Disclaimers: Final Fantasy VII © under Square-Enix, as well all other Final Fantasy references. Everything else under their respective owners
Through Forest and Grove
Jason M. Lee
Chapter 8: That Which I Resent...
"OKAY, YOU TELL ME RIGHT NOW JUST WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON WITH BOTH OF US! AND DON'T EVEN THINK OF PULLING THAT DISAPPEARING STUNT!"
Thau raised a dark eyebrow in mild amusement. This wasn't exactly a traditional father-son bonding moment but for him, it was close enough.
Reno was quite literally close to lighting sparks, his hands grabbing the older man's shirt collar and eyes nearly shot with gold. Cloud's own pair were no different, even though he was struggling to keep his older sibling from throttling the one person who can answer their questions.
"Reno, as much as pissed off we both are, killing him won't get us any answers!"
"SHUT UP, SPIKE! I'LL DO WHAT I WANT!" He tried to give a good shake but couldn't, given the larger man's bulk.
Tifa was glad that they were in the central part of the continent, far from prying eyes but not far enough from help. Yuffie was close to biting her fingernails in worry, even with reassurance that Staniv would be on standby with a PHS on hand.
As soon as Thau had shown up at Leviathan's temple, Reno all but dragged his biological father outside and began an interrogation rundown that Tseng might even be proud of. The ex-SOLDIER was stuck with trying to keep their only source of information conscious.
"How many minutes has it been?" the older woman whispered, wincing at one comment from the redhead.
A quick glance at a watch, the other hand rubbing the wheel mark. "Half-hour already. I'm wondering why his vocal chords hasn't gone out yet."
Tifa shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, Yuffie."
"Terrific, the last thing I need to deal with is one homicidal iinazuke," Yuffie grumbled, wrapping her arms around her knees. The beginning of October and the autumn chill was starting to set in quickly, hinting early snow. She was still getting used to the fact that she'll eventually be married to a supposedly sworn-enemy. Not to mention dealing with what could be considered a slightly more passionate side of Reno.
"Done yet?" Thau spoke, looking down at his red-faced son.
The response was a low growl as Reno shoved the older man away in a huff, twisting out of Cloud's grasp and stomping away with curses under breath.
"This doesn't revolve some sort of destiny or pre-set fate, does it?" the blonde said dryly, his eyes slowly returning to their original color. "If it is, don't even think of dragging everyone else in."
"How many times must I say it, 'hitsuzen,'" Thau replied, straightening his shirt. "I wouldn't really call that 'predetermined fate', but there are some situations which ARE etched in stone."
"I'll take that as a 'no'. The differences?"
"Fate and destiny by themselves are quite ambiguous in most stories and in reality. It's best looked at where YOU make your OWN choices to decide what is to, will, become. However, hitsuzen is a condition in which every other result are impossible. Any different, the outcomes will become unnecessary or obsolete. This relates to a 'bond of fate', where any meeting or event, no matter how small or irrelevant, will eventually have some effect on you later. It happens to anyone and anything during their lifetime. Once a bond of fate is created, it never disappears."
"What exactly are you yappin' about?" Reno bit out.
The taller man waved a hand around him, motes of light dancing from his fingers before they joined with the pyreflies. Tifa gave a shiver but not from the cold. Where they were standing in, it turned out to be one of the original battlegrounds from the War. Neither Reno or Cloud were surprised with the amount of lingering souls, although Yuffie was a bit more reserved with their surroundings.
"We're all tied by the very bond of fate I was talking about earlier. Everything that has happened before then, has led up to what is occurring now. No point arguing about it as no one, not even I, can ever escape the web of hitsuzen. As for your earlier question, Reno, it is instinct. The most simplest impulses ingrained inside of us since Creation."
"What, sixth sense or that type of shit?"
A low chuckle at the "sixth sense" comment. "Close but not really. Cloud could give a better example, I suppose."
Said young man grimaced as the attention was directed at him but relaxed when Tifa squeezed his hand.
