Lost in the Shadows
Chapter 19 - Agony
Disclaimer: I do not own FF7 and its characters, settings or the like. These words, however, are mine.
"I found it!" Aerith cried, a huge smile on her face. Just a few minutes ago, she'd had a huge gash in her stomach, bleeding profusely. She'd recovered quickly.
Sephiroth looked at her like she'd grown a few more heads. "It's a plant, Aerith." It was a plant. It had frilly leaves bordered with cyan; the weirdest looking plant he'd ever seen. In fact, he had actually never seen this plant before.
Aerith shook her head. "Oh no, it's more then just a plant." Aerith turned to face him. "This is part of the cure..." Aerith frowned. "Oh, rats, I need a megalixer. Those are so hard to find!" Aerith scrutinized the tiny plant. "Strange, I always worked with herbs -- they improve healing of course, you know that --but I never learnt of this one."
"Do you know what it's called?" Sephiroth said, watching as both Yuffie and Vincent managed to hit Red on either side of his head, effectively knocking him unconscious, while searching his pockets for something.
"The Planet said it's called the Keshigeku. An extremely rare plant; there's only about three of them in this world."
Sephiroth nodded and continued to search his pockets yet more vigilantly.
"What on earth are you looking for?" Aerith asked. She gave him a bemused look when hespared her a dry look.
"The second part to your cure." Sephiroth said. Aerith gasped.
"You have one?"
"Yes." Sephiroth said in both an answer to her and a confirmation that he'd found it. He held it out for her to take.
"Aerith, are you alright?" Tifa ran up to them. Aerith looked at Tifa and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine."
Tifa eyed the items Aerith was holding. "What are these for?" Tifa picked the plant up and looked at it closely. "What a weird little thing."
Aerith giggled. "Tifa, Red is unconscious, yes?" Tifa nodded. "Can you get someone to carry him the his room in the Highwind; I have a cure for him." Aerith explained, motioning to the Megalixer and Keshigeku. Tifa's face immediately lit up.
"Oh, of course!"
Everyone had finally got into the Sierra, though there was resistance from the two Turks. They hadn't wanted to leave; Elena was in trouble and she of all people wouldn't be able to save herself. Aerith had managed to calm them somewhat as she knew a little bit more about what was happening now, but Red came first.
"Aerith!" Cloud caught up to Aerith as she was walking down to Red's room. "How are you feeling? That was a nasty wound. Do you think you should be going in there alone?" Genuine concern filled Cloud's eyes and she couldn't help but smile but her heart dropped to her stomach.
"I'm fine. Everything is taken care of! The healing process takes a while; you can come check on me later if you want. It's supposed to be quite tiring." Aerith reassured him.
"If you say so. I'll be back in a bit." Cloud said, nodding to Aerith when she consented.
Aerith watched him walk off and scolded herself; just because Cloud didn't seem to return her feelings didn't mean she had to get upset. But then, what were the feelings she shared for him? He was different now, this was the real Cloud. The Cloud she'd never had the chance to meet the first time she had been alive. Besides, he had Tifa. They deserved eachother and if they were happy, Aerith was beyond happy for them.
'Maybe I'm just sad because things never seem to work out for me.' Aerith thought. 'Besides,' Aerith smiled to herself and resumed her walk to Red's room, 'I've got Sephiroth, right?'
Aerith was surprised at how deep those words really went; he was definitely a different person now. She knew that he'd had a horrible childhood and even after that, he'd been treated like he was nothing but he seemed to be getting along so well. Of course, he would never actually admit to feeling alone... To feeling anything really, but Aerith knew. She knew all too well.He'd never really given much indication that he felt anything more then friendship to her though, so she resigned to pushing the feelings back.
What that really what she wanted though? She'd always thought about others' happiness before her own but... She felt she deserved something this time. She remembered what Tifa had said about how she could tell that Sephiroth liked her because he acted so differently around her. She felt a little spark of hope inside of her. Could they actually have something? But what about the others? They wouldn't approve...
