Behind Black Curtains
An AU, Sephiroth and Tifa fanfiction

- by Amaranthos-

Chapter 28: The Plan

"He did what?" she looks up completely, stunned.

I turn from her, studying the dirt on the window.

"You heard me" I nonchalantly whispered, scrapping the small grit off the pane. I study my reflection and I can't help thinking, how pathetic I've grown; all in the shape for a man.

But is he, just a man?

It doesn't matter anymore. Whatever bond, whatever fascination – physical attraction born, is now dead and buried. Six feet in the dark ditch of his heart.

Why waste my tears over the illusion of what I adored. Why waste it for something so extraordinarily different – for a man who refuses to see any glimpse of light, all for the coy fact of enjoying his 'other' beneficiaries of war (Aerith). Not to put it the least bit simple – I've torn myself into pieces for Sephiroth, only to be dubbed foolish, only to be hurt in ways upon ways. Why waste everything over a nothing?

Yuffie deftly approaches me and then with a sort of fright and concern in her eyes, she asks, "are you alright?"

I look at my reflection once again. Pathetic is all I see.

"A long time ago, I use to believe that Pacifism could save the world. That it was the unknown, under-ranked tool of saving men. After all, it was just a matter of speaking to people on a diplomatic level. Nothing too hard if you ask me" I pause to look at my hands, "my mother…" I smile weakly, "she was the greatest pacifist I knew – this according to my father. She gave her life for the art she believed. Whereas I am some pacifist, who faces leaders like Shinra and Velrog, becoming their pretty prisoner offering none of diplomacy skills and craftiness, my mother would use her talent – her ability to make peace and not war." I whispered, "but even she would fail in a cursed land like this"

"Tifa" Yuffie whispers….

I shake my head, "no Yuffie. I am at the brink of my insanity. Of being some tired house prisoner for the pleasure on the eyes for Rufus and others. I have tried to understand men like Velrog, women like Scarlett, breeds like Sephiroth and every time I think I can save them – some fragment of me, dies when I openly put myself into the crossfire. And I understand better than many what it means to put pass your safety for risk, and I'd gladly do it to save men like Sephiroth and Shinra, but I can't anymore" I tremble, "all I've done was try … was give into the illusion that men could be saved" I turn to Yuffie.

"Not all men can be saved…" I cry, "not all men..want to be saved" I clench my hands.

He doesn't want to be saved…

"Oh Tifa" Yuffie tightly hugs me and I cry in her arms.

I'm at a loss of words. Everyday that goes by, reminds me of how alone I am, of how sickened I've become to dark times like these. And I've failed so horribly at my art. But I can't help people who won't even listen to the dialect of my mouth.

Instead there is ridicule to my kind. The same people who are lost in the darkness dare tell me about what an illusion of life I live in – blunting putting it - I live in a bubble full of innocence and happiness. And yet I am the fool, when these ridiculous men are the ones who put themselves everyday on the line for the greatest illusion of them all. They fight to save their great empire, the empire that is built on the destruction of the innocents - of people who have worked hard for everything they had. And that was worth fighting for?

Many mothers and wives still grieve for their young sons and husbands, who are all collected dead in the earth. And their stenches and blood sink in the earth with a sort of odour – as I've come to understand it's their sadness to die for so little, at such a large expense. And the collateral is large in war, through cheques and bodies, through the ideas and nightmares.

There is nothing to save anymore.

Nothing in Black Crescents.

"You must not think like that, Tifa" Yuffie whispers, "I know it hurts you right now, to think for one second that there is hope, and I actually feel your loss" she pauses, "but you are a bright pacifist – a light to all of us. And inasmuch as they would hate to agree with you – with your education, with your ideologies – I must confess – it is a beautiful thing to me" she slowly pulls away.

I blink back at her.

"You forgot Tifa. My father was much like you. He had an idea, he was self-opinionated and he was determined to be heard, but Black Crescents refused to listen, and it is in this message I beseech you, never stop saying the good things in the dark times. So what, that the big leaders are not listening? The point is your revolt, your energy, your words they inspire small men like me to live with what we are. I didn't always want to be a Black Crescent, especially since both my parents died by a high council member. And to wake up everyday as a young girl and smell it the air, to smell it in your being – that you are the very thing you don't want to be – kills you. Drives you into some sort of… madness" she pauses, "and as much I wanted to kill myself a long time ago, you strangely came as a prisoner filled with ideas of light, and goodness, and positive – everything a sad soul like mine needed." She fades.

