Chapter 23: A Bond Between a Girl and a Clone
A/N: FF7 is owned by Squaresoft, and LadyTifa26 owns Laura. Miscellaneous reviewers own miscellaneous characters.
"Feeling better, are ya'?" Kristi was talking to Christina, who was undoing her bandages. "Are you sure you don't need those?"
"Affirmative.", said Christina, talking off the last of them on her right arm. "I'm fine!" She gave a happy smile, for the first time in days. She had been staying with Kristi in her tent for about three days. So far, she had been about a week old. Wow. That's old enough to know calculus, right? "Am I traveling with you now?"
"Can't really say so.", said Kristi. "At least, the others should know you're alive."
"HMPH! As if they care. . ."
"Rachel did, eventually."
"AGH! I can't stand her. . ."
"You're acting like a child.", said Kristi, starting a fire to boil water over. "Forgive and forget, ya' know?"
"She hurt my feelings. . ."
"We all get hurt. We just gotta get back up on our high horse and move on. Forgive each other. You won't learn otherwise."
"Bet I could."
"Okay, listen to my offer.", said Kristi, setting her guitar in its case. "As you know, I'm a traveling musician. I can let you come with me, but only on one condition. You have to at least confront the others, and garner their permission. Then, you can decide whether you want to come with me or not. I'm telling you, I can't afford to stay at an inn all the time, so staying in the wilderness will be often. It's not easy."
"You don't need to tell me. I know that. It's just that I prefer staying with you, that's all."
"Flattering, but that won't cut it.", said Kristi. She adjusted her glasses, and stood up. "I WANT YOU TO GO WITHOUT REGRETS IF IT IS YOUR DECISION TO COME!" She struck this odd pose and continued. "LET YOUR MIND AND SOUL BLOW EVERYWHERE WITH THE WIND, BUT NEVER LEAVE YOUR HEART BEHIND! THAT'S WHY I AM A TRAVELING MUSICIAN!"
"Really?"
"That, and great work hours. . ." Kristi gave her, her jaunty, lopsided, but thoroughly cute smile. Christina sighed.
"Weird. . ."
"Grrr. . . It wasn't my fault she slipped. . ." Rachel was in the barn, cleaning up the chocobos for the third day straight. Tifa was sitting outside, on a lawn chair, basking in the sun, reading a book with sunglasses on.
"Keep working. It's your punishment. . ."
"FOR HER SLIPPING?!"
"For not apologizing earlier, and for being insensitive."
"THEN WHY AM I DOING THIS?!" Laura stuck her head out of a stall, looking angry.
"Misery loves company.", said Tifa. "I'm gonna take a nap now. . ."
"Grrr. . ."
"So that's what you do?" Kristi was sitting under a tree, beside a stream, not expecting Christina to get out of her bandages so soon. "You just play music, and people give you money for it?"
"That, and I do random poetry.", said Kristi. "I tend to be quite artistic. And when I send those poems in to magazines, they give me money."
"People pay for them?", asked Christina inquisitively.
"Hey, they're not THAT bad, kid.", said Kristi, giving her friend an odd look. "Come on, do a bit of prose for me."
"Prose? I'm sorry, I'm not that gifted in the arts. . . And will you please stop calling me kid?"
"If you stop saying 'sorry' all the time, and do a bit of a free form for me."
"I have nothing to talk about."
"You have stuff to argue about, apparently. Here's an example that I wrote when it was snowing around Christmas. AHEM!", she coughed, with great drama.
"Snow falling out my window,
drifting like myself,
I trace their path with mine,
falling, so slowly,
evanescent to the span of time,
but what can I say about my own?
The days drag on, still so slowly,
just like the wintry down,
falling outside my window."
"Sorry. . . Still don't get it.", said Christina.
"Nevermind. . .", sighed Kristi.
"So, she's gone. . ."
"You've been repeating that for three days, Cloud." Lucrecia was talking to Cloud, out front of his house.
"I haven't said much to her. . ."
"And maybe that's one reason why she left, dipstick.", said Lucrecia.
"Hey, don't insult me, I was taken by surprise. . .", he said. "I can't believe it. I thought she was cute, too. . . Totally creepy."
