Ah, finally chapter five. It felt like it's been forever since my last update! I'm sure it's only been a couple of days though. Sorry if this one seems a bit short, but I really wanted to post something soon and get this chapter done so I could actually concentrate on homework. (Imagine that...) I hope you guys don't mind that it gets a little bit darker and gorier here. I don't know but I may eventually change it to an M rating, you guys will have to tell me mmkay? Thanks. Anyways, amazingly there is no song in this chapter. Maybe that's why it seems so short...hmm...although there is a reference to "Kiss! Bang!" in there. And that song is from PGSM. Can you tell how much I love JPOP: ) And I wanted to mention, the song that Missy hums at that one point, the music box one, I imagined it as Josette's music box song from the original Dark Shadows show. Snaps if you know what I'm talking about. Ok, I don't own FF7 in any way, shape or form. Only Missy and Skye at this point. Enjoy!
Chapter Five-
Cloud and his friends just stared at me. Blink. More staring. Blink. Am I the only one hearing crickets here?
"I'm confused…" Cloud finally said.
"Welcome to my life," I murmured.
"I guess it makes some sort of sense," He began again as he scratched his head. "Though I'm still a little lost as to why he is still chasing you, as well as ShinRa. Why not just kill you?"
I scoffed at his remark. "Thank you Cloud that's VERY comforting." I had moved on from my numb state to just plain annoyed. "I don't really know," I sighed. "I'm sure it has something to do with my powers, or strength, or something. I don't know. It's all one big power struggle." I stopped for a moment to walk over to the window in the moonlight. "I know I'm strong, stronger than I should be. I can do things that others cant. But I honestly don't know why ShinRa wants me other than to run experiments or something. I know I was in that building a few times, but I don't remember it. Not really. Part of me wants to know why desperately, but the other part, would rather not. For fear of finding out. As far as Sephiroth goes, I'd rather NEVER know what he is thinking." I shuddered just thinking about it.
"So like, you and Sephy really loved each other?" Yuffie broke in. She made several annoying smacking noises as she sucked on a lollipop. "Sounds like that's why he never killed you. He still looooooves you!"
Yuffie got cold stares from everyone, including me.
"What?" she whined, completely oblivious.
But that's just it. I SHOULD have died. If he loved me why would he try to kill me? Unless he knew I wouldn't die then. But how could he? What would even be the point of attacking me unless he wanted me dead? Was it merely him wanting to have some fun? His lust for blood? His hunger for control and power? I don't understand…DID he still love me? Is pure evil capable of it? My head hurts…and I don't think my thoughts are making any sense…
"Do you still love him?" Vincent asked with a serious tone.
"No." I shook my head as I sat back down. I still felt weird around him, but that didn't mean I loved him. How could I? After everything he's done. Not just to me, but to everyone else. How can I love someone like that?
The raven haired man eyed me for a minute as if trying to see if I was telling the truth. He seemed satisfied enough, and leaned back against the wall.
"You said in your story that Sephiroth asked you to join him. That seems the most likely reason." Tifa finally intervened.
"Yes, but why…" I pondered out loud. "I know I'm not normal, I never was. I'm ok with that I guess, but what makes me so special that he hunts me like an animal just to get me to join him? There must be another reason."
I glanced out of the side of my eyes to secretly look at Cloud. He sat slightly slumped over in thought. His azure eyes burning holes in the floorboards. I could only imagine what he was contemplating.
"So you taught Sephy to dance huh?" Yuffie had decided to join in again. Oh goodie. "What was it like? Was he good? Was he hard to teach? Is dance really like sex on hardwood?" She shot out one question after another until someone thankfully shushed her.
"Yuffie hush. Don't ask such questions in times like these." It was the second time I heard Red XIII speak that night. I had almost forgotten about him. He was curled up on the floor besides the teenager.
"Why is everyone acting so moody?" the dark haired girl complained. "Hey Missy, can you at least show us some dance moves? Huh? Huh? Huh?"
"I…don't dance…anymore…" I replied softly. A pang in my heart went off as old memories flooded back. I knew she didn't have a clue as to the pain she was inflicting. She was just a child. She was only a few years younger than me, but she still had a fair amount of maturing to go through before she could know what it was like.
