To Love A One Winged Angel
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Chapter 9:
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"Look, Hojo, when is he coming back?"
"Child, I can't simply call him up and tell him to get back
here,"Hojo snapped."Even if you are President Shin-Ra. You don't
understand how he works."
"Why can't you call him up?"
"He doesn't, actually,"Hojo said."He does what he wants, and
listens to nobody. Even I, his father. He is quite reluctant to go along with
my plan. I'm not even sure how he found out about it. Perhaps Jenova told him
of it."
"Jenova?"
"His mother,"Hojo said."Not his real mother, of course, but the
one who controls him through his blood. He has the blood of Jenova, an Ancient
who was discovered many years ago. He can live for many years more than a
normal person."
"It also makes him go insane, doesn't it?"
"You're rather quick about things,"Hojo said.
"Of course,"
"That is all that's going for him, aside from his strength,"Hojo muttered."He's
as cruel as anything. He's even more terrifying than a Ruby Dragon."
"Tell me, Hojo,"
"He hasn't got time for women,"Hojo said."And even if you, he
and she were the only ones left on this Planet and had to repopulate, he'd
choose her and not you. That is, if he even chose to choose one of you."
"Are you REALLY going to mate them, Hojo?"
"I'm fairly certain he doesn't WANT to have his way with her,"Hojo
grinned."But I'll make him. He does want his Masamune back after all, and
I'm sure he'll do anything for it. Ahhh, I am so evil."
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"Who is this Aurora Shin-Ra?"Aeris asked as the trio were flying over
the ocean."Don't tell me she's the newest President? I thought Rufus was
the last one?"
"Apparently Rufus and some woman who was working with the Turks got a
little busy one day after work,"Sephiroth said."Then this woman - I
believe her name was Kalena? - got pregnant, and Rufus was forced to marry her.
They kept it all hushed up, of course."
"I see... This must have been some time before Rufus became
President,"Aeris said.
"Probably."
"She's declaring war on AVALANCHE..."Aeris murmured, scanning the
rest of the article."Why would she do such a thing? How does she know they
even exist?"
"Because they killed her father,"Sephiroth said."From what I've
heard, it was all over the news. I wasn't quite dead at the time, so I was able
to gather some information."
"But I was part of AVALANCHE,"Aeris said."I might hinder your
journey by being with you."
Sephiroth didn't answer. He stared down at the back of her somewhat dishevelled
braid, thinking about how he would feel if he dropped her into the ocean right
now to rid himself of her. Then, with a jolt, he realized how lonely he'd be
without her OR the chocobo. He had never really thought about it before, but
they did care about them; and he had always treated them like dirt.
But that wasn't his fault. He was used to treating people that way, as though
he were superior to them - which he was, but only in power.
"She wouldn't attack you if I'm with you,"he said finally."She's
in love with me, you know."
"...I'm surprised,"Aeris said slowly.
"Of course, you probably can't believe that anyone could lo-"
"No, not that,"Aeris said, shaking her head."I would have
thought that you would've dumped me in the ocean after finding out about the
war declaration. You know that I was part of AVALANCHE, and I helped to destroy
her family."
"You're coming in useful anyway,"Sephuroth growled."It's not as
if I CARE about what happens to you, so just don't question me or I'll be
forced to dispose of you."
"Geez, and I thought you were finally being nice. Listen, can we visit
this Kalena's house? I'd really like to find out more about her daughter. We
might be able to stop her before she hurts anyone - or before Cloud or the
others hurt her."
"You don't know how much I want to throttle that brat,"Sephiroth
said."So annoying and clingy. And no, we can't go visit her, we have to
find Cloud and the Black Materia."
"I'm jumping off the chocobo if you don't take me to visit
Kalena,"Aeris threatened."And I know where Cloud is. Without me, you
can't find him."
"I don't care if you jump off,"Sephiroth sniffed."I'll find
Cloud on my own."
"Fine, then."
Aeris swung her leg over the side of the chocobo so that she was looking down
into the ocean. She started to slide off the edge before Sephiroth grabbed her
arm in a tight grip.
"What are you doing?"he snapped."Get the hell back on the
chocobo."
"Take me to Kalena,"Aeris ordered."I want to see her NOW."
"You're acting like a spoiled child,"Sephiroth snapped.
"I suppose I've been hanging around you for too long, then,"Aeris
retorted."Your antics are starting to wear off on me. I'm not telling you
where Cloud is unless you take me to Kalena first."
Sephiroth's face was redenning angrily, but he seemed to give in finally.
"Chocobo!"he roared.
"I have a name, you know,"griped Conrad."But yes, what do you
want?"
"Do you know of Kalena Shin-Ra?"
"Oh, sure!"Conrad exclaimed."She lives in Nibelheim. I can take
you there, if you want."
"Cloud and Tifa live in Nibelheim too,"Aeris said."So we can
visit them at the same time. And Sephiroth, please don't kill Cloud or Tifa. Or
ANYONE, for that matter. Do you promise to behave?"
"...Fine."
"Great!"Aeris exclaimed."Conrad, take us to Nibelheim!"
They rode in silence for the rest of the trip. Sephiroth was busy staring into
space, while Aeris was busy thinking about Aurora and Sephiroth.
She was angry at herself because she had been jealous when Sephiroth had told
her of Aurora's affections. How could she possibly let herself fall for that
rude, ignorant, cruel - but terribly handsome - blockhead? She wanted to punch
him for making her feel that way about him.
"We're here!"Conrad exclaimed several moments later.
They had landed just outside Nibelheim. Sephiroth hopped off onto the grass.
Aeris followed, brushing invisible dirt off her shorts.
"You remember what I told you, right? No-"
"Killing anyone, I got it,"Sephiroth snapped, rolling his
eyes."I thought I was the one in charge, though."
They walked into the town. The streets were almost totally empty, as usual;
Aeris had never liked Nibelheim very much. It was too deserted for her.
Conrad nipped her on the wrist and hurried down the street. Aeris and Sephiroth
followed him. They soon arrived at a small house. Sephiroth snorted at the
colourful flowers that lined the path which led to the front door.
