I do not own Final Fantasy VII.

Bound by Blood

Ch VII: What If?

I'd never been more at peace than I was watching Claudia gather her herbs and mushrooms. She included me this time, asking my opinion on what to keep or toss and allowing me to double check her pickings to make sure none were toxic to humans or pets.

"So, can I ask, what do you gather all this for?" I said, opening the bag for her as she dropped in a handful of chanterelle mushrooms.

"Some of it's to eat. But, one of my deepest desires is to have my own apothecary."

"An apothecary?"

"Yes, we don't have a pharmacy here, not to mention our sorry excuse for a clinic. So a lot of us either go to the next big town to get medicine or order it via mail. So I thought, what if I changed that?" She grinned sheepishly.

"I see. But, have you considered going to study pharmaceuticals in Midgar?"

Her shoulders tensed visibly. "Midgar? I have no desire to go there."

"It would only be temporary, to get your education."

"I'd rather stay here." There was a certain finality to her tone, and I laid off the subject.

"So, uh, tell me where your shop will be."

Her face brightened. "There's a house two doors down from the town hall. It has a big kitchen and the house is large enough to live in also."

"I'm sure it'll be perfect."

She blushed as she smiled at me, pushing back that bit of hair. Did she have any clue what that small gesture did to me?

"Come here, Beautiful." I pulled her in for a kiss. It was only supposed to be a tender peck, but she put her arms around my neck and pulled me to the ground.

Letting me go, Claudia giggled and rolled over, looking up at the sky. "I don't reckon you've ever watched the clouds, have you?"

"No, I can't say that I have." I rolled onto my back and looked up. A number of fluffy white clouds floated above us. "Is this another one of those childish things I've missed out on?"

"It can be," she said. "Sometimes you can see shapes. Like that one looks like a cactuar."

Turning my head from side to side, I couldn't see a cactuar in it at all. "Actually, that's a tonberry holding two knives."

She laughed out loud. "Oh no, that one over there looks like a chocobo butt!"

"That one over there is a moogle." I smiled. I never considered looking for shapes in the clouds as a game, let alone a fun one. "Do you do this often?"

"Yes, but it's more fun with friends."

"Do you have many friends?"

"A few, I guess, and you? Didn't you say you had a couple of friends?" she said.

"We're in SOLDIER together. We practically grew up together."

Her face turned sullen. "Most of my friends growing up were boys. And they've all left to find work. My only two girl friends are all tied up with being housewives and mothers. They don't have time for me anymore."

"My apologies."

"It's not a big deal. I know you'll be leaving after tomorrow, but for now at least, I'm not lonely."

"I hope we stay friends for years to come. I promise I'll write to you every week."

Her smile returned. "Really? You won't forget about me?"

"Yes." I held her hand, our fingers entwined. "After all we've shared, how can I?"

When we retired to bed that night, I invited her directly back to my room, and we spent another night making love. I was gentler this time, taking care not to let myself get carried away.

As we were supposed to be basking in the afterglow, a grim expression crossed Claudia's face.

"What's wrong?" I wrapped my arms around her.

"I don't want you to leave."

My heart sank. "I have to. If I don't, Shinra will come and drag me back."

"What if you take an extended leave of absence?"

"I can only do that if it's an emergency, or if I request the time off in advance, usually by several months."

She nodded, resting her head on my shoulder. "You said you'd write, but will you also come to visit me when you're able?"

"Yes, of course I will." I buried my face in her hair, relishing the silky texture and the fresh scent. "Like I said, you're special to me, Claudia."

She looked back up at me, studying my face as though she thought I was lying. "You swear, you'll come back?"

"I swear." I offered a sincere smile, caressing her cheek. "Don't worry. This isn't the end for us."

A thousand things must have been rushing through her mind, just as they raced through mine. Was I making a promise I couldn't keep?

The morning came sooner than I'd have liked, but there was nothing stopping it. Claudia still slept beside me, so I took the opportunity to make breakfast for us. Her uncle would be back the following day, so this would be the last full day we'd have alone.

While I cooked, Claudia wandered down to the kitchen. I heard her creep up behind me, but didn't anticipate her wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing herself against my back.

"Good morning," I said, lifting my arm so she could slide around to my side. "Fancy an omelette?"

"Sounds great! I'll get the plates!" She dashed to the cabinet by the sink, returning almost immediately.

"What in the name of Gaia is going on?" An unfamiliar voice rang out through the kitchen, distressed and shrill.

We both turned to find the cook in the doorway, her arms weighted down with grocery sacks. I was about to help her, but she dropped them where she stood.

"Where are your clothes, Miss Claudia? You're as naked as the day you were born!"

Claudia, was only wearing her panties, everything else on full display - not that I minded at all. Covering herself with her arms, she backed up closer to me.

"I didn't know you were coming today," she whispered, looking down at the floor in shame.

"Does it matter?" The woman snatched up the grocery sacks and sat them on the nearest countertop. "Neither of you have any business being naked together! Your uncle is going to be furious!"

"No, please! Don't tell him," Claudia begged, her eyes alight with horror.

"And why shouldn't I?" She looked me in the eyes. "Is this your idea of looking after her? I knew you were just a vile lech!"

"Stop it!" Claudia snapped. "He's nothing like that. It was all my idea; Sephiroth has no fault. I swear it was all me. He tried to refuse, but I begged and nagged until he gave in. Please, don't tell my uncle."

"Claudia," I tried to reach out to her, but the cook lunged forward to slap my hand away.

"Are you absolutely sure that he's innocent?" She spoke to Claudia but stared at me with murder in her eyes.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure. Please, don't tell anyone."

She glanced me up and down, as if sizing me up. "Fine, I won't tell. But he's gotta get out of this house immediately."

I nodded as I moved the frying pan off the burner. "Fresh omelettes," I said to the cook. "Help yourself." Without another word, I headed up to my room to pack up my few belongings.

As I tossed my coat over my shoulders, the door opened and Claudia entered, her face bleak.

"Should you be here?" I said.

"It's my house, not hers." She said, looking over her shoulder at the door, despite her words. "I'm sorry, Sephiroth."

"Don't be, we both knew this little fairytale wouldn't last forever." My stomach twisted into a rather unpleasant knot; I almost thought I might become ill.

"No, but we also didn't think it would have such a shitty ending."

I managed a breathy chuckle, shaking my head. "It's not over yet, though. We can still write and call, and maybe soon I can come back for a visit. Maybe another monster will show up and I'll rescue you again."

She hugged me then. "I want you to stay."

"So do I."

She lowered her gaze, pressing her forehead against my shoulder.

"Come with me," I said.

"But we don't really know each other. What if it doesn't work out? What if this isn't really love?"

"What if it is?"

Claudia squeezed me as tight as she could. "Write to me, call me, visit me like you said you would, then maybe…"

I took her face in my hands and kissed her deeply. That exquisite fluttering erupted in my chest once again, like a thousand butterflies were released inside my body. At length, I found the strength to break away from her. "I'm going back to the inn until Shinra sends me a helicopter."

I left her standing in the middle of the room.