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 13: That Which I Consent...


"Do you think we'll ever get used to this craziness?"

"...maybe."

Elena sighed, stretching out on her chair after several hundred pages worth of reports. A couple more pages to go and it's a date with the shower, couch, pet parakeet, dinner, and her DVDs. With Reno stepping down and placed in the reserves, Rude would've been promoted to being Leader but Reeve had some doubts, given with the taller Turk's quietness. After some brainstorming for two hours, both redhead and ex-Urban Development Head decided that Elena would also be advanced to the position, joint ruling in a nutshell. She would decide on the orders while he would implement the actions.

"Why do you say that?"

"...our ability to adapt."

Resting her chin on her hands, she had to smile at the answer. Trust Rude to give something almost clichéd but so true and simple.

"Adaptability... Amazing how we turn our fragileness into our strengths, changing at a heart's moment of notice without thought. No wonder why maniacs like Hojo often claim that us humans still haven't tapped our full potential."

Lightly tanned fingers paused over keys. "...full potential?"

She shrugged. "Look at Strife and his group. They don't have the discipline or enhancements SOLDIER and us Turks do (okay, Valentine, Strife, and the robot don't count) but they were able to defeat a person who always caused shivers to go down the top brass' spines anytime his name was mentioned. Not to mention said person had won the War at such a young age and Holy knows what things Hojo injected into him. I think that kinda warrants close to full potential."

"...but..."

"But, now, I guess senpai and Strife are even one step closer, given their heritage." Elena snorted softly to herself. "Adapt to survive, either through emotions or through instinct... And then the gods will laugh at how 'puny' us humans are for just being human."

"...they are half."

"True but both have always lived as humans and, as much as I hate to admit, even Sephiroth. They had something to live for, even if the goals were messed up."

Lightly glowing eyes looked over at the picture frame on her desk with a hint of nostalgia. It was a snapshot of the group during a chance of all of them being off-duty. Reno had made bunny ears behind Rude and Rufus with a stupid, wide grin splitting his face, the then not-yet President also sticking two fingers behind Reno's head. Rude was still stoic, but one could barely make out the traces of the corner of his lips curving up. Tseng looked somewhat strained, a weak smile on his face. Elena herself had buried her face into a hand in partial embarrassment and exasperation.

"I want to see if I can find that feeling of living. That something to live for." She turned to her darker partner. "Think we'll ever find it?"

Behind his shades, Rude actually blinked at the switch. Before he could reply, a knock on the door interrupted him.

"Come on in."

Brown hair peeked in, curling like a bell. A childish face but hiding mischief. "You wanted those reports on the new recruits, ma'am?"

"Thanks, Selphie. Just drop them off my desk."

After the young teen disappeared with a salute, Elena looked toward her partner.

"You were about to say something, Rude?"

"...if..."

"Rude-senpai?"

"...if we live out to our fullest."

Surprise, then a wide smile spread on her face, a little more energy poured into her work.

x x x x x x x

"Interesting developments."

"I'd prefer to think differently."

"Oh?"

"This was completely unpredicted."

"Yet not unheard of."

"You speak of the halfling from before."

"Your thoughts?"

"Had this been during the time of the Empire, I would've been against it entirely."

"However..."

"Times have changed, dear friend. Either through some fancy or because he chose to, I don't see any problems with it."

"Only you wouldn't have any problems, considering your natural alignment."

A soft chuckle. "And your opinion?"

"Lords and ladies..."

"Speak your mind. You have the best experience out of us all."

"It... It could be considered one of the greatest gifts in existence. I felt as if the Goddesses and the Planet had blessed me in some sort of way. Half, my child may have been but she was still of my flesh and blood, with the pains she had suffered and the accomplishments she had performed. For that, I am proud to be her father." Embarrassment but pride. Past yet present.

Whispering exchanged until a staff pounded gently.

"I believe that there may, no, WILL come a time when those two arrive here."

"Halflings? In our home? What brings this cockamamie idea?"

