PLUG: Read "Obsession's Other Brother" I work very hard on that one...and I would like people to read it...
"If you make a move, I will shoot you," he said, his hand steady, and gaze transfixed.
"Please," she said, shakily, "I am not who you think..."
"Step into the light," he clipped, "Where I can see you."
"Ok..." she said, complying with his request.
"Next time, do not sneak up like that," he said, lowering his weapon.
"Do not be so hasty," he said to her, watching as she gripped the weapon, "Take time to feel it. Then attack."
"It's so...hard!" she said with frustration, looking at him for sympathy.
"Again," he said, resuming his post out of her way.
"I see you are finally competent as a fighter," he said, noting her stance.
"You taught me well," she said, swinging her object of destruction.
"I admit, I knew you had it in you," he said smiling. She frowned.
"You could have been nicer about it," she said, her eyes twinkling.
"Why are you so serious?" she asked, twirling a lock of hair. He shrugged.
"It happens," he said, staring at the ground. She smiled.
"Devotion to the task, I understand," she said, peering over to elicit a smile.
"Ah, but you are far too innocent to even comprehend..." he said, going back to his duties.
"I brought this for you," she said, smiling widely with an outstretched hand.
"For me?" he said, gazing at the small pink thing in her hand, "It's lovely."
"It's a thank you for training me, and being my friend," she said, looking at him with the wide eyes of a child. He nodded.
"It was no problem," he said, patting her lightly on the shoulder, "Everyone deserves the ability to defend themselves."
"What did you want to be when you grew up?" she asked, the light autumn breeze tinkling her stray hair. He put his hand up to his chin, considering.
"A teacher," he said, glancing at her exuberant face.
She giggled, "I could see that..." He gave her a mock indignant face.
"Well, miss," he said, "We can't all be heroes. A brash and uneducated person only looks forward to an early grave..." He grinned a little at her. She gasped.
"Y-you're...kidding with me?" she said incredulously, "I thought you were far too serious for that kind of thing..."
"I am neither brash nor uneducated..." he said, regaining his usual expression, "I only hope that you will be the same."
"Why do you still treat me like a child?" she asked, sweetly smiling up at his stiffly standing form. He shrugged.
"I only treat you as you deserve," he said, using his height to make a point, "Which is better than most adults. Be thankful for your youth." He started to walk off.
"I have been older than anyone would guess..." she said quietly, "...my entire life."
"...I know," he said, giving her one last glance before departing.
"You have to meet him!" she nearly screamed with glee, tugging at his arm. He shrugged if off carefully.
"...Yes, I suppose I will," he said finally, examining the laughter in her face.
"He's not that good of a shot," she said, quickly, without taking a breath, "He's a fighter of a different kind...and he's so cute!" He frowned slightly.
"Has he been indecent or unkind to you in any way?" he asked quickly. She shook her head.
"Stop worrying, I can defend myself, remember?" she said, squaring her shoulders with gusto.
"Indeed," he said, letting her drag him along.
"Do you approve?" she asked, after the younger man was out of sight. He crossed his arms.
"I suppose," he said sternly, watching as her face fall.
"What's wrong with him?" she asked anxiously. He grinned.
"Nothing," he said, raising an eyebrow, "He's a fine young man. That look on your face...is priceless."
"Oh, you're awful!" she screeched, smacking his shoulder.
"His letters stopped coming," she said soberly, "I can't feel his presence. Something is horribly wrong..." He put an arm around her shoulder.
"He's fine," he said, watching the silent stream of tears on her face, "It's part of his duty. He must be doing something special." She nodded a little, choking back a sob.
"Yes...special," she said absently, hugging his form tightly.
"I've been waiting," she said as he approached. He bowed slightly.
"Sorry to keep you," he said politely. She stared at her feet.
"He's not coming back," she said, still staring at the ground. He looked at her uneasily.
"How do you know?" he whispered. She shook her head.
"I just know. Why ask questions?" she said fiercely. He backed up a little.
"Then duty and you will be at odds," he said, searching for her eyes, and not meeting them, "I hope that you do not fall in with ill company."
"I trusted you!" she shouted at him, staring down his gun. He did not stir.
"I always knew you were different," he said quietly, "I just hoped that Shinra wouldn't find out."
"I don't care! I loved you!" she fumed, hoping to draw some of his humanity out, "If you hadn't left..." His hand gave a slight tremble.
"Loved? Aeris, you were in love with that Zack..." he said icily, "I am not as stupid as you think." She frowned.
"So this is how it is..." she whispered, "Your duty is always first."
"Even before you," he said, grabbing her wrist to take her away.
"I have forgiven you..." she whispered into the night. Where he was sleeping, he dreamed a fair dream.
"I've always loved you..." he mumbled, the night his only witness.
"It makes sense..." he whispered looking at the horrified faces of his comrades, "That I should die like this..."
"I will join you soon enough," he heard Aeris whisper in his ear, "Tseng, I forgive you."
He smiled.
"Maybe you will find him," he breathed, at last closing his eyes.
Author's Note: Tragic. I know, but I don't really see any other type of relationship between two people who died in the game. And no, I don't believe in resurrecting Aeris...sorry fans. Sephiroth, maybe, I don't believe he was that easy to kill, he's all super human and stuff (and he's in the Advent Children movie listed as a character, while Aeris is not). Anywho, rant over. Hope this lives up to the expectations that have been set for me...