Disclaimer: I don't own anyone in the FFVII universe - SquareEnix does - but I do take creative liberties with places/people at times. Reilena Gainsborough is my character, and as such is (c) Vinja Ryou. Toll charges may apply
"Papa…"
"Huh?" Confused, Cloud glanced around himself. Barret and Tifa were standing guard ten feet away. Glancing down at the bomb in his hands, Cloud took a deep breath, flicking blonde hair from his eyes. As he placed the explosive on the reactor, Tifa's voice returned to him. Cloud shut his eyes, shoulders hunched, as the scene from their childhood played out…
Nibelheim. In the reactor on Mount Nibel; it had only been six months after the formal in Midgar…silent, Cloud stopped, his eyes widened in shock.
Tifa knelt before him, sobbing. Just in front of her was her father. Blood covered the man, pooling around his torso; Cloud knew that he was dead, and yet he remained silent. Suddenly, Tifa glanced up, her dark eyes wet from underneath her scarlet beret.
"Papa…he's gone," she whispered, wiping her eyes. She then glared toward the open door before them; the same door that held the strange creatures Cloud and Sephiroth had discovered days ago. "I'll get him…Sephiroth will pay for this," Tifa growled. Before Cloud could stop her, Tifa ran into the laboratory, even as Cloud reached out…
"Kid, we don't have much time," Barret muttered, peering over his shoulder. "If Shinra's men find us down here, we're screwed."
Cloud's eyes snapped open, and he shook his head. "Don't worry about it…I've got it all under control." Swallowing his nerves, Cloud finished placing the bomb; as he rose to his feet he set the detonation clock and turned to his companions. "We don't have much time. Let's go." Nodding, Barret started for the stairwell, jogging toward the elevator at the top; Tifa jogged alongside Cloud.
Something seemed to be troubling the young man; she had seen him hesitate the slightest bit while setting the bomb, and it was beginning to worry Tifa just a bit. Instead of questioning Cloud on it though, Tifa ignored her feelings and followed Barret into the elevator; the burly leader of AVALANCHE promptly moved over so that Cloud and Tifa could fit into the small space, and then hit the switch to bring them to the control room. The elevator rose without a hitch, and let out a pleasant ding as it opened on the security control floor.
"O'er here," Barret stage-whispered, waving the two over to a door with a numerical pad. He stepped aside, allowing Tifa to punch in the security code Jessie had hacked into earlier, and dashed into the control room. Once Cloud joined her, Barret strode inside, hitting the switch to close the door. He peered over at the younger man as he strode over to the large control deck in the center of the room, an eyebrow raised in slight concern. "So what happened back there, Cloud?" he asked, absentmindedly setting the controls on his Gaitling Gun. Cloud's head shot up, and he glanced over at Barret anxiously.
"What do you mean?" Tifa sighed, folding her arms; her eyes betrayed her emotions, showed her worry for her friend.
"While you were setting the bomb, you hesitated a bit. What's wrong?" she asked calmly, laying a hand on his shoulder. Cloud's eyes dropped to the floor for a second; he threw Tifa's hand off of him and concentrated on the motherboard before him.
"It was nothing. Don't worry about it," he muttered. Barret laughed under his breath.
"The kid's going against his family, trying to blow up another reactor," he said contemptuously. Tifa glared at him, and Barret shrugged. "Don't believe me? Look into his eyes - he's got them Mako eyes after all."
"Look, let's just get this done and over with, alright?" Cloud snapped suddenly. "This isn't about me, this is about your cause, so let's just finish this." Barret's eyes widened, and he smirked.
"I'm sorry, did I hit a nerve?"
"Barret…" One look at the murderous glare in Tifa's eyes, and the older man shut his mouth. Sighing deeply, Cloud spoke.
"When I give the signal, we hit the switches on this board to open the last door and get the hell out of here. The catch is that we have to hit them at the same time. Got it?" Both Barret and Tifa nodded; Cloud bowed his head. "Then on the count of three. One…two…three."
Five hands and a gun barrel came down; the switches flipped, and the door behind them slid open without a hitch. Cloud nodded toward the door; with a grin, Barret dashed past him and through the door, waiting just beyond for his comrades to follow. Tifa started for the exit, but glanced back; Cloud seemed to be lost in his thoughts again. Tifa reached out to him, but shook her head at the last moment and took her hand back, following Barret instead.
He couldn't explain it; there was an ominous feeling around him. The feeling that something was drastically wrong. What was it? Shaking his head, Cloud ran through the door, joining up with Barret and Tifa; without a word, Barret led them down the corridor, nodding toward the right passageway. "The exit's just that way," he called back.
"Halt!" A line of SOLDIERS strode up to the renegades, guns poised. Growling, Barret stopped in his tracks and spun to head the other way. Much to their dismay, additional SOLDIERS were marching up the left corridor as well, and just as Tifa began back toward the security room, a gust of wind pushed her and her companions back. Once the trio had regained their footing, they turned toward the source of the tempest.