"Pacifism is a life lesson, Tifa. It doesn't always work the way I guess you want it to work, but it works. Not at grand levels of Shinra or Sephiroth perhaps, but your message brings life back to me. And all I would want you to see, is that there is a mightiness about Pacifism that is great and beautiful, when it radiates and spreads into the simple ones like me. You must not let go of that Tifa. Remember what you mother fought for, remember why she died for the art of her life. Remember why my father died, and remember my stupid simple words when I say, Pacifism means something. Not as aloud as you'd like to hear it, but its heard and that has to mean something…" she paused, "somewhere" she holds my face

I take a breath and I study her eyes. Her eyes are so intent, so deep… so truthful. Had I never been told that Pacifism meant this much, I would have never known. All along, I've lived expecting Pacifism to be heard only by great leaders and diplomats, but I'm so blind. Pacifism is called the humble man's tool, and inasmuch as I thought I understood what that meant. I've become blind and in someway corrupt by my expectations. I wanted my words to be heard and sunk into people like Shinra, and the more I screamed is the more I cancelled out everyone. But what I didn't realize was faces like Yuffie. Who were standing by and looking on - believing and smiling.

And everyday when I thought I did nothing. I didn't know about the seed of hope I put in their hearts. And all along the message I thought didn't mean anything, was growing all along in the hearts of the simple men.

How could I be so blind?

Blinking back I could see tears in Yuffie's eyes. I hug her tightly, she was so young to experience all this hell. To live in the very system you hated, to awake each day to the same faces you would have to cook and attend to. And it becomes overbearing and tedious, frustrating and angering when your youth is wasted to the dark place and times, your leaders envelope you.

Even if I didn't have people like Sephiroth listening to me, I still had someone. Tighter I hugged her, and we both cry, in our pity, in our perspectives… for the mutual hurts of Black Crescents.

We pull away and I wipe my tears away.

"Thank you" I whisper…

"No…" she smiles, "just believe"

I nodded. How could I not?

We take a seat and then labored over a stretched silence. Sitting in this quiet room only affirms the actions of my heart – I need to get out. I need to be free.

I look up at Yuffie and I study her face. I can tell she wants this freedom too. Because she too is a prisoner of her empire.

But I remind myself 10,000 soldiers against our simple freedom seems highly unlikely. Sometimes I would sit and marvel and at the wasted numbers of men at the expense of Shinra.

"I need to get out Yuf. You must understand, I can't be here anymore" I pause to notice she doesn't react, "I know you want the same thing" I pause, "I know what you're going to say – it's impossible, but you and I… we can't do this anymore. There's nothing left for us in a place like this." I whispered…

She looks up, "it's impossible" she explains, simply.

"I know" I nod. I know

"I know this place inside out, Tifa. I know the places Black Crescent soldiers congregate and flee from – the exact time of day and everything. But the risk of doing so, is so large… it prevents even me from trying. This place is a protected stronghold. It was design to keep the prisoner in, the enemy out. Soldiers of every degree and rank, of every artillery and war device is laden on that field, ready to kill anything obtuse of their kind. You must understand, attempting such a risky thing, is larger than any small probability of being freed. " she explains…

I already know these things. This is not the first time I've engaged her into such a conversation and know for myself, that the odds are slim. If not, there isn't any. But right now, when we're both at the bottom, and we see our days slowly being expensed, are we truly lacking in bravery and courage, to step out our safe zones and not try?

I look up at the picture on Sephiroth's wall. One small red flag on a black hill.

What does a picture like that mean? I've always wondered what it meant, and up till this day I still don't know.

Appraising the piece carefully, perhaps it means a sort of—freedom.

Maybe it means over dark lands you will find it – it to mean the thing you want.

There were so many ways to look at the picture; so many angles to turn and twist, and decide whether or not the meaning was x or y. So many different angles I think.

And then it hits me.

I remembered once upon a time Yuffie mentioned that Shinra wanted me to sleep with him for freedom. Was it true or was it a trick?

"Yuffie" I start.

She looks up.

"Remember that time Shinra persuaded you to pass on a little message of: sleep with him for the key. By chance… was it true?" I ask solemnly.

She looks at me confused and then a bit shocked. I could tell she still feels bad about the past, but her reaction surprises me.

"Tell me you aren't that mad to escape?"

"Is is true?" I try to dodge her question.

