I used to stare at the sun for minutes at a time.

And after awhile, the bright golden circle of the sun

Would melt away into the deep blue of the sky..

--Anthony Stewart Head and George Sarah

It was well past noon and had the sun been out, it would have shone brightly. There would be a pleasant, dappled smattering of green hued light that would have permeated the forest. In the last few days she'd spent here, she'd grown to love this little stretch of forest. Not only because it was her first time in such a place, but because it had welcomed her so eagerly. Had the sun been out, the birds would be singing, fluttering aimlessly from tree to tree. They'd accepted her as well, becoming so oblivious to her presence that sometimes they'd almost accidentally land on her.

One in particular had almost set down on her head four or five times before it realized she was not a tree, strafing her head before soaring back into the sky. It reminded her of all those children's movies she'd seen as a child and she couldn't help but laugh. Birds being that comfortable with you was all well and good, but she was sure no fairy tale princess had ever had a bird shit on her. One had shit on her and her initial excitement at all the birds loving her disappeared almost instantly, replaced by firm annoyance. She now batted the little bastards away.

Speaking of which, she'd noticed the complete lack of their normal chatter. Even on such a dull day as this, they'd still make some noise. In fact, there was almost a deafening lack of sound. Aeris froze, terrified to think what it might mean. It could be as a result of the one who followed her but she quickly dismissed that. He carried with him a taint but he wasn't a threat to anything here...not yet anyway. Plus, he was with her. The forest would trust him as long as he was in her company. Confused, she connected with the planet briefly to confirm what was going on. The connection was tenuous, but what she could glean from it, the current quiet had nothing to do with her companion.

She had thought that she'd have at least somewhat of a head start on Shinra . They'd have sent more than one helicopter but she thought she'd bought them time by killing the first. Well, she had but not as much as she'd hoped. It would take around forty five minutes to get where they had to go. Their head start wouldn't be much, but it'd have to do. She didn't feel the need to run but she did quicken her steps, not even looking behind to check on her companion. Aeris had always prided herself on being fast for someone as short as she was, even then, she didn't presume to consider that she'd be faster than the great general behind her. His speed was legendary, that is if you believed everything they said in the papers. Even if it wasn't super human, she was assured that he'd be able to keep up with her pace. He was much taller than she and it stood to reason his stride was much longer than hers.

She didn't take into account her familiarity with the terrain and his relative unfamiliarity, having been too unconscious to explore the area as she had. Consequently, he'd fallen quite a bit behind. She'd made it to the path near the fallen tree before she'd noticed his absence. Looking behind her at the empty path, her imagination began to work on her. The startling silence of the forest only helped to unnerve her further and soon she had herself worked up to quite a fervor. Convinced that he either hadn't followed or if he had he'd been captured or worse. Her conversation with him had been nerve wracking in and of itself. Leaving her feeling a bit drained and slightly angry at his lack of trust, if anyone was untrustworthy it was him. She hadn't leveled a sword at him.

The whole thing had been a giant gamble on her part and it had taken every bit of energy in her to keep herself calm. She'd surprised herself by how easily she'd kept up the enigmatic facade of cheery insouciance. Not to be blunt, but it was the only way she could think to motivate him, at least, the only one that didn't involve his overlarge sword and her head being lopped off, which he'd been quite close to doing, if she had to guess. He wasn't as easy to read as most people. In fact, it was quite hard.

She'd always been slightly empathic but feeling him out was neigh on impossible. His emotions rippled in odd waves, too small, to subtle to be fully gleaned. However, she had seen the murder in his eyes when she mentioned his being an experiment. She'd seen him weigh her life. Balancing killing her, against not killing her and while she was relieved he decided the latter, the fact that he did it at all was alarming. Trust was a hard thing to give. This she understood all too well. Even in more normal circumstances, it wasn't something given lightly. The situation they were in was NOT normal and the gift of trust was even harder to give, if not impossible. He didn't trust her and to be plain, she didn't trust him either. How could she put faith in someone so quick to murder?

But she'd tamped down her fear and tried her best to put it behind her. Moments ago the planet had given her enough strength to do this, to face him without a trace of fear. She'd used it to draw him out and make him curious enough to follow and it had worked. Or so she thought. Maybe she really was too late. Maybe he'd go back to Shinra and whatever awful scenario she hoped to avert would come to pass.

