Another Time, Perhaps
By mihoyonagi
Chapter V
Aerith hesitated. She knew she had to wake him, but did she want to? After their talk last night, quite honestly the last thing on her list was to look Sephiroth in the eye again. But, they had arrived at the coliseum nearly an hour ago, and she knew that he wanted to compete in the matches. After all, he had been named the last champion- he had to protect his honor.
Deciding that his honor was worth more than her own comfort, though she couldn't find a reason as to why she thought as much, Aerith knocked on the door of the sleeping chamber in hopes of rousing her traveling companion from his sleep. She heard a slight rustle from the other side of the door, then the sound of heavy boots crossing the room. The door swung open and Sephiroth blinked a few times as his eyes adjusted to the light.
"Um, we arrived a while ago…" Aerith bit her lip slightly, unsure of what, exactly, to tell him.
A curt nod was the only thing he gave her. He turned around and picked up his sword from next to his bed, then clicked off the light and closed the door behind him as he stood in the open hallway.
"Are you all equipped?" She was determined to forget the night before, but images of his crystalline eyes burned themselves into her mind, and his words echoed in her ears.
Again, Sephiroth nodded. He began for the door.
Claiming that the coliseum was packed would be an understatement- fans spilled over the ledges of balconies and seats alike, screaming at the top of their lungs for their favorites, ready and willing to cheer good techniques, and boo opponents. Aerith followed Sephiroth to the registry table. He filled out a set of forms, and had his weapon inspected. When everything checked out, he turned to Aerith.
"I have to leave you now, but you're more than welcome to watch the rest of the tournament if you like. Yuffie's fight isn't until later, but Leon's is soon. When everything is over, we can resume our search, if that is still what you want." He then raised a hand and pointed over her shoulder.
Aerith turned to look at what it was he was gesturing toward. Her eyes fell upon a guest box, far less crowed than the stands, enclosed in a small space. "If you'd like," Sephiroth informed her over the screaming crowd. "You are more than welcome to sit there. Tell them that you are my guest, and they will let you in with no problem."
For the second time in a short while, Aerith bit her lip. "Are you sure? I don't want to be imposing and-"
He held up a hand to dismiss her worry. "If you don't use it, it will remain empty. I would rather have you somewhere safe."
Aerith's face turned slightly pink. 'There he goes again,' she mentally sighed. 'What exactly am I meant to say to something like that?'
"Just tell them that you are my guest, Aerith." He turned around, his silver mane whipping the air, and walked away, leaving her still figure alone in a sea of screaming fans.
"Well," she thought aloud. "As long as he doesn't mind…" Trudging up what she thought to be an unusually long flight of stairs, Aerith was met with the intense eyes of the guards who looked down at her accusingly, asking in silent voices what she was doing there.
Aerith tried to regain her breath after such a step climb of stairs, but her naturally weak physical constitution refused to heal faster. "I am the champion's guest," she managed to huff. Just as Sephiroth had said, despite her worry and doubt, and though the facial expression of the guard remained much of the same, the door was opened and she was let through.
The suite she was allowed in was magnificent- lavish furnishings decorated the room and gave off a bright, vibrant, almost lived in feel. Tapestries woven with warm reds and pale yellows adorned the walls, and chairs and couches were spread out across the floor. On the opposing side of the room there was a large bookcase, filled with volumes upon volumes of literature. Next to the bookshelf was a rather large window, overlooking the coliseum.
Hurrying to the opposing side, Aerith pressed her hands against the glass as her eyes soaked in all that was happening below. The matches had just only begun- how exciting! Aerith reached blindly behind herself and pulled one of the larger armchairs closer to the window and sat down. She couldn't wait to see Yuffie's match! What kind of tricks would her good friend the tricky ninja pull? And what new techniques had Leon learned since she watched him train last?
And what of Sephiroth?… 'Perhaps,' she thought. 'Perhaps he will be champion again…'
Trumpets sounded and the first match began…
