Chapter 36
Fort Chatawa
Disclaimer: These things are getting boring…don't own don't sue; I'll kill if anyone takes my characters or the ones given to me by anyone else. Ask if you'd like to use them.
A/N: Short and to the point, read on.
Fort Chatawa:
The next morning Sephiroth woke a lot later than usual; a look at the clock on the nightstand next to the bed told him it was nearly 11 o'clock. Daitona still slept soundly, his arm was protectively around her waist so that her back was pulled snuggly against his chest.
He sighed and settled back down; he didn't want to wake her up…but it always seemed to happen that way. As soon as he relaxed again Daitona stirred and mumbled a few obscure words that made no sense at all.
Sephiroth rolled his eyes; what ever she was dreaming about was about to come to an end like it always did.
She mumbled a few more things before saying the word 'jerk' just fine and clear.
"Did you just call me a jerk?" Sephiroth frowned at her.
"Why do you always wake me up?" Daitona grumbled and forced her eyes open. She rolled over onto her back so that she could turn her head to see him and waited for his answer.
"Well…I don't mean too but it's almost eleven o'clock. You weren't planning on sleeping all day were you?" Sephiroth questioned.
"No, but my feet hurt…I don't wanna get up," she whined. "Hey, I got an idea, you go get me breakfast…um, I mean lunch and bring it back up here."
"Huh, what? No, you get up…" He stopped in mid sentence at the look he was getting from Daitona. "No…" The look didn't go away. "…no and that's final. I was standing all day yesterday too, remember?"
Daitona narrowed her eyes. "You weren't wearing my shoes either, remember? You wear those for an entire day then tell me how you feel."
"Well," Sephiroth stretched out making himself comfortable on the bed again. "I guess neither of us is getting breakfast…err, lunch any time soon. I'm not going downstairs alone."
Daitona growled, then with some amount of effort, pushed herself up into a sitting position. She frowned at Sephiroth and yanked the covers off him.
"If I have to get up, then so are you," she declared.
"But…" That look again. "Gosh. Don't have to get scary about it…is that how you keep your cadets in line?"
Daitona's jaw dropped. "NO!"
Sephiroth smirked then sat up sliding his feet to the floor. "Got ya."
"What are you talking about?" Daitona smirked. "You're a whole lot scarier looking than I am."
"And I don't deny that," Sephiroth shrugged and pulled on his black leather pants, he wouldn't let her get him back that easily.
Daitona scowled to herself, she hated these kinds of conversations with him. It was a win all or loose all kind of thing and the whole idea was to make the other fall silent…witch she was doing right then and loosing.
"Well at least I don't get mistaken for an old man all the time!" she spat and nodded to herself in satisfaction, let him beat that.
"And I wouldn't expect you too," Sephiroth answered simply and pulled on his cape/coat and carefully fastened the straps across his chest and the harness that would hold Masamune.
"What?" Daitona turned to look back at him; she had already changed back into her normal clothes and was in the process of pulling on her socks.
Sephiroth chuckled, she was trying but he was going to win this round. "You're not a man. You've never been mistaken for one have you?"
Daitona stared at him in opened mouth shock, her defeat obvious. "Ah! That wasn't even funny!"
"I never said it was. You don't see me laughing do you." Pushing the fight…Daitona took the cue that really wasn't a cue, and lunged for him…
****
Jorum and Saren were sitting quietly in the living room having their morning coffee and reading their newspapers when a loud 'thud' came from upstairs. (I guess they slept in too…)
They both looked up from there papers at the roof above their heads.
There was another 'thud' then the sound of rolling around, and then it was silent for a long while. Daitona was the first to come down sulking. She stopped at the strange looks the older couple where giving her.
She frowned. "He won, I have to bring him lunch now…" she sighed.
Saren laughed and Jorum simply shook his head.
"Come on," Saren commanded getting up and going to the kitchen. Once in there she instructed Daitona to sit down, witch she did gladly.