Strings of a hidden dream returned to her, they wrapped around her mind and squeezed with the viciousness of a jungle snake. In the blink of an eye a series of rapid images filled her eyes. A sanctuary, she prayed, a sword fell and all else was darkness. She'd had this dream before, only it was slightly different in that one. This was her death, or a version of it. Either way it was troubling. Half the reason she wanted to help Sephiroth in the first place was the knowledge that he was her enemy's avatar. To snatch him away would mean she might have a chance to evade her own sacrifice. Not that she wasn't prepare to fulfill her vow, but if she didn't have to give her life, than she really didn't want to.

And now. And now...It was silly, really, being so unsure of herself. Sometimes it was hard not to feel weak and insecure, especially when it seemed she could do so little. Who was she to challenge the gods? A mere half-breed, without the power to stop the pillaging of the planet save the desperate notion of sacrificing herself to purge the world's sin. It was much too big for her and she'd spent many a night weeping, begging the planet to take this responsibility away. You are the last. That was all the planet would ever say to her desperate requests. The finality in that statement almost made it hard to live sometimes. She forged past it, always hoping on the periphery that she'd somehow find a way to avert martyrdom. So close. She'd been so close.

A slight breeze rippled through the forest, rustling the leaves gently. It had been raining steadily since early in the morning and it had tapered off some as afternoon approached. Now it was merely a light drizzle that clung to her skin and clothes, damply misting the surface with a fine sheen of water. The wind brushed past her and involuntarily, she shivered and drew her arms around herself for warmth. Everything was oh-so-quiet. Too quiet. Aeris gazed around her as if suddenly the forest she knew so well had become unfamiliar and foreboding. She hated this feeling. Like she was shrinking inside herself, hiding away from what she was. Pretending to be a strong and unconcerned, like a true cetra would be, denying that weak human spirit that fluttered softly at its side. She had no fear, yet she did, because both were apart of who she was.

Lately, she'd tried so hard to hide those weak aspects of herself and she realized why. It was because of him. Hiding was the only way, because if he knew she had weakness, he'd use it. That was the way his kind was. To show fear in front of someone like him was to allow him to control her, and she couldn't let that happen.

Soon enough, she'd be rid of him and back to her normal self and all this useless fretting would be long forgotten. Yes, that was the answer. Besides, was she so weak to doubt the planet's trust in her and her faith in herself? No. She wasn't. Just a bit longer and things would be fine. Repeating that mantra, she pushed herself off the tree she'd been leaning on and traced her path back to the clearing she just left. But there was still more confidence in her step than she felt and she began to ponder the mystery that was her unlikely companion.

Sephiroth was more than the sum of his parts and much more than the colorless facade he presented to the world. There was passion laced behind his eyes, which he hid quite well with his icy demeanor. She had guessed, correctly, that most people took him at face value and didn't dare scratch below the surface. Aeris had. She'd seen it when he reached for her hand, trying to stop her from healing him...the times he'd gaze at her with eyes half-lidded in his delirium, pleading with her to stop being so kind. Those eyes could hide themselves from others, but she would always see, always know what lay just beyond. There was great sorrow there...

Walking with measured steps, she sighed discontentedly. That sorrow, it bothered her immensely and she tried to push away from it, but it always came back. It was almost like she wanted to stay with him, to relieve him of his burden. But that was just...she was only saving him from Shinra, no more, no less. Once they reached the next town, they'd part ways and she'd leave him to his own devices. But it seemed...wrong. You wished to save him, child and we have aided you...do you think such a feat will be so simple?....the earth beneath her whispered. Torn seconds of silence passed and her mind was flooded with several terrible thoughts that came all at once. Her eyes darkened preternaturally, trying to ignore the urgent whisperings of the power that was and wasn't the planet. You made your choice, there is no turning back....Aeris shook herself and tried to think of something else...and failed. Lost in thought, she stared blankly into space, not really paying attention to the world around her. Two words broke her reverie.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, his deep voice smooth and unconcerned.

Aeris gasped despite herself, holding a hand to her heart in surprise. Damn him. She'd forgotten he was a trained warrior and no doubt knew how move through the forest without making noise. Bastard. She thought peevishly, without any real reason for her ire other than the smirk he was currently wearing. Smug bastard. She added, with a slight pout. He gazed at her expectantly, with a tilt of his head to indicate his desire for an answer.

"...You scared me.." She stated primly, purposefully not answering him and instead carefully dusting off her dress to calm her nerves and infuriate him.

He remained unruffled.

"Obviously." He commented dryly, the corners of his mouth tipping up ever so slightly with unfelt mirth.

Oooh. The bastard. He was just getting her back for winning the argument.

