Chapter Thirteen
Awakening
Yazoo's heart clenched and his breathing came short as he, his brother, and their companions hid in the brush and trees, watching the metal building that was practically hidden in the tangle of jungle. They had been waiting for over thirty minutes.
"Where--" Yazoo's voice was tight and cracked. He cleared his throat, "Where are they? What's taking so long?"
"Be. Patient." Kadaj hissed, becoming annoyed with his older brother. It was the fourth time he had asked that in the time they had been crouched in the forest. "They will come when they are good and ready."
Yazoo sighed and sat back on his heels. He had a horrible feeling in the gut of his stomach. Something wasn't right. About twenty minutes ago he had felt something. Not Raven's power, but something like that. It flowed through him and after it left it felt like someone had ripped his heart out. He shifted uncomfortably, causing his long silver hair to fall forward around his face like a curtain. He, along with everyone else, looked up when they heard a door slam.
"Oh…God…" Kadaj gripped his brother's arm in horror as they strained to see who was coming out onto a barely visible balcony on the upper levels of the cold, metal building that had been built into the mountain.
Sephiroth walked slowly out onto the balcony with Loz in his arms, and though they couldn't see his face, they could hear the large, older man laugh as he walked to the end and dangled the eldest brother over the edge of the railing. Sephiroth turned slowly to look over the whole forest before calling out,
"You have failed, and now you have lost one of your own. Do not try that again or I will punish Raven. And I don't want to do that. Leave us alone." His voice carried over to the group of men and women easily. Shivers traveled down all of their spines at his words and haunting voice. Nausea washed over Yazoo as he watched Sephiroth drop his brother off the edge of the building. He landed three stories down with a sickening thud. Yazoo heard someone vomit behind him but didn't turn to see. He couldn't take his eyes off of his brother's limp and lifeless body. 'Please don't let him be dead.' He thought desperately, though somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he was. He saw Kadaj begin to move out of the corner of his eye.
"Wait." He said softly, grabbing his younger brother's arm to hold him back, "We should wait for dark. Sephiroth probably wants us to…go get him now so he could attack us."
"But…" Kadaj stared up at him, eyes shining. His voice came out as a choked whisper, "He could be alive…"
Yazoo didn't answer. He just gazed down sadly at his brother before pulling him into a comforting hug. When he released him, the younger man turned away, hiding his face. Aelita appeared beside him and put an arm around him as she whispered into his ear. Yazoo watched his brother cuddle against the young girl. It hurt him more to see his brother with someone who loved him. He instantly regretted the jealous thought and turned away, scowling. He would give anything to have Raven with him right then.
ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ
"Get up, woman." Sephiroth growled when he entered the room. Raven stood without looking at him. She just stared down at the puddle of Loz's blood at her feet. She was numb. Numb all over. She hardly even thought except for the essentials of following Sephiroth's orders.
"Come here." Her captor commanded. She did. When she stopped in front of him, he took her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him. She saw shock flit across his face for a split second. She blinked. His eyes narrowed and he leaned forward, "What have you done to yourself?"
Raven didn't answer. She just stared up at him with her large, violet eyes.
"What?" Sephiroth asked as he took her hand and led her from the warehouse-like room, "No anger? No 'I hate you'? What have you done, my love?"
The purple-haired woman still didn't respond. She walked along calmly beside him, staring straight ahead while allowing him to lead her down the twisting hallway. Sephiroth frowned,
"If you do not talk, my dear, I will have to punish you." He glanced over at her when he stopped outside a door and placed his hand on the knob. Raven didn't turn to meet his gaze. She waited silently for him to open the door and get it over with. Sephiroth pushed the door open with a 'Hmph', and pulled her inside. He released her hand and shut the door, watching her carefully and wondering what she would do. Raven didn't turn to watch him or try to run. She walked over to the large bed and sat down on the bed. She looked up at him, waiting. Sephiroth shifted uncomfortably,
"I'll be back for you later." He said, opening the door again, "I have some things to do. Stay here."
