Chapter 21
And so We're off.Again
Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate
-Ozzy-
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy; all OC's are mine. The names Mifune came from Noacat, and Juskuro came from Aloria.though I don't think you'll see him too much in upcoming chapters, considering he's suffering from a slight case of dead. Lyrics are from Ozzy Ozbourne Blizzard of Ozz- song: Crazy Train
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A/N: Was it just me or was FF.Net not really working Monday, July 07, 2003? When I went to post chapter 20 I couldn't get the sight to come up. Oh well.enjoy!
-
-
And so We're off.Again:
-
The next morning Daitona woke feeling stiff, sore, and extremely dirty. How long had it been since she had had a real shower or bath? She slowly pulled herself out of the sleeping bag and stretched.
"Hey Seph?"
Sephiroth looked over at Daitona from where he sat nearby. "Hmm?"
Daitona walked towards him, still trying to work of the stiffness out of one of her shoulders. "Do you think they have showers in that fort?"
"Probably so. People did live here after all."
"Good, I'm going to go see if I can't lock myself in one for a while."
Sephiroth laughed. "Miss it that much? I'll tell you what; some of those guys out here should follow your lead. Some of them down right reek," Sephiroth said and winkled his nose for extra effect.
"What, and you don't?" Daitona sniffed the air as if to prove a point.
"Stop that. I never said I couldn't use a good washing, but I don't need it half as bad as some. Oh, and don't forget to take clean cloth. I'm sure you wouldn't want to have to put those dirty bloodstained ones back on," Sephiroth advised.
"Yeah, thanks.I think." Daitona turned and started to walk towards the fort. "I hope they have soap," she grumbled.
Sephiroth shook his head and looked back at the spar he had been watching before Daitona had woke up. One of the SOLDIER's under his command was going up against one of Zante's men. The spar ended as he looked back and the two competitors shook hands then walked away.
Sephiroth sighed and slouched a bit. It had been a while since he had had a friendly spar with anyone, and he couldn't ask Daitona now. "She'd probably laugh at me before slamming the door in my face," he mused. 'I don't want to ask any of my SOLDIER's.and Daitona's cadets are out of the question. None of them would stand a chance.'
"Sir?" a voice interrupted Sephiroth's thoughts.
He slowly looked up into the face of one of the cadets. He'd seen this one twice or more before. "Zack, did you need something?"
"It's nothing really, but do you know where Commander Daitona went?" Zack asked.
"As a matter of fact I do, but it would be a mistake on your part to go after her," Sephiroth said causally.
"Oh.I see. I was just going to ask if she'd spar with me and give me a lesson.oh well. Theirs always later." Zack shrugged and started to turn away.
"Is a lesson all you want?" Sephiroth asked and started to stand up.
"Ah, yeah." Zack stopped and turned back to Sephiroth.
"Then perhaps I can help you then. I was trying to think of something to do anyways," Sephiroth offered.
"That's ok, sir. I can wait for the commander," Zack assured.
"I'll guarantee you she'll be a while. It's been a week since she's had a real shower, she'll be taking her sweet time. Don't worry; I'm just as good as Daitona is, if not better in some areas. We were trained together after all."
Zack huffed then nodded. He could see that the SOLDIER's commander was board and wouldn't give up on the opportunity.
"Good," Sephiroth said and swept up his sword from where he had sat it the night before.
****
Daitona sighed happily as she finished drying her hair. "There's nothing like a nice hot shower," she sighed and sat down on a bench.
She stared down at her boots with distaste then decided not to put them back on. She could go barefoot for a while, who was to question her actions besides the other officers?
Daitona looked at the clean pair of socks before shrugging and shoving them far down in the boots. With great reluctance, she stood, retrieved her boot slinging them over a shoulder so that they dangled on either side, and then headed out.
She walked with an unhurried stride through winding halls; she wasn't really sure as to where she was going but wondering around suited her just fine. There were a lot of SOLDIER's from Zante's troops all around the complex fort; many gave Daitona strange looks, which she humbly decided to ignore. It only became irritating to her when one of these SOLDIERS stopped her.