"Oh, I only wish I could see my daughter again!", pouted Lucrecia, in that old mad scientist manner. Melodramatic. "WHY?!"
"What the hell are we doing?" Rachel and the rest were standing in front of a grave, wearing all black. "We don't even have her damn body, or any proof she's dead."
"SHE'S DEAD!", yelled Lucrecia. "WHYYYYYY?!"
"She's gone off the deep end. . .", sighed Laura nervously, with a sweat mark.
"What's up?" Christina just walked up to them, and popped up next to Laura.
"OH CHRISTINAAAAAA!!!", cried Lucrecia. "YOU'RE DEAAAAAD!"
"But mom-
"WHYYYYYYYY?!"
"Uh, mom-
"WWWWWHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYY?!"
"MOM!" Christina had to yell to catch her attention.
"Yes, dear?"
"I'm alive."
"WHHHHHHYYYY- WHAT?!" Lucrecia took her hand, and poked her daughter. "She feels solid. . ."
"Because I AM solid, mom. . .", said Christina.
"Well, since we're off that matter. . .", said Lucrecia. "YOU HAD ME SO WORRIED! YOU CAN'T JUST POP OUT FROM THE GRAVE JUST LIKE THAT!"
"I WAS NEVER DEAD!"
"Christina. . .?" Cloud stepped up to his daughter, and peered into her eyes.
"Uh. . .yes?"
"So you are. . ." He stopped, then looked back at Rachel, Tifa, and Aeris. Rachel was glaring, Tifa was standing there with a look of indifference, and Aeris had a sentimental smile. "Just call me 'dad'." He had this nervous smile, but that was enough to calm his daughter down. But she still sensed something.
"Dad, huh?", she asked.
"Er, yeah. . . Anything wrong?"
"Nothing!" She attached herself to his waist, and hugged him lovingly. Lucrecia came over to join them.
"Freeloader. . .", mumbled Rachel.
"Woman stealer. . .", mumbled Vincent. The both stood behind that scene, glaring angrily. "YOU SHALL BE MINE!", they both yelled in unison. "Huh?" They looked at each other for a moment, then looked away. "HMPH!"
"Hmph, indeed. . .", said Laura. "Yours huh?" Vincent started sweating.
"Uh, buh, guh. . . Boy, is it warm in here!"
"Nice try. It might've worked if it weren't WINTER."
"Whoops. . ."
"YOU WHAT?!"
"You heard me.", said Kristi, with her arms folded, and her legs propped up on the table, leaning back casually. "I think you and Rachel should make amends before we head off anywhere, and so, you must do that to come."
"You can't be serious. . .", said Christina. "But-
"Forget it then.", said Kristi. "No deal."
"I'm fine, I guess. . .", said Rachel. "As long as she doesn't run off again."
"Then it's settled! Christina! Rachel! I SENTENCE YOU TO BOND!"
"But I never agreed to that!", shouted Christina. "I won-
"Do I hear any complaints?", asked Kristi. "None?"
"BUT-
"OKAY! AGREED!"
"Come on.", said Lucrecia. "Rachel isn't so bad."
"Yeah, for a fan girl, she could be worse.", said Cloud.
"CLOUDY! SQUEE! YOU LOVE ME AFTER ALL!"
"GET. . .AWAY. . .", he warned.
"Fine. . .", sighed Rachel.
"Good.", said Kristi. "I, as declared by the great and omnipotent Kristi, loved and admired by all in such a loving manner that-
"GET ON WITH IT!", yelled Vincent. They all turned and looked at him. "Sorry."
"YES! WELL!", announced Kristi. "Christina, do you remember where the campsite was?"
"Yes.", said Christina.
"GOOD! In those woods, I REQUIRE YOU TO REFLECT, LISTEN, SPEAK, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, BOND!"
"Must I do anything?", asked Laura.
"NOPE!"
"WELL, IT'S NICE SEEIN' YA' RACHEL!", she said, slapping Rachel on the back. "Lord knows, you can't find your way out of a broom closet with a map. . ."
"Shut up. . .", mumbled Rachel.
"Fine.", said Christina. "If this is what it takes to get me away from her, that's okay."
"Glad you feel that way!", said Kristi. "Now, Tifa. . ."
"What?"