Aeris walked up the path and knocked on the door. A few moments later, a small
red-haired woman answered it. She peered out at her suspiciously.
"What do you want?"she demanded."I don't think I've ever seen
you before. Go away!"
Sephiroth pushed the door open wider and stepped up next to Aeris. The woman
shrunk even more and stared up at him with wide green eyes.
"G-General Sephiroth!"she exclaimed."I didn't know you were with
this girl. My apologies, my apologies! Please, come in."
She hurried back inside the house. Aeris looked up at Sephiroth and gave him a
small smile. He didn't smile back, and brushed past her into the house. She
turned back to Conrad.
"You wait here, okay?"
"Oh, fine,"Conrad grumbled.
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Aeris hurried into the house after Sephiroth. She found him peering out a
window in the sitting room. A moment later, the red-haired woman bustled into
the room with them, carrying three teacups on a tray.
"Please, have a seat,"she said hospitably."What will you take
with your tea?"
"I'll pa-"Sephiroth started, but Aeris shoved a teacup in his hand
before he could say more."Fine, I guess I won't..."
"It is quite an honour to have you in my home, General,"the woman
said."My daughter talks about you quite often, and though I have seen you
before, I never thought I would get to actually meet you! And who is this young
woman with you?"
"My name is Aeris Gainsborough,"said Aeris."I'm pleased to meet
you, Mrs. Shin-Ra."
"Please don't call me that,"said Kalena."I'm no longer married
to Rufus. Just call me by my first name. Now, is there any reason you came to
visit? I'm sure you didn't stop by just to make small talk."
"We want to know everything about your daughter you can tell
us,"Sephiroth growled.
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"She is after AVALANCHE for the death of her father,"Aeris
explained."The people of AVALANCHE are my friends. I don't want to see
them get hurt, and I certainly don't want to see them hurt your daughter."
"I see,"Kalena said softly."I must say, I don't approve of what
my daughter is doing, but I don't know very much about how she's going about this
war of hers."
"What WE know is that she has a whole army backing her,"said
Sephiroth. He set his tea aside."I'm not saying I care whether or not
Aurora kills Strife, but this Cetra here is the only way I can get my hands on
the Masamune again. So I must stress that you need to tell me everything you
know."
Kalena sighed."When Rufus died... Aurora was extremely upset. The two of
them had been very close. Aurora was quite young when it happened, but she said
she would have revenge. I thought she was only playing, but..."
"Yes?"
"She's only nine years old,"Sephiroth said."I don't understand
how she got a whole army and even Hojo to work for her. Even respect, possibly
FEAR her. She's not even afraid of me."
"I don't understand it either..."Kalena murmured."I don't know
how to get her to stop this. I understand she already bombed North Corel. I
heard one member of AVALANCHE resided there."
"Barret..."Aeris murmured."Do you know what happened to him? Is
he still alive?"
"Perhaps,"Kalena shrugged."I doubt it, though. There were no
survivors, except for one man. He had a gun grafted onto his arm, I believe.
They aren't sure who he is; he has amnesia."
"That sounds like him!"Aeris exclaimed."Barret had a gun grafted
onto his arm!"
"That's not what we came here for!"Sephiroth barked."Kalena, we
have pressing business to attend to. I must ask that you tell us what you know,
immediately."
"I don't know anything else!"
Aeris glared at Sephiroth."Thank you, Kalena. You'll have to forgive
Sephiroth, he can be quite rude at times."
"That's all right,"Kalena said."I'm sorry I couldn't help
you."
Aeris and Sephiroth got up to leave.
"Please, don't hurt my daughter,"Kalena said before they
left."She doesn't know what she's doing."
"Don't worry,"said Sephiroth."I'm not the one who has to take
care of her. That's up to Strife. Let's go, Ancient."
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Aeris splashed some cold water from the well outside Kalena's house on her
face. Conrad was lying down next to her; Sephiroth was leaning against the
fence and looking bored.
"Can we go see Strife yet?"he said impatiently."I haven't got
all day."
Aeris stood up straight and looked at him."Fine, fine, we'll go now. I've
never met anyone as impatient as you."
"I guess it's a good thing,"Conrad muttered."I hope you two
don't need a ride, 'cause my back is killing me! Did I ever mention that you
two weigh a ton?"
"Perhaps you're just weak,"Sephiroth snapped."The Cetra is so
tiny, she probably only weighs a gram."
"Why won't you call me by my first name?"Aeris demanded."I hate
being referred to as `Ancient' or `Cetra'. It's like I'm diseased or
something!"
"I don't care what your name is!"Sephiroth spat."You don't mean
anything to me. You're just here because you're a pushy brat."
Aeris glared at him, but said nothing. She had no comeback for a remark like
that. She bit her lip and looked away instead.
Conrad looked from one to the other."You two are like an old married
couple or something! Geez!"
"And if you don't shut up soon, you're going to be meat for the
dogs!"Sephiroth roared."Just shut up, both of you! You're giving me a
headache."
They walked in silence until they reached Cloud's house. Aeris was disturbed to
find that the door was open. She gasped and ran inside.
There was nothing out of place inside the house. It didn't appear as though
there had been a struggle. But Cloud and Tifa were nowhere to be seen.
"Where are they?"Sephiroth demanded."You said they'd be here. Is
it possible that you LIED to me?!"
"No, I didn't!"Aeris said hastily."I really did think they would
be here. I'm sorry. They probably found out about Aurora and went to find
shelter somewhere safe."
"Do you have any idea where they might be?"
Aeris thought for a moment."Well... I can't ask Barret, I don't even know
where he is... Cait Sith is probably gone too, after all the Gold Saucer is
near Corel... Red XIII is busy in Cosmo Canyon, I think; I never really found
out where he went... Yuffie and Vincent just disappeared. I guess that leaves
Cid. Maybe Tifa and Cloud went there? After all, he does have the
airship..."
"Good,"Sephiroth said.
"So that means we're going to Rocket Town,"Aeris said."It's not
very far from here. We should be able to make it in no time."
Conrad groaned."This totally sucks! Can't you two walk?!"
"No!"Sephiroth snapped."Do you know how far it is to walk? We'd
have to go through Mt. Nibel. It could take days to get to the end."