"For us in SOLDIER, you either kill those who are aiming at you or be killed if you're not fast enough. Most of the sergeants told us to follow our gut feeling if something seemed out of place since following that instinct is a lot faster than using logic in certain situations."
"Life or death, ya mean." Turk training was similar; Reno had nearly forgotten all about it.
"That, and doing something without even thinking. You just do it and it happens. Following commands that are far older and often hidden within the brain."
Yuffie frowned. "That doesn't explain why Turkey bit me and left a tattoo, especially on my neck."
"Mark."
She blinked. "Huh?"
Thau sighed, rubbing his closed eyes. "I was hoping that would happen later. Reno marked you, Yuffie."
"Come again," the man in question growled out.
Long digits pinched the bridge of his nose, sensing an oncoming headache. "What you did was quite literally claiming her as your wife, Reno. A permanent version of a wedding band, if you will. No, you can't do anything about it so don't even think of trying to get rid of it. You'll probably make the situation worse even if you did accomplished it. Don't even ask me on removing the tattoo since this would be the first time I've even heard of it happening."
The color drained completely from the engaged couple at that revelation. The other two were shocked into silence, the only sounds that of the gentle wind.
Reno was the first to work his vocal cords. "You're fuckin' kidding me."
"I wish it was a joke, but I'm not." Regret laced the older man's words as he ran a hand through his dark hair. "Unfortunately, this discussion might have to be saved for later."
"DAMMIT, TO HELL WITH LATER! YOU TELL US RIGHT NOW, OR HOLY SO HELP ME, THAT I LITERALLY BEAT THE ANSWERS OUT OF YOU!" Cloud all but roared, grabbing his father's lapels so fiercely that the older brother actually took a step back from the ferocity and shock. "I'm tired of the evasive answers, tired of trying to keep these weird feelings in check, and I'm tired of trying NOT to hate you with all my being! So stop giving us riddles and start giving us answers!"
Strong fingers gently pried loose paler hands, the ex-mercenary dropping them from his emotional outburst. Gold orbs swept over the remaining three and was met with the same response. Exhaling softly, Thau nodded back toward Wutai, in which the rest reluctantly followed. The swift trek led back to the temple and anything else was ignored.
As if waiting for them, Reiko quietly locked the large gate and then closed the doors when they entered the main chamber. Again, the pyreflies and Hymn reacted to Thau's presence but not as strongly as the first time. Reno and Cloud raised their eyebrows when their father stepped up to Leviathan's representation. They knew something was going to happen, the two didn't know just what.
"Time to face the music, old friend," the taller man called out to the statue. He couldn't help yet note the irony with the faint song that Yuffie was subconsciously singing to softly.
"Wha the--" was all Reno could get out before a blue light nearly blinded them. Eyes immediately shut in reflex to avoid loosing their vision.
When the brilliance faded away, the sight that met the younger quartet's visual receptors was not what they expected.
Standing around the same height as Highwind stood a man that Yuffie considered as the epitome of a Wutai warrior from history books. Sea-blue hair tied back into a Wutaian topknot, the rest hanging down like a waterfall. The robes were of the same style Godo wore usually, various shades ranging from the color of the sky to that of twilight. Black tabi, split-toe socks, adorned the man's feet, as per dressing tradition amongst men in formal occasions. A single sapphire hoop hung from his left ear, reflecting the dim light from the pyreflies and candles. Slender he may be, but the air of a highly accomplished martial artist told otherwise.
Reno was eerily reminded of Tseng years before the former Turk leader stopped wearing his hair in a topknot. Add some bangs, minus the dot on the forehead, and you get what the stranger looks like.
With the two odd men standing side by side, it was like comparing grown bamboo to a matured oak.
A stoic look was settled onto Thau, who stared back evenly.
As a battle of the wills grew...
"Took you long enough, baka yarou!"
...the tensed air promptly fell.
Reiko discreetly disguised her laughter behind a cough to the side.
The others could only look in disbelief as a once solemn Thau turned into a sheepish one.
"I had errands to run."