"CAN I PLEASE USE YOUR BATHROOM! I HAVEN'T USED A CIVILIZED FACILITY IN THE LONGEST TIME!"
"You said you always just go the next town, and hitch a ride sometimes, and normally don't use. . .what mother nature gave us.", said Christina.
"Damn trees. . .", muttered Kristi.
"And, you said that you used a real bathroom, A FEW HOURS AGO!"
"WELL I REALLY GOTTA PEE!", yelled Kristi. "I'M GOING! ARRRRGH!" She ran to the bathroom, and slammed the door shut, whereas an audible "Ahhhhhh. . ." could be heard.
"She's a very charming person, isn't she?", asked Rachel, giving her nonplused look.
"Yeah, isn't it obvious?", said Tifa. "About as charming as a moose's a-
"I CAN HEAR YOU!", yelled Kristi. "Rude. . ."
"So, this is it. . .?" Rachel and Christina were standing exasperated at the edge of the woods.
"YEP!", said Kristi.
"This better be worth getting outta here. . .", mumbled Christina.
"I hope I packed the doughnuts. . .", said Rachel. "I'm getting hungry. . ."
"DOUGHNUTS?!", yelled Cloud. "WHAT YOU THINK YOU NEED MOST ARE DOUGHNUTS?!"
"Unless YOU want to come with ME, Cloudy. . .", said Rachel. "And spend some. . .private 'bonding time' of our own. . ."
"HAVE A NICE TIME!", he said, giving Rachel a box of doughnuts and ushering them into the forest.
"WE'LL MEET BACK IN A DAY!", shouted Lucrecia. "Oh dear. . . I hope they'll be all right. . ."
"With Christina, they should be fine. . .", said Laura. "But knowing Rachel. . ."
"What?", asked Tifa.
"They're doomed." They all sighed, and Tifa put her hands together and bowed her head.
"May their souls rest in peace. . ."
"Stay on your own side of the stick!", shouted Christina, on the right side.
"Why?", asked Rachel. "If we don't fix our problems, Kristi will most likely not take you."
"Then, we shall bond by staying on our own sides! STOPPIT!" Rachel stuck her hand over the stick.
"Fine." Rachel picked up the stick, and moved it an inch to the right. "My side's bigger."
"STOP!"
"Pffff. . ." Rachel blew that off, and sat down. "There. Are you happy?"
"Much. . . STOP!"
"What? I was just handing you-
"NOT A WORD!"
"Your supplies. . .", said Rachel. "Great. More for me."
"GIVE ME THAT!"
"Wow, what a nag. . .", said Rachel.
"Hmph. Here." Christina gave Rachel a bottle of water, and moved the stick closer to her. "Happy?"
"About the stick?"
"Aren't you?"
"IT'S A DAMN STICK, WOMAN!", yelled Rachel. "Jesus, it doesn't matter much. . . It's nothing to get excited over. . ."
"Oh, and look at you. . .", said Christina. "Doughnuts?" Rachel shot her a look of anger, with a jelly doughnut in her mouth, hanging out.
"Whelth, exthuth mephh, mdm bithy. . .", said Rachel, the doughnut still hanging out.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"
"You heard me. The way you're behaving, it's more likely that Tifa's your mom. . ."
"Oh, the brown-haired lady?", asked Christina. "What about her?"
"I won't say. . .", said Rachel, in a hushed tone. "She has ears everywhere. . ."
"I KNOW WHAT YOU SAID, RACHEL!", shouted Tifa's voice from a long way off. "I CAN FEEL IT!"
"See what I mean?" Christina was about to laugh, when she realized who she was dealing with.
"Hmph!", she just said, and turned her head away. "My side."
"Okay. My side has a stream and a pond anyway.", said Rachel. "Look at yours." Christina turned around, and her side was basically dry and dead. "Thanks."
"NO FAIR!", shouted Christina.
"Odd. You made the rules. . .", said Rachel. Christina turned the stick to a horizontal position, splitting the stream and the pond.
"THERE! BETTER!"
"I have more of the-
"QUIET!"
"But-
"SHHHH!"
"SNAKE!"
"WHERE?! EEEEEEEKK!" Christina comically began trying to climb a tree, when Rachel stood up casually.
