To Love A One Winged Angel
Chapter 5--En
Route To Midgar
Sephiroth stared unblinkingly at the unconscious girl before him. The chocobo
was curled up beside her, watching him warily with one brilliant green eye.
"What are you looking at?"Conrad questioned.
"What does it look like I'm looking at?"Sephiroth snapped."Keep
your beak out of my business before I cut it off."
Conrad sniffed indignantly before putting his head back down on Aeris' arm.
Sephiroth continued to watch her absently. Her chestnut hair fell over her
face, casting it into shadows. His gaze dropped to her long, slim legs. He
wasn't in the least bit bothered by the fact that she was wearing simply her
underwear and a pathetically small t-shirt, nor was he inclined to take
advantage of her due to this fact. However, it caused his mind to think some
dark thoughts...
He quickly turned his head, a blush creeping into his cheeks. Conrad lifted a
suspicious eyebrow at him.
"Why do you keep looking at me as though I'm a criminal?"Sephiroth
questioned.
"Because you ARE a criminal,"Conrad said frostily."And I have to
watch over Aeris and make sure you don't try anything."
"What gives you the idea that I might try something?"Sephiroth
demanded."And what exactly are you EXPECTING me to try?"
"You know what I mean,"Conrad snapped."I've seen your type
around, and I don't trust them."
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed."I'll have you know that I have never tried to
do anything even remotely funny with a woman."
"That's because you were too busy killing them,"Conrad retorted.
Sephiroth gritted his teeth to keep his temper under control. He was on the
brink of pulling out his sword and gutting the foul creature on the spot.
However, his attention was diverted from the chocobo when a groan came from
Aeris' direction.
He watched her eyes slowly open and focus on him. She blinked in confusion
before gasping in fear. She sat up quickly and pressed herself against the
chocobo.
"What are you going to do with me?"she demanded fearfully."Why
did you take me away from my home?"
"Professor Hojo wants you,"Sephiroth said flatly."He refused to
give me back the Masamune unless I brought you to him. And don't worry, I won't
hurt you unless I'm forced to. So if you co-operate, then I will hand you over
to Hojo unscathed."
"Why does Hojo want me?"Aeris demanded.
"I don't know,"Sephiroth snapped."Do I look like his secretary
to you?"
"You could pass for one,"Aeris said waspishly.
"What is that supposed to mean?"Sephiroth growled, his icy green eyes
narrowing dangerously.
"Nothing,"Aeris said breezily."It's just that your hair makes
you look like a woman."
Sephiroth's eyes flashed angrily and he closed his hand around the hilt of his
sword. Aeris watched him with an amused smile on her face.
"If you kill me, you'll never get your precious Masamune back,"she
said."But go ahead if you want to."
Sephiroth was on his feet in a flash. He grabbed Aeris by the collar and
slammed her against the boulder that sat behind her. Aeris stared up at him
with a calm expression on her face.
"When I get my Masamune back,"he whispered,"I am going to hunt
you down and cut your head off of your pretty little neck."
"I'm sure you will,"Aeris said mockingly."I'm sure you
will..."
"You don't think I'm serious?"he growled, pressing her further into
the rocks."I've never been more serious in my life. So when we get to the
Shin-Ra building, I suggest that you watch your back. I've killed you once, and
I'll do it again."
"Alright, people, break it up,"Conrad said lazily from his spot on
the ground."I don't need any dead bodies on my hands."
Aeris peered over Sephiroth's shoulder. The chocobo was looking up at her with
a smile on his face. Aeris frowned. She had never seen a chocobo like him
before; she didn't even know chocobos could talk.
"Have we met before?"Aeris asked tentatively.
"In a way,"Conrad said mysteriously."But now is not the time for
me to tell... Aeris."
"How do you know my name?"Aeris demanded."And how come you can
talk?"
"Let's just say I am special,"he said."I know everything. My
name is Conrad, by the way."
Sephiroth let go of Aeris and strode back over to his place by the fire. Aeris
straightened her shirt and sat down a distance away from her silver-haired
nemesis, hugging her knees to her.
"I've never seen a chocobo like you before,"Aeris commented."Your
feathers are coloured quite differently. And your eyes... they're even greener
than my own."
"I am the only one of my kind,"Conrad said stiffly."But enough
about me. Perhaps you should get some sleep. We will be travelling all day
tomorrow."
"I'm not tired,"Aeris said, shaking her head."I'll just sit here
and watch the stars. They're so beautiful."
Sephiroth snorted.
"What is so funny now?"Aeris asked irritably.
"Nothing, it's just that stars aren't really that
beautiful,"Sephiroth replied.
"In your entire life, have you ever lain in the grass and watched the
stars?"Aeris asked.
"I can't possibly fathom how one could sit there and waste their time
staring at the stars,"Sephiroth replied."I have more important things
to do."
"Like burning down villages and slaughtering innocent people?"Aeris
said.
"Yes, something like that,"Sephiroth said.
"You're disgusting,"Aeris snarled.
"Thank you."
"Ooooh, you make me so mad!"Aeris huffed."Why couldn't you just
stay dead?"
"I was wondering the same about you,"Sephiroth snapped."The
world doesn't need another prissy woman like yourself."
"And the world doesn't need another murderer like you,"Aeris spat.
"Just go to sleep,"Sephiroth snarled."We're going to be up early
tomorrow."
"I'm not tired,"Aeris huffed.
"Suit yourself,"Sephiroth muttered, tilting his head back and resting
it on the rock he was perched on.
Aeris watched him anxiously for several moments. She was waiting for his
breathing to slow down so that she could escape.
"You're not planning to..."Conrad started.
"Yes, I am,"Aeris whispered."You think he's asleep yet?"
"I don't know,"Conrad replied, cocking his head."I think so. If
he wasn't, he'd probably be able to hear us, and if he could hear us talking
about escaping, he'd probably kill us, but he doesn't seem to be doing that,
does he?"
"Alright,"Aeris said. She stood up."Bye, Conrad. Please don't
tell him where I'm going."
"But I don't even KNOW where you're going,"Conrad said in
bewilderment.
"All the better."
Aeris tiptoed over to the sleeping, silver-haired man and hunched down next to
him. She peered intently into his face, trying to discern whether or not he was
actually asleep.
She waved a hand in front of his faceto see if he would flinch or blink. He
didn't.
Satisfied, Aeris stood up and started to quickly walk away. But before she
could get far, a hand shot out and grabbed her ankle.
She gasped and whirled around. However, due to the fact that a hand was still
gripping her ankle, she tripped and fell into the dirt.