Daitona watched as her grandmother walked around the kitchen jawing away not ever realizing that every word she said went in one ear and out the other. Daitona sighed and thumped her head against the table.
Saren heard the thump and looked over at her. "Something wrong."
"Nooo," Daitona sighed. "I'm just really tired, and he woke me up. Then he wouldn't do get me breakfast, so I of course try and convince him otherwise. I fail then he doesn't want to come down her, but I DO get him up then he lures me into his trap and wins again." Daitona straightened and a defiant look came into her eyes. "You know what, forget him. When he gets hungry enough he'll come down and get his own food." Daitona nodded thoroughly satisfied with her come back.
She had a quick meal then stood. "When he comes sniffing around let him cook his own meal and tell him I went out."
Daitona left the kitchen, grabbed up her swords that were near the front door then proceed out.
Sephiroth watched her from the stairs, amused that she thought that that would make him mad. "Do you know where she was going?"
"No…but you sure ticked her off quickly this morning. Should have let her sleep in today," Saren stated.
"Well…I guess we really should be getting back to our posts. So I'll find her and we'll just go…"
"That might be a good idea…we don't want those Shinra people coming around here and they're sure to start missing the two of you sooner or later. Tell Daitona goodbye for us."
"I will," Sephiroth assured while slipping Masamune into the sheath across his back.
"I don't think it's such a good idea to go after her so soon though," Saren warned.
"Na, it's all right. She really wasn't mad at me, she was just mad because it was my turn to win. And as you can tell, Daitona doesn't like loosing. I didn't tell her she had to get me breakfast either." Sephiroth shook his head and opened the front door to let himself out.
"Well, I really hope this works out between you too. Come visit us sometime!"
Sephiroth waved then started down the street to find Daitona. After checking the small town he headed out to the plains area that surrounded the town. He sighed when he found her lying out there in the high grass.
Daitona lay out in the middle of a field outside of the town with her eyes closed, enjoying the suns warmth that fairly poured down. She knew well enough that Sephiroth was nearby but didn't realize just how close he was until a shadow was caste over her face.
She opened one aqua-green eye then the other; bright green-blue eyes were staring back down at her.
"So I guess you found me," Daitona commented.
"Were you supposed to be hiding?" Sephiroth arched a silver eyebrow in question.
She thought about it for a moment, "no. But how did you know I came out here?"
"Didn't," he replied sitting down in the grass next to her. "But you weren't in town."
"Ah, I see; so you were looking for me."
"We need to get to Chatawa. They're going to start wondering about us if we don't get there soon." Sephiroth fell silent and it stayed that way for some time.
"You know what I want to do?" Daitona asked out of the blue, she raised her head from the ground to look at him. "I want to spar, you know why? Because we haven't had a good spar in a long time…at that we haven't spared since we left Midgar a month ago and I feel like I'm getting rusty."
"Well…how about when we get to Chatawa. You can show your cadets some new skills while you're at it," Sephiroth suggested.
"Ok, then we should go say goodbye to Saren and Jorum," Daitona stated rising to her feet.
Sephiroth looked up at her and had to squint because of the sun. "I already did, they said that they hope everything works out between you and me and to tell you they said to come back and visit sometime…" Sephiroth looked past Daitona then pointed. "Think you could catch that wild chocobo for us to ride?"
Daitona turned around to find one of the giant birds munching on some of the natural vegetation. "I don't know…" she hummed unsurely. "You know how well me and those over stuffed birds like to get along…"
Sephiroth stood up slowly. "I'll help. Ridding him to the coast will beat the heck out of walking. You go to that side and approach him really slow. I'll do the same, if you get close enough…grab him."
Daitona gave him a dull look. "Then what? Pray to the gods that he decides not to peck my eyes out?"
Sephiroth smirked. "Don't worry…I'll be right there to help."
