A/N: Okay... from thenceforward, there will be less of fighting and more of a bit of romance... I'm tired of fighting and stuff, aren't you? Well... anyway, it's your preference... just so I'm warning you, you may hate me for what I do for Sephiroth. This new world they're in is rather like an old-fashioned type late Renaissance type place, with carts and things and sort of like a fantasy book that has dragons, but also colleges and estates and things. I'm only saying this because Sephiroth will be staying here for awhile.
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Ansem remembered further back than his insurrection as a foolish sage, experimenting with the workings of the heart and of darkness. The result of having no heart was a creature called a Heartless. The ever-hungry, world-starved creatures who craved the life essence of the living, who existed for nothing else, born from the remains of an empty heart of one who once lived.
This... being seemed to him the 'god' that lived inside Kingdom Hearts. It pressed its will on everyone who lived. It dictated what light would go where, which darkness goes here... its hand guided the destinies of trillions of lives every day. And now it was giving him power to change the rhythem of the universe.
"Why do you ask me to do this thing?" Ansem said to the Source, whose absence drummed in his ears. It had gone away, whatever it was... leaving him alone with Sephiroth.
Hikaru... he was gone as well. Perhaps the Source had instilled some ill fate for him at last. Good. Let the bastard suffer, not trouble us anymore.
"How do we get out of here?" he asked Sephiroth.
"How in the Nine Hells should I know?" the silver-haired man growled, flipping his hand up in the air dismissively. "Don't ask me... you're the one who wanted the power."
"I don't want it," Ansem responded as he stood up and looked about him. There was no light in this small place except for a small circle of it which bound them, like a spotlight shone down on them alone. "I took it so I would just... get this over with. So we'd be left alone... It seems so simple that I just had to. I can't take much more of anything... I just want to be let alone!!"
Sephiroth stretched, laying sprawled on the hard black floor. Slowly he pulled himself together, onto his feet again, and held onto Ansem. "You have the power... then use it... Get us out of here. Then we'll start thinking about what to do with the universe..."
Golden eyes slid shut. He nodded his head in numb affirmation and let a single tear slide down his cheek. His hands clenched. His eyes opened, and this time they were burning white. The chamber rumbled, the sound reverberating so powerfully Sephiroth clapped his hands over his ears as he stood nearby and watched with growing fear the light that began to pulse through Ansem's body, growing slowly outward until he seemed to blaze with white fire.
Bits of black ceiling fell from above, crashing into the floor and fracturing apart. Sephiroth took a step away when he heard Ansem's voice penetrate his hysteric thoughts. Come take my hand. You can trust me. This kind of light is the light you can hold onto.
Sephiroth rushed forward, partially because a large boulder was plumeting toward him and mostly because he didn't want to get left behind. He crashed into Ansem, embracing him on sight and clinging as the light poured over him. His flesh burned and tingled, like water pouring over him, encasing his body in liquid safety.
He felt the other's lips brush his, loving and promising, and it stole his breath away.
* * * * *
The time was morning. Just as the Source had promised, the first rays of sun burst across the sky and set everything to a golden blaze Sephiroth cracked open his eyes, blinded by the unfamiliar enviroment momentarily. Gradually he felt the sheets around him and the soft pillow beneath his head. He touched his arms, his face, pulling his fingers through his hair. He felt no pain... an immense warmth spread through his limbs, as his heart began to pound loudly in his ears.
He held a hand to his chest. His body felt full, as though he'd been stuffed with too much blood and fibers and bone. His heart pounded sluggishly, struggling to pump life-force through as much flesh as possible. Standing up he found himself in a respectable dome-like room. It smelled like incense and wood, of which the floor and walls were made. The bed he'd slept in was set against one wall, the foot of the bed in the middle of the room. Paintings of a town were hung, some of single houses, others of a panoramic view of seaside dwellings by the sea. Very fine white houses, glowing with the very peaceful air he breathed this moment.
He wore a simple silk robe, which flowed around his bare feet. It was colored white, with silver emblazoned wings sweeping down the back. The sash around his waist was tied securely and warmly. His face flushed as he patted around his waist, confirming he was wearing something under it at least!