Aerith knew that she shouldn't be choosing things solely on what her friends thought but so many problems could arise from a simple relationship. Where were these feelings coming from anyway? Aerith frowned. She knew from the first day they'd come back that she'd liked him but she hadn't expected things to escalate like this...
She shook her head and walked into Red's room, closing the door behind her. She had more pressing matters to attend to first.
"So, how's your little Vinnie?" Yuffie turned to find a smug looking Tifa behind her. She smirked at her.
"As if I'd tell you." Yuffie said, avoiding the question. She didn't want Tifa to know about thenight that she and Vincent had been sitting in the rain."What about you and Cloud?" Yuffie gained the reaction she'd been aiming for; Tifa blushed and ushered Yuffie into the deserted kitchen. She locked the doors.
"Yuffie, really." Tifa said. "I want all the little details!" Tifa squealed.
Yuffie stuttered. 'How does she know something happened?' Unfortunatly, that was all a part of Tifa's plan.Tifa smirked at her. "I knew it! Did something happen between you two?"
Yuffie groaned and slumped over onto the table.
Tifa was immediately in her face. "You can't hide it from me!"
"I, uh... W-we..." Yuffie began but was quickly cut off by a loud knock.
"What the $&?" Cid's voice sounded. "Hey, who's in my #$& kitchen?"
Tifa giggled. "Hey, it's as much my kitchen as yours! Girl talk, go away!"
"What the... It's my #$&#$& kitchen!" Cid yelled, kicking the door.
"Go away you old fart." Yuffie said.
"$&! Ima come in there and kick both your --" Cid stopped and seemed to consider something for a moment. "Ima come in there and kick &$& Kisaragi's ass!"
"WHAT?" Yuffie gaped at the door. "Hey, it wasn't just ME!" Yuffie glared at Tifa.
"Yea, well, can't #&$ kick Tifa's && ass. That would $&$ backfire." Cid grumbled, giving the door one last kick before walking away and leaving the two girls in peace.
"Wonder why he wanted in here sp badly." Yuffie said, trying to redirect the conversation.
"Oh no missy. Tell me!" Tifa pouted. "We've hardly had time to talk -- about this and other things -- since we've gotten back together again. Yuffieeee..."
Yuffie tried to avoid looking at Tifa but managed to catch a glimpse of her face and she relented. Sighing, she told Tifa about the night in the rain when they'd been 'missing' and everything else since then. "See, not a lot. Got your hopes up for nothing, eh?"
Tifa shook her head. "That's quite an improvement Yuffs. Vincent would never have done that before and it just proves that I was right!" Tifa provided an answer to Yuffie's questioning look. "I think he likes you." Tifa winked and began to walk away.
"Y-you think so?" Yuffie asked a little too eagerly. Tifa turned her head back to her, a huge grin present on her face. "I uh, I mean..."
"Yes, Yuffie. You've changed him." Tifa said.
Yuffie mulled it over in her head for a few seconds. "What about you and Cloud?"
"I think things are just fine between us; we talk and all. Don't know if he wants to take it further but..." Tifa cast her eyes to the floor, clasping her hands behind her back and twirling her foot behind her. "I don't want to say anything and end up ruining our friendship. We're a lot closer then before, true, but I think he has those kind of feelings for Aerith." Tifa said, her voice sounding hollow.
Yuffie gave her a sympathetic look and walked over to her, giving her a quick hug. "Aw, I'm sure things will work out the way they're supposed to. You and Cloud, Vincent and I," Yuffie blushed as she said this. "Aerith and..." Yuffie trailed off and silence was heard for a few very brief seconds.
Tifa finally spoke, smiling. "Sephiroth."
Yuffie looked at her in surprise. "You really think so?"