Daitona reluctantly agreed and started cautiously towards the wild animal. "Nice birdie…come here choco…yeah, that's it, just stand right there."
The chocobo's blue eyes locked with that of hypnotizing aqua-green, the aqua seemed to swirl with some unknown power that virtually rendered the poor animal paralyzed in place. The chocobo couldn't seem to tear its eyes off this creature that was slowly nearing it. It spoke in a soothing tone and caused it to become heavy lidded; it was falling under a spell that was impossible to escape from.
Daitona continued to speak softly to the giant bird even as she brought her hands up to stroke its neck. It warked softly and allowed the other who had come up behind to tie a thin rope around his beak.
Sephiroth turned to Daitona after he had made a suitable bridle for their newly caught mount. "How did you do that? It was like he went into a trance of something."
"I don't know…I locked my eyes on it's and just spoke. He just stood there, I didn't do anything out of the ordinary."
Sephiroth shrugged it off, probably just some sort of Divinian power or something. He jumped easily onto the chocobo's back then helped Daitona up. "You ready?"
Daitona grumbled and tightened her arms around his waist in response.
Sephiroth turned the bird's head into the right direction then set off at a quick sprint across the plains.
Daitona held Sephiroth in the same death grip she had when they had started out to Mifune's fort. "You're doing this on purpose and you know it!" she whined over the rushing wind. Alls this successfully did was to get her a face full of silver hair.
Sephiroth could barely hear her until she gave his hair a good yank…then another…and yet another and the chocobo was finally halted. "Stop pulling my hair."
"I was beginning to wonder who's that was," Daitona said sarcastically. "There was so much in my face I couldn't quite see, you know how it is."
He sigh, then grabbed his hair up tying it in a knot. "That better?"
"Oh yeah…now I have a big hunk of it to fly up and hit me; it'll probable knock me out on impact then I'd fall off this thing and you'd never notice! But that's ok, you know why? I like this bird about much as I like ridding it…and you'd find out why if you left me."
Sephiroth was silent…what did she mean by that?
Daitona smirked at his confused look. "I, frankly, don't think this poor unfortunate animal should have to do all the exercising. I think you could use a little yourself. All that time in that house with the good food…" she poked him, "you put on a little weight, didn't ch'ya?"
"What?!" Sephiroth turned to look at her…her face told him she was, but then again wasn't serious about that. "You're kidding, right?"
"No, how much do you weigh anyways? 200…300 pounds? Which is, huh, huh?"
"Oh be quiet, you know you're just mad because I beat you this morning…twice!" he smirked.
"Did NOT!" Daitona snapped at him, though she knew it was true but that didn't mean she was going to let him rub it in her face like she always did him.
"Fine…you walk. I never said you had to ride with me. I'd feel much better if I knew you were walking and not knocked out by my knot of hair," he said smoothly…another little fight he was sure he'd win because she was getting mad, but not at him…not really.
Daitona took a deep breath. 'Just ignore him. Simple as that…'
"Oh really?" Sephiroth questioned.
Daitona looked at him dully then brightened. "How about you let me steer? You'll be right there behind me so if…"
"Is that all you want? You want to learn to ride?" Daitona nodded and he reached around and pulled her to the front then scooted back to give her room.
"Now what?"
"Just make him go where you want him too. I won't let you fall off…hold on just a second a second…" Sephiroth grabbed Daitona's long golden hair and twisted it till it was tight enough that there were hardly any stray locks. She held her waist gently with both hands while in his left he held the twisted bottoms of her hair.
Sephiroth nodded and the chocobo started forward slowly at first then more quickly as Daitona's confidence in ridding got better. She really wasn't that bad at ridding it was just that one incident left her disliking the animal. By the time they could see the ocean Daitona was having fun and the chocobo was almost at it's top speed.
"Hey! There's the fort!" Sephiroth yelled over the wind and pointed in the direction of the structure.
