AN: Karma is a beautiful thing...(ok sometimes). You review I post new chappies. I actuallly had to restrain myself from wrting the entire story ahead of time because I actually wanted reader's input....so be prepared for questions in the future. muaha......haha.....ok end.

Ye Olde Disclaimer: Let it be known that Le Usako neither owns FFVII, or FY ...I am however responsible(ish) for the "new Aeris"

My Hands ch2

Aeris walked around the city, it was quite like it had been when she was last there. When was that? Now that she really thought about it, she couldn't even remember if she had been there. Maybe she had just imagined it, the city of the ancients could do that to you, she figured. It had a nice home-y feeling to it.

'Maybe it's because I'm a cetra...well half anyway.' she shrugged and made to jump the small collum-like steps, but tripped and nearly fell into the water. 'what the?'

Aeris spotted the problem, but couldn't decide if she should be startled or not. Since when did she wear such a long dress? And a pink one at that? She didn't remember ever owning that. But a part inside her told her that's the way it was and she thought no more of it. She knelt in the center of the city and did something she had never done before. She prayed.

Prayed for what, she had thought vaguely, but the words came to her reguardless if she was aware of them or not.

This seemed to go on for quite a while, but how long she couldn't tell. Her knees were starting to hurt though and she really wanted to get up.

When she opened her eyes however, she met Cloud's hauntingly blue eyes. Aeris frowned, he looks like he did the day I met him. This isn't where I met him. She was about to tell him so when he started to shake violently. What the?

Did he not have control of himself? Vincent and Red XIII called out to him, which seemed to calm him down. But when she made to stand up, she felt a horrible pain in her rib cage, and looking down, there was a sword sticking through her.

Aeris screamed.

She sat upright and then went back down immidietely clutching her forhead. She had run right into Tamahome, who had been leaning over her.

"What are you doing? Don't you know it's not right to hang over people like that when they're sleeping?" Aeris rubbed her forhead furiously. "What is your head made of? Myrthril?"

Tamahome frowned, "You were having a nightmare, I was just checking to see if you were alright."

"I was?" she looked from under the palm of her hand from where she had been rubbing her head. Then sighed, "I mean I'm sorry. Thank you for being concerned."

"Just give me another potion to sell and we'll call it your couciling fee." Aeris smacked him upside the head. "Get over yourself."

There was an awkward silence in which neither spoke, but Aeris continued to rub her forhead, she was sure he must have cracked her skull or something.

"Who's Cloud?

"Are you a bird?"

They had asked their respective questions at the same time.

"Bird?" Tamahome furrowed his brow.

"Well, when I touched you, or rather, when you grabbed my arm I started to glow. I figured maybe you were secretly a pheonix or something. I mean, you reacted pretty weirdly when I asked you about the the bird in the first place." she looked at him dubiously ...willing wings to pop out of his back. Or at least something along those lines for entertainment's sake.

Tamahome shook his head and laughed, "No, I'm not a pheonix. But the god of our world well, our country is a pheonix, which is why I was surprised. It just meant that you really didn't know anything about this place." he explained and Aeris nodded. He didn't tell her his other suspicion about why she might be here in the first place. But on to his question.

"So, who's Cloud?"

"Did I say his name? huh. Well he's uhh I guess you could call him a father-like figure." She leaned back against the cool wall, it made her head feel better.

"So he's not your father?"

"No, I'd say more of a guardian. He took me in when I didn't have a home, but ...he's not that much older than me so I guess you could call him a big brother." she never really thought much of it.

"you don't have a family?" he had a sympathetic tone in him. Nice to know he cares, Aeris thought.

"Nope. Well, I mean. Cloud gave me his name and took me in as a daughter, sooo his family became my family..." Aeris trialed off lamely. She didn't really consider them family. They were Aeris's friends, not hers.

Tamahome noted the 'downer' sort of look on her face and was about to say something dashing and witty which would surely want to make her give him more potions when Aeris perked up.

"So! Shall we get to work on getting out of here?" she said brightly. "Unless of course, you like being in a dungeon, because that's ok too, though I'd have to never talk to you again because you're weird."

Tamahome laughed, "What do you suggest?"

"I suggest I do what I was going to do before you 'rescued' me earlier today. Get ready to see some real magic." she winked and kneeled down infront of the bars.

"Hey guard."

No response.

"Guard."

Still nothing.

"GUARD!!!!"

"Shut it up in there will you?! You're prisoners, so keep quiet!"

Aeris tutted softly, "No manners, might I remind you that you are speaking to a lady. Have a care." she put her hands infront of her and they began to glow. Rather than an Earthquake she did a simple weed spell that caused roots to sprout from the ground and grab hold of your oponents legs. (AN: this is actually from Record of Lodoss War, but it's just so handy! Think about it ...wouldn't you want to do that? I would.) It wasn't really an attack spell, but it was very useful for opponents who were too fast for their own good. (for shame)

The guard screamed and panicked just as Aeris imagined he would. "Toss over the keys."