"I don't think Aerith seems to see it but she has major feelings for him. I think he returns them but... He's unsure. I don't think he believes himself worthy of her. Besides, he has some problems to work through." Tifa said. Yuffie smiled at her. "Sure it's not you and lil ol Sephy?" Yuffie taunted.
"Oh, god no. I've accepted him as a friend; you should try to get to know him too. I just know that what he's gone through and is going through, he needs to learn to believe that it wasn't his fault. I think Aerith is just the person."
"Everyone seems to be alot more accepting of him; Cid, the four of us, Red..."
"Yea. He needs the interaction."
"Hm." Yuffie gave a sad smile. "Aerith and Sephiroth. Would never have seen it coming."
Tifa shook her head. "Me neither. But we of all people know that anything, anything, is possible."
Yuffie nodded.
"Well, I guess we shoul--" Yuffie jumped at the crash she heard outside. Several yells followed. Tifa was immediately at the door.
"Your $&$ girlfriend thinks Elena is less important then that #$&# red beast that did try to kill us." Reno shouted at Sephiroth. His eyes were ablaze. "She knows something and she isn't telling us!"
Sephiroth simply stood there, regarding Reno with indifference.
"Reno, I thin--" Rude tried, but to no avail.
"#$$!" Reno swore, looking around the room. "I get you're all &$&$ friends, but we're a part of the group now, or so I thought." Everyone watched him knowing that he simply needed to vent.
"In case you didn't notice, Turk, that red beast's the one who is most at risk and the one who is more a risk to us. We have no idea how to get to Elena and even if, if, Aerith knows a way to get her out of Toyori's grasp we would need alot more then one day." Sephiroth was literally beating Reno down with logic.
"$& you and your girlfriend yo. You're just crazy."
"Reno, that's enough." Cloud demanded, stepping in front of the general. "We know you are worried, we all are, but we need to do one thing at a time. When Aerith is finished, regardless of when she is finished, we will all be having a meeting. I promise you this. We will get her back." Cloud said.
Reno seemed to be battling deep inside himself, both wanting to just believe him and accept what he was saying without complaint but another part of him wanting to kick, punch and maybe yell some more at both the general and his newfound leader.
"Right. I'm going to my #&# room." Reno said, walking out of the room and mumbling a barely audible 'sorry' before leaving the room.
Cloud sighed and turned to Sephiroth. "Sorry bout that."
Everyone in the room held their breath, waiting for the fight to break out. Sephiroth merely raised an eyebrow and Cloud shrugged. "Gotta get over this sometime."
Sephiroth nodded and began to walk out of the room. He stopped just short of the door and seemed to hesitate before turning to face Cloud. "Cloud, can you..." Sephiroth paused and found himself looking just behind Cloud to see Cid, Yuffie and Tifa nodding their heads. "Can you and I have a word?"
Cloud nodded and followed him out the door, everyone lettings out the breaths they had been holding.
Aerith had finally managed to get the Megalixer and Keshigeku mixed properly with much help from the Planet, but she was now faced with a complicated question:
How much should she give to the feline?
If there was only a small supply of both ingredients, how could she know how much to give and how much to store? How was she to know if anyone else was going to be infected like this?
The Planet was no help either. It kept on sending her wisps of green and purple music along with the message that it couldn't help her. Why? She had asked the Planet far too many times but it had stayed silent. She found herself on the verge of tears moments earlier but she had promised herself that she needed to be strong, especially now.
But that didn't solve her problem.
She sat thinking about it for a while; if she decided to use the whole plant, she would have to try and make sure that only two more of the Avalanche members became ill, assuming of course that anymore did become ill. She certainly hoped not. But that could be avoided, the strain on the group of trying not to be bitten and infected. How was she to know how much would cure it though?
'Dear friend, please, help me.'
My child... I cannot.
'But why?'
I... Am sorry.
The Planet went silent. Aerith sighed. A few minutes passed and she decided that she would try half of it. If that didn't work, then hopefully adding the other half would end up working.
