Behind Black Curtains
An AU, Sephiroth and Tifa fanfiction
-by Amaranthos-
Chapter 39: The Secret's blown
…"Sephiroth was warned privately to kill any such idea. But you know Sephy better than me…hmph, he denied the whole thing." She paused to calculate the statement, "I wouldn't expect anything less considering they do spend an awful lot of time together." A strange smirk came to her face.
"…and not in a romantic way, but as a prisoner and master." She turned her smirk at Aerith.
"..who knows what they did in that room, heck I wouldn't be surprised if they slept together considering she is a cheap tempt!" Scarlett scowled.
Aerith felt a heavy pang deep in her chest. It hurt to hear that the man of her dreams was potentially, with someone else. The only other important somebody meant for him was her, and if it was not her, then no one could have him. The thought that some washed up prisoner had his heart in her pocket, made her insides clench grossly.
Aerith found it hard to think with a new anger seething within her. She wasn't the type to be easily twisted by jealously, emotions and that sort, but now - it was different.
Aerith shook her head. 'This is nonsense.'
She knew Sephiroth well enough to know that the story Scarlett engineered to be nothing more than ridiculous. Settling in her better judgement, she said flatly…
"Unbelievable! That's a cooked-up story Scarlett. A rumor" she sauntered
Scarlett stared at her, "Rufus saw them smiling together in the interrogation room, which if you ask me sounds fishy? Besides why would he provoke Sephiroth at an interrogation?"
Aerith's bit her lips…
Learning about the female prisoner who made the boys at Black Crescents nose bleed, was all of humorous enjoyment, but to learn that he - her infallible beloved smiled with the female prisoner whose been in his room day and night, everyday for the last year…inspired nothing less of defeat. Sephiroth never smiled with anyone, not even her. She wasn't that special for such a golden thing and yet the prisoner attains the impossible. Ludicrous!
Her Sephiroth was painted tall to be a God who did not falter into the simple pleasures and everyday normality of simple man. He exceeded that type of living…
"I'm troubled Scarlett. Not to sound bold, but how did you find yourself with such information to spare?" Aerith asked, "surely if he did contrive such a discussion - a most secretive one, why would he tell you?" Aerith asked.
Scarlett smirked, "he didn't -
"…So then-
"…I overheard them. Directly from the horse's mouth - well sort of" she interjected.
Aerith covered her mouth, completely mortified by the news. If such a thing did happen with Sephiroth she could only imagine that it didn't stay innocent for too long. Such an awakening from Sephiroth must have come from his clandestineness.
He was after all an assassin, known for secrets left in the shadow. He best of all knew how it worked - secrecy was easy to maintain once it was kept off the radar especially when his sworn duty is to overlook the very tempting prisoner. Not to be naive, Aerith imagined if one did spend a year with someone, regardless enemy or not, wouldn't they fall victim to attraction?
She never doubted he was a man to harbor feelings and attraction for the opposite sex, but why couldn't it have been her?
'Sephiroth, why?'
I had planned to enjoy this moment - this ephemerally short moment in life … would be mine. Our plan was cliché for two self-obsessed, love-drugged women. We didn't have more than we discussed and the details were in the making. To hope the enemy suffered would both do us fine and with surety convicted in our hearts, we planned to make her suffer - painfully.
Standing above the tied up woman, I stared at her for a moment. I could feel a scowl etching its way across my face. What a disgustingly simple woman - black locks, fair skin… she seems like just another commoner. And there I say it, he finds some mysterious attraction to this – this…simpleton. I have spent the last 7 years knowing Sephiroth, being in his shadow - becoming the strong leader, the best of all women - loyal to cause, dedicated and focused. But did it matter who I became, what I put myself through for him? Did it matter I spent all my life imagining he and I at the end of the war? My fragile dreams are all broken to the crude discovery of this wretched, filth before my eyes.
I dissolved myself into the dark recess of the moment listening to the voices I had displaced for years - alas they speak to me with so much bitterness, reminding me the truth that a man of Sephiroth's stature - his perfection, was meant for me. Could I have described any simpler, how terribly minuscule I felt, knowing otherwise.
