Hello everyone, hope you're all well and hunky dory :) Where does that even come from o,O; Again, this took a while but as usual Ive written several chapters out at once, so don't panic (assuming you even were in the first place...which I doubt, lol -_-;)
My usual thanks to everyone who reads this, and my big thanks to my regular reviewers :) Though you're probably sick of me saying that now, hurrr _;
Sephiroth, final fantasy vii and original story are copyright too Square enix and this is a work of fandom, not for profit. All i own is Meia. (feeds her cookies)
Chapter 22
"She will be given twice her last dose this time"
"Are you sure, Hojo Sir?"
"Of course I'm sure you simpleton"
"It's just that…we don't know she'll be able to absorb it. Even with the recent modifications to her body"
"If she can't absorb the excess, her body will simply expel it. The boy did it; I don't see why she can't"
"You're son you mean?"
"Silence! Watch your mouth, this lab isn't secure. How many times must I remind you?"
"…sorry Sir"
The third class SOLDIER's hand trembled as he felt the deceptively delicate looking neck for a pulse. Swallowing, his own heart stopped a moment before a feint thump could be felt beneath his fingertips. He let loose a sigh of relief and knelt before the limp form in front of him,
"Ma'am? Uh…Sir? Can you hear me?" His hand reached out to shake the shoulder of the passed out SOLDIER on the floor in front of him. A mild groan escaped Meia's lips as she came too. Her head was splitting with pain, her eyes were hazy and her whole body felt drained and weak,
"Oh thank goodness, I was about to get someone. Are you ok? What happened to you?" The small teen in front of her spoke again. She lifted a hand and waved him off; rubbing her eyes with her other hand. As far as she could tell, she was still in the training room. As far as she could remember, she was training with a new set of weapons she'd found in the armoury. But that's when it got hazy. The small Third class got up and looked around, appearing to be locating her borrowed weapons; a pair of short katanas. Meia tried to sit up but her body protested and so she was forced to endure her uncomfortable sprawl against the wall a little longer,
"Are you ok Ma'am? Can I help you?"
"What's your name, SOLDIER?" She croaked dryly, suddenly overcome with the urge to drink something,
"Renji, Sir…uh Ma'am"
"Sir is fine, Renji. Meia…is even better" She managed a lopsided smile. The small boy laughed nervously, the twin swords cradled in his arms delicately. Meia then managed to push herself up into a more comfortable position, her lungs gasping for air. What had happened to her?
"Are there any other SOLDIER's around, Renji?" She asked him.
"I can have a look Sir"
"Would you? Also, a bottle of water would be much appreciated as well" She smiled at him as he jogged off out the room, her weapons placed gently at her side first. He must be from the latest intake, Meia thought to herself. Gradually, her body began to regain some movement though the peculiar sensation, mimicking alcohol, still ran thick through her veins.
Sometime later, Renji reappeared clutching a bottle of water from the vending machine,
"Here you go, Sir. I couldn't find anyone else so I left a note in the briefing room" He panted, kneeling down beside her again and handing the bottle over. Meia nodded, unscrewing the lid and taking several long, deep slugs, almost draining half the bottle in one go. Renji was looking at her still, so she smiled, despite feeling quite awkward,
"Are you ok, Renji? You look like you've seen a ghost" She chuckled to him. The teen held up his hands and shook them,
"Oh no, I'm sorry Sir I didn't meant to stare, it's just…well I only joined last week and already I've seen some crazy things. Will my life ever be normal again?" He joked, attempting to lighten the mood.
Meia tipped her head back and laughed, before chocking on the action and coughing, "Ah, no Renji, I'm afraid not" He nodded and folded his hands in his lap, looking around the room,
"It's so amazing here, it was worth the trip. Hopefully I can make my family proud of me, be a hero, y'know?" He offered up after a moment's pause. Meia looked at him. Always the same reason, to be a Hero…
"Why do you want to be a hero, Renji?" She asked him quietly.
