GASP…I finally fixed this thing…it took me forever! I got the original chapter down in a few hours, but I didn't like the flow of it. It just felt to rushed or something. So I started adding in more stuff (and more characters…3 guesses who…hint: that's one guess per person!) and it ended up being at least twice as long and over 7000 words…oy. (I love the look on your face when I tell you that love…I told you 500 words is nothing!)
Ok, so again, me no own FF7 etc… What makes you think I do if I didn't before hm? I swear I've said that enough times that I practically chant it in my sleep…well I would if I actually did sleep. I swear it's more than a teen thing. I'm really tired of staring at ceilings trying to come up with story stuff for a couple of hours after midnight. I might as well do something productive ya? Anyways…go read the chapter : )
Chapter Eleven-
I woke up to the soft snoring of my blonde companion who was snuggled in the chair near the window.
I shifted myself to stretch out on my back so I could see everything. Mina still lay asleep by my left side, and by the sound of Cloud's snoring over in the right corner, I suspected he was too. The window was shut just how it should be, which gave me a small reassurance, even though it probably wouldn't have mattered. He could get in anywhere, so far as I knew.
I slipped out of bed and tiptoed over across the floor, grabbed my regular clothes, and sneaked in behind the bathroom door. I took off my robe and started to get dressed.
He didn't come last night, even though he could have. He could have taken Mina.
I laced up my corset top.
He could have…but he didn't. So, maybe that means something.
But if I took her last night there would have been no screaming. It doesn't count if they don't scream.
Startled by the intrusion on my thoughts, I fell backwards into the bathtub.
"Ooommff! What the hell!" I looked round me for something to grab onto to pull me up. I was flat on my back with my feet straight up in the air, and as strong as I was, it was too early to get myself out of this mess without some help from an inanimate object.
Hey Seph, ever heard of the song, "Get over yourself"! Because that's the second thing that came to my mind!
Huh…and what was the first?
You DON'T want to know…but I will say it's a very painful and slow death…now get out of my head!
But I like your head…
UGH! Just sod off!
Silence ensued. Feeling less scattered upstairs, I grabbed a hold of the railing and hoisted myself up onto my feet. I pulled up my skirt before yanking my boots up to my knees. Not daring to bend over and let that much blood rush to my head yet, I rested my foot on the counter top as I laced those too.
So his 'brothers' are coming to town too huh? Why does he need them too…
I finished with my left shoe and started on the right.
Because they too play a role in the prophecy.
I rolled my eyes.
Ah…the prophecy…of course. It's all about the stupid prophecy!
I thumped my foot down to the floor and slid on my leather jacket.
I'm telling you, I am not going to be a part of this 'prophecy' voodoo crap.
I don't really think you have a choice. Even if I don't bring you back with me, it can still come about. Though it probably wouldn't be a good idea.
Oh, and why's that?
You'll see. Oh, and since you're getting dressed to go outside, I'd dress warmer if I were you. It's cold.
I didn't answer him. I figured if I ignored him he'd go away. I know stupid right? Well it seemed to have worked for now.
I turned off the bathroom light before exiting, so that it wouldn't wake anyone. I strode over to the closet and pulled out a red, fuzzy scarf and wrapped it around my neck. The only piece left was my leather gloves. I really only wore them for fist fighting. I didn't even prefer to wear them when sword fighting because I liked to feel the handle between my fingers. But today, these gloves would be for keeping me warm.
So I pulled them on as I made my way over to the balcony. Cloud still appeared to be asleep next to it. I swung the glass doors open and stepped onto the railing. I didn't see his eye open ever so slightly.
Instead off taking all those stairs down, I decided to jump. So I did, and landed on the pavement gracefully.
I walked through the streets of Tokyo aimlessly. I didn't have somewhere in particular I wanted to go; I just needed the air and space. That and I didn't seem to have control over my feet these days. They just go where they please.
I stopped at a window where jewelry was displayed. There were several fancy items, all very expensive, but the one I liked was a simple crystal heart on a silver chain, with a pink rose painted inside. I didn't have many memories of my mother, but of the few that I clung to, this reminded me of her. It was simple yet elegant, like something she might have worn. I wanted it so badly, but I knew I shouldn't. Besides, I didn't have any money on me.
I let out a sigh at my disappointment, and then continued on walking. If I stared at it much longer, it would be harder to leave.