"Miss.are you.suppose to be here?" The SOLDIER stepped into her path so that she'd have to stop.
"Yes, I am. Now step aside," Daitona ordered staying her patience. This SOLDIER didn't know who she was so she had to be a bit lenient, just as long.
"Please state your name, rank, division and what your business in the fort is.and why aren't you wearing your boots?"
Daitona clenched and unclenched her fist, while simultaneously gritting her teeth in irritation. "Get-out-of-my-way!"
".don't threaten me miss. I will take you into military custody."
"Stand down and let me pass, or I'll make sure you regret ever meeting me."
The SOLDIER started to reach for his weapon; Daitona sighed and relented.
"I'm in SOLDIER 1st class division. My name is Daitona and I'm here because I'm the commander of the Shinra cadets here. I'm not wearing my boots because 1) I don't have to, 2) I didn't feel like putting them back on, 3) I don't want too and 4) They don't fit. Take your pick. Now, could you tell me where the supplies have been put?"
The SOLDIER laughed guiltily. "Sorry ma'am. I was unaware that there was a female officer amongst the Shinra ranks. The room being used for supplies is right down this hall. There's a room and the very end."
"Very good." Daitona walked past him fully aware that he stared after her. 'Some people!' she fumed as her pace grew faster.
****
Zack winced as he slowly started to pull himself off the all too familiar ground. Sephiroth was stronger and quicker than anyone gave him credit for. "I think.I've had enough 'training' for one day."
Sephiroth nodded. "I don't blame you. You're not bad for being only a cadet; you do have a lot of potential. You just need to train harder.maybe not like what I put you through."
"Yeah." Zack looked around for his sword and found it in the hands of someone coming out of the woods.
"There you two are. I believe this is yours Zack." Daitona made her way to him and gave him his buster sword back.
Sephiroth looked at Daitona curiously. "Where are your shoes?"
"I didn't want to ware them. A SOLDIER asked me the same thing. I went to see if they had extra boot it the new supplies after I was done taking my shower."
"Did they?"
"Yes, but not in my size. They were all bigger than the pair I have now. So, were you two sparing?"
"Not really," Zack sighed. "He put me one the ground more times than I can count."
Daitona looked to Sephiroth. "Really? Then we'll have to do something about that won't we? Let me see that buster sword."
Zack handed Daitona his sword and she weighed it in her hands, and then tested it by slashing it through the air then maneuvering.
"Hmm, it's heavy and hard to move with.but it'll serve it's purpose," Daitona said then looked to Zack. "This is your choice weapon right?" Zack nodded. "Then watch and learn. Sephiroth, be gentle till I get use to this hunk of metal."
"Where's your swords'?" Sephiroth asked as he pulled Masamune up to a defensive position.
"Camp. Zack should see what a sword like this could really do in the hands of one who is experienced and knows how to use it properly. One rule in this spar, YOU can't attack below my waist. Remember, this isn't my sword and I only have one not two. It's been a long time since I've used one of these," Daitona warned and haled the massive sword up to an attacking position.
"Fine by me, just don't chop my head off," Sephiroth teased.
Daitona smirked and ran forward. She forced herself to a quick stop and with the speed still in the heavy bade she swung for Sephiroth's mid section. Sephiroth jumped back to avoid the blade. Daitona allowed the sword to swing to one side and used her foot instead.
Sephiroth gasped as her foot hit his chest with such force he staggered backwards. 'That sword's so heavy it was able to let her flung from it. Dang that hurt.'
Daitona spun low on her feet and swung at Sephiroth's feet, then completely spun around and came back up swinging again.
Zack watched in amazement at how Daitona was able to move with the sword. She wasn't using it so much as a weapon, more as a distraction. It was her agility and martial arts skills that were keeping Sephiroth from striking back. If her concentrated a swing that would give Daitona time enough to strike him.
Daitona jumped back to a defensive stance and easily deflected a blow form Sephiroth.