"Ah, to make everyone back home proud. The fame….y'know" He laughed nervously,
"Be careful what you wish for, Renji. Making your family proud…I think that's reason enough, don't you?" She fixed him with her eyes and tilted her head. His cheeks flushed and he nodded quickly,
"Yea…I guess"
Meia nodded back and tried to get up, refusing Renji's help when he offered. Managing to stand, though only barely, she leant on the wall for support. Her head swam ominously and for a brief moment, felt like passing out all over again, but she held her ground. Renji looked worried,
"Sir…why are you so sick? I thought SOLDIER's were the toughest of the tough. I didn't think anything could get to them"
Meia observed him for a moment before confirming in her mind what she already knew, Mako fatigue. Only Renji didn't need to know that, no one did except her First class colleagues,
"I've been pushing myself hard lately, Renji, and I may have skipped a meal or two along the line. I'm alright, really, just need some food…"
"I can get that too if you like Sir" Renji piped up enthusiastically. Meia laughed, holding her ribcage as she did so. Damn, it was really bad this time…
"No Renji, you don't need to do that for me. Just follow my advice, don't skip meals" She added with a chuckle and a gasp. The small teen nodded and took a step back as Meia finally summoned the strength to push herself away from the wall. Taking a shaky step forward, she swayed and held her head. Should she call for a medic after all? She noticed her subordinate fighting to keep himself from reaching out and supporting her,
"If you want to help, Renji, grab my swords again would you?" She instructed. Eventually she managed to put one foot in front of the other and make it out of the training room, where she staggered to the table and chairs by the window overlooking the city. Renji placed her weapons on the table and backed off,
"Can I help you with anything else, Sir?" He asked, saluting her this time. Meia shook her head and smiled at him,
"No Renji, thank you for all you've done" She said sincerely, noticing heavy footfalls approaching the recreation area. She looked up as Genesis spotted her and headed over to where she was sitting, noting Renji's salute becoming stiffer as he appeared to be holding his breath,
"I got the note, everything alright?" He drawled in his usual accent, noting the rookie standing on his right. Meia nodded and dismissed Renji, before finishing her water. Genesis took a seat next to her and crossed his legs,
"Fatigue?" He said quietly, prompting a nod from Meia, "I see" His eyes fixed on the swords arranged neatly on the table, "I wonder why you're getting it, it's very odd. The fact you're being injected at all is odd of course but…" He trailed off, holding his chin and pondering silently. Meia observed him before leaning back and closing her eyes.
Genesis was back to normal. Normal for him, at least. The following days after the gala he was apparently nowhere to be seen, avoiding Angeal and Sephiroth all together. Then on her last day off in the evening, he showed up at her room offering his apologies…
"May I come in, Meia?"
She fixed him with her blue eyes, narrowing them a little, "I don't see why not. Don't mind the mess" She gestured him in and closed the door behind him. Genesis stepped over her discarded clothing and around the stacks of magazines that were presenting a tripping hazard. Meia moved past him and sat on the edge of her bed,
"So what brings you here? I'm assuming it's to do with what happened in the middle of the week" She asked him straight away, not wanting to beat around the bush. She knew full well that's why he was here. His eyes were currently looking over the spread of miscellaneous objects adorning her desk, before coming to rest on the box containing her necklace and bracelet,
"It is…" He began, still avoiding her eyes, "I apologise for my behaviour, Meia, I let myself get carried away"
"Have you apologised to Sephiroth?" She said immediately, with a little more force than she intended…
"I have. He wasn't impressed. Then again, he hardly ever is…" Genesis replied with a sigh,
"Do you blame him? You went off on him for something that's beyond his control"
"Is it though?" Finally Genesis looked at her, speaking before she could voice what was on her mind, "Think about it. What if Shinra is glorifying him? What if Shinra is glorifying all of the First classes?"
"What do you mean?"
"For publicity. It's no secret that every first class has an official fan club" Genesis mused with a snort, "They fund our activity's outside the company, too. As long as they are good, clean fun…" He finished, crossing his arms over his chest. Meia's head tilted,
"You're saying they publicise and glorify SOLDIER to use as advertisements for the company? Like possessions or…publicity tools?"