It had been many years since a human had step foot into their realm and even then, it was almost considered taboo. Had not for their common ancestry, most of them would've ignored the other dimension.

"The reason for this cockamamie idea is to teach them control."

"But she never had that problem."

"We are talking about the level of our individual abilities here. She had no true knowledge until later nor was she exposed to the life blood of the Planet. Add in the fact that the origin of her powers is much lower than some of us here. No offense."

"None taken, milady."

"These two, I presume, will require more training. Considering who their father is, it makes sense."

"Perhaps if they stayed here for awhile, become accustomed to their other forms."

"Couldn't have said it better myself. The main plan is that they learn better control here first, and then see about their adaptability back there. Those in favor?"

All but several assented.

"Those against?"

Those that were singled out voiced, earning stares. Shrugs.

"Just our nature."

"Then we are in agreement. When will he bring them here?"

"Most likely several days, their time. Or until they have settled most of their affairs."

"Why so interested in them?"

"It has been many years. I think that many of us have forgotten our true origins." A pause. "It may teach those that have been missing out on things lately."

"Do elaborate."

"Oh? Bluntly speaking, because the majority of us are idiots."

"HEY!"

"And I find being around them quite refreshing."

"Only you and him would."

Another rap against stone. "That's enough for today. You may all leave."

Another soft laugh. Various sounds of those leaving, two staying behind.

"Was that wise, milord? We know his fiery temper may cause problems and the Planet knows what else."

"No real worries. The scope of what one can see, hear, touch, feel... That's it. It is what they make of it. The world is a very small place, but for those who know it, it is very large."

"The other worlds?"

"That's one example. With these two, I think their coming here may change the view of the world for others."

"Of what one can feel... Interesting choice of words, sir."

"Hm? Oh, that. I picked it up from an acquaintance of ours. A very interesting woman with the most interesting opinions from a different dimension. Speaking of which, perhaps I should find myself a partner..."

The junior only stared at the back of his superior with awe.

x x x x x x x

"Cig?"

"You know I don't smoke and I thought Shera wanted you off. Besides, this is a non-smoking area."

A shrug from the pilot, tucking the carton back into his goggle straps. "Force o' habit."

Reeve chuckled wryly, draping his jacket over the chair and plopping his head against the cool table.

"Rough night?"

"Understatement of the year. Speaking of rough, how's the kid?"

Cid grinned widely. "Healthy, screaming, seven pounds and two ounces of a girl. Ifal's gonna be her name."

Light brown blinked. "Ifal, isn't that short for..."

"Yep, Ifalna, Aerith's mom. Not my idea but s'best thing I can do to honor her."

The ex-Urban Development Head burst out laughing, nearly sending a staff member flying but catching the load tray with instinctive ease. Both ex-ShinRa employees were lounging in the refurbished cafeteria, dawn just creeping in through the windows. The two men had developed the habit of getting up early, years of work ingrained into their psyche that neither could get rid of. Not that it wasn't so bad; quite useful when they wanted to spring surprises.

"What's so funny?"

A grin. "Shera's idea?"

Cid snorted but smiled widely. "I was surprised myself when she chose that name. But after some thinkin'--"

Reeve mocked gasp. "Highwind actually thinks! Call the press!" The few employees who knew Cid's reputation all laughed at the joke, some whistling loudly.

"Shaddup, Cat-boy and let me finish. Like I was sayin', I was thinkin' for awhile and it made a bit of sense. I mean, if Ifalna didn't marry Gast and had Aerith, we all wouldn't be here."

Calming himself down, the former Turk nodded. "Maybe we could actually be thankful for Hojo's obsession with science. Or Old Man searching for the Promise Land."

"Ha! Don't say that in front of Strife OR Wallace! They'll probably string you up by yer ass and then whip out their Limit Breaks!"

The dark haired man laughed. "True."

A comfortable silence as their orders came through, recharging themselves an order.

"Cid..."

"Mpmf?" Mouth filled with a piece of toast.