"H-hay.let call it a day." Daitona said at held the sword with her left hand and examined her right wrist. "I think I sprang my wrist."
"You ok?" Sephiroth asked as he placed his sword back into the sheath across his back.
"Yeah." Daitona said, still looking at her wrist as Zack took his sword back from her.
"It looks swollen," Zack pointed out.
"Yeah I know. I swung too quickly when I kicked him.I almost got jerked off my feet."
"So it was a fluke?" Sephiroth asked at examined Daitona's wrist.
"Was not! I was going to do that I just got caught before I was ready," Daitona stated indignantly.
"Sure you were. You ought to get this wrapped or get a brace. A brace may be the better choice so you can still use your sword and won't have to worry about hurting in any worse," Sephiroth suggested.
"I'll do that. You ought to feel bad, this is your fault."
Sephiroth put a hand to his chest. "My fault?"
"Yes, if you hadn't beaten Zack up I wouldn't have had to step in like that."
"I didn't beat Zack up. Did I Za-" He looked around the clearing, only he and Daitona still remained. "Where did he go?"
Daitona looked around then shrugged. "Beats me. So, when are we leaving to go to the next fort?"
"Hmm." Sephiroth thought about that for a moment. "Tomorrow, after dawn."
Daitona nodded and turned away from him to head back to camp.
"Wait up. I'll walk back with you. We are about a quarter mile from camp and you never know when you might run into trouble, and you don't have a weapon."
"I am a weapon, remember? Isn't that the reason you and I were sent here in the first place? To Shinra, we are nothing but weapons. To Hojo.we are the greatest things he's ever created.no matter how indirectly. You and I are the same.in more ways than anyone could know. That's why we were sent her together." Daitona smiled sadly and continued to walk slowly out of the clearing.
"You know what Daitona? You worry me sometimes. You're not as childish as you act around everyone else. I know that much and I have a feeling you keep to much to yourself no matter how direct you are with people," Sephiroth said.
"You're right, I do keep a lot of things to myself; many for the best interest for others. I've always been observant, and have had good memory. I could point out ever person in our troops who will die before everything is said and done with here in Wutai. A handful of my cadets will loose their lives just because they won't listen to me in that curtail moment; then, even more because of lack of skill and knowledge. But then again, it's not my problem is it? The only big loss to Shinra would be if either you or I were caught of killed, then they'd be hurting." Daitona smirked at the thought of deliberately getting caught then quickly shook it off. 'The Wutain's are cruel to their captives.'
"Hey, Daitona? When you said 'you and I are the same', what did you mean by that?" Sephiroth asked, curious to as how she'd respond.
"We are both hybrids. We both have our human side that tames whatever else we are. We are the better of two different species. You are not Divinian as I am.you are something else. Something that can give you great power so long as you don't give into it." Daitona smiled at him. "Now I'm just rambling on about nothing."
"No," Sephiroth assured and wrapped one of his arms around her neck and pulled her closer as they walked. "You're not rambling. It's kind of surprising to me that you know such things when I have not told you. Your words are wise and I must watch how I use my skills. If you spoke with such assurance with anyone other than me, Hojo would know just how different you really are. But I'm glad you're here by my side. We've always worked better as a team, haven't we?"
"Everyone works better as a team.but we're by far the best," Daitona grinned at the self-compliment.
"Yeah, we're the best of the best," Sephiroth agreed. "As long as we stick together no one can beat us.wasn't that was the whole point of it all, though? Shinra knows, together, you and I are an unstoppable force. Just as long as we stick together."
Just as long as you are always there.
****
The next morning, with the rising sun, Sephiroth, Daitona and Otto's troops left Fort Dal'fa for the next enemy target, Fort Natic. There, they'd face a top Wutain General, his troops, and one of the most noted Wutain Commanding Officer of this war. No one was looking forward to the battle to come, simply because the commander himself had yet to suffer a single defeat by the Shinra troops.
-End Chapter 21-
A/N: So there we have it! Does anyone have any clue what is to come? (Besides those who have read the three chapters I've taken down.) I mean as it to what will happen from here.
