I'm back! So the next 7 chapters are pretty much done and only need a bit of editing. This chapter took me a bit to get through because I got stuck for a while. I'm happy I didn't skip this chapter though. In the meantime, how many have played the remake?

Since they remake only takes places in Midgar and we aren't there yet in this story, we're not going to focus on any of that yet. Unless I can get some parts to fit into what I have planed now, parts of the remake will not be included.

Enjoy Rated T for language, I don't own Final Fantasy VII.

Pain exploded across my stomach. I felt a jerk, then the pain reappeared in my leg this time. I wanted to move away but my limbs felt as if they were weighed down. Was I even on my back? It was hard to tell, all I could focus on was the pain. I opened my mouth to scream, and imminently it was filled with a bitter, copper taste. Hot and suffocating it filled my senses until it was all I could taste and smell. Blood, it was blood.

The pain in my leg lessened for a moment, before finding itself again in my thigh. A second burning pain soon joined it, in my shoulder this time. It was a knife, I realized... I was being stabbed. Trying to jerk away I actually managed to sit up for a moment, only to feel something slam me back down. The knife in my shoulder twisted harshly, while the one in my thigh was removed. It soon found itself in my stomach again only a few inches from the first wound. Blood was coating the inside of my mouth, I wanted to throw up. What was happening? Why was I here?

'...deserve...' a voice quietly whispered in my ear.

Who was that?

'...did... this...'

One of the knives was yanked out harshly, before finding itself in my chest-

'Your fault... if you... helped... selfish...'

-slowly cutting into me. They wanted me to suffer.

'Everything... for you...'

Couldn't breathe... why..?

'It's your fault'

"ENOUGH"

A loud scream tore through my throat as I shot upright. A broken sob strangled it's way out among the frantic gasping. A pair of hands held onto me-

slamming me back down as they prepared to plunge another knife...

Frantic I tried to push them away only to fail as a pair of arms, larger then the first wrapped themselves around me. I found my face pressed into a large chest as my wailing sobs grew in volume as I struggled to get free. Gentle hands started to pat my head as soothing words were whispered in my ear. Soon I found myself being, rocked? Yes rocked, as a hand found it's way to my head and slowly pat my hair. How much time passed I wasn't sure, before the sobs started to die down. Eventually they turned into quite whimpers, then sniffles.

Only after I could think straight again did I dare to open my eyes and take everything in. My dad was sitting on the edge of my bed holding me, Xander was sitting next to him and was the one patting my head. On the bed next to mine sat my mother who was quietly watching. A strained smile pulled at her lips when I looked up to her. Quietly she got up and sat on my father's other side to whisper comforting words in my ear. Everything was ok, I was ok.

The following morning I found myself at the breakfast table. As soon as I sat down my mother set my breakfast in front of me. It was simple and light, scrambled eggs and toast with jam. I knew I didn't have an appetite but considering my current age I couldn't really skip out on eating much. I stared at the plate for a moment before picking up my fork to eat. My parents smiled at me as I slowly began to eat. I could feel their eyes watching me warily, with good reason of course. This was the fourth time this month I had woken up screaming from a nightmare. It was always the same thing, but I had no idea what it meant. I could never make out any details, nor the voices I heard whispering to me. It always left me wary and confused. Not to mentioned terrified to fall asleep. My family tried to get me to talk about my dreams, but they left me so disoriented that I couldn't explain. Or at least that's what I told them. How does a six year old explain to their parents that they keep having dreams of being held down and stabbed? Even Xander tried to get me to open up to him to no avail. He thought it might have been easier to talk to him instead of our parents, seeing as we were closer in age. I contemplated lying to him, but found myself unable to really find a good excuse. Speaking of Xander...

The twelve year old boy had heavy bags under his eyes. Living in a small house, he and I ended up sharing a room. Which usually meant he was the first to deal with me whenever I woke up screaming bloody murder. I knew that I was the reason he was so tired, and I felt terrible about it. At his age he should be focused on finishing school, and his training. Apparently the normal graduation age here was at 15, but he decided to not only focus on woodworking, but to become a hunter as well. He never went into detail but I knew he was getting worn out. My nightmares were making his burden even harder.

"Sweetheart are you done eating?" My father called out. He was watching me as I pushed the remainder of my food around on my plate. In front of him he had an empty cup of coffee and a folded newspaper resting on the table. Was I that out of it I didn't even notice him sit down?

Glancing at my plate I saw that I only ate about half the food on my plate. I knew I wouldn't be able to stomach anymore food though. "Yes papa. I'm done."

He let out a sigh as he picked up my plate and took it to the sink. I could see the troubled look in his eyes before he turned away. I hadn't eaten enough to satisfy him, but at least it was something. My mother took the plate from him before turning to address my brother.

"Xander, if you're done then take your sister to get ready for school."

"Ok mama," Xander said while letting out a huge yawn. "Com'n sis let's go."

The twelve year old took my hand as he led me took me to the single bathroom to get ready. Despite how tired he was, he watched me closely as I washed my face and brushed my teeth. As soon as I was done he helped me pick out a simple outfit, a short sleeved burnt orange shirt with black pants and shoes. He and my parents knew that I hated wearing skirts and dresses already, despite what everyone else in the village thought. While I got dressed on my side of our shared room he quickly ran to the bathroom to freshen himself up before coming back to get dressed. After making sure I looked decent (besides being dressed like a boy that is), he quickly came and tried to tame my very curly hair. Another thing I was happy to have. Just as he finished taming the beast into a ponytail, our mother called us down to go to school. Taking my hand again he led me into the kitchen where both our parents stood. Both were dressed for work and held out our school bags. Xander and I quickly hugged our parents goodbye as we took our bags and rushed out the door. The school was maybe only a ten minute walk from our house, but we had to go through the small shopping center of the village. As we walked he didn't let go of my hand once, not even when his friends showed up to walk with us.

I had to say, having a brother now was strange. In my past life, I was an only child. My first few years here were very similar as Xander barely interacted with me. I'm not sure when the big brother switch flipped, but for the past year since I turned six he's been paying more attention to me. Maybe he hit puberty and the overprotective big brother gene kicked in? He started to pick up on things our parents didn't. He knew that was "smarter" then I was letting on and was bored in school most of the time. He knew that other kids didn't talk to me much, and the only real friend I had was Zack. Lately he's gotten surprisingly well at reading me and knowing when something bothers me. He was smart and observant, easily able to pick up on subtle hints and clues. It seems the whole genius thing ran in the family. I couldn't tell if the way he acted was normal sibling behavior or not, since I had nothing to compare it to.

A mass of spiky black hair and energy crashed into me forcing me out of my current train of thought. Huh, we were in front of the school already. I should really pay more attention. Xander had finally let go of my hand as the bundle of energy known as Zack Fair barreled into me. Immediately he started rambling in my ear about everything that's happened since we last saw each other. What he ate for dinner last night, everything his parents said, the story he read before bed, every person he talked to on the way here... Gods did he eat a bowl of sugar for breakfast? We just saw each other yesterday. I didn't even got a word in before the teachers started to call everyone inside to begin class.

Sorry for the long wait but I had the next 7 chapters pretty much done at this point. I needed to put something out so I can move things along. I really wanted some sibling bonding in this chapter. Part 2 coming soon

04-26-2020