Daitona slowed the chocobo enough to turn in the right direction. They made it to the fort walls in record time as the chocobo finally reached top speed. The stop came rather quickly but wasn't unexpected.
Two SOLDIERS' who were on guard came out with their guns raised. Both looked surprised when they seen the two commanding officers. They immediately lowered their weapons and saluted.
"Colonel Sephiroth, Lieutenant Colonel Daitona? We were expecting your arrival days ago when we seen the explosion of enemy Fortress Natic," one of the SOLDIERs stated.
"We got held up. We received injury during that battle and lost a lot of energy," Sephiroth stated coldly making both SOLDIERs shrink back. "If there were any problems during our absence we will be more than glad to take care of them now."
"Um, no sir. There were no problems. The General was beginning to think that perhaps the two of you had been killed, he'll be glad to see that you are both live and well."
"Yeah. Thanks a lot." Sephiroth jumped off the chocobo's back then reached up to help Daitona down. Sephiroth looked at the chocobo then sighed. "Take this chocobo to the stables and feed him. We will be keeping him with un for now on."
"Yes sir!" One of the two SOLDIERs came forward then led the chocobo in the direction the stables were.
"You'll need to report in sir."
"We will. Come on Daitona." Sephiroth motioned for her to follow and she did. "Those SOLDIERs are a bunch of idiots."
"Yeah," Daitona agreed and followed him through the door of one of the buildings. It was obvious to her that he seemed to always know his way around and sure enough, General Anton was sitting at one of the tables talking with Otto.
Otto looked up at hearing them enter and his eyes went wide. "Sephiroth, Daitona! You two made it back alive!"
"It would seem that way wouldn't it?" Daitona asked sarcastically.
"It's good to see the both of you again, it really is," Otto sighed wistfully. "You two are too good to be true. Not only did you escape Mifune but you took out Fort Natic in a single sweep and with only yourselves to rely on!"
"Good job, both of you. As my soldiers were suppose to tell you days ago you two are getting fresh troop, but there's been a slight change in plan. The troops haven't arrived yet due to fighting out on the sea. You both have some time off to do as you please," the general informed. "It may be days or weeks before they arrive so be ready when they do and don't stray too far from the fort if you leave."
"Yes sir." Daitona and Sephiroth stated in unison and saluted.
"At ease."
The two of them relaxed and listened to whatever else the ageing general had to say.
"It's absolutely amazing what the two of you have accomplished in the short amount of time you have been here. You two alone have turned the odds on this war. The final battle will be fought soon enough. You two deserve a break so I assure you the next two weeks you will be free of all duties. Just relax and do what pleases you. On top of that I'll assign both of you the best of quarters for your stay here."
"Thank you sir."
"You both are dismissed."
****
The days passed easily as Sephiroth and Daitona really had no real duties to attend too. Fort Chatawa became their home for the time. They spar-ed may times it the two months that passed though none of the fights had really any meaning besides the fun. Daitona taught a few of the cadets she chose to keep some new tricks to battle.
In all about three and a half months passed since Sephiroth and Daitona's arrival before there was any word from any outsiders but when it did come…it was in the form of a cut down troop retreating all the way from the opposite coast…along with them came the first enemy encounter Chatawa had received in months…
****
-End Chapter 37-
A/N: Ok, I had to pass time because a year has to pass before the end of the war because the last chapter of the war has already been written along with two others. So, I have about 5 months already they have been in Wutai. If anyone has a correction tell me. This battle that will start the next chapter kind of had to happen for other things to flow to the end…of the war that is. The end is still far from where I have decided to stop then start the next part. Once this war is over I can write a bunch on In the Dimensions of a Different Time and Space.
Oh yeah! I have been working on a new story that will be called 'Empires of Old' it is Final Fantasy VIII, but it may be a while before I post it because of school and everything. Juzu had read what I have so far and she thinks it will be good. If you want to know when I post it just let me know and I'll let you know when it gets posted.