Behind Black Curtains
An AU, Sephiroth and Tifa fanfiction
-by Amaranthos-
Chapter 7: To reprimand in blood
It was five o' clock that morning and the sky seem to be in a frenzy of grey and black clouds. The sun never seems to shine here, and why should it thought the young woman. She looked around and all she could see were sleeping faces in the infirmary. ECG machines beeped and the constant beeping induces a sort of irritation after a while. Tifa looked down at her wrist and saw the intravenous-drips plugged into her skin for the last five days. The liquid had been her only way of getting nourishment in her body. Still, thought Tifa, she felt awfully weak.
Maybe it was this place, all the cultures and people that ebbed at her. The environment and laws that came were so different from the ones back home. According to Yuffie, Black Crescents were known inside out for their bureaucracy. Tifa had to admit she got too much air here and it was really driving her insane. Everything was so different, and she asked herself: how could I ever get accustom to that?
For as long as Tifa knew herself, she didn't welcome new things easily. Especially when it seems to affect people. Things like pacifism and martial arts had been her ways of expressing her love and anger simultaneously. If it made any sense, the loss of her mother, her people and now her father, had left scars so deep time could not heal. The things that the people here had done to her - hurt her and her people, even made the reason of wanting to leave that more urgent and required. But unfortunately… 'how unfortunate…I'm trapped.'
Sighing yet another time, Tifa looked out the window. Tifa didn't want to be here anymore, nor did she want to be weak, especially when she was a Lockhart that had to be strong. A figment of her mother appears to her, she walks to the window and touches the glass in dread. She smiles lightly and then walks through the window.
Tifa didn't grow startled. Her mother sometimes visited her, or was it Tifa made up the whole thing. However it was, her mother's apparition appearing like that was often for a good reason. She always lifted Tifa's spirits and the strength in her mother, was always something admirable.
'I don't want to weak anymore. No more of that' Pulling at her drips, she winced as she slowly eased the needle out her hand. Small drips of blood oozed out but Tifa didn't mind. Pushing the drip away, Tifa took a tissue and some tape and placed it over the small wound. Tifa tried pushing herself off the bed, but crap, she couldn't move.
She was too weak. 'I need to try again'
This time she tried, and pushed herself to the edge of the bed. Tifa felt as if she was going to fall off the bed. She just didn't have the strength she wanted. It would come soon, but when. She didn't want to be sick and weak, not during the war. Everyone around her had a place yet hers was not defined. 'Why do I have to be the weak one?'
"Somebody" Tifa sobbed, knowing she would fall.
It seem no one heard her. Tifa was slowly slipping off the bed and she imagined her fall would be hard. She expected to fall, but arms from behind placed her back on the bed. Tifa turned to see the familiar face of the doctor.
"Ms. Lockhart, what happened?" he asked concerned.
He saw the drips out her hand and grew worried. He was about to put the drip back in hand but Tifa shook her head, "please, no more…I don't want to be in the health bay anymore…" she pleaded.
"But Ms. Lockhart" he was about to start
"No… I've been here too long, let me recover somewhere else. When I stay here I feel the hurt and pain of these warriors on myself. Please, I don't want to see anymore people, even if they aren't mine, die …" she begged.
He nodded. "I'll see what I can do" he patted her hand.
"Thank you"
Rufus Shinra was in ire when he read the morning's report. In all his years of being a ruler, he had never heard a report so slanderous and absurd that it belong to Black Crescents. Black Crescents was a well established organization, prided with great soldiers, machinery and technology, and had the world's finest armadas. Of course, that didn't scare outsiders though it should, but Black Crescents had afforded itself many enemies, which all seem to work in cohorts with the mighty Red Hearts.
The mission yesterday, of sending Delta A and B into the Western Province of Red Hearts, should have been a success for Black Crescents, after all their mission had been in stealth mode, yet the report he just read had been the most despicable thing he read in a long time, this coming from Commander Scarlett.
Rufus folded his arms, placing a hand under his chin in thought. The blows Delta B had suffered was embarrassing making Rufus want to snarl every time he saw Scarlett or read the report. As a result, he held a massive meeting in the head quarters, waiting for his two key players to arrive, coming through his door had been Scarlett who couldn't bring herself to look at Rufus or any other major official, behind her was General Sephiroth who looked proudly up, with not an emotion on his face. They all gathered and began.
Everyone looked at Rufus who had grabbed a lock of his hair and seem to wander off confusedly. Velrog sorted his throat hoping his son would begin, but Rufus did not respond. Rufus eased the report over the table to Scarlett, who trembled just so lightly. She had never seen Rufus this angry toward her, and wasn't sure what he would do.
"What is this Scarlett?" he asked in a quiet voice, trying not to sound angry. But his eyes gave it away.
"Sir, before I begin-"
"Uh, uh, uh… I don't want to hear you begin Scarlett" he paused in a gentle voice, "I want you tell ME WHAT THAT SHITTT IS!" he shouted at her.
Scarlett jumped. She honestly didn't know what to say.
