Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
My Eyes Can't Lie...
Cloud couldn't believe his eyes. How could the ghost of one he knew be in front of him? How could it be possible?
"Is that you? Aeris?" Cloud whispered. She nodded in reply.
"Can you speak?"
"Yes. I can speak. I am here to tell you one thing, Cloud."
"Which is?"
"You are a cowardly bastard."
"Huh?"
"Don't you see? You love her, and yet you suffer by not telling her that. I see you everyday from the lifestream, and I see her as well. As each day passes, you both show sadness and regret that you didn't tell the other your true feelings. If you truly love her, tell her."
"But I'm scared. What if I am just not good enough?"
"Does she seem to like anyone other than you?"
"No. I guess not."
"Well then? Isn't is obvious?"
"I guess it is, kinda..."
"Oh, Cloud! You are so impossible!" Aeris floated over to Tifa, and bend down a little so she could see her face. A few wisps of her hair touched Tifa's face.
"Mmm...Aeris...is that..." Tifa murmured in her sleep.
"Hmhm. Shh...dream on, dear Tifa. Dreams come true. I will be sure yours does at least." Aeris laughed quietly in her ear and hugged her sleeping form. Then she walked over to Cloud. "Let me see your hands."
"Why? Aren't your hands freezing or gonna go through mine?"
"*sigh* NO! Why does everyone I try to help ask that? I am not Casper! I am Aeris! My hands won't go through you, and I am not cold!" Aeris whispered loudly (Weird, I know, but it is possible! I do it all the time when I try to yell, but I'm supposed to be quiet.)
"...Oh...OK...geez. Don't go crazy on me."
"Just give me your hands before I change my mind." She commanded gently.
"Why?" Cloud asked as he reached for her.
"Because. Your hands are cold, and if you touch Tifa's face with them, she will wake up. I am doing you a favor."
"Thanks, Aeris. And...I'm sorry that I...that I couldn't save you against Sephiroth. He is dead now, but...I am sorry."
"Hehe! It's OK. He is in the lifestream with me now, and I tease him endlessly on how he only has ONE wing instead of two. He hates me for it, but I say he deserves it."
"Yeah. He does deserve it."
"Well, I have to go. I'm sorry, but I can't change anything that is going to happen. I will always be here for you to talk to, but I can't help you in what happens. That is what you are here for. You must learn to solve the problems ahead. Remember, though, Cloud. Remember, that just because you have your eyes, doesn't mean you can truly see."
"Alright. Thank you, Aeris. For everything." Cloud said, as she faded slowly away. Hugging him just before completely vanishing. Cloud walked over to Tifa, and caressed her soft, silky skin. He kissed her on the cheek, then blushed.
"I...I love you, Tifa. I just hope that one day I will have the courage to tell you that." And he walked out. As he closed the door softly behind him, Tifa sat up in bed, and looked towards the night sky.
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Yuffie woke up to her watch playing a quiet melody. She groggily opened her eyes, and saw that she was in a dungeon type room, and that she was resting inside a coffin. It was open, but she was in a coffin.
Oh my God! Am I dead? Am I supposed to be dead? Where am I? What happened? I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna
"You are not going to die, Lady Kisaragi. You are trapped in our world. You will know what it is like to be trapped in an unpleasant atmosphere for a whole year without anything to do, without any food, and with no way out. Then, as soon as you can get out, you return again if you don't have the key to keep you safe and free. We need the Eye, but in our attempts to take it from you using the Dragons, they found they could not kill you and take the Eye. They knew who you were, and respected Godo when he was alive. In his respect, they did not kill you. They let you live. Because they let you live, I killed them. Every single one. You see, we made a deal. They would find you, kill you, and take the Eye, and give it to me, and they would live to see their families grow and their children's children grow, and I would give them power. Dragons are power hungry creatures, especially the ones you saw. But they respected you. Just because you are the Lady of Wutai. If only they knew. I was so close to being free. So close. If only the Eye wouldn't have protected you. I would have had the eye. Why did the Eye protect you? I was supposed to be able to take it!"
