Disclaimer: Why must I continue writing these? *sigh* Final Fantasy belongs
to Squaresoft. Not to me. Squaresoft gets the money. Not me. Squaresoft
gets a good reputation. Not me. I get nothing.
Author's Note: Woo-hoo!! FIFTY REVIEWS!!! The big 5-0!! *does a little happy dance* Oh, JOY! Oh, RAPTURE!… Alright, I'm sorry about not updating for a week. *accepts beating from faithful readers, then runs away* Please don't hurt me any more than you absolutely need to, and lay off the fingers, or else how can I write? Go for the legs, then maybe I won't be able to go anywhere and thus will be confined to my computer. I vividly remember the last time I left you all hanging, and the first review I got was 'Yay! You finally updated!' It was amusing to see, and yet guilt suddenly plagued me. *GUILT PLAGUING HER* If you flame me over my every now and again long waits, I will not be pleased. I will be displeased, and will kill off a character you previously said you liked. Just for revenge, because I don't get mad, I get even. Side side note: I saw "The Usual Suspects" last night. Wow- cool movie! So, if you flame me, I'll pull a Kaiser Sose (?) on you. MWAHAHAHAHAHA K, finished with the rant, please don't flame me. I'll cry. -_-;;;;; N E way, I've decided to not explain my plans anymore in my Notes. At least, not for a few chapters. See, I have to get some scenes in before they get older, but they're taking forever to write! After I get the scenes done (I have no idea when this will be), I will joyfully let you know. It might be one chapter, it might be five, but it probably won't be much more than that. Then, those two extra chapters I've been going on about, then (finally), super-aged stuff! Oh, joy. K, on with the story!!
AN Part2: Thanks be to SilentlyScreamingForHelp, who informed me of my uncharacteristic error… one character cannot die twice. Err… heeheehee- here's the revised version. Gomenesai.
Chapter 21:
Don't Cry
"So, you boys want to join the army, huh?"
Sephiroth glared at his friend, who gleefully nodded. Sometimes Zack was just too strange.
"Well, then, you'll need to fill out these forms, and get your parents signatures on this," he said, handing them a bunch of papers.
Sephiroth looked at the papers and found the line with the 'parent/guardian signature' printed next to it. Well, no need to bring everyone in on your sorrow, right? Can't you just sign it yourself, and use your mother's name?
The Lieutenant looked at the two boys expectantly. There was something about them that intrigued him, even though they were only still children. They might end up to be great soldiers, if they trained hard.
Zack and Sephiroth were sent off to an adjacent room to fill out the forms and get a physical. While Zack was getting his physical, Sephiroth began to fill out the form.
'Name:' Sephiroth. He was about to write down his last name, when something stopped him. No, that part of you died with your mother. You are no longer Hojo's blood. You are my blood, and as I have no last name, I see no reason for you to. Oh. Well, then, he supposed that would do.
He filled out all the other personal data, such as age, birthday, height, weight, hair and eye color, etc. Then, he got into the more detailed questions. Most of them were simple enough, but every now and again there was something that he just didn't have a good answer to. For instance, 'Why do you want to join the army?' Well, he didn't. Not really. It was more of a must-have-food-and-other-necessities thing, than a let's- go-have-fun-killing-people thing. But you can't say that. No he couldn't say that. Why don't you just lie? Make something up. He could do that. Sure you could. It's only a white lie. Who would it hurt?
So, Sephiroth filled out the remainder of the forms with 'little white lies'. If anyone had later asked him what he had written, he would have been strangely unable to remember. However, his progress was so great that no one ever questioned him, and he never had to think about it ever again.
Once Zack came out, smiling as usual, Sephiroth stood up and walked into the waiting doctor's room.
"Hello, young man. Well, sit down, sit down, let's have a good look at you."
Sephiroth moved to sit on the provided chair, but the doctor stopped him.
"What are you doing? Stand up! How can I get a good look at you if you're slouching in a chair?"
Sephiroth blinked and remained standing. The doctor circled around him, looking him up and down as one would an extravagant piece of art, or a new car. The older man took in his entire appearance, including his thin build and haunted eyes. There was potential in this one, he could tell, but the possibility for an extreme failure also existed. He would be a difficult subordinate, this one.
"Alright, here, let me get your height and weight."
And so the physical began, which was more extensive than most yet still generally unintrusive. He was relieved when it was over, and soon Sephiroth walked back outside to see Zack waiting in anticipation.
"Well, how'd it go?"
Sephiroth raised his eyebrows. "Fine."
"Great! They'll probably let us start right away! Oh, this is going to be so cool! Finally, I'll get to do something useful instead of bumming around this place."