"I wasn't sure you followed me..." she replied, pointedly ignoring his petty insult.

"Well, now that we've established I have...may we move on?"

She was very, very tempted to stick her tongue out at him but viciously resisted the urge. It'd only let him know he won this round and she'd be damned before admitting defeat to the likes of him. He gazed heavily at her, and the weight of his stare was almost unbearable. She smiled weakly, feeling suddenly very vulnerable. Her lack of confidence returning under his silent scrutiny, she'd always felt inadequate and his mocking glare didn't help matters. Too flawed to be cetra, to strange to be human. She wondered then, if sometimes he felt the same way. Was that why he was so hostile?

She regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. This was where the sorrow came from. It was like her own and a slow, secretive smile spread across her face. The cold bemusement he'd displayed before transformed into annoyance that practically radiated off him in visible waves. It was hard to take it seriously now, knowing what she did. In fact, the whole situation was silly. Ridiculous. All this preoccupation with a man she'd probably never seen after this or so she hoped, if everything went as planned. A man who was so like herself in his own way.

The tension she felt ebbed away and her smile widened. He looked at her as if she'd gone crazy and she had to admit, it was probably pretty weird, just smiling out of the blue like that. But she couldn't help it, when she was happy, she was happy. It didn't help matters that the perplexed look on his face was actually charmingly out of place and his oversized clothes completed the picture perfect image of a confused little boy. She stifled a giggle as he fidgeted, adjusting and readjusting his clothes in a futile attempt to make them fit.

The flannel shirt he'd been given gradually slipped off his shoulder and he pulled it back up for about the fortieth time. He straightened the shirt in an attempt to look somewhat dignified, noting that she was taking amusement in his discomfort. She knew he was trying to pretend that she didn't notice and it made it that much more humorous. He tugged at his sleeves, deciding to push them up in an attempt to make himself more comfortable in his clothes. It didn't work. The shirt slipped off his shoulder...again and he pulled it up....again. His pants slipped and he tugged at those as well and then he looked up. Aeris had to bite the inside of her cheek to prevent herself from laughing out loud. But it wasn't like what she was thinking was a secret. Her face was tormented with repressed delight and she openly struggled to remain even a tiny bit serious.

Adjusting his shirt again, he jerkily crossed his arms and scowled at her, trying very hard to appear intimidating but somehow it didn't come off that way and he had no idea why. He stood there as silent as the grave, his luminous eyes glaring at her with barely repressed contempt and she should have been scared witless...because his stare was intense, nearly feral with anger. His shirt slipped off his should again. Inside her head she made a little sound effect as it slid down. 'Whoooop!', sang the imaginary sound in her head and that was pretty much the last straw. She clapped a hand over her mouth and tried to stifle the giggles that wouldn't be held back any other way. And when that didn't work, she just surrendered to the laughter and let it escape without thought to what danger they might be in.

Her laughter was a purely joyful sound, bright, crisp and rolling like hills that surrounded them. It was real. She laughed and it was real. Aeris experienced joy as few others did, fully embracing it without reservation or regret. Once she started laughing, it was very hard for her to stop and this time was no exception. She laughed till she was breathless and red faced. Laughed until she couldn't even voice a sound and all that came from her throat was useless gasps. It didn't help during the entire fit that Sephiroth just stood there, statue like, and stared at her. Pointedly arching an eyebrow at her, which only made her laugh harder.

Sephiroth didn't understand it, moreover, he was annoyed at the outburst. She was laughing at him. Laughing. No matter that it sounded genuine, though he'd never heard such a beautiful sound before. When most people had laughed in his presence, it had always rung false to him. As if they were trying to force it for his benefit. When it was really just to comfort themselves because they feared him. Stupid, human games. This strange girl laughed freely. She laughed at him. He'd have killed anyone else for such a thing.

Yet he didn't feel the need to with her and it puzzled him. It was as if he knew she meant no harm by it. She had laughed and there were no barriers between them. She laughed because she felt it. There was something to be joyful about, something funny, something that amused her and despite his presence, she didn't hide it. The girl acted according to her feelings and he couldn't help but feel envious. If only he was so free. Why couldn't he laugh like that? For a moment, his facade slipped and he let the ache he felt on a daily basis show. He was isolated. He would always be isolated. Because joy like that was so foreign, as untouchable as the sun. And she is the sun...

"...What's so funny?" He snapped, icily.