"Thought you could get away?"Sephiroth said mockingly."How
pathetic."
Aeris looked up and glared at him.
"Damn you,"she swore.
"Ooooh, such harsh words,"Sephiroth smirked."Do you know how
many people have said that to me?"
"Obviously not enough,"Aeris said through gritted teeth."Let go
of me."
"I don't know if I want to risk you escaping again,"Sephiroth
said."You're staying with me. Maybe if I handcuffed us together..."
"No way!"Aeris exclaimed."I promise I won't try to run away
again."
"Promises mean nothing to me,"Sephiroth said flatly."Make
yourself comfortable, because you're going to be spending a lot of time with me
over the next day."
"Let go of my ankle,"Aeris snapped.
"What are the magic words?"Sephiroth asked.
"Please,"Aeris said, rolling her eyes.
"That's not a proper sentence."
"Could. You. Please. Let. Go. Of. My. Ankle?!"Aeris shouted in his
face.
"Certainly,"he said pleasantly.
He let go of her, and she scrambled back over to the chocobo, who was now
snoring peacefully. Sephiroth smirked and stretched.
"Maybe now you can get some sleep,"he said.
"I wouldn't risk it,"Aeris snarled.
"Suit yourself,"Sephiroth shrugged.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The next day, Conrad awoke to discover that Sephiroth and Aeris hadn't slept a
wink all night. It seemed to him that they were trying to stare each other
down. Each wore an expression much like that of an angry bulldog.
He sighed and got to his feet. Aeris snarled at Sephiroth one more before
getting to her feet. Sephiroth simply smirked.
"Are we going yet?"she asked stiffly."The sooner I get away from
HIM,"she nodded at Sephiroth,"the happier I'll be."
"We can go right now,"Sephiroth said, jumping up onto the chocob's
back. He extended his hand to help Aeris up, but she merely blinked at
it."Get up on the chocobo, Ancient."
"Don't call me that,"Aeris snapped."And if you think I'm getting
up on a chocobo with you, you've got another thing coming."
Sephiroth gritted his teeth."I have no patience for you. Get on the damn
chocobo."
"You'll have to drag me,"Aeris spat.
"Very well,"Sephiroth said. He jumped off of Conrad and grabbed Aeris
around the waist. She squeaked and started pounding him on the chest."I
shall drag you onto the chocobo."
"Let go of me!"Aeris shrieked.
Sephiroth sat her on the chocobo and quickly got on behind her. Aeris shuddered
and sat stiffly, due to the fact that there wasn't much room on the chocobo.
Sephiroth was pressed right up against her back.
"Get us to Midgar as fast as you can,"Sephiroth said to Conrad."I
have no time to waste. I need to get my Masamune back."
"What exactly do you need your Masamune for?"Aeris inquired."Are
you going to summon Meteor again?"
"If that is Mother's wish, it shall be done,"Sephiroth said.
"I thought Jenova was dead,"Aeris said.
"Jenova will never die,"Sephiroth said."And you are a fool to
think otherwise."
"Sephiroth, Jenova isn't your real mother,"Aeris said."She is
only using you to carry out her wishes. As soon as she has used you, she'll
simply throw you aside! Don't you understand?"
"Shut up,"Sephiroth said coldly."Why should I believe you?"
"Because, I'm telling the truth!"Aeris exclaimed."Do you want
everyone to hate you?"
"I don't care,"Sephiroth shrugged."It's better to be feared than
to be loved."
"I'll bet you've never been loved in the entirety of your life,"Aeris
said.
"I said shut up!"Sephiroth roared."Don't you understand
English?"
Aeris stopped talking. They were approaching the marsh where the Midgar Zolom
resided. Sephiroth took out his sword in preparation to fight, in case the
chocobo wasn't fast enough to outrun the Zolom.
Conrad stepped into the swamp and started to trot across. Aeris watched for the
Zolom's shadow so that they're have time to run in case it attacked. So far,
she couldn't see it.
"Is it behind us?"Aeris whispered.
"No,"Sephiroth replied.
"What is this `it' you speak of?"Conrad inquired."Is it
dangerous?"
"It's the Midgar Zolom,"Aeris said."It's this huge snake. It's
very powerful and difficult to kill."
"Ah. I see,"Conrad said nervously."Perhaps I should run a bit
faster."
"No, it's okay,"Sephiroth said."I think the Zolom is dead."
"And why would you think that?"Aeris demanded."Because you
managed to impale one?"
"No, because I don't see it anywhere,"Sephiroth snapped.
Just then, something bit Conrad's left leg. The chocobo lost his balance and
crashed into the slimy water, making a rude exclamation in the process.
Sephiroth was in his feet in a flash. The Zolom rose out of the water above
him, baring it's fangs and hissing dangerously. Sephiroth cast a Bolt3 while
Aeris ran over to the fallen chocobo.
"Are you alright?"she asked. She inspected his leg to discover that
some of the meat had been bitten off by the Zolom."I'm going to use a
Great Gospel on you. It should heal your leg right back up. Just trust
me."
"I trust you,"Conrad said."I always have, Mo-"
He quickly shut his mouth and smiled innocently at Aeris. Aeris thought this
was a bit odd, but quickly pushed it out of her mind.
In fact, she had thought the chocobo's behaviour had been quite odd since she
had met him, but she didn't really think much of it. She also thought that
Conrad looked odd. His eyes were so green, much like those of Sephiroth's and
her own.
She quickly cast a spell on the chocobo's leg to heal his wound, then turned
back to Sephiroth. He was fighting the Zolom with one arm. The other hung
limply at his side.
It's broken, she mused. I thought he was supposed to be all-powerful or
something. He killed a Zolom before. I saw it with my own eyes.
She looked back up at Sephiroth to see him drive his sword deep under the
Zolom's scales. It collapsed with a great wail and lay still.
Sephiroth pulled the sword out of the Zolom's body and collapsed to his knees.
He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to block out the pain emenating from his
broken arm.
Aeris started to walk toward him, then stopped. He HAD killed her and many
others, after all... so why should she bother helping him?
Because he's only human, a voice said in her head. Help him, daughter... teach
him how to feel. I know this is a bit much to ask of you, but teach him how to
love. Show him that he is only one of Jenova's puppets.
Yes, he was only human. He felt pain, hate, anger, sadness... and even love.
Though she found it a bit hard to believe that a man who had slaughtered
thousands could feel anything at all.
And she knew that what he did in the past was not of his own will.
