Chapter Five

Jenova's Wrath

Chapter Five

Shalimar span away from them, outrage and disgust distorting her pretty features. Her mother looked at her despairingly.
"Shalimar, how did you think I got out of that mako crystal? Do you really think I could have released myself? Come on, think!"
Shalimar shook her head and turned back to them, focusing her attention on Cloud.
"Well, at least we have someone to blame for Tifa's condition," she said bitterly. Cloud nodded.
"Hojo's also responsible for the children that go missing every month and the stolen resources from Wutai, Rocket town and Icicle village," he said. Shalimar nodded her gaze hardening.
"Cloud, I want you to promise me something."Cloud looked in surprise at her and she looked back at him determined.
"When you find the bastard, finish him, once and for all," she said, her voice hard.
Cloud looked at her for another moment before nodding, equally determined.

--(FFVII)--

"Do you have to go, Shal?"
Shalimar stuffed her bag with a few clothes, and then zipped it up before she turned to him smiling sympathetically.
"Zack, you know I do. Dr Kawanaki may have some important theories, and it's easier to work in person than over the phone."She put a hand on his arm as he frowned.
"You've got Tifa, why do you care if I'm not here for a few days?"
Zack glared at her for a second before turning away and staring out of the window. Shalimar watched him confused.
"Because you're my best friend, Shal, and besides, I don't know if I can cope with Yuffie while you're gone."
"You won't have to. She's coming with us so that she can visit her father." Zack looked even glummer.
"Oh," was all he said. Why wouldn't Shalimar get the message he was sending just once? He sighed and stood up.
"Well, if you're sure," he said. She looked at him, her eyes expressing her determination. He nodded and left the room.
"Good luck," he called behind him.

--(FFVII)--

Shalimar looked over her shoulder and waved in farewell. The Doctor waved in return before heading back into his surgery. Shalimar smiled and walked to the town's edge, where Tseng stood waiting, his features arranged in complacent patience. Shalimar knew it was just a front. Tseng was always alert to his surroundings, and apart from Zack, she didn't know anyone who she would feel as safe with as she did with Tseng. She nodded to him as she reached the top of the small hill.

"Tseng," she said in greeting. He nodded in return.

"Miss Kisaragi will not be accompanying us on the return journey," he said, his tone absent as always. "She has decided to remain with her father for a while."

Shalimar nodded in understanding, pleased for the young woman. At least they were on better speaking terms than they had been in the past, or so Shalimar understood it.

They both turned and walked in companionable silence out of the town, across the grassy plains and along the path winding through the paddy fields to where the Turks' helicopter was waiting. Reno sat in the cockpit, slouched back waiting for their arrival, an expression of languid boredom on his face. Rude sat beside him and Elena behind, the two clearly in a discussion that was boring Reno to tears.

Reno sat up as Tseng and Shalimar approached, tossed his hair back from his eyes and started the engine. Rude and Elena ceased their conversation and looked alert as Tseng and Shalimar started to climb into the helicopter. Shalimar was just climbing in when a voice called her name. She stood back to look at the caller and found one of the Nurses from Dr Kawanaki's surgery running towards her. Shalimar looked at Tseng who was tensed beside her and shook her head, laying a hand on his arm. He glanced fleetingly at it before looking at her and nodding his concession. She smiled at him.

"Tell Cloud and the others that I'll be returning with Yuffie," she said gently. Tseng looked clearly unhappy about it but nodded all the same.

"Take care," he said stiffly. She smiled at him and walked off, waving goodbye to the Turks behind her, holding her hair back as the helicopter took to the skies. She stood and watched it until it was far out of sight, feeling the wind blow her hair in an unruly fashion.

Sighing, she turned back around and the Nurses' hand collided heavily with her mouth. Shalimar staggered, and the last thing she saw before she fell unconscious were a pair of malicious brown eyes.

--(FFVII)--

Zack was furious and Yuffie cowered slightly in the face of his anger. She liked Zack, especially since he was still quite nice to her even after she frustrated him all those years ago, and plus, she liked Shalimar and Shalimar liked Zack. There was no contest, really.

But as he stood there glaring at her, anger lighting his mako-tainted blue eyes, she suddenly felt her usual self-assured, teenage attitude slip and she looked meek. She didn't know Shalimar was supposed to be meeting her. As far as Yuffie knew, Shalimar had already gone home.

Zack stared at Yuffie for a few more seconds before turning away in frustration. He knew he shouldn't be taking his temper out on her. It wasn't her fault after all. If only Shalimar had stuck to the damned plan! He was pissed with Tseng too. He should've stayed with her, but he knew Tseng felt guilty as it was, so there was no need to snap at him, too.

He sighed. Shalimar had been missing for over two weeks now, and even after the search of Wutai, there was no indication of where she was. It was frustrating because no one seemed to have seen her after she had left. That left no witnesses, which meant they had nothing to go on. Zack sunk into a chair and placed his head in his hands. He couldn't escape the idea that Shalimar was in trouble, and if she was, then he'd failed her.

Tifa clucked her tongue and walked over to him, draping her arms over his shoulders and hugging him reassuringly. She didn't care that Zack didn't respond. She knew he was feeling bad, so it didn't bother her. Zack needed her right now and that was all that mattered.

Eventually Zack stood, shaking Tifa off him as he did so. She stepped back, slightly embarrassed, but she covered it quickly with worry. The rest of the group looked at him, though he found he couldn't look at Lucrecia. Her eyes, red with worry and anxiety, searched him for answers that he couldn't give. He walked forward to the front of the room.