And so We're off.Again
Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate
-Ozzy-
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy; all OC's are mine. The names Mifune came from Noacat, and Juskuro came from Aloria.though I don't think you'll see him too much in upcoming chapters, considering he's suffering from a slight case of dead. Lyrics are from Ozzy Ozbourne Blizzard of Ozz- song: Crazy Train
-
A/N: Was it just me or was FF.Net not really working Monday, July 07, 2003? When I went to post chapter 20 I couldn't get the sight to come up. Oh well.enjoy!
-
-
And so We're off.Again:
-
The next morning Daitona woke feeling stiff, sore, and extremely dirty. How long had it been since she had had a real shower or bath? She slowly pulled herself out of the sleeping bag and stretched.
"Hey Seph?"
Sephiroth looked over at Daitona from where he sat nearby. "Hmm?"
Daitona walked towards him, still trying to work of the stiffness out of one of her shoulders. "Do you think they have showers in that fort?"
"Probably so. People did live here after all."
"Good, I'm going to go see if I can't lock myself in one for a while."
Sephiroth laughed. "Miss it that much? I'll tell you what; some of those guys out here should follow your lead. Some of them down right reek," Sephiroth said and winkled his nose for extra effect.
"What, and you don't?" Daitona sniffed the air as if to prove a point.
"Stop that. I never said I couldn't use a good washing, but I don't need it half as bad as some. Oh, and don't forget to take clean cloth. I'm sure you wouldn't want to have to put those dirty bloodstained ones back on," Sephiroth advised.
"Yeah, thanks.I think." Daitona turned and started to walk towards the fort. "I hope they have soap," she grumbled.
Sephiroth shook his head and looked back at the spar he had been watching before Daitona had woke up. One of the SOLDIER's under his command was going up against one of Zante's men. The spar ended as he looked back and the two competitors shook hands then walked away.
Sephiroth sighed and slouched a bit. It had been a while since he had had a friendly spar with anyone, and he couldn't ask Daitona now. "She'd probably laugh at me before slamming the door in my face," he mused. 'I don't want to ask any of my SOLDIER's.and Daitona's cadets are out of the question. None of them would stand a chance.'
"Sir?" a voice interrupted Sephiroth's thoughts.
He slowly looked up into the face of one of the cadets. He'd seen this one twice or more before. "Zack, did you need something?"
"It's nothing really, but do you know where Commander Daitona went?" Zack asked.
"As a matter of fact I do, but it would be a mistake on your part to go after her," Sephiroth said causally.
"Oh.I see. I was just going to ask if she'd spar with me and give me a lesson.oh well. Theirs always later." Zack shrugged and started to turn away.
"Is a lesson all you want?" Sephiroth asked and started to stand up.
"Ah, yeah." Zack stopped and turned back to Sephiroth.
"Then perhaps I can help you then. I was trying to think of something to do anyways," Sephiroth offered.
"That's ok, sir. I can wait for the commander," Zack assured.
"I'll guarantee you she'll be a while. It's been a week since she's had a real shower, she'll be taking her sweet time. Don't worry; I'm just as good as Daitona is, if not better in some areas. We were trained together after all."
Zack huffed then nodded. He could see that the SOLDIER's commander was board and wouldn't give up on the opportunity.
"Good," Sephiroth said and swept up his sword from where he had sat it the night before.
****
Daitona sighed happily as she finished drying her hair. "There's nothing like a nice hot shower," she sighed and sat down on a bench.
She stared down at her boots with distaste then decided not to put them back on. She could go barefoot for a while, who was to question her actions besides the other officers?
Daitona looked at the clean pair of socks before shrugging and shoving them far down in the boots. With great reluctance, she stood, retrieved her boot slinging them over a shoulder so that they dangled on either side, and then headed out.
She walked with an unhurried stride through winding halls; she wasn't really sure as to where she was going but wondering around suited her just fine. There were a lot of SOLDIER's from Zante's troops all around the complex fort; many gave Daitona strange looks, which she humbly decided to ignore. It only became irritating to her when one of these SOLDIERS stopped her.