I was walking down a street when I turned a corner and saw Sephiroth leaning against a building wall with his arms crossed against his chest. Immediately I threw my hands up in the air in annoyance and turned on my heel, walking in the direction I just came.
"Out for a morning walk?" His voices chased after me as well as his footsteps.
"I am invisible and you cannot see me!" I shouted as I stuck my fingers in my ears. "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
In a matter of seconds his long legs had made enough strides to catch up to me.
"I see you followed my advice." He continued to follow, standing besides me.
"Go away!" I whined. "I am not coming with you! Do you know the meaning of no?"
"Not really. I usually get what I want. You're a bit more of a challenge though."
I shot him a nasty look.
"I didn't mean it like that." He laughed. "But I can if you want." He slid his arm around my waist as I turned a corner.
"Hey!" I pulled him off. "Keep your hands to yourself cowboy!"
"Come on…" he coaxed as he tugged on the front of my shirt. "Just come back with me…"
"Sorry, I can't. I'm washing my hair tonight." I stuck out my tongue and scrunched up my nose.
"What are you staying here for? To save these pathetic mortals?" He held a look of disgust as he said that word. "Are they really worth suffering the pain that you do, just to save them when they don't even offer a 'thank you'?" He now had a hold of my hips and swayed us back and forth. "Or are you here for something else? Is it Cloud? Are you still standing here on the other side of the line for him? He doesn't know you…not like me." Sephiroth slipped one hand slowly up the back of my shirt while the other pressed me against him.
"W-what! What are you implying?"
"He's your friend…are you staying here because of that?"
"Right. H-he's a boy. W-who's a friend." My breathing became erratic as his hand started to slide up under my bra strap.
"Does he know what you like? What drives you insane, or where you're weak? I do, I know where to touch you…I know everything about you. I can offer you everything." He slid his hand up further. "So tell me again, what are you staying for?"
I just stood there staring at him with my mouth open as I tried to keep my senses afloat in the midst of my emotions. I let him ramble on some more before replying.
"What could possibly be worth it? You know what I can do for you…what I can do to you. So why don't you want to come with me?"
"I…I-I'm staying for…for Mina."
He took his hand that previously held me against him and walked his fingers up my leg, stopping at my skirt.
"She can come with, if you wish."
My heart raced faster as his fingers started to climb up under the leather.
"No, I won't let her become tainted. She deserves to stay innocent and pure." I grabbed onto his wrist and tried to push in down. "Lemme go."
He said nothing, just continued to push up against my hand, causing pressure on my own wrist. Finally, when the pressure became too great, I had to let go, which allowed his hand to go up further than either one of us expected.
I jerked my head back against the wall with a gasp in surprise. I noticed he'd stopped wearing gloves lately, and I think I knew why.
"Stop it! God, not it the streets in front of people!"
"What? Maybe they'll learn something." He chuckled.
He would too…
After several minutes of just glaring back at him, I realized I wasn't even trying to fight him off. Instantaneously I pounded my fists against his chest.
"Hey! Get off!" Realizing my attempts were in vain, as they usually are, I shoved the ball of my hand up into his chin.
I heard a grunt that sounded a lot like "dammit!" and found myself free. Taking the opportunity, I raced down the street, pushing past people.
I glanced over my shoulder to see him dashing after me. I cursed to myself as I pressed on. I knew he could catch up to me easily.
I rounded another corner into a back street, where at the end was a chain link fence blocking access to the other side. Not having time to back out, I ran for it full speed and started to climb up. I had made it halfway over and was dangling down with just my legs on the side I was escaping from when a forceful tug on my jacket sent me flying back, pulling it off and ripping the cut wire at the top through my skin.
I landed on my back with a thud and stared down in awe as the scratches healed yet again.
"Ah, I see you're progressing nicely. I thought it would take longer for you to heal that fast." Sephiroth stalked over and stood over me, pressing his foot on my torso to keep me in place.
"And I see you know!" I tried everything I could to get him off me.
"But of course I knew," he replied. He leaned forwards on his right leg, putting more pressure on me.
"Breathing becoming an issue!" I flailed my legs about tying to kick him.
"Breathing is overrated."
I stopped struggling and laid there.
"That's a good girl." He lifted his foot off. "Now, we're going home."