So she decided to do what her mother asked of her. She ran over to him and sank
to her knees beside him.
"Are you okay?"she asked softly.
"What do you care?"Sephiroth snarled.
"I care because you are hurt and I don't want to see you like
that,"Aeris said firmly."Now stop being an idiot and let me see your
arm."
"I am not an idiot,"Sephiroth said through gritted teeth.
Aeris smirked at the statement and cast a healing spell on Sephiroth's arm.
"It's gonna take a few days to heal completely, so take care of
it,"Aeris said."You don't want to do anything stupid and make it
worse."
"Don't tell me what to do,"Sephiroth snarled. He got to his
feet."Let's go. Hojo's waiting."
Aeris sighed and followed Sephiroth back to the chocobo. She could only dread
what awaited her at Shin-Ra Incorporated.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
§*§*§*§-Chapter
6: Aurora Shin-Ra-§*§*§*§
"So who exactly is this Cetra you speak of, Professor?"
It was a little girl who spoke. She sat behind a desk, a desk far too big for a
girl of her age. The chair she sat upon was turned in the giant window that
faced all of Midgar. She fingered a dagger which lay in her lap.
Hojo was standing next to the desk. In his hand was clenched a clipboard. He
was holding it so tight, his knuckles had turned white. This little girl just
annoyed him so much.
She swivelled around in the chair to look at him with her icy blue eyes. Her
long blonde hair was pulled back into a braid.
"And exactly what IS a Cetra?"she continued."I just don't
understand."
"If you'll allow me to explain-"Hojo started.
"I have no time to hear your explanations, Professor!"the girl
snapped."Where is Sephiroth? Shouldn't he be back with the Cetra
yet?"
"Yes, he should, Aurora,"Hojo said.
"How dare you address my by my first name?!"Aurora shrieked, pounding
her fist on the desk.
"I'm terribly sorry,"Hojo said."As I was saying, Sephiroth and
the Cetra, who is named Aeris, should have arrived earlier today, however they
might have been held up by bad weather conditions outside of Midgar."
"I see,"Aurora said."However, that is not what I wished to speak
to you about, Professor."
"Oh?"Hojo said, surprised.
"I wanted to ask you if you could tell me a bit about Cloud Strife and the
other members of AVALANCHE,"Aurora said.
"Why on earth would you want to know about them?"Hojo asked, mildly bewildered.
"I am declaring war on them,"Aurora said airily."They killed my
father, and they must pay."
"But Miss Shin-Ra, how can you possibly declare war on them by
yourself?"Hojo asked."You're only nine years old!"
"I have the Shin-Ra army,"Aurora said."And the Great Sephiroth.
They can fight for me."
"I'm afraid the Great Sephiroth won't be able to fight for some
time,"Hojo said.
"And why not?"Aurora demanded.
"Because I have some plans for him,"Hojo said.
"What kind of plans?"Aurora asked curiously.
"Do you really want me to explain?"Hojo asked."The story is a
bit long..."
"Yes, tell me,"Aurora ordered."I want to know."
"Fine,"Hojo said."Several years ago, I was studying the
Ancients. They are able to communicate with the Planet, which I'm sure you
know. In any case, at that time, there were only two surviving Ancients: Aeris
and Ifalna. Ifalna was killed while they were escaping my lab, so all I had
left to work with was Aeris."
"I see..."Aurora said."But what does any of this have to do with
Sephiroth?"
"I am getting to that,"Hojo said."A little while later, I
finally managed to capture Aeris. Now, the thing is, I would have needed her
for study for at least 100 years, so I would have to get one of her blood that
could live for that long. So I tried mating her with the beast known as Red
XIII, however, they escaped before I could experiment."
"Are you planning to do what I think..."
"Yes,"Hojo nodded."Sephiroth has Jenova cells in his blood,
which can make him live for a very long time. Therefore, I am planning to mate
Sephiroth and Aeris to produce an Ancient who can live for a hundred
years."
"And what if Sephiroth refuses?"
"He won't refuse,"Hojo said, a sinister grin twisting his
face."I have his precious Masamune. He'd do anything to get if back.
Besides,"he smirked,"I'm sure he hasn't had a woman in ages."
"You are sick,"Aurora said slowly."How could you possibly think
of doing that to him? He's your son!"
"Yes, but he means nothing to me,"Hojo said.
"He means something to ME!"Aurora protested.
"Hmmm, that's funny, little girl,"Hojo smirked."He's a
full-grown man, and you're only nine years old. You don't even know what kind
of monster he is. He's slaughtered thousands upon thousands. He almost
destroyed the Planet. He could break your neck with a twist of his wrist."
"So?"Aurora said indignantly."He would never try to kill me.
What reason would he have?"
Hojo shrugged."I suppose he doesn't have a reason. But he never had a
reason before."
"But still,"Aurora said, changing the subject again."Even if it
WAS to get the Masamune back, it doesn't mean he would go and violate some
woman."
"Yes, he would,"Hojo said."You don't know him. That Masamune is
the only thing in this world that matters to him."
"Hmph,"Aurora grunted, tossing her hair over her shoulder."Then
he obviously doesn't have much of a life."
§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§
The sun was already setting again by the time Aeris, Sephiroth and Conrad
reached the Shin-Ra building. Aeris stared up bleakly at the towering building,
wondering exactly what Hojo wanted with her.
She felt Sephiroth slide off the chocobo behind her, then pull her down with
his one good arm. The other one was folded against his chest to lessen the
pain.
"I'm going to the stable,"Conrad announced. He trotted off around the
corner.
Aeris sighed."I don't want to go see that man. He scares me."
"He scares everyone,"Sephiroth muttered."Move it. I haven't got
all day."
"Doesn't my welfare matter to you?"Aeris asked.
"Not particularly,"Sephiroth shrugged.
"Oooh, I hate you,"Aeris snapped.
"I've heard that line thousands of times."
He pulled open the door and held it for her. A gentlemanly gesture, Aeris
noted. Not something she'd expect from him.
She walked through the door, him right behind her. The receptionist stopped
them at the front desk.
"Sir, I'm afraid you can't go any higher than the 65th floor,"she
said.
"Hojo's expecting me,"Sephiroth said.
"Very well,"the receptionist said. She handed him a metal
card."This is the keycard you need to get to the top floor."
Sephiroth took it, and he and Aeris went to the elevators. Aeris looked around
in awe. From what she had heard, Shin-Ra was a dead company... but it appeared
that it wasn't.
The elevator came to a stop on their floor and the two got on. Once inside,
Sephiroth had some difficulties using the keycard.
