TOMB OF LIFE
TOMB OF LIFE
CHAPTER 10
Cissnei sat in the balcony of the ShinRa dinning area overlooking the main dinning room. She was incessantly tapping her shuriken while staring at a couple sitting together in the room below. Maybe she could slip laxatives into one of her meals one day, or perhaps something toxic to make all that pretty auburn hair fall out, then her handsome companion wouldn't find her so attractive anymore.
"If looks could kill…"
Cissnei turned around to find Reno standing there with a food tray in his hands. The red-head could be annoying at times but Cissnei had learned to ignore him.
Reno sat down without being offered and began to mix his food around on his plate. "You know, I could probably help you with your predicament."
"What do you think you know?" Cissnei snapped at him.
"You want to find a way to get Lara of the picture so you can get in the General's pants, and I need someone to take my place on a stakeout mission in Kalm this weekend. Let's help each other out." Reno winked at her his blue eyes sparkling.
"Perhaps you haven't noticed, but Sephiroth only has eyes for Miss Croft. They were holding hands when they walked in here, do you know what that means?" Cissnei demanded.
"That they're screwing like rabbits?" Reno chuckled in the face of her scowl.
"Among other things, the point is that most likely they have taken the relationship to the next level. I was no more than a one-night stand to Sephiroth, how can I compete with that?" Cissnei squeezed her eyes shut trying not to think about the serious case of unrequited love she had with the General. She'd managed to hide it well yet some like Reno were still aware of her affliction.
"I'll tell you how, but first do we have a deal?" Reno asked.
Cissnei paused and looked at Reno suspiciously. Could he really know something that would be useful? "Just one mission?"
"And maybe one or two more to follow," Reno looked sheepish. "They are really boring missions more up your alley anyways."
"I knew it," Cissnei muttered. "Fine, go on."
Reno glanced around to make sure they were out of earshot of the other diners before continuing. "Our little Miss Croft is keeping secrets from Sephiroth."
"What kind of secrets?" Cissnei wanted to know.
"Like the tryst she had with Cloud Strife this afternoon." Reno said before slapping a picture on the table which showed Lara astride the Fenrir with Cloud.
"By Shiva!" Cissnei exclaimed as she snatched up the picture, "That little hussy."
"I happened to be in the right place at the right time. Was in the Midgar slums doing a little business when those two drove by, I knew it was an opportune moment to take a snapshot with my trusty cell phone," Reno snickered.
"But wait a minute, this doesn't prove that she's sleeping around on him," Cissnei declared.
"So what, I'm willing to bet she hasn't even told him she knows Cloud, and there is probably a reason for that. Reasonable doubt is all you need and that photo will raise a lot of questions."
Cissnei glanced at the photo once more. Perhaps Reno was right and this would be enough to drive a wedge between the two. If only they had found some way to send Lara back to her world, but the Turks were made aware through Tseng that Rufus wished her to stay here to become permanent. So once Lara got over the initial despair of being stranded on Gaia, then she would accept Rufus's position as liaison to ShinRa ops, and she would further solidify her relationship with Sephiroth. Cissnei couldn't allow that happen, not if she hoped to ever build a life with the wielder of the Masamune. "Ok, so how do you suggest we go about this?"
"Leave it all to me." Reno grinned mischievously.
--
The following day, Sephiroth sat in his office going through his mail. Most were reports or surveys. One unlabeled document caught his eyes. Normally the mail was screened so he wouldn't receive any junk mail – he opened the mysterious envelope to verify that this one had indeed slipped through the cracks. Inside was a single picture that made the General's eyes flash with anger. He immediately bolted to his feet and left the office.
Lara was on her way to the science floor intent on getting a full report from Hollander on the portal device, when Sephiroth greeted her in the hall. He was dressed in his usual black armor. She recalled the wonderful dinner they had the previous night after which they had went their separate ways.
