Chapter seven
It was still so early in the day. I thought I had slept it away. So I begin thinking, why don't I go help out the family at the store? They're very kind people and I should show my gratitude. Plus, I needed something to do to get my mind off Seph for a minute. True, I wanted to spend every waking moment with him, but there were some things I needed to think about. Like how long would it be until he told me his true intentions. You know, why he brought me here with him. After the brawl in the basement, I never asked him about it again. Usually, I'd tell myself, "I'm not scared of him!". But maybe, deep down inside, I am. …I don't fear him, yet the anger and confusion that is locked inside of him.
Another thing, what am I suppose to do when he finally tells me? What if it's this huge impossible task? I don't think it's something wrong, but whatever it is he obviously needs me. And my friends. When I'm done helping him, will I leave him to return to Tifa and the rest? I don't think they'd ever accept him as my partner. I don't think I can just depart from him anyways…
One last thought. The basement. I want to go down there again. Those books, I have to get to them. They hold clues on him. Maybe they'll have more answers about him. I might even get another vision, though I don't care to see that again. It creeps me out. However, I might get to see the intern girl…
"I'll see the family first.." I mumble to myself, stepping out the shower and wrapping a towel around me.
My eyes focused into the mirror. I looked like my regular self now. No more dull eyes or pale skin tone. I hold my arm up, flexing a muscle. The cut-ness was still there, but the size wasn't to my liking. I've probably grown too accustomed to looking at Sephiroth's muscles. If I had only became a true SOLDIER member, I would've had a pretty well body mass too. On well, too late now.
I exit and walk into my room, scouting for something else to wear. From the looks of it, it was nice and cold out. Despite the sunlight.
"How's your leg?" A voice startled me.
"..You scared me." I sighed, turning to Seph. "The pain is totally gone. Where are you heading?" I find something clean finally and proceed to get dressed. He stands in the door frame with his coat on, putting his gloves on.
"No where in particular. You?"
I pull on my hooded sweatshirt I bought from the couple. "I'm going to help out some old friends. Maybe see if I can do some chores on the side for a few gil every now and again." I frown when I fail to find any socks.
The older one leans against the door. "I can give you money, if you need it."
"I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself, moneybags." I walk over to him, tugging his scarf. "..You got any socks? I can't seem to find any…"
"There's a clean pair on my bed. Feel free to keep them."
I give him a suspicious look. What was he trying to say? He smiles and kisses my forehead before leaving down the stairs and out the door.
"Better run…" I murmured.
Grabbing my coat, I walk to his room; Which was neat, as usual.
He was right. A nice pair of white socks laid on his bed. I sit and put them on, when something on his desk catches my eye. It looked to be a long towel of some sort, hanging off the edge. My curiosity strikes again and I'm compelled to go investigate it. I pick it up and slowly unfolds it. Nothing special about it. Besides the huge crimson stain, that is.
Blood?
I hold it up. There was a good amount on it as well.
Is it his blood? Or someone else's? My mind thinks to itself. This was creeping me out, so I replace it. I'd be sure to ask him about it when I got back. It was time to go.
>>>
"Oh, hello Cloud!"
The old lady welcomes me as I step in through the door of their shop. I stomp the snow off my boots and removes the hood from my head.
"Hello. How are you all?" I smile politely, walking up to the counter.
"I'm doing well, deary. Oh, you look so healthy now." She places a hand to my cheek, her eyes are saddened. "Quite different from the young man that came into my shop about a week ago." I smile again.
Her husband came from out the back, removing his coat. "Cloud. How's it going lad?"
"Good. I just came by to see if you needed any extra help."
The old man shook his head. "I think we can make it."
"Are you sure? I mean, I don't mind at all. I want to help out."
The woman sighed, a slight smile came across her face. "He's so thoughtful. Just like our John..."
"Now, Susan. Cloud does favor John, but lets not worry him with it." Her husband hugged her as she began to cry a little. I stood there, not sure what to say.
"It wouldn't bother me. Is John your son?"
"Aye, he was somewhat around your age before he died a few days ago." The shopkeeper replied.
I looked away briefly. Saddened by their story. "If you don't mind, may I ask how he died?"
The man spoke again. "After the autopsy, they claimed John died in a terrible car accident. Though the crash didn't kill him, his wound did. He must've been thrown out the car and impaled by something…"
"It wasn't an accident! My John was killed! Murdered! I know my son, and he's a very responsible driver!" The wife spoke angrily.
"Susan please…" Her husband tried to calm her. "Uh, Cloud. There are a few things you can do. Do you mind chopping the rest of the fire wood out back?"
I nodded and followed him to the back, where he handed me a hatchet.
"You'll have to excuse my wife. She's still very upset by John's death." He apologized to me.
"It's understandable. I'm sorry to hear it."
He pats me on the shoulder. "You're a good man, Cloud. Be careful out there, something real shady happened to my boy. I don't want the same to bestow upon you."