"How the hell does this thing work...?"he muttered to himself.
Aeris giggled and moved to stand next to him. She plucked the keycard from his
fingers, her hand lingering on his for just a moment. He didn't seem to notice.
Aeris blushed at the warmth she felt when she touched him. She didn't quite
understand why, either. She had been sitting so close to him on the chocobo, so
close they were almost like sardines in a can.
Sephiroth drew his hand away and went to stand against the wall on the far
side. Aeris slid the keycard in the slot and punched the button for the top
floor.
She turned and looked up at Sephiroth. He was gazing out the window with a
blank expression on his face. As she looked upon his figure, she found herself
comparing him to Cloud.
His mane of silver hair was so much straighter than Cloud's; she could imagine
the feel of it under her hand, so soft and luxurious.
His eyes were a dazzling shade of green, with the same glow that Cloud's had.
She felt as though he was looking deep into her soul when he set his eyes on
her.
He had a finely boned face, with high cheekbones and chiseled features. His
skin was smooth like a baby's, bronzed by the sun after spending too much time
outside.
He was taller than Cloud; much taller, in fact. He towered over her by a couple
heads. She was often afraid he could step on her if he wished.
She was jolted back to reality when she realized that his brilliant green eyes
were suddenly upon her. She felt her ears grow hot, knowing that Sephiroth had
caught her staring.
"Is there something on my face?"Sephiroth asked coldly.
"...No,"Aeris murmured.
Sephiroth grunted, and returned to staring out the window. Thankfully for
Aeris, the elevator stopped just then. She hastily got off and waited for
Sephiroth to direct her to Hojo.
The scientist was in his lab on the 68th floor. The minute Sephiroth opened the
door, he was upon her, dragging her into the room to make sure she couldn't
escape.
Aeris glanced back uneasily at Sephiroth, but he was already settled down at
the scientist's desk, lazily flipping through some files.
"Ah, my dear, I've waited so long to see you again,"Hojo said
cheerfully, a wide smile stretching across his greenish face."You've grown
up quite a bit, haven't you?"
"It hasn't been that long since we last met, professor,"Aeris said,
pulling her arm out of his grasp."It has only been a couple of
years."
Hojo turned his attention to Sephiroth."You are dismissed, boy."
Sephiroth looked up to glare at Hojo for a moment before grunting and returning
to the files he was reading.
"I said get out,"Hojo hissed.
Sephiroth slammed his fist down on the top of the desk, causing the wood to
crack slightly. Aeris winced as he strode over to Hojo and picked the man up by
the collar.
"Don't tell me what to do, bastard,"he snarled."I'll only leave
when you give me back my Masamune. Where is it?"
"I'm afraid I can't give it back to you yet,"Hojo choked out."I
still have a few plans for you yet."
"Why you little---!"Sephiroth roared, whipping his puny sword out of
it's sheath."I ought to rip you open and spill your guts right here on the
floor!"
He raised his sword in preparation to slice Hojo open, but a delicate hand on
his arm caused him to falter. He looked down to see Aeris standing there,
shaking her head slightly at him.
He frowned at her and shook her hand off of him."Don't tell me what to do,
Cetra."
"You want your Masamune back, don't you?"she said quietly."If
you do, then you had better do as I ask."
"...Fine,"Sephiroth grunted, placing Hojo back on the ground."I
suppose I can go on my journey without the Masamune..."
"What?!"Hojo squawked, scrambling to his feet."I thought I told
you that I had other plans-"
"I don't give a damn what experiments you have in store for
me,"Sephiroth growled."Leave me out of it. I brought you the Cetra,
and that was my part of the deal."
He turned on his heel and started to stalk out of the room. Aeris glanced at
Hojo before following him.
"Where are you going, Sephiroth?"she asked gently.
"None of your business."
"Can I please go with you?"
Sephiroth stopped and whirled on her."So you can get in my way like you
did last time? No way! Just stay here and do as Hojo tells you. I'm finished
with you."
"Everyone is entitled to their own freedom,"Aeris said softly."I
promise that if I go with you, I won't get in the way."
Sephiroth growled in frustration."I said no! Don't you understand
English?!"
And with that, he stomped out of the room.
§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§
The chocobo met him at the front door, eager to set out on a new adventure.
However, Sephiroth merely glanced coldly at him and continued on his way down
to the slums.
"General, don't you want a ride to wherever you're going?"he asked.
"No,"Sephiroth snapped."I don't need you."
Conrad flinched, his shimmering green eyes glowing with pain. Sephiroth's words
had obviously hurt him deeply; but the ex-general didn't care.
"Just stay here and don't talk to me again,"Sephiroth snapped, climbing
down the wire to Wall Market."If you do, then I'll kill you."
"Fine,"Conrad sniffed."Be that way."
Sephiroth didn't answer. He was already gone.
§*§*§*§*§*§*§*§
Aeris crept out of the front door of the Shin-Ra building. Sephiroth had only
left half an hour before, and she hoped she still had time to catch up with
him. She had difficulties escaping the building, since Hojo was keeping a close
eye on her.
She was rather surprised when the silver chocobo met her outside the door.
"What are you doing here?"she asked blankly."I thought you were
with Sephiroth."
"He sort of shunned me,"Conrad said meekly."But if you want to
go after him, I'm your man! Or, bird..."
"Really?!"Aeris exclaimed."Thanks so much, Conrad!"
She jumped on his back and they were off. Aeris requested that they return to
her house so that she could get a decent pair of clothes, to which Conrad
complied.
After stopping at her house for a brief moment, they were off again. Aeris had
donned a pair of shorts and a button-down shirt since, to her great dismay, she
had put her pink dress in the wash.
"Where could he be?"Aeris wondered aloud.
They had reached the outskirts of Kalm, and there was still no sign of him.
Even Aeris knew that she should have caught up with him by now; after all, he
was on his feet alone, and she had a chocobo.
"Did he say anything to you upstairs?"Conrad asked her."Anything
at all that might give us a hint as to where he is?"
"Well... he did say something about a journey to Hojo,"Aeris
murmured."And also erlier he said something about following all of his
mother's wishes... which would lead me to believe that he wants to summon
Meteor."
"Meteor?"Conrad questioned.
"You mean you don't know what Meteor is?"Aeris said in
bwilderment."How odd. You should know about Meteor, after all it was only
summoned two years ago."
"Oh yes,"Conrad said."You already told me about that,
Mo---"
He quickly clamped his beak shut. He had almost blabbed AGAIN. He wondered how
he was going to get through the next few weeks without Aeris finding out his
secret.