"I …" she began, her words crumbling.
"Yes my dear, can't hear you too well" Rufus got up approaching her.
Scarlett didn't know if he approaching her was such a good idea.
"Why are my soldiers from the Delta B dead Scarlett?" he asked. He opened the report and read, "says here, 45 soldiers have been killed. Do explain" he said leaning in behind her.
"I had never been coordinated to take care of two factions, Delta A being much larger than B." she spoke, "its only because General Sephiroth slid his duty to me, that I ended up with two very large factions which I had no control over. Delta A is impossible to control" she spoke…
"I slid my duty?" a new voice interrupts. It was General Sephiroth's. He stared at her with icy green eyes.
"Scarlett, General Sephiroth did not slide his duty. He was relieved for the afternoon in a meeting with us. This duty to control both factions was your responsibility. You are a Commander and should be fully capable of handling two actions. Besides, it isn't Delta A whose members are dead, it is your soldiers, MY SOLDIERS who are dead because you can't handle your job?"
He removed himself from her.
"Red Hearts knows we're active and now with Scarlett's plunder, we all suffer a great loss and an embarrassment. Now, we have to be five times more clever, with true game players taking the rightful dispositions. As of now, I am swapping people's duties from the lowest to highest rank. We begin with you Scarlett, as of now your duty as a Commander is relieved of you" he spoke, "you will be a higher soldier for Delta B" he spoke, "Commander Tsung, you will be relieved of your duty and be positioned as General Tsung. General Anthony, Marcus, Vaga, Cieron, and Shaun, will all be relieved of their dispositions and be promoted to Commanders of my war. Admirals in charge of my ships will also become Generals. Admiral Celia and Vesh, you will become my Major Generals for my armadas, and last but not least, the council has decided to relieve General Sephiroth of his disposition" he paused.
Sephiroth did not flinch on Rufus' words. He knew the statement wasn't finish.
"As of now, all of you are under the supervisory of Third Star Ranking General Sephiroth, the highest disposition after me. Of course Sephiroth, feel free to latch on the General title if you like it" Rufus spoke.
"This afternoon, I want all my Generals to be present for a very important meeting. No exceptions" he paused, "now lets discuss this letter from Red Hearts…I'm interested in what you people think"
Tifa had been moved to Sephiroth's room early that morning, after the request she had put in with the doctor. All day she just slept on Sephiroth's couch, tired and worn out. It had been around 2: 15 pm, she woke up to the sound of rain. Tifa yawned, stretching her tired body. Rubbing her eyes, she suddenly notices where she is. Lifting her head up, she looks around. She was back in Sephiroth's room. She smiled, anywhere besides that infirmary. Smoothing her cheek on the pillow, she felt honestly happy, even if it was Sephiroth's apartment.
Tifa noticed that Sephiroth's door was open and on the outside there was a huge line-up of soldiers. She wondered what was going on. Tifa turned from looking at the soldiers and refocused to her orange juice in front of her. She was so happy she could drink stuff now. Leaning forward just so much, she felt a lance in her hand. She ignored the pain and continued to lean forward only to have her hand hold the cup and freeze. Immediately her morning's juice fell. Tifa sadden dramatically, looking at the dripping juice falling to the floor. Tifa shouted.
She really wanted her juice. It was her voice that attracted some of the young soldiers who were awaiting their leaders in the great hall; they wandered off with their curiosity spiked in advent of the new prisoner. Many of the soldiers, if not everyone, knew who Tifa was, they didn't think she would be in General Sephiroth's room. Three of the young soldiers, entered the room, amazed at the beautiful young woman sleeping on Sephiroth's couch. One of the soldiers told the other to lock the door, as they might be doing things to her.
Tifa yawned again, closing her eyes unaware people were in the room. One of the soldiers slowly drew in on her and had to examine her. She was quite a beauty thought the boy, who couldn't help touching her cheek. Immediately Tifa's eyes flickered open. Fear storms her body and one of the young soldier's are quick to cover her mouth before she makes a scene.
"Hey baby… aren't you beautiful" the young soldier touches her cheek and trials his touch down her arms. Tifa saw the other one join in in touching her. Tifa cried, shaking her head for them to stop. They were taking advantage of her when she was sick, how could they be so evil, and sick?
She thrashed, but that only made them more excited and angry to do what they wanted to do. One of boy's trailed his hands to the edge of her dress, and slowly began lifting it up. Tifa screamed, but her screams were muffled.
"Shh, baby, it won't hurt if you shut up"
Tifa looked around frantically, trying to find something to bring attention to the room. Instead all she could find was the glass cup on her table. Clutching it firmly, she lifted the cup and smashed it into the boy who held down her mouth. Immediately he stumbles back and Tifa screams out as loud as she could.
"You stupid bitch!" the boy shouted, slapping Tifa across her cheek. Tifa feels the painful sensation, but doesn't stop screaming. Immediately the door is flung open, and the three soldiers scramble, leaving the young girl to bawl.