"Aw, why not?"
"YUFFIE! Shut up." Cloud had finally spoken again, rescuing me from the uncomfortable situation.
"It's ok!" I waved my hands in front of me with a forged smile. I didn't want the ninja to feel bad. But, I think somewhere inside I was trying to lie to myself. Saying that things are ok and I'll be fine, just so I could sleep at night.
"Missy, I know I asked you earlier to stay here a bit longer. Well, now I'm telling you too." Cloud held my gaze with determination and a twinge of rage. "If you are involved with Sephiroth in any way I want to know about it. Anything concerning him concerns me. I can't sit back and let him run about doing what he wants. And if the link to finally defeating him is you, then I will keep you here. Safe."
He must have seen the look of worry on my face because he softened his stance and voice. "I swear to you, that I will help you fight him. I will keep you safe."
I was confused by the emotions radiating off of the blonde man standing before me. I could sense anger and frustration, pain and sorrow, determination and…kindness. A friend who wanted to shelter me and protect me. Who barely knew me, and yet stands here promising to do just that. A real friend, the only one I had besides Skye-wherever she may be. Maybe in time I could learn to accept more, but that was a step I wasn't ready to take yet.
"Cloud, I-" I was cut off as sounds emerged from the main room. Someone was breaking in. Or from the sound of it, someones.
We all rushed out to see soldiers. Fifteen, maybe twenty of them, stationed in the room prepared to fight. Have I mention how much I hate it when my opponents have guns? It's not fun digging those bullets out. And you know the saying 'It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye'? Not a pretty sight. Don't worry, it wasn't me who did that to the unfortunate victim. I have other places to shoot.
"Hand over the girl and no one gets hurt!" The leader shouted. I had noticed that they were all in black SOLDIER uniforms. I could tell they were better than your average soldier, but at least they weren't Turks.
"Um, I'm standing RIGHT HERE ya know! I can hear you! And 'the girl' has a name! It's Missy!"
"Fine then little missy come with us."
"Oh that was very intimidating…" I rolled my eyes. At least I was going to be able to vent my anger and frustration out on these pathetic men. "How about I beat you to a bloody pulp instead?"
I heard their guns cock. Every single one of them. All at once. And we're not talking small, cool looking ones like I have. I mean big whacking rifles. I could use a challenge.
Vincent was the first to initiate attack. He drew his gun from its holster in a mere second and began shooting with incredible speed. Next was Yuffie, who drew her Fuuma Shuriken and rushed into the nearest soldiers. She managed to slice a few before throwing her boomerang and defeating the first one. Following her, I caught a glimpse of red fur bolt passed me, attempting to sink his fangs into the nearest offender.
Cloud stepped in front of me like a shield. "Stay back," he murmured.
"No way! I'm not missing out on this fight!"
"Tif," he shot the woman a glance that told her to protect me as he heading in to join the battle. He drew his blade and leaped into the air, holding it high above his head.
"You should hide in your room; I'll watch the door out here so I can fight." Tifa tried to lead me back but I stopped her.
"I'm fighting and that's that!"
She looked me in the eye and nodded, obviously understanding my determination. She left my side and aided her friends in pummeling these strange soldiers.
I let out a sharp breath and looked around. Where to start? My question was soon answered as four men slipped past the group and headed in my direction. I held my defensive stance as they crashed into me, sending all of us flying back through the door and in my room. I was the first one up and I shot over to pick up both my Dragon and my Shadow Blade.
Gripping them tightly in my hands, I felt an energy surge through me and my head shot up and stared into their eyes. The others soon picked themselves up and began shooting. Luckily I was able to deflect the bullets with little trouble. One grazed my bicep but nothing more than a mere scratch.
I decided to take things into my own hand and starting slashing my swords forwards at them. Wanting to get the upper hand, I stepped on the end of my bed and soared up in the air and landed near the window. I then had an idea. Why fight here all cooped up, when I could take it outside?
I backed out onto the balcony and jumped up on the rail.