Zack's words made little to no sense in Sephiroth's mind, but it didn't matter. The basic sentiment behind his words was the same as what Sephiroth was feeling. He would soon be able to live how he wanted, and he would have a meaning in his life. He had no reason for being at the moment. Everyone had people who cared about them and encouraged them. Who did Sephiroth have? Zack, who was the strangest person he had ever met. And then there was Aeris, who he was apparently not speaking with. Well, he was never speaking with her, but she was with him, and she hadn't lately. So they weren't speaking.
He shook his head lightly. What did it matter to him? She was of no importance in the future. Don't forget that. She will be of no use to you. Now Zack, there's someone who can help you. Strong, loyal, he'll make a good right-hand man. That's what you need- strong people who can strike fear into other's hearts. Then, you'll be able to do anything you want. You can have control over the entire world, if it's your wish. Think about it. Anyone will do what you ask.
Except for Aeris. She won't do anything I ask her to. And why should she? I've never been nice to her. I've never helped her. She won't care about me no matter what happens.
Forget about her. Let Zack have her. He likes her, let him have her. After all, she'll be of no use to you.
…
~*~*~*~*~*~
The ceiling looked so dull. There was no color there, not like there was in the garden. There were all sorts of colors in the garden. The planet loved looking at them. Then again, the planet loved anything that grew.
Aeris turned over and looked at wall. Right next to her bed so had put up her class picture. It was small, but she could make out everyone anyway. Her green eyes wandered over to the two dark figures in the back. Both Sephiroth and Zack had worn black that day, and both had been in a bad mood since they had received bad grades on a test. Sephiroth blamed it on Zack, and Zack blamed it on the teacher. They stood at the back, and silently glared at the camera, venting their frustration at the unflinching photographer. He had thought it cute that they had gotten a theme together for picture day.
Why was Sephiroth always so volatile? Was it just his nature to be so mean to anyone who tried to befriend him? But that couldn't be true. After all, Zack had befriended Sephiroth, and there were no hostile feelings there. Or so she thought. They seemed to have a mutual agreement to get along. They meshed well together. It was a ying-yang sort of principle, fire and ice, high and low, light and shadow. Although they were opposites, they belonged together. One could not survive without the other.
Aeris felt the planet reach out to her tentatively. She embraced it, as always, and asked what was wrong? Was it feeling sad?
No, but she might feel sad.
Why? What happened?
Your mother…
Aeris immediately panicked. What? What about my mother? Is she sick? Is she alright?
She's fine, but she will be sad soon.
Why?
The news of her loved one is coming.
Aeris drew a sharp breath. Who? Who was her loved one? The same one from before?
But the planet would not say, and so Aeris just consoled it. It's not your fault. Thank you for the news.
The planet left as it always did, most of it retreating to wherever it lived, but a part staying within the girl. Aeris slid her legs off of her bed and fervently wished that the planet had told her who had died. However, the planet was very picky sometimes, and she supposed there were reasons she was not always told everything.
She walked down the steps and found her mother in the kitchen making dinner. Elmyra turned when she heard her daughter's footsteps.
"Yes, honey? Do you need something?"
Aeris shook her head. There was nothing she could say. Her mother probably wouldn't believe her, and she would find out soon enough anyway.
Without another word, she turned around and walked back up the steps. After all, what could she say that wouldn't cause her mother grief?
~*~*~*~*~*~
Elmyra stared after Aeris. She blinked in shock at the child's sudden departure.
It was eerily reminiscent of the last time Aeris had left suddenly. That had been right after the horrible message the child had given her. What had the message meant? Was it from the planet?
That was a distinct possibility. Most things Aeris said that made no sense had to do with talking with the planet. It was something she would never understand, but she had accepted it long ago.
Someone close to her had died. It was a while ago now, but she still didn't know who-
A knock sounded on the door. Elmyra rushed to open it, and smiled at the messenger. He was dressed in military attire, and she immediately assumed he carried news of her husband.
"Ma'am," he said, very politely. "I have news from Wutai." He handed her a letter and she accepted it gratefully.
"Is it my husband? Is he alright? Did he send for something?"
"Please, ma'am, read the letter."
Elmyra began to fear the contents of the letter, and her fear was increased even greater by the time she read the first line. 'I am sorry to inform you of Mr. Gainsborough's death.'
She stopped there, and stared, uncomprehending, at the soldier.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," he repeated.
A single tear fell down her cheek and was replaced with bitter sobs. Aeris stood watching at the top of the stairs, unsure of how to help her mother.
The sobs continued, unrelenting, and still Aeris stared. She had never seen her mother like that…
A gentle hand placed itself on Elmyra's shoulder, and the woman looked up to see her daughter staring at her.