I saw three shadows lingering in the corner where there was nothing before. As they stepped into the light, I could tell they were Sephiroth's 'brothers'. I had never actually met them face to face, but the resemblance was undeniable.
The first to step forwards, and who I assumed was also the youngest, had pale emerald eyes just like Sephiroth, and the pupils were slit like a cat's eye. And like his brothers he grew beautiful silver locks. His grew to about the top of his shoulders and was parted so far over that most of the right side of his face was concealed from view. He didn't have the same facial structure as Sephiroth. Instead of being long and thin with high cheekbones, he was slightly more rounded around the cheeks, probably because of his age, which could barely pass for 20.
"Kadaj, I see you three came just in time." The ex-general greeted the newest member to step into the sunlight.
The man called Kadaj sauntered forwards to stand just behind Sephiroth as they both stared at me, lying on the floor, catching my breath. The shorter haired man reached for his souba, and rested his hand on the hilt.
"I can see why you adore her…" Kadaj cocked his head to the side and eyed me up and down. "The full package."
"That better not mean what it sounds like!" I spat in between breaths.
"Feisty too, I like her. She'll make a nice addition to the family."
"Remember who she belongs to, brother." Another man stepped forwards, seemingly older though not by much. His silver mane was long, falling to about mid back, with flat bangs falling in his face, though not as much as his brother. He too carried the trademark eyes, and his face was shaped more like the eldest of the four. I recognized the gun he slung to his side as one of the Velvet Nightmares. I had seen others called by that name, but they're rare.
"Yazoo is right, she is my queen. I don't want you messing with her."
"You hog all the fun…"
"I'm standing RIGHT HERE!"
"Can't I have just a little fun?"
"Well actually I'm laying here-"
"No!"
"Come to think of it…" I bent forwards to get up but in a split second Sephiroth's foot landed back on top of me.
"You're no fun…"
"Excuse me but she's my girlfriend!" He never even looked over at me as they continued on with their own conversation.
"Hearing every word you're saying!" I lunged forwards, or as much as one can when you're pinned to the floor by Sephiroth's foot, reaching out to claw their eyes out. Needless to say, I didn't get very far.
Seph finally turned his head to look back down at me. "Sorry."
"Can we get going already? I'm hungry." The last of the silver haired men shuffled forth. Again, his eyes matched his brother's as did his hair color. Though his was cut short, held no part, and appeared to have sideburns. His Dual Hound was attached to his left hand, which I hoped I wouldn't have to feel go through me anytime soon.
"Loz is right, we should go. Besides, he'll cry if we don't." Yazoo taunted his brother with a flick of his hair.
Oh someone shoot me now…this is embarrassing…being captured by Seph is one thing, but to have the help of some girly men, one of which cries, is doing nothing for my reputation.
"I'm not crying!" Loz snarled back. He took a moment to glance down at me like his brothers had, and I swear he had the same evil smile that Sephiroth did.
Ok that's creepy…
"Fine, we can go now." My 'favorite' warrior lifted his foot off once more and extended a hand to help me up.
"Oh look who's being all chivalrous now…" I snorted at my sardonic statement.
As his hand gripped onto mine and started to pull me up, I pulled as hard as I could and sent him falling forwards on his face, and pushed myself up and into a running pace. But apparently I hadn't pulled hard enough; because he got right back up and it took about a second for him to seize me by my waist and drag me backwards to where the other three look-alikes were chanting to open a portal.
"Put me down! Put me down!" I screamed in such a high pitch I probably couldn't be understood.
I kicked and flailed my arms and legs about as he continued to drag me backwards and off the ground by about a foot. I could kick him in the shins for hours and he wouldn't even wince.
I was actually scared. I knew he could overpower me and take me back with him, but the reality of the situation that was happening right now had finally sunk in and fear rested in my heart.
"Calm down will you." Sephiroth laughed as he tossed me near my original spot. He squatted down to look me in the eye and ran a finger up my arm. "Now where did you think you were going?"
"Anywhere but here!" I spat in his face. Note to self, bad idea.
He wiped it off and gripped my arms against the pavement as he bared his teeth. "I can help you if you only let me." His snarled words didn't sound very reassuring.
"You want to help me?" I suddenly lost all of my tense expression and focused on more of a pleading look. "Then do me a favor."
"Anything."
"Please…kill me." I choked on my words as the flow of tears came. "Because I would rather die than live the way you want to force me."