"Want me?" I taunted "Then come get some!"
I let my body fall back and I started to flip around in the air as I passed six stories and touched down gracefully on my feet. I quickly shot my eyes back up to see the four of them leaning over in inspection of whether or not to follow. I dodged out of the way when I saw them make their decision.
Two of the black-clad men ran in my direction in an attempt to strike me down. I had to laugh at their feeble actions on the inside. I slid between them as they passed me, and twisted my swords around so that they rested underneath my forearms, and dug the blades in their backs like they were butter. I ripped them back out with ease and sauntered forwards, nearing the two left.
I noticed their mako eyes widen in horror as I felt my own eyes darken. It was a strange feeling, almost inhuman. Like something dark was crawling under my skin, whispering in my ear. Smelling the fresh blood with euphoria, and relishing the idea of killing the last two in front of me. A smile crept up on my face with evil intentions. Everything I felt and was doing, I didn't question. I didn't want to. That little voice in the back of your head telling you right from wrong was so silent it sent chills up my spine.
My body shot forwards to the soldier closest to me, and I raised my shadow blade high in the air and sliced through the flesh, splitting his body in half in a diagonal line from his shoulder to his hip. The remains collapsed in a pool of blood at my feet. I never even looked down. Instead I glared at the last human who remained. He stared back in a state of shock before he bolted out like lighting.
"We can't have that," I whispered to myself.
I stalked forwards after him in amusement. Blue and silver flashed through the air as I chucked my sword at him. I heard a crunch as it embedded itself in his spine. I smiled more as I moseyed myself over and yanked it out.
I continued strolling down the street, letting the blood slide down my weapons as they grinded against the pavement. I started to hum to the melody of a music box I remembered hearing as a child. The notes were soothing but at the same time it disturbed me. Flashes of my mother broke into my mind, and reality gripped me again. I had just murdered four men, and I enjoyed it. It wasn't the first time I had to kill another human being, and that wasn't what made my throat lock up. It was the emotions I felt when I did it.
This isn't me; I'm not this sick and twisted! Who is this?
My body jerked back against the brick wall at the sudden shooting pain going through my head. I pressed the ball of my hand to my forehead, as if it would help.
"Damn it, not right now!" I shouted at myself. I fell down further so that I was now on my hands and knees. My breathing was short and sharp for several seconds, until mercy fell upon me and I let me lay there half conscious, feeling nothing.
It must have been at least half an hour while my eyes grazed over the town's inhabitants passing to and fro. I was too far away for anyone to see me unless they were looking, which apparently there was still one soldier who was. He spotted me from a good hundred feet away and promptly trotted towards me.
This is just great. I'm lying here, mostly out of it, unable to move, and there's a soldier coming right for me. Just great. And where is Cloud? Probably out there searching for me because I decided to jump out a window. Very smooth Missy. Just remember that as they go to stick needles in your arm again.
Again? I had needles stuck in me before? Yes…I almost remember it. Being tied down on the cold slab they used for a table…and being hooked up with a bunch of wires and being poked countless times with needles.
The memory had left me as soon as it came, leaving me confused and frightened. I was straining my brain to reconnect with the past in a small flicker of hope it might help me in the moments to come when the soldier finally got me.
The man hovered over me with his dark hair hanging in his face.
"Got you." He stated simply with the corners of his mouth furling into a smile.
"Hold it right there!"
The soldier turned about-face to see a woman about my age and build. Her hair was red and thick, falling just slightly shorter than mine, with a slight wave at the ends. It was tied back into a loose and messy low ponytail allowing her many layers to frame her face. To set it off, she had green eyes that matched the color of an exotic body of water. She wore dark chocolate brown leather pants with matching boots that only had a small flat heel. She paired that with a periwinkle cropped top and leather jacket more of a milk chocolate brown. The jacket was short but slightly loose, and the leather was soft like an old woman's skin.
"Kiss!" she shouted in a higher pitch than her previous words. She lifted her first two fingers to her mouth and blew a kiss as she said this with a wink. She then reached behind her to pull out a crossbow, and her face grew an evil smile. "Bang." The arrow shot through his heart in one try, and he slumped to the ground, dead.