"I don't think so,"Aeris said."I think we should give Conrad a
break. He's been carting us around for the past few days non-stop."
"Does it look like I care?"Sephiroth spat."If you don't stop
ordering me around, I'm telling you I'll-"
"Kill me?"Aeris snapped, eyes flashing."Go ahead, see if I care.
But first let me tell you that you should stop being such a jerk! I know the
rest of us are dirt compared to you, but we have feelings too! More than you
have, at least, because you don't seem to feel anything at all."
Sephiroth growled in frustration, but said nothing.
"Are we done arguing now?"Aeris asked, still angry."Because we
have places to go and people to see, and we've wasted enough time already.
We're walking to Rocket Town, and that's final. Conrad deserves a break."
"Alright, fine!"Sephiroth snapped."But this is the last time I
take orders from you. If you so much as try to tell me what to do ever again, I
promise I will kill you. Do you understand?"
"Yes,"Aeris said quietly.
"Okay, if we're done, let's go,"Conrad said, feeling a bit
uncomfortable.
He walked off in the direction of Mt. Nibel. Sephiroth glared at Aeris for
another moment before following the chocobo. Aeris bit her lip, and several
moments later, set off as well.
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Chapter 10: Choco-napped
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Sephiroth was in a bad mood as they made their way through Mt. Nibel. Three
times already he had had to save the Cetra and the chocobo from monsters. His
arm had been mangled by a particularly vicious one.
He stared angrily at the back of the Cetra's head. He mentally kicked himself
for letting her talk him into this. Was he weak? How many times had he followed
her orders since she had joined up with him?
Never again, he had resolved. He was NOT going to let her treat him like a
child. HE was the boss. SHE was at his mercy. Not the other way around.
"How much longer until we get out of this place?"Conrad asked.
"We have only been travelling for an hour,"Sephiroth growled."We
have barely begun our journey through these
peaks."
"This is so not fun,"Conrad whined.
"It's your own damn fault,"Sephiroth snarled."If you had just
agreed to fly us to Rocket Town, we wouldn't have been stuck here."
"You don't need to argue,"Aeris said, looking at each of
them."Besides, you could both use some exercise. Maybe it's just my
imagination, but you seem to be gaining a little weight there, Sephy."
"Weight?"Sephiroth said angrily."Sephy?! Listen, Cetra, I don't
have any nicknames. I will not tolerate being called 'Sephy'. Do you
understand? And I have not gained weight."
"Don't have heart failure or anything,"Aeris muttered."I was
just saying..."
"Well, I don't want to hear you talk!"Sephiroth snapped."Just
shut up and walk, both of you."
He waited until they had both turned away before looking down. He bit his lip
and pinched the skin of his abdomen to make sure what Aeris had said wasn't
true.
They walked in silence for several more minutes. He became even more sullen.
They hadn't even reached the Mako fountain yet. They could have been in Rocket
Town by now if the blasted chocobo had just agreed to transport them there!
That was the reason he was with them, after all.
He scowled again and contented himself with observing the landscape. He found
it a bit strange that there weren't as many monsters around as usual. To him it
meant that there was something much worse than monsters in store for them. But
he couldn't figure out what.
He looked back up at the Ancient. She was talking quietly with the chocobo,
obviously not wanting him to hear. He grunted and looked away again.
"Cetra,"he said."Be on your guard. Something doesn't feel
right."
She turned her attention from the chocobo to him. Her green eyes were
questioning as she slowed down to walk next to him.
"What do you mean?"she asked."Everything seems normal to
me..."
"Well, it doesn't to me!"Sephiroth snapped."You will do as I
say! I only took you along with me because you said you could be useful, but
all you've been doing is bossing me around."
"Sorry,"Aeris muttered."I didn't mean to offend you,
lordship..."
Sephiroth grabbed her arm rather roughly, intending to reprimand her; but he
quickly let go when her face contorted in pain. She stumbled away from him,
holding her arm against her chest.
"Ow!"she hissed, eyes blazing."What are you doing, you idiot?!
You know that's my bad arm!"
Sephiroth's eyes flashed."Oh, idiot, am I? I guess if I'm an idiot, then
you don't need me! You've wasted enough of my time!"
He pushed his way past her and the chocobo, who had stopped upon hearing their
argument.
"Where are you going?!"Aeris cried.
"To get the Black Materia,"Sephiroth barked over his
shoulder."You can find your way out on your own!"
"You can't be serious!"Conrad yelled."We're gonna die if you
leave us like this!"
"I don't care!"Sephiroth roared back.
He started running, hearing them calling for him to come back, but it wasn't as
if he cared. He was through with them. He would find the Black Materia without
them and summon Meteor as Mother wished.
Soon, their loud protests and exclamations of fury had died down, and he
collapsed on a large rock, trying to catch his breath. He slid to the ground,
gripping his hair between his fingers, and wondering whether or not he had done
the right thing.
They would be completely helpless without him, and though he tried to make
himself believe he didn't care about them, he knew this was not true. He missed
their company already; the chocobo's raw humour, and the Cetra's kindness and
beauty.
He mentally kicked himself for being so soft and weak. He would be better off
without them. He hated them for so deviously worming their way into his heart.
He punched the rock he was leaning on. It shattered, and fragments of stone
went flying in every direction. He wanted to continue on, but he wanted to go
back as well.
It was the sound of a woman screaming his name that made up his mind. He swore
in a way that would make Cid proud, and hurried back the way he had come from.
The Cetra was still screaming.
He skidded into the cavern he had left them in. The Cetra was lying on the
ground, clutching her arm and looking delirious, and two large beasts had the
chocobo. Their eyes fell on Sephiroth when he appeared.
"If you want the chocobo back, come to Midgar,"one of them
said."Hojo will be waiting for you. And he wants BOTH of you, or the
chocobo dies."
"Wait a minute!"Sephiroth roared, starting to cast
Fire."Cowards! Can't you fight like men?!"
They turned and started to run off. Conrad was staring at him in terror. He
very much wanted to go and help him, but the opponents were too fast, and the
chocobo didn't seem to be in any immediate danger.