President Shinra smiled politely, standing just inside his helicopter. "What a pleasant surprise," he said, climbing down a ladder; he strode up to the trio, the smile still on his face. "Here I was, prepared to go and look for AVALANCHE's leader, and now here I have three of them. How convenient." President Shinra walked calmly around the team, his eyes traveling over them, and stopped just before Cloud. The President's eyes narrowed slightly, and he peered closely at the blonde, smirking after a moment. "Mako eyes - you were one of Sephiroth's underlings, weren't you?" Cloud remained silent, and President Shinra chuckled harshly. "No matter - I would know your eyes from anywhere. Too bad you didn't decide to stay with SOLDIER, though I must hand it to you all; you're almost as clever as the ex-General."
"Who the hell is Sephiroth? What's he got to do wit' anythin'?" Barret hollered, wielding his gun-arm angrily. President Shinra waved a finger before him, clicking his tongue.
"Hasn't your SOLDIER comrade here educated you? Sephiroth was the best SOLDIER out of them all - it's a pity that he's lost now. In fact, we're pretty sure he's dead," President Shinra replied, walking backwards. "That shouldn't worry you though. This, however, will." Gesturing behind the AVALANCHE members, President Shinra climbed back aboard his helicopter just as a huge mechanical SOLDIER stalked down the corridor from the security room, in between the trio, and the human SOLDIERS scattered; Barret and Tifa remained on the right, while Cloud leapt to the left corridor, pulling out his Buster Sword. "Allow me to introduce you to the Air Buster - one of several revolutionary war machines Shinra has been working on. It's too bad that you won't be here to see it in its glory on the battlefield, but we've been needing test subjects for it anyhow."
"Shinra, you get your ass back here!" Barret yelled. "I have a score to settle with you, you no-good…"
"That's just going to have to wait until later isn't it? I can't be late for the mayor's dinner, after all." With that said, President Shinra waved to the team as his helicopter lifted into the air. As if on cue, the Air Buster shook, coming to life, and faced Barret and Tifa, weapons ready. Tifa's eyes widened as she raised her fists to her face.
"What is this thing?" she yelled, ducking down as the Air Buster rained bullets down on her. Behind the creature, Cloud's eyes narrowed angrily, and he tightened his grip on his sword.
"Just what Shinra said - it's one of their new experiments in warfare technology," Cloud called back. "Fight it as best you can. Know any magic?"
"To hell with magic!" Barret shouted, bracing himself as he fired his Gaitling Gun. The Air Buster shuddered, turning on the larger man; Barret stumbled back, growling as a searing beam struck him on the shoulder. Tifa rose from her crouch; the Glove on her right hand held the Lightning Materia, and she aimed her clenched fist at the machine. Lightning bolts rained down upon the Air Buster, and it fell back, gravely injured. It wasn't about to go down easily; it backed up on its tracks, causing Cloud to leap back before he was crushed, and directed both its arms at the duo before it. Tifa and Barret cried out as the machine unleashed its Big Bomber attack; Barret was able to climb back to his feet. Tifa however, remained on the ground; her breathing was laboured, and a ribbon of blood streamed down her arm. Barret's eyes widened at her condition, and he glared at the creature, baring his teeth. "Cloud, it ain't lookin' good!"
"What's going on?" Cloud hollered, leaping back after slashing at the Air Buster. He held his Buster Sword before himself when the monster retaliated with a laser, bouncing the beam back at it.
"Tifa's been hurt real bad - it's not looking good." Shocked, Cloud glanced past the Air Buster, his eyes narrowing when he saw Tifa on the ground. He eyed the machine as he regripped his sword, bracing himself; he felt a surge of anger course through his veins. The Air Buster watched the blonde mercenary before it, unsure of what was happening; without any hesitation, Cloud ran headlong at the creature, Cross-Slashing it furiously.
The Air Buster froze, paralyzed by the blow from Cloud's Limit Break. Cloud, Barret, and Tifa waited in tense silence; Barret knelt by the young woman, his gun arm at the ready. Cloud sheathed his sword, taking a step back from the machine as it began to shudder in place. Barret's eyes widened, having realized what was happening.
"Aw shit…Cloud, get back!" he yelled; as soon as the words left him, the Air Buster exploded, destroying the hub of the corridors. Cloud was thrown forward as Barret and Tifa held onto the corridor railings, but grabbed onto a shard of metal to keep himself from falling. A low ticking caught his attention, however, and Cloud glanced down, his heart stopping for a moment when he realized the reactor was about to blow; the explosion of the Air Buster had accelerated the detonation timer for Reactor Five, and he turned his eyes up to Barret and Tifa. Ignoring her own wounds, Tifa knelt down at the hole in the floor, reaching down to Cloud.
"Take my hand, Cloud!" Tifa called; her fingers flexed as she reached out as much as she could. "Grab on, and I'll pull you back!" Cloud shook his head, and Tifa's eyes widened, brimming with unshed tears. "Dammit Cloud, trust me on this!"
"I can't," he said calmly. "If you tried to pull me up, I would just drag us both down." He looked down again; there wasn't much time. "You and Barret get the hell out of here; the reactor's going to blow soon." Tifa shook her head violently, ignoring Barret's hand on her shoulder.
"I'm not leaving without you!" she said, reaching out again. Again, Cloud didn't move.