"It's alright, mommy. Don't cry."
But Elmyra couldn't help it, and the silent tears streamed down her face as she comforted her only child.
Author's Note: Woo-hoo!! FIFTY REVIEWS!!! The big 5-0!! *does a little happy dance* Oh, JOY! Oh, RAPTURE!… Alright, I'm sorry about not updating for a week. *accepts beating from faithful readers, then runs away* Please don't hurt me any more than you absolutely need to, and lay off the fingers, or else how can I write? Go for the legs, then maybe I won't be able to go anywhere and thus will be confined to my computer. I vividly remember the last time I left you all hanging, and the first review I got was 'Yay! You finally updated!' It was amusing to see, and yet guilt suddenly plagued me. *GUILT PLAGUING HER* If you flame me over my every now and again long waits, I will not be pleased. I will be displeased, and will kill off a character you previously said you liked. Just for revenge, because I don't get mad, I get even. Side side note: I saw "The Usual Suspects" last night. Wow- cool movie! So, if you flame me, I'll pull a Kaiser Sose (?) on you. MWAHAHAHAHAHA K, finished with the rant, please don't flame me. I'll cry. -_-;;;;; N E way, I've decided to not explain my plans anymore in my Notes. At least, not for a few chapters. See, I have to get some scenes in before they get older, but they're taking forever to write! After I get the scenes done (I have no idea when this will be), I will joyfully let you know. It might be one chapter, it might be five, but it probably won't be much more than that. Then, those two extra chapters I've been going on about, then (finally), super-aged stuff! Oh, joy. K, on with the story!!
AN Part2: Thanks be to SilentlyScreamingForHelp, who informed me of my uncharacteristic error… one character cannot die twice. Err… heeheehee- here's the revised version. Gomenesai.
Chapter 21:
Don't Cry
"So, you boys want to join the army, huh?"
Sephiroth glared at his friend, who gleefully nodded. Sometimes Zack was just too strange.
"Well, then, you'll need to fill out these forms, and get your parents signatures on this," he said, handing them a bunch of papers.
Sephiroth looked at the papers and found the line with the 'parent/guardian signature' printed next to it. Well, no need to bring everyone in on your sorrow, right? Can't you just sign it yourself, and use your mother's name?
The Lieutenant looked at the two boys expectantly. There was something about them that intrigued him, even though they were only still children. They might end up to be great soldiers, if they trained hard.
Zack and Sephiroth were sent off to an adjacent room to fill out the forms and get a physical. While Zack was getting his physical, Sephiroth began to fill out the form.
'Name:' Sephiroth. He was about to write down his last name, when something stopped him. No, that part of you died with your mother. You are no longer Hojo's blood. You are my blood, and as I have no last name, I see no reason for you to. Oh. Well, then, he supposed that would do.
He filled out all the other personal data, such as age, birthday, height, weight, hair and eye color, etc. Then, he got into the more detailed questions. Most of them were simple enough, but every now and again there was something that he just didn't have a good answer to. For instance, 'Why do you want to join the army?' Well, he didn't. Not really. It was more of a must-have-food-and-other-necessities thing, than a let's- go-have-fun-killing-people thing. But you can't say that. No he couldn't say that. Why don't you just lie? Make something up. He could do that. Sure you could. It's only a white lie. Who would it hurt?
So, Sephiroth filled out the remainder of the forms with 'little white lies'. If anyone had later asked him what he had written, he would have been strangely unable to remember. However, his progress was so great that no one ever questioned him, and he never had to think about it ever again.
Once Zack came out, smiling as usual, Sephiroth stood up and walked into the waiting doctor's room.
"Hello, young man. Well, sit down, sit down, let's have a good look at you."
Sephiroth moved to sit on the provided chair, but the doctor stopped him.
"What are you doing? Stand up! How can I get a good look at you if you're slouching in a chair?"
Sephiroth blinked and remained standing. The doctor circled around him, looking him up and down as one would an extravagant piece of art, or a new car. The older man took in his entire appearance, including his thin build and haunted eyes. There was potential in this one, he could tell, but the possibility for an extreme failure also existed. He would be a difficult subordinate, this one.
"Alright, here, let me get your height and weight."
And so the physical began, which was more extensive than most yet still generally unintrusive. He was relieved when it was over, and soon Sephiroth walked back outside to see Zack waiting in anticipation.
"Well, how'd it go?"
Sephiroth raised his eyebrows. "Fine."
"Great! They'll probably let us start right away! Oh, this is going to be so cool! Finally, I'll get to do something useful instead of bumming around this place."