"You still have more back home." A fierce glare, similar to that of a constantly hassled assistant.
"Wanted to spend time here."
Catching the hidden meaning, the blue warrior softened a bit. Glancing over to Reno and Cloud, he nodded to himself. An approving look when shining topaz eyes landed on Tifa and Yuffie. Finally, a smile grew as the female cleric gave a low bow.
"You performed very well, Miko Kageno."
"I only did what I was told to, milord."
A nonchalant flick of the hand. "No formalities. How many times have I told you that?"
Reiko chuckled a bit in response before nodding her head and leaving the room.
As if taking a cue, all four immediately throwing questions, Yuffie being the loudest of them. Mouths snapped shut when the new arrival held up a hand, amusement twinkling in his orbs.
"The reason why Kageno has left us, is that this issue currently involves only us." He turned to the heir of Wutai. "You of all people should recognize me, Yuffie-dono."
Blinking owlishly, she immediately recollected her scattered thoughts until one detail popped up in her brain. Shock appeared on her face as realization sunk in.
"Oh, my freakin-- LEVIATHAN!"
Surprise, then thoughtfulness, frowns, and finally frustrated low growls emitted from both men. Tifa quickly grabbed onto Cloud's jacket and held on until her significant other calmed down. Yuffie did the same to Reno, also waiting. That done, the older woman directed her stern gaze at the now identified Water God and Thau.
"Start talking."
Looks were exchanged and both nodded. All sat down on the floorboards in preparation for another explanation long over-due.
x x x x x x x
"No, no problems."
/"You're sure?"/
"Elena, if I wasn't sure, would I be calling?"
/"Never stopped you before."/
"Point."
/"Then, what's wrong?"/
"Well..."
/"Yuffie?"/
"It's just that... It's so surreal."
Sound of a coffee mug being placed down, as well the purring of a cat. /"How so? Thanks, Rude. Easy there, Sith. Go back to Reeve's desk, why don't you?"/
Slim fingers toyed with a random paper crane anxiously before she blurted it out. "What do you do when you find out your fiancée and potential brother-in-law are actually half-human?"
/"... You're kidding, right?"/
"Gawd, I wish I were!"
An electronic sigh. /"And here I was hoping that those tales of half-Summons, half-humans were just stories."/
Blink. "Nani?"
/"Turns out that what Reiko learned from her master was more than just legends of other worlds. It seems that in our history, long before the Cetras' arrival, there were mentioning of a warrior whose father was an Esper. A different name for a Summon, in a nutshell. Terra 'Tina' Branford was the only known person then to be born from such a unique union in her time. Her father was named Maduin, one of the Espers who suffered in a fate not dissimilar to what ShinRa performed on SOLDIER."/
Yuffie sat down next to a lightly dozing Reno on their couch, absent-mindedly stroking an orange tabby. Almost immediately, an arm wrapped around her petite waist possessively, pulling her close. A quick blush came and went as the young woman settled next to the redhead.
"How'd you find that?"
A wry laugh, tapping of keys. /"You'd be surprise what you could find in the Administrative Research Department at the Junon branch, with a little help from pass codes. I was bored at the time so I decided to dig around to see if I could learn more. Despite Sapphire's attack on the Harbor, majority of the files were fortunately spared from destruction. Looks like ShinRa weren't the only ones to do experiments on people."/
"What'd you find? More of Hojo's relatives?"
/"Tch! If that wasn't the case, I'd be a chocobo's aunt. From what I can pull up, Emperor Gestahl took in Terra sometime after she was born. Gestahl was the leader over the Empire in their time and had been bitten by the whole world-domination bug. Magic and science then was a bit similar to ours here, except since it was a combination of both, they called it MagiTek. Later experimentations yield MagiTek Knights, humans infused with Esper magic."/
"Wait, where did the Esper magic come from?"
/"Don't know the process but... I'm guessing it's no different than Mako infusions on Turks and SOLDIER. The magic is drained from the Espers and, well..."/
"Like draining the Planet of the Lifestream," Yuffie finished, twirling a crimson lock. "What happens when the Espers died?"