"I'll be fine. I promise. Barret, get her out of here," Cloud replied. Barret nodded in silence and pulled Tifa back from the hole. She glanced down at Cloud, reluctantly letting herself be taken. Not a moment too soon; the reactor exploded just as the young woman backed up. The force of the explosion jarred Cloud violently; he let go of the metal and fell, silent.
"Cloud!" Tifa hid her face in her hands, slowly getting to her feet as Barret led her out of the reactor. He patted her shoulder softly, listening to Tifa's quiet sobs as he prayed for Cloud's safety.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
She held a flower up to the sunlight; shards of red, cerulean, and jade light bathed both the young woman and the scarlet carnation she held in her hand. A smile spread across her face. She felt most at home here, in the church flower garden; it was her sanctuary, a place she could go to and know she was around people she could trust, people that loved her dearly. A strand of hair fell in her eyes, but she ignored it, her gaze on the flower above.
Next to her, another young woman knelt down, tending to a patch of springtime daisies and roses. Sighing, she wiped a hand across her brow, tossing her hair off of her shoulder, and glanced over at her companion. Laughing softly under her breath, she shook her head as she sat back on her haunches. "Aerith, I think that flower's gotten its fill of light by now," she teased. Blinking rapidly, Aerith Gainsborough snapped out of her thoughts and glanced toward her sister Reilena. She lowered her hand slowly, still holding the flower to herself, the calm smile across her lips.
"I'm sorry," she said, tucking the loose brunette hair behind her ear. "I just lose myself so easily here…it's so calm and peaceful…" she trailed off, sighing as she backed up slightly. "This is the only place I can really go to if I don't want to be bothered by anyone."
Reilena arched an eyebrow, resting a hand on her knee as she went to brace herself. "Well if that's the case, I can leave if you'd like," she began. Aerith's glance shot toward her younger sister, an apologetic sheen in her aquamarine eyes. She reached out with her free hand, taking Reilena's softly, and tugged just a bit.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that!" she apologized. "I meant that this is the only place you and I can retreat to, where we can talk among ourselves without fear of being overheard." Lowering her eyes, Aerith took a breath; Reilena sat back down on the floor, holding her sister's hand. "Reilena…something's troubling me, and I don't know why. I get the feeling that something…life-altering will occur very soon."
"You too?" Reilena asked without thinking; she shied back when Aerith looked back up at her. "I mean, I've had the same feeling…that and the whole…well, you know, we talked about it the other night."
"That young man you keep seeing." Aerith tilted her head in understanding, patting Reilena's hand. "I sense that we'll meet up with him much sooner than you think." Reilena smiled lightly, wiping at her eyes; Aerith laughed, shaking her head after brushing away a stray tear of her own. "Look at us - sitting here babbling around when we still have to tidy up the lilies," she murmured, letting go of Reilena's hand. "Rei, you go ahead and…"
A crash; shattered glass rained down amongst the two young women. Shocked, they glanced up at the destroyed ceiling just as a form fell down, landing in the bed of flowers between them. Aerith peered over at Reilena, her eyes wide with shock; both girls moved to the person's side, Reilena sucking in a worried breath when she saw his face.
"I know who this is," she muttered, brushing glass from the young man's shirt. Aerith nodded; she recognized the man as well, but couldn't place a name with his face for the time being. She ran a hand over his arm, tending to his cuts and scratches as Reilena shook the last bits of glass from his body. After mending his arms, Aerith moved to examine his face; his eyelids twitched, and Aerith gasped as he opened his eyes, glancing up at her in confusion.
"What…where am I?" he asked, sitting up slowly; he tried to mask his grimacing, but to no avail, and both women sat back. Aerith smiled shyly, offering her hand to him, and helped him to his feet.
"This is the church in the Sector 5 Slums," Aerith replied. "Do you remember me by any chance?" Confused, the young man looked over her. The teal eyes and long brunette hair tied in a pink ribbon looked familiar, but he didn't remember her name.
"You were the flower girl at that kiosk, weren't you?" he asked. Aerith smiled.
"Yes, after the explosion at Reactor One." She nodded, holding a hand out shyly. "My name's Aerith Gainsborough."
"Cloud Strife," the young man replied, shaking Aerith's hand. He then glanced over at the other woman, raising an eyebrow. "I remember you - over at Tifa's bar, you were that one who told me not to argue with her." Aerith shot her sister a surprised look as Reilena laughed, flicking her hair from her eyes.
"That's me. I'm Reilena, Aerith's little sister," she replied, taking Cloud's hand in a shake. Next to her, Reilena heard Aerith sigh, and smiled lightly; it seemed as if Aerith had already taken a liking to the young man. Before she could say anything to her sister however, the doors at the front of the church rattled, breaking the silence. The trio turned their eyes to the door, and Aerith's gaze narrowed in frustration.
"Rei, go look and see who that is," she ordered. Reilena opened her mouth to argue, but decided against it when she saw the expression on Aerith's face; if it was who they thought it was, they were in serious trouble. With a silent nod, Reilena wiped her hands on her pants and headed toward the door. Aerith then turned to face Cloud, taking his hands in hers. "Cloud, I need to ask a favour of you."