She was a cheap war trinket kept for the purposes of negotiation… but now she's treated as a trophy for that figure of hers. Now look at us - the entire Black Crescents is caught off guard. I fear her distraction here would be dangerous - but hadn't she already done her mischief? Seducing great men like Rufus and Sephiroth with those bright red eyes.
Vile miscreant!
I had never hated a creature more than this woman before me. Had it not been for Scarlett standing beside me, I would have surely surrendered to the desire of mutilating her.
For the most part the woman lies bonded on the metal bed with her hands and feet spread apart, tightly secured to the sides of the table. Her thrashing bitterly annoys every part my being. She looked frighten, knowing her environment unsafe; I supposed with Scarlett and I standing by conspicuously in the doctor's observatory, we might best be termed: death.
"Tifa Lockhart." I started in a low, deep tone.
I started with a pace around the metal bed, "seems like you're quite the trouble-maker here at Black Crescents" I paused to notice she intently focuses on me, "don't act shy, you know exactly the trouble I speak of" I informed, in a sort of sugar-coated voice.
"You're the woman all the men wants" I turned to look down at the injection on the tray, "you've got them all in your hands. Rufus Shinra" I started on his name, "even he's your pawn"
Scarlett stared at me incredulously.
"Why evade it any longer Scarlett?! We might as well admit the war trinket is now a war collector, collecting little treasures as she goes by. My… aren't you an impressive pacifist. Your father must be so proud how you use those lips…"
"…Newsflash Tifa! The game ends now" I voiced menacingly…
"What are you talking about?" her voice was hoarse and hitched.
"Tifa, Tifa, Tifa. We all know your little secret." I tried to maintain my cherry voice, "the cat's out the bag, the secrets blown. We all know!" I smirked, "don't we?" I expelled.
"I don't know what you're talking about" she replied.
"Is that so?" my expression darkened, "are you truly so sneaky when it comes to hidden agendas?" I stared at her.
She spared me a confused expression.
"General Sephiroth" I started, his name alone sending shivers down my spine. "He's quite the piece of architecture, isn't he?"
She narrowed her brows.
"Broad shoulders, very well built and I'm sure not to be modest, there is no modest part of the man. Wouldn't you say so, Tifa?" I paused, "tell me… how does he taste?"
She shivered, "your pernicious woman. What the hell are you talking about?" she barked back, almost curtly.
I laughed. "Liar!" I abruptly halted. "You wretched bitch. A woman like you, built like you knows all the tricks to a man. Sephiroth being no different, you've bended him into your play of seduction. Sick!"
"Are you mad?" she shouted back.
"Enough!" I shouted back, "Scarlett, if you would do the honors"
Scarlett is crude as she snatched the injection from the table. She picked up the tiny vile on the adjacent table, filling it all the way up. The clear liquid seemed innocent, but what Tifa's about to find out will be a surprise for the remembering.
She tapped the injection, settling the small bubbles and with a menacing expression that even frightens me, she turned to Tifa.
"For you see its nothing personal - - oh wait, what am I saying? For Rufus and Sephiroth" she drew nearer.
She approached the bonded woman, who violently trashed about. Scarlett ignored her screams, stabbing the injection into the woman's arm unceremoniously - then pushed down on the cap, ensuring her satisfaction is delivered with every drop buried in the woman's blood stream.
Tifa bawled as hard as she could for her life. But these cold walls blot out the screams and darkness of our actions. It is a room to brew and savor the chaos and madness, to dissolve in your inner insanity. To witness the woman's heart race and her skin sweat, and her whole body fluttering with fire, is our joy. It's been a long time since I've seen someone suffer for my reasons, justified. It felt good!
My only hope now was for her to die…
It was a quarter pass 11 and the entire Black Crescents seemed to bustle with life. Every foot soldier was already gathered in the courtyard, greeted by their high-ranking officer. The land machines were being driven about and the planes that flew by, seem to discharge soldiers to and fro private locations. The general splendor of Black Crescents was tedious and cliche to its holders, but this had become everyday life.