"Tifa" she starts firmly. "If you are thinking, what I presume you are then I'll have you know that is the worst – no, scratch that, the stupidest thing you could ever do." She stands sharply to her feet, "that's Shinra we're talking about"

I stand to my feet, "Yuffie, relax" I hold her shoulders. "Take a deep breath"

She looks gravely upset, but gives in to my petite request.

"Calm down now?" I ask

She nods.

"What was the plan Shinra had in mind?" I asked.

She shook her head, "I can't believe this"

"Yuffie, please"

She sighs, "um – his plan. He wanted you to sleep with him and while you tried to steal the key – he'd drug you with a drink which he uses to knock out people. Then of course, he'll… you know" she looks down, "he'll violate you, the way he wants .."

I could tell this was becoming hard for her to say, I place a hand on her shoulder.

I give a small smile.

Taking a breath I had to mentally digest the things she just said. So Shinra was indeed crazy – crazy to the point of drugging his enemy's daughter and then having his way with her. Sick bastard!

"You mentioned he would drug me, if I agreed, right?" I asked

She nods.

"Who's in charge of the drugs, or a better question, who distributes the drugs into the glasses?" I ask.

She arches a brow, "I dunno"

"Come on, somebody has to have authority to do that. Who do you know will have that kind of authority?" I ask.

"Tifa… please, you're sounding like you want to go through with this. Do you know at how many levels of madness this is wrong? It's too risky" she explains.

"I know that, Yuffie, that's why I need to be educated about everything before I make a decision" I explained.

"So you're planning to accept his offer?" she asks, completely taken back.

"If it's the only way, yes" I nodded.

"Are you mad, Tifa? That's it. I-I-I c-can't do this. I can't, I'm sorry" she begins walking away.

"Yuffie" I shout at her.

"No Tifa, I can't watch you do this. This has stupid and risky, written all over it. Maybe you could find the reasons to do it, but I can't stand to watch the only friend I have, do this to herself, all for the name's sake of freedom. Tifa. Outside that door will be guards, and then more guards and more guards. You'll never make it pass the stairs. Understand something – this is the heights of dangerous. If you get catch escaping, you'll be done for" she cries, "please don't tell me to be a good friend, to watch you die" she pleads, "please"

I soften. She thought I was going to die. Tears come to my eyes. Poor kid. I walk to her and I place a hand on hers, "I'm not going to die" I whisper, "you need to trust me"

She cries, "I can't"

"Yuffie, this might be the only way for us to escape" I whisper, "you have to trust me"

"Us?" she looks up.

"Yeah, us. There's no way I'm leaving you behind, especially in this place" I place a hand on her shoulder, "I'm asking you to put aside your logic and hear me out… " I explain.

I could tell she wanted to say something, but I finish, "if we do it right, we just might have a chance"

She nods and we return to the couch.

I sit across her and I look at her, "now tell me, who do you know will be responsible for distributing the drugs?" I ask.

"Well. From how he made it sound, your time with him would be a private one. Something his father and the council dignitaries wouldn't know. I'm suspecting Scarlett will be elsewhere – considering you can't have her barging in on you two. So who would be responsible for handling these drugs? Hmm…" she pauses, "couldn't be somebody on the council, nor could it be a doctor." She whispers.

"I got it. The matron maid" she snaps her fingers, "if it's anybody Shinra trusts after his old man, it's the maid. He's known her since an infant. She feeds him all his meals, and she has a rank so high, it's questionable if she's even a council member. It has to be her" she explains.

"Excellent. Who will oversee, she ration's the right amount?" I ask.

"When it comes to food, or drugs, she doesn't answer to anymore. The guards are not suppose to know about this engagement between you two, so chances are it might be kept secret. However, whichever glass she puts the drug in, will have to be switched" she explains.

"That's where you come in. I need you to switch the drinks. I'll drink from the one on the right. Make sure I get the right drink" I explain.

"Wait, wait, wait. You want me to do what now?" she blinks back, "are you mad, I can't switch the drinks, how am I gonna do that?" she asks.

"I'm trusting the reason you're small, has something to do with hiding in tiny places and getting the job done" I explain.

"Damn, Tifa. It's a kitchen, not to mention swapping the drinks isn't gonna be easy to pull off" she informs me.

"I know, that's why I'm leaving the dynamics to you. Next, the guards by the door. If as you mentioned, our engagement is private, I'll have Shinra remove the guards from his door" I start.

"Yeah, but he always has two guards by his door. He'll never remove them" she elucidates.

