Chapter Thirty Five

Saying Goodbye

Aeris, Krissy and Alex looked up when they heard the Highwind approaching; they went to greet the rest of their friends. Sephiroth collected Aeris into his arms and kissed her.

"You saved everyone yet again Aerith, you truly are amazing."

She blushed as the others got of the ship, gathered around and smiled at her. "It wasn't just me, but thanks."

Jessi was the last one off the ship; she smiled at the others before heading off towards the beach. They grew quiet and Sephiroth set Aeris down before going the same direction; they slowly followed behind him. Jessi had her back to them; she was kneeling in the sand with Sean draped across her lap. She hugged him tightly; a light breeze caused his hair to brush across her cheeks and she smiled.

"Love never dies," She whispered, "and my love for you won't ever fade."

Aeris crossed the sand and joined her side; Jessi had tears forming in her eyes.

"I have taken so many lives, I should be dead too."

"No, you made a mistake is all; everyone makes mistakes."

"I'm a murderer. I killed Sean, those guards, so many innocents and…"

"You did what you believed you had to do to save us."

Jessi looked up and felt a little better when Aeris beamed at her.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to live with myself," she said as her tears left a trail down her cheeks, "not after killing the one person that meant the world to me."

Aeris embraced Jessi as she began to cry. "Don't worry, everything will be allright."

"You think so?" Jessi asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"I know it will, because it's just like you said, love never dies."

They buried Sean, and a few innocent victims that didn't make it through Jessi and the others' attack on the village, later that evening. Aeris said a prayer for all of them to find peace and ended the ceremony with a beautiful hymn the Ancients sang during burials. As his coffin was being buried, Jessi took off her locket, holding it affectionately for a moment before tossing it in with the dirt, burying her past along with Sean. People began to leave and soon, Sephiroth and Jessi were the only ones in the graveyard. He put his hand on her shoulder and she placed her hand over his.

"I wonder if he hates me."

"I doubt it, there is no reason for him to."

"I hope you're right." She said with a sigh.

"I almost forgot, here."

He reached inside of his trench coat and pulled out her cape; he held it out to her and she hesitated a moment before taking it.

"Come on, let's go." He said.

"I'm glad that you found this, I was upset when I lost it."

"It was just lying on the ground outside of Diresville."

"I thought it was burned with the town, thanks for holding onto it."

"Don't mention it; come on, I'm sure Vincent is wondering where you are."

She looked up at him and smiled and he looked at her questioningly. She swung the cape around her shoulders and fastened the latches across her neck. She looked just like she did the day he had said goodbye to her, but her clothes were different. She was wearing a short velvet black dress that stopped at her knees and black leather boots with loops and chains draping across them. She still had the strange cross necklace across her neck from her transformation and Sephiroth noticed that her hair had grown longer. He thought about how much she had changed, becoming more beautiful and even stronger than before. His thinking was broken when she spoke.

"The last time you gave this to me, when I left, I was touched by your kindness."

"If you were so impressed then why did you…"

"I have to go now Sephiroth."

"Leave... Why? What's wrong now?"

"I left before because of Hojo, you should know that."

"Oh, that explains everything. What's your excuse now? Am I not a good enough reason for you to stay? Are we not good frien…"

She reached up and cupped his cheek in her hand, "Don't ever think I left because of you Seph, I love you. I wish I had the chance to take care of you while you were growing up. But Hojo took that away from your mother and I."

"Your all the family I have left, I don't want you to leave."

"Don't be ridiculous, you have Aeris. One day the two of you will be blessed with children and you will have a family of your own."

"What good is that if they don't have a great aunt to be their 'Great Aunt'?"

"Sephiroth, do you understand now why I left before?"

"Because you felt that you didn't have anything that you did before."

She nodded, "And I didn't. You didn't know the truth and you were still to young to learn it. I left to find answers; about Vincent, my sister, and Sean."

She looked at the grave then back to Sephiroth, "And now I have to seek out new answers once again."

"…I think… I understand what you mean."

She smiled at him; "I'm glad you do."

She turned and walked away from him.

"You're coming back, right?"

"I might…someday."

With that, she turned away and disappeared into the starry night. Sephiroth watched until she disappeared and with a silent sigh, he walked out of the graveyard and headed towards the Highwind. Aeris was standing outside waiting for him; she looked at him curiously as he approached.

"Where's Jessi?"

He slid his arm around her waist and walked her up on the ship.

"Finding answers."

Fin

That was Jessi's story…I hope you enjoyed it. If you didn't like how it ended, be sure to read my bonus chapter, it's much happier than this one. Don't forget to let me know what you think about this side story. Very many Thanks goes out to all of you that reviewed all of my work...Vamp Sephy I love ya! Thanks for making me laugh! Same to you Squirrley .; and thanks to all of you for taking the time to read all of this...be sure to continue with the feedback!