Chapter 9
Sorceress Myst: (While stuffing assistant in the closet) I do not own Final Fantasy 7 or any of its characters except Tarae.
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The sun began rising in the eastern sky, first affecting the ocean, then slowly bathed Junon in a golden glow. The cold, crisp air awakened the sleepy town and soon both soldiers and townsfolk alike were busy preparing for Rufus's welcome parade. Tarae had long since left the end cannon and was now leaning against the railing beside the cannon looking out at the wonderful sight. Occasionally some soldiers or Turks would come by and warn her about being alone, especially with Sephiroth still around. Even if Sephiroth should come, she was certain her plan would work. After all it worked before when he destroyed her village.
Despite all the hustle and bustle around Junon, Tarae could still hear the cry of the planet. It has been happening ever since she left Midgar. The planet's cry is probably the reason why she has been having all these nightmares lately. But what was more disturbing was the fact that Aeris couldn't hear it. …Which means that the planet wants something from her, but what? The crying became louder, causing her to flinch. Tarae did the only thing she could do. Sing. She sang in another language she knew since birth. Aeris and Red XIII know it so it must be some Cetran language. The planet began humming along to the melody after a few verses. Once the song was over, it was finally quiet for a while until she heard it whimpering. At least it's not crying as loud as before. She backed away as she realized things were back to normal. This was a nice accomplishment for Tarae because she was able to make the planet forget about its pain for a tiny moment through song. Suddenly, she bumped into a muscular body. She turned to find Rufus towering over her and by the looks of it, he was there the whole time. Tarae stared at her feet, embarrassed that she slipped up and let Rufus find out her secret.
"Why'd you stop? It was really pretty." She looked up to find that he was not angry but happy.
"I ran out of words to sing." She answered in a quiet voice.
"I've been studying dead languages too. I was able to catch a few words but I'm not very fluent in the Cetran language." Relief washed over her as he ran his hand through his hair. The relief was short-lived as she saw Red XIII come out of his hiding place behind a few crates and was stealthily making his way to a new hiding place. She quickly turned her attention to Rufus, hoping he didn't notice, but she found he was watching her every move, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just saw a soldier trip."
"So you say, but your face tells me something else," He decided to change the subject, "…Tarae? What happened back there in Midgar?"
"I'd rather not talk about it. Let's just say, it's about my pity for Hojo's specimens." She avoided his gaze until he seemed satisfied with the answer.
"That reminds me, Hojo quit yesterday. No one knows why. Now we have to find someone to take his place."
"I hope that isn't a hint that you want me to take the job." Rufus chuckled and shook his head at her remark, "No, unlike my father, I can take 'no' for an answer. Besides, you have your own business to look after."
"So …you got rid of Hojo. Is Scarlet next?" she asked with her infamous smirk. His face suddenly turned serious, "Miss Destine, I'm a president not a miracle worker. That old goat is too stubborn." They were silent for a long time 'til Tarae snickered, then Rufus chuckled, and then they both laughed loudly, not caring if people were staring. Once they calmed down, Rufus checked his watch, "I better go, are you coming to the Parade?"
"Of course."
"Great and also, since we are heading the same direction, would you accompany me and Heidegger on the vessel to Costa del Sol? It would be nice to have someone intelligent to talk to."
"Sure, I'd love to." He smiled and walked away leaving Tarae blushing a deep red color. Was it her imagination or was he trying to cheer her up? Deciding that the team is more important, she started to look for Red, but two soldiers blocked her way. …Two female soldiers. Tifa's hands were on her hips and Aeris's arms were crossed, both were ginning evilly at her.
"Oh no." Tarae muttered darkly as the girls began their giddy conversation.
"Isn't that cute, Tifa?"
"I know! I wonder when the wedding will be? I hope I get to be a bridesmaid."
"Me too. I was thinking we could wear pale pink dresses."
"Yeah, and we could wrestle the guys into tuxedos …providing we could find one that would fit Barret and one with a tail hole for Red."
"…Get back to work or I'll inform Heidegger." Tarae knew Rufus was really upset about Hojo's resignation and if Rufus is upset, then the whole Shinra Staff is upset. Heidegger is probably making this a living hell for the soldiers because Tifa and Aeris stopped on the dime.
"Yes ma'am, right away Mrs. Shinra."
"Bye Mrs. Strife!" Tarae called to the retreating soldiers, "See ya later Mrs. Bloodstone."
Tifa stopped blushing and faced Aeris, "Bloodstone? Is there a first name attached to this? Anyone I know?"
Aeris was about to shut Tarae up but she gave her the mock salute and walked away in the opposite direction.
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There were streamers and glitter everywhere as the parade began. Heidegger was marching proudly at the front, followed by three armed soldiers. After a few more units, cameras were flashing madly as President Rufus, wearing his usual arrogant scowl, came riding in a heavily guarded car. He didn't wave back to his hysterical admirers though he often ran his hand through his hair. However, when he seen Tarae, he gave her a small smile before he was out of her sight. Instantly, Tarae was bombarded with T.V. crews and people looking for autographs.