"And I'm the idiot? Maybe I am, but you're more gullible. There's no snake." She shot Rachel a look entirely of death, then her eyes widened, and she tried to scoot up the tree even father.
"S-s-s-s. . ."
"That's not a good snake impression.", said Rachel.
"S-ss-ss-s. . .", she stuttered. "SNAKE!"
"Huh?" Rachel looked down, and a snake was coiled around her leg. "Oh, that's no good, is it. . .?"
"IDIOT! YOU'RE DEAD!"
"Yeah, I would be. . .", said Rachel. "If this weren't a GARTER snake. . ."
"Oh. . ."
"Hello, kame-chan. . .", said Rachel, picking up the snake and rubbing it's head. "Aww, you're so cute. . ."
"A-a s-s, snake?", asked Christina. "You think a snake is cute?"
"It's a gentle snake!", said Rachel happily. She lightly kissed on the head, and resumed petting it.
"Y-Y. . .", said Christina. "YOU KISSED A SNAKE!"
"It was more of a peck. . .", said Rachel. "And it means us no harm. What year is it? The sheep? The rabbit? I'm the year of the snake so. . ."
"BIG DEAL!", yelled Christina. She saw Rachel make a few hissing noises, and point at her, then make a few crazy motions. The snake seemed to laugh in reply.
"ARE YOU TALKING TO SNAKES?! Huh?" She saw a raccoon pop out of her tree. She make a few noises and head jerks, and the raccoon looked back at Rachel, then popped back behind the tree.
"Are you talking to raccoons?", asked Rachel. "Yeah, that makes us SO different. . ."
"Raccoons were the ones who first found me. . .", said Christina. "And so I easily picked up their language as well as yours. . ."
"Hmph. So, you speak raccoon as a first language.", said Rachel. "Yeah. And you think I'M weird. . . Are you gonna come down here?"
"Uh. . ." Christina was looking very nervous. "Um. . ."
"Come on! Kame-chan is waiting!"
"YOU NAMED THE DAMN SNAKE?!"
"Ah. I see when you picked up this language, you picked up the profanities as well." Christina made a few more hisses, clicks, and head jerks. "What?"
"I also cussed you out in raccoon."
"HEY! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE NICE!" Christina slid down the tree, and walked right past Rachel.
"Nobody really is." She continued to walk away, when kame-chan the snake slithered by. She stopped in her tracks. "Eeeee. . ."
"Oh, so you're afraid of snakes?", asked Rachel. "I like them."
"G-get it away. . .", said Christina. The snake coiled up on her leg, and had a little affinity with being around her.
"Aww, kame-chan likes you!", said Rachel.
"A bit too much. . .", said Christina.
"Naw, not like that. . .", said Rachel. "But, uh, he's squeezing too hard. . ." Christina's leg was going numb. "Strong for a garter snake, isn't he?"
"Get him. . .off. . .", said Christina. "Ow. . ."
Rachel and Christina were taking a bath in one of the warmer parts of the pond, that was much like a hot spring heated by geothermal energy, created by the MAKO in Mt. Nibel. All the while, Christina was glaring back at Rachel on her side. And for you more perverted ingrates, they ARE wearing towels. Just to say. . .
"What are you looking at?" Rachel felt very uncomfortable whenever somebody stared, much less while she's trying to take a bath. "It's creepy. . ."
"Then get out.", said Christina.
"But that's what you WANT."
"So, make us both happy, and you leave. Simple as that. Uh. . ." Kame-chan was looking at her from across Rachel's side. "Please make him go. . ."
"Why? He's no problem. Uh. . ." Rachel saw a spider on Christina's side. "I'm not going. . ."
"Why?" Christina noticed the spider on her shoulder. "AWWW! A SPIDER!"
"YOU LIKE SPIDERS?!", yelled Rachel. "SPIDERS?! AND I'M WEIRD?! "
"Spideys are so tiny and cute. . ."
"YEAH, WELL, HERE GOES!" Rachel, having a natural phobia for spiders, she swam over, and dunk Christina's head in the water, drowning the arachnid. "TAKE THAT, YA' DAMN SPIDER!" Christina's head surfaced, gasping for air, and she sputtered out a few words.
"You. . .YOU. . ."
"Yes, me."