She remembered the look of longing in his emerald eyes as he waited for her to invite him into her apartment, but she had denied them both – partly due to the guilt she had felt when Cloud had kissed her earlier in the day. She wished she could say she hadn't felt anything in his kiss, but she had. She was aware that she hadn't made any promises to Sephiroth and vice versa, yet she couldn't help but feel like she betrayed him.
"May I speak with you for a moment?" Sephiroth asked.
"Of course," Lara replied, and allowed him to usher her into an empty training room nearby. It occurred to Lara that something was wrong when he finally had her alone and made no move to kiss her.
"Do you know Cloud Strife?"
Lara was stunned by the question – he knew. "We've met."
"How long ago?" Sephiroth asked, with a calmness that belied his true emotions.
"Just before we went on our trip," Lara replied.
Sephiroth paused before removing a picture from his coat pocket and holding it up to her. "When was this taken?"
Lara took the picture and looked it over – she shouldn't have been surprised, however she was concerned about what Sephiroth must be thinking. "Yesterday," Lara said simply, bracing for his anger.
"I'll be back," Sephiroth said, then quickly exited the room before Lara could follow, he closed it sealing her in.
"Sephiroth what do you think you are doing?" Lara shouted through the door as she banged on it. This certainly wasn't the reaction she had expected.
"I need to take care of something, wait here," Sephiroth stated before turning down the hall.
Lara's eyes widened as she heard the steady beat of his booted feet retreating down the hallway. He really had left her locked in there as if there was nothing untoward going on. Lara sighed when she realized she hadn't brought her pistols with her or her backpack with the separated pieces of Excalibur. She frantically glanced around the training room to find it empty except for an exercise pad and one window.
Running towards the window Lara leaned over the ledge and realized it was a long drop down, they were about 8 stories up but luckily she had her grapple. Hooking the grapple to the window sill she began to climb her way down. Once she made it to the ground she grabbed her cell phone and dialed Sephiroth – no answer. She kept dialing as she ran back into the lobby where she met up with Zack. "Zack have you seen Sephiroth?"
"He stormed out of here a moment ago, why?" Zack asked.
"I think he might be going after Cloud," Lara said as she flicked open the phone to call Cloud. "No answer," She said a few moments later.
Zack was also attempting to call Cloud as well when he didn't get an answer he left a message. "He doesn't answer sometimes when he's on his delivery rounds. Tell me what's going down?"
"Someone took a picture of me with Cloud yesterday – it was innocent enough but I think Sephiroth may be reading more into it," Lara explained.
"By Shiva! Come on, let's see if we can find him before Sephiroth does," Zack said.
"Ok, I'm going to go grab my gear and I'll meet you back here," Lara said before quickly running to the elevator.
--
Cloud was exiting a store he'd just completed a delivery run to, he was in the slum market area of Midgar. He masked his surprise when he saw Sephiroth leaning against Fenrir awaiting him. "What do you want?" Cloud demanded with a scowl.
"You just can't help antagonizing me, is that it Cloud?" Sephiroth stated calmly, as he stood up holding the Masamune at his side. "Draw your weapon."
Cloud didn't stop to think just how reckless the General was being, challenging Cloud in the middle of the city with so many witnesses. He quickly retracted Fenrir's holding slots and grabbed Ultima Weapon. He'd barely turned around before Sephiroth attacked him, their swords sparking as they clashed together.
"You should have known better than to interfere with my life, now I'm going to end this," Sephiroth stated, his voice dripping with deadly intent.
They parried and sparred, each showing their extensive knowledge of sword fighting skills yet it soon became apparent that Sephiroth had the upper hand. Cloud was unceremoniously tossed into sale stands, garbage units and even buildings, as they proved to be in the way when Sephiroth got in a lucky shot.