I had angered him worse. He let out a loud growl as he picked me up by the back of my head and slammed me against the nearest wall.
"You ungrateful little bitch." His fingernails clawed down the skin on my arms and I let out a silent scream. "I offer you everything but still you're not satisfied!" He clenched his hand around my neck, pressing into the veins, and lifted me several feet off the air. "Are you happy now?"
My eyes bulged out of their sockets and my head pounded from the pressure. "Can't…breathe…!" I could barely squeak the words. I noticed that the chanting had stopped as the three brothers stared agape.
"Se…" My hand finally slid down as I began to weaken.
I saw something change in his eyes. It was like they softened, the way they used to look. He dropped me instantly.
"Bloody hell Seph…" I coughed. I rubbed my throat with one hand while the other kept me up off the ground.
He dropped to his knees besides me with wide eyes before holding me in a tight embrace. He shook as if he was crying, but shed no tears.
"You know not to make me angry…" His fingers ran themselves through my hair and cradled the back of my head.
It felt like old times, when he would just hold me. And for a moment, I allowed myself to believe it was.
"It's okay…I'm fine…" My lips trembled as I moved them to kiss his cheek. It took several seconds just to get that far, and once I had they wouldn't draw themselves back. So I let them rest there on his pale skin as I squeezed my eyes shut to block a fresh batch of tears.
He twisted his fingers around my hair underneath and I could feel his jaw tense, as did the rest of him. He pulled back to look at me and his eyes had reverted back to the icy glaze they usually held.
"Come." He commanded coldly.
"No!" I pushed myself back, but didn't run. I wanted him to change back. "You can't tell me how to live my life! I have to choose! I don't want to have so much power that I could decimate a whole planet! I want to live and love and be who I want to be and do things at a pleasurable pace! You can't make me do this!"
"BUT I NEED YOU!"
I gasped as he reached forwards to grip me again, my arms still tender from moments earlier.
"But I need something else. I need you to give me the kind of love that's pure, and selfless. Not a relationship rooted in evil and darkness. You can't give me that."
He didn't even try to answer. He just pulled me up by my arm and once again dragged me over near the trio of silver haired warriors.
"CONTINUE!" He screamed.
Once again they resumed chanting, and I resumed my struggling. I thought my arm was going to be ripped from its socket; we both pulled it opposite directions so hard.
The chanting stopped as a blue crack appeared and slowly grew. I was whimpering and screaming against my captor, who soon had Kadaj grab my other arm.
"NO!"
"Oh, but yes. I told you I was growing tired of chasing you."
I have to get out of here! But there's no way I can fight all four of them, and I can't even escape two of them right now! I need something…anything! Wait, my jacket!
"Wait!"
"What is it now?" Kadaj whined.
"My jacket! I can't leave without it!"
"I'll buy you a new one, the portal's almost ready." Seph gripped my arm tighter.
"But I love THAT jacket! Look I realize I'm not getting out of this so can I please just go grab it uber fast!"
Sephiroth rolled his eyes but nodded, and Kadaj let go. He walked over with me to pick it up, refusing to let me go.
"Are you ready now!"
"Yeah, I just wanna say one more thing before we go."
"Hm, what's that?"
"You sad, pathetic wanker!" I swung my hand and sent him flying back, landing amongst his companions. Then I swung my hand again in his direction, shooting out several arcs of white energy at him where they exploded, creating clouds of energy casing his figure and the figures nearby. "I told you I'm stubborn!"
Before the clouds could dissolve, I shot back out and away from that alley. I stumbled through the streets, feeling lightheaded from the spells I had just cast.
I leaned against the nearest wall for a second and gripped my arm as I caught my breath. The scratches hadn't healed yet, and I didn't really expect them too. They were annoying and painful, but didn't bleed, so I figured whatever had healed me before didn't notice it.
Reluctantly, I started to run past people again and slipped on my coat to cover the mars on my skin. I was more than relieved to be out of that alley, but it didn't take long before I was pulled from the side back into another one.
I lifted my arms above my head with my eyes shut tight as I hit a new wall. After a few seconds, and realizing nothing was happening, I opened my eyes and lowered my hands immediately.
"Cloud! You scared the hell out of me!" I gasped. "I thought you were asleep still!"
"I could say the same about you. Shouldn't you be back watching over Mina?"
"Well you know me, I like to take walks-and how did you know where I was!"