"Yes...?"Aeris said curiously."What were you about to call
me...?"
"Nothing."
Aeris looked at him oddly. A crack of thunder from overhead made them both
jump. It started to rain heavily, soaking Aeris through to the bone.
"Oh, no!"Aeris exclaimed in dismay."I wore a white shirt,
too..."
"You can't really see through it,"Conrad reassured her, looking
around keenly."...Uh oh!"
"What is it?"Aeris said in alarm.
"Look!"he exclaimed, nodding his head to the north."It's the
Midgar Zolom. And it looks like the general is fighting it."
"I thought he already killed the Zolom..."Aeris said softly.
"He did,"Conrad said."There's a few of them in there, though. I
have to deal with them all the time."
"Then perhaps we should help him?"Aeris suggested.
Conrad winced."I don't know if you want to do that... He threatened to
kill me if I followed him, you see..."
"Oh,"Aeris said flatly."That's not very nice of him. But then
again, he never WAS very nice..."
Neither of them spoke as they watched him fight. He was having a much easier
time than he had against the Zolom he had fought earlier that day.
The Zolom went down with only a couple of sword slashes. Conrad gulped when the
silver-haired man turned to look at them.
Aeris jumped off of the chocobo to greet Sephiroth, but he rudely pushed her
aside and drew his sword, aiming it at Conrad's face.
"I told you not to follow me,"he growled."Or else I would kill
you. Remember? So now I'm going to keep my promise."
"Stop it!"Aeris exclaimed."You are being ridiculous. Please let
us come with you. I promise I'll go back to Hojo after you're done whatever
you're doing."
"You're going to try to stop me, I know it,"Sephiroth said, turningt
o glare at her."You did last time."
Aeris gasped."You mean you're planning to summon Meteor again?!"
"It's what Mother wants,"he shrugged.
"...Then I promise I won't stop you,"Aeris said."And I promise
to do as you say during our journey. How does that sound?"
"Hmph. I guess you can come with me,"Sephiroth said finally."But
if you even so much as try anything suspicious, I'll kill you."
Aeris nodded."I understand. Thank you very much, sir."
"Just call me Sephiroth."
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
Chapter 7: Shipwrecked!
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
It was nearly
Aeris crossed her arms tightly over her chest in an attempt to conceal the fact
that her white shirt was no longer opaque, but instead translucent. She
realized that Sephiroth didn't care, but she still had her pride.
Sephiroth jumped off the chocobo. Aeris was a bit annoyed that he didn't offer
his hand to help her down, but she knew she couldn't expect even that courtesy
of him.
She instead climbed down herself. Her shoes made a squishing sound when they
hit the ground under her feet. She grimaced at the sensation of slimy socks
between her toes. She was desperate for a shower, or even a bath.
"Where are we going to stay?"she asked, a shiver in her
voice."There are no inn or hotels in Junon..."
"I know that,"Sephiroth said coolly."I never said we were stopping
here for the night, did I?"
"But.."
"Did I?"he said menacingly, turning to glare at her."We agreed
that you were to follow my orders when I let you tag along. Are you arguing
with me?"
"No..."Aeris said meekly."I'm sorry."
Sephiroth grunted and turned back to the town. He tugged on the chocobo's reins
and started walking down the street. Aeris followed behind a few paces away.
She was angry because Sephiroth wouldn't let them rest. She hadn't slept in two
days, and she was prepared to collapse. She had wanted to protest further, but
she knew if she did that then Sephiroth would most likely take action, quickly
and swiftly.
The houses along the crooked, knobbled street were dark; there were no
streetlamps to guide them. Aeris glanced up at Sephiroth and saw that his Mako
green eyes were glowing faintly in the dark.
She shivered. That was the sort of thing that would normally give her
nightmares.
"Where are we going?"
"To
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"I don't know,"Aeris sighed."What are you trying to do, anyway?
I don't understand your intentions."
"I already told you, I'm trying to summon Meteor,"Sephiroth growled.
Aeris bristled."Why would you want to do something so foolish? You failed
last time, don't you remember? Cloud will just come and kill you again. Do you
want that to happen?!"
"I don't see why you care,"Sephiroth muttered."Are you going to
try to stop me?"
"I'd do anything to save the Planet,"Aeris announced."Who else
can?"
"You'd even die for it?"
"Yes."
"That's stupid,"Sephiroth snarled."Where will you go? They
turned you away when you tried to go to the Promised Land. There's nowhere to
go!"
"How do you know...?"Aeris asked, in wonder.
"Because the same thing happened to me,"Sephiroth said."Because
I'm not a real Cetra. Because I was produced..."
"Sephiroth..."Aeris said softly.
She detected a hint of sadness in his voice. Her heart ached for him as she
looked up at the back of his head, slightly bowed in grief.
She reached out and lightly touched his arm. He flinched and jerked it away
from her.
"Don't touch me,"he snapped."Did I tell you that you could touch
me?"
"I'm sorry,"Aeris said.
"You say that too much. Stop it."
"...Alright..."
He continued down the street until they reached the elevator to
"Don't,"she said quietly."He's sleeping, he doesn't need to know
that we went up. Put that away."
Sephiroth glared at her for a moment before turning and cutting the guard's
head in half. Aeris gasped and turned her face away.
Sephiroth sheathed his sword and pulled the chocobo onto the elevator. Aeris
followed, feeling as if she wanted to throw up.
"That wasn't necessary,"she said stiffly as they rode up."You
shouldn't kill unless you need to."
"I kill for fun,"Sephiroth snapped."It isn't in your place to
tell me what to do. Shut up until I tell you otherwise."
Aeris bowed her head and looked at her hands, tears welling up in her eyes. Had
it been anyone else, she would have slapped him; but she was too afraid of him
to do anything like that.
The elevator stopped and they all piled out. There were no guards in this
hallway. Sephiroth turned to her.
"We're going to put on Shin-Ra uniforms and sneak onto the next
boat,"he said."Make sure you don't lose me."
"What about me?"Conrad asked."I certainly can't wear a
uniform!"
"You don't have to,"Sephiroth snapped."You'll be that Shin-Ra
brat's pet who's being sent over to Costa Del Sol to vacation."
"Vacation,"he repeated blankly."That is the stupidest thing I
have ever heard. Chocobos don't GO on vacation."
"They do now."
Sephiroth led them to the room at the end of the hall. He grabbed two uniforms
from the lockers and ordered Aeris to put hers on.
