Sephiroth awoke to find Aeris sleeping in his arms, something which would have startled him had he not woken to the same beautiful face for the past two weeks. How lucky he was to have her, he thought. After all that he had done in his life, the only punishments he had received were numerous deaths and the hatred he had shown himself. Far greater were the punishments put upon Aeris, for no reason at all.
No, perhaps there was a reason. The world punished her because it was easy to do so. It was easy to take advantage of her willingness to help others, and her strength made it easy to fool oneself into thinking that she could take anything, survive any blow to her heart.
If only he had known what the Promised Land was really like; he might not have killed her then.
But then she would have belonged to Cloud, and he would have died again in trying to atone or let Hojo have his way with him. Or would she still have tried to help him?
If she was here with him now, what did it matter? One could not change the past, so what use was there in wondering what would have happened if things had gone differently, if one small catastrophe had been averted? It was his regret tugging at him, he knew. The guilt remained as strong as ever because he had caused those he loved such suffering.
Talya had known quite well what a torture it was to have these kinds of memories, and she had accepted death to be free of them. He had respected that wish. Better that he take the blow of her death than force her to live on with the pain of her memories, although a part of him wondered if perhaps she could have recovered had she lived.
Sephiroth shook his head slightly. He had other things to consider. Like Tseng, he reminded himself reluctantly. He did not want to have to tell Elena that it could not be done.
And he recalled Ira, the unfortunate gatekeeper whose death had been for an elaborate illusion that had fooled no one. Did he dare hope that Ira's death, too, could be atoned for?
Quit stalling and find out, he snapped at himself.
Closing his eyes, he retreated into himself as Aeris had taught him, searching for that part of his soul that he shared with the Planet.
"Planet?" he queried in a whisper, not daring to wake the angel in his arms.
Yes? it answered, its voice sounding nearly as faint as his own. He could not hear it nearly as well as Aeris, but at least he could hear it.
"I need to ask you about Tseng and Ira. About reviving them."
You would need some help from me to do it, and I cannot spare enough energy for the both of them. Is reviving Tseng not enough?
Sephiroth frowned. "Ira was a good man. He did not deserve to die."
The Planet sent its equivalent of a reassuring smile. When I told him that after I was finished healing myself and you, I might not have enough energy to allow for one resurrection, much less two, he told me he would rather it be Tseng. Ira said that his death had meant something, while Tseng's had not. Besides, he told me, there was no one waiting for him as Elena awaits Tseng.
"I see..." He faltered. "I am sorry to have to ask so much of you."
I do not mind. Aeris is happy now, is she not? That makes me happy, too. And you have done much for me anyway. Do you know what it is like to have a wound left open for two thousand years?
"No, Planet, I don't," Sephiroth chuckled. "I have not lived for two thousand years."
But you have had open wounds. I think you still do.
"Oh? I am surprised you noticed."
Of course I noticed. Your tears seemed like my cries.
"You remember that, do you?" he asked, looking down at Aeris thoughtfully.
Yes. I watch my children, and I know them as well as I can. Do not have many left, only you and Aeris, and your mother, though she does not know it, and that makes me sad, just a little.
"I'll tell her then. Aeris can teach her to listen, and you will have the three of us."
And more, later...?
Gods, even the Planet...! He laughed softly. "Perhaps, Planet. I think Aeris would like that."
You think it silly of me, but you and Aeris are my only friends. Sometimes Ifalna will talk to me, and a few of the others. But most prefer silence in their minds, probably because for so long I have been in such pain. Only Aeris and that human--Bugenhagen--would listen to my cries.
"It must be so frustrating to know so many and have so few listen," he mused.
You understand that, too?
"A bit, perhaps."
It is nice to be able to speak to you. And not just about important matters either. Aeris only talks when she needs me...
"Really? I thought you were much closer. She missed you."
Did she?
"Yes. I am surprised she does not talk to you more often."
"Mm... Seph...?" Aeris mumbled, lifting her head to look up at him.
I will have to bother her often then. If you think she will not mind.
"Good morning," he said to Aeris, then replied softly to the Planet, "I don't think she'll mind."
Ah, you two bring me such joy. But I will leave you alone now.
Aeris blinked at him sleepily. "What are you talking about?"
"I was talking to the Planet," Sephiroth explained.
"About Tseng?" she asked, lifting a hand to rub her eyes in an attempt to wake herself.
"Among other things, yes. It said that Tseng could be revived."