Reeve tapped his fork against the plate, eyes thoughtful. "What's your opinion on Sephiroth?"

He swallowed. "Other than wantin' to bring him back and kick the bastard in the arse for various reasons?"

"Yes."

Clinking of a cup, Cid solemn. "I dunno. I mean, at first, the reason I joined up with Strife was partially to pay back ShinRa for bootin' the Space Project. Extra bonus was travelin', my airship, and finding my reason for fightin'."

"But what about Sephiroth?"

The pilot sighed. "Tough one to ask, Reeve. Honestly speaking, I got caught up with the whole thing on savin' the Planet. First impression, he sounded like a complete bad ass who should've gotten therapy or shouldn't have existed in the first place."

"That's a bit harsh, even from you."

A shrug. "Swallowed up with the majority, if you will. Now, lookin' back, I tried to see it from the poor bloke's view. What would your reaction be if you found out the one person who didn't see you as a person but only an experiment is his supposed father? The one you believe yer mother is a life-sucking alien who practically wiped out the Cetra thousands of years ago and you got her cells inside ya. Yer biological mom can't really die and locked herself up in a cave and guilt. Heck, if that ain't enough to trash my systems, then I don't know what else is."

To that, Reeve had to silently agree. Had ShinRa and Professor Gast correctly identified Jenova, the whole Sephiroth mess wouldn't have happened. As well the discovery of processing Mako from the Planet's blood even earlier. Yet, at the time, where would they have wound up had not for the obsessions from two highly ambitious men?

Would Cid still have been able to launch Rocket 26 into space like he had always wanted to properly, without any mishaps? Would the SOLDIER program, especially the Turks, had even been created in the first place for display? Would the Wutai/ShinRa war had still occurred and taken away Yuffie's kinsmen? The Midgar Plate might not even had been bought into form, depriving the citizens to sunlight on wanting to outmatch the Junon Fortress. Nibelheim would've never been burnt down to the ground by a man already on the verge of his breaking point. The Corel Desert Prison wouldn't have formed and the Gold Saucer never existed. He could be sitting behind a desk, surrounded with blueprints, pencil shavings, ink, and Sith sleeping nearby. Never went through those painful Mako treatments, conditioning, none of that.

'Then life would be boring,' his Turk side spoke up, long thought buried. 'No challenges... Where's the fun in that?'

"Maybe this wasn't all unexpected..."

Cid glanced at him strangely, eyes peering over his cup.

The younger man looked at the older pilot, eyes sincere.

"Maybe this was as Miss Reiko says, hitsuzen. Necessary for us to keep on living our lives."

"Necessary..."

"Necessary that we give up part of our happiness to let others be happy. Sacrifice a part of our life so to save everybody else." Fingers roughened from training and gripping pens too hard briefly touched a scratched ring, glinting dully in the cafeteria lights. "People aren't able to gain anything without sacrifices. You have to present something of equivalent value to gain something. That, is the principle of any form of equivalent trade."

"Lesser of two evils and equal trade, eh?"

"Would you prefer anything else? Finally seeing space after one mistake or being stuck under an idiot like Palmer? Which necessary evil you would rather live with for the rest of your life?"

There was no love lost between the department heads, especially between Reeve Tuesti and the rest, given their clashing personalities and wants. The only one who would actually support him was Tseng, but only in private and because of the ex-Urban Development head had been a Turk.

At that, Cid winced. "Point taken."

"I don't know what would come to be had none of this happened. All I can say that our lives would be much boring if we hadn't met."

"Crazy words coming from an ex-Turk like yourself. Wallace would probably laugh his gut out and slap your head off..."

"Cid--" Reeve protested.

"...but I ain't in any position myself, considering I used ta be with the Space Program Department," the gruff pilot finished with a conspiratorial wink. "We're all a bunch of morons here, and we'll keep on living as morons who saved an entire planet from a guy whose systems went haywire just because of what someone else considered as sheer genius. Although that's probably one evil I could have live without in this lifetime."