"I pretended to be asleep and followed you." He replied slyly.
"Oh that's just what I need, another stalker!"
"Come on," he said while he tugged on my arm. "Before Sephiroth comes."
"How'd you know I was running from him?"
"Who else would you run from?"
"Right now I'm thinking you…that's just scary." I joked.
He dragged me over under the balcony of my room, which was surprisingly close to where we were before.
"Normally I'd say ladies first, but I'll help you up once I get there." Before I could even respond with a nod, he sprung up into the air, grabbed onto the railing, and swung over onto balcony floor. "Your turn!" he shouted.
I squatted down and shot myself back up and grabbed onto the bottom of the rail. I kicked myself off from underneath the floor of the balcony and flipped myself over to where Cloud had been standing. He grabbed onto my waist so I wouldn't fall back and helped me regain balance.
When we were both inside, we allowed ourselves to heave a sigh of relief. I noticed that Mina wasn't in bed.
"Where is Mina?"
"She woke up and went out to play with Tifa. She's safe."
I nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Oh, before I forget." Cloud dug into his pocket and pulled out a small, black, velvet pouch and poured out its contents. "I saw you looking at this." He tossed over the necklace which I had fallen in love with.
I caught it and stared at its beauty as it twinkled in the light. "I can't accept this."
"Yes you can, it's just a small gift from a friend. You wanted it, you didn't buy it, so I did."
"I can't accept this." I repeated as I stood up. "I'm sorry, it's lovely and I appreciate the gesture but, I can't." I walked over and slid in back into his palm.
"C'mon, it's just a gift it's not like it means anything." He shoved it back into my hand.
"I CAN'T accept this." I replied again, more firmly. "You may think it means nothing, but the truth is it does. Whether you want it to or not, it does." I pressed the pendant against his chest and started to walk away.
"What do you think it means then?"
I stopped in my tracks. "Look, I just don't like to accept things from men. I don't like to owe them anything. Are we done?"
"No, we're not done!" He stalked over and grabbed me by the arm and turned me to face him. I hid a grimace of pain as the leather sleeve rubbed against the scratches that remained hidden. "I don't expect anything in return. I just thought you deserved to be treated nice every now and then. Excuse me if I was wrong!"
I sighed, fearing the answer to the question I was about to ask next. "Do you have feelings for me? Is that why you bought it?" I asked him point-blank.
He stood there for a minute, blinked, stared at me, blinked again, and finally opened his mouth. "Does it matter?"
"I need to know."
I wasn't used to men doing things for me "just because". It always meant something.
He didn't say anything, just reached around my neck and clasped the necklace on. It felt weird for him to be that close to me, and I wasn't sure whether I was relieved or disappointed when it was over.
"Just take it."
I stood there, unmoving, as he walked past me and almost out the door.
What…just happened?
Without thinking I grabbed his arm in response. "Please answer me."
After a few moments of more silence, he finally spoke. "Yeah, but I haven't decided whether they're just friendly or not. You happy now?"
It was obvious he was annoyed I forced such an answer from him, as he was unsure himself. I didn't think I cared what the answer was now, but I had to know.
"You happy now?"
I had been asked that twice so far today, but when I heard it from Cloud I could only hear Sephiroth's voice and felt his hand gripping my neck.
I immediately let him go and let him continue walking out to the main room.
I couldn't even think I was still shocked. I didn't have an answer and I didn't know what to do next. I looked down at the pendant that hung over my scarf. I sighed again as I tucked it under the fuzzy accessory and pressed it against my chest. I composed myself as best I could before heading out to the others.
Mina ran out to greet me and I scooped her up. I looked around casually as I tried to see what Cloud was doing. At first he wouldn't glance up even near me, but after a while I noticed that he couldn't look away. I couldn't stand the silence anymore, so I decided to talk to the group.
"Mina, why don't you go take a bath ok? Mommy needs to have a grown up talk with everyone."
"But I wanna hear!"
"Go on, there's bubble bath stuff under the sink." I shoved her off in the direction of my room and closed the door.
"That's gonna be one clean kid if you send her off every time we have to talk." Skye joked. "What is it?"
"Seph has an all access free pass to my head now."
"Well isn't that spiffy?"
"And we have new players."
The atmosphere of the room became dark and tense.
"Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz. They're here. He's started introducing me to his family…"
"Ya know I swear I killed them too…" Cloud said.