Hurriedly and clumbsilly he did so. They landed right in front of her knees, where she could reach them, then not wanting his screams to alert the other guards, she put a sleep spell on him.

"There!" She said triumphantly as she opened the door. "Come on Tamahome!" she turned around to see him cowering in the back of the cell. ¬¬ "You're kidding me right?"

"You-you-you-you're"

"I"m-I'm-I'm-I'm Yes I know, now come on before he wakes up and we're locked in another cell!" she dragged

him up, not kicking and screaming because he knew better, and together they walked out of the cell.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Your Majesty with all do respect, the young woman could be a witch of some sort. She could have been sent as a Kutou spy to assasinate you." the counciller explained calmly.

"I think she should be executed." Another agreed whole heartidly.

"No."

"beggin' your pardon my Lord?" the first man said.

"I believe this young woman has been sent to us for a different purpose." the smooth rich voice said softly.

"But your majesty, the red light! She is clearly a threat to-"

"And if she were to be Suzaku No Miko?" his voice barely raised.

"I say she should be executed immidietely." the second counciller said as if it were final.

"When last I checked, " the rich voice began. "Saihitei was Emperor of Konan and not you second councilor."

(AN: two cookies to whoever figures out where I got that line from)

"yes, yes of course your majesty." the man bowed repeatedly in apology.

"I will judge this woman for myself, and then we will decide what is to be done with her."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aeris and Tamahome wandered the halls of the palace freely, avoiding guard posts quite easilly.

"You're a witch." Tamahome said in wonderment.

Aeris made a face, "I'd prefer the title of mage if you don't mind. At least magic-user. Besides, what does it matter? I got us out of there without hurting anyone."

Tamahome nodded at this. "How did you learn to do that?" he asked eagerly.

"Magic you mean? umm well I've always done it. I guess it well ...I don't know. I don't suppose you know what materia is?" she offered.

Tamahome shook his head.

"Maybe I'll explain it some other time, like say when we're out of here ok?"

"Right."

So they continued down the vast hallways of the palace.

"Could you imagine living in here Tama?"

Tamahome whistled, "I'd give my right arm for it."

"I don't think they'd want your arm, what would they do with it?"

Tamahome snorted, "It's a figure of speech."

Aeris gave him a pointed look, "You know, you really shouldn't say things like that if you don't mean it. You never know if someone might come along and take you seriously."

"Who would take me seriously?"

"Want me to cut off your arm and try and bargin with one of the guards? "she offered, but smiled to show that she was joking. (...or is she??? O.o)

"Alright, point taken." he acknowledged. "So how to we get out of here?"

"You're asking me? Come on Tama, you're the tour guide!"

"Tour guide?"

"Nevermind." Aeris waved a hand and stopped short infront a very elaborate, and very open door. Inside was a statue of that damned pheonix. "Is that the god you were telling me about? Suzukiblah di what's it called?"

"Su - Za - Ku" he pronounced each syllable for her to get it.

"Suzaku eh? Sure why not."

"Well there are four respective gods to each of the four cities..." Tamahome could have passed for a history teacher at this moment. Namely because this was boring Aeris out of her mind. All his speaking sounded like 'blah blah blah blah blah' to her. The inner child in her was fidgety and was begging to move around.

Aeris thought this to be very funny as she wondered the halls with no particular goal in mind. She figured that since she was pretty much started living at the physical age of 10, she still had a lot of kid in her. This made her laugh even more.

'I'm just a very well developed and mature 7 year old. I swear!' (AN: Rin Kobayashi anyone?)

She had somehow wondered outside, and was startled for a bit because she hadn't realized she'd strayed this much from Tamahome. However, having that accursed curiosity she decided to look around, maybe find something to entertain herself with.

She was strolling along when she thought she heard someone. She quickly jumped out of the way and hid as best as she could, only to hear a smooth rich laugh. "If you're looking for the exit, it's that way."

Aeris turned to see a beautiful woman sitting on the hand railing, her long straight chocolate locks spilling freely from a loose pony tail, poiting towards the west gate.

'wow, if I was a guy, I'd go for her.' Aeris thought vaguely.

"You're very amusing young woman. You have a cat's grace, and a cat's reflexes." she had a nice tenor tone that almost didn't match her appearance.

Aeris smiled impishly, "yes, well with all that comes a cat's curiosity as well."

"Tell me, are you the one that was captured today?"

Aeris froze..."Uhh no? BYE!"

"Oh no please, stay, I won't tell a soul."

"Is that a promise?" Aeris gave her a hard stare. The woman nodded vehemently. Well, she seemed nice enough. Aeris looked her over once more, well, it's not like she couldn't get out of the prison cell easilly enough. Why not?

"Alright then." Aeris walked over and sat next to the woman and held out her hand, smiling broadly. "Nice to meet you."

"Indeed, why you don't look frightening at all."

Aeris raised a delicate eyebrow, "well I should hope not."

The woman laughed merrily. "You see, I've heard that you are a witch."

Aeris gave the woman the same face she gave Tamahome, one that looked like she had eaten something very foul. "I prefer the title of Mage if you will."