Cloud felt his muscles aching with exertion, though Sephiroth it seemed had yet to break a sweat. It bothered Cloud that Sephiroth was stronger, even though the silver-haired man had been genetically enhanced more so than Cloud. It was the swift attacks that the General came at him with that took the most out of him, for he had to struggle to meet the blows with quick parries of his own which was extremely exhausting. Once again he missed a parry only to have Sephiroth send him flying into a brick wall, Ultima weapon clattered to the ground next to him.
Cloud lay there for a second even though his brain was yelling at him to get up though every muscle in his body screamed in protest. When the Masamune pierced his right shoulder, Cloud grunted in pain.
"It's over," Sephiroth stated, a gleam of deadly intent glazing his green eyes.
"Sephiroth Stop!"
Cloud glanced up to see Zack and Lara running towards them. He was pleased to see Lara, though the pain that caused him to wince as he felt Sephiroth withdraw the Masamune from his shoulder reminded him that this was not over yet. The General was preparing to run him through the heart this time. Cloud watched mesmerized as he heard a gunshot and saw the Masamune flip sideways, but Sephiroth's grip on the hilt prevented it from flying out of his hands. It did prompt the general to finally look over and see who had fired the shot.
Lara stood with the barrel of her gun still smoking, her eyes locked with Sephiroth's. She lowered the gun and walked towards him, she was grateful he made no further move to attack Cloud. "Please, come back with me," Lara pleaded with him, which served as the distraction Zack needed to pull Cloud out of Sephiroth's reach.
"This is between me and Cloud," Sephiroth stated.
"No, it's between you and me. Cloud means nothing to me," Lara said her hazel eyes never leaving his emerald greens.
Cloud lowered his gaze upon hearing that. Could it be true? Or was she simply saying that to help calm the enraged General? He hoped it was the latter.
"Lara, get Sephiroth out of here – a crowd is beginning to gather," Zack stated as he proceeded to take his own advice with Cloud and helped the injured man back to his motorbike.
Lara grasped Sephiroth's hand and began to lead him out of the crowd, she was grateful he did not resist her.
--
Lara took Sephiroth to his quarters and watched as he entered his bedroom and placed the Masamune on the stand located near the bed. He said nothing as he took off his trench coat and laid it over the back of a nearby chair. Lara stood in the room observing him and waiting for him to express his rage, but it never came. Finally she decided to chance an explanation. She moved to stand before the silver-haired man and took his hands in hers. "I do apologize for all this. I should have told you that I had begun a friendship with Cloud, but you have to believe that is all there is to it. I have no designs on him."
"Could he say the same?" Sephiroth asked quietly.
Lara wasn't sure how to reply, the stolen kiss had proven that Cloud wanted to be more than friends, but as far as she was concerned that shouldn't matter.
"I thought so," Sephiroth stated after her moment of pause.
"Sephiroth will you listen to yourself, you almost killed him today and for what, liking me a little more than he should?"
"This isn't only about you, Cloud and I have had this vendetta for years now. It's his way of trying to get back at me. You wouldn't understand," Sephiroth said sighing, as he turned away from her and came to stand before the window, which allowed sunlight to illuminate the room.
"I understand that you think he's trying to use me to provoke you, but what you don't seem to understand is that it shouldn't have worked." Lara's gentle tug on his arm caused him to turn to look at her. "When it comes to me, you have nothing to be concerned about with Cloud Strife.
"Hmm," The curve of a smile began to form on his lips. "I believe you."
"Finally, I'm getting through to that thick skull of yours."
Sephiroth's phone began ringing and he grabbed it from his pocket and took a brief look at it. He swore softly under his breath. "Rufus wishes to see me. No doubt the incident with Cloud has already gotten back to him."
"I'll come with you," Lara offered.
"He may wish to berate me in private," Sephiroth stated.
"Then he'll just have to ask me to leave," Lara winked at him as he retrieved his coat then left the apartment with her.
A few moments later, Lara and Sephiroth were both ushered into the president's office by his secretary. The sandy-haired man was sitting behind his desk reading through some papers. He wasn't alone, Tseng stood across the desk from him.