"O-kay," he said, glancing down at his hands in hers. Aerith sighed.
"Will you be my bodyguard?" Cloud's head shot up, and he stared at Aerith in shock. Her face remained serious. "Please. If I'm right in thinking who's at the door, then both Reilena and I are going to be in trouble. Will you protect us?" She watched his face for a reaction, her eyes softening just a bit when Cloud nodded. "Thank you so much…"
"Aerith! Cloud! We gotta get outta here," Reilena shouted, running up to the pair. She picked up the basket of tools that she and Aerith had brought with them and shoved Aerith forward. "C'mon, we need to take the back way - it's who you thought it was Aerith," she continued, knowing Aerith was about to argue. Gasping, she gestured for Cloud to get ahead of them when the doors at the front of the church burst open. Aerith, Cloud, and Reilena froze in their tracks, listening to the sound of footsteps walking calmly down the church corridor.
"Aerith, Reilena…who would have ever though I would find you both in here?" a familiar male voice asked non-chalantly. Aerith tensed as Reilena clenched her fists, and both women turned; Cloud remained standing behind them. Six blue-uniformed SOLDIERS stood behind the man who had spoken; he tossed his scarlet ponytail off of his shoulder, raising an eyebrow as he smirked at Aerith and Reilena. "Now you know you've been enough trouble on us for far too long, so do us both a favour and surrender yourselves now." Silent, Aerith shook her head, and the man laughed. "I must applaud your confidence Aerith, but it's too late now."
"Bite your goddamned tongue, Reno," Reilena hissed. Turning to the younger of the two, Reno strode over to Reilena, clicking his tongue as he shook his head. He reached out to touch her cheek, and stopped when she growled. "Get your SOLDIERs and your own Turk ass out of here. You have no business with us…"
"But I do have business with you, my dear," Reno replied with a smirk. "You see, I have orders from the higher-ups to bring a Miss Aerith Gainsborough and a Miss Reilena Gainsborough back to the Shinra Building. My bosses were very strict with their orders; I must bring you back, willing or unwilling, so I would suggest that you…" he stopped, having seen Cloud standing behind the Gainsboroughs, and sighed. "Now look, you went and brought another person into our entire mess. I guess this will have to be an unwilling capture." Reno strode forth, snatching Aerith's wrist harshly; to his surprise, Aerith kneed him in the gut. She tore her hand from his grasp as he keeled over and shoved both Reilena and Cloud toward the back exit.
"Go! Now!" she yelled. Cloud dashed ahead, heading for a staircase in the back room that led to the upper floor of the church. He took the stairs two at a time and climbed up onto the rafters of the church ceiling, but stopped when he heard machine gun blasts. Eyes wide, Cloud glanced down to see two SOLDIERs firing on Aerith and Reilena; the two women ducked to avoid the gunfire, and then rose, glancing about anxiously.
"Aerith!" Hearing her name, Aerith glanced up and saw Cloud standing behind a barrel on the rafters. "You and Reilena stay there for a minute; I have an idea." Nodding, Aerith took Reilena's arm, shaking her head when the younger girl went to argue with her, and pulled her back slowly. The SOLDIERs advanced one step for every one the two women took back, their guns trained on them. A rumble came from overhead, and a large barrel dropped from the ceiling, blocking the soldiers' view of the girls. Cloud laughed under his breath before yelling, "Hurry!"
They didn't need to be told twice; Aerith and Reilena dashed toward the wooden steps of the church, running up as fast as they could. The remaining SOLDIERs remained on the ground, firing up at the women as they escaped. Aerith groaned, hit with a piece of wood splintering from the stairs, and clutched her arm. Reilena stopped, glancing down at her older sister; a tiny trail of blood marred her forearm, and she could see the splinter of wood in Aerith's arm. She grabbed a spade from the basket she and Aerith had brought to the church and flung it down at the SOLDIER in front, then grabbed Aerith's hand. "C'mon, you'll be okay," she whispered quickly, helping Aerith up the stairs and to the rafters. Cloud stood in the shadows in the back of the church, near a hole in the ceiling, and strode up to meet the two young women; he noticed Aerith holding her arm and took her hand off the wound, looking over it. It seemed to be nothing more than a jagged splinter, and he glanced up at her, concerned.
"Are you okay?" Aerith nodded, pulling the splinter from her arm with a silent grimace, and tossed the wood aside.
"Follow me and my sister," she replied solemnly, climbing through the ceiling's gaping injury; Reilena leapt up after Aerith, and Cloud promptly followed, landing on the roof of what seemed to be another building. Aerith and Reilena stopped to catch their breath as Cloud glanced around, taking in the scenery; he didn't recognize where they were at, and waited for the two women to rest up. A few seconds later, Aerith and Reilena stood up and glanced over at the lone young man; he nodded once and followed the over the roof. Leaping onto a pile of mechanical refuse, he finally broke the silence.
"So what was going on back there?" he asked. Reilena laughed contemptuously; Aerith sighed.
"My sister and I have been…well, hunted, for lack of a better term, by the Turks for quite some time," she began. Cloud came up beside Aerith, confused.