"We need to talk to Rufus," he said resignedly. He'd hoped to leave Shinra out of this, but it seemed he didn't have a choice. With the Turks on their side as well as the Shinra militant force, they had a much better chance of finding Shalimar than a group of ten people did.

Cloud nodded and walked forward. "Good idea," he said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We'll find her Zack, don't worry."

Zack looked at him, and smiled grimly, nodding. He hoped so, he really did.

--(FFVII)--

Rufus stood in front of the large windows in his office, his back to the large group assembled behind him. After a few moments he turned to them, his gaze searching out Tseng.
"Tseng, you and the Turks are to try and gain some more information on Shalimar's disappearance. There is always a witness. I want you to find it. You know what to do." Tseng nodded.
"Yes sir. You'll keep me updated on any findings?" Rufus nodded in like.
"Of course." They exchanged a silent look and then Tseng left, taking the Turks with him. The rest of the group turned their attention back to Rufus, each person trying to avoid the strained atmosphere that filled the room.
"Mr Highwind." Cid looked up, slightly stunned. He hadn't expected to be called on specifically.
"Yes, sir?" Rufus smiled wryly.
"I want you to lead a small team on the Highwind," he said. "The team will consist of Reeve Tuesti, two members of your little group and two more Shinra employees. Is that acceptable?" Cid looked at him with measured determination.
"I have no objection. Where will be searching?" Rufus looked hard at him.
"Everywhere."
Cid nodded and sat back as Rufus turned his attention to Cloud, Zack and Vincent.
"I want you three to lead separate search parties. The Shinra forces will be split amongst you. I would also take your friends with you. Use what you know about Shalimar to help you. You will each be assigned a member of her team to assist you. Some of them may know things you don't. Don't waste this opportunity," he added, looking specifically at Zack. Zack stared back at him, cold, hard determination and grief in his blue eyes.
"I will not allow such a large scale use of Shinra resources again. This is your one and only chance."

The group rose to leave, Vincent with his arm around Lucrecia, Tifa reassuring Yuffie. Rufus had turned away to look out of his windows.
"Zack," he called. Zack stopped and turned around. Rufus paused and then turned to look him square in the eye and Zack was shocked at the fear and pain he saw in the gaze of the cold hearted leader of the Shinra Corporation.

"Find her, Zack. Bring her home."

--(FFVII)--

Vincent sat back in his seat. He was strapped into the large, cargo helicopter that his search party was using to gain access to the hills of Wutai. Lucrecia sat beside him, holding his hand in a way that made him feel like it would come off in hers at any moment. He had asked her to remain at home, but had received the most venomous glare she could give and he had swiftly changed tack. He was brave and strong, but no one with any sense argued with a scorned mother.

He looked to his left and out of the small window in the door to the helicopter, watching the clouds pass by barely noticed. He let his mind drift back to the meeting with Rufus. He had found himself nigh on amazement when he realized that Shalimar had had her effect even on this callous, hard person, renowned for his lack of emotion. He reflected that Shalimar, somehow, in her own way, had affected everyone she met. Few people had a bad word to say of her, and she was remarkably popular in Kalm as he had discovered when questioning people before they left. She was considered a friendly, cheerful girl with a good heart, a tendency to please and help and a brain far too intelligent for her own good. He gave a small smile. He agreed with most of those traits, and yet he had only known her for a few short months. Shalimar really did have her way with people. While Sephiroth was strong and considered and awed as a Hero, while simultaneously being feared, Shalimar simply captured hearts and cherished each one as if everyone she met was important to her. She could feel more than anyone he had ever met and yet, she was not miserable. He shook his head. Yes, they had all welcomed Shalimar into their lives for Tifa's sake, and now, every single one of them wanted to find her for her own sake. Vincent could not honestly say that he wanted to find Shalimar simply so she could resume her work on Tifa's condition. No, they all wanted to find her because they wanted her back in their lives.

--(FFVII)--

Shalimar was aware of a killer headache before she even opened her eyes. Her head throbbed and ached, even reaching her ear and jaw. She winced painfully as it throbbed behind her eyes and she hissed through the pain. She waited, her eyes closed, focusing on removing the headache, willing the pain to die away.
Eventually she opened her eyes, wincing slightly in the glare of the lights that she could tell were aimed straight at her. She went to shield her eyes with her arms and met resistance: her arms were tied by thick, leather shackles above her head, which explained the burning pain in the muscles of her arms. She knew without testing that her legs would be equally as restrained.

She narrowed her eyes, letting them become accustomed to the glare as she searched for something to tell her where she was. She vaguely recollected the dark haired nurse from Wutai hitting her in the face and the sharp scent of ether. She supposed she should thank her lucky stars she was alive. She felt a pang as she remembered her old friend, Cissnei. She could really do with her help now, she thought, feeling foolish. Cissnei had been missing for years. Even Tseng had no idea where she was.

Shalimar shifted slightly to accommodate the aches in her back. Her sight was more accustomed to the light now and the scene before her reeked of familiarity. She knew this place. She knew it better than anyone in the whole world. She'd been brought to her old Lab, up near the realms of Icicle Village and Modeoheim. But who in the world knew about it? Even Rufus didn't know its exact location. No one did.

A soft chuckle to her right made her jerk her head, searching for the owner of the voice. Its tone was familiar, as if she knew it once in a past life, and she struggled to recognise it. She shook her head. The headache was making it hard to think and she needed her wits about her. She needn't have worried, however, as the owner of the voice climbed some metal stairs to the podium far beneath Shalimar's suspended body.

"Well, well, well, it would seem our precious little girl is awake."

Shalimar glared down at the man as rage and frustration flooded through her veins. The dark haired man smiled up at her through his glasses.

"Welcome home," said Hojo.

By Arachinea