She looked up at him with wide and innocent eyes, still bleary from her giggle fit. Her face struggled a moment and she burst into a new round of laughter that resulted in a vicious coughing fit. After a moment, she calmed herself, breathing in and out slowly before answering him shakily.

"Nothing. Nothing at all..." she replied, her voice still tinged with tired giddiness, "We have to go this way..."

She pointed behind her and to the left, before quickly turning around. Her giggle fits would never stop if she kept looking at him. She dearly hoped that he'd buy new clothes before he left her company, because as kind as Barret's gift was, the silver haired youth looked just silly in them. Maybe she'd help him with that before they parted ways permanently. Turning towards the path she'd left, she was surprised when she was yanked backwards. His grip on her wrist was hard and unforgiving, and she knew better than to fight it. At the same time, she was severely aggravated with him and almost afraid she might start laughing again if she had to look at him. Which just wouldn't help things at all.

"What were you laughing at?"

He would not be ignored or lied to and demanded an answer from her. She tried to pull away this time with a look of vaguely perplexed annoyance. His hold remained firm and he tightened it to let her know there was no chance that he'd just let go. Aeris frowned. Apparently he was used to getting his way when it came to things like this. As if he had a right to have all the answers for everything all the time. What was life without the occasional mystery? Besides, it's not like it was a grand secret. She was laughing at him because she found something funny enough to laugh about, and he just happened to be the cause. And who the hell did he think he was anyway?!! She wasn't some ShinRa grunt, subject to his imposing will. If he thought that she'd snap to, salute and do exactly as he wanted with a quick two step, he had another thing coming. She was no one's to command. No one save the planet. He wasn't even a general anymore. She narrowed her eyes and prepared to tell him just that when the planet shrieked in alarm, causing her to wince in pain.

Sephiroth noticed the sudden shift in her manner. How she went from open defiance to pain laced obliviousness in a matter of seconds. Her eyes were glazed over and looked out blindly, as if she wasn't in the world anymore. Eyes deadened as if she was concentrating on something deeply, submerged within herself, escaping his scrutiny, ignoring him for some interior voice. God above, she was the most obnoxious person he'd ever had the misfortune to deal with and he was about to tell her exactly that but he stopped himself. Something was wrong. This wasn't just some feminine stalling tactic. Her skin which was warm only moments before had gone ice cold under his fingertips. Goosebumps stood out on her flesh and he could feel her trembling. It started out as a barely noticeable tremor which gradually got worse, until she was visibly shaking. Without warning, she tugged out of his grip and looked up at him with a wide eyed expression. The first thought he had upon looking her in the eye was that she was frightened, scared witless.

"We have to leave..." she said breathlessly, her voice deadening with apprehension, "....now."

Alarmed, he caught her wrist, this time more gently. She whirled around, her face painted with furious fear, wild and hysterical.

"WHAT'RE YOU DOING!?" She cried, trying to pull away, "WE HAVE TO GO--WE HAVE TO--LET ME GO! LET ME GO!!"

He watched her struggle, fixing a bored look on his face to try to keep her from becoming more irrational. Someone had to keep their heads in this and she was clearly not in possession of her wits. He didn't understand the change in demeanor and he didn't care. She was already an enigma wrapped in a mystery, neither of which he particularly cared for. However, he was worried about what she meant about leaving and the best way to solve a problem was to remain calm and gather all your facts. So he proceeded to do so in the most logical way possible.

"Why?"

Instead of a coherent answer, she continued to try and squirm from his hold, all the while screaming at him to let her go. He sighed heavily and rolled his eyes, twisting her hand back until she had no choice but to fall to the ground beneath him, squealing in pain.

"Why?" He repeated, with almost irritating calm as he relaxed his hold on her wrist.

"...ShinRa...is here..."

The planet screamed in her ears and she could barely hear her own voice as she replied. She closed her eyes, trying to beat back the twin waves of pain, the one in her head and the one in her ass. Damn them both, she thought bitterly. The planet didn't much care what she felt at the moment as it flooded her with power. It stretched out her senses until she could feel the living energy of every being in the forest. She struggled against it, as the experience was very uncomfortable. It was like eating candy that was too sweet. Sending her to a place that was between pleasure and pain. The planet focused her senses, targeting only those energy signatures that were human and suddenly she could see. There were bright points of light all around them, circling in on the lights that represented them like an ever moving fog. Threatening to subsume them...it was ShinRa and they were closing in.