The halls were empty with little soldiers on standby, while doctors, nurses, maids and other house servants were all elsewhere, usefully employing themselves.
Rufus Shinra, Velrog, Sephiroth and a few officials had just finished up one of their meetings ready to head to the great hall for some lunch. Velrog and Sephiroth kept in each other's company, conversing about some political points based on the war. As usual Rufus didn't care.
Down the hall not far from them, they heard what seemed to be screams. Rufus exchanged a look of concern with his father, who instantly wore a confused expression. Sephiroth and the others proceeded down the hall in a quick pace, concerned by the screams. Sephiroth pushed back the door with his Masumune drawn for protection and found to his discovery, Tifa lying on a metal table screaming. There beside her stood Scarlett and Aerith who both seem startled to be discovered.
Rufus immediately bursted past Sephiroth absorbing the scene.
"Scarlett, Aerith, what the hell is this?" he shouted, his eyes swallowing the scene of madness.
Neither woman articulated a word back. Sephiroth tilts his head to examine the woman in a frenzy. Sephiroth touched her pulse and in an instant she stopped her screaming. He opened her eye and found it to be dilated.
"Get a doctor, she's gone into shock" he passively stated to one of the officials.
Immediately the official dispersed leaving Scarlett and Aerith both scared. Rufus genuinely couldn't understand the pivot for their behaviour.
"Explain yourself Scarlett" Rufus shouted.
She looked down, her eyes fixated to the floor.
She mumbled something incoherently but he shuts her off, "-and what about you Aerith, what is the reason for your company here?" he asked…
She too said nothing. Sephiroth eyed Aerith questioningly but she instead exchanged a look of greatest apology. Sephiroth however could not understand. He returned his gaze to the fallen woman. Aerith observed him. He unlatched the metal shackles from Tifa's arms and feet. He counted her pulse and registered it to be a bad sign.
"What did you use on her?" Rufus asked, he too examining the unconscious woman.
Both women said nothing. Greatly annoyed at their impassive nature, Rufus snapped, "what the hell did you use?" he shouted, his eyes flashed menacingly.
Scarlett trembled, her tongue caught in her throat. She tried to articulate the words, but nothing came out. With her back against the wall, she succumbed to the shame that her actions indeed, wore no satisfactory.
The cold white light of the doctor's room, seemed to make the green tiles glisten with a sickeningly dismal feeling. The smell of antiseptic was strong and pungent. Everything smelt unnaturally clean, but the place was far from that order of words. The room was used by many of the doctors at Black Crescents, but on many occasions it became the place for the sick, obscene and horridly imbalance to share in a strange delight – where many enjoyed watching the enemy tortured. The needles, the vast cabinets of labeled-off chemicals seem to spark a sick muse among the doctors and on-watchers.
The room was an unholy place.
A doctor busted through the door, panting hard, searching his eyes for the fallen victim. Dr. Takisun, looked down at the still woman on the metal bed. He sympathetically spared her a look. He drew closer, sounding her heartbeat. He shook his head. Flipping around he eases his fingers over the medicines in the cabinet.
"Ah ha" he whispered.
Taking the clear vile he injected it into Tifa's arm. He stands back taking in the fallen woman.
"She'll be fine… had she suffered anymore…" he turned to Rufus, "Ms. Lockhart would be dead"
His words seem to ring with a certain unpleasantness. Even though she was the enemy, nobody had thought her death this way.
"General Sephiroth, please take her to the private wing. I'll have her taken to the infirmary after a detail prognosis" Rufus ordered.
Sephiroth acknowledged the request.
He easily lifted her up, exiting the room with everyone's eyes on both Scarlett and Aerith.
He laid her on the bed examining her as she twitched her eyes. She seemed so pale and lifeless. Tifa under many occasions had become a victim of the assault at Black Crescents, be it from him or another, it appeared this environment hated her almost as much as she hated it - except with the twist, under many occasions she had become a victim of death.
