A Past Long Forgotten
Chapter 8:
Sandra Lamont looked utterly bewildered as she slid the key card to her apartment through the lock on her door. A moment passed and the lock clicked, allowing her entrance into the dark room. She was deep in thought as she paused momentarily to absently flip on the light switch and set down her bags. Sephiroth's peculiar behavior was still getting to her. How could he not know..? His face, usually so unreadable, had betrayed his emotions. Though he tried to hide it, Sandy hadn't missed the look of surprise on his handsome features, or the embarrassment of having to ask her anything.
"But why would Sephiroth not know...? How...?" She sat down on the edge of a tattered old sofa, contemplating to herself. "He's back... From being dead... it's HIM, I know it is... So why.,.?"
She continued to ask herself these questions, before realizing Aeris' surprise and insecurity when it came to questions about their past... it hit her like a ton of bricks.
They didn't remember.
Aeris hummed happily to herself as she prepared for bed. She having trouble keeping her mind off of the silver-haired man sleeping in the guestroom just next door. She couldn't really explain what it was about him, but there was something that just drew him to her. Perhaps it was his personality... She thought absently. He was almost like a puzzle, one that Aeris was eager and determined to solve. His emotions were so difficult to read...
Speaking of emotions, since Aeris had awoken with amnesia, she'd felt as though someone else was constantly in the back of her mind. It wasn't unpleasant, but there were occasions when she could've sworn that someone had told her to do something, and she would listen.. The voice seemed incredibly happy with Sephiroth, and Aeris didn't truly know why. She couldn't possibly have known at that time that it was the voice of the planet.
Aeris could almost feel her cheeks turn pink as she wondered to herself how peaceful Sephiroth would look whilst he slept. "Stop it Aeris." She mumbled to herself, concentrating on clearing her mind. Aeris had decided that she had found she had feelings for the general, but wasn't ready to admit it to herself or to him, nor was she sure what those feelings really were. Another part of her mind chided that he could never feel the same was as she did. It was a useless battle, and Aeris found herself trying to concentrate on other things, even though his glowing green gaze was difficult to get out of her mind.
She yawned sleepily, climbing into bed, and clung to the blankets, finally surrendering to sleep as she heard the beginnings of a thunderstorm outside...
Sephiroth was sitting cross-legged on his bed, listening to the gentle rain drumming on the roof. He wasn't tired in the least. He sighed, leaned back, and let his eyes search the room for the hundredth time... floral wallpaper made the room seem so... alive. It was very unlike his drab living quarters... they were very gray- very him. But then again, this was Aeris' house, and it suited her so well. He almost caught himself smiling as he pictured her dusting and cleaning the little house for no one in particular. Tonight he had realized something about himself. He was developing feelings for Aeris. It made him restless and very uncomfortable. He wasn't sure what they meant, and he couldn't remember ever feeling anything like it before. Even as he searched his mind, there was nothing, not one trace of a memory of anything that made him uncertain. He had come to the conclusion that he was a very strong leader, very confident and proud. Lately he'd been starting to get pieces of his memories from small things, nothing major. He still felt as if there was something huge missing, and he somehow knew that even if he were to search every book out there, he wouldn't find it. It was a strange feeling, and every time he watched Aeris, it would intensify. He trusted his instincts, and he was almost sure Aeris and He had known each other in the past.
The familiar sound of a sword being removed from its sheath and a slight shuffle of feet was a sound that seemed very far away. She was kneeling in a dreamlike state, a contented expression on her face. She knew she had succeeded, and the planet seemed to hum all around her. She could feel the tension in the air, but didn't pay it much heed. She had done her part, and destiny would take its course now. Her heart felt light, and she could now sense her friends' presence. They had arrived. She sensed danger for a split second, but far away she could hear the call of her friends. They were protecting her, protecting her from their leader. She hesitantly felt reality begin to come back into play as she remembered him, struggling to remain out of Jenova's control. She trusted him... The threads of connection between her and the planet were breaking, and the haze that was her mind began to clear. Slowly, as if opening her eyes for the first time, she looked up, not surprised to see a set of clear, blue eyes. Her vision focused in a matter of seconds, and she stared directly into the face of Cloud Strife. He was watching her, his face a mixture of relief and confusion. He cocked his head to the side, and she couldn't help but raise her head and smile. A moment later, she felt another presence, but her mind couldn't discern who it was. Black Gloves.. a sword cut through the air like a knife through butter, and it seemed to play in slow motion as it approached her. The planet moaned, in sorrow or sympathy she couldn't tell... She never saw the glint of silver, nor the malicious grin as the sword cut cleanly through her torso...
Aeris gasped and sat up in bed, breathing heavily. She felt cold sweat... and tears in her eyes. She was absolutely terrified. Was that her past? Had she been dead, cut down by a vicious murderer? She felt her eyes fill with tears of frustration and confusion. It was so real, she could feel every emotion.. but she felt herself forgetting pieces already. Where had she been? She remember glass, crystal... Aeris was a relatively rational person, and she found herself unable to calm her racing heart. She needed to talk; those images were so disturbing, so frightening... Before she could move, she needed to know something. Her hands were shaking as she lifted her nightshirt to reveal her stomach. There was a scar. Her breath caught in her throat.
She stood up and crossed the floor. Her hands were trembling as she turned the doorknob. Her heart was racing and her emotions reeling, in fact, she didn't even think twice as she pounded on Sephiroth's door. She was beyond reason. All she could see was that sword, and the blond man. Cloud. Cloud Strife. She knew his name. Her mind whirled. And the scar... The scar she'd never noticed, it happened... the dream was real. She clamped a hand over her mouth.