He started toward the window, pushing open the doors and letting the fresh clean light spill in. He raised his arm to shade his squinting eyes. Beyond where he stood was an ocean. Directly below were the walls of a house situated on a cliff above the remainder of a town. The houses were old-fashioned but quite beautiful, roofs fashioned out of strips of biege flexible mortar material, each house painted either sky blue, white or green with black trimming. The streets were cobbled, and carriages rattled past drawn by beautiful chocolate-brown animals with hoofed feet and flowing manes and tails.
He turned, thrown for a surprise to see his chamber door opening. He watched a man enter... and his throat caught almost painfully. He clutched at his throat, mostly to keep himself from crying out. When he could finally concentrate, his eyes started from bottom to top. Heavy buckle-bound boots stood on the solid wooden floor. Slate gray pants, bulging with a few side pockets, tucked into the boots and secured with a very heavy looking belt that hung loosely on the waist.
A leather overcoat, riddled with zipper and a few silver loops hanging from the pockets hung from sleek smooth shoulders and was mid-calf length, draping behind the slender form . A snug white shirt completed the ensemble, as well as a dangling charm from the left wrist.
Hopelessly impossible golden spikes poked in every which direction possible. Ice blue orbs watched him impatiently.
The shock never seemed to wear off yet. Sephiroth lowered his hands slowly and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Who are you? Where is Ansem?!"
The man shook his head, one hand shifting to rest on his hip, brushing back the fabric of his opened coat. "Don't tell me you don't know who the hell I am."
Sephiroth's throat unstuck slowly. He breathed the name almost wistfully, closing his eyes and growling. "Cloud... where is Ansem?"
"Ansem? Look, Sephiroth...I don't know what's up with you but he's dead. He's been dead since Sora sealed the Keyhole. Didn't you know that?"
Sephiroth's chest throbbed and pushed against his ribs again. The words were like a physical blow. NO... "That's not true..." Sephiroth walked forward, reaching to grab Cloud by the throat, who deftly dodged away out of reach. "That is not true!! He was with me, we went across worlds together and fought off the Darkness and I saved him! We were safe!! We're safe, aren't we? Where is he!?"
Cloud warded off his advances, slowly circling around in the room until he came to the window, and he waved his arms. "Hey, calm down! Please... we found you on the doorstep, we didn't see anyone drop you off. There was no one else! You slept for hours!"
Sephiroth stopped advancing and stopped. Nearby there was a table and a chair. He slumped into it and brushed a hand viciously through his hair, saber-like to get the hair away from his eyes. He stared at the wooden table surface, taking slow, deepening breaths.
"He'll come back," he said softly. "He hasn't gone far. He dropped me off to rest up until he comes back."
Cloud approached, stopping short a few steps away from it. "There's food in the kitchen... I'll get you a plate if you're hungry."
Sephiroth nodded his head, not speaking as he breathed deeply one last time. He pressed a hand to his chest, suddenly filled with the desire to cry again. But the warmth filled him, pinning the tears, washing the pain from them and making them bittersweet. Because he could feel the light. He touched it, burning through his skin, painless and pure.
He was alone in the room again. He spoke aloud, barely above a whisper. "You're....here with me...aren't you..."
Of course I am.
"But... where...?"
Inside. Where I've always been. My powers brought us here, and we're staying. No more world-jumping for you.
"But how can I be with you if I can't touch you?" Sephiroth clenched his fist against his heart, as though trying to pull Ansem from the confinement there. "What happened? Did everything become changed?"
I'm still working on it. The universe is so huge... I would ask if you would like to see-- Ansem's voice changed, laughter behind his words as Sephiroth made a face. But you seem preoccupied. The newly awoken made a soft unhappy growl, but was angrier than he felt in his heart. He was depressed. Vaguely Sephiroth felt ghost caresses in his hair, soft lips against his ear. Don't cry anymore. The changes come slow. It won't hurt anymore.
"But I'm still alone!" he cried. He felt another wave of despair begin to pull at him, but he realized with a shock he shouldn't feel this way. Ansem doesn't want it. He wasn't alone... Ansem was with him, as close as anyone could be to Sephiroth... in his own heart, part of him always. He tipped his head back and exhaled sharply, before swallowing another breath quickly through his nose.
Cloud stood in the doorway, bearing a tray. He moved forward, sliding it onto the table in front of the man and he stood nearby, waiting before he spoke. "It's alright," Cloud said suddenly, cracking a small smile that beamed of the strange and sunlight from days of old.