The President of Neo-ShinRa had to chuckle at that behind his mug of caffeine.

x x x x x x x

A delightful squeal rang out from a house surround by flowers that were barely touched by the ravages of Meteo. Only a few patches of growing greens showed where the debris fell, eagerly cleared earlier by those who were neighbors to the bright home in their dreary environment.

"Papa, your whiskers hurt!"

"M'sorry, Marlene." Setting his daughter down, Barett nodded gratefully toward Elmyra. "I owe ya a lot."

Aerith's adopted mother merely nodded, wiping her hands on a towel. "No worries, Barett. I enjoy having some company around the house."

Dark fingers scratched the back of his head as a thoughtful look crossed his face. "Uh... I hate to ask ya of dis but..."

Marlene gave a pout. "You're leaving again, Papa?"

"Sorry, 'lene. Got work to do here but I'll come back, m'kay?"

The young girl frowned, then pointed a finger right at his nose. "Promise me that we visit Big Flower Sis' church when you come back!"

"She would appreciate it," Elmyra added, looking at the picture of her and Aerith, one of happier times.

Eyes accustomed to gunpowder flashes followed, understanding. "Dat's a promise we'll follow."

Surprise on the older woman's face, then a smile speaking of sadness and relief.

"Can we bring some new flowers that we grew?" Marlene chirped, naivety not yet lost despite her surroundings.

'So much like her...' "Where'd ya get 'em?"

"Aerith had brought back some seeds the last time you folks visited and dropped them off here. The two of us had been caring for them ever since you left. I may not have the green thumb she has but they came out quite nicely, if I do say so myself," Elmyra replied, pointing at a vase with blossoms usually found near Rocket Town.

"Yeah! We watered them everyday, talked to them, I even played some music at them!"

"Is dat so?"

While most of clean-up was under MPD and SWAT control, Red had surprisingly suggested that they pitch in as well. A morale boost to the people, had been the words, more or less. The gunman didn't want to spend any more time away from his little girl but Cid had already readily agreed, even with his newborn daughter on mind. Seeing the new father getting into gear, Barett couldn't help but concede as well; it wouldn't be fair to the pilot.

"Uh-huh! So you better promise, Papa!"

"Barett!" The Cosmo Canyon native's voice. "We gotta go!"

"Promise, 'lene. Now, you be good for Elmyra." Giving his daughter one more tight hug, he nodded at the older woman and closed the front door gently.

Red looked at the former leader of AVALANCHE with his one good eye. "Long goodbyes?"

"A promise."

One dark red ear twitched before he settled down on the floor of the truck. "Ah."

"Any plans later?"

"None really at the moment." A thoughtful pause, flaming tail flickering. "Although I have been planning on paying my respects to Grandfather eventually."

"Ideas on how we're gonna live through dis?" the older person spoke uncharacteristically softly.

Quietness, save the sounds as the truck rumbled back toward Sector 2, the driver trying hard not to listen in on their conversation.

"Choose our choices with an open mind and heart," Nanaki replied finally, amber closing. "See with eyes not clouded by hate. There's always more than one way to view a situation. Also, our future is never a straight path, forever many pathways. We must try to decide that future for ourselves and for the next generation. Those words, I believe Grandfather would say the same thing."

Thick fingers rubbed rough stubble, memories replaying.

"'Eyes not clouded by hate...'"

x x x x x x x

"Is there a reason as why I am sitting in the confines of my mind? With a certain being who has done little more than attempt to drive me insane? Along with three more cohorts for nearly the past two years?"

A rumbling snort, hair as long as his tossed aside.

"Really, you should know better than to question my actions."

Vincent's eyebrow twitched, reaching for that part of Zen he usually went into when frustrated over something. Usually being the key word.

"Don't even bother attempting that. Both of us have a bit of discussion ahead."

"'Us'? What of the others?"

A flick of the wrist. "Too noisy."

