CHAPTER FOUR

Is This the Place We Used to Love? Is This the Place I've Been Dreaming Of?

When I woke up, I was in a fluffy bed. Snuggling into the warmth of Kadaj's body, my eyes blinked as I began to slowly awaken. The sunlight was warming my skin.

Carefully, I slipped out of Kadaj's hold. As warm as it was, as inviting as it was, it was time to wake up.

What a long day it would be.

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I made sure to prepare Kadaj food before preparing to leave to shop. It might be hours before the boy awoke, so I made a sandwich. I sort of hoped I'd return before he awoke, because otherwise he and Sephiroth might just kill each other.

It occurred to me that Sephiroth might be awake. So, before leaving, I sought him out.

I looked for Sephiroth to tell him were I was going, but he was no where in the house. I did find Furball, but the kitty was no help in finding the dark man.

"Sephiroth?" I murmured.

He was nowhere to be found, so I stepped outside. There he was; training, punching the air and practicing moves, sweat running down his sculpted body. For a moment, I gawked. It was the same as a deer who had unknowingly stepped before the headlights of a semi truck. My mind prayed Sephiroth wouldn't catch me in the act.

He sure as hell did.

Turning, sweat beads on his forehead and flowing over his eyes, he blinked in seemingly slow motion, his eyes burning into me as always. Once again, my mind caught on fire, blazing with feelings and memories I'd never had. Visions and thoughts crashed through my mind in a collision course. Was I burning? Would I die of bliss? Why did this happen to me?

Surely love was not this passionate, confusing flare of insanity that burst in my mind whenever Sephiroth and I came into extreme contact?

I could not answer the question.

Sephiroth smirked daringly, knowing I had all eyes on him. As he sauntered by, I collapsed to my knees, moaning.

Sephiroth laughed as the screen door shut behind him.

"Don't be late"

I had no idea what he meant.

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"Well, if it isn't Missy Novelist, stick up her ass Josey!" I cursed the nickname as I strode through the town streets.

"My name is Samantha." I seethed. The man talking to me was Hunter, the ultimate hick and ugly sore, a bug I've always wanted to squash. And this is coming from a woman who tries to spirit creepy crawlers out of her home, out of harm's way.

Hunter gave me a look with those "I'm better than you – suck it" eyes. I realized Sephiroth's eyes were sort of the same. But his were much stronger, more complex, and much more beautiful. Hunter was just stupid.

"There's been rumors round town that there's a strange man in your house." Hunter snickered, still following me. I rolled my eyes.

"There's a rather strange man standing next to me now. I wish he would go away." Hunter ignored me.

He followed me about the store, but I could ignore me. I needed milk, bread, juice…

"So, what? None of us hick men good enough? You need a city boy?" Hunter tried to stand in my way, but I avoided him.

Of course you're not good enough for me, swine.

Grabbing some cans of soup, I entered the next aisle.

"Not gonna defend your honor girly?" Hunter spat.

Irritated, I spun to meet him. "Piss off Hunter."

As I strode angrily away from the shocked Hunter, he looked like he'd been slapped. A smirk came to my face. Who knew the quiet girl Samantha would ever stand up for herself?

Certainly not me.

I took my groceries to the check out and Hunter did not follow me.

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As I headed downtown, walking in happiness, I decided to check out the flower store on the corner of Parson's and Weldon. The place I'd been attacked at was nearby.

Sighing, I entered the flower store.

My house was very plain and drab, with no color. With a chuckle, I realized that my life had been that way before Sephiroth. My life was no longer colorless and lifeless. Flowers would certainly fix the house up in the same way.

I stepped into the flower shop and was met with a wonderful aroma. Smiling, I dove into the flowery jungle and began searching.

Easily, I found flowers I liked; white and pink roses, and daffodils. I bought some for the kitchen and some for my office.

Next I looked for flowers for Kadaj. He was childish, and cute in his own angelic way. I bought him some baby's breath.

The third bouquet was a challenge. What to get Sephiroth? I approached the cashier with my question.

"Um, hello? I have a very strange, dark friend. What should I get him?" Sniggering, I followed the cashier.

Quickly, we created a dark, mysterious bouquet, which satisfied me and I paid for everything, making to leave.

My heart leapt out of my chest. I started to shake and sweat, freaking out of my mind. There he was, the man who stabbed me and left me for dead. He stood across the way, his cruel eyes on me.

I ran faster than I ever thought I could.

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It wasn't fast enough. He roughly seized my shoulder and shoved me into a dark alley.

Crying out, I stood to run, but he shoved me back down, and placing his knees on either side of me, glowered.

"I have no fucking clue how the hell you survived, but trust me, you won't this time."

Flower petals were floating everywhere. The bouquets had been roughly pushed aside, sitting in the mud and water. I sobbed.