"I know Seph talks big about bringing me back with him, but I think he's really gonna do it soon." I neglected to tell them that he almost did. I plopped down on the couch. "Anyone got any ideas? Anything?"
"Well it seems like he doesn't like to actually physically manifest himself around you when someone else is with you. At least he hasn't so far." Cloud was the first to speak.
"But the only one who's kept watch over her yet is you, Cloud." Skye added. "Maybe he just doesn't want to appear around you. I mean, you did more or less 'kill' him before."
"Perhaps," Red mused aloud. "Perhaps he is, but it might be wise if we all stuck together just in case."
"How are we going to do that though?" I asked. "I mean, we can't all stay together all the time. And with Mina, I don't want her getting caught up in this."
We sat in silence, contemplating our options.
"Whether or not we all can stick together all the time, I think I should continue to keep watch over you Missy. I don't mind sleeping in the chair in the corner and it's not like I have anything to do during the day." Cloud walked over near me to look me in the eye. "Okay?"
I nodded as I saw him look down to see if I still wore the necklace. Unknowingly I moved my hand to touch it under my scarf. I thought I saw him smile slightly, as if pleased I hadn't taken if off.
"I'm gonna go check on Mina." I announced suddenly. I got up and went to my room and knocked on the bathroom door. "How ya doing in there sweetie?"
"Okay."
I opened the door and squatted down besides the tub. "Want anything?"
She shook her head. "What were you guys talking about?"
"I told you, grown up things. You wouldn't be interested anyways honey."
"But-"
"No 'buts'. Now let's get you out before you get all pruney." I lifted her out of the tub and wrapped her up in a towel. "Now, let's go get you dressed hm? Then we'll see about getting you some breakfast. How do pancakes sound?" I smiled at her as I saw her light up with pure delight.
She nodded and we heard another knock on the door. Assuming it was Cloud, I told him to come in. I didn't look up since I was too busy helping her put on her pastel blue dress that was adorned with lace. That is, I didn't look up, until I caught sight of those black leather pants. I shoved Mina out of the way and behind me just in time. As soon as I stood up to my full height my jaw met with Sephiroth's fist, sending me falling back into the tub for the second time that day.
Mina hid back in the corner behind the toilet, too afraid to scream.
"You know," the silver haired man said. "I have to admit I'm a little annoyed that you keep getting away from me just when things start to heat up."
I tried to push myself up and out of the tub but he pushed my down under the water by my head. I thrashed about, trying to get my head above the surface so I could breathe.
"But you just have to make things complicated!" He sat on the edge, keeping me underwater. "It's your fault you know."
I could barely hear a word he said, but I could definitely hear Mina finally scream.
Sephiroth pulled me back up by my scarf and pulled on it, choking me, lifting me about an inch off the floor of the tub.
I could hear poundings on the door, as well as my friends shouting my name. But the door was locked, and it would take a while to force it open.
I refuse to give up like this! I know I told him to kill me but if I'm going out I'm going out with a bang!
I used the last of my energy to kick him in the side of his head, forcing him to lose his grip and drop my back down.
I spat up the water from my lungs as I quickly tore off the scarf. My heart pounded in my head as I gasped for air.
Sephiroth growled loudly as Mina screamed again.
"Shut up!" His first two fingers brushed her temple and she slumped over unconscious. "Sleep…"
"Mina!"
He lunged towards me and immersed me back in the water. Not wanting to lose any time, I fumbled for my dirk that rested inside my boot, and plunged it into his neck.
A cry of pain came from the ex-general. I pulled the blade back out just as the door finally burst open.
Sephiroth glared at me with great hatred before turning his lips up into a smile. Cloud had rushed forwards to deal with him, but flew forwards as he ran through where the silver haired man used to be.
"That's really annoying." Cloud said as he picked himself up.
I climbed out of the bathtub, coughing the whole time. I was trying to nod in agreement, but I continued to cough up more and more water until I started to cough up blood.
The moment had finally passed, and I looked up to see several pairs of widened eyes focusing on me.
"What?" I asked obliviously.
"You don't just cough up blood for no reason." Cloud replied.
"It's fine it's not the first time."
"Oh, and there have been other times!"
"It's no big deal, just a little blood. Not like I'm dying…"
"It is a big deal!"