I watched him walk back to the front of the store to comfort the woman. There was something a little fishy about John's story. Could he really have been murdered?
I walk outside to the back, to the wood pile. Slowly, I sat a piece of wood on an old tree stump and gripped the hatchet's handle. Something was nagging me in the back of my mind. Their son was impaled my something?… The bloodied towel in Sephiroth's room…? Could he have..?..
"Chill out, Cloud. Seph wouldn't kill anybody now…" I laugh at myself, swinging the tool down and splitting the log perfectly.
"You're all set."
The shopkeeper turned and smiled at me. I placed the hatchet down and removed my coat. It didn't take me long to finish chopping the pieces of wood. Actually, I liked doing it. It helped relieve some building stress.
"Great. Thank you. Susan is upstairs now, so how about a drink?" He whipped out a bottle from under the counter.
"Alright." I hadn't had anything strong for quite awhile now. The man went and return with two glasses and poured us some of the liquor.
"I've been meaning to ask you, where do you come from?" He asked me. I took a quick sip from my cup.
"I'm from around here actually." I replied uncomfortably.
"You don't say?" The elder chuckled, taking a long gulp of his drink. "John, Susan and I moved to this town about a year ago and opened up this shop."
"George?" The wife called from upstairs. He sighed and finished off what was left in his cup.
"Help yourself lad, I'll be back." The man named George proceeded to the stairs.
"You want me to man the counter while you're gone?"
"That would be a great help, Cloud."
I nodded as he made his way to the living quarters upstairs. It was strange, the old couple seemed to be the family I never really had. And to be truthful, I wished they were my family.
Fearing to sit down in the wooden chair behind the desk, I sat my cup down and wandered over to the window. It was getting pretty dark out. Not surprising, really. It was the winter months… Speaking of that, Christmas would be rolling around in a few days. I would have to continue my mercenary work so I can buy presents. For the couple here, Seph and if I can sneak one, to Tifa as well.
My eyes go back to paying attention to the icy surroundings outside. Nothing much to look at. I was about to leave, when a figure caught my attention. I couldn't quite make out who it was, but it was standing not too far from the middle of the town.
My hand wiped the fog I was breathing on the window away. I squinted. It was Sephiroth. He was standing with his coat flying behind him in the cold gusts of wind. Looks like he was talking to someone. I couldn't see the person, he was standing in the way. I remained stationary, interested in who he was talking to.
"Scoot over.." I mumble out loud.
After a few minutes, Sephiroth finally shifts a bit to his left. I can see the person now. It was wearing a black cloak and that was all I could see of them. That was awfully familiar. Was that person one of Sephiroth's followers? Why was it still around? The taller one steps back. He seemed angry or upset about something. Then I see he has his Masamune in hand. He rears it back…was he about to attack it?
My breath held itself. "What the hell.. Don't kill it.."
Seph pauses and looks around. He turns from the cloaked person and looks towards the direction of the shop. I crotch down and peek back up to the window. He was walking this way.
"Fuck…" I whispered and quickly dashed from the front of the store, into the back. I didn't want him to know I was spying on him.
The little bell over the door jiggled loudly. Then there were footsteps. Slow heavy ones.
Ok, time to play it cool… I took a deep breath and walked out from the back with a courteous smile. I had to make it look like I wasn't aware of him coming into the store. But I think I'm a pretty good actor.
"..Hey you." I walk up to the counter, leaning on it a bit.
Sephiroth smiles at me. "Hey yourself. What are you doing back there?"
"I told you I was going to help out some friends. They run this store."
He walks closer to me. My eyes look downward as he approaches the wooden desk, no sword. But I could've sworn I saw him about to stab the little cloaked person. Did he drop it outside?
I lean forward and places a kiss on his lips. He reddens slightly across his face. It was hard to believe he was bashful about showing affection in the public.
"Don't worry. They're upstairs." I told him quietly.
He laughs a little. Nothing strange about his behavior. He was acting like normal, unless he was a better actor than me.
"So, when are you going to be done here?" Seph looks around a bit before returning his gaze to me.
I shrugged, taking the cups and bottle from the counter and into the back. "Whenever they decide to close."
"I see.." He sounded disappointed.
I returned to the front. "I think they really need the company. Their son just died a few days ago…"
"I'm sorry for them."
"Yeah. The doctors or whatever said he died in a car accident. But they believe he was murdered." I pressed on, hoping he wouldn't show any signs of guilt.. Of course he was expressionless.
"Well, give them my regards. And I'll see you later, I guess."
Just then, the old man came from downstairs. I turned to greet him when I noticed the look on his face. My eyes turn back to Sephiroth, who, in turn, looked back at him. Yet again I missed out on something…
"It's you…" The shopkeeper spoke quietly. "You were the one who found John's body, right?.."
"Huh? …Sephiroth, why didn't you mention this to me…?" I mumbled out loud. What else hasn't he told me?
