Chapter 15

The Hitomi Part 1

Kadaj and Kali walked slowly towards the large building. They could see dozens of people filing in, each person wearing formal dresses or suits. They crouched behind a large boulder a good distance away from the entrance and watched the place where Rude was waiting with the bikes silently. They flashed each other large smiles and pulled their hoods over their heads as Rude flashed the headlights twice. They came out from behind the rock and approached the building, their plan and Rude's information running through their minds.

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"Rude, who were they? Who were those people?" Kali asked as Rude drank a bottle of water slowly. He sighed.

"They are the Phonet squad. They're the assassins and kidnappers of a group called the Hitomi. Their leader is trying to restore the Turks and her family to power."

"Her family?" Kadaj repeated. Rude nodded.

"You of all people should know the name," he whispered. When Kadaj didn't answer, Rude continued. "Her name is Valda Shinra. Her father was Rufus Shinra."

"But how?" Kadaj shook his head after a moment's shock. "Rufus died when we brought father back. He was too young to have a kid old enough to lead a group like the Turks."

"No, he wasn't too young. Just because he wasn't recognized as an adult when he got Scarlet pregnant, it doesn't mean it was impossible for him to do it."

"So Shinra has risen again, it seems," Kali muttered.

"Valda is still young. She was born four years before the Meteor crisis. She and Scarlet fled Midgar before Rufus used the cannon and nearly killed himself. I'm amazed he lived. We didn't find him for several days."

"But what of this Hitomi group?" Kali pressed. Rude laughed weakly.

"Sorry. My memory gets the better of me sometimes. Valda has five divisions of workers. There are the Phonet, who I've already explained. She has four advisors at her disposal. Two of them are old and they pass their knowledge down to the two younger ones. Two guards are always by her side, two people are always on the move to spy on her enemies, and she has two scientists that are busy working on a very special project."

"One of the scientists is our cousin," Kadaj said quietly. He looked to the ground.

"What's this project they're working on?" Kali asked.

"I don't know. They keep it very under wraps. All I know is that it involves a woman they call The Hitomi. That is how they got the name. They believe she holds the key to something."

"We need to get Reno, Cid, and Yuffie back. Do you know where they're stationed?" Kali inquired. Rude smiled.

"Of course. What kind of ex-Turk would I be if I didn't know?"

"Where?" Kadaj pressured.

"To the north of this city, a new one has been constructed."

"Ath Midgar," Kadaj nodded.

"Yes. It's a new town modeled after what this looked like before Meteor hit, minus the Mako reactors, of course. I hear that they're having a party in three days, give or take. I think I have an idea to get our friends back…"

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The two siblings moved slowly. When they were within sight of the guards, Kali bent over slightly and held her large stomach while Kadaj pretended to help her stand, his arm around her shoulders and a hand on her arm. Kali began to moan and breath heavily as they came up.

"Please! Guards!" Kadaj yelled. They stood alert and ready. "Please, is there a doctor here? My wife is in labor. We need one right away, the baby's coming at any moment."

"Ah," Kali moaned. Kadaj began to panic, the sound was so realistic, but he held firm.

"Please, may we enter?"

"Yes, yes, of course," said the largest guard. "Come in, come in. Through the entrance hall and up the stairs on the right is the hospital wing. Please, try to keep it down. The President is giving a party tonight and she does not wish for anything to go wrong."

"Thank you so very much," Kadaj smiled. Kali pretended to have trouble walking, but this proved to be too convincing.

"Allow me to help," the other guard offered. He held Kali's other arm.

"No, I think we can manage, thank you," Kadaj insisted nervously. The guard shook his head as they walked in.

"My own wife had our little one last month. I know what it's like. There's no way I can let you go it alone. Besides, you need someone to tell the docs. They're both at the party."

The three of them walked in silently except for Kali, who was still trying in vain to keep up the charade. As they stopped at the foot of the stairs, Kadaj whispered in Kali's ear.

"I think we need another plan."

"I got one," she muttered. Without warning, she threw the man off of her arm and kicked him in the face. He was out before hitting the ground. Kadaj stared at his sister.