She smiled, resting her head back against his chest. "I'm sure Elena will be happy... Actually, with how she reacted last night, she'll probably tackle whoever tells her."
"Probably."
"Do you want me to tell her then?"
"No; she might knock you over, and I don't want you hurting yourself."
Aeris laughed. "My Sephiroth, guarding me from such dangerous things as overjoyed ex-Turks."
"Something like that."
"What time is it anyway?"
"Ah... nearly eleven, I believe," he answered.
She pushed herself up to sit beside him, the blanket falling to her waist. "We should be getting up. We told Elena we'd check with her this morning."
"Yes, we did." Sephiroth sat up, turning away from her and sliding his bare feet to the floor. After a moment, he stood and went to retrieve the shirt that Yuffie had bought him.
Behind him, he heard Aeris pulling her nightgown up over her head, and he contemplated turning around. He had not yet seen her naked, and he was not sure either of them was ready for it. In many ways they were close, but physical closeness was foreign to him, and he decided that he would rather take it slowly. So he waited until he could no longer hear the rustle of fabric before he allowed himself to look.
Aeris had sat down on the edge of the bed to work through the tangles in her hair with a brush. She wore a light denim dress that she had borrowed from Tifa, as most of her clothing was too heavy for Costa del Sol's climate, where even the winters were warm.
Sephiroth stood watching her, tying his own hair back into a long silver ponytail. It had been a long time since he had done anything with it, he considered, and perhaps it was time for a change.
Aeris stood up, tying her own hair back with a pink ribbon, slipped her feet into a pair of flip-flops, and turned to face him with a smile. "Shall we?"
He nodded, and together they made their way from the villa to the inn where Elena was waiting for them in the shade of the awning. She straightened when she saw them, a tentative grin coming to her face. "Hey," she greeted.
"Morning, Elena," Aeris replied.
The blond shifted anxiously. "So?"
Sephiroth glanced at Aeris, then said, "The Planet says that Tseng can be revived."
Elena's eyes widened, and her grin became genuine. "Really? When?"
He held up his hands. "Tomorrow, I suppose."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around Sephiroth in a fierce hug while Aeris looked on in amusement. "Thank you, thank you, thank you...!"
The swordsman shifted uncomfortably, not returning the embrace but not pushing her away. He wondered if she remembered that he was the one who had killed Tseng to begin with.
Finally she pulled back, looking sheepish, and straightened some imaginary wrinkles in her shirt. "I'm coming with you. When will we be leaving tomorrow?"
"Come over as soon as you get up," Aeris told her. "Just barge right in and wake us if we're not up already."
Elena nodded, beaming. "Imagine, I'm going to see Tseng again! Oh, but I wonder what he'll say? I've spent so long thinking about him, and I don't even know if he likes me back."
"He does," Sephiroth stated, smiling faintly as the two women blinked at him in surprise. "He told me so, after the trial."
"Really? He does? Oh, gods, I can't wait to see him! Tomorrow, only one more day. Only one more. Oh! I have to go tell Reno and Rude and Reeve and... Oh, right! And I'll tell Reeve you're here. It's almost lunch time, isn't it? Right, yes, it's almost lunch time." And then she dashed off inside.
"I'm glad we can bring her certainty like this," Aeris said. "The waiting must have been awful for her."
Sephiroth put an arm around her and pulled her close, saying nothing; no words were needed.
Reeve emerged from the inn some minutes later, smiling when he saw them. "It's really great news," he said. "I can't remember ever seeing Elena so ecstatic."
"I know," Aeris replied, carefully slipping out of Sephiroth's embrace. "Well. It's a little after eleven, right? Where's this restaurant you told me about?"
"It's not far. Easily walkable." Reeve glanced at the swordsman. "You don't mind, do you? I know I asked before, but... she's obviously yours, and..."
"I don't mind. If she made you a promise, she should keep it."
Aeris smiled at him. "I'll see you later, Seph."
"All right."
She waved, then turned to walk along at Reeve's side.
Sephiroth watched them go, then returned to the villa, sitting down on the steps outside and leaning forward, his arms across his knees. He had a clear view of the beach from here, between the two buildings across the street. The tide was receding, and a fair number of people lay about in various positions of relaxation while a somewhat smaller number splashed about in the water.
The sunshine was bright on the ocean, and the crests of the waves glittered. The sand looked nearly white, and the buildings were not much less brilliant. It was the first time that such brightness had ever bothered him, but he did not let it show and kept his gaze on the water.