Raven nodded and curled up on the bed, her back to him. He stared at her for a moment, curious and a little freaked out by her change of attitude. He shrugged and exited the room, locking the door behind him.
ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ
Yazoo fought back tears and looked around the small gathering of people instead of at his brother, who lay wrapped in materia-protected sheets at the bottom of a deep hole. They had waited three hours to go retrieve Loz's body and still had to escape attacks from strange monsters Sephiroth sent after them. Raven's old friends; Tifa, Cloud, Reno, Yuffie, Cid, Barrett and, much to Yazoo's dismay, Vincent. He still hated the vampire, though Raven said he was a harmless friend of hers. However, the now eldest brother was touched that they would come to Loz's 'funeral'. Tifa had gladly come, saying that any fried of Raven's was her friend and that the large man had given his life to try to save the violet-haired woman. Yazoo respected the pale, dark-haired woman for that.
Yazoo turned away from the group and put a hand on his brother's shoulder. Kadaj had taken Loz's death very hard. Much worse than any of them had expected. The young man's face was stained with tears and he stared quietly down into the grave, Aelita standing strong by his side. Yazoo smiled weakly and left them around the make-shift grave to do…whatever it was they would do. Yazoo no longer wanted a part in it. 'Sephiroth will pay for this.' He thought angrily as he stalked into his room. He strapped on his holster and shoved Velvet Nightmare home. He hadn't told Kadaj or Aelita where he was going, though he was sure they had guessed. No more mister nice guy. Yazoo was sick and tired of waiting around for his younger brother to make a decision. Normally he wouldn't go against Kadaj's word, but this was different. Sephiroth had crossed the line. Twice. And Yazoo planned to put a stop to it.
ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ
Raven curled up into a little ball beside Sephiroth on the large bed. The entire time he'd had his way with her she hadn't said one thing. Hadn't cried once. Hadn't struggled. She had just laid there and let the large man do what he wanted. He was now collapsed on the bed next to her, snoring peacefully. She still had enough sense to protect herself every time he raped her, but that was just about the only effort she put forth. For anything. He tried to feed her and she refused. She didn't even feel hunger anymore. Not cold either. She felt nothing. She stared at her clothes crumpled on the floor next to her boots. The necklace Yazoo had given her so long ago was shoved into one of the shoes, protecting it. Once again, her saving the necklace was the one of the only actions she took that required energy. She continued to stare at the boots, not thinking about the necklace. Not thinking of anything. Especially not Yazoo. At least, that's what she told herself.
The door opened silently but the light shone on the wall she was facing, revealing a figure standing with their hand on the door knob. Raven didn't move while the person hurried silently over to the side of the bed. She still didn't move, didn't even blink, when Yazoo knelt before her looking horrified,
"Raven." He whispered. He reached out and touched her cheek. She blinked. Yazoo withdrew his hand and whispered, searching her face, "My God, he's broken you."
Raven's eyes flicked to his for a second but then became distant and unfocused. She didn't protest when he picked up a discarded sheet off the floor and gently wrapped it around her. When he picked her up and began to leave she did protest. He set her down and she stopped wriggling. He watched as she stumbled over to her boots and pulled something out, though he couldn't see what. He walked back over as Raven curled up again next to her boots. He picked her up again and walked to the door, hesitating for a brief second as he contemplated trying to kill Sephiroth. He scowled and left, not wanting to risk losing Raven for a third time.
ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ
Raven clutched the necklace to her bare chest under the sheet. She stared up past Yazoo's face at the trees whizzing by above her. She didn't know how long they had been driving. Didn't care either. Yazoo glanced down into her blank face and his own expression crumpled into grief. He slowed and pulled over into the forest through which the path cut. He swiftly dismounted with Raven in his arms and walked a bit farther into the trees. He sat down against one of the large, dark oaks and held the woman in his lap,
"Raven…I need to tell you something." He murmured. She didn't look at him. He gently took her cheek in his hand and turned her to face him. A flicker of something, maybe recognition, crossed her eyes. But then it was gone. "I need to tell you, now. Before anything else happens."