Her eyes snapped open and though her hysteria was gone, her panic was not. She looked up at her companion with raw fear. They'd be caught if they didn't move and soon. With a speed she didn't know she had, she reversed his hold on her and took his hand in hers, clasping it tightly. She turned and was nearly yanked off her feet when he didn't move with her. Stubborn ass...She pulled at his hand desperately. He was immoveable, looking at her with blank apathy. She pleaded with her eyes, begging him to just trust her as she tugged at his hand again. His face remained unexpressive and coldly detached, as he continued to wait for an answer that would never come.

"How do you..." he was about to ask.

She curt him off with a snarl, "THERE'S NO TIME!"

She yanked his hand sharply enough to send him into a stumbling walk. He wasn't about to let her win and had planned on yanking her back just as harshly. She'd been given her fair chance to come clean and stop all this bullshit. Before he'd had no choice but to obey and trust her, that time was over. He wanted answers and he wanted them now. Then he heard the distinct sound of voices and twigs snapping as a large group of people moved through the forest. A dog barked and his head snapped in the direction of the noise. She was right. Damn her, she was right.

Her hearing was not as good as his. He knew this because he'd snuck up on her more than once without her noticing. So, the question remained, how did she know ShinRa was here? In the end, he surmised, the question didn't matter at all and the most annoying part was that he had to agree with her. Leaving was the most palatable option at this point, though he probably could take the entire garrison they'd no doubt sent. The thought was tempting...He moved his hand as if to draw his sword, but she stopped it. Looking up at him earnestly, she shook her head and tilted it to the left, at an overgrown path just behind them. It was an achingly slow process in his mind that took mere seconds. He would trust her. Lowering his hand, he squeezed hers for reasons he couldn't possibly comprehend. His only excuse that it was acquiescence to her plan of action or at least that's what he told himself.

Again, he wanted to ask her how she knew, he wanted to ask so many questions but as she said, there was no time. She broke out into an all out run, thanking the gods that he not only followed, but held onto her hand as she lead him. The forest flew by in a blur of yellow and green. Abruptly she stopped, using the planet's temporary gift, she could feel the soldiers near.

"Sir, I think I heard something over here..."

The voice was muffled, but clear enough so that she knew he was close. Sephiroth heard it as well, and again, went for his sword. She covered his hand with hers and pulled him behind a large bush. He was going to object and opened his mouth to say something when she covered it with her other hand. Startled, he stared at her, not sure whether he wanted to cut her arm off for being so bold or to just simply sit her with her hand over his mouth. Aeris didn't notice the little internal war. She was too busy concentrating on the soldier's movement through the forest.

Licking her lips, she could feel him as he moved closer. Her heart beat a thousand miles a minute. He was right next to them. She bit her lip and unconsciously she held her breath. The solider move away and with every step she felt herself relax until she no longer could feel his presence. She looked over at her companion, who was still wearing a shocked look of wonder and outrage. Aeris blushed and removed her hand, mouthing 'I'm sorry'. Her hand clasped his again, and pulled him towards the path she knew was less than three feet away.

He resisted slightly, squeezing her hand lightly, almost unsurely. There was a part of him that was incredulous at the action, not able to comprehend why he was being so gentle, so soft. He should have swatted her hand away but the pulse of contentment he got just by holding it was too beautiful to not savor. So he ignored instinct and allowed this bit of forbidden contact to continue. Not knowing that she felt the same confusion and awkwardness. It was odd to hold the hand of a stranger and yet feel as if you'd known them forever. Aeris shook her head and turned to see what her companion wanted. She was still in a half crouch, ready to beat feet. Unexpectedly, he pulled her closer to him, until their bodies nearly touched. An almost embrace. His face was near her ear and she blushed with wild embarrassment.

"...You know where we're going, correct?" he whispered huskily, his breath brushing across her skin lightly enough to cause goose-bumps.

She swallowed hard and nodded numbly, almost amazed at his sudden shift from paranoid bastard to unlikely ally. Not to mention the strange, yet oddly welcome closeness they now shared. She could almost enjoy it.

"They have dogs. Wherever you're taking us, they will follow." He paused, his face darkening suddenly. "I want to make this clear. I'm willing to trust you. If this is a ruse...if you abuse my trust in you, I assure you, your end will be painful. Now, do you trust me?"

She could have laughed herself stupid when he said that and she bit her lip to contain her laughter. It was out and out hilarious to hear that sentiment from him, of all people. Especially after what he'd said! Asking for her trust and threatening her life in the same space of time. It was worse than laughable. She was driven beyond exasperation by his inexplicable paranoia. Was he trying to confuse her? If so, he was doing a damn fine job. He deserved a gold star and a cookie. She glanced up at him uncertainly, holding his eyes with her own for a moment before nodding slowly. He nodded back, his odd eyes changing from tranquil jade to a light viridian. His face was grimly serious and he set a hand on her shoulder, before looking deeply into her eyes.

