth? Aeris couldn't figure it out. Never in her life had she expected Sephiroth to lash out at her like that. Then suddenly she saw it. A small silvery object, trampled on the ground. Aeris crouched over it, and picked it up from the snow.
"Eternally yours?" Aeris read the engraving, and felt hot tears burning in her eyes. Had Sephiroth gotten it for her?
* * * * *
"Sir, they're leaving for the Crater as we speak." A SOLDIER said, saluting his unit leader.
"Perfect. Heideggar will be pleased to hear this." The tanned man smiled. "And Sephiroth?" He asked the new recruit.
"It would appear your plan worked, Sir." The man answered from under his blue helmet. "By using the experimental amnesia drug on Sephiroth the AVALANCHEr's are now convinced he's an enemy and will most likely fight him should they ever meet again." The young man explained.
"Good, good.." The tanned unit leader sniggered. "Once he's out of the way, we'll have no problems defeating Zenobius and the other AVALANCHEr's." He continued, running his thick fingers through his sand-coloured hair.
"But Sir.." The young SOLDIER began shyly. "That cetra girl.." He continued.
"I know, Hojo wants her back.. God knows why. We'll deal with her once we get the Black Materia." The tanned man frowned.
"What if she get's killed?" The SOLDIER in the blue uniform asked, and his boss only shrugged indifferently.
"She'll hardly be the first or the last person to die in combat.. Grow up already." The man grimaced of irritation.
"Hojo instructed us on the phone that--" The subordinate argued.
"I follow only those instructions given to me by the President of Shin-Ra.. I suggest you do the same." The unit leader grunted, and then turned to enter his dark mauve coloured tent.
So there it was, the latest twist to the plot. I just looooove writing Seph insane.. (Even if it is just slightly..) So I changed my original plan a bit. All A/S fans don't be alarmed by this turn of events, I just figured out something neat I want to write in this fic.. I'm not telling you anything else, you'll have to keep reading to find out! ^_^ Umm.. Did ya notice my little experimentation? I tried a new writing style on for a size and I'm not sure if it's good or not. I thought it'd be a good dramatic effect. I'll be looking forward to reading your comments on it!