"Nice," he smiled as Kali pulled the blanket she had stuffed under her cloak out and, after tearing it, gagged the guards mouth and tied his hands and feet.

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"Thanks for the dress, Rude," Kali smiled when she was done changing. She spun in front of the mirror. "It's beautiful. I'll pay you back sometime."

"No. This is my gift to you," he insisted. Kadaj came out, his tie holding his hands against his throat.

"Hey, Rude? A little help would be nice."

"Your father never took you to formal occasions, did he?" Rude asked as he tied the tie for Kadaj.

"He took me plenty of places. He just never made me wear a tie."

"Why not?" Kali asked.

"Probably because he didn't know how to tie one, either," Kadaj said simply. They all looked at each other and cracked up at the thought of a man as powerful as Sephiroth not being able to perform a task nearly any other man could.

"You two know the plan, right?" Rude gasped when he stopped laughing. He paused a moment to wipe his tear-filled eyes.

"We cover our features…" Kadaj began.

"I act pregnant…" Kali continued.

"We go in and take off our disguises…" Kadaj added.

"And we casually find our way to the dungeons," Kali finished.

"And wait for my signal when the guests are all inside," Rude reminded them. They nodded and left the small shop. "Valda knows who I am. I can't help you anymore than I have. I'll wait outside with the bikes. You know Kali," he added, "you drove pretty well."

"Thanks. We should go, shouldn't we?"

"Good luck," Rude smiled. When they were outside the building, he watched as they walked off and waited for the guests to leave.

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"Reno, you okay?" Yuffie whispered. She held him close and rubbed his back. "You've been out for two days."

"Yeah. I'm fine. How about you?" he muttered as he slowly woke up. She smiled and kissed him gently. Cid was leaning against the wall and staring up at the stars through the small window of the cell.

"You think they got Rude, Kadaj, and Kali?"

"Probably not. I would think they'd be here if they got them, too," Yuffie said. Their door opened as she spoke and a young woman in a white trench coat and blonde hair entered. Two guards, a man and a woman, followed and closed the door behind them. Reno stared at the man with the shaved head for a moment before the woman in white spoke.

"Reno," she smiled. "So good to see you again. You probably don't recognize me."

"How could I forget you, Valda Shinra?" he muttered. Yuffie furrowed her brow and stared at the two of them.

"Rufus was the last Shinra," she whispered. Valda shook her head.

"The last legal one. I was illegitimately born to him and Scarlet. I apologize for leaving you here these past two days, but I have been rather busy with preparations for my party. Now, I want to know, who is the silver-haired girl?"

"Why should we tell you?" Cid growled. He walked up to her and drew himself up to his full height, a full foot taller then her.

"Bao," she nodded to the man next to her. He stepped forward and looked Cid in the eye. The next moment, Cid's eyes were shut tight and he was struggling to keep from screaming. He glanced down to find the guard grabbing him between the legs. He let go and Cid knelt to the floor in pain. "Now, let's try this again."

"Why is it so important that we tell you?" Yuffie asked. Valda smiled.

"That is for me to know and you to find out. Who is she?" Valda said. Bao and the other guard shifted nervously. They could tell that she was becoming agitated.

"She's Sephiroth's daughter," Reno said quietly. Yuffie punched his arm.

"Reno!" Yuffie hissed.

"So she is his child. Why are you helping her and Kadaj?"

"I'm not telling you, bitch," Reno muttered. The female guard walked up and backhanded him, bringing forth a painful scream. Valda pulled her back as Yuffie held him tightly and kissed the injury.

"Buh Pe-i-en…" she muttered. The three captives furrowed their brows and stared at her.

"That's enough, Zan," Valda commanded before turning to the trio before her. "You see, my guards go with me wherever I go. They are the only ones other than myself to know every single thing that goes on among the Hitomi. To prevent their telling anyone our secrets, whether they say it voluntarily or through torture, my guards have had their tongues cut out."

As she spoke, the two guards opened their mouths and showed off the stubs of their tongues in the backs of their mouths. Yuffie covered her own mouth and looked away. Reno closed his eyes while Cid looked to the ground.