"Hey, Seph," Katrina called, attracting his attention. She had come down the street in a bathing suit, towel, and flip-flops, on her way to the beach, and now she came to stand below him, one arm resting on the side of the step.
"Hello," he replied.
"Where's Aeris?" she asked.
"Reeve took her out to lunch."
"Reeve did?"
He nodded. "Apparently, they made a deal some years ago. I don't know what his end was, but she agreed to give him one date. She certainly keeps her promises, no matter how long it takes."
Katrina smiled. "You keep yours, too. You promised Aeris you'd come back, and lo and behold, you came back. And from the dead at that."
Sephiroth shook his head. "I could not have kept that promise without Aeris and the Planet to help me. I owe them both so much... I owe a lot to everyone, really."
"You're making up for it. And fast, too."
"By the way..." he began awkwardly, "I always meant to thank you."
"What for?" Katrina asked, caught off-guard.
"For standing up for me in the beginning, when I could not defend myself," he went on, not dropping his gaze as he might have weeks--years--ago. "Even though I hardly paid you any attention."
She spread her hands wide. "What are friends for?"
"Did you really consider yourself my friend then?"
"Sure. You looked like you needed one."
"Thank you, then, for being one of the first to notice that."
She shrugged it off. "Think nothing of it. Besides, you saved my life when I first met you, and that kinda thing tends to make guys really attractive to girls."
He raised an eyebrow; he had not thought her to be interested in that way.
"I mean, not... romantically," she faltered. "Well, okay, it can seem kind of romantic, but it wasn't like that to me. I meant more attractive as a friend. More trustworthy."
"Of course," he said. "But why isn't the opposite true?"
"Huh? Oh... It usually is, but Aeris is a special case, blessed with infinite understanding and kindness... or something."
"Not quite infinite," Sephiroth amended. "But close enough."
Katrina nodded. "So... Do you wanna come down to the beach with us?"
"'Us'?" he queried.
She glanced back over her shoulder. "Um... Delphine's coming... Ah! There she is."
And sure enough, Delphine was coming down the street, and she quickened her pace when she noticed Sephiroth. She, too, had prepared herself for the beach, donning a swimsuit and a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun out of her eyes. It seemed to be working some, for she did not squint as much as Katrina.
"Hi," she said to Sephiroth with some uncertainty.
"Hello," he replied.
The girl looked around. "...where's Aeris?"
The swordsman laughed softly. "Have we truly become that inseparable? She's having lunch with Reeve."
"We just figured she'd want to be with you constantly now that you're back," Katrina explained.
"She has been with me constantly," Sephiroth said. "But there are some things that she must do without me."
"Anyway, do you want to hang out with us until Aeris comes back for you?"
He hesitated, then hopped over the side of the stairs to land in the street between the two girls. "All right."
"We were gonna try building a sand castle," Katrina began as they started towards the beach, "but... well..."
"Aeris always said he was good at everything," Delphine cut in. "So, Sephiroth, maybe you can help us out. Are you any good at building sand castles?"
"I wouldn't know," he replied.
"But everybody builds them when they go to beaches!" she declared, though obviously she knew it seemed ridiculous for him to have taken part in such a childish activity. "It's not like you haven't been to a beach before, so what did you do when you went?"
"Deployed armies," he deadpanned.
"Oh."
Katrina glanced over at him. "You're kidding, right, Seph?"
The swordsman shook his head. "No. Wutai has numerous beaches, and many battles have been fought upon them."
"Huh. Well, you'll have plenty of good memories to associate with beaches after this week."
"I already have some," he admitted.
"Oh?" Delphine wondered.
Sephiroth glanced at her. "They are mine and mine alone. Not for sharing."
"Ohhh..."
Katrina sighed, giving her friend a tug on the arm. "You've spent way too much time around Reno."
The Knowlespole's winds were even more unforgiving than those of the City of the Ancients. They carried with them tiny flakes of ice that stung bare skin and a cold that penetrated to the bone. Those same winds whipped his hair about, pulling long strands loose from their restraining ponytail and lashing him, too, with these. Aeris huddled against him, her hood pulled up to cover her face, and he held her close, drawing as much warmth from her as she did from him.
Sephiroth wondered how Elena stood it, walking alone with only a thick coat to warm her. Her friends had chosen to go on to Junon and wait just one more day or two for Tseng's return. With this bitter cold, no one could really blame them.