I knew this woman immediately.
"Skye!" I had tried to yell out, but I had just barely been able to move again. "Aren't you one for dramatic entrances…"
"Missy, long time no see." She smiled as she pulled my up, forcing me to lean my weight on her.
"How'd you find me?"
"Well, I heard someone had started a fight with an ominous looking silver haired man. That pretty much gave it away."
"I see I have to watch where I fight in this town," I replied jokingly. "It's nice to see you again. I take it you were hunting me down too?"
"Yeah, only cause you ran away and left me behind! You know I just HAVE to fight alongside you." She had started helping walk in the direction I pointed out.
"I only did that because I needed some alone time and I didn't want you caught up in this. Too many people have died already; I don't want to attend your funeral as well…"
She laughed at my answer. "Check you out, being all noble and worried about others well being. I'm not gonna die anytime soon by the way. In case you forgot, I can take care of myself too."
She was right, and I knew it. I pushed people away and said it was because I didn't want to get them hurt, but it was really because I didn't want to get hurt.
"Where are we going anyways?" the redhead finally asked.
"To an apartment up there." I pointed up the stairs we finally reached.
After a bit of huffing and puffing, we arrived up the six flights of stairs. Normally it wouldn't have been a problem for us, but I was weak from whatever happened earlier and Skye had to help me along.
"Wow, nice place you got here!" she exclaimed as we entered the room. No one was there.
"It's not mine." I hobbled over to the couch and plopped down.
"What! You're supposed to tell me before we commit a crime! Especially breaking and entering, remember last time?" she cried out in mock anger.
"I CAN make friends ya know…It's Cloud's apartment."
"Oh? And who is this Cloud person? Is he hot?"
I rolled my eyes. Mention a guy and that is always her first question. "He is a friend who is helping me out, and that is ALL."
"Mm-hmm…" she didn't sound the least bit convinced. "Do you think he's cute?"
"I can't answer that!"
"Simple yes or no!"
"SKYE!"
"MISSY!"
"…" She was never going to shut up. "He's cute, you happy?"
"Almost," she sang as she flopped next to me. "What would you rate him as hmm?"
"I refuse to do any such thing…" I crossed my arms and looked away. She can be incredibly stubborn sometimes. Especially when I didn't want to deal with it.
"Aw come on…one to ten? Please?" Man, she has got that puppy dog pout down good. She clasped her hands under her chin and let her eyes glaze over with a pout.
"I…I don't know…um…" What DID I rate Cloud as? I mean, if I was interested, cause I'm not. I'm not. Really. Not at all. No attraction whatsoever. "Uh…I guess a nine? If I was interested of course."
"Of course." She faked her reassurance with sarcasm. "You can never give out tens. You're too picky."
"I don't give out tens because a ten means they're perfect, and no one's perfect. Besides, who wants someone who's PERFECT. It'd drive me insane."
Cloud and the rest of his friends walked through the door as soon as I finished.
"There you are!" he said, sounding exasperated. "Where'd you go!"
"Girl, he is DEFINITELY a ten…" Skye whispered in my ear.
"And who's this?"
"This is Skye, the friend I mentioned in my story. Skye, meet Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie, Red XIII and Vincent. Guys, meet Skye. She found me in the streets. I had taken the fight outside when the soldiers came after me and I guess I just sorta got tired out afterwards. I'm sorry to have worried you." I shot a sympathetic look at the leader. I didn't want to lie, but I also didn't want to tell them what had really happened. What DID happen exactly?
Cloud let out a sigh, deflating his anger. "It's okay, I was just worried. Seems like ShinRa is stepping up its advances on trying to bring you back in."
"As is Sephiroth," I pointed out. "True he always used to be on my tail, but he's following me closer now, and is becoming more aggressive. Something is changing."
And I had a feeling I knew what it was. It was me.
So what did ya guys think? Like it? Hope so! Please please please, I BEG you to review! It lets me know that people actually are reading this. And thank you very much to my two reviewers for you so far, I give you cookies. And Missy will protect you with her life now. TTFN