I opened my mouth to respond, but I remembered Mina. "Oh my god Mina!" I rushed over to her and picked her up. She was in too deep a state of sleep to wake up. "Mina? Mina? Sweetie say something, please!" I shoved past everyone and made my way over to the bed and laid her down. "C'mon, say something!" I lifted her eyelids up too see they had dilated in shock, and she looked like she was staring into nothingness. I started to cry as I shook her, pleading her to do something. Move, blink, moan, anything, just to let me know she was ok. A normal sleep spell wouldn't be so bad, but at the level of power Sephiroth controlled it would have nasty effects on anyone, especially a seven year old girl. There have been cases of people never waking up when hit by a sleep spell as strong as his.
"Missy-"
"Don't." I held up my hand to stop Cloud.
Everyone stood there for a good half hour, just staring at me holding onto the child for dear life. It took that long for words to rise to my throat.
"I'm going upstairs, and if anyone so much as follows me up the first step, you will regret it." I spoke in a monotone voice and slowly walked out of the room and upstairs to the training room. As I had asked, no one followed, and I was left to vent out my anger.
I attacked the punching back for hours, ripping off my jacket as my body temperature rose. Soon I had to take off my boots as well to cool off from all the sweat that dripped down during my rage. I only stopped to take those two items off.
Four hours passed, and I still beat out my anger on the hanging bag. My hands and feet soon became bruised at my carelessness, and my lip started to bleed after I fell down a few times.
I was about to unsheathe my dirk again to scratch at something, anything, as my anger continued to boil, but physical strength failed me and my energy had depleted to nothing. I fell on my hands and knees, gasping for breath.
I had been lying on the hard floor, unmoving but still conscious, until the moonlight shone through. I was afraid to get up and check on Mina. I was afraid that she would still be under that spell, and if she wasn't, I was afraid what she might say or think. She would be confused, and ask questions.
I stared up at nothing, my eyes glazed with tears, but unable to let them fall. I sang the song I vocalized to her the night before.
I choked my way through the words as my body shook. I finally stopped, unable to continue, when I heard a soft creak in the floorboards near the stairs. The creaking continued for a moment as the person walked over and bent down to pick me up.
"Leave me…"
"You should rest, this isn't doing any good." Cloud lifted up my limp body in his arms and stood up.
"Just leave me!" I sniffled. I started to squirm in an attempt to pound on him.
"Stop acting like a child! I know what you must be feeling, not knowing if she'll wake up but you need some sleep." He shifted me over his shoulder to restrain my movements.
I continued to sniffle and complain all the way down the stairs and into my room, where I was finally released onto my bed.
Cloud let out a sigh of exasperation as he saw my arms. "What did you do to yourself?"
"I didn't do anything…"
"Then what am I looking at?"
"Gift from my 'lover'."
"Oh…I'm sorry."
"Why should you be sorry?" I spat through clenched teeth. "You didn't do it."
"No, I didn't" He tossed my boots by my bed. Apparently he picked those up too. "But I am sorry."
"Would you just leave…I have no patience for people right now."
Cloud didn't answer, just sat on the edge of the bed.
"Are you deaf! Just leave!"
The blonde warrior just stared.
"JUST LEAVE!"
Nothing.
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE DAMMIT!" I pounced at him and started to beat on his chest. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! LEAVE!"
He let me pound on him until I lost my energy again and cried. He still said nothing, just wrapped his arms around me in a hug.
"Why didn't he cast that spell on me? He could have just taken me then! But he did it on Mina…"
Cloud squeezed me tighter. "It's okay…just let it out."
"He almost did it twice today…he could have…but some part of him is holding back."
"What do you mean?" he asked softly. His head was nestled in the crook of my neck.
"I thought I saw him change earlier…and he acted like he used to. It was only for a minute, but I know it happened."
"He almost took you earlier? Why didn't you tell us?"
"Does it matter?"
He nodded. "Just like it mattered to you when I said the exact same thing, remember?"
I did remember, and instantly pulled back. It felt strange to touch him, knowing he was still figuring it out. "How goes the verdict?" I refused to look at him when I asked.
"I'll let you know."
"Right. Just checking."
"How do you feel? You look like hell after being up there for so long."
"Yeah well I feel like hell."
"Here…I'll grab some ice for those bruises…AGAIN."
I sat and sulked as he went for the items. "I'm not a child! I can take of myself! I don't need you to kiss my boo-boos!"