Genesis nodded, "It seems Sephiroth is their pride and joy. I doubt anyone could compete with him" He said quietly, "Well, I should head off. Take care Meia" He nodded to her and saw himself out. But his words haunted Meia and she frowned. Their pride and joy? Sephiroth wasn't a possession, he was a person…
…
..
The metallic clink of sliding metal caused Meia to open her eyes again. Genesis was fiddling with the katanas on the table,
"You think you'll stick to duel wielding when you make First?" He asked her, running his fingers along the metal of the blades. Meia sighed and held her head,
"Perhaps. I'm trying out a few different styles at the moment, considering I no longer have to attend lectures or lessons" She replied, sitting up and rubbing her numb legs. Genesis nodded and placed them down again,
"We should take you shooting with us, see if you like that"
"Shooting?"
"Not guns shooting, archery. You think Sephiroth would shoot a gun willingly? He hates them…probably why he looks down his nose at Turks as well…" Genesis mused, looking at her with a cocked eyebrow. She couldn't be bothered to form a retort and just grunted instead. Eventually he dismissed himself and Meia summoned the strength to head to the canteen for her last real meal before the inevitable mako injection the following day.
As usual, he didn't bother waiting for the helicopter to touch all the way down before leaping out. Catching and containing his wildly out of control, rotary blade swept hair; Sephiroth strode off the helipad atop the Shinra building and headed to a stairwell. He was in no rush to arrive at the lab for his injection, although he knew putting it off was pointless. The doors slid open to allow him access and he began descending the stairs at a steady pace.
He'd just arrived home after having to spend two weeks at Junon training a specialist infantry group. He loathed every second of it. Apparently they were the brightest and most capable Heidegger had to offer. If that was the case, he could see why the infantry were failing so hard lately. Another floor down, only a few more to go. He worked hard to will the pain in his head to leave. As usual, he hadn't eaten anything for a few days and he'd had no time to relax before he was flown in. There was a high chance that the bottle of water he'd consumed on his way in would make an appearance once more.
Finally he arrived at the floor that housed the science departments labs, his body not tired in the slightest. Still, he took a deep breath before entering the lab. Hojo had an effect on him like fuel to a fire…
"Hewley next. Arm" Hojo barked from the area of the lab containing the injection equipment. Angeal climbed onto the table as usual and held his arm out, a look of indignity on his face. Meia crossed her arms. So this was Professor Hojo. The very sight of him made her skin prickle with unease. And the way he'd looked at her when she entered the lab, as if he was peering through her skin into her soul and chilling it. She shook off a tremble of fear and calmed herself.
The man's bedside manner was as abhorrent as he apparently was. Then again, he was a scientist not a doctor. And not the kind of scientist that would be winning awards for his contributions to humanity she'd wager. Soft footsteps made her turn her head and she offered a small consolation smile to her harassed looking friend who took up a position on her right. Another retch in the shadows to her left, Genesis wasn't doing very well today at all…
"Rhapsodos! Get out if you're going to continue your pathetic gagging" Hojo snapped in his direction, yanking shut the last restraint on Angeal with more force than was necessary. Meia opened her mouth to protest; already her temper was wearing thin with the man. But Sephiroth's hand on her forearm along with a shake of the head caused her to refrain from speaking her mind. The two of them looked on as Angeal was administered his phial of mako, his body tensing and struggling in sheer pain and discomfort. Meia closed her eyes and swallowed her own fear yet again. She didn't want to give this sick man the pleasure of seeing the horror coming from her.
"You're next boy. Get your shirt off ready, your late enough as it is" Hojo commanded, pushing his glasses up his nose. Sephiroth sighed in frustration and did as he was told. A muscle was twitching in his jaw; the irritation working its way into his body was plain to see. As with the last time, Sephiroth took his dose far better than the others despite its larger size. But Meia was saddened to see him bring something up in the sink on the far wall. The sound of him retching was by far the most unnerving thing she'd heard in a long time.