/"They don't exactly 'die', per se but turn into Magicite, like crystal shards. Only then are the full potential of an Esper can be utilized."/
"Kinda similar to our Materia, isn't it?"
/"Yes, but for our time, Materia is produced naturally by the Lifestream. Back to Terra's case, she has an Esper form that she can use but only for a limited amount of time. It did help in their fight against the Empire when things began to get worse."/
"Lemme guess, someone kicked Gestahl to the next world, took over, is completely insane, and nearly destroys the world," Yuffie spoke, her tone dry.
/"Yes and no. The Planet didn't get destroyed in so much of a sense but the continents transformed entirely. On the yes part, Kefka was Gestahl's right hand and had went insane after the infusions; he was the first to be experimented on."/
Fingers that threw deadly shuriken rubbed tired eyes. "Leviathan drown me (NOT LITERALLY!). That guy sounds like a cross between Hojo and Sephiroth!"
/"Poisoned a whole town, even his troops, turned the Espers that attacked him into Magicite after they broke the dimensional gate, killed his own boss, literally remaps the entire world's continents on a single whim... Need I say more?"/
"In the end, he basically bites the dust," the younger woman concluded, tickling Reno's nose with his own ponytail. She giggled when he only grunted and buried his head into her neck. "How does this help Turkey and Chocobo Boy?"
/"Just a thought. After their victory, Terra had a choice. Either become full human when the Espers supposedly left their dimension or become an Esper and follow. She choose to stay as a human, even if it meant loosing magic. I guess she would rather be with the only people who she felt close to in her lifetime of enslavement."/
Silence, save the sounds of slumbering cats and ticking of the clock.
/"Yuffie?"/
Lilac eyes blinked. "Yeah, I'm still here."
/"Then..."/
"When you mentioned about Terra choosing to be human than Esper, it somehow kinda reminded me of--"
/"--Sephiroth,"/ Elena quietly finished.
"Tifa told me the whole Nibelheim fiasco, from her view. She said that as much as she wanted to hate him with everything, she just couldn't. I kinda agree with her. Even though he had the most Jenova cells out of any person, living or dead that I can think of, Sephiroth was still human."
/"...you really think that? After all he's done?"/ Bitterness and sadness warred in the blond Turk's voice.
"Honestly, I think the poor baka was already breaking down mentally. Fought the War probably around my age, constantly experimented on by a person who has no right to be called human or a father, given attention but not the ones he wanted. Then, those notes at the Mansion and the Nibel Reactor. Even somebody who was considered perfect has a limit of what they can handle. For us, we're being exposed to the truth at small portions. For him, I'm guessing it was similar to a dam breaking down."
Yuffie sighed. "I'm not saying that we should forget what Sephiroth did. I also know it's hard to forgive, but at the same time... I often wondered whether we should've given him the benefit of doubt back then."
/"What's with the sudden change?"/
"At first, I don't know. Now, with such a revelation, I figured that we should look past first impressions. I used to think ya Turks were bad asses but after Turkey and Shades saved both of us from the sleaze Don, you guys weren't so bad. Assassins and all that."
/"I'll take that as a compliment. Speaking of Reno and Cloud, what is their father's name? That wheel symbol keeps bugging me. I know I've seen it somewhere."/
The ninja looked down at her fiancée, now in "sleeping-but-alert" mode. He still didn't like Thau, but it wasn't as strong as before; more of grumbling resentment. It wouldn't matter anyways, as the rest of the group were bound to find out.
Yuffie told the older woman.
Keystrokes stopped.
"'Laney?"
Reno drowsily smirked into his iinazuke's neck.
/"You have got to be kidding me. ... And have you been picking up Reno's bad habits?"/
"Oopsies."