"Miss Destine!" A large sailor pushed his way though the crowd and led her to an alley way that leads to the place where the parade ends.
"Thank you Barret."
"You're welcome. We don't need ya to waste anymore time 'cause the sooner we cross the ocean, the sooner I can get out of this thing." He pulled on the white and blue jacket he was wearing.
"Really? I think you look good in the outfit. In fact, I bet Marlene would love to see you in it." he grinned at the mention of his daughter. They were reaching the end of the alley. Whistles and the stomping of boots could be heard.
"I gotta go load the ship." He gave her a pat on the back before running ahead. Up ahead, soldiers were standing in line and Heidegger was shaking a little with a smile slowly fading away.
"Is the ship ready?" Rufus asked coldly as he approached the tram.
"Yes sir, we'll get it ready immediately." Was the instant reply from the large man. Rufus enters the tram and Heidegger begins laughing again once Rufus was out of sight. In the back row, Tarae noticed a soldier fidgeting. Blonde strands of hair managed to show under the sides of his hat, leaving her a good guess on who he was. Soldiers dispersed as Heidegger ran toward him and smacked him until the tram started moving. Yep, that was Cloud alright, he didn't flinch once. Tarae came out of her hiding place as the other soldiers surround him.
"That was a disaster." Whispered the first one.
"Heidegger was really irritated…" Agreed the other.
"The man in the Black Cape's been roaming around the city, but we can't find him." Tarae froze. She heard of men in black capes before from Hojo. Cloud shrugged, "Man in a Black Cape?"
"He showed up two or three days ago, and killed a few of our soldiers."
"He disappeared right after that. There's a rumor going around that it was Sephiroth."
"That's right, he did always wear black capes, but could this be related what Hojo was getting at years ago?" her thought was cut short as Cloud tapped her on the shoulder. The captain had already dismissed the others.
"You always did look good in a Shinra uniform." Cloud smirked a little, "Yeah, I was proud when I first put one on, but that didn't compare to when I first put on my SOLDIER uniform."
"You joined SOLDIER!?" his grin faded and was replaced with a confused look from her outburst.
"Yes and then I quit and became a mercenary. Ring a bell?" she immediately brightened up.
"Heh, heh, just kidding. Of course you were in SOLDIER."
"You're strange."
"Yeah …strange… indeed." She plunged deeper than before into her thoughts. Cloud fished for something in his pockets and brought her back as he taped a note to her forehead. He already vanished when she pulled it off.
"Ha, ha, very funny.
We were amused.
-Cloud"
A few seconds ago, she would have found this funny, but something was terribly wrong.
"Tarae!" Aeris ran up to her and bended over to catch her breath, "I have been ordered by Heidegger to bring you to Rufus's office."
"Aeris? Can you keep a secret?" Aeris stood up and stared straight into her eyes. Tarae was wearing her business suit so the high heels she wore with it made her slightly taller than Aeris.
"Sure."
"You must never tell the others, especially not Cloud and Tifa" she paused, then walked over to the tram as it has returned, "…Cloud never made it into SOLDIER, Hojo made sure of that, but when he said he joined SOLDIER, I thought he was trying to impress Tifa. I remember seeing him as an ordinary Shinra soldier and promised that I would never tell Tifa what happened to him. Now he thinks he had always been in SOLDIER."
"I know. Your grandmother told me days ago. It's best not to alarm him so it might be good if we don't tell him."
"My grandmother?"
"I can hear the souls from the Lifestream when I sleep. Every Ancient has a special gift besides talking to the planet"
"Oh. …I guess I should go see Rufus. Thanks for listening." Tarae climbed the ladder.
"No problem. I just wish you would talk about things like this to me more often."
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Around noon-time, the ship was finally loaded. Soldiers were now performing the presidential send-off. They finished by twirling their guns over their heads.
"I wonder where they learned that?" Tarae thought sarcastically.
"Well done. Keep up the good work for Shinra Inc." Rufus said as Heidegger gave each of them a special gift. Once he returned, Rufus glared at him, "Once word gets out that Sephiroth's here, Cloud and his friends will show up too."
"You still haven't caught them?"
"Miss Destine, by all means, if you could do any better…"
"No, no" She walked up to the soldiers, "I'm sure the troops…" she stopped at Cloud, "…are capable. Right Heidegger?"
"We'll crush them as soon as we find them." He responded happily when she faced him.
"We can't have them get in our way." Rufus faced the boat.
"Leave it up to me sir! Gya haa ha!"
"I thought I told you to stop that stupid laugh…" Tarae caught up to him as he walked into the boat. She mouthed 'thank you' to him once they were out of Heidegger's sight.
With one final whistle the vessel was on its way to a new destination. Rufus, Tarae, and Heidegger stayed on the deck watching the crew, sometimes dishing out orders. After an hour has passed, a soldier approached them, "We have searched the ship sir, no stowaways."
"Good. Carry on." Heidegger saluted and the soldier saluted back before running off.
"Shall we head inside then?" Rufus asked Tarae.
"Go ahead, I wanna look around some more." Soon she was left alone so she could try to find the others. She was just about to go down below when she ran into Cloud.
