Behind Black Curtains
An AU, Sephiroth and Tifa fanfiction
-by Amaranthos-
Chapter 4: Duties of Importance
Around a large ebony oval table sits aficionados of every field in the kingdom.
Some were multi-tasked with duties that extended as far as being Commanders and Generals of the great army. Yet, they all sat listening to the one man with chocolate hair and red eyes reading a report, in which he felt most humorous to read aloud.
The officials all spared small smiles knowing the report was indeed amusing.
He drops the folder and chuckles lightly, his deep voice somehow, kind.
In a rash notion, the doors are slammed opened to a man whose face is etched in fear. The man had been Lockhart's informant.
"Sir…" he begins shaking his head in disbelief.
"Itizuki?" inquired General Lockhart looking at his informant with concern, "What is it?"
"Your daughter's been captured, milord" he bowed, his curt sharp words cut.
Immediately I felt splintered by such heavy words. I cried at the sudden knowledge which to me was bitterer than any grief.
My grief seems to haze my senses and all I could do was stare into the distance, pondering how could such an unfortunate thing happen.
It was still four minutes pass nine that morning, and it seems that my grief would grow larger.
I still myself from concerned faces and breathless silence, from the quick skulls of Japanese Koi fish in a large pond outside my head quarters.
All I felt was a silver prison over me, indifference taking me over.
All over eyes averted to me and with a sudden memory of a smiling face and a girl of red eyes, I saw my little Tifa and knew it was my fault. She was just like her mother, a pacifist - always trying to help the immediate villages and small people; providing them with food, shelter and peace. No matter how many times he tried to discourage her about her profession and what she chose to be, she didn't care. It had been that same fear of wanting her safe that was now responsible for her capture.
A fear that inspires his pain for his deceased wife.
Every time he saw Tifa, he saw his wife Iris. She was a gentle woman, far more gentle and forgiving than anyone he ever knew. She gave freely of her heart and loved the world, always inspiring him and teaching him that the world was not a place to hate, but to sink our seeds and watch our fruit grow to each new day. It was that same philosophy she groomed Tifa, but those were the shortest yearsther for Tifa, when her mother grew ill and passed away.
Tifa was only seven.
Tifa unlike her mother, grew up hard, believing in herself, learning kendo and martial arts as a way to express the sadness and loss for her mother. She read books about different cultures, and grew up to be a brilliant girl, but I knew… it was because of my neglect she grew up so alone. Casted away…
She had tried to bridge the gap between us several times, instead my pain for my wife had been too much; I ended up pushing my only child away in an effort to never to bear such a pain again. However it looks as if life would repeat itself and I find myself having to deal with a new pain.
One for my only child. My only daughter.
"Milord." one of the soldiers spoke out.
I knew faces had been looking at me concerned, wondering what were my thoughts or even my actions now. But how could I say? I didn't know. Tifa was captured and now we were sitting ducks. What is my action to take?
Leaning into my chair, I remembered something my wife had said to me when Tifa had been a wee child.
'The discourse of our future is always questionable and subject to change. Angles are all about this game call life, and if you should find them, study them making a fair and just decision.'
I had laughed at that statement, but she was all too right. As flat as I interpreted Tifa's capture to be, it still wasn't over for Red Hearts, nor should I endanger my people by a rash fatherly decision. I would not have it.
Looking up at my fellow comrades I could see concern and apology on their faces. I stood near the window eyeing the kingdom below. All about the streets were people happily working and living peaceful lives. Their lives were worth protecting.
My decisions needed to reflect not just how I felt, but what was right for the people. Like my wife and daughter had fought for… I needed to do it as well.
"Itizuki..." I spoke for the first time in a few minutes.
"Hai"
"Prepare a letter for me to my old friend…Rufus Shinra"
Everyone looked on, a bit shocked at his first order of action.
I look down at a father holding his small child in his arms. Remembering my Tifa, I feel bitter at Black Crescents.
'And so, the battle has begun'
General Sephiroth was awake since 6 o' clock that morning, sitting in his living room, reading about his recent mission given to him. Taking a sip of his hot black coffee, he whispers something incoherently before placing down the coffee. Sometimes he wondered, if Rufus Shinra literally enjoyed placing all the stomps and cards for him to have a hard life as a General.