Raven stared up at him, clearly listening, but appeared not to care what he was saying. He sighed, more sad than frustrated. He stroked her cheek gently,
"I lied to you Raven. My brothers…brother…and I aren't what we seem. I was supposed to seduce you so you would trust us…" he gulped and couldn't believe he was telling her this, "…because…Kadaj…and me and Loz…wanted to…well. Take over the cities and maybe even the world."
Something flashed in her eyes. Yazoo thought it was anger and he smiled. At least she was showing emotions.
"But…" he continued and stopped stroking her cheek to cup it in his hand, "I didn't expect…certain things to happen. I didn't expect to actually fall in love with you. When Sephiroth, curse him to hell, took you, it felt like my life was over. I don't care about Kadaj's stupid plan anymore. I care about you. And I--"
In one fluid movement Raven was out of his lap and five feet away from him. She clutched the sheet around her modestly and stared down at him. Countless emotions washed over her face. Yazoo didn't know if he should be relieved or frightened. He decided on a mix of both.
"What did you say?" the violet-eyed woman asked softly. She gazed down at him as her emotions were once again covered with a mask of indifference. However, Yazoo could see the spark of life in her eyes which had been gone only moments before.
"That we planned on using you…" he replied, wincing at his own words. "I know that sounds bad but…gosh, I don't know what else to say."
"Not that." Raven said with a sigh, rolling her eyes. She walked back over to him slowly and knelt beside him, "You said…you said you didn't expect to fall in love with me."
She said it more like a question than a statement. Yazoo smiled. She was unsure of his feelings. He wasn't.
"Yes." He smiled down at her, wanting so badly to reach out and pull her into an embrace, "I am in love with you, Raven."
"Yazoo…" Raven whispered and turned a bit to sit beside him so she could lay her head on his shoulder. She wrapped the sheet around her more tightly. The silver haired man tentatively wrapped his arm around her small shoulders.
"Wait, wait…" he said, confused, "You aren't mad at me?"
Raven leaned back a bit and blinked up at him a couple times. A few tears trickled down her pale cheeks and she laughed, "For what? Loving me?"
"No." the silver-haired man replied almost angrily, "I said we had meant to use you. For bad things, Raven."
Her smile faded and she tilted her head to the side, studying him as she lifted a hand and ran her index finger down his cheek from his temple to his chin, "No. I'm not angry about that. Not angry at all. I know you, Yazoo. More than you think. I can feel people with my power. You and Kadaj are good men. So was Loz. You were just…misguided, at first. You thought you were evil and wanted to rule or whatever, but deep down you didn't. You just needed something to show you that. And I guess that was me, for you, and Aelita for Kadaj. I wouldn't have stayed with you or told you about my past and powers if I hadn't trusted you and known how good of a man you are."
Yazoo watched her carefully. He was very aware of her finger that had never left his chin, which was now stroking his bottom lip, barely touching it. "Raven…" he whispered, barely moving his lips so she wouldn't pull her hand back. "What do…what are your feelings for me?"
Her hand slipped down to his chest and she smiled at him, "I've been confused with love a lot in my past. When I was with Reno, I loved him. I didn't know if it was true, everlasting love or not. That's why people date, I guess. But while I was with Reno I also loved someone else. Vincent."
"What?" Yazoo choked out after wincing at the vampire's name. "How could you--"
"Hush." Raven said softly, "I don't know why I loved him, but I did."
"Did?"
"Yes. Yazoo, you made me forget about them…not completely, but how I felt about them." She laid her hand gently against his cheek and gazed intently into his eyes, "I don't think of Reno or Vincent anymore. All I think of is you. Your face and voice haunts my dreams…in a good way, though. Since meeting you my life has gotten so much better."