"What do you want with us?" Yuffie finally whispered.

"I want you to help us to capture Rude, Kadaj, and the girl. We might need them to help us with The Hitomi."

"The Hitomi? Isn't that your group?" Cid said after regaining his breath.

"No. There is the Hitomi, which is the organization itself. Then there is The Hitomi. She is a woman who holds very special powers," Valda explained. Before she could go further, there was a knock on the door. Bao opened it and a young woman with short, black hair wearing a violet dress walked through and bowed.

"President Shinra, the party is ready to begin with your arrival. The Hitomi has made her presence," she said.

"Thank you, Ragna," the president nodded. "You will stay here until the end of the party. Then I will decide what to do with you."

And with that, Valda Shinra, Bao, Zan, and Ragna left them, nobody noticing the two flashes of light across the field and the two shadows stealing across.

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The two of them took off their cloaks and dragged them and the guard into a nearby closet. They stared at each other. Kadaj was wearing a black suit and tie. Kali was wearing a long black dress with high-heels to match. The dress was sleeveless and when she spun, the bottom twirled and fanned out. Kadaj was finding it hard to take his eyes off of her.

"You look great," he whispered.

"Kadaj, I'm your sister. We have a job. Let's get going," she smiled.

She and Kadaj held hands and walked into the main hall where they found at least one hundred people dancing or mingling with the other guests. Kadaj began walking one way, but suddenly turned and walked in the other direction.

"What's wrong?" Kali asked.

"Alim. I don't think it will be in our best interests to run into him right now."

"Kadaj, watch where you're going," Kali muttered. He was glancing over his shoulder to make sure Alim hadn't seen them. Kadaj yelled when he ran into someone.

"Hey," he snapped, turning away from the person.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were there," said a silvery voice. The woman reached a hand out and moved it around before finding his arm and holding it apologetically.

"Huh?" Kadaj sighed when he turned to look at her.

Her brown hair was down to her shoulders, ("Kadaj?") but she had a long braid down to her knees. Her light green eyes seemed to glow with an inner flame. She wore a light blue dress that stopped just above her knees. From the knees ("Kadaj.") down, she wore white stockings and brown boots. The sash around her waist was deep, deep blue, and in her right ("Kadaj.") hand, she held a staff that was about her height. On the head was a large, black, upside-down tear-shaped gem, and hanging from leather lace that was wrapped around the top were two orbs, one white, and one black. She was a beautiful young woman.

"Are you okay?" she asked. Kadaj frowned slightly. He was hit with realization at the way she hadn't noticed Kali, she was looking towards but not at him, and the way she held the staff.

"You're blind," he said without thinking. She nodded slowly.

"I am sorry," she said again. Kadaj shook his head and took her hand, ignoring the tugs on his jacket.

"No, it was my fault. I was paying no attention to where I was going," he said gently. He kissed her hand before letting go. She blushed.

"You are quite a ("Kadaj!") gentleman. What is your name?"

"Ka-" he hesitated and said quietly, "Kadaj"

"You are Sephiroth's son, are you not?" she gasped quietly.

"Yes, I am, but please, do not tell anyone that I am here. What is your name, miss?"

"Sachiko Kiyoko," she said quietly. "And might I say, I am in awe to meet you."

"Kadaj!" Kali snapped as she hit him in the head. He moaned.

"Who was that?"

"My little sister, Kali."

"I didn't know he had a daughter," Sachiko whispered. She held out a hand, which Kali look nervously. "A pleasure."

"Same to you. Kadaj, I think we should… you know…"

"In a minute," he whispered before turning to the woman. "I didn't know about her until just a few days ago myself," he explained. The orchestra, which had been taking a break, began to play again.

"Hmm," Sachiko smiled and closed her eyes. "I just love music. I always want to dance."

"Then…" Kadaj swallowed and took her hand, "might I have this one?"

"I would like that," Sachiko smiled as he led her away.

"Kadaj!" Kali snapped. He turned and spoke calmly, but strictly and agitatedly.

"There's time for one dance," he said.