"What do you mean? What do you have that they want?"
"Nothing!" Aerith muttered quickly. "We have nothing they want, and yet they continue to send Reno out after us. That's why I asked you to be our bodyguard - we need someone to protect us from the Turks, and from Shinra." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, sliding down a bit on a metallic plate before jumping off onto the ground. Reilena followed a second later, and Cloud landed in front of them.
"So you have nothing, and yet they go after you?" Aerith nodded; Reilena's face took on a confused façade.
"Aerith, what are you…ow!" she growled, holding her side; Aerith shook her head fiercely, having elbowed her younger sister. "Okay, I'm sorry. Don't listen to me then." Rolling her eyes, Reilena stalked off northbound; Aerith glanced back at her, a forlorn sheen in her eyes, and then turned to Cloud. The young man looked genuinely confused, and she dropped her eyes to the ground for a moment to exhale before continuing.
"Anyways, you must be tired. Come on," she said, beckoning Cloud on. "I'll bring you to mine and Reilena's house. I really should talk to her anyhow…something's been on her mind lately," Aerith murmured to herself. Intrigued, Cloud walked up beside Aerith.
"What do you mean?" he asked. Aerith shook her head, waving her hand listlessly in the air as they came up to a modest two-story house just outside the slums.
"Never mind," Aerith said quietly. She walked up to the door and opened it, gesturing for Cloud to follow her, and strode into the main room. "I'm home, Mom."
A middle-aged woman walked out, a dishtowel tucked into her skirt and dark hair up in a haphazard bun. She hurried over to Aerith, hugging her tightly, and then looked over at Cloud. "Well now, who is this young man?" she asked in a tired yet warm voice. Aerith nodded toward Cloud, and he came up beside her, nodding silently.
"This is my bodyguard, Cloud," she said. "Cloud, this is my mom, Elmyra." Cloud bowed his head politely; Elmyra ignored his gesture and clamped her hands down on Aerith's shoulders, looking over her worriedly.
"Bodyguard? You mean…you were followed again?" she asked. Aerith nodded, and Elmyra looked over her again, her eyes widening when she saw the small cut on her arm. "Are you alright?"
"I'm alright. I had Cloud with me, after all," she replied in a slightly irritated tone. Elmyra noticed Aerith's tension and stepped back, holding her hands before her makeshift apron.
"Well thank you Cloud, for protecting my girls," she replied. Cloud remained silent still, and Aerith turned to him, tilting her head curiously. Sensing that Aerith wanted privacy, Elmyra returned to her dishes in the kitchen.
"So what are you planning on doing now?" Cloud shrugged, scratching the back of his head.
"Sector 7's not too far from here, is it?" Aerith shook her head. "Okay, 'cause I want to go to Tifa's bar." Immediately Aerith's eyes fell.
"Is Tifa…a girl?" she asked shyly. Cloud nodded slowly. "A girl…friend?"
"No!" Cloud's voice took on a tense, slightly higher pitch, and Aerith laughed.
"You don't have to get that upset over it!" she teased. Cloud rolled his eyes, and Aerith walked around the small foot table, thinking aloud. "Sector 7 you said, right? That's not very far…I'll show you the way there," she finished, striding up to Cloud. He shook his head.
"You have to be kidding." Aerith shook her head, and he sighed. "What, you want to put yourself in danger again?" Aerith shrugged.
"I'm used to it."
"Used to it?" Cloud asked incredulously. Aerith nodded, and he sighed, holding his chin in thought. "Well I dunno…getting help from a girl…"
"A girl?" Aerith spat. "What do you mean by that?" She glared up at Cloud darkly, and he shrugged, eyes wide. Aerith threw her arms up in the air, sighing loudly. "You expect me to just sit by and listen after hearing you say something like that?" She held up a hand before Cloud could reply, and turned toward the kitchen again. "Mom! I'm taking Cloud to Sector 7. I'll be back in awhile." From beyond the kitchen, the sound of water ceased, and dishes rattled as a sigh could be heard. Elmyra walked out of the kitchen, wiping her soapy hands on her apron as she regarded her oldest daughter with a worried glance.
"But dear…" Aerith simply glanced back at Elmyra, and she dropped her shoulders. "I give up. You never listen once you've made up your mind - both you and your sister are like that." She glanced over at the large clock on the wall before turning back to Aerith. "But why don't you go in the morning? It's getting late now, and you never know what might happen at this hour," she pleaded.
"Yeah, I guess you're right Mom," Aerith agreed, reluctant. Elmyra nodded.
"Of course. Aerith, please go and make the guest bed for Cloud here." Nodding, Aerith started for the stairs, and Elmyra turned to re-enter the kitchen; just before walking in however, she turned and hurried over to Aerith, catching her before she started up to the second floor, and motioned for her to come closer. Obliging, Aerith leaned toward Elmyra. "I would like you to talk to your sister tonight as well. She came in here just before you and Cloud, and looked depressed. I think she needs to talk to someone." Aerith nodded knowingly, and started up the stairs. Elmyra watched as Aerith rounded the corner, and waited until she heard the guest room door open before turning to Cloud. The young man was still standing near the doorway, glancing around the house quietly. Taking a deep breath, Elmyra walked over to Cloud and looked over him; he peered up at her and she nodded to herself. "That glow in your eyes…you're from SOLDIER, aren't you?" she asked, a tense tone in her voice.