She reluctantly turned and went into the changing stall. She quickly discovered
how uncomfortable Shin-Ra uniforms were...
"Are you decent yet?"Sephiroth growled from the other side of the
door."We haven't got all day."
"I'm ready,"Aeris said, emerging from the stall."But this is the
most uncomfortable thing I've ever worn..."
"Wear it for ten years and you'll get used to it,"Sephiroth
muttered."Come on. The ship leaves in fifteen minutes."
They hurried from the changeroom and out to the streets of Junon. They were
empty except for a few drunks and hookers.
"Will we make it on time?"Aeris asked worriedly as they hurried to
the docks.
"Get on the chocobo,"Sephiroth ordered. He grabbed her around the
waist and hauled her onto Conrad's back befoe jumping on himself."Now
we'll make it."
Conrad galloped to the docks as quickly as he could. They arrived just in time
to see their ride pulling away.
"Jump!"Sephiroth roared.
"What?!"Conrad exclaimed."You must be crazy!"
"Do it!"
Conrad sighed and charged toward the edge of the docks. He launched himself
into the air, and a moment later, they found themselves safely on the deck of
the ship.
The silver chocobo collapsed from the exertion. Sephiroth quickly untangled
himself from the pile of Aeris and Conrad and stood up.
"We seem to have made it,"he said."I'll come and collect you
when we arrive at our destination."
He turned and went below deck. Aeris sighed and got to her feet, pulling Conrad
up with her.
"That was close,"he sighed as he flopped down next to the
rail."I thought we wouldn't make it! He's crazy, I tell you."
Aeris settled down next to the chocobo. She could hardly breathe under the
helmet covering her face, but she didn't dare take it off in case she was
discovered.
"Aeris?"Conrad said hesitantly.
"Yes?"
"What do you think of Sephiroth?"
Aeris looked down in puzzlement at the animal."Well, I don't know. What do
you mean?"
"What is your opinion of him?"
"Well..."Aeris sighed."He's certainly very strong and brave...
and I'll admit very handsome... but he's also cruel, evil... and life mans
nothing to him."
"I agree,"Conrad nodded."About the cruel and evil, I mean."
"But I pity him,"Aeris continued."He's sad because he's not
accepted. On the Planet, he was never accepted by Hojo. He was an experiment.
And he wasn't accepted into the Promised Land, either..."
"I see..."
"Let's not talk about him,"Aeris said, shaking her head."We have
to put up with him enough as it is. We don't need to talk about him while we
have some freedom, do we?"
"Why did you come along with us?"the chocobo asked."I find that
strange."
Aeris shivered."I'd rather be Sephiroth's slave than Hojo's lab rat."
"Oh..."Conrad said."I know Hojo. He's so mean."
Aeris looked confused."How do you know him? You've never been inside the
Shin-Ra building before..."
"Oh, uh..."Conrad stuttered, kicking himself for slipping
up."Some friends of mine told me what he's like. I just take their word
for it."
"I see,"Aeris said, but she looked a bit skeptical."I'm going to
go for a walk. I'll see you later."
The ship rocked as she was getting to her feet. She was sent sprawling to the
deck as the ship tilted sickeningly upward.
"What on earth...?"Aeris wondered, grabbing onto a ladder for supprt.
"Oh my GOD!"Conrad shrieked, nails scratching against the metal floor
of the boat as he backed up, away from the monster that was in the process of
eating the front of the ship."Aeris, be careful!!!"
"I'm trying!"Aeris exclaimed as a tentacle smacked the floor next to
her."Where's Sephiroth?!"
"What's HE going to do for us?"
"Kill the monster, maybe?!"
The boat rocked again. Aeris felt her hands slipping off the rung of the ladder
she was holding on to. If she let go, she would soon be the monster's lunch.
She closed her eyes and prayed that she would be alright.
"What are you two doing?!"a voice suddenly roared over the sound of
crashing waves, wailing monsters and screaming passengers."Why didn't you
abandon ship already?"
"Help me!"Aeris shouted.
The monster suddenly let go of the ship. Conrad was sent catapulting overboard.
Aeris shrieked and grabbed on to Sephiroth's arm as the ship straightened
itself once more. The monster roared.
"We have to fight it,"Sephiroth said.
"What?! It's far too strong!"
"Then you can join the chocobo!"Sephiroth snarled."If you're not
going to help me, then get out of my way!"
Aeris backed up a few paces. Sephiroth was already hacking away at the beast.
She didn't know what to do. It had been the longest time since she had fought,
and she wasn't sure she could anymore. She didn't want to get in Sephiroth's
way.
She ran into something hard. She turned to discover that she had backed into
the railing of the ship. Looking down, she saw that Conrad was trying
desperately to stay afloat amid the sailors who had mistaken him for a life
preserver.
"Cetra!"
Aeris looked up to find that Sephiroth was glaring at her, his hand
outstretched. It appeared that his sword had been devoured by the monster, who
was now in the process of inhaling a smokestack.
"Cetra!"Sephiroth repeated."Come here!"
Aeris reached out and took his hand. He started pulling her over to the other
side of the ship. She restisted.
"What about Conrad?"she shouted.
"We'll find him after!"Sephiroth roared, trying to make his voice
heard."He's a bird, he doesn't matter. A bird of his sort should be able
to-!"
He suddenly lunged at her and knocked her to the floor as a giant tentacle
unhinged a door next to where she had been standing.
They rolled to a stop against a pile of drenched boxes. Aeris felt suddenly
very nauseous when she heard her elbow crack. Sephiroth's knee was digging in
to her side as he tried to get to his feet.
"Get up, Cetra,"he said, grabbing her bad arm. This caused her vision
to darken, almost knocking her out of consciousness."I said, get up, can't
you hear?"
"My arm,"Aeris groaned.
"Oh, for the love of..."
She was unexpectedly lifted into the air and hoisted over his shoulder. The
world was starting to swirl around her. The monster was quite visible,
upside-down of course, and it seemed to be happily devouring the captain of the
ship.
Her head knocked against the rail of the ship as Sephiroth jumped overboard.
She was suddenly plunged into freezing cold water; it went in her mouth, her
nose, her ears.
A few moments later, she was pulled back up to the surface, cradled carefully
in Sephiroth's arms. Conrad was bobbing next to them, a disgruntled look
plastered on his damp face.
"Is she alright?"his voice said, rather distant to Aeris'
ears."What happened to her?"
"I accidentally broke her arm,"Sephiroth said.
"Oh, good job,"Conrad said sarcastically."I don't suppose you're
trying to kill her?"
"It was an accident."