He turned and went to her. Her eyes were half open, and they were glazed over
as she looked up at him.
"Cetra, what happened?"he demanded roughly, supporting her head on
his arm."Who were those people?"
"They... they took Conrad..."Aeris said weakly."Sephiroth, we
have to help him..."
"I know,"Sephiroth replied."Are you okay? Did they hurt
you?"
His eyes fell on the dart in her thigh. His eyes widened, and he tore it out,
causing her to cry out in pain. He studied it for a moment, then threw it away.
"It's poison,"he growled."Can you walk? We have to get you
somewhere so you can be taken care of."
Aeris shook her head and pushed his arm away."I feel so sick..."
She raised herself on one elbow and leaned over. Sephiroth frowned and
supported her, holding her hair back from her face. He had never much liked the
sight of people being sick; this was no exception.
After a moment, Aeris collapsed back onto his shoulder. Sephiroth felt her
forehead; it was burning hot.
"Cetra,"he said."I need you to help me. I can't carry you all
the way to Rocket Town."
There was no reply.
"Cetra!"he barked, hoping he could get through to her with force; it
wasn't working."Cetra! Would you listen to me for Christ's sake?!"
He could see that she wasn't listening. He sighed and turned her so she was
facing him. Her eyes still seemed glazed over, but she could see him all the
same. He stared at her for a moment before finally speaking.
"Aeris..."he said softly."You're going to die! Please, just try
to walk. If you really can't do it... then I'll carry you."
Aeris' eyes were wide."You called me by my first name,"she said in
awe."I didn't know you knew it... and... and you said `please'..."
"I don't care about that right now!"he growled in
frustration."Just get up."
He helped her to her feet, but as soon as she was on them, she collapsed
against him. She sighed and sunk down; Sephiroth had to hold her up.
"Just go on without me,"she said in defeat."I'll only hold you
down."
"Listen to me,"Sephiroth snapped."If I were in your place, I
know you wouldn't leave me, so I'm not going to leave you. Besides, I need your
help to save Conrad. They're going to kill him."
"Can't you just go by yourself?"
"No!"Sephiroth roared."Hojo wants the both of us. You need to
live."
"I don't care anymore..."
"So you don't care about your friend's life?"Sephiroth demanded, eyes
flashing."Don't you think that's a bit selfish?"
"You're one to talk about selfishness..."
Sephiroth growled."I'm not going to argue. Let's go."
He slung Aeris' arm over his shoulder and helped her walk along the path. It
was a slow going, and eventually Sephiroth had to put her over his shoulder.
They ran into very few creatures, and were soon out in the open air.
Sephiroth set Aeris down on the ground and inspected her leg. The wound where
the dart had been was tinged with green. Sephiroth wrinkled his nose and felt
her cheek with the back of his hand.
"We have to camp out here tonight,"he said."It's getting late.
Besides you need your sleep."
"I can't sleep,"said Aeris, shaking her head."I'm tired, yes,
but sleep won't come to me."
"Are you suggesting that we continue?"
"No. I can't go on either."
"You're very helpful,"Sephiroth snarled."If you're dead by
morning, don't blame me. I'm going to find some wood, so make sure you don't go
anywhere. If you get attacked, just scream."
Aeris nodded and watched Sephiroth head off into the woods a few yards to her
left. Soon he was a shadow in the darkness, and she turned her head the
opposite direction. She couldn't see Rocket Town.
She felt tired, so very tired. Her head spinned a bit, just enough to be
noticeable, and the poisoned leg was numb. Her broken arm burned unbearably; it
should have almost healed by now, but since it had been bumped and jerked so
often it hadn't healed at all.
Her thoughts turned to Conrad. She wondered where he was, and if he was okay.
What could Hojo possibly want with her and Sephiroth? Her head hurt, and she
could find no answers to these questions. She closed her eyes and listened for
Sephiroth's returning footsteps.
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Cid swiveled around in his chair to face Tifa and Cloud. He took a puff of his
cigarette and exhaled, scrutinizing the two. They looked like hell; Cloud's
spiky hair was drooping slightly, and Tifa... well, Tifa was knocked up and a
scratch on her cheek was bleeding.
"Why the hell do you want to go to the hospital?"he asked
finally."I don't think your baby's due for another few months, Tifa."
"It's because of Barret,"Tifa snapped."We originally were coming
here because we wanted to tell you about Shin-Ra, but we found out that
Barret's in the hospital. We wanted to go visit him."
Cid leaned across the table and peered at the two of them.
"What about Shin-Ra?"
Tifa glanced at Cloud."Shin-Ra is back in power. They have an army and
everything. They bombed North Corel, and Barret got hurt."
"Damn,"Cid growled."They gotta have a pretty powerul leader, I'm
guessing. You know his name?"
"It's actually a she,"Cloud said quietly."Her name's Aurora.
She's only nine years old."
"Are you bullshitting me, Spike?"Cid asked, sitting up
straight."You're sitting there telling me that our enemy is a little
girl?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm saying,"Cloud said slowly.
Cid rubbed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, using a number of colourful
words. Tifa and Cloud glanced at each other again.
"Can you just fly us to the hospital?"Tifa asked.
"Where is it?"
"In Midgar, Sector three."
Cid regarded them for a moment."Alright. Get onboard. It shouldn't take
long to get to Midgar."
"Thank you so much, Cid!"
She jumped up and kissed the older man on the cheek. Cid grumbled and swatted
her off before heading outside to where the Highwind was parked.
Cloud turned to Tifa.
"I just hope he's okay."
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Aeris bared her palms to the flames, trying to warm them up. Night had fallen,
and she couldn't see much outside the minimal amount of light the small fire
threw out. Sephiroth was just visible at the edge of the firelight.
She looked up at him. He was staring into the flames, the light dancing across
his face. His glowing eyes glowed even more from the fire reflected in them,
making him look even more demonic than usual. Aeris shivered and looked back
down.
"What's wrong?"
Sephiroth's voice had spoken out of the darkness. Aeris replied without looking
up.
"The fire isn't very warm."
"There's nothing I can do about that. How's your leg?"
"Green."