Yazoo smiled warmly down at her. When she returned his smile, he leaned down to kiss her. Right before their lips made contact, images flashed before Raven's eyes; Sephiroth crushing her beneath him as he thrust painfully in and out of her, him kissing her roughly and slapping her, as well as groping and hitting her. Raven flinched back at the sight of the images of Sephiroth, and once again was up and out of Yazoo's reach in a flash. He looked hurt. The violet-haired woman closed her eyes and counted to ten.
"Raven…" she heard him say. He sounded as if he was in pain, "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to frighten you…"
Raven sighed. She had been frightened. 'Damn you, Sephiroth.' She thought. "It's alright." She said aloud, though softly, "As you may have guessed, Sephiroth…raped me at least once a day. It may take me awhile to get used to…men. It's not your fault."
She opened her eyes and almost jumped back when she realized that Yazoo had stood and was now only a half a foot away from her. His response to what she said was a slow nod. He sighed and reached out to barely touch her wrist,
"What are we going to do about these?" he asked, referring to the strange bands. "Will he be able to find you?"
"We'll figure it out later. And I don't think he'll find me anytime soon. It seems these have a…range on them or something." She muttered and closed her eyes tiredly, "Can we go home?"
"Of course." He smiled sadly, masking the anger that burned in his chest.
ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ
Raven gasped for air as she jerked up in bed. She suppressed a sob and covered her face with her hands. 'Just like last night…' she thought, dismayed. It was her second night back home, but she hadn't been able to sleep well. Nightmares of Sephiroth clouded her mind, his laughter and face haunted her dreams. She shuddered and slipped out of bed, grabbing the silver robe that was draped over the foot of the bed as she headed for the door.
She scowled at what she wore; a silky, golden nightgown that fell to her ankles and was held up with spaghetti straps. She shoved her arms through the sleeves of the silver robe, made of the same silky material. Both articles were pretty much the only clothes in the wardrobe of her room that she could sleep in. The gown was comfortable, but she hated the colors. She touched the necklace Yazoo had given her and smiled, happy that she had been able to save it.
She headed down the hall to the left of her bedroom and passed through the large, open front room of their home. She wasn't sure where she was going, just had an instinct to follow. Hidden behind a twisting pillar was an almost hidden door. She pushed through, relieved it was unlocked. The hallway immediately began to slope downwards and curve to the left, seeming almost to head underground and beneath the strange structure that served as her home. The bands on her wrists, ankles and forehead glowed dimly, allowing her to see a bit ahead of her.
"Well." She muttered sarcastically to herself, "At least these are good for something." A few minutes later she came to a dead end. She stared blankly for a moment and put her hand against the wall of the dead end. She smiled and felt around for a moment. When she found the handle she turned it and pushed the door open.
She was in a bedroom. The cold stone of the hall was replaced with black, soft carpet. The walls of the large room were a lovely, cerulean blue that almost made her want to go swimming. There was a white couch with blue pillows on the left side of the room in front of which rested a glass coffee table. In the far left corner was a door, probably for a bathroom. On the right side of the room against the wall was a large canopy bed with white and blue hangings, blankets and pillows. In the bed, sleeping peacefully, was Yazoo.
Raven was surprised to see him and wondered why she had come down here, let alone find the place. It was obviously supposed to be an invitation only room. Regardless, she silently closed the door and padded over to the bed. She stopped at the side and peered down at Yazoo's still form. She smiled warmly down at the beautiful man. The blankets covered his body, just below his navel, while the rest of him was out in the open…as well as bare. Raven remembered what seemed like so long ago that she had woken up in his arms, against his naked chest. She longed for that feeling again, but at the same time a tiny voice in her head told her to run. Silver haired men were a big no-no.
She ignored the voice and studied his face, frowning when she realized he looked unhappy. His hair was strewn out around his head as if he had been tossing in his sleep a bit. A crease in his brow gave off the feeling that something frustrated him and the corners of his soft lips were pulled down in a slight frown or pout. He looked extremely vulnerable…and adorable. The violet-eyed woman reached out to touch his cheek.