She jumped when the ship exploded. The demon shrieked as it caught fire. It hit
the water with a resounding splash, causing a giant tidal wave.
"Holy sh-"
Conrad's voice was cut off as the wave crashed over their heads. Sephiroth
tucked her head safely in the crook of his arm, instructing her to hold her
breath. Her had was forced back under the water again; she lost all
consciousness.
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
Sephiroth waded onto the beach of a tiny island. His arms were still wrapped
tightly around Aeris, though she was unconscious. Conrad was lying on the sand
a few feet away, his tongue hanging unceremoniously out of his mouth.
He fell to his knees on the sand. Aeris rolled away from him, her damp body
sprinkled with silt.
"Is she still alive?"Panted Conrad, who still hadn't opened his eyes.
"She's fine."
"So, like... where are we?"
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
Chapter 8: Locals
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
"Are you sure she's still alive?"
"I said she's fine! Now close your beak, or so help me God I'll make
you."
The voices seemed to be far away. Something grainy irritated the backs of her
bare arms and legs. Her head felt heavy, as if many bricks had taken the place
of her brain. The sun was hot on her skin.
"She's been unconscious for four hours-"
"I am aware of that. Now what did I tell you about shutting up?"
She moved her arms slightly. Her eyes fluttered open as they met something
heavy. Something heavy and black. Sephiroth's cloak. He had put it over her as
a blanket.
"Where are we?"
"How am I supposed to know?"
"You're the leader, so I naturally assumed-"
Aeris sat up suddenly. She had been lying on a beach. The sleeve of her shirt
had been torn and her arm was tied up with half of Sephiroth's left pant leg.
He and Conrad were sitting a few feet away from her. Sephiroth seemed to be
making an attempt at lighting a fire, to no avail, while Conrad just looked
plain bored. His normally smooth feathers looked a bit ruffled at the moment.
"Ungh,"Aeris grunted."Where are we?"
"I told you she wasn't dead,"Sephiroth muttered.
Conrad looked relieved."We actually don't know where we are. But forget
that- are you okay?"
"Never been better,"said Aeris dryly."Is this place even on the
Planet?"
"Of course it is,"said Sephiroth."We were merely shipwrecked. On
an island, typically. I naturally assume that some barbarians are going to come
charging out of the jungle wearing loincloths and wielding spears."
No such thing happened, but a bush behind Aeris shivered, causing her to jump.
"They will insist that the Cetra be their queen,"Sephiroth
continued."They will make me their slave, and the chocobo will be made
into stew."
There was silence. Conrad looked a bit annoyed.
"Bull,"he snapped."Loincloths went out of fashion years
ago."
"Who said these people are fashionable?"
"That's enough!"Aeris exclaimed shrilly."Wait till we're off
this island to tell weird and disturbing tales."
Sephiroth smirked."As you wish."
Silence reigned once again. Aeris shivered and pulled her knees up to her chest
to keep out the cold. Sephiroth continued to make unsuccessful attempts at
lighting a fire.
She glanced around. The beach was deserted, with the exception of a few crabs,
some of them dead. A dark jungle lay behind them. No sound came from within.
She wondered how they were going to get off the island. She looked around, and
saw nothing but miles of blue ocean; they had nothing with which to cut down a
tree, and she was sure she wasn't strong enough to swim to shore.
She sighed and pulled her knees tighter against her chest. She was not looking
forward to being stranded on an island with Sephiroth and an extremely
irritable Conrad, with no food, weapons or means of communication.
"How are we getting out of here?"she asked finally.
Sephiroth shrugged."We might never get off this island. We might die here.
If it's meant to happen, it'll happen."
"Aren't you a ray of sunshine?"Conrad snapped.
"He's always been that way,"Aeris hissed."There's nothing he can
do about it, it's in his nature."
"That's not true, you know it,"Sephiroth said quietly.
Aeris heard Conrad mutter something about going for a walk, and left the two of
them alone.
"Don't I?"Aeris shot back."How many people have you killed in
the past five years? Thousands, probably. And you had no reason to, they were
just innocent by-standers. They didn't know what was going on, and you killed
them. That's the most cowardly thing I've ever witnessed."
"Shut your mouth, Cetra,"Sephiroth said in a dangerous
whisper."You don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes I do!"Aeris said angrily."I know what kinds of evil things
you've done! You killed Cloud's and Tifa's parents! You burned Kalm down! You
killed ME!"
"I said shut up!"Sephiroth roared.
"Make me!"Aeris screamed back.
In one swift motion, before she knew what was happening, Sephiroth was upon
her. Aeris' heart somersaulted in fear, wishing she had kept her mouth shut
after all; but instead of hurting her, he caught her behind the head and
lowered his face to hers.
Aeris' eyes widened when Sephiroth's lips clamped down upon hers. Immediately,
she started beating her fists against his chest, but he just laughed against
her mouth and crushed her closer against him.
Her broken arm was causing her immense pain, since it was crushed under
Sephiroth's elbow, and the fact that he was running his tongue across her lips
wasn't helping either. She was so repulsed she wanted to puke.
The gods must have been in a compassionate mood, because Sephiroth decided to
let go of her at that moment. Aeris scrambled backward, clutching her aching
arm against her, wiping her lips on the back of her hand; Sephiroth smirked and
spat on the ground, simply saying:
"You're too innocent... not worth it."
Aeris flushed."What?! If you EVER do that again, I will KILL you!"
Sephiroth smirked again."Don't worry, I'm not going to waste my time
trying to seduce you. You're too willing."
"I beg your pardon?"Aeris said, bristling."As if I'd ever
copulate with YOU!"
She would have said more, but Conrad returned at that moment. To Aeris' immense
disquiet, his feathers seemed ruffled and he wore a panicked look on his face.
"What happened?"she said immediately.
"There are these... THINGS in the jungle!"he said wildly."Come
on, we have to get out of here, they're really dangerous looking!"
"Calm down,"Sephiroth growled."What did they look like?"
"They were red, they breathed fire and they have really long
fangs!"Conrad roared."Not a nice combination! Now, let's GO!"
"Go WHERE?"Sephiroth snapped."Unless you think running into the
ocean is a fine idea, it'll only slow us down. We're going to try to fight them
off."
"You mean YOU'RE going to try to fight them,"Aeris corrected."I
don't have any weapons or materia."
"Oh, for Christ's sake,"Sephiroth said angrily. He grabbed a bangle
off his wrist and attached it to hers."You have the cure and poison
materia. I want them back when you're done with them."