The smirk only grew wider.
x x x x x x x
Various colors danced against the walls, a rainbow created by the sunlight beaming from the cracks above on the ceiling. The liquid itself was pure emerald but stray droplets often solidified into creating what became Materia. The fountain did create malleable Mako strands no thicker than a piece of twine, highly prized amongst jewelers but difficult to harvest since it produced quite rarely. By the time a person returned after his or her discovery, it would've reverted back into Mako. Unless the material is exposed to air for several minutes, then one can shape it to their liking. Until it has a settled shape, only then it will harden. As time went, it became more of a legend in Nibelheim, even after the incident.
Cloud had permission from Reiko to take some time off and decided to visit the Mako fountain, courtesy of a certain smoking pilot. He happened to be very lucky to be present when the Materia strands were flowing. Absent mindedly, the blonde began playing around with the glowing material. He didn't really note the possibility of Mako poisoning.
The ex-mercenary hated to admit it but he was somewhat glad for the slight immunity due to his and Reno's unique heritage. On the other hand, dealing with hyped up senses of smell, sight, hearing, and taste was a constant pain. Especially with the rumored "sixth-sense", as both men were now exposed to things training never prepared them for.
"Cloud?"
He already knew Tifa was coming before she had called out his name. Looking down at the multi-colored mass in his hands, an idea formed in his mind and quickly hid the object.
"In here, Teef."
Rounding into the cave, the martial artist noticed how the sparkling motes seemed to resemble the pyreflies she had gotten used to seeing. Unknowingly, she hummed the Hymn while resting her back on the ex-SOLDIER.
"Why'd you come here?"
"Wanted to get away, get a breather. I need to think."
"Too much?"
He exhaled gustily. "It's the believing part. If I had been told this years earlier, it might have been easier to accept. As an adult now, it's much harder."
Tifa hugged her knees against the mountain chill. "You still... hate him?"
"Not so as much as I resent him. 'Hate' is too strong of a word for me to use on him. Reno'd agreed as well, I'm sure."
"That's good," she spoke softly, smiling to herself. 'Father... Zangan...'
Cloud tilted his head back to look at his childhood friend, sensing her sadness. Silently, he drew Tifa into his arms, leaning against the wall and watching the dancing lights. Although she was a bit startled, the fighter decided that having her personal heater was preferable than the chilly air.
"Got a call from Reeve."
She nodded, somewhat drowsy from his much warmer body and scent.
"Big gang problems in Midgar. Sector 2 slums." Albeit not as bad as Sector 4, it was still a place where any regular Midgarian would be very cautious of. Native or not.
"He's calling Reno back?"
"Yuffie will most likely follow. The other Turks will be leading the MPD. We're requested as well, given our experience."
"If you could consider being a bouncer and a bartender as experience," Tifa joked, reluctant to move from his warmth. "When do we leave?"
"Reeve wants us there ASAP. Those of us available. The Highwind's coming here as soon Cid picks up the others."
"That bad." A statement, not a question.
"Aa."
The colorful melodies of a popular song jingled, interrupting the slight quietness. Ducking to avoid a curious glance from her, Cloud flipped open his PHS.
"Strife."
Static first, then a little clearer, given their location on Mt. Nibel. /"Move yer ass, Spiky. We're bookin'. Already got the brat--"/
/"QUIT CALLING ME THAT, YA DAMN CHIMNEY!"/
Masculine and soft laughter in the background.
/"--Savai, as well Red and Vamp-boy."/
"Who couldn't make it?"
/"Barett. I'm pickin' 'im up later."/
"Meet you outside." A flick of the wrist snapped the PHS shut.
Amused claret orbs looked down at shining river blue.
"'Eyes on Me'?"
He fought back a blush, brushing the seat of his pants. "Don't ask."
Tifa smirked before turning to leave, now holding his hand. Cloud knew he was going to regret it, given with her snickers.
If only he could get rid of that nagging tingle in the back of his head.
A/N: Yes, Leviathan. Yes, Final Fantasy VI (Final Fantasy III in US/EU). YES, Final Fantasy VIII. I was on a roll at the time. "Bond of fate" and "hitsuzen" referencing back to the mangaxXxHolic (YES, that's the title; Holic for short) by CLAMP.