I remember that smile, Sephiroth thought sadly. He closed his eyes, inhaling the heady, drowsy aroma of coffee and pancakes and sausage. It was good but made his stomach twist uncertainly, as though not sure it was really that hungry.
He slid the mug closer to Sephiroth, who bent close and tipped it toward him, sipping carefully and noisily from it. He looked up at Cloud, whose smile was still there but barely. The mixed expression hurt more than being punched in the face.
"You hate me, don't you?" Sephiroth mumbled, looking away quickly.
"What?"
"Do you hate me?"
The blonde sat down across from him, running a hand over his spikes thoughtfully. He looked toward him, shaking his head. "You seem different... I hate the person I remember... but... I don't know who I'm looking at right now. You're weird."
"Hmm... Thanks, I suppose... A lot has changed..." Sephiroth blew on the coffee and drank a bit more. He caught sight of a cute grin on the other man's face for his reward. "But there are more to come, I suppose... I can guarantee it."
They sat together, companionable silence falling between them. The unease melted away as Sephiroth began to experimentally nibble on pieces of pancake. He could feel the steady constant pulsing of another heart inside of his own, which gave him as much comfort and strength as having another friend nearby.
"Mr. Rin has a bit of silver for you put aside. He owns this bit of estate in the town... if you're not sure, this town is called Seway... as if you couldn't tell by the ocean."
Sephiroth smirked.
Cloud stood up and yawned, smiling in apology. "I wish I could stay longer. But you, sir, needs t'get some better clothes on you." He turned, leaving him with his food. Sephiroth was almost terrified to see him go. He took human company for granted and, as a result, felt a seething worry that this was the last time he'd see him.
"Don't worry! It's just down the hall. Eat up. You look like crap, no offense! Honestly! I'm just giving you the heads-up: take a bath in there, you'll feel a little better, might clear your head."
Sephiroth then noticed another door... he saw it just as Cloud stepped out. He wasn't in the mood to get angry. In fact he probably did smell horrible besides. He finished the food as much as he could, but his appetite had left with Cloud. He went to the second door and marveled at the beautiful enticing sight of a gorgeous bathroom. His body suddenly ached to feel the water around him. He shuddered expectantly - yes, a luxurious bath would melt the weariness clinging to his bones and free up time to feel better.
He felt Ansem's presense strongly. It grew when he law sprawled in the steaming water, his arms hanging out of the sides haphazardly, as his head lolled back to enjoy the relaxing oils. He trembled and reached to coil back a piece of soggy silver hair from his face with a finger. When he felt a hand, cool and dry, press against his chest.
"Shhh," the voice hissed. "It's only me."
Ansem crouched by his bath, smiling at him, retracting his arm and folding it over the other on the edge of the white porcelain. "You look delicious when you're wet, you know, did I ever tell you?"
Sephiroth gaped. Then he shut his mouth, the most irritated smile spreading over his face. It must have been a stupid looking grin because Ansem smiled broader. "You loafing idiot."
He slid, sloshing much water as he bent to lean over the edge of the tub toward the other man and grab his neck, pulling him close to lick his cheek. Ansem held onto his shoulders, smoothing away the water and kissing the steamed skin. A little angry, Sephiroth held tightly to him, no matter that Ansem's white cotton shirt was now getting considerably wet.
"You said you couldn't come see me," he growled in his ear before pulling back to look at him.
"I never said that. I said I would be changing things... and it takes a lot of my time. I want to hurry and get it done quickly... although I'm not even sure how much I've done..."
"You won't stay?" Sephiroth felt his happiness abate - however, Ansem would not let it mature into the painful hurt he felt inside before.
The sage took his face in his hands, looking straight into his eyes. "I can't promise anything... but I did promise I would always be with you, didn't I? I don't want to see this sad face anymore. You know that I'm in your heart, where I belong, where I've always been. And unlike popular belief states, it's the best place in the world to be."
"In the universe," Sephiroth murmured, smiling and taking both of his hands in his.
Ansem caressed his cheek, watching the other's eyes slide closed in pleasure and lean his head to it like a big cat. He sighed, feeling the touch waver and dissipate. When he opened his eyes Ansem was gone again, tucked in his heart from where he worked his magic. How did he work such power from so far away?