"Wait, THE Sephiroth?.. I knew you looked familiar." The old man, George gave him an even more skeptical look, "Weren't you supposedly killed some years ago?.."
"That's right." Seph answered calmly.
"…You used to work for Shinra. You're quite famous for your long sword…" The owner walked beside me. I could tell where he was going with this. And from the sudden grin on Sephiroth's face, he did too.
"Why would I kill your kid? I wouldn't dare waste my time.."
"Stop it." I warned him.
The shopkeeper looked at me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's alright, lad. Why don't you stay for dinner?" After I nodded slowly, he made his way to the back of the store. My eyes glared back over to the ex-general.
"That was totally uncalled for."
He stuck his hands in his pocket casually. "He was clearly accusing me of murder."
"C'mon! The man's son died and he saw you with the body. Of course he's a little upset-"
He cut me off. "So, ..you think I killed him too?"
"Don't turn this around on me." My voice dropped a few intervals. "We're talking about you being insensitive."
"No, Cloud, you're talking about that. I'm leaving." The taller one turned from me and began walking towards the door. I quickly walk from behind the desk and grabs his arm.
"Hold on!"
He snatches his arm from me.
"Enjoy your dinner." With that he walks out the door, slamming it closed.
Ugh! Why does the simplest things make you mad?
I stomped through the snow, puffing small clouds of air in frustration. Dinner was pretty good, we had spaghetti. I held the small portable container under my thick coat to preserve the warmth. The couple gave me some to take home. Even though I pigged out already. I'll give it to Sephiroth. I'm sure he hasn't eaten anything.
The old gates creaked open as I entered them. I only prayed he wasn't still mad.
"Hey, Sephiroth?"
I called while closing the door and kicking off my icy boots. Damn were my toes numb. I jogged up the stairs and stopped by my room to toss my coat on the bed, then I walked down to his. It was amazing how my leg hadn't been acting up all day. I almost forgot I injured it for a minute. Shouldn't this bother me? Maybe I'll let it later, but for now I had this urge to make up with Seph. The light in his room was on and his door was partially opened.
I knocked briefly, then went in. "What's up?"
He was sitting on his bed, writing something down in one of the old books that haunted this place. Now that I got a good look around, there were a bunch of books scattered on the bed, all opened to different sections. On top of that, he didn't reply to my greeting. Probably ignoring me.
"…Earth to Sephiroth.." This time I spoke louder.
His eyes refused to leave his writings. "I heard you. What do you want?"
Skillfully, I tossed the containing towards him. It landed perfectly on his book, halting his hand from anymore scribbling. The guy finally looks up to me. I smile a little. For some strange reason, I wanted his attention. He pushed the sealed bowl to the side and went back to work.
"…I just thought you would be hungry. Guess you're not." I flung a book lightly to the floor and sat on the bed next to him.
"No thanks." Was what I got for a reply.
"Don't tell me you're still mad about earlier?"
He turned the page of the book, not answering me again. Now I was mad. He could have at least said he was. I sat there and watched him in silence. There was no point in talking to him if he wasn't going to talk back. Seph didn't say anything, just kept reading and marking side notes. I looked over at what he was writing every once in a while. Just seemed to be notes about mako enhancing. Nothing exciting to me.
After a while, he shut the book and gathered all the scattered ones in a pile. Then he stood, taking his shirt off and unfastening his pants. I couldn't help but think impure thoughts. The older man didn't seem to care that I was watching him so closely. He grabbed one of those elastic hair band thingies and pulled his long silver hair into an under-tucked ponytail. Then picked up the pile of books and sat them on the floor. Finally, he hit the light switch and crawled into bed. With me still sitting on the edge. Now in the dark.
"You-"
I started to call him the meanest thing my mind could muster when he sat up suddenly and handed me the container of spaghetti. If he wanted to pretend I wasn't there, then I would too. I just sat there, with a cocked brow. Sephiroth gave me the 'Fine-Don't-Take-It-Then' look and tossed it on the desk across the room. Not bad aiming either.
"He didn't really mean it, …probably. We both know you're innocent, right?" I blurted out after a few minutes of not talking again. I've said it once before, I disliked awkward silence.
"…That's not the point." His voice was low, even harder to hear with his back faced me.
"Then what is?"
"Do you honestly believe I killed him?" The silver haired one asked me. I decided to lay next to him, pulling him against me and resting my head on his back.
"I know you didn't kill him… Honestly."
He rolls over to face me. A shadow of a smile appears across his lips. I loved that smile. I scoot closer in, connecting our lips. Oh, the wonderful feeling of making up. When the short, but sweet, kiss ended, I cuddled against him. Scenes from our first love making came into mind. …Yeah, I wanted to do it again. But I was way too tired now. And I'm sure he was. So I closed my eyes and dreamed about having a second go at it. This time, I wasn't the one screaming the other's name…