"Water...is there water nearby?"

"Yes." She replied quietly, "Just over there.."

She pointed in the direction helpfully, doing a double take when she thought she saw him smile. It disappeared before she could tell for sure, but she could have sworn she saw his lips twitch a bit at the corners. Amazing. He tilted his head to indicate for her to lead the way. It took a few seconds for this to register, as she was still staring at him dumbly. Her mind still focusing on whether or not he'd smiled. Blushing, she led him to the river and pushed her sillier thoughts from her mind. They stealthily made their way to the river, still holding hands and it wasn't until they arrived that either let go.

It had begun to rain a bit harder and the day had grown cool. The light sundress she was wearing wasn't keeping her warm and it was even more useless now that it was damp. Shivering, she waited at the riverside for him to act. He paused, looking at the scenery with a calculating gaze. His head tilted to one side, then the other, as if he was listening to something only he could hear. After a few minutes of this, he turned to her, stepping forward in an unconsciously protective manner.

With a frown, he looked down at his own shirt. Wordlessly, he ripped a long strip of fabric off of it, while she looked on curiously. She raised her eyebrows as he ripped, not really sure what ripping a shirt had to do with anything. Giving a little mental shrug, she watched this parade of freakish behavior with mild interest. He didn't seem perturbed by her attention, as he had before and he continued on as if she weren't even there. With sudden swiftness, he knelt on the ground and proceeded to dig at the dirt. She watched with rapt fascination as his long fingers cleared away dirt from around a stone.

Satisfied with his work, he easily plucked the stone from the ground, only to repeat the process until another was uncovered and clasped in his hand. Boyishly, he tossed one in the air and caught it. Aeris almost laughed again and opened her mouth to ask him what he was doing. He must have heard the slight inhalation of her breath, because she immediately garnered his attention. She nearly dropped the stone he tossed at her but the little smirk he gave her, she managed to catch. Aeris frowned at him, looking from him to the rock and back again with a cocked eyebrow.

He held up a warning finger, with a look of smug superiority. It was his non-verbal way of telling her to shut up and pay attention. Barely able to repress the urge to stick her tongue out at him, she opted instead to watch silently, albeit sullenly. He took the slip of fabric and wound it around the rock carefully, tying the ends tightly before shoving it in his pocket. His head snapped up and he stared at her for a beat before closing the gap between them without a word. She felt like shrinking away from his towering form but she held her ground. His hand was around her arm and she had to consciously repress a shriek of surprise. He'd pulled her closer to him, gazing up and down at her, as if appraising her quality.

It was embarrassing and weird and she wished he'd stop because it made her feel uncomfortable. Slightly reminding her of her time at ShinRa, only infinitely more pleasant. He was warm and that realization brought a flaming blush to her cheeks. Because part of her wanted to lean into it and if she hadn't caught herself, she would have done just that. What was with her? Again, she chided herself for being so childish. This was not the time for this kind of stuff and it made her flush darker. She was just being silly and as she tried to discern what he was doing, she looked up at him through her bangs. Not wanting him to see the bright dusting of crimson across both cheeks.

He apparently didn't notice or didn't care because he seemed more concerned with her hair. For a panicked and very girly moment, she wondered if there was something wrong with it. She quickly recovered herself as he continued to stare at it before his hands darted forward. Without any consideration for her personal space, he began to untie the ribbon and he wasn't even gentle about it.

Her ribbon was in his hands. Her ribbon. Aeris scowled unhappily at the ribbon he stole from her. Then he took the rock he'd given her and repeated his previous actions. Her face darkened and she gave him the sourest look she could muster. The polite thing to do would have been to tell her what he was doing. Instead of keeping it to himself, leaving her in the dark and ribbonless. He was just lucky the ribbon was only for decoration and she thanked the gods for the smaller, plainer hair band she used to secure her braid.

"Which direction?"

Aeris had been studiously ignoring him. Sending him her best annoyed glances and scowls, and she'd have given him the silent treatment if they were in any other situation. Of course, she hadn't been really paying attention to what he said and it suddenly dawned on her that he had, indeed, asked her a question.

She flinched at the sound of his voice, "Huh?"

This earned her a disapproving glare.