For the first time, Sephiroth felt anxious toward the idea that Ansem had the power of everything at his disposal... for was not Ansem a madman, smitten with the dreams of becoming the one to control the Darkness?
* * * * *
Cloud stepped out of the bedroom and shut the door behind him. He sagged against it, a headache building behind his eyes. He shut them quickly, pinching the bridge of his nose and taking a few deep breaths.
Easy, man. It's not like he's God or anything. He smiled to himself at the little pun and straightened slowly, gracefully moving down the hall of the considerably luxurious estate house to the next room. Here was the laundry room, which contained any number of clothes of any damned size in the world. They had been made from fine silk, imported from Nahl far to the east, or the preferred wool from the north. The machines that crafted them weren't anything special, hand-powered by devoted artisans.
He chose out what he thought might suit a man of Sephiroth's height. Gods, so much time and still the man was strictly like a giant to a tiny guy like Cloud. And his shoulders were a bit broad. A longsleeve shirt, half-buttoned down, and a pair of sleek looking pants fit for any handsome lord would do Sephiroth justice. He picked out a pair of new boots from the bottom shelf, then gathered up another just in case they didn't fit. Underthings were up to Seph to get himself.
He carried the things out back to the room, hearing the water running. Running water was another grand luxury that most, in fact, of the houses had in Seway. He set the articles down on the bed and went to the window, breathing in the fresh sea breeze...
Five years had stolen him away to this place. He no longer felt very connected to his own world. He, like so many others in different worlds, became possessed of the curiousity to see other places, meet different people. Then, one year ago, he discovered that the walls seperating the worlds were gone... merely by the fact that a meteor shower revealed a fallen gummi ship, crashing on his world. Then the Darkness came.
He was borne to Traverse Town on floating remains of his shattered home. Once there he met Malificent, if only briefly... and asked around. Yes... other worlds have been disappearing also. He saw Yuffie, but she had already allied herself with a man named "Leon". Cid had taken it upon himself to start running a shop right away to help those in need who could spare the munny.
Fighting the Heartless, dealing with the problem of the beasties there, he earned only enough currency to gain passage to a place where he'd heard about a man called Hades, God of the Underworld. And in some small way, he had hoped maybe he could find a way to bring back the one light Sephiroth had taken from him, since all other old friends were gone.
Aeris... I wanted to find you. All of my intentions were good... but I have some poor judgement issues...
He spoke with Hades, made his deal: If Cloud defeated the Keyblade master in the tournaments, Hades would release Aeris from the Underworld. He would be able to see her... be able to touch her and laugh with her again, bathe in the soft holy light that seemed to come from deeper than her shining eyes only.
It didn't chance to turn out that way. Well, in the ultimate end it did... but only after he had lost to the boy, many times actually, and found Sephiroth suddenly participating in the event as well. To challenge him would have meant more chaos and discontent - in the end he tried to avoid him as much as possible. The thing was... Did Sephiroth remember him at all?
He would probably ask later. Right now the man needed some serious recuperative therapy.
A moment later he had straightened the sheets on the bed, fluffed up the pillows and sent for the house maid to get the plates and have them taken away and cleaned. When he was finished Sephiroth emerged, the steam rolling out of the bathroom toward the domed ceiling of the bedroom. He was alarmed and strangely dazed by the sight of him, his flesh red and glowing from the hot bath.... a strong desire to take another towel and dry him off quickly seized him. It probably had nothing to do with giving a helping hand either.
"Are you going to stand there and stare at me or you giving me clothes, or what?"
Idiot. He's talking to you. Cloud made a sharp turn and stupidly pointed in the general direction of his new clothes, which remained neatly placed on the bedspread. Sephiroth moved past, following with him a wall of moist heat that made him a little dizzy.
"You've got everything you need in there, right?" Cloud walked to the door to the hall, turning to look over as Sephiroth made his way to the bathroom again.
The man looked over his shoulder, wet hair sticking to his back. "Yes..." He seemed to pause here, and make a slow attempt at smiling. Smiling seemed out of practice. But it was nice. "Thank you."
And he bowed, very slightly, from the waist.
Sephiroth... what in the name of the Lady has happened to you?