"Now, LeSait, your turn. Up here now" Hojo ordered her. He was wearing a leering smile; he seemed much more pleased to be injecting her that he was with any of the others. Meia narrowed her eyes and removed her shirt, but as she did so, Hojo stepped closer,
"You may want to lose that attitude, LeSait, it won't get you anywhere" He sneered at her, gesturing towards Sephiroth with his head. Meia clenched her jaw and said nothing, hopping onto the table and holding out her arm so Hojo could take her blood pressure,
"This is your third administration and by far your largest" He said, pumping the armband tighter than was necessary. Meia winched as she felt the pinch, largest?
"My dose is higher? Why?"
"Don't ask questions" Hojo snapped, "You wouldn't understand even if I did tell you" He finished vehemently. Meia scowled,
"Wouldn't I now" She muttered under her breath. Hojo smirked,
"I hear you collapsed during training yesterday. Fatigue again, was it?" Meia's eyes flicked to Sephiroth who had heard, "Of course I can lower the dose. But if I did…you would collapse a lot sooner, with much more dire consequences, would you like that, LeSait?"
Meia swallowed, watching Sephiroth's eyebrow tighten in concern. She hadn't told him yet…
"No professor, of course not" She said reluctantly. Laying down, her skin crawled as Hojo reached over her to fasten the restraints on the table. His lab coat stank of chemicals and other scents she couldn't work out, his prominent almost wheezy breathing made her shudder with utter revulsion. She didn't like the man, not one bit. After only thirty minutes with him Meia had already figured that out. Eventually he was done and the table was righted ready for the syringe to be plunged through her shoulder…
Genesis's skin had a green tinge to it that wasn't necessarily all to do with the glow coming from the mako. He swallowed, his throat felt swollen and convulsive, ready to bring up more stomach contents if needed. Even if all there was to bring up was acid…
Angeal's brow was furrowed with concern; his skin too had seen better days. He turned to Sephiroth, who had just re-joined them,
"Why do you think it's larger?" He whispered under his breath to the tall man. Sephiroth took a steadying breath and shook his head. The fact she was injected at all was still a fresh concern in his mind, but now the dose was higher he was even more worried. The phial was almost as big as Genesis's and he watched it hover in front of Meia's pale shoulder. Her face was a stoic mask of defiance, her eyes closed; she was attempting to block everything out. The liquid began its violation of her body and inwardly Sephiroth apologised to her. But he wouldn't show affection in front of this man. Meia would have to endure this on her own now. His jaw tightened as a look of sheer horror overcame his friend, her eyes widened and her mouth opened in a silent scream. She strained against her restraints, so much so her hands began turning blue through lack of circulation. Genesis stood up beside him and watched also, his expression grim,
"Stop looking so pathetic over there" Hojo sneered over his shoulder. Sephiroth's hands balled into fists but the sound of Meia's bloodcurdling scream brought him round. Something was wrong, Sephiroth knew because when he was young…this happened to him…
Angeal stood up quickly as he realised as well something wasn't right. By now Meia had regained control but barely. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her jaw was clenched tight. Hojo chuckled,
"Don't break your teeth woman, that would be a shame wouldn't it?" He said flippantly. She opened her eyes and glared at him with such hatred it alarmed her three friends. But still all the fluid wasn't in, there was about a quarter left to administer. Sephiroth forced himself to watch, knowing full well what was going to happen to her and sure enough, his fears were realised. Meia coughed and hacked through pain wracked lungs and to her horror, mako and blood came up from her throat. Then she felt a dribble down her face and realised her nose was bleeding also. She squeezed her eyes shut but she felt thick, warm tears there as well. She was almost done but the pain was now unbearable and she let out a deep scream, chocking on it and bringing up a hefty amount of luminous blood,
Please, Gaia please let me pass out, I can't take this!
But no sooner had she finished her thoughts the injection was over. But Meia felt utterly devastated. She was released from her restraints where she fell forward onto the floor at Hojo's feet in a crumpled mess. The man stepped back as if in disgust and muttered something under his breath, jotting notes down onto his clipboard. Finally he simply pushed his glasses up his nose and left, without a word to anyone.
Meia wretched, but it wasn't vomit she was clearing, it was blood. It had escaped from her mouth, nose, eyes, even her ears. She brought a shaky hand to her mouth and wiped the blood away, trying to stand in the process. But her legs were numb and she simply didn't have the strength. She felt so angry, so used, that she didn't even ask for help.