Kali watched as the two of them walked into the crowd. A sense of fury rose in her as she watched Kadaj lay one hand on her waist and take the hand that held the staff in his free one, her other going to his shoulder while they both smiled. Kali waited another moment, hands held to her chest, to see if he would come back. She let her hands drop and stared at them. With a sigh and last look, Kali turned and began to walk around the room, trying to find the dungeons. She bumped into somebody while she explored.

"Pardon-" the man muttered. He and Kali stared at each other. "You're that girl."

"Huh?" she gasped. The man had green eyes behind a pair of glasses and black hair with silver highlights and tips. Kali began to walk away, but he grabbed her arm and began pulling her.

"I'm taking you to the dungeon. President Shinra will be most pleased," he muttered.

"Alim, let me go," she hissed. He turned to face her.

"You know my name."

"You are my father's cousin. I had better know who you are," Kali said calmly. She was becoming angry. "Now, take me to the dungeons, but let me go."

"And the point in that would be?" he inquired. Alim continued to drag her.

"I'm here for one reason, and being dragged to the dungeons like this is not it. Let go of me," Kali snapped. Alim refused to listen. He stopped outside of the ballroom.

"Look," he said quietly. He released Kali's wrist and faced her. "You're my cousin's kid, right?"

"Yeah," Kali said slowly.

"I don't agree with what he did twenty years ago, or even with what my uncle did to put Sephiroth on the Planet. I want you to get that straight right now. But I looked up to them before they turned sour. I'll give you ten minutes before I tell Valda that you're here. The dungeons are through that door," he said, pointing to a heavy wooden door down and across the hall. "Your friends are all in one cell. Be careful. It's crawling with guards down there, and even more will follow when I tell her. Make haste if you don't want to fight."

"Thank you, Alim," Kali whispered.

"Just tell me your name," he said quietly. She told him. "Kali is a very pretty name. Now go."

Kali ran down the hall as Alim walked back into the party. She opened the door slowly and quietly. After taking two steps down the long, stone stairwell, she winced and looked down at her heels. The shoes were making loud tapping noises against the stone. She silently took them off and stuck them in a corner. Silently, she continued to walk down into the darkness. With a sinking feeling, she remembered what Vincent had told her before his death.

There tend to be bats in old basements. One tends to get bitten by a true vampire when he's around that many bloodsuckers… You're blood is sweet with virginity. I don't want you to be bitten… Keep as much of your body covered as possible, his voice reverberated through her mind. Kali held back a sob at the thought of her deceased friend. She glanced at her dress and sighed, realizing that her neck, shoulders, much of her chest, her back, and her arms were exposed.

Her bare feet padded against the floor lightly as she walked off of the steps. There were a dozen corridors leading off of this hall. No sooner had she left then a guard walked past her. He glared at her.

"Hey, you aren't supposed to- AH!" he gasped as Kali stuck Masamune through his chest. She trembled as she pulled it out and watched him fall dead to the ground. As she recovered from the shock, five more guards came out from around the corner. They saw the mess she had made and readied their swords and spears. Kali gripped Masamune tightly and held it above her head, poised to strike at the first to come for her.

"If you want me, come and get me."

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"Sachiko, you're a very good dancer," Kadaj smiled. She laughed lightly. They were standing fairly out of the way and close to the doors to the entrance hall.

"I could say the same to you," she grinned back. Kadaj stared into her face.

"You are very pretty. How old are you, if it's not too personal?"

"Twenty-two. Why do you ask?"

"You seem so young, and yet, you seem to act far more mature and adult. You seem to be a wise woman."

"I have learned much in my lifetime. Mostly, I have been learning what I might do to fulfill my wish to find my parents."

"You don't know them?" Kadaj said quietly. She shook her head.

"No. I was only a few months old when I was sent to an orphanage. I have no idea who my parents are, but I heard that they both died in the Meteor crisis. Or rather, in the events leading up to it."

"I believe our parents met the same fates. My father was killed because of his association with Meteor and I'm sure my mother was in Midgar when it hit."

"What are you doing here?" Sachiko asked.

"Kali and I are looking for our friends. Have you seen anyone brought here recently?"

