I shook Cloud awake. He opened his eyes and looked at me. "I KNOW you know how to snowboard!" I whispered. "What time is it?" he asked. "Early. Its the best time to go! Come on! This is your vacation lets go snowboarding!" I laughed pulling him to his feet. "You sure are pushy! he joked. We walked to the top of the hill. "I know that you are very good at this," I told him. "Care to make a wager?" "Alright. Lets go high," he replied. "I want your master summon!" "Wow! You do aim high!" I exclaimed. "You must be really sure of yourself." "I am," he smiled. "Okay. I'll agree to the master summon because I want you Knights of the Round!" I dropped my snowboard on the snow and put my foot on it. "Alright you have a deal!" he dropped his snowboard too. We shoved off and flew down the hill. It was the closest race that I had ever had. I spotted the end and Cloud was ahead. But then an animal jumped out and he couldn't move fast enough. He wiped out and I finished first. "WhooHoo!" I screamed jumping up. "I won! Fork over the materia!" I sat down on my snowboard to rest before heading back up the enormous hill. Cloud sat in front of me and tossed me the materia. "You know how long it too me to find that?" he sighed. "Here," I said handing out a materia. He took it from my hand and looked at it. "Its the master summon! Why?" he looked at me, confused. "I'm a good sport!" I laughed. "I wouldn't be able to just take this." "How could I have misjudged you before?" he asked himself. "Don't do that," I begged. "Anyone who wouldn't have would have been out of thier minds! Not after what Sephiroth had done." He nodded. "You know I'm still not used to you and Aeris being sisters," he admitted. "And definately not used to Sephiroth being on my side." I laughed, "Yeah, its all pretty strange, huh? I'm still not used to me and you not being enemies!" He smiled. "You can always count on me as a friend," he announced. "No matter what!" "I'm so glad Aeris chose you," I said quietly. "I know in my heart that you will be happy together like I am with Sephiroth." "Yes... I hope so," he thought for a moment. "What was it like for you? I mean while Sephiroth was being controlled by Jenova?" "Like a magical tug o' war," I told him. "Jenova tried desperately to push me from Sephiroth's mind but my magic was too strong. I knew I couldn't defeat her alone so I...." "Needed my help," Cloud put in. "I don't hate you for it... but why... did you make me raise my sword against Aeris?" I looked at my hands. "That really was Jenova," I explained. "I was fighting with her over you at that time.... I won but while she had me distracted she used Sephiroth to kill Aeris.
We approached the top where Sephiroth was waiting. I ran and threw my arms around him. "Look!!" I handed him the shiny red orb. "I won it! I finally got it!" Sephiroth looked at Cloud... and smiled.
I walked towards the sound of voices. When I turned around the corner I spotted Sephiroth and Aeris. They appeared to be argueing fiercely. "....but my sister loves you!" she cried. "I don't care! I was only using her for her powers!" he growled. "I don't love her! I follow only Jenova!" "You can't do this to her, I won't let you!" Aeris screamed. "I'm going to tell her everything!" "No you aren't..." Sephiroth growled, narrowing his eyes. "Who's going to stop me?" she hissed turning to go find me. "Me," Sephiroth drew his sword and ran her through. "Aeris!" I screamed. I began to shake. "Open your eyes!" I opened my eyes. I shoved Sephiroth away. "How could you?!" I began to cry. He looked bewildered, he just stood there with his eyes wide and his mouth open. My head felt fuzzy like something was missing. I rolled off the cot and ran from the room. Sephiroth didn't know what to do. He was afraid that if he followed me I would be angry. "What did I do?" he wondered. "Sephiroth! Come quickly!" a crew member yelled at him. Sephiroth ran after him onto the deck. I had Sephiroth's long sword in my hand while I was balancing on the railing. "Leave us," Sephiroth commanded. Everyone left. He walked towards me and looked on as my hair whipped around my sad face. "How could this happen to me?" I asked tearfully. "I thought that you loved me." "I do..." "NO!" I cried. "I seen what you did!" I threw the sword at his feet. "Go ahead," I told him. "Kill me like you did my sister." He took a step back, wincing. *"He'll just hurt you! He's a bad guy, not at all right for you!" Rufus's voice haunted me.