"Ah! Just the man I wanted to see." He stopped and looked worried. The last time she said that was in Midgar, just before a rather embarrassing dare.
"What? Do you have another dare?"
"No, I was just thinking about the past. You know, how we were such good friends and we shared secrets, like your crush on Tifa. Remember?" she had to know if he still remembered his childhood past.
"Yeah, I was in a fight with Johnny and you helped me. Ever since then, we were best friends until we left Nibelheim. What's your point?" Tarae breathed out a sigh of relief and quickly changed the subject, "Nothing, just making conversation. But, I have an idea if you still think you're not ready to tell Tifa. Why don't you take her to places you both like, or buy her seemingly expensive gifts or flowers? If she keeps refusing then you will know your answer without having to ask and no risking friendships."
"It sounds like a good idea …but I have to save Gil for the journey." Tarae pulled out a black velvet box and gave it to Cloud.
"I was going to give it to Robin for Christmas, but they gave me the wrong one. It's too gaudy for a ten year old and it doesn't have the blue diamonds to match her crystalline blue eyes. I think Tifa would love it though." Cloud opened the box. It contained two silver earrings with small glittering rubies dangling on a tiny silver chain.
"Thanks! I know she'll love them." He breathed.
"You don't have to give it to her now. Wait awhile, but don't wait too long or …. Do you remember that dare in Midgar? I have a lovely picture of it. I could show Tifa…," she pulled out her blackmail on Cloud that she tried to show to Barret and Aeris before. It was a picture that had him and Tifa hugging each other in their sleep. Cloud groaned, he should have known she was going to do that.
"Please don't" he said tiredly.
"We'll see. Hehehehehe."
Another hour passed. Heidegger was droning on about battle strategies he used at the war in Wutai. Tarae and Rufus were too polite to stop him. Tarae is always polite and Rufus, well he doesn't give a damn about Heidegger, he just wants to be polite in front of Tarae. Heidegger laughed loudly before sirens suddenly sounded.
"Emergency alert! Reports of a suspicious character found! Those not in detail, search the ship. Report when found. I repeat. Suspicious character found on board! Those not in detail, search the ship. Report when found."
"Let's go. Maybe it's Cloud or even Sephiroth." Rufus ordered. Heidegger was the first to leave, followed by Tarae, but when she reached the metal door, it slammed shut. They glanced at each other for a brief second before she tried to turn the handle.
"…It's locked!" Rufus tried to open it, but no avail.
"You don't suppose Sephiroth is after one of us?" he asked as he pulled out his gun.
"I wouldn't know, but I think Sephiroth is the suspicious character the P.A. system was talking about." She answered, her sword already out. They were standing back to back in the middle of the room so they wouldn't be caught off guard. Tarae rubbed her thumb against the silky green ribbon tied at the hilt of her sword until she felt something slide up her back, causing her to turn. Sephiroth appeared between them, facing Rufus.
"You seek the Promised Land too, little boy? I'll let you see it." He was about to raise his masamune. Thinking quickly, she kicked him in the back of his knees and rushed beside Rufus. His gun was ready to blow Sephiroth's brains out and Tarae raised her sword to a defense position.
"So, you rely on your little girlfriend to help you." He sneered.
"Sephiroth …it's that bitch controlling you. You must fight it." She said in a cool collective voice. He chuckled, "Mother, I think she's insulting you."
A low growl emitted behind him. A slimy brown snake-like creature crawled out. At first, it was Jenova's arm, then it grew into a hideous monster. It sniffed the air for Tarae's presence, then extended a tentacle to grab her, but she jumped out of the way and cut it's arm off with a throwing dagger. A gunshot was heard and soon the monster was screaming it's now bloody head off. Sephiroth smirked and charged at the unsuspecting president, his masamune acting like a javelin.
"NO!!!" Tarae screamed. She ran up to the scene, raised her sword, and brought it down. A flash of light came and when it was over, half of the masamune laid at Rufus's feet and the other half at Tarae's.
"Thank you Tarae, I owe you my life." He smiled.
"No, we're even. You saved me first." She said, pointing to the dead Jenova spawn. She then picked up the hilt of the broken masamune. She gasped, "Where is it?"
"What?"
"Sephiroth tied a green ribbon at the hilt of his masamune. This one doesn't have it. Maybe we didn't fight the real Sephiroth, probably just some clone."
"Or maybe he could've torn it off." He added.
"But …he couldn't have …forgotten me."
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Sorceress Myst: Now its time for those crazy soap opera questions. (clears throat) Oh Fagtron!
Fagtron: How will Tifa react when Cloud gives her the gift? Could Aeris know more than she's letting on? Does Rufus seem OOC? Could Heidegger get any fatter or Scarlet any older? Did they really fight Sephiroth or a clone? And what is the story behind the green ribbons? Find out in the next chapter of Who Am I? What Am I?
Sorceress Myst: (blinks) Fagtron actually did something right? Only two dumb questions instead of sixty? Whoa!
Fagtron: I got mad skillz, yo.