There wasn't even time for her to gasp as his right arm snapped across his body, grabbing her wrist as his left seemed to produce Velvet Nightmare out of thin air and point it at her throat. Raven froze and gazed down at him calmly. At least now she could handle a threatening situation even more calmly than before. 'I'll have to thank good ol' Sephiroth for that one.' She thought dryly.
It took Yazoo a few breathless moments of blinking to realize what had happened. "Oh." He gasped, instantly releasing her, "I'm sorry Raven."
"It's alright." She replied softly with a smile, "It's my fault for sneaking up on you."
"Heh…you're damn good at it." He replied, stifling a yawn as he sat up, "Not that it matters. You're the one person that is welcome here anytime."
"Thank you." Raven bowed slightly with a smile.
"Um…what are you doing here?" he asked drowsily, then quickly added, "Not to be rude. I don't mind at all."
Raven looked down guiltily and shuffled her feet, "I haven't been able to get more that an hour of sleep at night…bad dreams. I think that's why…whatever it was, brought me down here." Yazoo raised an eyebrow inquisitively. The young woman shrugged,
"I just followed some instinct and I ended up here."
"Ah. Well, if you think it will help, and that you will be okay, you can stay here with me." Yazoo smiled up at her. She returned it and nodded gratefully,
"Screw Sephiroth." She said firmly and slipped off her robe, suddenly very aware of how the silky material clung to her every curve. She also noted that Yazoo noticed it too; his eyes quickly slid down and back up her figure. She blushed, "I'm not going to let what he did ruin my life."
"Good for you." Yazoo replied warmly and scooted over. "That golden color is great on you. It brings out your hair and eyes and makes your skin seem…I don't know how to explain it. Shimmery, maybe. It almost looks like you're glittering. You are completely stunning. More so than usual, that is."
Raven froze in embarrassment, already seated on the bed and preparing to slip under the soft blue and white blankets, "Th-thank you."
"It's only the truth." He said softly, smiling lovingly at her as she finished getting into the bed and cuddled down under the sheets and comforter. She looked up at him, still sitting, with large violet eyes. She looked so fragile to him. Indeed, she had lost weight during the time Sephiroth held her. Too much weight. He sighed and laid down next to her, turning on his left side to face her. She mirrored him.
"Thank you, Yazoo." She whispered. "For everything. You are so good to me…too good to me."
"Not good enough." He said sadly as he reached out to stroke her cheek, "If I had been better you would never have been taken by Sephiroth."
Raven reached up and placed her hand over his, forcing it to stay on her cool cheek, "No." she said sternly, looking him in the eye, "You are good to me. It wasn't your fault that he took me. I pretty much gave myself over to keep you and the others safe. Both times."
He studied her silently, wanting to argue but knowing she was stubborn and would argue back till hell froze over. "Okay." He smiled, his eyes falling to the necklace. "You're wearing the necklace…"
Raven smiled back at him, "I love it. It means a lot to me. I hope to never be separated from it."
"I'm glad you like it. Anything that makes you happy, makes me happy." he whispered and she blushed again, "Now you need sleep. Good night, and don't worry; I'll be here with you."
Raven nodded and watched him close his eyes. She slowly inhaled and then exhaled before leaning closer to him. Green-blue cat eyes met hers when she was only centimeters away from him. Their eyes locked,
"Yazoo. I want to say this now before anything else happens. Just say it in its most blunt form." She kissed him lightly, never breaking eye-contact, "I love you."
"I love you too, Raven." Yazoo whispered back before gently taking her in his arms to kiss her.
ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ ξ
Blarby! Sorry this took a while to get posted. I pretty much had it done and then realized what I had written was bogus, so I erased like…half of it and had to start that portion over from scratch. Senior Project and other homework hasn't helped either. :P Anywho, I will work on the next chapter and get it posted asap. Thanks for any reviews and support. Lerv ya!
Kitsune