A few minutes passed in silence. Aeris shifted her position slightly to take
pressure off her good leg.
"Come over here,"said Sephiroth.
"Why?"
"I want to see that leg again. I can't tell if it's gotten worse or not
from here."
Aeris hesitated for a moment before getting up with some difficulty and
stumbling over to him. She sat down heavily next to him.
Sephiroth reached down and gently pressed the region where the green had spread
to. Aeris jumped slightly, not from pain, but from the coldness of his glove.
"What?"
"Your glove is kind of cold..."
Sephiroth growled and took the glove off. He poked the green area of her skin
again.
"Does it hurt?"
"No, I can't feel it."
"I see."
Aeris watched at him intently as he continued to inspect the damage. His brow
furrowed when he glanced at her.
"Do you feel sick or faint at all?"
"No, just cold."
"Think you'll make it until tomorrow?"
"I guess so."
Sephiroth grunted and pushed her leg away. They watched the fire in silence for
several moments, not speaking. Aeris shivered again.
"Sephiroth?"
"What?"
"Do you think I'm going to die?"
"How should I know? I don't know what kind of poison it is. Hojo wants you
alive, but maybe you got an overdosage. I mean..."Sephiroth said
awkwardly."I don't know if you're going to die or not. I think you
might."
Aeris forced herself to smile, though her mouth was tugging in the opposite
direction. She looked back down, forcing her hair to hide her face from him.
"You don't have to cry about it,"Sephiroth snapped.
"I can't help it,"Aeris said, wiping away the tears rolling down her
cheeks."I only just came back from being dead, and if I die then so will
Conrad! And you don't care..."
"I never said that!"Sephiroth said sharply."If it happens, it
happens. Live with it."
"I'm trying to."
Fresh tears leaked out from under her closed eylids. Sephiroth watched her for
a moment, then rolled his eyes and growled. He shifted over slightly and pulled
her against him, wrapping his arms around her trembling shoulders.
"I'll try to get you to Rocket Town as soon as I can in the morning,"he
said consoling, feeling quite awkward."If Hojo really did want both of us,
then he wouldn't poison you enough to kill you. I'm not even sure why he
poisoned you, for that matter."
"Sephiroth?"
"Yes?"
"You smell horrible."
"Well, you certainly don't smell like roses either. It's your fault I've
been running around sweating. First you say I'm fat, and then you say I smell.
Anything else you'd like to criticize while you're at it?"
Aeris giggled into his shoulder and looked up at him. He was frowning in fake
annoyance.
"No, Sephy."
Sephiroth sighed."Are you going to call me that until I die?"
"Probably! If we know each other that long. I hope we do."
Sephiroth glanced down at her."Why would you want to know a person like
me? I thought you hated me. I did kill you, after all."
"It was Jenova who told you to do that,"Aeris said."Besides,
you're not a bad guy when one gets to know you."She patted him on the
chest."You're a better friend than Cloud. I sure didn't see him come
running when I was about to get killed. You know what I mean?"
"Cetra?"
"Yeah?"
"Be quiet."
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
Chapter 11 - Knowledge
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
It was early in the morning
when Aeris awoke. She became aware of damp grass under her bare arms and legs.
The fire from the night before was now nothing more than charred wood.
She looked up. Sephiroth was
lying on the ground not far from her, his hands folded under his head, fast
asleep. There were bits of damp grass clinging to his long, silvery hair, but
Aeris was too fascinated to notice this. She stared at him, wondering if she
had ever seen him sleep before, and realized she hadn't. She wished she had.
The word "beautiful"
wasn't even close to describing what she was seeing. The way his hands were
folded near his face cast one side of Sephiroth's face into shadows, and made
the other side look like sculptured marble. His lips were parted slightly, and
he was breathing evenly, indicating that he was indeed asleep.
Aeris sat up fully, not
wanting to wake him, but she knew she didn't have much time left. She couldn't
feel her leg or foot now.
She tried to get to her feet,
but as soon as she put pressure on her bad leg, pain shot up through it,
causing her to stumble. She regained her balance and hopped over to him, rather
awkwardly, on once foot. She awoke him by punching him lightly in the arm.
"What is it?"were
his first words.
"It's morning,"Aeris
replied."My leg, remember? We need to get to Rocket Town."
"Can you
walk?"Sephiroth growled, getting to his feet."Rocket Town isn't that
far."
"I can't feel my leg or
foot. It hurts to put it down."
"I'll have to carry you,
then. Come on, get on my back."
He leaned down, and Aeris
clambered very awkwardly onto him. His arms hooked under her knees as he stood
up.
"Don't pull on my hair,
Cetra."
"Sorry."
Sephiroth started walking
easily, as though Aeris weighed less than paper. Maybe to him she did.
Sephiroth hadn't walked long
before they could both see Rocket Town clearly in the distance. Black spots
danced in front of Aeris' eyes, and she clung tighter to Sephiroth's neck with
her good arm.
"Hurry,
Sephiroth,"she urged weakly.
"Do you want me to
run?!"
He walked faster nonetheless.
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
Conrad paced his cell slowly.
Hojo was sitting right outside, watching him. He felt highly uncomfortable.
"What are you staring
at?"he snapped, pawing the floor furiously."I'm not some kind of
specimen. Aeris will be here soon to rescue me, you know, so if you think
you're gonna experiment on me..."
"My dear bird, I have no
time to waste on you,"Hojo said in a tone of voice that suggested the idea
was laughable."You will be set free once the Cetra and my son return, you
can be sure of that. However, neither of them will be leaving with you."
"Why not?"
"Because,"Hojo
said."I thought you knew already?"
"Sephiroth mentioned
something about mating, but I thought he was joking."
"No, it's no
joke,"Hojo said, shaking his head."I need to make the perfect
Ancient. You see, in Sephiroth's veins courses the blood of Jenova. He cannot
die easily, therefore, and can live for many years longer than a normal person.
Aeris, being the only remaining Ancient, is the sole person who can produce
another Ancient. I have no intention of studying Aeris. Just her
offspring."
Conrad didn't answer. He
continued pacing for a few moments, then turned back to Hojo.