"One time Shinra wanted to have a small banquet in his room, and I asked to have it outside. Surely he decides the rules. And if I do it the right, way, he'll give in. Besides, I need to market the way I approach Shinra" I smirk.

"Market? Approach? What?" she asks confused.

"Well in order to make Shinra believe this encounter, believable, A.K.A I'm desperate for freedom. I'll have to seduce him –

Yuffie coughs, "seduce you say…" she scratches her head. "Is it just me, or are things moving incredibly fast?" she asks..

"Yuffie, in order to pull this off, I need to seduce Shinra to the point I get him to do what I say. Why wouldn't he listen to the woman he wants so much. After all, I'm at the level he wants me, so why refuse. Additionally, with you pulling the strings in the background, the drinks should be in the right order for consummation. We'll drink it, and before he even touches me, he'll be knocked out." I explain.

"Clever" she smiles.

"How long will it take a drug like that to take effect?" I ask

"Well considering it's used for psychotic and ailing soldiers, I say 15 minutes tops. It takes about an hour to wear off" she explains.

"Good." I sigh, "that means I have to – entertain that psycho for 15 minutes" I shiver at the thought.

"Try not to entertain him too much" she points out.

"Definitely. About 15 minutes later, I'll meet you up. I need you to do me another favour." I inform

She sighs.

"I need you to find us some full body armour that will fit us. Then consider the rest our luck." I finished.

"Luck you say? Tifa, for the most part, what you just said was incredible and honestly, some of it is really feasible, but still so many things scream out as dangerous. This almost sounds too simple" she educates.

"I know, exactly what I'm thinking. But it's the too simple they don't prepare for, which half the time breaches the system. See my point now?"

She nods. "But luck afterwards as our method of escape?" she asks.

"Well as you've mentioned you know the exact times of days soldiers are here nor there. All you need to do is work around those times, and since we're already in uniform, even if we do meet officials, nobody is more verse than you in your own empire's bureaucracy." I smile, "so what do you think?"

She takes a breath. "Hmm." she looks up, "I think your plan is crazy, a bit too simple, and it has tons of areas for risks, but I guess, if we truly want our freedom, it starts by a risky idea and making it into a vision. We got your clever and we have my empire know-how, so how do they beat that?" she nods, "I'll do it" she nods.

"Excellent. Now for your last bit, you need to inform Shinra, I want to sleep with him…" I look down, and I remember Sephiroth, "make it sound urgent. Besides, the more desperate I sound, the more he's willing to become more foolish and absent-minded…"

"Fine. And what about Sephiroth?" she asks…

I look at her with not a single care in my eyes, "and what about him?"

To be continued…

Thanking the lovelies:
(In no particular order)

Mayra: I was suppose to say thank you in the previous chapter for reading the entire story. I really appreciate when people tell me their experiences with the story. And its nice you came out and told me that you read the story back to back. So I just want you to know I really appreciate that. In relation to your question about Tifa being stronger. Just imagine being put into a place where you're not welcomed. The only thing you liked is a man, who has cut ties so rawly with you. After such a long time, Tifa feels the heaviness of the place she's in, and she's frustrated and tired and losing hope. The chapter before was a portrayal of her tiredness and hurt. She's breaking and showing she's human. Yes, she can fight, pretty good too. But because she's a pacificist she refrains. I'm guessing you want to see her fight? Lol, it would be funny if she smacks Scarlett, though. Lol. Thank you again for your interests. Here you go, sugar cookies. Thanks again my friend.

SephirothOWA 13: Hey, how are you? You know I'm very happy you're reading the story and taking a liking. That makes me sincerely feel happy. Lol. I'm glad you're liking Yuffie. She's a cute girl. Thank you again for reading my dear.

Midnight blue08: Lol, your review made me laugh. Lol. I think everybody sees Sephiroth as a lil scumbag now since he's supposedly used Tifa. But don't look into Aerith's character so much. Some of what Sephiroth does is important. Lol, but it still doesn't stop the urge to smack him for his mean streak recently to Tifa. I wanted to say to you, thank you for reading my story. You are one of my most devoted readers. I was checking through the other day and I saw you nearly read all my chapters. I would love to make something for you, to thank you for all the kind things you've done. I want you to know I appreciate your care and tenacity. I don't want you to think for one second I'm taking you for granted. Thank you again my dear for everything.