Genesis and Angeal looked at her with pity and remorse. Neither of them had seen anything like it. Neither of them had been pushed as far. But Sephiroth knew. He too was angry, it simmered below the surface, and it threatened to overtake him. Thoughts were actually running through his mind, convincing him to follow Hojo and run him through. Or set fire to the lab…he would just move to another one, of course. Finally he composed himself and pushed his anger deep down inside again. Right now, his friend was in need. Sephiroth scouted the lab for some sterile cloth and water, before crouching over Meia and hiding her from view. Angeal and Genesis left, getting the message, but waited outside.
Sephiroth placed his hand on her shoulder gently and stroked it with his thumb. Her skin would be tender and even sore in some places. Her body was so overwhelmed with mako it was forced into every available space. And the pain wouldn't leave her as easily as it did last time,
"Sephiroth…" She croaked, "I can't even…lift my head. That man, that awful man… what did he do to me?" She slurred, even her speech was impaired. Sephiroth was reluctant to touch her in case he hurt her,
"Save your strength, Meia" He advised her gently. She let out the smallest of sobs before recomposing herself,
"Please…my knees, my skin…they hurt, would you mind helping me stand?" She asked shakily. Sephiroth nodded and helped her up, trying hard to ignore her hisses of pain. She reached for her shirt and managed to pull it on before she swayed and almost lost her footing. But Sephiroth was there to support her. She cracked a sad smile,
"I think…I'll pass on going out again this time" She managed, "Will this ever get any easier?"
Sephiroth's eyes betrayed the worry he felt as he looked at her and shook his head. She shrugged and allowed herself to be helped to a seat, where Sephiroth gently cleaned the blood from her face,
"When were you going to tell me you'd collapsed again?" He asked her after a moment, dabbing at the blood in the corner of her mouth. She shook her head,
"I didn't want to bother you with it. Judging by your last email, you weren't having the best time in Junon" She answered quietly. Sephiroth fixed her with his eyes,
"I would have preferred to know. Something is going on with you, Meia, I don't know what but Hojo is up to something…"
She nodded and winced as a shooting pain lanced through her skull, "Same thing as always, I assume? No one will tell you anything?"
He shook his head, frustration apparent on his face. He felt so incredibly helpless it was driving him to distraction. All he could do was wipe up her blood and pick up the pieces; he could do nothing to help her, nothing to help himself. Nothing within his rights, at least, and he was forced yet again to push feelings of dark hatred back where they couldn't harm anyone. He pursed his lips and began dabbing at her eyes gently. Meia let out a shaky sigh,
"This has happened to you, hasn't it…?" She said suddenly, her voice was quiet. Sephiroth stopped what he was doing and looked at her. How did she know? But the hesitation was all the confirmation Meia needed. She smiled a sad, apologetic smile,
"I could tell from the look on your face. I'm sorry if it was inappropriate of me to say…"
Sephiroth resumed his cleaning and shook his head gently, "It wasn't, don't worry about it" Now would be the perfect time to show her a part of himself. He hesitated and sat back on his heels, "It has, but I was much younger than you" He started solemnly, "The first time it happened I thought I was coming apart at the seams. I thought I was dying, the agony was far too much for a child to bear"
Meia looked up at him, her eyes heavy with emotion, "A child…you were only a child?"
Sephiroth nodded, "I was four, Meia. At four years old I received my first overdose. Hojo tried to administer too much and it found ways to seep out of my system"
Meia blinked and looked away. Four…"How sad. This is all you've known, isn't it? Shinra, fighting…" She whispered, her face falling when Sephiroth nodded and cast his eyes down, "Have they told you anything? Your parents? Why they have to do this?"
"All I know is my mother's name…and her fate, that's it" He looked at her with bright mako soaked eyes, "She died after she gave birth to me, her name was Jenova"
"Jenova…" Meia repeated…why did that name sound familiar? Her eyes glazed over as her mind wandered, that name bothered her…
Jenova…..
I am ancient, I….am absolute!