"Yeah…well, I used to be, at least," he replied. "Don't worry - I have nothing to do with them anymore." He watched as Elmyra glanced down at her hands, shaking her head, and finally looked back up at Cloud.
"Cloud…well, I don't know exactly how to say this, but…" she took a deep breath, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Would you leave here, tonight? Without telling Aerith or Reilena?" Cloud raised an eyebrow, and nodded slowly. Elmyra smiled sadly. "Thank you. I believe the guest room is ready for you, so you better go up there and rest a bit," she finished, turning back to the kitchen. Raising an eyebrow in slight confusion, Cloud walked over to the stairs, taking them two at a time. He reached the top just as Aerith came out of a room on the far end of the hallway. She smiled politely, pointing down the hall.
"Your room is down there. I have it all set for you." Cloud nodded, and Aerith walked past him, heading for a door on the opposite end. He watched her, curious, as she leaned toward the door, listening inside as she laid a hand on the knob lightly. Exhaling deeply, she turned to see Cloud still looking at her, and laughed quietly. "Sorry, I forgot to tell you…you need to go through Sector 6 to get to Sector 7. That part of the slums is pretty dangerous, so you should get some rest now."
"What about you?" Cloud asked. Aerith shook her head.
"I need to talk to Reilena a bit. Thank you for your concern though," she replied. With a slight shrug, Cloud started down the hall, and strode into the guest room. Aerith watched as he walked into his room and closed the door, and sighed to herself. Good night Cloud, she said silently, and opened Reilena's door. Her little sister sat on the windowsill overlooking the garden, her head bowed, already in her nightgowns. Quiet as she could, Aerith closed the door behind her and walked over to Reilena, sitting down beside her; Reilena took a breath, rolling her clasped hands back and forth.
"Aerith, I'm scared," she whispered, not looking up. Aerith gazed over her sister, an eyebrow raised even as she ran a hand through Reilena's hair, reassuring.
"What is it? It's not Cloud, is it?" she asked. Reilena shook her head fiercely, turning to Aerith as she wiped at her eyes.
"No, it's not him…it's this." Cautious, Aerith sat back as Reilena held her hands open; a small silver Materia lay in her palms, a strange glow emanating from the smooth stone. Aerith's eyes widened, and she glanced up at Reilena; the younger girl hung her head, rolling the Materia in her hands. "I came home before you and Cloud did - after you kinda shut me up back there," Reilena began; Aerith smiled guiltily, but Reilena shrugged. "Don't worry about it, I'm not upset with you - I should've kept my mouth shut, you were right in elbowing me. Anyway, I came home before you guys, and just walked upstairs; Elmyra tried asking me what was wrong, but I ignored her, and came into my room, listening for you and Cloud to get back. It was the weirdest thing though; when I heard the door open, when I heard Cloud walk into the house, the Materia began to glow like it is now. I tried picking it up, and it was warm, like someone had been holding it." Reilena shivered; Aerith laid an arm across her sister's shoulder, hugging her. "I…I've had it here in my hands ever since, and it hasn't yet lost its glow; I don't know where it's coming from, nor why it's glowing."
Silent, Aerith held her free hand out. Reilena dropped the Materia into Aerith's palm, and the older girl peered closely at the stone. The glow dimmed considerably, and her brow furrowed in thought. "Rei, who gave you this Materia?"
"Huh?"
"Whom did you get this from?" Aerith repeated, holding the Materia stone out; Reilena took the Materia back, and its glow brightened as it landed in her hand. Reilena shook her head, closing her hand over the glowing stone.
"I…I can't tell you," Reilena whispered. Aerith peered at her sister; she tried to hide behind her sanguine hair, but Aerith brushed Reilena's hair back, gazing into her violet eyes.
"Rei, please don't hide it from me. I swear to you I won't get upset." Again, Reilena shook her head. Aerith's shoulders fell slightly, and she blew out a light sigh. "I'm not going to bed until you tell me. I won't tell anyone who it's from, I promise."
"You swear it?" Reilena asked in a near-whisper. Aerith nodded, holding out her pinky.
"I swear it." Sighing, Reilena hooked her pinky in her sister's in their childhood promise-keeping tradition, and dropped her hand immediately after. She unclenched her other hand and looked down at the still-shining Materia, closing her eyes as she tried to take a breath.
"This particular Materia…" she began, rolling the stone in her hand as she spoke in a near-whisper. "This one…is a rare Materia, one of the rarest here, I'd think." Reilena gazed up at Aerith, her eyes full of worry, and bit her lip as she hung her head. "The silver Materia was a gift given to me by Sephiroth."
Silence. Aerith's eyes widened as she raised a hand to her mouth, every word she'd been planning to say just evaporating into the air. Reilena looked up, catching Aerith's pained expression, and shut her eyes, holding the Materia close. "I knew I shouldn't have said anything. I swore never to tell anyone…because of his disappearance, and with all the shit going down in Midgar, I thought it would be easier if no one knew about…well, us," Reilena murmured, tucking her hair behind an ear, the Materia still rolling in her hand.