A few maids run into Tifa's aid attending to her, but she screamed some more. Hating the kind of people around her. She bawls not wanting anyone to touch her. They were all snakes.
Seeing blood on her lips, the maids grew alarm. An elder maid enters the room and is informed from one of the younger maids the situation. She looks at Tifa sympathetically.
"It'll only take a minute" she spoke…
Tifa sits on Sephiroth's couch hiding her face, no matter how many times the maids pleaded to clean the blood from her lips, but she wouldn't give in. Instead she just pushed them away, shouting at them to leave her.
One of the maids brings Tifa a wheelchair, and at first is confused at it and asks the maid, "why did you bring me a wheelchair?"
"Lord Shinra has heard about this situation, he would like to apologize for it" the young maid spoke.
"Look, I don't want to go by that freak" the maids gasp.
"Ms. Lockhart, I would advise you not to say those words in Lord Shinra's presence. He's in a very bad mood, declining him could be very bad for us" the maid says, "I assure you, all will be fine"
Tifa at first doesn't do anything but sigh, and then with help, is helped into the wheelchair. She is rolled out into the great hall, where all the major officials stand awaiting her presence. Rufus sits standing straightly, his face straight with a sort of anger she never saw in him. The young maid places her adjacent of Rufus, who looks at her and doesn't smile but trials his eyes to her body.
"Did they do anything?" he asks…
Tifa nods. "They just touched me"
The words seem to burst a nerve in Rufus' head. But he was good at keeping his composure poised. He passes a hand through his hair, and looks down. This was not a good day, he noted. First Scarlett and now his soldiers were interfering with his prisoner.
"Who is responsible for touching Ms. Lockhart here?"
Sephiroth walks in late, confused at the gathering of officials and soldiers. He turns to Velrog, who gives a small briefing on the situation. Sephiroth looks at Tifa, who is at the opposite side of the building. She was in a wheelchair…
No one comes out of the crowd, no one responds.
"Come now gentlemen, is this how we treat our guests?" Rufus asks, becoming tired of his soldiers.
But still no response, not even a tremble from the weak. Pity, pity.
"Tifa…" he turns to her, "do you recall how these…animals, looked?" he asked
Tifa nodded.
"Really?" Rufus seems to lighten up on her words, surprised she would remember them so vividly.
"Can you point for me, the soldiers that took advantage of you" he spoke.
Tifa at first isn't sure if she should, but she remembers the things they did to her. How intruded and vulgar, and sickening it felt to be taken advantage of especially when she was ill. Nobody deserved to go through that, even if it was for a short time, so Tifa decided to act.
She pointed her finger, straightly at a soldier in the fourth row.
"Come forward, you know who you are…" Rufus spoke. The soldier, is the same young boy that held down her mouth. He even had faint cuts across his face, from the broken glass she slammed into her face. She looks around the room again, and points to another who is also, in the fourth row not too far from the previous one.
He too comes out the crowd wearing a head in defeat, he stands next to the other soldier.
Now all that is left is one more soldier. Tifa looks around, trying to find the other. But where ever he was, he was hiding good from her. Then she spots him in the 6th row looking away from her.
"That's the last one" she points.
The soldier comes out of the crowd and stands beside the other two soldiers.
Rufus grits his teeth for a moment, wondering if these soldiers were really his.
"You've insulted this lovely lady here… have you animals anything to say to her?" Rufus asks.
"We apologize" they apologized.
"Why did you do it?" Rufus asked, "you specifically know the law that is mandated in these walls. I'm sure I don't have to remind you that touching a young woman, or women for that matter is by the council a criminal offense where the penalties fluctuate accordingly." He paused, "but because you've not only taken advantage of my guest, you took advantage of her when she was recovering and defenseless… honestly, what punishment do you think you deserve?" he asked.
"You" he points to the first boy, "apologize to Ms. Lockhart"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Lockhart, I'm very very sorry"
Rufus takes the soldier's sword, and in a fluent moment, slashes the boy's head off. Tifa freezes, she couldn't believe he did that.
"Apologize to the lady" Rufus order.
The young boy apologizes, and like the other Rufus slashes the boy, killing him without a single thought to hinder him.
"S-Stop it…" Tifa shouts at Rufus.
Rufus looks at her. "Why are you stopping me Tifa, these men do not deserve life after the things they have done. They made me so very angry"
"P-Please… d-don't kill him" she begged.
"Life and death here in Black Crescents is decided for men with broken actions and spineless bodies" he gritted his teeth, looking at the last soldier in hate. He circled him, not sure what he should do.
"Tell me friend, how would you like to die?" Rufus bitterly asks.
"Milord, I'm sorry, I'll never do such a thing again"
Rufus is so angry at all the news he's heard today that he just can't bear it. Slamming his kodachi into the boy's face. Tifa holds down her mouth to contain her shock.
"And understand all you. If anyone touches her or any woman of Black Crescents the penalty is death. Do you people understand me?" he shouts to the mighty army in front of him.
"Dismissed"
To be continued…