Crimson eyes glared at the other person until Vincent only shook his head in resignation. "Do enlighten me, Chaos-SENPAI."

Sharp points exposed in a smirk. While AVALANCHE and the Turks were accustomed to the more horrific forms of Vincent's Limit Breaks, they actually had a different form when not called upon. Although all four still retained noticeable markings.

Galian acted like the youngest brother, short purple hair and a red streak his main identification while the rest of him looked like any young adult from Wutai. Or more accurately, like a boy version of Yuffie. While not completely wild, he took Vincent's temper to a different level, sporadically exploding at the slightest insult. Yet, there were times when he was actually insightful and the occasional pieces of paper with unexpected sketches proved there was much more than just the mercurial attitude.

Gigas was the intellectual one, resembling a scholar with a calm air, his nose often buried in books or typing away on a laptop. Where those books and that portable computer came from, the ex-Turk didn't want to know. What really unnerved him was that Gigas looked like a much nicer version of Hojo with blond highlights. At least the 2nd form chose to stick with rectangular glasses, instead of the circular lens the accursed scientist wore.

Masker turned out to remind Vincent more of Sephiroth than anyone else, physically speaking. The bangs in particular were the same white-platinum while the rest of the hair was a dark blue. Mentally speaking, a musician at heart, a philosopher, and somewhat a jack-of-all-trades. Masker nearly found himself incapacitated when he met with Vincent the first time. The former Turk didn't know whether he should be afraid that the chainsaw-wielding Limit form happened to act as the supportive brother, often giving advice.

While those three SEEMED normal in his perspective, then this particular guy bordered the thin line of sanity and insanity.

Now, Chaos was quite the enigma. Both he and Vincent often fought for control over the body after their visit to Lucrecia's waterfall. Technically speaking, three of the four demons would prefer to drive their poor host crazy with incessant talking, Gigas the worst.

As for Chaos, he only spoke when he had something to say, further giving Vincent headaches over riddles and old adages. A darker reflection of the half-Wutaian, carmine mixing with coal in sharp streaks, held up in a high ponytail. Glowing blood eyes that always appeared as if he was five steps ahead of you. If one was to describe the winged demon, he would be the oldest sibling who showed his emotions the most unexpected ways.

The taller form shook a long, tapered finger. "Tsk tsk, really, you should respect your elders, KOUHAI."

Glaring.

A mock sigh. "The old silent treatment again. Very well, I'll say this much: you'll be a tutor sometime in the future."

Dagger crimson, then surprised blinking. "Come again?"

"You heard me correct the first time, KOUHAI. You," a sharp digit pointed at Vincent, "will be teaching the two halflings."

"Why?"

Dark chuckling, not of hidden plans but of genuine mirth. "Other than another halfling of years ago, you're the closest to their situation."

"Another halfling... You were there back then?" Slight awe.

Chaos merely shrugged. "Old news. I had refused to let go of something and this was the result."

"...I'll ask another time. Back on the subject, why pick me? Why not their father?"

"Ah, the billion gil question. Why not their old man? Mainly because he's already stressing out himself enough. Even a being such as he have a breaking limit. He can only teach those two properly when the halflings are in his world. Here, you have the advantage of training them on control."

"Their world..." Elena had mentioned about researching the history, Yuffie going through scrolls of legends and myths lost throughout the centuries.

"One that more or less reflects the soul, after many millennia. Originally, no less different than where you and your little companions live but given time, it was bound to change. Should a human enter that place, they may survive only if an escort is with him or her. A human is like an insect to even the weakest of them."

"And if Reno and Cloud were to enter?"

Another smirk. "Considering half of their blood is of his, they will appear as they did so once. No switching between forms."

"What?"

"As I said, that place reflects one's soul. Had the halflings stepped into that dimension without their unsealing, they'd appear only as human. Now, they run a nasty chance of loosing control unless you assist in their lessons."

Vincent stayed silent, meditating on the words. Chaos gave his host the space, looking out the window that showed an image of a dreary Nibelheim from thirty years ago.