"Which direction?" He repeated, his voice nothing but a low whisper but still capable of annunciating every word in the most condescending way possible. When she didn't look any more enlightened than she had before, he rolled his eyes before explaining as curtly as possible, "You seem to have sensed the ShinRa before they came...So, from which direction are they coming?"

"Oh...yeah..."

She paused in thought, blinking at him a bit dumbly.

"So...."

She shook her head, blushing when she realized she'd been staring into space again. The connection she made with the planet was quick but it worked. With combined effort, she sought out to find where the ShinRa were coming from, where they were headed. From what she could tell, the largest concentration seemed to have swarmed over her camp and spread outward from there. There were so many of them. She gasped as the planet drew her a vision of the small contingent on their heels. This group of ShinRa was less than twenty minutes behind them and they had dogs. Just as Sephiroth had said.

"They've fanned out...The largest group is behind us..." she relayed to him, her voice an earthy whisper, "...But..." She scowled and shook her head as the planet's images gained focus, "...they're breaking off...sending more upriver..."

He had expected as much. The fools had underestimated him. Sephiroth nodded at her warily, eyeing her with something between suspicion and awe. Aeris missed the look completely as she opened her eyes, feeling suddenly exhausted and wishing she were warmer. She couldn't understand what he was doing and why they were still here, when the enemy was so close. He played with the fabric covered rocks for a moment or two, spinning them in his palms before he stopped short and pushed them into his pockets, leveling a pensive gaze on her.

"Come here."

She looked taken aback, alarmed and annoyed by the commanding tone in his voice but she obeyed. Hesitantly, she stepped closer to him, her hands creeping up to protect her hair from further violation. At this, he smirked before grabbing her wrist and forcibly pulling her closer. She squeaked in protest as he hauled her into his arms.

"Hold on." He commanded, his deep voice rumbling under her fingers as they pressed against his chest.

"He has no right," she thought just before she felt her feet leave the ground.

He didn't even give her a chance to comply with the order. The forest floor rushed away from her and she was left dangling precariously in the arms of a man who wouldn't blink twice if he dropped her. It was obvious they'd gone airborne and try as she might, she was surprised. She didn't want to be. Leaping from the ground to the air in a single leap was...abnormal but who was she to judge? All the same, it was terrifying and she stared at the ground, her eyes widening in fright.

"Don't scream..."

The quiet admonition silenced the sound that almost escaped her lips but it didn't stop the terror she felt. She squeezed her eyes shut and wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him, head buried in his neck. The clipped chuckle this elicited did not make her feel better and if she were a more violent person, she'd have hit him. He really was a pain in the neck.

Abruptly, their upward momentum stopped and Aeris exhaled with a rush of relief that was almost immediately sucked back in. He had leapt into one of the trees, setting down on one of the topmost branches that was just thick enough to hold them both. She was no more comfortable with this new development than she was before. It was made more uncomfortable by the fact that he still hadn't let her go.

Not that she wanted him to. Falling to her death wasn't a pleasant thought but he could have found a branch to sit her on. Away from him. She squirmed uncomfortably, wishing he'd just set her down. Her struggling ceased as he gave her waist a warning squeeze. She stopped, but inwardly, she fumed. This whole situation was infuriating, and it wouldn't have been so bad, if only he'd let her in on the big secret. But he remained stonily silent and uncommunicative as he scanned the ground below them. The ShinRa the planet had shown her crept into view and she froze, only slightly comforted by him tugging her closer.

She looked up, curious at his actions, only to find that he wasn't anymore expressive than he was before. It was an empty gesture and it irritated her. To annoy him, she studied his face, watching as minute expressions flickered across it. She couldn't read him as his thoughts and expressions passed too quickly. His face was a storm cloud and his emotion seemed to be like lightening that fled before the rain. What was he thinking? How could someone's mind work that fast...and why? He was a rather fascinating person to watch, she concluded, after a few minutes. She could watch him all day and have no insight into his condition, no clue as to what lay behind those assiduously cold eyes. For an empath, he was somewhat of a conundrum. A challenge. Aeris couldn't help but smile a bit impishly at the thought.

He'd noticed her staring and had firmly ignored it, but it did aggravate him. Without looking at her, he spoke quietly, "I'm going to set you down..." He paused, and sharply titled his head to her right, "...Grab that branch."

Aeris frowned and tentatively reached a hand out. Her fingers scrabbled to grab the branch he'd indicated, the action made more difficult by the odd position she was in. With one hand, she clasped onto the branch, making a little, satisfied sigh. He stepped back, his hands still at her waist, steadying her. She wobbled slightly and almost lost her composure, nearly slipping.