He came back in trying to hide a huge grin. It wasn't working.
"What's so funny!" I demanded.
"Nothing."
"No, there's definitely something!"
"It's nothing!" he reassured me. "Settle down will you…"
"Yeah well I have reason to be pissed off!" I started to feel the urge to cry again as I remembered the events of today. "I just wanna be alone for awhile."
"Not bloody likely. I'm not leaving you alone for two seconds! You keep getting the crap kicked out of you."
"Hey!"
All thoughts that rose to my tongue would have to wait as Cloud pressed ice on my lip and head where I was bruised. I sat and sulked some more, feeling a mixture of deep depression and utter annoyance.
"I can't feel my lip…"
"Sorry." He removed the ice and I immediately turned away and sunk down under the covers.
"Not ever for one second?" I pleaded.
"Not even for a millisecond…" He leaned over and across me to stare me down.
"What if I need to shower! I'm not doing that in front of you!"
"Uh…I didn't think of that…well…I promise not to look if it helps any."
"Loads…" I rolled my eyes for sarcastic effect.
"Give me some credit…not all men are perverts."
"That might take some work to convince me. Well…maybe a eunuch isn't…I haven't met one. You're not a eunuch are you?"
"OF COURSE I'M NOT A BLOODY EUNUCH!" His face flushed a deep shade of red. "What the hell makes you even question me!"
"I told you what I think! Scratch enough surface and men are all the same! With the possible exception of eunuchs. It's a compliment really."
"Like hell it is! And I'm not perverted…"
"Meh…you haven't shown symptoms…yet…"
"Symptoms! You make it sound like a disease."
I shifted over to glare at him. "What else would you like to call it then?" I gave him 'the look'.
"Backing up now…"
I slumped back down and buried my face under the covers to hide the tears I knew would come.
"I won't let him take you, you know that right?" Cloud's hand rested on the covers where my arm lay.
"Maybe it would be better to just give it in…"
"Don't say that! I promised you okay? I'll show you that not all men are perverted, and that not all are bad. I'll prove it to you."
"Cloud?"
"Hm?"
"…I don't think you are. Just so you know."
"Well that's a relief."
I giggled through the sheets.
"Ah, so she does laugh! I thought it was just a rare sighting." He lightly tickled my side.
"Hey!' I shrieked. "That tickles! I'm ticklish!"
"Oh you ARE, are you?"
"Don't you dare!"
He reached with both hands and tickled me mercilessly.
"See? Just laugh and you'll feel better. Even if only for a moment."
I became exhausted again from thrashing about screaming as I was tickled. Sleep descended upon me, and soon I was unconscious, with a guardian angel watching over me, and a fallen one watching him.
Ok, so I really have no excuse for the eunuch thing there. I don't know I just pretend I'm Missy (which isn't that hard some days…as my theme song lately has been "Me vs. The World" by Halo Friendlies) and so…yeah. Just to clear anything up, no I personally don't think all men are evil and perverted…well…I don't think all are evil ok? And being perverted isn't always so bad. It just depends…(besides…I think every person I know is in their own way…man get us all together and it is scaaaaareeeey) so I mean no offence to any of the men out there. I don't hate you guys! I am actually quite fond of you all : ) Though I do believe Missy is right to a certain extent LOL. Again, no offence. : )
And may I just say that woman goes through more emotions than I do...she's can change like a light switch. (But that's how I wrote her, so it's all good) Let's see…there was something I was going to say. Hm…well, I guess I'll just say that things are about to get interesting. (Well I hope they were interesting before…) And I apologize if this chapter is still out there or something, because I am so out of it right now. Now that I have finally gotten all this fixed to a point where I am mostly satisfied with it, I am going to hibernate…lol. I have so much crap to do before Halloween it is not even funny. Cry…sniffle…sob. Oh, and I wanted to mention that I really don't know why Missy uses English-English words/insults sometimes. I'm not even English-English. I'm American…but I think to myself in an English accent! Does that count? No? Do the voices tell me to set things on fire? No…of course not don't be silly. They tell me to crush things duh. (lol…I told you I'm outta it) I guess I just like English insults…so much more fun to say. Anyways, go review my lovely readers! Oh, and I'm sorry but I ate all the cake, so you'll have to settle for brownies out of the freezer : ) Thank you!