Sephiroth shakes his head and becomes distracted by small incoherent words of the young woman now sleeping on his floor. Tifa, who he had shackled to his wall the night before, had fallen asleep after sobbing for hours. When he woke up this morning, she was slumped down to the floor sleeping quietly without using that loud mouth of hers to say 'damned' things.
He had to admit, the little female had a certain spunk to her that made her interesting to watch. Sephiroth not at all interested by females or their dynamic sex for that matter, could not deny watching fiery women always made him feel a tad bit better crushing their spirits. I mean the idea alone, to crush someone's spirit especially as weak as a woman's, was low but it didn't bother Sephiroth, it only made the custom that more boring. But when you crush the life or spirit of something so very alive and high spirited, you enjoy seeing the flames in their eyes diminish and admittedly, there is no greater pleasure.
Still, the young woman even on the floor was a nightmare equally. According to Sephiroth's officials, she had banged and screamed and thrashed for hours the night before. Sephiroth felt irked last night when that was the first thing he heard.
He would have to speak to Velrog about having Tifa stationed with someone else. He was a busy General who didn't have time to baby-sit noisy little girls, especially the ones Rufus likes.
Again, her strange murmuring and mutterings tore him from his thoughts. Sephiroth tried to continue reading but her voice was becoming louder. Standing to his feet, he approached her unknowingly, and knelt before her.
She kept whispering and saying things as she slept.
'Having a bad dream?' Sephiroth spoke softly.
Quite interesting this thing called dreaming is. He wondered what it was like. He smirked on the thought. Tapping his finger on the floor loudly, the sound seemed to stir her.
Tifa placed a hand over her eyes, becoming groggy at the noise. Sephiroth repeats his tapping.
Tifa fussed unaware of her surroundings. Placing a hand over the person's hand, she tries to tell them with her gesture to quit it.
Sephiroth does not take notice to her action. Tifa on the other hand notices something different and like a sore thumb that sticks out, the thoughts again replay. She wasn't at home. Removing her hand from over her eyes, she sees Sephiroth with the same pair of devoid green eyes staring at her. Tifa shudders.
He pulls back, removing his hand from hers. He heaps his papers into a small stack leaving the room to enter another, perhaps his bedroom. Tifa by this time sits on the floor confused. She pummeled herself for forgetting the fact she had been in a strange place. And what was worst was the fact she touched the devil.
Tifa turns to her side feeling stupid and gross.
Sephiroth returns and begins "Shinra requires you in an hour." his voice is cold. Tifa turns back to him and looks up. He is about to leave when she called out.
"Please, can I have some different clothes?"
He stops and doesn't react. His eyes trail over her thin nightgown.
With that he leaves his room, locking it on his go.
'I guess that's a no,' Tifa sighs. 'So much for good mornings'
In about twenty minutes, Sephiroth's doors are reopened to three maids. They all wore black and white dresses, and seem to be very speedy in their actions. Two of the maids approach Tifa and helps her up to stand. Sephiroth by this time enters his room and approaches the maids who instinctively move to the side bowing at him.
Tifa leans back into the wall afraid he was about to hurt her. Instead, he unlocks her shackles and tells her deathly slow, "...Again Lockhart, do not force me to kill you."
He exits his room and shuts the door. The young maids offer Tifa the opportunity to bathe and she humbly agrees. They place a robe over her shoulders and open the doors informing Sephiroth she's in need of a bath. Sephiroth looks at Tifa and his eyes are callusing.
"Very well, make haste." He ordered.
Tifa walks down the hall for the first time without shackles or people running her down to kill her. The maids then stop and open a large door. Inside is the biggest bathroom she's ever seen. It had the same Black crescent design with marble and chrome finishes but it was so beautiful. Tifa is told to take a seat on the bath bench and maids come one by one filling her tub in a white liquid. Tifa is confused. They didn't even open the tap, they just began coming in with buckets filled of this white liquid.
"What is that?" Tifa asks concerned
"Milk with Jasmine extract. Lord Shinra has requested you have a bath in something sweet" the young maid informed.
Tifa shakes her head; she had never taken a bath in milk… 'What strange customs'
"Please, take off your robes or would you like me to?" the maid asks her.
"No, no…I – I can do this by myself" she speaks.
"Very well, we shall be outside if you require us" the maids bowed and left.