I-AM-RUIN: Thank you for liking the style the story is written. I appreciate you saying that. Sometimes, I feel to scrap chapters because I don't like them, and its nice to know you like the general sound and style of it. I appreciate that. Yes, this chapter to me, is very sad, but its important that people know how much Tifa is grieving and what its causing to her. It's very tough for her considering, she really liked Sephiroth and his actions kinna bitched her up. So again, thank you for everything. For all your previous kind comments. I appreciate it so much.

Goosechaser': Lol. Well yes, the whole Sephiroth and Tifa thing does look grim, but trust me, nothing is over yet. Sephiroth looks like a bad guy, and Tifa sees him as one right now, but you need to trust him too. I guess that's the beauty about Sephiroth. You never know his intentions. Aerith is a happy woman. Lol, she likes her Sephiroth, and you can tell she likes to be with him, since everyone on the council suspects they like each other. But don't worry, all will be taken care of. Lol. Thanks for loving the story, hun, I appreciate it. Your comments always make me happy. High five!

Myngel: Yes it was a sad chapter for Tifa. Considering of course she really does like her Seph. Lol. Rufus – lol. He's not too much of a priss, he's a badass yes, but I just love him coz he's just cynical. Lol. Definitely, I hope you'll like the ahead chapters with Aerith. Thank you so much reading and commenting. I appreciate it so much. Enjoy your day my dear.

xxDarkAssassinxx: Lol. Your review is so spunky and fun. Lol. I love it. Thank you my friend, I will continue to make the story enjoyable. Your review really made me smile. So thank you so much, and have an awesome day. :)

StuntmanXX2: Yes Sephiroth is mean. He questions love and says some pretty destructive things with Tifa. I'm thankful you're liking the story and its pace. I appreciate all the comments and nice things you had to say. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much again for everything.

ToxicInsanity: Lol, I hope I didn't make the chapters too sad for you. Lol. Yes, its sad nonetheless. I'm glad you're liking the story. I appreciate your comment. Thank you again for taking the time. Have a great day my friend.

xxFranceExx: , pretty badass Sephiroth when he's ready. Lol. Trust him to ruin everything good. I guess it was coming. Lol. Thank you for reading, I appreciate the comments. Take care my dear, have a fantastic day ahead of you.

Felikelelep: Oh its fantastic to see you after such a long time. I missed talking to you. Thank you as always for reading my story. I appreciate it. Hope you have a great day.

TeruTeruBouzu: Hey deary. Giving you a thank you for all the chapters you've read. Thanks so much for always trying to read the chapters and having such nice things to say. Hope you'll like the upcoming chapters my dear. Hope you're having a great day. Take care.

Chibi Oro: I really liked your comment. I could tell you got into the story. Your assessment about the chapter was dead-on. Yes, Sephiroth indeed was frustrated, and tired. And Tifa's hurt is very visible, and her affection and adoration for him is so large, that she's willing to fight for it. I really liked your comment. It was a nice one. I'm sorry their relationship coming to an end like this, stings. Trust me, all will be revealed in time. Thank you again for everything. Great comment. Have a fantastic day. High five.

Sakara Saya: Lol. Sephiroth isn't gonna kill her. Then again, he's a bit angry in that chapter. Lol. Don't worry, all will be fine. Thank you for your comment. Glad to see you're getting into it. Here you go, sugar cookie. Take care, enjoy your day.

Amyangel: I'm not sure if you're the above 'myagel' above. If you aren't. Thank you for your comments before. I appreciate them. They're very nice, and they always make me smile. Hope the future chapters appease you. Thanks again so much for everything. Have an incredible day today.

Kigaroo: I appreciate your comments. Lol. Aerith is here and in the blood. Lol. Sephiroth is too much of a man and too incredible as a General to accept relationship, especially with the enemy. And Rufus, he's just Rufus. Mad and notorious. Thank you for your comments. Lol, they made me laugh. Hope you have a great day. Take care bud.

Somehowivy: Oh well, he's gonna give them thunder. I guess you could say, trouble begins now since Rufus discovers Sephiroth and Tifa. Thanks for the comment, have an awesome day. Take care. Oh yes, sugar cookie.

Eclipse Storywriter: Hello my dear. How are you? Lol, thank you for taking the time to write me the comment. I appreciate it. Yeh, that chapter was indeed a filler chapter, coz I had to prepare myself to write these new ones, and finally I suck it up and began writing. Lol. Thank you for reading, and I'll update soon again. Take care my dear. Hope you're having a great day. Btw, when's your story coming out, Black Widow? Lol, I still wanna read it. Take care girl.

Thank you everybody for reading.