"Calm down..." he ordered, worried that she'd shake the branch more noticeably than she was already.

He came closer to her, allowing her to grasp his shoulder with her other hand. She stood there for a moment, glad that he was allowing her this moment to collect herself. This wasn't exactly in her rubric. Carefully, he guided her, so that she sat on the branch and to her amazement, he didn't let go the entire time. Not until she was seated safely, with her arms hugging the tree's wide trunk. It was oddly calming to realize he might not be a total bastard. She looked up at him and smiled shakily. Not surprised when he didn't return one in kind. What she did notice was that he wasn't standing on a nearby branch, as she had thought. In fact, he wasn't standing on anything at all. Where a branch should be there was nothing but open air. He was floating. Her eyes widened comically and she looked from his feet to his face. He shrugged, completely non-plussed by her reaction. Slowly, he descended so that he was eye level with her.

Again, without speaking, he came closer to her, his hands reaching out and snagging the hem of her dress. Later, she decided, they'd discuss his apparent lack of respect for another's personal space. Before she could jerk him away, he'd ripped a good strip of cloth from the bottom of her dress. Her mouth dropped to her chest. The sheer audacity! That was a new dress! She'd brought it specifically for this trip! To her further chagrin, he didn't even rip it evenly. One side was torn and ratty looking and the other remained pristine. Her face burned with the outrage and she could do nothing but gape in disbelief. Whether or not he was enjoying this, she couldn't tell. Not by the look on his face, but underneath the cool mask, she was pretty sure he was.

"Why'd you do that..."

"Give me you hand."

"What?! Why?!!...I mean, no! You didn't answer my question..."

He rolled his eyes and with inhuman speed, he snatched her left hand. She didn't have time to object, nor was she that willing to. He unsheathed his sword and her sudden lack of interest in objecting disappeared. Not that it mattered. Her hand was forcibly drawn across the thin blade, splitting the flesh on her palm, leaving behind a neat, fresh line of blood that gushed openly. It was done before she could scream or cry, and oddly enough, it didn't even hurt. In one swift movement, he wiped the surface of the sword clean with her dress rag and sheathed it.

The same rag was used to mop up her now bleeding hand. He held it to the wound for a bit, long enough for the fabric to soak up the blood. Aeris was officially angry now and she'd wisely decided not to say anything at the moment. But the minute they were out of this situation, she was really gonna let him have it. Sword or no sword. The fact that she could do nothing at this moment made her all the angrier. And the man that should have been her outlet for this did nothing but smirk quietly...in mid-air. Oh, she hated him.

Smug, sonva...

He turned her palm over to look at it, wiping it clean as his brow furrowed. She couldn't imagine that there was anything resembling concern there. Their eyes met and a million unanswerable questions passed between them yet again. Was it possible to loathe someone with your entire being and yet be so damnably fascinated by them? She might just stick around after this. Just to frustrate him. It'd be small recompense for her lost time, stolen ribbon, torn dress and all the general irritation he caused her.

He held her gaze for a moment longer, bloodied rag in his hand. She wished he would just pick a branch and sit down like a normal person. Floating like that...it was disturbing.

"Take care of your hand..."

"What?"

"You should heal that..." He replied simply, "...I'll be back..."

"Wait...What do you--"

And just like that, he was gone. Flying away to parts unknown, leaving her near the top of tree she couldn't possibly hope to climb down on her own. So help her, if he didn't come back....Aeris scowled. He better come back. Grumbling, she set about healing her palm, having to resort to using mild restorative spells. She had to save her strength, after all.

"Wouldn't have to heal it at all if it wasn't for him..." she complained grumpily, pausing before adding, "...jerk."

AUTHOR'S NOTE!

Well, here ya go. This chapter was meant to end somewhere else and is in fact much, much longer. But I'm tired and a bit lazy and I didn't want to torture you with an uber long chapter. I kid. I realize this was sort of a fluff chapter but it's all good. It sets up stuff for the next, more action packed chapter. Hurrah for action!

Also, I had some questions regarding Purgatory from Windwalker...the story and the actual concept itself. Please, see my user profile for answers.

Anyhoot. I wanted to thank y'all for reading and being patient with me. I have an irritating habit of making too much work for myself and I'm glad that y'all understand. Purgatory should be updated pretty soon. Not sure what else. I'm gonna try for an Angel Wings update, but don't hold your breath. Aaaaaanyways.

Till then!

Ciao!--Noa