"YOU IDIOT! YOU DON'T SEE ME DROWNING YOUR SNAKE!", she shouted. "GIMME IT!" She grabbed the snake, and dunked it underwater.
"NOOOOO!" She took Christina's wrist, and surfaced it, the snake unconscious. "SNAKE MURDERER!"
"SPIDER KILLER!"
"IT'S A DAMN SPIDER!"
"IT'S A DAMN SNAKE! GRRRRRRRRR. . ." They were hand-to-hand, trying to push each other back. "I HATE YOU. . ."
"WELL, ISN'T IT OBVIOUS?!"
"WELL, YOU'RE TOO STUPID!"
"AND YOU'RE TOO SMART!"
"YOU'RE NOT ATHLETIC!"
"YOU'RE NOT ARTISTIC!"
"YOU'RE ANNOYING!"
"YOU'RE A CLONE!" It happened to have ended there, when Christina let go, and she swam off to her side. "Er, did I say something wrong?"
"GRAAAAAAH!" With tears in her eyes, Christina picked up a stone, and hurled it at Rachel's face, making a direct hit.
"OW! DAMMIT!", yelled Rachel, rubbing her face. "YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT!"
"You didn't have to call me a clone. . .", she said. "I'M GOING!" She got herself out of the hot spring, and walked off.
"I hope she knows her clothes are off in the other direction. . .", said Rachel.
"AUGH!"
"Stay on your side.", said Christina, drawing a line between them in a cave. "I can't believe you forgot the tent. No wait, I can't believe I relied on you to bring the tent."
"Shut up. . .", said Rachel. "I try to be friendly, and this is all it gets me. One bitchy roommate."
"Oh, I've had enough of your crap, too.", said Christina. "Everybody else, fine. You, YOU WILL BURN IN HELL!"
"AND YOU SHALL COME WITH ME!"
"NOT IF I CAN STAND IT! WAAAAAAUUUUUUUGH!" Bats cam flying out of the cave, right above their heads. "Well, THAT explains why it smelled funny in here to begin with."
"I thought it was YOU."
"SHUT UP! Let's just get some sleep, and say we're on even terms. Got it?"
"If it could sabotage you, I have nothing to lose."
"How about me staying around."
"That would be more like gaining something unpleasant."
"SHUT UP!"
Cold winter's night was passing by slowly, spreading throughout its icy fingers wherever it could stretch them. A draft moved itself across the cave floor, and Rachel, woke up from her snores, and hugged to blanket on herself tighter. Wait. A blanket? This was new.
"Huh? Sweet. . .", she said, looking on herself, and finding a blanket. "I know!", she said in a dreamlike state. "Cloudy must have found me, and given me this blanket. . . How sweet. . ." She sat up, to pull the blanket tighter yet, and saw something completely. . .different. It looked as if her bunkmate was sleeping by the front entrance of the cave, face up. "I'm not THAT repulsive. . .", said Rachel. "It's not as if I get gassy or anything. . ." She stepped to the entrance, and indeed, Christina was fast asleep, and well, shivering her ass off. "Damn. She says she's smarter, when it's warmer INSIDE the cave. Hmph." She began to walk away, when she threw the blanket on her. "Damn pity. . ."
"GAHK!" Christina was smothered by the blanket. "WHAT THE-?! Fine, if you don't want my blanket, that's great with me."
"Your blanket? Cloudy gave it to me."
"Cloudy? You like my DAD?! EEW!"
"He's not really your dad. Just technically.", said Rachel.
"I had this blanket, and you were freezing, so I gave the stupid thing to you.", said Christina. "But seeing as you don't want it-
"MINE!" Rachel snatched the blanket, and wrapped it around herself again. "Sentimental sucker."
"And then why did you give it to me then, huh?", she asked, with an evil smile.
"You've picked off too much from Laura and Tifa, I swear. . .", sighed Rachel. "Tifa dislikes me, and you're getting to have a bit of Laura's habits. Like the smiling. . ."
"What's wrong with smiling? Is it against your code of idiocy?", asked Christina.
"YOU'RE the one sleeping out here.", said Rachel. "Why were you?"
"Unlike a certain insensitive cretin, I like the night sky.", she said. "It's quiet, it's empty, and DERIVED OF YOU!"
"Strange. I like it for the same reasons, but seeing as it's not derived of yourself, it's become the most hideous thing I've ever seen."