Elena took the lead once they reached Snow Village, leading them down the icy paths towards the thicket. Behind the last house, just before the trees began, stood a little marker, almost completely buried by snow.
The swordsman glanced at Aeris, then at Elena.
"...I'll dig him up," Aeris said finally. He could sense the weave of her spell as she used the biting winds to cut away the snow and earth, forming a barrier around the site so that those same winds could not return with the snow. When she had finished, Tseng's coffin lay beside the hole from which she had pulled it.
Sephiroth reluctantly let go of Aeris and crouched down to lift up the lid, pushing it aside. As they had hoped, the bitter cold had prevented all decay. Nothing ever changed in the Knowlespole, it seemed; the snow never melted, nothing new could grow, and if someone left, no one acknowledged their parting. Even the Cetra had held on longer here than anywhere else.
He reached down to touch Tseng's cold hand. "Planet...?" he queried softly.
Am ready. Can give you some power, but not much. You will feel very drained afterwards, I fear.
"That is quite all right." Taking some pride in the fact that this was one thing Aeris had learned from him, Sephiroth closed his eyes and sent his consciousness casting far out into the Lifestream. He searched for that pattern that was Tseng's soul, found it, and beckoned it close enough to grasp.
Suddenly he was overcome with another's regrets, so similar to his own and yet not quite as sharp. Regret for choosing the life of a killer, an assassin, regret for betraying old friends, regret for a promise never kept.
He saw himself through this man's eyes, saw himself in the throes of madness, raving about nonsensical plots and cutting down this man who stood before him, asking for reasons.
With an effort, he drew back from these memories, wondering if Aeris was better able to shield herself from such things, and brought Tseng's soul back to his body. He forced it to join to the dead flesh, feeding the body as much energy as the Planet offered him, as much as he dared.
Warmth returned slowly to Tseng's hand, but Sephiroth did not yet open his eyes--there was a wound to attend to, the long and ultimately mortal gash from his Masamune. He probed this with his mind and set to healing it, knitting muscle and flesh back together before the injury proved fatal a second time.
At last Sephiroth sat back, wearily forcing his eyes open as Tseng pushed himself up. "Thank you, Planet," he said in the barest of whispers. "Without your help, I would have been unconscious long before I was through."
You are welcome, friend. Am glad to be able to aid you in keeping a promise.
Aeris came to kneel by his side, though her gaze was on her old friend.
Elena had hurried to help Tseng to his feet and out of the coffin, her mouth half-open and her eyes searching. For once, she was speechless.
Tseng laid a hand on her shoulder, looking at her silently for a long moment. "...are we still on for dinner?" he asked finally.
She laughed and hugged him close, crying at the same time. "Of course! As often as you want...! I missed you so much! Why did you have to go and get yourself killed like that?"
"I'm sorry. I held out as long as I could, but..." He trailed off, shaking his head, and glanced over at Sephiroth. "...thank you."
He nodded stiffly.
Tseng reluctantly pulled out of Elena's embrace. "Do you need any help? That... it drained you, didn't it?"
Sephiroth shook his head slightly and climbed to his feet. "I will manage."
"Do you think you can make it back to the docks, or should we stop and rest at the inn for a while?" Aeris asked him, standing also.
"No, let's head back if you all are ready." He pulled Aeris against him as they headed back the way they had come, glad to have her to warm him. And, behind them, Elena had Tseng.
Tseng sat on her bed, leaning tiredly against the headboard. Sephiroth and the Planet had given him enough energy to make the trip home, but not much more. Sephiroth himself had collapsed from exhaustion once they had arrived, and they had had to carry him back to the apartment, drawing numerous inquisitive stares.
He turned his gaze to Elena, who sat cross-legged at the end of the bed, watching him with a slight smile on her face. He shook his head.
"I thought it was incredibly stupid of you to wait for me when I found out you had been," he told her, his tone not harsh at all. "But I suppose I'm glad you did. I shouldn't be, but I am."
"What do you mean you shouldn't be?" Elena asked him.
"Didn't it hurt to keep yourself living in the past like that? I know I couldn't have done it."
She smiled a little. "Well, I had Reno, Rude, and Reeve to help me through it. They thought it was pretty crazy for me to hope, too, but they're great guys, really."
"Even Reno?" Tseng wondered, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I'm not so sure about Reno," she admitted. "I hate his guts when he's here, but I miss him when he's gone."