Meia's eyes flicked wildly before she regained her composure. Sephiroth was watching her, his head tilted in concern,
"What's the matter?" He asked gently. Meia shook her head, instantly regretting it as it swam,
"Nothing…Jenova, are you sure?"
He nodded, "That's all I know"
As he helped her to her feet, the blood cleaned from her face, Meia couldn't shake the feeling of unease that came over her. The name of his mother…it provoked feelings of familiarity, but not good feelings. Distant, painful memories that she felt she'd rather forget. She couldn't work it out. She had never heard the name before, yet it was coated in nostalgia, memories. Whatever it was, she didn't like it at all.
Several days later. 49th floor – Director Lazard's office.
Meia stepped out of the lift into the highly organized office space. She was feeling better now. Indeed, she was astonished at how well she had recovered. Last time it took her a while to feel better, and the first time was awful. Plain and simple. But after a coffee brought by a friend, a good night's sleep and a massive breakfast, all she retained of the terrible day before was a slight headache.
She strode forward to the door in front of her and requested permission to enter, which was granted, and Meia stepped into Lazard's office. It smelt like coffee and a faint hint of cigarette smoke. Maybe the director smoked? Or maybe his friends did. Either way it was none of her business. Turning the corner, she was greeted with her director's usual smile and a simple look of greeting from Sephiroth, who was perched on a desk to Lazard's right.
"You summoned me, Director?" She said, standing to a sharp salute. Lazard waved her out of it and nodded,
"Yes, a mission has come up that we'd like you to handle"
"Me, Sir?"
"Well, you and Sephiroth" Lazard corrected with an apologetic shrug. Meia nodded and looked at the file passed to her by the director.
"There is a disturbance bothering a small mining town on the western continent" Lazard began while Meia scanned the document in her hand, "People are going missing. Bodies are turning up, mutilated and unrecognizable. The people fear the Wutai are behind it"
Meia nodded and rifled through a few photos. They were gruesome; mutilated didn't quite describe it properly. Bodies missing limbs, a few even missing their heads. All looking as though they were torn up by a wild animal. Or something worse…
"Most of the villagers have fled, save the odd stubborn few. There is a contact in a nearby town that can tell you more but, well…his information had to be bought"
"I see Sir" Meia pulled out a map of the area. The town was nestled low at the base of a mountain range.
"Clydia…" She said out loud, reading the name of the town, "And the nearby town with the informant, Nibelheim?"
"Correct" Lazard stated, focusing on his screen. A cool breeze stirred around her bare arms as Sephiroth passed her, heading for the bookshelf in front of him. He smelt of sweet cinnamon and almond today, her lips curled up in a faint smile.
"It will take us a few days to get there, so once we have everything we need, we'll be leaving immediately" He informed her, pouring through an atlas he'd pulled down. Meia nodded,
"I understand Sir" Meia stated, and took up Sephiroth's previous position on the desk to continue going over the file. Nibelheim. Something irked her about the place. She'd never even been there, yet something pushed at the back of her mind. Things had been doing that a lot lately…Jenova, Nibelheim…it was maddening not knowing where the feelings of unease were coming from.
Sephiroth replaced the atlas and turned to leave,
"Come, Meia. Bring that with you" He instructed her, before heading off. She slid off the desk and followed close behind and they left the office. Lazard leant back in his chair. It was good Sephiroth was keeping things strictly professional between them in public. Although as her superior, it was relatively easy. He didn't know what kind of a relationship they shared, but as he filled out the email he'd received from the science department, he wrote 'professional only' and hit send. He laced his fingers together and sighed. He didn't know what the scientists were up too, but something wasn't quite right. And he wasn't about to sell out his best SOLDIER and friend to satisfy their twisted needs.
*Throws rotten tomatos at Hojo* I think Genesis should just give up and buy a Sephiroth wall scroll, hurrr hurrr *sniffs Sphiroth's hair*
Next chapter - Mentor and student set out for the next mission, but an unfortunate mis-understanding forces them to spend a night in Nibelheim...how will this effect Meia and Sephiroth? And what is going on in the quiet town of Clydia...
Please Review if you have a spare min or two, I'd really appreciate it :)