"SAME HERE!"
"FINE!"
"FINE!" They both put their backs to each other, and sat up straight. "Can I have that blanket?"
"NOPE! YOU GAVE IT TO ME!"
"Dammit. . ."
"Hey, I'm wondering. . .", said Rachel. "Are you older than me? Or younger than me? I mean, you've only been here for almost two weeks, but you're at the matured age of fifteen. I have existed for fourteen years, and thus have matured to fourteen. Who's older?"
"Why do you ask?", asked Christina angrily. "Does it really matter?"
"God no, but lighten up! It's like somebody shoved a lobster down your pants. Can we have decent, civil conversation?"
"That's my line."
"Well, you're being too bitchy to do anything about it."
"Fine. First, STOP CALLING ME A BITCH!", yelled Christina. "Next, give me some of that blanket."
"It's yours.", said Rachel, giving it entirely to her. "I'm actually quite comfortable cold anyway."
"Why?"
"If you've ever spent two hours shoveling snow outside without a jacket, you'll never get goose bumps or shiver ever again.", said Rachel. "That was one HELLUVA winter. . ."
"Idiot. Going outside without some decent clothes. . ."
"The way you stated it, it sounds like I went out naked."
"If you did go out naked, you'd be too stupid to realize you are.", she said.
"Civil conversation?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. . .", Christina mumbled. "But tell me. . ."
"What?"
"If Cloud hates you so much, why are you living in Nibelheim anyway?"
"Um. . .pass?"
"NO. . .", said the blue-eyed one. "Tell me."
"Er, you see. . .", began the brown-eyed one. "Um, let's say I didn't come here by any normal means either. . ." Christina gasped.
"YOU'RE A CLONE, TOO?!"
"NOOOOOOOO!", said Rachel. "It's a long story. Really. So far, if this WERE a story, people would've fallen asleep reading it anyway. It's a bit of a really dull tale. . . It's not even funny. . . At least I don't think it would've been."
"Yeah, with such a dull character in it such as yourself, you'd REALLY drag it down.", said Christina.
"Oh, quiet you. . . You're not particularly scintillating either. Jesus, why are you so sensitive?"
"That happens to be a very-
"Sensitive subject?"
"Yeah. . . It's obvious. Haven't you figured it out yet?"
"Of course. But I mean, why don't you just accept it? So you're clone. So you're artificial. SO YOU CAN GET ON PEOPLES' NERVES! I DO THAT, TOO!"
"You don't see me denying THAT fact. . .", said Christina.
"HEY! But ya' know, acceptance doesn't come easy. I've been here for like, five or six months or something, and I haven't had the easiest time. Tifa's little 'exercise', chores, constant put down, and absolutely no love life whatsoever. Don't you think I should've given up by now? And even when I was about to, I CAME BACK, CONSARNIT! But, maybe in that way, I am stupid. And so you're smart. It's just, the thing is, you'd be too damn stupid to give up. And just to say, being smart is probably your only redeeming quality."
"HEY!"
"At least in my book! What, did you want a compliment on how you look? Sorry, I don't happen to lean that way."
"You can give somebody a compliment and not have it sound homosexual, ya' know."
"And how?"
"Just don't slap their bum at the end. Or pinch it, or anything."
"Why are we discussing this?"
"HELL, I DON'T KNOW! OH MY GOD! I'M BECOMING LIKE YOU! I DON'T KNOW WHY I BROUGHT THIS SUBJECT UP! STUPIDITY IS CONTAGIOUS!"
"So. . .", said Rachel, scooting farther away to lean on the cave wall. "Are we even?"
"Hell no.", said Christina. Rachel gave her a surprised look. "What you said doesn't redeem anything."
"About the-
"NO. NOT THE BUM SLAPPING THING.", said the clone. "I meant, the belonging thing. I'll just take to the path I can take. AND I GOT THAT ONE MYSELF!"
"NOT WITHOUT MY HELP! Nobody EVER gives me credit. . . Just remember, you don't have to fit in, as long as you can accept who and maybe even what you are. If you want people to love you, don't put up a show. Make them love you for what you are, not what you have pretended to be. GOT IT?!"
"Is it just me, or is everybody trying to teach me some sort of lesson?"