'But what if the first half can only stay in the system for so long? If it can only be immediately effective?'
Aerith shook her head. Too many thoughts. She went on with just the half of it.
"Half of the half on the tongue..." Aerith said quietly, giggling at how silly it sounded, hearing it aloud. After finishing she moved onto the next part. "The other half spread over the wound..."
Aerith finished and held her hands out in front of her, over Red. "I hope this works..."
Aerith called on a healing spell that she'd never used before. A bright light encased Nanaki and her hands and she began to speak softly.
Nothing was heard; a deafening silence. Cloud was leaning against one wall, arms across his chest and his mako blue eyes resting on Sephiroth who was leaning against the other wall, eyes cast away from Cloud.
A few more seconds passed before Cloud spoke up.
"So, is this what you called me out here for?" Cloud asked.
Sephiroth looked at him and stood to his full height. "No."
"Then what is it?" Cloud asked and watched his former idol pace in front of him.
"I... We need to stop this constant fighting. It's useless to fight against each other when it's so obvious we need to help each other." Sephiroth stopped. "Much as I might dislike it, I believe you and I should be on common ground. As friends, even." Sephiroth looked up to glance at Cloud before continuing. "Your friends believe this should happen as well."
"I agree with you -- and them." Cloud said. "You know, you were my idol once. Tifa and the others seem to forgive you and maybe I should too; you took my mother, the only person who ever treated me properly, away from me. It's hard, to just forget."
Sephiroth nodded but stayed silent.
"I think this could benefit both of us. I only ask one thing of you; stay away from or don't hurt Aerith."
Sephiroth scoffed and spoke again. "I do not intend to hurt her but you understand I cannot stay away from her."
"Why?" Cloud asked immediately. "I get you have this whole protection thing going on but you seem to take another interest in her."
Sephiroth watched he blonde haired warrior carefully. What was he getting at? Some romantic relationship with Aerith?
'You know that's what you want.'
Sephiroth shook his head. "I do not know what you mean. Either way, we had may as well start off now on a good note. Truce?" Sephiroth said, extending his hand.
Cloud seemed to make a decision. "Truce, friend." They shook hands.
Sephiroth nodded and walked back into the room.
Cloud stood just outside the door and began to wonder.
'Was that right?'
"Yes... Yes, it was."
Vincent watched as Sephiroth walked back into the room, nodding at Cid, Tifa and Yuffie's questioning glances. They all high-fived each other and both Tifa and Cid ran over to Sephiroth while Yuffie went to talk to Barret.
A wave of guilt crashed upon him. Lucrecia... He had failed her. Sephiroth... Maybe things would have been different had he handled things differently back then. Every time that thought entered his mind though, he was given another question to answer.
Would he want things to change?
Of course he felt bad about Lucrecia and would have wanted to save her, to help her and to smash Hojo's face in, but would that have stopped him from meeting Avalanche, the only real friends -- even family -- he'd ever had? Would he have met Yuffie? The hyperactive ninja who had changed his views on life, Lucrecia, himself...
"Hey, Vince." Vincent looked to his left to see Cid standing beside him. "What you thinkin bout?" He was careful not to swear around Vincent; he didn't 'approve', so he'd been told. Cid didn't really know why he refrained from swearing around him, but Vincent was the quiet guy in the group. The mysterious and, even though he didn't look or seem it to most, kind hearted man.
"Reflections." Ah, Lucrecia, Cid thought.
"'Ey, you come with me. I need some help with a few repairs?" Cid lit another cigarette and Vincent felt the urge to roll his eyes; Cid couldn't go a second without a smoke.
"Sure." Vincent said, leaving his thoughts behind him. He could relay some other time and maybe, just maybe, he could find it in himself to let Cid, one of his best friend's out of the Avalanche crew, know everything.
He owed it to himself.
Cloud watched as Tifa walked up to him after speaking with Sephiroth for a few minutes. Why did she hang around him so much?