"It's true, then," Aerith said; she brushed her brunette hair off her shoulder, taking her sister's free hand in both of hers, and watched her for a reaction. "There was something between you and that young man five years ago."
Reilena nodded. "I can't explain it; it was like he and I were meant to meet there, meant to…sheez, I don't want to say together, especially with all this…ruckus…and I don't want to sound like some dumbassed romance novel" - Reilena immediately clapped a hand over her mouth, knowing Aerith didn't much appreciate her cussing, but the older girl didn't seem to mind for the time being - "but that's what it's like. But lately…with the visions I've been plagued with, and with the news President Shinra's been spreading, I don't know what to think anymore." She held the Materia up; its sheen seemed even brighter than before, and Aerith was forced to turn away for a moment. "This is the first time in months that I've actually picked up this stone - ever since he gave it to me, I've been thinking about having it made into a pendant, but never really got around to doing it." Reilena sighed, closing her fingers over the Materia so that Aerith could turn back. "There you go. Now you know where it's from, another reason why I'm acting a little moody…anything else I can help you with before you head out?"
Aerith shook her head, a tired but kind smile on her lips. "No. I'm just going to go to bed now. I'm bringing Cloud over to Sector 7 tomorrow…" she stopped when Reilena began shaking her head, and raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I overheard Elmyra," the younger girl said. "While you were up here straightening the guest room for Cloud. She asked him to leave here tonight, without us. I think she's telling him that 'cause she's worried about us." She glanced up and saw an irate look cross her sister's face. "If I were you, I'd sleep as much as you can now, and when Cloud wakes up, we can sneak outta here and meet him at the entrance to Sector 6. I know a shortcut there," Reilena finished. She rolled the Materia in her hands, waiting for Aerith's reply. After a moment, Aerith nodded.
"Alright. Are you sure you'll be up when Cloud is?" she asked. Reilena blew her hair out of her eyes, a no-nonsense look on her face.
"Does it look like I'm getting to sleep anytime soon?" she shot back; Aerith laughed quietly, patting Reilena's cheek.
"Wake me up when you hear him get up then," Aerith replied. Reilena nodded, but held a hand up before Aerith could leave. "What is it?"
"If I were you, I'd bring a weapon along." A raised eyebrow; the younger girl sighed. "Sector 6 isn't full of the nicest people on earth, and you never quite know what you'll run into." Aerith shrugged, blowing a strand of chocolate-brown hair from her eyes.
"Thanks for the warning." Aerith smiled, waving to her sister. "Good night Rei…don't forget to wake me when you hear Cloud." Telling Aerith that she wouldn't forget, Reilena closed the door behind her sister and then leaned against it with a sigh, sliding down to the ground. She still held the silver Materia in her hand; out of curiosity she glanced down at it. Its shine was beginning to dim just a bit, but was still there. Reilena sighed, setting the stone back in the small jewelry case she had kept it in for the past five years, and sat on her bed, turning off the table lamp that kept her room lit. She didn't want to sleep; the last vision she had had with the sable-haired young man had scared her, yet it had also intrigued her…just who was he? Why did she keep seeing him in premonitions? What had Dr. Hojo done to him? And why did he know her name?
Stifling a yawn, Reilena pulled her covers back and finally laid down, pulling the blankets over herself as she closed her eyes, trying to sleep.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Tifa, are you outta your mind?" Barret yelled, turning on his heel. AVALANCHE had once again regrouped at Tifa's Seventh Heaven; since Cloud's loss though, the bar had been closed to everyone but those in the rebel group, and Tifa had been unlike herself.
Brushing her dark brunette hair from her eyes, Tifa shook her head, arms crossed over her chest. "No. It sounds like an insane idea Barret, but it just might work," she argued. Barret rolled his eyes, running his hand over his face.
"So you're willing to whore yourself out and say it's in the name of AVALANCHE? That's a real good plan, Tifa Lockeheart," he mumbled. Tifa's eyes widened angrily, and she raised an eyebrow as the rest of the group fell silent, watching the argument between the two leaders unfold.
"I never said I was whoring myself out, so don't you EVER take that tone," Tifa growled. Her fists clenched, she stalked toward Barret, throwing a chair aside as if it were nothing. "Don Corneo has obvious ties to Shinra and Co., not to mention the fact that his weasels have been hanging around the Seventh Heaven a bit too often for my tastes. Perhaps if I go to his house, and the sleaze chooses me for the night, I can get him to talk." She raised a gloved fist in the air just as Barret opened his mouth to argue. "He doesn't know what he's messing with, anyhow; if he says I'm a killer beauty in a gown, he won't know how literally that term can be taken now, will he?" Tifa continued in a sly tone, an eyebrow raised. Barret regarded the young woman silently; a second later a grin spread across his face, and he clapped his hand down on her shoulder.
