.7.

A few minutes later, Aerith left the room and hesitantly descended the stairs to the lobby of the inn. The innkeeper, his hand full of the coin payment he had just received, watched her entrance with undisguised curiosity. Sephiroth was standing before a window near the main door, his attention on something outside. He turned as she stepped off the final stair, and one glance was enough to tell her that he was once again the infamous general; austere, collected, and calm. He said nothing to her, merely indicated with a tip of his head that she was to precede him through the door. She did as he directed, and as she walked through the door she had to squint against the harsh glare of the early morning sun. She turned to Sephiroth, uncertain of where she was to go. He remained silent, and gestured with one arm to the exit of the village. With a sigh, she began to walk.

He said nothing to her as they left Kalm and travelled in a south eastern direction. Their pace was steady, enough so that she was striving to keep up with his long strides. Every now and then she would fall behind, and he would slow enough to let her catch up to him. He was radiating impatience, and it gave her a sense of bizarre satisfaction to know that her human inhibitions nettled him. She knew better than to say anything that would rile him, and so she remained silent as well. The day was bright and warm, and Aerith found herself wishing that she was able to enjoy this new experience. While attempting to maintain the pace Sephiroth set, she took whatever opportunity she could to admire the passing scenery. He, on the other hand, appeared to have no appreciation whatsoever for the picturesque rolling hills with long grass that danced gently in the breeze, or the blue tinged outline of mountains that loomed majestically in the distance. He walked with single minded purpose, and his eyes did not stray from his path.

After a few hours of continuing this way, Sephiroth slowed to a halt. Aerith, surprised, stopped some feet behind him. He turned and tossed something her way; catching it, she found it to be a strip of dried meat. "Eat it," he ordered, "And rest. We'll be moving again soon."

Aerith did as he ordered, and began gnawing on the meat which she discovered to be pleasantly seasoned. She took the opportunity to sit on the ground, stretching her aching legs out before her. Her tattered skirt, now hanging above her knees, was stained with dirt and blood and she ruefully wished she had something more practical for travelling. She turned her attention to the sprawling panorama of scenery before her. They had travelled a fair distance, and now the mountains were considerably closer, casting down their shadow. Before them were more hills, but they were tapering out and she wondered what lay beyond them, for that was the way they were headed. She chewed the last of the meat and swallowed. Bracing her arms, she let her head fall back and felt the warm rays of the sun caress her face. It was soothing and she closed her eyes. Because of her materia, she felt the gentle rhythms of all the life that surrounded her, and she gave herself over to them. It was almost hypnotizing, but also comforting, and it was with great reluctance that she pulled herself away from the sensations and raised her head. She opened her eyes and blinked rapidly for a moment to adjust to the sun. She wondered how much time had passed since they had halted and looked around for her captor.

She found him not far away, standing silhouetted by the sun, facing her. She could not see his face as it was in shadow, but she had the distinct and unnerving impression that he had been watching her.

"What did you feel, just now?" He asked, confirming her suspicion.

It was a vague question, but she understood his meaning. She cast about for a definable answer. There was only one answer she could give. "Life." She said simply.

He considered this, and then nodded his head. He said then, "Come. We must continue."

Stifling a weary sigh, she got to her feet. He had already began walking, and so she hurried to catch up with him. They walked as they had before, in silence. His unflagging strength was beginning to irritate her; more and more often he had to stop and wait for her. He said nothing, however, and she did not fret overly much. The sun had risen to its midday position before they stopped again. Aerith had been deep in thought and as such almost collided with his solid form as he abruptly halted. She stepped up beside him to see what exactly he was staring at. There, a few kilometres away situated on a plain, was what looked to be a farm.

"What is that place?" Aerith asked.

"A Chocobo farm." Was his reply. He closed his eyes then, and lines of intense concentration appeared on his face. She watched him for a moment, bewildered but instinctively knowing he was using his powers. So deep was his focus that Aerith seized the opportunity, and began slowly edging away. She had no idea how long he would remain this way, but it could be enough that she could get a head start, and maybe catch a Chocobo ...

His eyes opened, and he turned his head to regard her partially retreating form. She froze but said nothing, and a trace of a knowing smile crossed his face. He looked back at the Chocobo farm, and Aerith followed his gaze with her own. She raised a hand to ward off the brightness of the sun, and was able to make out a moving form headed towards them. "What ...?"

"Our mount," He said. "We are moving too slowly."

She stiffened at this, knowing that he meant she was moving too slowly. They waited for several minutes in silence as the large bird drew closer and closer. As it came to a halt, Aerith fell back a step, for it was a great black beast of a creature. Its eyes, the color of mahogany, were not friendly as it glared at them both. However, it came obediently to Sephiroth, and when he laid a gloved hand on the side of its neck it did not protest. He stroked the feathered neck briefly, and then held out a hand to Aerith. "Come," he said.

Suddenly the prospect of sharing a mount with him was very unappealing. She shook her head, and he frowned.

"What's the problem? You seemed to like them well enough earlier," he said.

She didn't reply; it wasn't the Chocobo that was the issue. Reading her expressions, he grinned with malevolent mischief. "Come now," he said, in the familiar sardonic tone she knew so well, "I won't bite."

Aerith swallowed, but slowly walked to his side. His expression didn't alter as she neared, and she could see his eyes dancing in amusement. It was enough to make her irritation rise. Seeing this, he chuckled, and reached out to catch her by the waist. She went rigid at his touch, and his chuckle deepened as he lifted her and positioned her firmly between the Chocobo's wings. Moments later he swung up behind her. She gritted her teeth at his touch against her back, but held her silence. When one arm firmly encircled her waist, however, she made a small noise of protest.

"It's only to ensure your safety," he said mockingly, his breath brushing her ear. She said nothing, but fumed silently as she knew how much he was enjoying her discomfiture. His arm remained, and with a gentle nudge he sent the Chocobo moving beneath them. The bird covered great distance with its strides, and the world began passing quickly by. Aerith gave up on watching the scenery and, lulled by the rhythmic movements of the bird, began to gently drift off into sleep.

.x.

This had not been a good idea.

He had thought having a Chocobo mount would make up for their dismal amount of progress thus far, and indeed, it had. The problem was having the girl seated directly in front of him, with everything about her enticing him. He had no choice but to wrap one arm around her waist, for the bird's gait was awkward enough to unseat her. He had thoroughly enjoyed unsettling her, for he knew that she was wary of both him and his behaviour. His satisfaction was short lived, however, as he became acutely aware of the feel of her body held tight against him and the exotic scent of her hair that fell in a thick mass between them. The attraction he felt was utterly confusing and frustrating, and he was torn between wanting to bury his face in her hair and wrapping his hands around the slender column of her throat and throttling her. He settled with tightening his grasp around her waist, and pulling her body firmly against his own. Her head rolled limply forwards, telling him she was asleep. He sighed, wishing he could be as oblivious to her as she was to him.

Perhaps, he mused, this attraction would be best dealt with if not ignored.

Her head fell to the side. He stared at the smooth expanse of her neck and had to struggle not to lean forward and-

He closed his eyes tightly.

Obviously, despite all his efforts, this affliction could not be ignored nor controlled. And if he had to succumb to anything, he would do it his way. So he would explore this new phenomena; surely no harm could come of it ...

The girl shifted in her sleep, and fell back against him. His body tightened, and he growled his exasperation. Maybe exploring affliction would be for the best.

.x.