"Even if you tried to
imprison Aeris here, Sephiroth would break her out,"he said
confidently."And he wouldn't let you force him to take advantage of her,
either."
Hojo laughed."You are
severely misguided, bird. I have the one thing - the only thing - that
Sephiroth values. If he wants it back, he'll do as I say. Of course, if he
kills me first, he still won't get it. I've hidden it very carefully."
"He wouldn't!"Conrad
protested.
"Why do you say
that?"
"He cares about
her,"the chocobo said."He would have killed her already if he didn't.
He's had loads of chances."
Hojo snorted."The only
reason he didn't kill her is because without her he can't get the Masamune. He
doesn't care about anyone, you fool. He's already killed her once."
"That was in the
past,"Conrad faltered."He might not be the same person still..."
"Whatever you
say,"Hojo said absently.
Conrad paced his cell for
another few minutes, thinking, before turning back to Hojo.
"I really hate you, you
know,"he said calmly."It's your fault that my life is the way it is.
People aren't specimens. They have rights. They deserve their own freedom. It's
wrong to emprison them, even in the name of science. You have no idea how hard
life for Aeris will be in the future."
"What are you talking
about?"Hojo asked, suddenly seeming interested."How do you know about
the future? Perhaps you're more magical than I thought."
"Magic has nothing to do
with it,"Conrad said shortly."It's really none of your business,
anyway. But I'm telling you that if you continue you're going to destroy three
lives."
"Who?"
"I already said that
Aeris was one of them,"the chocobo said."The second is Sephiroth.
He'll disappear forever. As for the third, you'll find out one day, maybe. If
you're lucky. Even if your plan succeeds, Aeris will be able to save one life,
if all goes according to plan."
"Plan?"Hojo was
becoming more and more intrigued."What plan would this be?"
"Now, if I told you that,
it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?"Conrad said, smiling sourly."Let
me out of this cage already."
"If I let you go then how
will I ever get Sephiroth and the Ancient back here?"
The door to the office
suddenly whooshed open and a young girl walked in. Her face lit up when she saw
the silver chocobo, and she ran over to the cage, almost bursting with
excitement.
"What's his name,
Hojo?"she asked, speaking quickly."Gosh, he's beautiful! I didn't
know that silver chocobos existed!"
"They don't,"Hojo
snapped."He's the only one. And you can ask him his name yourself. He
hasn't told me yet."
"He speaks?"
"Of course I do, I'm not
stupid,"Conrad snapped."And it's none of your business what my name
is. So you're Aurora, are you? I must say, you are much prettier now than you
are as an adult. I guess you haven't had your nose broken yet?"
"What?"Aurora said
sharply, looking offended."What a rude bird! Hojo, where did you get him
from?!"
"He's a friend of
Aeris',"Hojo replied."How else am I supposed to get she and Sephiroth
to come here?"
"You mean Sephiroth's
coming back?!"the girl said excitedly, forgetting the bird."Will I
get to see him?!"
"Perhaps. You'll get to
meet the woman, too."
Aurora wrinkled her
nose."I don't want to meet her! She's probably ugly. I hate ugly
people."
"Well, isn't that
ironic?"Conrad said angrily."You obviously don't know much, little
girl. Jealous that maybe Sephiroth is interested in someone else?"
Hojo laughed."You're both
idiots. I already told you, Sephiroth doesn't care about anyone."
"Then why would he come
back for this chocobo if he didn't care?"
"The Ancient will
probably make him."
"Or maybe he wants the
Masamune. Right, Professor?"
"That is correct."
"Anyway, I can't wait to
see him again!"Aurora practically squealed."He is so
handsome..."
Conrad sighed and lay down on
the floor of his cage as Aurora and Hojo continued their discussion. He thought
of Aeris and Sephiroth, and hoped that they were okay.
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
Sephiroth arrived in Rocket
Town after an hour and a half of walking. Aeris was unconscious, her arms
wrapped loosely around his neck. He feared that she didn’t have much time left.
He looked around town. It
wasn’t very busy. After all, it was early in the morning, and not many people
were up. Not seeing anyone who could help him, he started jogging down streets,
looking for the medecine shop. It didn’t take him long to find it.
He opened the door and went
inside. The two occupants of the store looked at him as he entered. They no
doubt thought that he looked odd; there were leaves and twigs sticking out of
his hair, and Aeris was in fairly rough shape. Her broken arm was sticking out
at an odd angle, and her poisoned leg was tinged with green.
"I need an
antidote,"he said, approaching the counter.
"It’ll cost you eighty
Gil,"the shopkeeper said."You sure you have that much money? You look
like you got dragged out of a bush backwards…"
Sephiroth freed one hand and
stuck it in his pocket. He pulled out fifty Gil and placed it on the counter.
"Are you deaf? I said eighty."
"Just give me the goddamn
antidote!"Sephiroth roared."I’ll give you the damn money after I get
the Cetra healed. This is an emergency, can’t you see that?"
"I’m sorry, I can’t give
you the antidote until you pay me,"the shopkeeper said coolly.
"She’s going to die, you
bastard!"Sephiroth growled."It’ll be your fault if she does. Do you
want to be charged for murder over thirty Gil?"
The man thought for a moment.
Sephiroth grew angrier as each second passed, wishing more and more that he
could beat the man within an inch of his life.
It seemed like forever before
he looked back at Sephiroth and held the antidote out. Sephiroth grabbed it and
looked around for somewhere to put Aeris, finding no couch or chair. He looked
at the stairs, remembering that the inn was situated above the store. He bolted
upstairs and opened the door on his left; the room was empty.
He went inside and quietly
closed the door behind him. He laid Aeris down on the closest bed and took the
cork out of the bottle with his teeth, propping her up on his knees with his
hands. She stirred as he did this, and looked up at him with unfocussed eyes.
"Sephiroth…?"she
said weakly."Where are we…?"
"Hush,"he replied
softly."Drink this. It probably tastes awful, but you’ll be better, I
promise."
He closed Aeris’ hand around
the bottle and she put it to her mouth. She grimaced as she drank it, but
finished the bottle nevertheless. Sephiroth took the bottle from her once she
was done and put it on the table next to the bed.