"Yes," she nodded. "The Phonet group brought a woman and two men here two days ago."

"Do you know where they are?"

"The dungeons."

"I should look soon. What is your reason for being here?" Kadaj inquired. Before she could speak, Valda stood at a podium on the far side of the room and spoke.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please," she called. The music stopped and the people turned to her. "Please, do not panic when you hear what I am about to tell you. Please, look around to your neighbors and others around you. I have a very important announcement. Ladies and gentlemen," she paused and scanned the crowd. Alim nodded for her to continue. "I have just been informed that we have had a terrible security breach. We have learned in the past few days that Sephiroth had both a son and a daughter."

Kadaj stiffened at this. The guests began murmuring to themselves.

"What's wrong? I sense that you are tense," Sachiko whispered, laying a hand on his arm. Kadaj was unable to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have just been informed that both Kadaj and Kali, children of Sephiroth, are among us tonight. She was seen going to the dungeons only ten minutes ago," Valda said to the suddenly quiet crowd. A woman screamed as the guests began running around in a panic. Bao and Zan pulled out guns and fired them into the high ceiling to silence the group. They stood still and silent while Kadaj began to casually back out of the room. Sachiko stood in front of him to block him from sight. "Please, look around and point us to the son of our past tormentor."

"There he is!" rang a voice near Kadaj. In a flash, he was pulling Sachiko behind him and drawing his blade. The guests began trying to close in on him, but he slashed the head off of the man who yelled, so the others were hesitant about approaching.

"President, he has The Hitomi with him!" the woman in the grey dress yelled. She and Alim began to run after the two people.

"Skylar and I will get her!" Alim called over his shoulder. They pulled two small pistols from their jackets and made their way through the crowd.

"Kadaj, please, don't let them take me back!" Sachiko yelled to him. He glanced at her.

"You're The Hitomi?" he gasped. At her nod, he held his sword steady and readied himself for the onslaught. "Find my sister and get her and our friends out. I won't let them take you."

"Kadaj, I know where your friends are. Come with me," she snapped.

Before he objected, Sachiko grabbed his jacket and took off down the hall, her one hand swinging her staff left and right to avoid running into anything. She stopped in front of the door and shoved it open. Kadaj followed her in and snapped it closed. In a flash, Sachiko found a piece of wood and Kadaj jammed it under the handle. He noticed two black objects in the shadows. He picked up his sister's shoes.

"Kali's been here. Where to?" Kadaj asked as they went down the stairs.

"We have to take one of the corridors that go to the right from the main one. I think it's the third corridor."

"You're sure?"

"Pretty," she said as they stepped off. She knocked her staff against something on the floor and heard a light splash as she walked. "What is this?" she wondered aloud. She knelt and felt the body before her, and screamed when she found what it was.

"Kali… oh my god, how could she do this…" Kadaj gasped.

The guard's head was hanging halfway off of his neck. He surveyed the other bodies. Some guards only had large gashes across their stomachs, but others were far worse. Kadaj noticed one with his arms cut off and his own spear through his chest. Another had his head split down the middle, and yet it was still on the neck. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm his sickened stomach. He was unsure what had happened to every single one of them, but he knew that they were all dead, and surely there was worse farther along. When he opened them, Sachiko was standing next to him and crying.

"She defended herself. There was nothing else to do," she said quietly. She took Kadaj's hand and carefully picked her way through the carnage.

"I hope we find her soon," Kadaj sighed.

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NM: Okay, nothing much to say. Oh, did everyone like the trailer? Sephy-chan! Anyway, reviews:

Sayahiei: Hehehe… street sweeper sephy… and I don't think you'll like this girl…

Merielle: SEPHY'S BACK! YEA! As for the sword descriptions, I have a fake katana and was working with that to get the moves right. Plus, I needed something to fill in the chapter a little so I could put the party stuff in this one. I only know Japanese from anime club and the names I've gotten from behindthename dot com. Very good site for names.

NM: Nothing much else to say. Except you're going to hate me in a few chapters cuz of Sachiko if you don't know why yet…

REVIEW!

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