"And to think people doubt you! Excellent plan there," he said, turning to the rest of the team. "Biggs, Wedge, Jessie! Tifa is going to infiltrate Corneo's Mansion. The rest of us will keep a low profile, listen in on whatever the prez has planned next." Barret's voice took on a distant tone as he gazed toward the bar; Marlene lay sleeping, her thumb in her mouth, and Barret smiled for a moment. "We've destroyed two of his Mako reactors already - whatever he's planning next can't be good for us at all." Silently, the trio nodded in agreement, and a chocobo's cry resounded from the outside. Barret's brow furrowed, tensing his gun arm, and turned to Tifa. "Go tell them the bar is closed!" he hissed. Tifa shook her head, striding toward the door.
"That's my ride to Wall Market," she replied. "I hired a chocobo cart to bring me there, since they had to make a delivery to the pharmacy there anyhow." Tifa waved to the others, and laid a hand on Barret's shoulder. "Take care of Marlene. I should be back here soon." Barret nodded solemnly, turning to watch Tifa board the cart. The driver motioned for her to jump in the back of the cart, and Tifa leapt aboard, opting to sit at the very end of the cart. A crack of a whip, and the chocobo set off at a brisk walk; Tifa gazed down at her hands nervously, rethinking her plans.
I wonder if Cloud is alright…I hope he made it out of the explosion alive.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sunlight poured into the room, assaulting his vision. Yawning, Cloud sat up in the bed, rubbing his eyes. "Oh man…I must've fallen asleep," he muttered to himself. Quite a shock that was; he hadn't slept too well at all. Strange voices in his head had kept him awake for some time. Shaking his head, Cloud stretched his arms above his head, and then stood up, dressing himself. A couple moments later, he was at the window, gazing out over the gardens; for living in the slums, the Gainsboroughs had managed to cultivate a beautiful hideaway. Cloud tilted his head, looking out over the flowers thoughtfully, and then shook his head. I have to get outta here - I promised Elmyra I'd leave before the girls woke up, he thought, sheathing his sword. What had Aerith said though? "Sector 7's past Sector 6…she said something about it being dangerous…I should be alright by myself," Cloud said to himself. One last glance around to make sure he had everything, and just before he stepped out of the room, he noticed a package beside the door with his name on it. His brow furrowed, Cloud knelt down and opened it up, laughing silently; there was a Potion, Elixir, and an Antidote in the box. Pocketing the items, he stood back up and opened the door, peering down the hallway.
Aerith and Reilena's doors were closed; Cloud guessed that they were still asleep. He wasn't about to take any chances though, and walked quietly along the stair railing, almost tiptoeing down the stairs, and strode out of the house, closing the door carefully behind him as he let out a long sigh he'd been inadvertently holding.
"Well, that's that," he muttered. "Now to head to Sector 7." Cloud ran a hand through his spiked hair, walking through the surprisingly quiet streets of Sector 5. There were only a few people out and about at this time, including that woman who kept her eyes to the ground; besides them though, the only noise came from the giant screen above the Materia shop, broadcasting the Midgar news. Cloud rolled his eyes, heading for the entrance to Sector 6. To his relief, the people who had been blocking the way yesterday were gone; as he strode up to the tunnel however, two people stepped out from behind the wreckage surrounding the entrance. Cloud kept silent as he walked up to them, though he knew his shock had to be in his eyes when he saw that it was Aerith and Reilena Gainsborough waiting for him. Both girls smiled knowingly as Cloud stopped, his jaw slightly agape. Aerith giggled shyly.
"Well, you're up bright and early," she teased. Cloud stared at her still; Reilena rolled her eyes, blowing her sanguine hair from her face.
"And I think we've scared him." She waved a hand before Cloud's eyes; finally he blinked, and looked between both girls, shaking his head.
"How could I ask you to go along when I know it would be dangerous?" he finally said. "Sector 6 is a complete wreck in itself; there's broken streets, mechanical garbage…"
"Ladders to climb over, random hoodlums and creatures," Reilena continued, ticking them off on her fingers. Cloud stared at her, an eyebrow raised, and she laughed. "I've been there before with Tifa." She gestured toward her waist; amid two criss-crossing belts was a small leather satchel slung on her hips. Cloud snorted as Reilena flipped the satchel open, and held up a pair of daggers, raising an eyebrow as Cloud's face took on a surprised look. "We know what we're up against; I have these, Aerith has her own weapon, and you obviously have yours…"
"Are you both done?" Aerith interrupted, hands on her hips. Reilena nodded, replacing her daggers with a smirk as Cloud nodded. Aerith smiled, gesturing toward Sector 6. "Good. Now, you have to go through the slums in Sector 6 as well - Wall Market - in order to get to Tifa's Seventh Heaven. Reilena and I will take you there, so c'mon!" Aerith spun on her heel and walked through the entrance; Reilena and Cloud watched her retreating back, and Reilena shook her head with a laugh.
"She doesn't know what she's getting into," she mumbled. Cloud regarded Reilena with a no-nonsense glance.
"And you do?" he retorted. She shook her head.
"Never said I did, but I know it's nothing to go running into headlong." Reilena shrugged, nodding toward Aerith. "Well, let's get moving." She took off at a brisk jog to catch up to her sister, and Cloud sighed, rolling his eyes as he followed both girls.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?