Her individuality at Black Crescents, indeed made the air stirred with more vigor and interest. After all, she was the prisoner - estranged to new principles and beliefs. Though for the most part no one saw eye-to-eye with her, she still somehow made her way even into the most wretched of men when considering, even Rufus Shinra found himself pending as to her exact purpose of stay. Never before, had Black Crescents kept a prisoner as long, as Tifa. It was unique and different, and starkly over-welcomed. It was abundantly clear she was not negotiable, and though by a commoner's point-of-view its punishable by death, Tifa became the testament to even break those odds.
She indeed was something, Sephiroth noted.
Unlike most of the women he knew, something about Lockhart's character indeed was unbreakable. She was feeble, weak and brittle. Complacently putting it, she was just another woman - easy to break. But regardless her physical imbalance, she was brave, she was daring and without a doubt she knew what she knew with all absolution. She was the kind of convicted woman who believed once and would never believe again, in anything different.
She believed him to be a man beneath the covering of a beast. Though he thought her suggestions naive, perhaps it was he who did not understand. Tifa after a year hadn't changed from being the proud pacifist she was, and to murmur in conviction she saw a man in him, made him feel that indeed part of him did own the heart of a man. For too long, he had been the so-called death machine, the Devil, and the many colorful names. He often felt that he was the blasphemous man who was born without a soul to not do a single deed of good, and yet be reminded he was a man who owned a heart.
But in her eyes, something about the way they glowed, reminded him… he was saved.
She stirred a bit, murmuring tiny words through her lips.
'Lockhart' he thought, 'save your stubborn self'
Gently he brushed a black tendril from her face. She was remarkably beautiful, even if she looked like the dead. There's so much mesmerizing beauty about her. Her smell, her touch, her taste…
He grounded his teeth remembering her taste. She drove him insane...
He found himself sitting at the edge of the bed, examining her still face. Passively he placed a hand on top of hers. She was soft he registered. Her skin so clean and pale, so unclenched to anything impure and yet she found a way to assure him, it is only him she wanted. She greatly complicated everything, he noted. Why would someone of her kin - back straight into peace, would ever find herself into the questionable engagement with someone like him? She didn't know him - the breed of man he was.
Would she run away scared like all the others, too afraid to see him, for him? Would she have welcomed the darkness he was, all around her? Would she have turned her face from the thing he could not face in the mirror?
Could she have ever been able to see herself happy with someone like him?
For the most part, he didn't think like that, trying with all will to remote himself into other more important distractions of the war; but to lose her and not understand what she gave him and what it meant to him - would make him a fool to not notice the woman's splendor. He confessed, Tifa was a complicated woman to understand and she made things more complicated by the second, but the lowly standards of any simpler woman would simply not make it on his list.
Gently he caressed her cheek, trying to stimulate her senses.
She slowly opened her eyes and he can see her bright red eyes. She found it in herself to smile, contented perhaps that she was at his side.
He stayed there, watching her intently.
Slowly her eyes faded and before she can cry out, he whispered, "close your eyes… I'm here"
Contented, she closed her eyes back into a world of darkness.
Sephiroth sighed. His mind understood the situation would only grow sticker and sticker.
'You should not have been here in the first place Lockhart.' he thought, 'the pieces to move will only become that more complicated to move.'
He touched her one last time on the face, remembering her splendor.
"Well, well, well" comes a voice, disturbing the moment.
Sephiroth stood up, directing his gaze to the eavesdropper.
"Aerith" he grounded his teeth.
Authors Notes:
So here is to all of you who requested more updates, I'm trying to dish out as many chapters as possible. Thank you so much to those of you who read and reviewed. My gosh, I am was so happy to receive such tremendous reply and support for the story. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
A reader pointed out my lemons for BBC are currently inactive. I need to reedit the chapter and get the chapters back on esnips.
Don't worry I'll have it up very soon.
Exams are here so I'm busting the book but hopefully, that wont cause too much complication for me…
Feel free to tell me what you think and your ideas for BBC. I would love to hear them…