"Don't make a sound no one in this hick town will save you!"

He reached for my jeans. My mind throbbed with an insane panic and anguished pain, once again on fire with agony and rage instead of happiness. I felt this… pounding in my mind. It was like a heartbeat, going really fast of out fear or rage. It wasn't mine; but it seemed to fit with my heart's beat. It was so strong.

The mugger was violently seized and tossed against the brick wall, and I heard a crack as he slumped to the floor.

"This woman belongs to me. Touch her again, and I will kill you."

It was Sephiroth! His dark husky voice was a blessing for me. Shocked and hyperventilating, I leaned into the safety of his body.

The would-be rapist and murderer (or maybe not – maybe he'd done it before) put his darkening, dangerous eyes on me. My heart thumped hard and loud, and I was so afraid the entire world could hear my weakness. The ironic thing was the only person who could was Sephiroth, who had pulled me up to his chest. He was the only person I would ever want to know my weakness.

Grimacing, the man broke eye contact with me, and I was so surprised that it hadn't been me to break away. Promptly, I began sobbing into Sephiroth's chest as the man stumbled to run away, disappearing into the night.

I as trembled, my soul shaken, and my heart weakened, I realized something.

I had not once felt this way during his first attack against me. I had been strangely detached from the incident. And it was simple why. Before, I had no reason to fight for my life; my colorless, tasteless life. Now, I had so much to be thankful for. I had a cat named Furball, and Kadaj, and … Sephiroth.

Gently pushing away from Sephiroth I bent to the floor. Scooping the ruined bouquets into my hands, I held Sephiroth's out to him.

"H - Here, I – hic – I bought you some flowers." I whimpered. "I t – thought you might – you might – Oh god!" I couldn't finish, I collapsed into his chest.

My trembling hand was covered by his. I felt his chin fall onto the top of my head. A breeze sped through the air when Sephiroth's mighty black wing was released and my eyes first fell upon it. Holding tightly to me, he took to the skies.

Sighing softly into his chest, I fell asleep in the arms of a beautiful, one winged angel as black feathers and dead flower petals wafted through the sky…

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I woke to see two faces leaning over me.

"She's awake!"

"Kadaj, she's awake!"

My first response was to jump out of my skin. Two more silver haired orphans in my house already? Well, I should've known.

One looked sleek and fine, sort of feminine, yet stealthy and sneaky. His eyes twinkled with mystery and darkness.

The other was muscular and manly, with eyes full of strength and power, yet also kindness and happiness. He was like Kadaj in this effect; innocent yet strong.

Groaning, I sat up just as Kadaj ran into the room with a big grin on his face.

"Sister!"

I smiled as Kadaj stood beside the bed trying to fight the urge to hug me. I suppose he figured I was sore. Truly, I felt fine.

"Well, are you going to introduce us, Kadaj?" The long haired one smirked.

"These are my siblings" Kadaj stood. "Yazoo and Loz. Brothers, this is…"

"Samantha" I answered for him.

Loz, the muscular one, grinned and waved. Yazoo nodded politely. Both seemed sort of taken with me, beaming brightly.

"So, can we all you sister?" Loz asked with embarrassment.

My heart swelled with happiness. "Of course."

Loz grinned sheepishly, almost as childish as Kadaj.

The atmosphere changed as Kadaj and the others left, smiling and waving. Kadaj promised to make me lunch.

Sephiroth quietly sauntered in. I had a new found respect for him, as scary as he was; he had saved me. That was three times my life had been saved by an angel; twice by Zack, and now by Sephiroth.

This woman belongs to me…

Flushed in the cheeks, I began to wonder what Sephiroth had meant by that as he silently sat on the window sill.

I had this feeling in the back of my mind. It was soothing and gentle. My eyes met his. Were we connected somehow? Was that why he made me feel… strange? Was that what he had meant?

Shyly, I cleared my throat.

"Thank you for saving me." I murmured, daring to meet his eyes.

"It was necessary. I won't let anyone touch what is mine."

My train of thought crashed. "Wait, what?" Chuckling, I saw Sephiroth smirk as he looked back at me.

"You heard me." That was all he said.

I was confused as ever, but I knew I wouldn't get any answers if Sephiroth shut his mouth.

"Where are you from?" I asked. Sephiroth looked back at me. At first, I didn't think he'd answer.

"A place called Gaia."

Nodding, I continued speaking, asking whatever was on my mind.

"Are you four the only brothers in your family?" I asked.

This time, Sephiroth gave me an odd lok. It was strong, maybe not dangerous, but then, maybe it was.

"There are two others, the one you call angel, Zack; he is my brother." Sephiroth seemed to fume. "Also, Cloud Strife." My heart skipped a beat.

Cloud Strife? I know that name!