"Cloud, I'm so proud of you." Tifa smiled, hugging him.
Cloud was surprised. "Maybe I should talk to Sephiroth more often." Cloud said, hugging Tifa back, inhaling the scent of her hair. Strawberries. Always the strawberries.
"Cloud..." Tifa began.
"Yea?" Cloud asked, looking down at Tifa. A few seconds passed with nothing coming from her.
"Uh... nevermind." Tifa said, sighing. 'Damn, you chicken!' She scolded herself.
Cloud had a feeling that he knew what she was going to say; she had done this last time when they'd been riding on the Gondola at the Golden Saucer.
"Tifa... What is it?" Cloud pried.
Tifa shook her head against his chest and he sighed. He took hold of her shoulders and pushed her away enough so that he could see her face.
"Tifa?"
Tifa searched his face for something; what it was was beyond him. He noticed that she looked like she was about to cry and the sudden urge to hold her close almost stopped him from what he was about to do.
He took gentle hold of her chin and tilted her head upwards, catching her lips in a deep kiss.
Yuffie was pulled out of her conversation with Barret when she saw what was happening not too far away. Her eyes widened almost comically. She tapped Barret on the forehead, earning an annoyed grunt from him but she pointed to Cloud and Tifa and he nearly mimicked her earlier action.
"Oh my GAWD!" Yuffie exclaimed, jumping up and down in happiness.
Tifa had not been expecting this. Not at all. When she'd seen the look in his eyes, she thought he was going to simply say something, not act on something.
Not that she minded.
When they finally broke apart, she noticed that all eyes were on them, but she didn't care. She stared at Cloud in shock.
"What?" Cloud asked, a lop-sided grin plastered on his face.
"W-what was that?" Tifa stuttered, trying not to fell to light headed and dizzy.
Cloud let out a laugh. "I know that's what you were trying to tell me just now and before in the Golden Saucer." Cloud smiled at her blush. "I always wanted to tell you but... I'm just a chicken deep down."
"It-it was that obvious?" Tifa asked, giggling in spite of herself. She was so happy!
Cloud simply nuzzled the side of her neck.
Tifa smiled and tears filled her eyes but a frown quickly replaced it. She pulled away from him and stepped away.
Cloud looked at her questioningly.
"What about Aerith?" Tifa asked. She needed to be sure.
Cloud sighed, relieved. "I admit that I thought I had feelings for her Tif. It took a long time of thinking and sorting my feelings but... I realised that I always just felt incredibly obligated and then guilty to her and about her death; I had failed her." Cloud paused, thinking. "I know now, she was just like a sister to me. Nothing more."
Tifa smiled and hugged him tightly.
"So long I waited for this you know!" She laughed. Cloud hugged her back and noticed all the looks he was recieving; knowing smiles. Cloud glared at them, telling them to leave them in peace for a bit. Yuffie was still dancing and wouldn't stop; Barret had to pick her up and carry her out.
"I'm sorry I didn't do this sooner." Cloud said, stroking her hair. She was now sobbing into his chest. "Everything is going to be fine now." Cloud soothed.
They both believed it.
"EE! It's ABOUT TIME!" Yuffie bounced around the room and right into the man walking down the stairs. Cid.
"CID! SOMETHING AWESOME HAS HAPPENED!" Yuffie screamed, jumping up and hugging him.
"Oy, I need to breathe!" Cid said, his cigarette falling out of his mouth. "$&!" Yuffie still refused to let go. "TIFA AND CLOUD! THEY GOT TOGETHER! EE!" Yuffie squealed.
"Well I'll be! The #&$ lovebirds are together Vince!" Cid said grinning, still trying to pry Yuffie off his frame.
"Hm. About time." Vincent said, stepping out from behind Cid. He hadn't even walked past Cid and Yuffie reached out and grabbed him around the waist like she had done Cid. The three of them stood together in a clump. Yuffie squealed again.