"Sephiroth, Lady Croft," Rufus greeted them, while Tseng only inclined his head slightly in greeting.
Lara noticed that Rufus had now taken to calling her 'Lady Croft.' It didn't bother her for it was what she was used to on Earth. She realized he must have heard her being addressed by the title during one of her flashbacks of SND procedure.
Rufus addressed Lara first. "I'm so sorry to hear about the portal device, I want you to know that I will have the top scientists working with Hollander for a way to reproduce a new one."
"What are you talking about?" Lara had a confused expression on her face.
"I was under the impression you had already visited with Hollander. I was informed earlier that the device had self imploded under duress during an experiment," Rufus sated.
"Oh my God," Was all Lara could say as it began to sink in that there might never be a way home.
"In the meantime you are welcome to stay here as our guest and if you are willing to accept it I have a job for you, as a ShinRa special ops liaison. Judging from your excellent combat skills I know you will be up to the task." Rufus offered her a reassuring smile.
Lara was completely baffled, how could he tell her she was trapped there and then offer her work in almost the same sentence? "I need to see Hollander." She glanced at Sephiroth in apology but he gave her a look of understanding, which told her he'd be alright alone.
After she left the room, Sephiroth turned to Rufus. "What is going on?"
"We should be asking you that same question – engaging a member of Avalanche in full view of the public? What were you thinking?" Tseng demanded.
"Cloud openly provoked me," Sephiroth replied.
"Yes well whatever the matter, we now have to do something to downplay it all," Rufus began. "I was thinking a party, in Lady Crofts' honor. We'll invite the members of Avalanche and other prominent citizens around the world, much like the annual ShinRa party except we'll broadcast it on television and the web, to allow even the lowliest of citizens the opportunity to see their leaders shake hands in peace."
"You think a party will solve everything?" the incredulity in Sephiroth's voice was apparent.
"Yes of course, we just need to make sure Cloud shows up – you and he shake hands and all will be well." Rufus stood and walked over to Sephiroth. "And it's almost certain Cloud will come to the party, since it's in Lady Crofts' honor."
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed. The thought of Cloud anywhere near Lara made his blood boil, and Rufus was suggesting that they not only get together in the same room but shake hands in view of the public when all he would want to do instead, is break every bone in that hand. He knew he didn't have a choice in the matter, but wondered how he would get through the party without throttling Cloud. "What if it backfires, you know I will be on my best behavior for the good of the company, but Cloud…"
"Well that would be unfortunate if a prominent member of Avalanche made a stink on national TV and the web – if we were to go to war with them and obliterate them, then we would be seen as heroes who did all we could against eco terrorists." A devious grin spread across Rufus's handsome face.
"Is that your plan, to eliminate Avalanche once and for all?" Sephiroth asked.
"Well there is no guarantee that this will work, perhaps Cloud will be on his best behavior too."
"Then what are you planning?"
"Believe me General, when I've figured that out, you'll be the first to know," Rufus said, the tone of deadly intent dripping from his voice.
Sephiroth glanced at Tseng who had been quiet during most of the conversation. The Turk simply regarded him with a blank expression on his handsome face. Sephiroth knew instinctively that Tseng was Rufus's confidant, and anything the president was planning would surely go through the head Turk first, and not Sephiroth. After Rufus dismissed him he turned and left the room, knowing full well the men would get down to their shady business talks once he was gone. He preferred not to think about that now and went in search of Lara instead.
Inside the president's office, Tseng turned to Rufus once they were alone. "So let me get this straight. The ShinRa Corp. is seen to be reaching out to Avalanche only to have them hypothetically spit in our collective faces, which once again leads to a war that forces us to wipe them out. And with them gone, we'll return to our normal levels of Mako production – brilliant plan sir."