"I must admit, you tend to jump to conclusions. NOW GIMME THAT BLANKET!"
"I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU WERE FINE!"
"FOR ONLY A WHILE! I'M GETTING FROSTBITE!"
"FORGET IT!"
"Lousy, stinkin' clone. . .", mumbled Rachel, walking back to where the others were supposed to meet them. Christina wasn't disturbed at all by her comment.
"Back, are you?" Tifa was the first to say anything. "I thought you'd get lost. I mean, Rachel WAS with you. . ."
"Ha, ha. One day you'll just run out of those snide little remarks. . .", said Rachel. "WACHOO! Oh crap, now I'm sick. . ."
"So, are you going to come? Are you finally okay with each other?" Kristi stepped out, with her instruments.
"Yeah.", said Christina. "I think I'm fine. . ." She looked much more pleasant than she did before.
"SEE?! I TOLD YOU YOU'D BE FINE!"
"Aw, you'll be okay. . ." She was talking to a raccoon again. "I'll be back!"
"Shouldn't you be talking in their language?", asked Rachel, sniffling. "I'll miss you, kame-chan. . ." She was waving to the snake. "SUCH A LOYAL PET!"
"Ick. Creepy little bugger if you ask me. . .", said Christina.
"CREEPY?! HE'S CUTE!"
"HE'S DISGUSTING!"
"OH YEAH?! ATTACK!" Rachel sent forth an army of snakes.
"CHARGE!" Raccoons were running put to attack Rachel.
"They've gone over the deep end. . .", said Laura. "Why can't I have an army of animals?"
"I CAN RETROFIT THESE MIND CONTROL DEVICES AND-
"No thanks, nevermind Lucrecia. . .", said Laura. "It's fine. . ."
"Very nice work. . ." In the main office of Rufus Shinra, he stood with a two tall figures, both with long hair. One had silver, one had black, and they both stood to attention. "At this rate, we will have no use for the Turks. . ."
"But sir, that is what I am head of.", said the black haired one.
"Sure it is, Tseng.", said Rufus. "But don't worry. Your position is secured. Those fools, creating you like that. It was just lucky the retrieval team-
"You mean the Turks." Elena walked in, with Reno and Rude.
". . .", agreed Rude.
"Yes, the Turks.", said Rufus, turning to his balcony. "Now, Shinra shall be restored to its former strength, now that we have both the head of the Turks and the formal general back. Oh, and remember. . ." He now faced the one wearing leather and silver. "Palmer should not remember what happened. Catch my drift?"
"Clearly. . . Come, Surka. . ." With uneasiness, his MAKO-eyed guardian came forward.
"Yes? Are you well enough?"
"Why else do you think I am bringing you?"
"Yes.", she said. "To the Midgar City Hospital."
That night, Palmer breathed his last.
Rachel: It's true. These chapters get worse and worse.
AN3: HEY! I'M TRYING MY BEST, ALL WHILE READING FOR A BOOK REPORT, DOING THE BOOK REPORT, FINISHING A PROJECT ON ROME, STUDYING FOR A BIOLOGY TEST, AND STUDYING FOR EXAMS THAT I HAVE IN A WEEK!
Laura: The last time I checked, you were downloading anime music.
Keo: I agree with my alter self. AREN'T WE JUST THE COOLEST?!
Laura: Although I barely appeared in this episode. . .
Aeris: You appeared more than me. . . Was I even in this one?
Christina: What's this place?
Cloud: She's never been on set before?
AN3: She's always come blindfolded, so the location is kept secret.
Tifa: Why?
AN3: She kept getting on Rachel's nerves.
Snake Army: defeated, unconscious
AN3: My god, I'm so busy. . . I have numerous more ideas for fics that I'd LOVE to employ, but I have no time. . . Right now, I have to go start my next fictionpress story chapter. Making stuff witty can be HARD. . .
Laura: Witty? You writing witty stuff? HAH! IMPOSSIBLE!
AN3: Quiet you. Kristi, just go and break out the booze or something. I'll be in my trailer, having a nervous breakdown.
Kristi: WAY AHEAD OF YOU! WAHOOO!
Everyone: one hour later Pleashhe shtop the floorrrr, we'd like to gerrofff. . . faint