"STUPID CLOUD! Tifa's been waiting soooooo long!" Yuffie let the men go and looked around the room. Everyone was regarding Yuffie with amused looks. "She told me this morning. Awesome that she got her wish the very same day." Yuffie winked. "I am the matchmaker, 'kay?" Yuffie said. When nobody answered she nodded. "That's what I THOUGHT!"
Sephiroth moved from his spot against the wall. "I'm going to check on Aerith." Everyone nodded and he left without another word.
"Now," Cid said, taking a huge puff of his cigarette, "just gotta get the rest of you paired up." Cid winked at Yuffie and and motioned to the silver haired warrior. Yuffie smiled and nodded.
"You can't mean --" Barret began but he stopped. He knew. There was no denying it. He'd gone through it once andhe knew it when he saw it.
"Hehe." Cait said from the back. Everyone turned to face him. He had been awfully quiet these past few days. "I believe there are two people here we could pair up."
Yuffie turned red despite herself and turned away from the group, trying to hide it. "I, uh, I'm going with Sephy!" Yuffie said, rushing away as fast as possible.
Reno lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Rude had joined him not too long after he'd originally entered his -- their -- room. How could he have let this happen? How? Elena chose this time, the one time where it would have been better that Rude be captured, the one time they hadn't asked her to do anything. She had chosen this time to be brave.
What if it got her killed?
Similar thoughts tumbled through his aching head and he found the sudden urge to punch something, to kill something, to break something. This was his fault.
He should've paid attention to her. Should've kept her safe.
Conflicting emotions, most of which he was sure he'd never felt before were racing through him. He was angry at Elena for being so stupid, so careless but at the same time he admired her sudden display of strength. Hadn't she told him once, that she didn't want anything else to happen to her colleagues?
Yes, she had. Was that what drove her to do this?
The sky littered with small but bright stars, was captivating tonight; more then any other.
Reno and Elena sit in the grass, thinking over everything that had happened. Rude had chosen to stay at headquarters for the night, away from everyone else.
Tseng. He had died today. At the hands of Sephiroth? Nobody was really sure.
Elena started to cry, her sobs echoing through the night. Reno put an arm around her small frame, pulling her closer. She immediately threw her arms around his neck and started speaking.
"I... This won't... h-happen... again... I won't let i-it!"
Reno stroked her hair subconsciously, looking up at the stars. Was Tseng up there? Was he in the lifestream or was he wandering the world, wondering why he had died?
"Shhh... Elena. We're here. We're gonna get through this." Reno said. He felt particularly vulnerable and useless tonight; he may as well show Elena his kind side. Who knew if he would be able to show it again?
"Damn." Reno said aloud.
Rude moved in the chair he was sitting in but didn't utter a word.
"She told me... Told me she wouldn't let us get hurt." Reno said. "The day Tseng died, when you stayed at headquarters."
Guilt flowed through him when he realized what he'd said to Avalanche; everything was stressful enough without him screwing things up even more. He wanted to change, to become a better person then what he had been, he'd vowed that he would. He'd already messed that up. All his life he'd been abused, neglected and he'd tried to pay the world back. He failed to realize a few things along the way.
He wasn't alone. He never would be. The people here -- his friends -- were here to help him. They weren't going to leave the Turks in the dust. They'd befriended each other rather quickly too. He knew they were worried but he found himself wondering what was happening to her.
What was she thinking? I did it, I saved my friends? Why hasn't Reno and Rude come for me? What's going to happen to me?
Reno tried to push the annoying thoughts away but didn't succeed. He knew this was going to be a long night.
One of the longest of his life.
Sephiroth hadn't even been that far down the hallway when he heard footsteps coming up from behind him. Someone was running at him.
"Sephiroth -- wait up!" Yuffie panted, arms flailing.
Sephiroth turned to face her and caught her by the arm when she stopped, almost falling over. After a bit she stood up. "Thanks."