Tifa shook her head, and then scratched it. She honestly didn't know what to make of these strange customs. Realizing that she couldn't escape because looking at the window it was bolted like the one in the royal chamber. It was kind of messed up thought Tifa. That no windows could open. Shaking her head on the thought, she opened her robe and stripped her gown to her feet. Entering her bath, the milk was warm. Slowly Tifa figured maybe a bath in milk had to be one of the most relaxing things. Not to mention Jasmine in milk was really nice.
Dipping her head back into the milk, Tifa tried untangling her long black locks, every so often massaging her scalp. Tifa then scanned the bath for soap but couldn't spot any. She tried looking around but still no soap. Tifa rubbed the milk against her skin and was surprised that it bubbled up, almost like soap. Doing just that. Tifa washed up, taking her time to bathe.
It had 20 minutes she was in the bathroom. Sephiroth who had returned from his morning's breakfast, saw the three maids still standing outside the door.
"Where is she?" he asked the eldest maid.
"She is bathing, milord. Young Ms. Lockhart has asked to relax a bit in her bath" the maid informed.
Sephiroth snarled. What did Lockhart think it was a vacation or a day at her house? He ordered the maid to open the door, where on its opening they were all relieved to find Tifa combing her hair with her clothes on.
"You should knock before you enter a lady's bath." were the only words Tifa could spare him, continuing to comb her hair.
Sephiroth looked at her coldly.
"Shinra wants to see you."
Tifa gently places down her comb and with a clean bright face she nods. She follows the General's lead who leads her to a reading room.
Sephiroth takes his leave. Tifa stands in the room, holding her hands.
"Aww, don't you look beautiful." Rufus suddenly speaks, sitting on a chair to the far north of the room.
"You know, that dress is actually an antique. It's made of silk and satin, the trending in it is 14-karat gold. We stole it from these poor country people. Spent every day I guess weaving silk from the silk worms and mining that gold from their streams. But I'd say, taking it wasn't a loss cause, especially when it seems to fit you so well. Haha!"
Tifa holds her dress, suddenly feeling so badly to wear it.
"Please, come take a seat." he points to the opposite chair.
Tifa at first doesn't move, but slowly approaches him and takes a seat.
"Now my dear, I've called you this morning to ask you some questions about Red Hearts and that daddy of yours, his plans, his agenda and all the other stuff which I should know." he smiled.
"I don't know anything." she was quick to react.
"We'll be the judge of that." Another voice joins in. It was the blonde-haired woman from yesterday, but she wasn't alone. Three more men including Rufus' father were present.
"Your father has an army…" Scarlett came around the table with a long red dress, a slit up to her leg. Rufus smirked. With black gloves and a thin whip in hand, Tifa couldn't help but to think her clothes were so wrong for the day (and the military).
"How big is your Arthur's army?" Scarlett asked, staring at her intently.
Tifa thought about it, "I don't know..." she spoke.
Scarlett sighs lightly, giving a sweet smile at Rufus.
"You better ask her darling, before I kill her." she said, semi-humorously.
Rufus nods. Rufus stands up and takes a walk. "I've been told your father has a huge regiment, what size are the small contained factions?" he asks.
It was like the words they spoke, were foreign. Tifa had never been involved in her father's business or his army.
She simply did not know.
"I don't know..." she shrugged.
"You don't know, or you won't say?" Scarlett narrows her eyes and approaches her.
"I don't know!" Tifa said angrily.
"Come now Tifa darling..." Rufus spoke, "I would hate for you to not compromise some data for us…you've got to know something about your father's army."
"Look, I am a pacifist not someone who counts army regiments and factions. I don't know any of that stuff. So if that's what you want from me, you might as well consider it a lost cause" she explains.
"You little wretch!" Scarlett was about to choke Tifa, when Rufus stops her.
"Very well Tifa…if you don't know anything about the army, then make some sense out of this."
He places a folder in front of her. Tifa looks at him and everyone in the room. Opening the folder, she could see pictures of people she had known. They were all Commanders and Generals of her father's army.
"Who are these people?" Tifa feigned.
Rufus smirked, "I was hoping you could tell us." he said leaning behind her, he whispered in her ear, "I know you don't want to say anything, but that's not going to save you. Either way, I will know who these people are and you will be the one to tell me who they are, one way or the other" he taunted, "...by the way..." he leans in her neck, "You smell divine."
Tifa blushed.
"Now…tell me who these people are."
To be continued…