Zack's words made little to no sense in Sephiroth's mind, but it didn't matter. The basic sentiment behind his words was the same as what Sephiroth was feeling. He would soon be able to live how he wanted, and he would have a meaning in his life. He had no reason for being at the moment. Everyone had people who cared about them and encouraged them. Who did Sephiroth have? Zack, who was the strangest person he had ever met. And then there was Aeris, who he was apparently not speaking with. Well, he was never speaking with her, but she was with him, and she hadn't lately. So they weren't speaking.
He shook his head lightly. What did it matter to him? She was of no importance in the future. Don't forget that. She will be of no use to you. Now Zack, there's someone who can help you. Strong, loyal, he'll make a good right-hand man. That's what you need- strong people who can strike fear into other's hearts. Then, you'll be able to do anything you want. You can have control over the entire world, if it's your wish. Think about it. Anyone will do what you ask.
Except for Aeris. She won't do anything I ask her to. And why should she? I've never been nice to her. I've never helped her. She won't care about me no matter what happens.
Forget about her. Let Zack have her. He likes her, let him have her. After all, she'll be of no use to you.
…
~*~*~*~*~*~
The ceiling looked so dull. There was no color there, not like there was in the garden. There were all sorts of colors in the garden. The planet loved looking at them. Then again, the planet loved anything that grew.
Aeris turned over and looked at wall. Right next to her bed so had put up her class picture. It was small, but she could make out everyone anyway. Her green eyes wandered over to the two dark figures in the back. Both Sephiroth and Zack had worn black that day, and both had been in a bad mood since they had received bad grades on a test. Sephiroth blamed it on Zack, and Zack blamed it on the teacher. They stood at the back, and silently glared at the camera, venting their frustration at the unflinching photographer. He had thought it cute that they had gotten a theme together for picture day.
Why was Sephiroth always so volatile? Was it just his nature to be so mean to anyone who tried to befriend him? But that couldn't be true. After all, Zack had befriended Sephiroth, and there were no hostile feelings there. Or so she thought. They seemed to have a mutual agreement to get along. They meshed well together. It was a ying-yang sort of principle, fire and ice, high and low, light and shadow. Although they were opposites, they belonged together. One could not survive without the other.
Aeris felt the planet reach out to her tentatively. She embraced it, as always, and asked what was wrong? Was it feeling sad?
No, but she might feel sad.
Why? What happened?
Your mother…
Aeris immediately panicked. What? What about my mother? Is she sick? Is she alright?
She's fine, but she will be sad soon.
Why?
The news of her loved one is coming.
Aeris drew a sharp breath. Who? Who was her loved one? The same one from before?
But the planet would not say, and so Aeris just consoled it. It's not your fault. Thank you for the news.
The planet left as it always did, most of it retreating to wherever it lived, but a part staying within the girl. Aeris slid her legs off of her bed and fervently wished that the planet had told her who had died. However, the planet was very picky sometimes, and she supposed there were reasons she was not always told everything.
She walked down the steps and found her mother in the kitchen making dinner. Elmyra turned when she heard her daughter's footsteps.
"Yes, honey? Do you need something?"
Aeris shook her head. There was nothing she could say. Her mother probably wouldn't believe her, and she would find out soon enough anyway.
Without another word, she turned around and walked back up the steps. After all, what could she say that wouldn't cause her mother grief?
~*~*~*~*~*~
Elmyra stared after Aeris. She blinked in shock at the child's sudden departure.
It was eerily reminiscent of the last time Aeris had left suddenly. That had been right after the horrible message the child had given her. What had the message meant? Was it from the planet?
That was a distinct possibility. Most things Aeris said that made no sense had to do with talking with the planet. It was something she would never understand, but she had accepted it long ago.
Someone close to her had died. It was a while ago now, but she still didn't know who-
A knock sounded on the door. Elmyra rushed to open it, and smiled at the messenger. He was dressed in military attire, and she immediately assumed he carried news of her husband.
"Ma'am," he said, very politely. "I have news from Wutai." He handed her a letter and she accepted it gratefully.
"Is it my husband? Is he alright? Did he send for something?"
"Please, ma'am, read the letter."
Elmyra began to fear the contents of the letter, and her fear was increased even greater by the time she read the first line. 'I am sorry to inform you of Mr. Gainsborough's death.'
She stopped there, and stared, uncomprehending, at the soldier.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," he repeated.
A single tear fell down her cheek and was replaced with bitter sobs. Aeris stood watching at the top of the stairs, unsure of how to help her mother.
The sobs continued, unrelenting, and still Aeris stared. She had never seen her mother like that…
A gentle hand placed itself on Elmyra's shoulder, and the woman looked up to see her daughter staring at her.
"It's alright, mommy. Don't cry."
But Elmyra couldn't help it, and the silent tears streamed down her face as she comforted her only child.