"Miss.are you.suppose to be here?" The SOLDIER stepped into her path so that she'd have to stop.
"Yes, I am. Now step aside," Daitona ordered staying her patience. This SOLDIER didn't know who she was so she had to be a bit lenient, just as long.
"Please state your name, rank, division and what your business in the fort is.and why aren't you wearing your boots?"
Daitona clenched and unclenched her fist, while simultaneously gritting her teeth in irritation. "Get-out-of-my-way!"
".don't threaten me miss. I will take you into military custody."
"Stand down and let me pass, or I'll make sure you regret ever meeting me."
The SOLDIER started to reach for his weapon; Daitona sighed and relented.
"I'm in SOLDIER 1st class division. My name is Daitona and I'm here because I'm the commander of the Shinra cadets here. I'm not wearing my boots because 1) I don't have to, 2) I didn't feel like putting them back on, 3) I don't want too and 4) They don't fit. Take your pick. Now, could you tell me where the supplies have been put?"
The SOLDIER laughed guiltily. "Sorry ma'am. I was unaware that there was a female officer amongst the Shinra ranks. The room being used for supplies is right down this hall. There's a room and the very end."
"Very good." Daitona walked past him fully aware that he stared after her. 'Some people!' she fumed as her pace grew faster.
****
Zack winced as he slowly started to pull himself off the all too familiar ground. Sephiroth was stronger and quicker than anyone gave him credit for. "I think.I've had enough 'training' for one day."
Sephiroth nodded. "I don't blame you. You're not bad for being only a cadet; you do have a lot of potential. You just need to train harder.maybe not like what I put you through."
"Yeah." Zack looked around for his sword and found it in the hands of someone coming out of the woods.
"There you two are. I believe this is yours Zack." Daitona made her way to him and gave him his buster sword back.
Sephiroth looked at Daitona curiously. "Where are your shoes?"
"I didn't want to ware them. A SOLDIER asked me the same thing. I went to see if they had extra boot it the new supplies after I was done taking my shower."
"Did they?"
"Yes, but not in my size. They were all bigger than the pair I have now. So, were you two sparing?"
"Not really," Zack sighed. "He put me one the ground more times than I can count."
Daitona looked to Sephiroth. "Really? Then we'll have to do something about that won't we? Let me see that buster sword."
Zack handed Daitona his sword and she weighed it in her hands, and then tested it by slashing it through the air then maneuvering.
"Hmm, it's heavy and hard to move with.but it'll serve it's purpose," Daitona said then looked to Zack. "This is your choice weapon right?" Zack nodded. "Then watch and learn. Sephiroth, be gentle till I get use to this hunk of metal."
"Where's your swords'?" Sephiroth asked as he pulled Masamune up to a defensive position.
"Camp. Zack should see what a sword like this could really do in the hands of one who is experienced and knows how to use it properly. One rule in this spar, YOU can't attack below my waist. Remember, this isn't my sword and I only have one not two. It's been a long time since I've used one of these," Daitona warned and haled the massive sword up to an attacking position.
"Fine by me, just don't chop my head off," Sephiroth teased.
Daitona smirked and ran forward. She forced herself to a quick stop and with the speed still in the heavy bade she swung for Sephiroth's mid section. Sephiroth jumped back to avoid the blade. Daitona allowed the sword to swing to one side and used her foot instead.
Sephiroth gasped as her foot hit his chest with such force he staggered backwards. 'That sword's so heavy it was able to let her flung from it. Dang that hurt.'
Daitona spun low on her feet and swung at Sephiroth's feet, then completely spun around and came back up swinging again.
Zack watched in amazement at how Daitona was able to move with the sword. She wasn't using it so much as a weapon, more as a distraction. It was her agility and martial arts skills that were keeping Sephiroth from striking back. If her concentrated a swing that would give Daitona time enough to strike him.
Daitona jumped back to a defensive stance and easily deflected a blow form Sephiroth.