"I have to willingly give it to you. Or anyone. And even then, it will return to me if it finds the new master unworthy."
"Then give me the Eye. Or I shall kill you."
"No. Why would I give you the Eye? Do I look stupid to you?"
"Because if you don't give it to me, I will kill you and your friends."
"I don't care if I die, and I am sure my friends will understand when they know why I sacrificed their lives."
"Well then, I will just have to take it from your dead body, now won't I?"
"Hahaha! You think you're so clever. Go ahead. Kill me. I don't care. If you have to receive the Eye from me while I give it to you willingly, killing me won't help you, now will it?"
"Call me a fool, but how can I trust you? You could just be saying that."
"Ummm...my Lord, the girl is right."
"Sometimes I hate being me. I never seem to win, do I? Well, if you are so clever, you find out a way to get the Eye from her. Try to make it a torturous way."
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"So, I don't (&^$@! know if she's OK or if she's..." Cid stopped talking, fearing the worst. He reached over to the ashtray and put out his cigarette. He came back with the conformer and told the group where he found it. It was lying on the table, cleaned and polished. Barrett just finished polishing it, and was holding a box of tissues. No one could bear looking at it with the blood on it. It made them think bad thoughts about their youngest comrade.
Nanaki paced around the room, trying to think about the legend of the Eye; in case they forgot about something important. Cloud was leaning against the wall, looking at the floor, sad that Yuffie was missing. He also had the Tifa issue in his mind. Cait Sith was on the floor, crying. His megaphone lay somewhere else forgotten. Tifa was in the bedroom still, and Vincent was gone. No one knew where he was or heard from him since he left.
"Don't think so terrible. I remember that the Kisaragis are the only ones who can forever free the Dark Ninjas, because they have to give the Eye willingly, which Yuffie won't do." Nanaki said.
"Then why does she have to hide when they come out for the one day?"
"Because. They will try to harm her, even though she is their only way out. If they kill her, they can take her blood, mix it with their own, and replace their right eye with the eye. Then, they will be free. But I don't know if the Gods know that themselves. Let's pray they don't. Because then they will kill her."
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Yuffie looked down at her hand. For the first time, she noticed that it was cut in a few places.
"It looks like it was from my conformer. Those bastards! How dare they get me with my own weapon!?" Yuffie whispered angrily. It was covered with bandages, though not very well done. It looked like it was just thrown on. Leaving many parts of the cuts exposed to the dirty, musty air. She took off the bandages, and put them back on as well as she could. It didn't hurt, and it wasn't bleeding. Though her arm was swollen from her wrist up. It wasn't too bad, but you could tell it was infected. It was discolored slightly. It was paler than the other arm, and was turning red and yellow on the cuts.
"If they don't kill me, this stupid infection will. D*mn it. I'm screwed either way."
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"So what are we going to do?" Cait Sith asked.
"Well, what do you think, Cat? We aren't just going to leave her there for the Ninjas to kill her or find out how to free themselves by killing her. We have to save her!" Barrett yelled.
"And just how are we going to (&^%$@ find her?" Cid whispered with his head in his hands. He was sitting on the couch, and was stressed. He had bags under his red eyes, and was ashen.
"Well...I don't know." Barrett said as he looked away. "I just want to find her and know she is OK."
"There is a way, you know. I just talked to Yuffie's mother." Tifa came in and plopped on the couch next to Cid.
"You talked to Yuffie's mom? What did she say? How do we find Yuffie?" Cid looked up and had a new shine of hope in his eyes.
"She didn't tell me where she was directly. But she did say that it was somewhere only Yuffie knew, and that she talked to us about it. Not the location, but she told us about it."
"Well, that doesn't really help."
"It is better than nothing, though. We can try to remember everything secret she told us."