"Why are you helping?"

Crimson/amber glittered, a hint of weariness. "Personal reasons that you MAY find out, should you learn your patience."

That, Valentine bowed lowly before fading from the mindscape back to the waking world.

"It never goes away, does it, nii-san?"

Chaos looked over at Gigas, then back out the window.

"No, it never does."

'Little Luce... My greatest regrets...'

x x x x x x x

Standing in front of the statue, apprehension couldn't even describe how he and his sibling were feeling at the moment. Anxiety and fear paled in comparison and shamefully hid their faces from the excitement and curiosity that was bouncing about like a Turk on a caffeine rush.

"Do you really have to leave?"

Glowing aquamarine locked on with lavender. Not fully recovered but she still insisted on coming with him. A little tug on his heart and this time, Reno allowed it.

"Sorry, Yuffs. Don't want to throw another tantrum and later have your old man after my butt with the bill. Or Reeve."

Yuffie smiled weakly, gently tugging the earring she had given him. "Try not to piss off anybody."

"No promises." Light reflecting off the ear ornament matched her ring in warmth.

A little ways, the Nibelheim duo were having their time.

"How long?" Tifa spoke softly, not wanting to let go.

Cloud was also reluctant to leave. "No idea, maybe one month or more. Depends on how fast we learn to control."

Sighing, she nodded and then placed something in his hand. "Here. I've been wanting to give you this but never got the opportunity with everything."

Opening his fingers, the blonde saw it was a mythril earring of a wolf's head biting a ring. Luminous azure looked back up in surprise as he replaced his old one with the new accessory.

A loud whooshing sound interrupted anymore words between the two pairs and catching their undivided attention. What could be described as a column of mercury or water shot out horizontally before returning back into a encircled puddle roughly 20 feet in diameter. Beams of light rippled out, similar to how one would look up from under the waters off Costa, except silvery-blue instead of a clear blue. The coal/navy ring surrounding the puddle had nine red stones spaced evenly, their glow almost unnoticeable from the brightness.

Directing one more glance, Leviathan merely nodded his head before withdrawing in rising water. Thau gazed at the circle for several minutes, then directed a gaze toward his sons.

"Breath out before you step through." He hesitated. "I'll be on the other side."

With that, Thau went through the liquid-like material as if walking through a waterfall.

One more lingering glance from both siblings at the two women. As they disappeared through the silvery fluid, the light winked out and the large band ebbed away, the carmine jewels the last to fade.


A/N: Yes, the Stargate from Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. Don't ask. The wolf earring Cloud wears from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, yes.

Tuesti as Reeve's surname is courtesy of Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus's main OFFICIAL Square-Japan site.

The human representations of Vincent's Limit Breaks were mainly because I had kinda gotten tired with them being portrayed as literal monsters. Why not figuratively? Oh, "senpai" means "one's senior" while "kouhai" means "one's junior" in Japanese, used often in middle/high school and work places for respect. -grins- Vincent and Chaos don't really have much respect for each other, don't they?

Usage of having Marlene call Aerith as "Big Flower Sis" is a translation of "ohana-onee-chan", aka "flower girl" in the ending FMVs. "Hana" being "flower" and "onee-chan" being "big sis." "O" used before some words is something of a formality for some female speakers, if I remember correctly. Example may be an older woman saying "osakana" than a younger woman using "sakana" when talking about "fish." I know that a literal translation would've been "Flower Big Sis" but that didn't sound right, so I'm going more of a feel than by grammar. Not exactly the Hawaiian "ohana" but I suppose it coincides, given its concept of a sense of family that extends beyond just blood ties.

"Equivalent trade" bits from Full Metal Alchemist and xXxHolic. Red's lines courtesy of Mononoke Hime (Princess Monoke) from Hayao Miyazaki, Ghost in the Shell (Koukaku Kidoutai) from Shirow Masamune and Mamoru Oshii, and Akira from Katsuhiro Otoumo.