Sephiroth nodded and began forward again. "Had to follow you -- you're cool." Sephiroth smirked. 'Aerith warned me about this.'
"I want battle skills like you! I bet you could steal Materia and not be caught, hey?" Yuffie asked. Sephiroth let out a laugh. "Yes, I suppose I could."
They walked in silence for a moment and Yuffie just had to ask.
"So, you like Aerith, huh?"
Sephiroth nearly tripped. What?
"What?" Sephiroth asked.
"Aw, come on, you can tell me! I keep secrets! Hasn't she told you!" Yuffie gasped. "Oh my gawd, what did she say about me?"
"She said you were talkative and in answer to your question..." Sephiroth paused briefly; what he said would probably go back to Aerith so he couldn't flat out deny it. "I..." Sephiroth paused again. How to solve this one? The little ninja could be trusted, Aerith had actually told him this. "Possibly." Sephiroth smirked at the look on her face.
"Wow. I didn't think you'd tell me! I won't tell her promise!" She held her pinky up and Sephiroth vaguely remembered his troops -- the women -- doing this, promising each other they'd return from battle in one piece and have celebrations.
Despite himself, he lifted his hand and let her pinky-swear him.
"I always knew you were cool. Tif said so too!" Yuffie said, not really paying attention to where she was going and walked into a wall. "Ow!"
Yuffie recovered quickly though; maybe that's where Aerith got it from Sephiroth mused. "Ima beat you to Aerith's room!" Yuffie said and she shot off.
Aerith let her hands fall to her sides. She was drenched in sweat; she hadn't expected it to be that much!
Half of the plant had worked and Aerith found herself thanking whatever gods had been listening to her.
She struggled to stand up and managed to gather her things, though very slowly. She went to the door and was just about to open it when it swung open before her.
"Oh. Hey Sephiroth, Yuffie. Where's Cloud?" Aerith asked, the fatigue in her voice was audible.
"Cloud?" Yuffie asked.
"Yea, he said he was coming to check on me later. Doesn't really matter though." Aerith said, closing her eyes in exhaustion.
"I'm sure he's a little bit busy with his new girlfriend." Yuffie grinned. Aerith's eyes shot open.
"He did it?" Aerith gasped.
"YEA!" Yuffie squealed. Sephiroth rolled his eyes.
"Oh my goodness! That's quite the advance." Aerith smiled. For some reason, her heart felt lighter.
Yuffie nodded but changed the subject. "How's Red?"
Aerith looked back at the now peacefully sleeping feline. "He's alright now. The green glow is gone. He's cured."
"Oh, Aerith, you're a genius." Yuffie exclaimed. "At least that's one problem taken care of."
"Tired?" Sephiroth finally spoke.
"Very." Aerith responded wearily.
"Good. Let's take you back to your room then!" Yuffie said. "You know Aerith, Sephy is really cool! You shoulda seen what he did!" Yuffie said. "He actually pinky-sweared me!"
Aerith giggled and looked up at the silver haired general. He nodded.
Toyori poked his head into the chamber where the female Turk was being held; still knocked out. He frowned. Should the mako have been affecting her for this long?
Doesn't matter... You need to get the White Materia! A dark and sinister voice hissed.
Toyori nodded, rubbing his eyes. He had another long day ahead of him tomorrow; apparently they had found a cure to the fiends' bite. No worries though, he had many more things for Avalanche and the Turks to play with. But first...
What to do about Sephiroth? He would no doubt we guarding the puny Ancient again.
I have an idea... The voice hissed again
"Let's hear it then." Toyori sneered. "I'm at a loss."
A noise from the chamber startled him slightly.
It seems our little... prisoner is awake... Begin the process as soon as possible. The voice demanded.
"But--!" Toyori began.
Later... Snapped the voice. There is enough time, do not worry.
Toyori knew better then to ignore his two superiors. He nodded and walked into the chamber.
"Well, well, sweetheart. Seems you're awake. Pity for you." He smiled.