"She tells us a lot of things, and most of the time we don't listen to her."
"Well, I guess that is our fault, now isn't it?" Just then Vincent stormed through the door, and as if on cue, he stated loudly and quickly,
"I know how to find Yuffie. I know where she is, and I know how to get there, and I know what to do."
Everyone stood up, ran to Vincent, and started asking questions.
"Where is she?"
"How do we get there?"
"Where were you?"
"Are you OK?"
"How do you get there?"
"How did you find out where she was?"
"Why the hell do you smell?!"
"The last statement came from Cait Sith, who was holding his nose and running back into the room with air freshener, spraying it everywhere.
"She is with the Dark Ninjas, I found it when I was away, I was in the woods near Wutai, I'm OK, I found it accidentally when I was thinking, and I don't smell. It is the scent of what it's like to be in the woods for how long I was there, and get rained on, fight monsters, get their guts and blood on you, then wash up in a lake. So, actually, yeah I do smell, but it isn't my fault." Vincent said. He walked towards the bathroom.
"Now, if you excuse me, I am going to clean up real quick, and then we can be on our way. I suggest that you all get whatever you need and do what you have to do now and quickly, because it won't take me long."
Everyone ran around the room frantically and happily, trying to get their things. After about ten minutes, everyone was set and ready, and left. Yuffie's conformer was being held by Vincent. It was strapped to his back.
The made their way through the darkness of the forests, following Vincent.
"How long until we get there?" Tifa asked, trudging along. She had a big bag on her back, and it was making her walk bent over.
"We just started walking. It will be about fifteen minutes or so. Why did you bring such a big bag anyways?" Vincent replied.
"Well, I'm a woman, and women have essentials. Things they need."
"I didn't think women needed that much stuff..." Cloud muttered.
"Did you say something, Cloud?!" Tifa asked, glaring at him.
"No. It was just the wind."
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Yuffie was lying on her back on the floor staring at the dark ceiling. She had nothing better to do. Every so often, some of the servants would arrive with "food" and ask her to eat, but she didn't want to eat. She wanted to go home. She was hungry, but wasn't there this little story from a long time ago when a girl ate some pomegranate seeds and had to go to the underworld for a certain amount of time because she ate them? She was just being cautious.
"Miss? You must eat. A year is a long time. You will surely starve. Starvation is a very painful and slow process. Please. Eat." The servant pushed a plate through the little opening by the floor. "Please. If you don't eat, then none of us will ever get what we want."
"I see. You just want to be free. You don't care if I live or die. It's all about you, isn't it? It always is. It is about everyone else except for me. If I died, no one would care that I died. They would care that they would be trapped in this icy hell forever!" Yuffie screamed. She was dirty, sick, hungry, and crying. She was helpless, and she knew it. What else was there for her to do except go crazy?
"Well, if that's what you think, then believe it, you b*tch! I just snuck away from dinner. To do that is death. And you tell me I care only for myself. Being trapped here for ages changes you, but you don't know that. You won't know that until you experience it. Just like you are now." And the servant walked away.
"I'm so cold. Vinnie. Come help me."
"Master! I just found out a very valuable piece of information!" A human like figure bowed in front of Goliath and held out a piece of ripped paper.
"Oh...I see. This is great news. You are to be rewarded." Goliath stood up and started walking to Yuffie's cell.
No! What is he going to do? He can't have found out! No! Please! Leviathan, have mercy! I have served you well, have I not? Please!
"I have great news, little Princess. Great, great news." Goliath tore the bars from the wall, and cornered her.
"No! Please! Leave me alone! Please!" Yuffie cried as Goliath lifted her by her hair, and dragged her to an even lower level of the dark mysterious building.
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"We have to hurry and help Yuffie! She is in danger!" Vincent started to run.
"Hey! Wait!" Tifa got so mad that she took off the heavy bag on her back. She darted off after him, as did everyone else. Cloud was quickly getting up as he was the one to get hit with the bag.