"Gone?"
"Oh, right..." Elena faltered. "You don't know about how he and Minerva went up north with Aeris. That's where she waited for Sephiroth, and they kept her company for a while."
Tseng nodded to himself. "It seems like Reno's the only one of us who's moved on," he reflected.
"Because he snagged a girlfriend, and they'll be married within the week?"
"Among other things, yes. Strange, isn't it? He was always the least responsible of us."
"It did seem that way," she agreed.
After a pause, he asked, "How... is Aeris anyway?"
"Amazingly happy now that Sephiroth's back," Elena answered. "I think I can understand how she feels for once."
"Really? You're that happy to see me?"
She laughed. "You can't tell? I'm barely keeping myself from jumping for joy and hugging and kissing you like a madwoman." A second later she realized what she had said and blushed fiercely, murmuring a quiet "Oops."
Tseng smiled. "Elena, you talk too much," he said fondly.
"I know," she replied, grinning tentatively.
He closed his eyes. "Do you mind if we put off that date until tomorrow night?" he asked. "All of this has left me very tired."
"Oh, I don't mind at all, Tseng," she answered quickly. "Do you want me to leave so you can get some sleep?"
"No, you can stay."
Elena hesitated. "Well, I'll at least tell the guys not to come barging in while you're resting," she decided, getting up.
Tseng opened one eye to watch her leave the room, then closed it again and smiled slightly. It was good to be back. And this time, he'd do things right.
Reno and Minerva were married on a beach not far to the south of Junon Harbor. A steady wind blew off the sea that afternoon, carrying with it the cool scent of salt. The day was warmer than most that winter, but still chilly enough that few bared their arms. The wedding was simple; nothing had been set up save plain folding chairs and tables, all white, and nothing had been prepared besides the necessary food. The sole decoration was a small sand castle that Marlene had built just out of reach of the waves while the adults were setting up.
Minerva had agreed, after many protests, to wear a dress for the occasion, though it was very plain, hardly anything more than a white slip whose simplicity made her appear almost otherworldly. Into her hair she had braided a single yellow flower from Aeris's church, still fresh and bright.
Reno had dug out his old Turk suit, and while no one had been able to make him tuck in his shirt, he had at least worn a tie. Out of all those present, only Minerva and Rude knew why he had chosen to dredge up old memories by wearing it. It was a blatant display of the fact that he had at last come to terms with his old life, not through the numbing effects of alcohol, but with Minerva's help.
They had asked Aeris to marry them, and she had consented happily. Little save the bride's walk down the aisle was conventional about the wedding, and only three of those present knew exactly how appropriate it was to have Sephiroth walk Minerva to where Reno stood. Reno was not one of them.
The Planet provided an accompaniment of joyous song, clearly discernible to two, and causing some confusion in a third; Aeris seemed particularly happy, the joy of the Planet and those around her adding to her own; Sephiroth was awed and pleased to hear the Planet's song; Lucrecia let it puzzle her for a few moments before shrugging it off as a trick of her ear.
Minerva and Reno exchanged their vows, Aeris pronounced them husband and wife, and the two kissed, a sign of affection that they had hitherto reserved for private moments, and which no one had seen pass between them. Afterwards, there was much laughter and ruining of garments in the sand. Many of the guests went wading in the ocean, though not far because of the temperature. Only Yuffie actually decided to go for a swim, much to everyone's shock, and insisted through chattering teeth that the water was warm once you got used to it. Nanaki refused to join her.
Evening fell with a glorious sunset over the ocean, and everyone gathered close around the tables for the last few hours to talk. Just before it was completely dark and when some of the guests were getting quite anxious to pack up and go, Reno and Delphine persuaded Minerva to sing for them. Everyone fell silent, and she sang quietly, eyes downcast, face expressionless, while they all listened in awe. Afterwards, she stood from the table and announced softly that it was time to clean up and return to Junon.
Only Reno noticed the faint astonishment and mingled pride on her face.
Author's Notes
This chapter served the sole purpose of tying up loose ends... but at least it had a purpose, I guess. The writing is also a bit better here than in the previous two chapters. The last scene was a sort of experiment with a slightly different writing style and was done that way mostly because I felt that if I included dialogue, it would pretty much be the birthday party recycled.
Only one more chapter to go! Who here wants to bet I'll actually get it up on Tuesday like I'm supposed to:3
(Yep. Still sick. But getting better now.)