"H-hay.let call it a day." Daitona said at held the sword with her left hand and examined her right wrist. "I think I sprang my wrist."
"You ok?" Sephiroth asked as he placed his sword back into the sheath across his back.
"Yeah." Daitona said, still looking at her wrist as Zack took his sword back from her.
"It looks swollen," Zack pointed out.
"Yeah I know. I swung too quickly when I kicked him.I almost got jerked off my feet."
"So it was a fluke?" Sephiroth asked at examined Daitona's wrist.
"Was not! I was going to do that I just got caught before I was ready," Daitona stated indignantly.
"Sure you were. You ought to get this wrapped or get a brace. A brace may be the better choice so you can still use your sword and won't have to worry about hurting in any worse," Sephiroth suggested.
"I'll do that. You ought to feel bad, this is your fault."
Sephiroth put a hand to his chest. "My fault?"
"Yes, if you hadn't beaten Zack up I wouldn't have had to step in like that."
"I didn't beat Zack up. Did I Za-" He looked around the clearing, only he and Daitona still remained. "Where did he go?"
Daitona looked around then shrugged. "Beats me. So, when are we leaving to go to the next fort?"
"Hmm." Sephiroth thought about that for a moment. "Tomorrow, after dawn."
Daitona nodded and turned away from him to head back to camp.
"Wait up. I'll walk back with you. We are about a quarter mile from camp and you never know when you might run into trouble, and you don't have a weapon."
"I am a weapon, remember? Isn't that the reason you and I were sent here in the first place? To Shinra, we are nothing but weapons. To Hojo.we are the greatest things he's ever created.no matter how indirectly. You and I are the same.in more ways than anyone could know. That's why we were sent her together." Daitona smiled sadly and continued to walk slowly out of the clearing.
"You know what Daitona? You worry me sometimes. You're not as childish as you act around everyone else. I know that much and I have a feeling you keep to much to yourself no matter how direct you are with people," Sephiroth said.
"You're right, I do keep a lot of things to myself; many for the best interest for others. I've always been observant, and have had good memory. I could point out ever person in our troops who will die before everything is said and done with here in Wutai. A handful of my cadets will loose their lives just because they won't listen to me in that curtail moment; then, even more because of lack of skill and knowledge. But then again, it's not my problem is it? The only big loss to Shinra would be if either you or I were caught of killed, then they'd be hurting." Daitona smirked at the thought of deliberately getting caught then quickly shook it off. 'The Wutain's are cruel to their captives.'
"Hey, Daitona? When you said 'you and I are the same', what did you mean by that?" Sephiroth asked, curious to as how she'd respond.
"We are both hybrids. We both have our human side that tames whatever else we are. We are the better of two different species. You are not Divinian as I am.you are something else. Something that can give you great power so long as you don't give into it." Daitona smiled at him. "Now I'm just rambling on about nothing."
"No," Sephiroth assured and wrapped one of his arms around her neck and pulled her closer as they walked. "You're not rambling. It's kind of surprising to me that you know such things when I have not told you. Your words are wise and I must watch how I use my skills. If you spoke with such assurance with anyone other than me, Hojo would know just how different you really are. But I'm glad you're here by my side. We've always worked better as a team, haven't we?"
"Everyone works better as a team.but we're by far the best," Daitona grinned at the self-compliment.
"Yeah, we're the best of the best," Sephiroth agreed. "As long as we stick together no one can beat us.wasn't that was the whole point of it all, though? Shinra knows, together, you and I are an unstoppable force. Just as long as we stick together."
Just as long as you are always there.
****
The next morning, with the rising sun, Sephiroth, Daitona and Otto's troops left Fort Dal'fa for the next enemy target, Fort Natic. There, they'd face a top Wutain General, his troops, and one of the most noted Wutain Commanding Officer of this war. No one was looking forward to the battle to come, simply because the commander himself had yet to suffer a single defeat by the Shinra troops.
-End Chapter 21-
A/N: So there we have it! Does anyone have any clue what is to come? (Besides those who have read the three chapters I've taken down.) I mean as it to what will happen from here.