"He knows. He knows about the fusing of the blood. He is going to kill her."
"He can't!" Tifa shouted. They ran faster, and faster, until they reached a small shrine covered in ivy. They ran into the center, where a fire was blazing.
"Jump into the fire. It won't hurt you. Just trust me, believe in yourself, and you won't get hurt." Vincent said as he jumped into the dancing flames. He was gone, as if he became part of the hot flares.
"What the (^$@ does he *&%#~ mean, we won't get hurt? We'll be burnt to ashes! I feel the ~^@)*$ heat and I am by the *&$@!~ door!" Cid yelled.
"Well, that must be part of the illusion so no one finds the Dark Ninjas."
"Well, you go first. I ain't goin' until I know it's safe." Just then, a scream was heard. A high-pitched Yuffie scream. "That's it. Get outta my way!"
Cid pushed Tifa out of the way and jumped into the fire.
"Well, that sure was fast." Cait Sith stated.
"Let's go!" Cloud said as Tifa jumped in, then him, then everyone else.
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"I'm sure you liked that, now didn't you, Lady?" Goliath held a long whip in his right hand. Yuffie's feet were tied by coarse rope, and was hanging from the ceiling. Her arms tied behind her back. There were deep red gashes on her lower back, stomach, side, and legs. Blood was soaking through her clothes, and starting drip on the floor.
"Hmmm...I need that blood. Maybe I should put something there to catch it all..." Goliath grabbed a large black bowl, and set it just below her. "There. Now that is much better. Where was I? Oh, yes. This is for the many years of captivity I had to go through because of your ancestors!"
He pulled back his arm, and whipped her again. It struck her side, leaving another gash. Yuffie screamed again, and her voice was starting to show signs of exhaustion. Starting to sound hoarse and low.
"I will love to see the faces of your little friends and people when they see your dead body. Oh, I can see it now. Crying, sadness, anger, oh I just can't wait! But seeing you suffer as I have suffered is fun as well. Don't get me wrong. I like torturing you. It is much more exciting than just killing you quickly and painlessly. And plus. I hear you scream, see your blood and tears, and damage your soul. Now who else can do that in the time I am doing it? Hahahahahahaha!"
"Put her down, Goliath! Let her go!" Vincent held his gun up, and pointed to his target.
"Do you think I am going to die because of your bullets?"
Really, Valentine. I thought you were smarter than that. Let me kill him!
Kill only Goliath and the followers. Leave Yuffie and the others alone.
Yeah, yeah. I heard this before. I know. I won't hurt your sweet honey cakes!
Fine.
Vincent then built his rage. It rose and rose and rose. It reached its peak and he started to transform. But before he could, a small voice spoke out.
"Leave him, Vinnie. Don't kill him. Leave him alone. Let him do what he wants."
It was Yuffie. She was telling him not to kill Goliath after what he did to her.
"I was like him before. I wanted power, and nothing more. I guess this is my punishment for being that way. Leviathan hasn't helped me, and if he doesn't help me, then it is fate that I should be slaughtered. This is my punishment."
"Yuffie, you told me that it wasn't my fault many times before that Lucrecia chose Hojo. And that it is wrong to try and atone my sins so much. I am telling you. It is wrong to blame yourself for the way you are. Don't tell me that you are being punished for your personality. Because I would be dead if that were true."
"Vinnie, you don't understand. I am not supposed to be alive right now anyways. Leviathan has denied my pleas of existence. I am meant to die."
"No, you are not. I am here to protect you; help you live your life. You are supposed to live. And I am going to make sure you do!" Vincent then transformed into Chaos, and held nothing back. He growled in anger, and attacked Goliath repetitively. He stood motionless, and followed Chaos's quick movements with his eyes without moving his head. Chaos was abruptly brought to a stop as Goliath thrust his fist into Chaos's face.