Sephiroth opened the door, concern evident on his features. He didn't look tired, nor did he look flustered. "Aeris?"
She was wringing her hands, "Sephiroth..." she didn't know where to begin. It was strange, all she could think of was cold steel tearing through her body... That was when she broke down.
"I can't do this anymore, I can't!" She cried helplessly, "I need to know what all this means... I need to know who I am." She felt tears fill her eyes. Frustration, helplessness, need. She looked up at Sephiroth. He looked the same as always, save the trace of emotion in his eyes he couldn't seem to hide, and somehow, that was comforting. She flung her arms around him, clinging desperately, and sobbing into his chest.
Sephiroth was thoroughly confused, and he blushed ever so slightly as she threw her arms around him. He clumsily returned the embrace, unsure of how to act or what to say.
"Aeris. I am sorry, I don't understand.. what brought all of this on?" He began, and found himself desperately wanting to help her. He couldn't bear to see her sad.
They stood that way for a few more minutes, until Aeris calmed down. She refused to let go of him as she turned to look up into his face, studying his features. "I had a terrible dream.." She whispered, almost inaudibly. "I saw... Saw myself be murdered... And just when I felt the... The sword... I woke up..."
"Aeris... it may not have been that, it could be something completely different.. You don't even remember.." Sephiroth began, already feeling that strange sense of déjà vu. What was going on?
"No..." She stared at him, pure terror and disbelief written across her beautiful face. "I checked, Sephiroth... I looked..." She pulled away from him, and pointed to her stomach.. "There's a scar. I never thought about it before...but that is what it's from... I can feel it." She could barely bring her voice above a whisper, as if she was afraid that someone else might hear...
Sephiroth stood... For a crazy moment he wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and comfort her, ease her fears... To tell her that no matter what happened, he would help her through it.
"Aeris..." He began awkwardly, "I... I know it can be difficult, I remember nothing of my past either... And your dream certainly sounds very disturbing... But please... Things will turn out all right..." He stumbled with words.
Aeris was watching him curiously, she saw his struggle and decided to help him, momentarily forgetting her own worries and fears. "Sephiroth, I'm so glad you're here with me... I don't know what I'd do without you right now..." She stepped towards him again and hugged him.
Her words touched him deeply and he thought to himself as he absently returned the embrace.. He looked down at her to find her looking up at him curiously. It was at that moment that Sephiroth realized how perfect she was. Even in the middle of the night, her golden brown locks framed her face, and her bright emerald eyes shone like a bright light against her pale complexion. He found himself speechless and lost in her gaze, in their embrace...
A low pounding issued from downstairs. Aeris jumped and clung tightly to Sephiroth, the spell was broken. "What was that?" She whispered, wondering what else could possibly go wrong after her nightmare..
Sephiroth listened to the pounding again. Gently, he released Aeris. "Stay here." Aeris said nothing, but did as she was told. Her bit her lower lip in nervousness. Sephiroth caught her nervousness, "Don't worry," he began, "I'm sure it's nothing."
Aeris nodded and Sephiroth took to the stairs. The pounding began again, most desperate this time. Sephiroth realized that someone was outside. He quickened his steps.. Who would be out this time of night?
Aeris stood at the top of the stairs to watch, slightly wide-eyed. Sephiroth opened the door just a crack and peered outside, just as a clenched hand was about to knock again. The stranger's eyes were wide.
"S-...S-Sephiroth?" Confusion registered on his face. His long dark hair was completely drenched, and his long red and black ensemble was dripping wet. Sephiroth looked confused, "How do you know who I am?" He refused to open the door all the way.
"I..." The man began. He had always been cautious and not quick to judge, but he couldn't help but feel worried for Aeris... If she was even there... What if he was too late? Had Sephiroth found her first? What was Sephiroth doing back from the dead?
"I... Please... let me inside... I know... Aeris Gainsborough?" He inquired, testing Sephiroth and the situation.
Sephiroth contemplated for a moment before fully opening the door. Aeris was watching, curious, confused and worried. The man stepped over the threshold and stood in the doorway, dripping wet, and Aeris gasped.
"You!" She felt memories trying to overwhelm her again, but she concentrated entirely on ignoring them, slowly coming down the stairs, despite Sephiroth's protests.
"Aeris?" He asked, not believing, "Is it really you...?"
She looked confused... "Who are you?"
"It's me... Vincent... Vincent Valentine."
Author's Notes: Firstly, I'd like to apologize to all of my readers for the insanely long wait on this chapter. I've been so busy with school and extracurricular activities and nonsense that I've had no time. I'm going to try my hardest never to make that huge of a delay between chapters again. I hope I didn't turn anyone off this story because of it. And the next time I'm gone that long- you people better start yelling at me to do better. Thank you to all whom emailed, you know who you are. I don't want to neglect this story and disappoint people, and you guys made me get back on it! Thanks again. And of course, thank you to everyone who reviewed, you make me feel so happy.
As for the writing. that marks the end of Chapter 8. I was hoping to write more Vincent in this one, but it'll have to wait until next time. I wasn't expecting it to go this way, but hey. I think I'm going in the right direction. Sephy and Aeris are getting closer, if you haven't noticed.. I have some plans with them. Now that Vincent has discovered the two of them, you can expect the rest of AVALANCHE to follow pretty soon. But not before a few things happen. Expect some more Aeris/Sephiroth closeness next chapter, and definitely Vincent.
As always, comments, feedback, and ideas are always welcome!