"Mage it is then, so you do magic?"

Aeirs nodded as she swung her feet. Her braided ponytail fell to one side of her face, her long bangs hid her bright green eyes. Her mako eyes.

"Why were you brought to the dungeon?"

Aeris looked up, to make eye contact as she spoke, "We were watching the 'parade' if you will, when I saw this child about to be run over by the emperor's carridge! It really made me mad, why don't they watch where they're going? The big brutes. Course it's not their family so why should they care." she huffed and went back to kicking her feet. "The guards thought I was getting uppity so they took me in. And the random red light didn't help either, but I didn't do that." she looked up to the woman again. She was about to tell her about the pheonix but she wasn't too sure she'd take it so well.

"What did it then?" she sounded awfully interested in all of this, maybe not...

"It was that pheonix that I saw back home in my world. I saw it when I was in the library, and then all of a sudden I wind up here!" Aeris waved a hand around at the palace. she looked to see how the woman was taking all this, and she seemed positively amazed.

"You're from another world?" this was fairly a squeal, which didn't sound right with such a deep voice.

"To be blunt, yes it would certainly seem so, but now I don't know how to get home." her face fell into one of concentration.

"why don't you stay? The emperor would never harm you, I just know it." she lifted Aeris's face, but she didn't oblige. she was a bit self concious about her mako eyes. "Why won't you look me in the face?"

"I err...."

"I SAID LET GO!"

They both turned to see Tamahome being escorted by at least five guards into what was the general direction of the dungeon.

"Where's the witch?" one commanded.

"I told you she probably got away while you were chasing me!"

He was promtly smacked for his impudence.

Aeris didn't like to see people being picked on much, again, living in the slums did this to her. She jumped from the hiding place the woman had pulled her into.

"You know you guys are really lousy at hide and seek, I'm over here."

The guards turned around, "Seize her!"

Tamahome didn't seem to get that she was a mage, and thus capable of taking care of herself, because he rushed to her rescue again. This time, the ogre symbol glowing on his forehead.

"You will not lay a hand on this girl!" he cried out, daring them to come attack as he stood protectively infront of Aeris.

"ENOUGH!" a very rich voice bellowed from somewhere behind them "You are not to lay a finger on either of these

two!"

"your majesty!" the guards fell into an immidiete bow.

Tamahome stiffened, and slowly turned around, his worst fear being realized, he bowed low to the ground. When Aeris didn't follow suit, he tugged on her robe type thing. "WHat are you doing? Bow!" he said through gritted teeth.

"What? Why?"

"He's the emperor!!!!" this was fairly a shriek.

"That's a guy?" Aeris turned to the 'woman' and now that she really looked at him, "Wow...you know what, that kind of freaks me out."

The Emperor laughed heartily, "Forgive me for decieving you Lady Aeris, I had only hoped on speaking with you without my title to test who you truly were."

Aeris nodded, "a very wise course of action your majesty."

"I have a favor to ask of you Lady Aeris." his voice was serious, and commanded respect. "Will you save our country?"

Aeris blinked, "beg your pardon?"

"There is a legend in our land that says that when a great peril comes to the land of Konan, that a mysterious woman will appear from another world and summon to her the seven celestial stars of Suzaku and summon the god to the land to save Konan."

"Suzaku? You mean the pheonix?" Aeris turned to Tamahome who nodded stiffly. Royalty made him nervous. "oh," she turned back to the emperor. "But...are you sure you want me?"

Hotohori reguarded her, "Is there then nothing you desire?"

"Desire?" Aeris looked very puzzled.

"The God Suzaku could grant you anything you desire. Is there then, nothing you desire?"

Aeris intook a breath and Tamahome saw the shock on her face. Desire? This is....the opening of that book! But more importantly, she could wish for her own Identity, maybe better? She could help restore her home ...she could...

There was a loud slam in the depths of her mind, and with horror, she realized what this sound was. The wind, had finally shut the book closed. She was stuck in here.....

Might as well make the best of it. "Well, if you think I'm right for the job, then I accept the role, and will do what I can."

"Then let it be proclaimed that, the lady Aeris Strife,is her eminese the Priestess of Suzaku, savior of our Konan!" an unknown voice, presumably a sevant, bellowed into the crowds behind Aeris, that she wasn't even aware of. Everyone in the room, now bowed to her. Chants of 'lady priestess' were said in reverence.

'what in the name of the ancients have I gotten myself into?'

AN: Yet another magically crappy chapter of crappity crap crap. (yes I do have a fixation with the word crap...) Didst thou enjoy thine new chapter 'o' le story? I certainly hope so...

wanna know a random tidbit? I actually started to write the sequel to this story before I WROTE this one. Wierd, aren't I? The sequel was the original idea, but then I made so many damn references to what would be this story that here I am ...writing it out. And now I've made so many changes that I have to re-write the sequel and cut out a couple of very unnecessary characters. (sob I liked those characters too...but they were just so...ugh unnecesarry...so much that it pained me ...I'd literally cringe while re-reading my work.)

ok end.