"NO! STOP IT! BOTH OF YOU!" They paid no attention to Yuffie as they continued to fight, Goliath moving around now. He was dodging, attacking, and then dodging again. He didn't seem to be casting any spells. Chaos was attacking, dodging, attacking, and then trying to figure out a way to kill the stronger demon. But they kept on doing the same things, both staying at the same level, status, and position.
"I said STOP!" Yuffie screamed. The ropes tore into shreds and she floated upright. She landed softly on the floor with her eyes glowing dark red. She walked up to the two demons fighting who stopped and were looking at her with confusion and curiosity. She lifted up her two hands, and placed them on their shoulders. As soon as her fingers touched their flesh, their eyes widened, and they collapsed in pain. Petrified, as if made of stone. "Now you will endure pain of no comparison. You will feel the pains of the people in the world now, and the pains I have felt by watching you fight foolishly. There is no reason."
Her eyes softened and started to turn to their normal color.
"There is no...reason..." She collapsed in exhaustion, next to Chaos and Goliath. The eye implanted on her forehead. It somehow fused with her as the two demons fought.
"...Oh my God. What happened?" Tifa ran in and started to inspect Yuffie's fallen body, and then Chaos's. He seemed to have been unable to move or turn back into his human form.
"Tifa?! Where are they? Did you find them? Are they...holy f*ck." Cloud darted to the room and saw all three bodies laying on the blood covered floor. He rushed to Goliath to make sure he was dead or at least fully petrified, so he wouldn't do any damage. The others rushed in and crowded around Tifa and Cloud. They gasped at the state their friends were in. Cloud took his sword, and pushed it through Goliath's chest, where his heart rested.
"There. Just in case..." Cloud stated as he removed his blade. He glanced at it, and was surprised to see that the blood was black.
"Because he is a demon. His blood is too evil to have the red color of human blood." Nanaki explained.
"Oh. Hey! Yuffie just moved!" He was right. Yuffie shifted slightly, and Tifa lifted up her head, and moved the hair out of her eyes.
"Yuffie. You OK? Are you hurt badly?" Tifa asked with concern.
"Not really. I just have cuts from his whip, but that's all. How about Vinnie? Is he..."
"Fine. I'm just fine. Petrified, but alive." Vincent replied, still not moving, his eyes closed.
"I'm sorry, Vinnie. It was the only way to stop you two from fighting. I don't know if you knew it or not, but what damage is inflicted to this dimension, our own planet takes damage as well. I'm trying to save the world, not make it worse for people."
"I understand. I'm sorry too, Yuffie. Forgive me."
"For what?"
"Not listening."
"I spoke to Leviathan while unconscious, believe it or not. He said I am meant to live for a while longer."
"See. I told you."
"Yeah. Next time, I'll listen to my elders." Yuffie smiled as she crawled over to him and kissed him lightly on the forehead. As she kissed him, he began to sparkle (yes, sparkle. As in glittery stuffs.), and was un-petrified.
"Thank you." Vincent stood up, and looked at Goliath. Then, he turned to Yuffie. "You know what must be done..."
"Yes. I know. It is my duty. I knew this would happen sooner or later."
"Here is the blade. Given to me by your father long before he passed."
"What do you mean, here is the blade? What are you going to do?" Cloud asked fearfully. He was staring at the sharp object Vincent was handing to Yuffie. The hilt was made of ivory, and had small emeralds on it. The blade was made of a crystal like substance, but looked like it was sharper than Cloud's ultimate weapon. It wasn't big like Cloud's. It was small, like a pocket knife.
"It is nothing you need to worry about. It is just something that Yuffie needs to do as the Empress of Wutai." Vincent replied.
"And what is that?"
"Watch and you will see."
Yuffie lifted the blade high into the air. The light caught it, and it sparkled brilliantly. Then, she did it.
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Wowie. That was kinda long. Well, I hope you liked this one (I think I say that a lot.), because it took forever. Well, I gotta go! Please read and review.
Ruri_sugar