"Where’s
Conrad?"Aeris asked."Is he alright?"
"I don’t
know,"Sephiroth said quietly."Hojo has him."
Aeris started at this news.
"Don’t worry, we’re going
to rescue him after we visit Cloud,"Sephiroth reassured her."It’ll
take a couple of days to get back to Midgar, though. We should probably send a
letter to Hojo to tell him we’re on the way."
"Do you think he’s
okay?"Aeris asked in a small voice.
"I can’t say. I hope he
is. Go into the bathroom and wash your leg up. I’ll talk to the guy downstairs
about your arm."
Sephiroth left the room and
Aeris went to the sink in the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror,
seeing that she looked awful. Her hair was matted with leaves. There were dark
circles under her eyes, and her face was all scratched up from the battles she
had been to weak to help win. Her face was pale, and the only brightness that
resided there were her green eyes.
She sighed and started washing
up her leg with the soap and cold water, then bandaged it and tried to clean
herself up a bit. She only managed to remove some leaves and scrub the dried
blood off of her face before Sephiroth returned.
He gave her a hi-potion.
"This is what they told
me to use,"Sephiroth shrugged."And they want you to go downstairs so
they can make you a splint until they can get you a real doctor. When can we go
see Cloud?"
Aeris sighed."We can go
now if you really insist. I want to help Conrad as soon as I can."
Sephiroth nodded and followed
her out the door. The man downstairs was kind enough to make her a splint and
Aeris paid for the hi-potion and the antidote.
Once outside, Aeris looked up
and down the street. Cid’s house was near the rocket tower, she was sure. She turned
to Sephiroth.
"I’ll take you there as
long as you promise not to beat anyone up,"she said."They might
overreact when they see you, so let me do the talking."
"Fine,"Sephiroth
said stiffly."But I’m not going to let you boss me around anymore after this."
"I’m not trying to boss
you around,"Aeris said as they made their way down the street."I’m
telling you this for your own good. If you bust in there and try to kill them,
they will react swiftly and do what they did when they saved the Planet. I’m
sure it wasn’t a pleasant experience."She paused and glanced at him
sideways."In fact, I know it wasn’t."
"I’m sorry about
that,"he apologized."You said so yourself, it was Jenova who made me
do those things."
"You can’t be making
excuses for what you did,"Aeris said quietly."It was your hands that
wielded that sword. It was your hands that took my life. It’s going to take
awhile for me to forgive you for that. But I trust you. Right now, I’d rather
be with you than with Cloud. Even if you’re trying to destroy the Planet."
"Who says I won’t kill
you when I get the Masamune?"Sephiroth said sharply.
"If you do, then you
do,"Aeris said calmly."It’s not as though I have anything to live
for, anyway. Cloud and Tifa… they’re…"
She broke off and looked away,
biting her lower lip. It hurt to think of Cloud with Tifa. She could feel
Sephiroth’s eyes on her, but couldn’t stop the stray tear from rolling out of
her eye.
"You cry entirely too
often,"Sephiroth said, flicking the tear from her cheek."Try to smile
more. Then at least one of us can be cheerful."
"I guess I
should,"Aeris said sharply."After all, I’ve never seen you smile once
since we started travelling together."
"I have nothing to smile
about."
They had reached Cid’s house.
Neither of them spoke, and Aeris went forward and knocked on the door.
Sephiroth walked up the steps to join her; they waited for a few minutes, but
there was no answer. Aeris sighed and walked around to the back. The Highwind
was gone, and a note was taped to the door.
"It says they’ve gone to
the clinic in Mideel,"she said.
She looked up fearfully at
Sephiroth, remembering what he had said he would do if she led him to an empty
house again. She swallowed hard and spoke.
"You’re not going to…
kill me, are you?"
"No,"Sephiroth
answered coldly."I’m just a bit disappointed. You said they would be
here."
"But I’m not their
secretary,"Aeris tried to explain."Maybe we should just go to the
clinic and find them…?"
"No,"Sephiroth said
shortly."We’re wasting more time. I say we should go directly to Midgar
now to save the chocobo, then go to Mideel and find them. We’ll have to walk,
though. I’m not sure what other means of transportation are available to
us…"
"Okay, then let’s
go,"Aeris said anxiously, hurrying back down the street."Every minute
we waste is a minute closer to losing Conrad!"
Sephiroth sighed and followed
her down the street. They had already wasted precious time following leads that
led to dead ends; he only hoped that the next path would lead to success.
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*
Chapter 12 - Crushed
Roses
"Hey!"Aeris gasped.
She ran over beside Sephiroth
and nudged him away from the flower garden.
"Don’t step on the
roses!"she scolded.
"Sorry."
To Sephiroth’s surprise, Aeris
squatted next to the flowers and started singing, while rocking slowly back and
forth. Sephiroth raised his eyebrow.
"You’re really weird, you
know that?"he sighed.
"It helps them
grow,"Aeris said matter-of-factly.
"I’m sure. But we have
other things to do. Can you hurry up, please?"
Aeris gasped.
"You said please!"she
exclaimed, grabbing his arm."I’m so proud of you! You’re getting so
polite! Good boy!"
"Okay, quit it with the
sarcasm,"Sephiroth growled.
He yanked his arm out of her
grasp and started stalking off down the street. Aeris sighed and ran after him,
careful not to disrupt her bad arm. She caught up with him and walked beside
him, taking four steps for each one of his.
"How long will it take to
get back to Midgar?"she asked.
"I don’t
know,"Sephiroth said."Maybe a bit less than a week."
"A week…?"Aeris said
weakly.
"Unless you know how to
fly!"
"But I thought you
could,"Aeris said quietly.
"I need the Black Materia
for that,"Sephiroth growled.
"Oh…"
They were silent again. The
village of Nibelheim was quiet, except for the dying sounds of crickets
chirping. There was an early morning mist over the town, draping the rooftops
with a strange haze. The grass was dewy, the streets a bit moist from the
previous night’s rain.
"Wair, Sephy, I need to
get a drink!"Aeris exclaimed.
Sephiroth gritted his teeth.
That nickname again…!