"Like I said to Sephiroth, there is no guarantee that it will work but it's worth a shot. None of the SOLDIERS must know of this, because Cloud was once tied with SOLDIER it could cause problems. The last thing we need is dissension among our ranks when we're trying to make ourselves look like a bed of roses to the people," Rufus explained.
"Yes sir," Tseng said with as smirk.
--
Sephiroth found Lara in Hollander's lab a few moments later – they were in a heated conversation together. Once he got close enough to overhear, he realized Hollander was apologizing to Lara about the destruction of the portal device.
"We have already made several breakthroughs in reproducing the technology, so all is not lost," Hollander explained to Lara. "Now if you'll excuse me, I do have other matters to attend to."
Once Hollander walked away, Lara heard him greet Sephiroth and she turned around to find her lover standing there. She hoped she didn't look as distraught on the outside as she was feeling on the inside. "Seph…"
Sephiroth paused, it was a pet name he'd heard her use for him during the throes of passion – he had yet to hear her refer to him that way while out of the bedroom. "Are you that anxious to leave me?" He forced a smile, hoping she would realize this was his attempt at humor – it failed.
"We always knew this was only temporary, but now it seems so permanent," Lara said, biting her bottom lip as her gaze fastened on a test tube tray while her thoughts ran wild.
"You do not believe Hollander will be able to reproduce the device and find you a way home?" Sephiroth glanced around and noticed that Hollander must have vanished through a side door for he was nowhere in sight.
"We had a difficult time trying to make it work when we had the actual device and now…" Lara trailed off – she was almost certain they were only trying to appease her into thinking that they could find a way to send her home, but Rufus's offer of a job in the same breath made her suspicious. She didn't want to believe that the President orchestrated this whole thing, stranding her with the hopes that she'd have no other choice but to work for him. If it was true, how could she tell Sephiroth about it? He worked for ShinRa, and if he backed her it would put him at odds with the Corporation.
"Don't give up hope," Sephiroth said reassuringly.
"I won't," She said, then smiled. "Thank you for being here for me."
"Where else would I be?" Sephiroth said before leaning in to claim her lips with a brief kiss then gathered her in his arms hugging her tightly.
Lara held onto him for dear life, she would really need his support to get her through this.
--
Tifa sat at Cloud's bedside looking at the spiky-haired blond who was too stubborn by far. Zack had helped Cloud back to the bar a bit earlier and Tifa had set about seeing to his wound, cleaning and bandaging for which she was given a cool thank you.
"I'm fine Tifa, I could go back to work right now if you weren't so insistent that I take the rest of the day off," Cloud said idly.
"Cloud, Sephiroth could have killed you." Tifa began, trying to hold back the stem of tears that threatened to overflow. "I don't know what we – what the children would have done if they'd lost you." She knew the last thing Cloud wanted was to be reminded of her feelings for him. She should have known trouble was brewing when she overheard Cloud speaking of meeting with a mysterious person yesterday. However, the truth of the matter which had been reluctantly revealed to her by Zack was more discomforting by far. Cloud had fallen for Sephiroth's girlfriend and that spelled disaster. Tifa idly wondered what this mysterious woman had that she didn't to win Cloud's attention.
"He wouldn't have killed me, even if Zack hadn't interfered I would have been fine," Cloud stated, though he realized it was technically Lara that saved him. She had distracted Sephiroth long enough for Zack to get him to safety. He knew he would have a hard time getting Tifa to leave, and was grateful when Denzel and Marlene burst into the room.
"Cloud, are you ok Cloud?" Denzel asked.
"I'm perfectly fine, like I've been telling Tifa, it's just a flesh wound," Cloud said as he ruffled Denzel's dark brown hair. Marlene came up and held Cloud's other hand in both of her smaller hands.
"Cloud, I was so afraid you'd leave us," Marlene said.
"I'll always be here when you need me, you can count on that." Cloud gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile. He noticed when Tifa silently left the room, leaving him with the kids.