"Like I'd want anything of yours,"Aeris snapped.
Conrad looked politely puzzled for a moment, but his attention was diverted
when several odd-looking creatures burst out of the jungle.
She started to run. Sephiroth and Conrad immediately followed her, though they
soon bypassed her. She glanced behind her shoulder; several of the creatures
were directly behind her. She cast Bio over her shoulder and they fell back.
"We can't run forever!"Conrad roared at them."We're gonna get
tired and they're gonna - AERIS!!!"
She had just tripped over a tree root and fallen into the sand. The next
moment, one of the beasts had jumped on her and was pulling on her hair. Her
broken arm was folded uncomfortably under her; but just when she thought it was
the end for her, a blast of fire knocked the creature off her. A pair of strong
arms wrapped themselves around her and lifted her into the air; the next moment
she was on Conrad's back, facing the wrong way, and Sephiroth mounted him as
well, facing her.
"Are you okay?"he asked, inspecting the arm.
Aeris was quite surprised when she was suddenly lifted in the air; Conrad was
flying! She wasn't in the mood to ponder this, though, as Sephiroth cast Cure
on her arm. She suddenly felt very drowsy, but she couldn't feel the pain in
her arm anymore. She leaned forward and rested her head on Sephiroth's chest,
though he didn't seem to mind; within the next few minutes she was asleep.
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
When Aeris next awoke, she found herself lying on a cot in a clinic. Nobody was
in the room except Conrad, who was lying on the floor next to her bed, fast
asleep.
She sat up. Her arm felt much better now. She supposed she must have been
asleep for quite some time. Sun was shining through the window. It seemed to be
morning.
Conrad awoke with a snort as she slipped out of bed. He looked a bit relieved
to see that she was okay, and nuzzled her gently on her good arm.
"Where's Sephiroth?"she asked.
Conrad shrugged."He's a free spirit, he does whatever he wants. I'm pretty
sure he wouldn't leave you here alone, though. Want to go look for him?"
"Sounds good,"Aeris said, smiling.
They left the clinic together. The small resort town of Mideel had been
rebuilt, not quite the same as it had ever been, but just as beautiful. The
town seemed to be alive that morning; there didn't seem to be anywhere on the
streets void of people.
Conrad nudged her to get her to start walking. She had to squeeze through the
throng of people to get to the sidewalk, made of boards, on the other side. Her
shoes made a slight clunking sound as she walked on them.
"I need new clothes,"she commented."I'm going to stop in a store
and get some. Can you keep an eye out for Sephiroth?"
Conrad nodded before, seemingly, being swallowed by the crowd. Aeris turned and
walked into the clothes store. It didn't take her long to find her new outfit:
a pink sleeveless shirt and brown short shorts.
After paying her fee of 600 Gil, she went outside. Conrad was waiting outside.
"I found him,"he said."In the cafe. He's acting kind of
weird."
"Weird?"said Aeris questioningly as Conrad nipped her amr and led her
off."He usually acts weird, though."
"No, he's acting weirder than usual,"Conrad said."Like, he's in
a trance or something."
They walked through the cafe doors. Aeris immediately spotted Sephiroth sitting
at a booth in back, a glass of water between his hands. His eyes were wide and
seemed to be misted over.
Aeris sat down across from him."Are you okay?"
Sephiroth looked up, as if noticing her for the first time.
"Mother says Hojo is angry,"he said. His voice and hands were
shaking."She says I should turn back and do what Hojo tells me. She says
everything will be easier that way."
"What?"
"I don't want to go,"Sephiroth said."I don't want to go!"
The glass he had been holding exploded from the strength he had been exerting
on it. Pieces of shattered glass dug into his skin, but he only looked down at
it unseeingly, and laughed hollowly.
The rest of the customers were staring at them as if they had just landed from
Mars. Aeris turned to look at Sephiroth, who was staring at his bleeding hands
with an expression not unlike awe.
"You don't have to go back if you don't want to,"Aeris said
soothingly."I don't want to go back either."
Sephiroth stared at his hands; blood was running in rivulets down his pale,
slender hands. He acted as though he hadn't even heard her.
He started to laugh. The customers had begun to ogle them again, many of them
whispering to each other. Sephiroth didn't seem to notice, and his sinister
laughter swelled to a roar. Customers were starting to leave.
"Sephiroth,"Aeris said sharply."Get a hold of yourself. Do you
want to be kicked out?"
"You don't know what Hojo wants to do with you, do you?"Sephiroth
said.
"No,"Aeris said, intrigued."What do you know?"
"I can't say,"Sephiroth said, picking glass out of his
hands."It's a secret. But it's very funny!"
He started to laugh anew. Conrad was uncharacteristically silent. Aeris glanced
at him, but he was staring mournfully at the floor.
"You won't say because you don't know,"Aeris sniffed.
Sephiroth's eyes flashed."I do know what his plans are."
"Then why won't you say?"Aeris snapped.
"Fine, you really want to know?"Sephiroth asked, leaning across the
table to stare at her."He plans to mate us, to make an Ancient that is
capable of living for more than a hundred years."
"What?"Aeris gasped."You- you wouldn't go ALONG with it?!"
"Yes I would,"Sephiroth said, eyes flashing."If it's to get something
I need. In this case, my Masamune. But Mother said that I didn't need the
Masamune to take care of summoning Meteor. And now she's saying that I have to
go back and be Hojo's guinea pig?! Well, you know what?!"he knocked his
chair over in his haste to get up."Mother can just go to Hell!"
Aeris stared up at him in shock. He was scarier than usual when he was angry.
"Let's just go,"Aeris sighed.
"Where?"Sephiroth snapped."Not back to Midgar."
"No, to wherever you wee intending to go in the first place,"Aeris
said."Let's go there. I just want to get this over with so I can go
home."
"Who has the Black Materia?"Sephiroth asked.
Aeris' eyes narrowed."Why would I tell you?"
"Tell me, or the chocobo dies,"Sephiroth snarled. He shoved the chair
aside and stomped over to Conrad.
"Don't be ridiculous, you don't have a weapon,"Aeris said.
"Fire-!"
Conrad made an exclamation of fear. He tried to wriggle free, but Sephiroth
held him around the neck and pointed his finger at the chocobo's temple.
"I'm waiting,"he said impatiently.
Aeris stared at him for a moment, thinking of how to get out of the situation
without Conrad losing his life. And she couldn't come up with one.
Then she thought about lying, but if she did that, then Sephiroth would find
out and kill her. She looked away and said in a quiet voice:
"Cloud has it."
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@