Aeris ran over to the well and
leaned over to grab the bucket. As she did so, the strings tying the pendant
around her neck came untied, and the necklace fell into the water below.
"Oh, no!"she wailed.
"We don’t have time to
stand here dawdling,"Sephiroth said impatiently.
"I’m going after
it."
She grabbed onto the bucket
and pulled herself up on top of the ledge. The surface of the water was a long
way down, but she could see her pendant floating there. Aeris grabbed the rope
attached to the bucket and started lowering it down. Unfortunately, the bucket
was buoyant, and wouldn’t go under the pendant.
She leaned over, trying to get
the bucket to co-operate, but she leaned just a bit too far. Her foot slipped,
and she tumbled forward with a little scream, holding on to the rope for dear
life.
"Sephiroth, help
me!"she squeaked.
The silver-haired man clapped
a hand to his forehead and went forward. Just as he reached out to grab her
hand, the rope snapped. Aeris fell down the well and into the water with a
splash.
"Sephiroth!"Aeris
squealed."I can’t swim! Hey, my pendant…"
"Oh,
great,"Sephiroth grumbled.
He peered over the edge of the
well and saw Aeris floating in the confined space, gripping the bucket tightly.
"I got it!"she exclaimed,
holding up the pendant.
"That’s
good,"Sephiroth shouted."I’m going to go get a rope or
something."
"Hurry up, the bucket’s
sinking!"
She looked around the small
well. There wasn’t much space to move in, and the bucket was slowly going under
from her weight. She put the pendant in the pocket of her shorts, unsure of
what to do with it. She looked back up at the top of the well, waiting for
Sephiroth to appear.
The bucket suddenly slipped
from under her hands and floated away. Aeris started thrashing around, trying
to stay above the water, unable to find the bucket because of all the water
that was flying around.
"Aeris!"
She looked up. Sephiroth was
there, tying a rope to one of the support beams on the well cover. He threw the
other end down to her.
"Climb up,"he
instructed.
Aeris grabbed the end of the
rope and tried to pull herself up, but the water around her legs dragged her
back down. She tried again, but the same thing happened. She finally stopped
her attempts, but held onto the rope so she wouldn’t drown.
"I can’t!"she
cried."I’m too weak…"
"Oh, for the love of
Christ,"Sephiroth snapped."I’m coming down to get you. And for the
love of God, stop crying!"
Aeris sniffled and watched as
Sephiroth slid down the rope toward her. The ends of his long, silver hair
landed in the water, and he reached out to grab her. Aeris took his hand and he
lifted her into his arms. The hung there for a moment, Sephiroth trying to
gather his strength.
"Thank you…"she said
softly, wiping her eyes with her free hand.
"It’s
nothing,"Sephiroth grunted.
Aeris looked up into his face.
His green eyes were glowing in the darkness of the well, staring at her, maybe through
her, but she wasn’t afraid of the intensity of his gaze. She was content just
having him stare at her, with his beautiful green mako-infused eyes.
"Sephiroth…."she
said softy, touching his lips with her fingertips.
Sephiroth’s free arm went
around her shoulders as he lowered his face to hers. Aeris’ heart started
pounding furiously. His lips were on hers, sweet and soft, in a gentle kiss
that was so unlike the one they had shared on the deserted island. She was
awed, wondering how such a violent person could suddenly be embracing her so
delicately.
It ended all too soon.
Sephiroth broke away, his cheeks pink, as he started pulling the two of them up
the rope. Aeris sighed and held onto him tightly so that she wouldn’t fall back
down. Soon, they made it to the top. Sephiroth helped her over to edge to
safety.
"Oh, good, it’s still
there,"she said, relieved, as she checked her pocket."I’m
sorry."
"For being more trouble
than you’re worth?"Sephiroth growled."If that’s the case, then you’re
forgiven."
Aeris bit her lip, trying not
to smile. Sephiroth caught her eye and, seeing her facial expression, grinned.
"Come on, Aeris,"he
said."We have a chocobo to save."
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
Conrad sighed. He was lying in
his cage, watching Hojo work at his desk.
There was absolutely nothing
to do. Hojo, smart as he was, had totally ignored the fact that chocobos died
when they got too bored! Well, maybe he was exaggerating a bit there, but he
was fairly certain he might die of boredom if he didn’t take drastic action.
"Hey, Hojo,"he said.
"What is it?"Hojo
asked impatiently.
"How about that Aurora kid?"
"What about her?"
"Don’t you think she’s
cute?"
"Should I?"
"Want to to stop
answering my questions with questions?"
"Nuisance,"Hojo
grumbled.
"Well?"Conrad
prodded.
"Well what?"
"Don’t you think she’s
cute?"
"Why do you
care?"Hojo snapped."If you must know, I think she’s the devil in a
child’s form."
"You’re awfully
brave,"Conrad said, impressed."You would say that of your boss?"
"Personally, I don’t
really care what I say about her,"Hojo said."I’m about forty years
older than her. She has no right to order me around."
"Yeah, but you let her
anyway,"Conrad said slyly.
"Oh, shut up."
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
Tifa, Cid and Cloud hurried
into the waiting room of Midgar hospital. The place was relatively empty,
except for a few people sitting in the plastic chairs, looking tired, and the
nurse on duty at the front desk. Tifa hurried over to her.
"Excuse me, do you have a
patient by the name of Barret Wallace?"she asked.
The nurse typed on her
computer, then looked back up at Tifa.
"Is he a large black man
with a case of amnesia?"
"Yes,"Tifa said,
nodding.
"Room 109."
Tifa thanked her, and hurried
down the hall, Cid and Cloud following. They found Barret lying in the bed,
staring at the ceiling. He glanced at them when they entered the room.
"Hi, Barret,"Tifa
said gently.
"Who the hell are
y’all?!"Barret demanded.
"I’m Tifa,"she
answered."You don’t remember me, but I’m your friend. And these are Cloud
and Cid. They’re also your friends."
"Friends,
huh?"Barret grunted.
Tifa nodded.
"What are you talkin’ about,
woman?"Barret snapped."My name is Vincent Valentine, and I ain’t got
no friends!"
Tifa stared. Vincent
Valentine?! What was going on?
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@