* I put my hands to my head and squeezed my eyes shut. "No, no no! This can't be happening!" I cried. I heard a loud noise and looked around. "I spotted Aeris running onto the deck. "Aeris!" I moaned. "It was all just another dream!!" Sephiroth was running towards me. The noise was getting louder, closer. I turned around. A helicopter rose into view. My green eyes met with the black ones of my persuer. He wrapped his right arm around my waist and pulled me off the airship. He was hanging on a rope that was looped on the bottom for his foot to rest in. I struggled to get out of his grip. "Be still or I will drop you," he told me. "I would rather you drop me!" I spat. His calmness was so aggervating. I wanted to hit him in the face, where he had a smug smile. "Quite possibly we'll meet again someday, Sephiroth!" he laughed. I reached into my pouch an pulled something out. I threw it. The gray orb bounced then rolled to Sephiroth's feet. He picked it up and when he looked back up I was gone. "Why did she throw you the shadow materia?" Cloud asked. "He wanted it," Sephiroth answered. "Damnit! I almost had her, she was so close!" He dropped his head and stared at the materia in his hand. "Don't blame yourself," Aeris replied. "I know! Lets go to the Ancient City. We're both connected to that place." Sephiroth nodded.
The helicopter landed on a ship in the middle of the ocean. "Who the hell are you anyways?" I asked. He looked at me, his eyes seeming to look right into me. "I am Marron," he answered. "Who hired you?" I put my hands on my hips. "You'll find out soon enough," he pulled me into the cabin and stood close behind me. Then HE walked into the room. "Rufus?!?! You're DEAD!!" I screeched backing into Marron. "No, I only made people think I was," he replied. "But... but...." I felt dizzy and my knees grew weak. Marron caught me before I could fall to the floor. He picked me up and put me in a chair. "Whats wrong with her?" Rufus asked. "She fell off a cliff," Marron told him. "She what?! How could you be so irresponsible?!" Rufus raged. "You never said anything about protecting her! Now wheres my materia?!" Marron growled. "I have to get it from her," Rufus told him. "HA! The joke's on both of you!" I began to laugh. "I don't have it!" Marron glared at Rufus. "Where is it?" Rufus asked. "I don't intend on telling you anytime soon," I crossed my arms then I stood up and faced Rufus. "How did you manage to live through Diamond Weapon's blast? And how did you influence my thoughts and dreams?" "I didn't survive the blast. I wasn't even there," he told me. He held out a materia. "I searched many years for this. It was only supposed to be a rumor but it wasn't. Its for real. I finally discovered it while I was talking to Sephiroth. Oddly enough Jenova was carrying it." "What?! What kind of materia is it?" I asked. "Its called 'illusion materia'", he answered. "It is a combination of mako energy and Jenova cells. It makes people see and hear things that aren't really there. Thats why everyone thought I was in Midgar. I was actually hiding out in Nibelheim. I had a feeling that Sephiroth might try to kill me." I scowled at him. "My feelings for you haven't changed Rufus. I still don't like you!" I spat. Marron laughed. I turned my back on them both. "Do you even see what Sephiroth has done to you?" Rufus asked. "Well I'll change that. I'll break you sooner or later." "I like her the way she is," Marron grinned. "Shut up!" I screamed. "Sephiroth will find me, he always does." "Take her to her room," Rufus instructed a pair of guards. When I was gone Marron turned to Rufus. "Produce the materia in a week's time or I will take the girl," he strode out of the room.
I opened my eyes and sat up. "What happened to me?" I asked the darkness. Marron walked into the light that was beside the bed. "Marron!" I cried. "Thank god!" He smiled mischevously. "I had the most horrible time. I didn't think I would ever see you again." I got off the bed and ran into his arms. "Its all over," he said. "Everything will be alright." "I missed you so badly," I replied tearfully. "And I you," he whispered. I looked up at him, "What happened to Vincent?" "Hes fine," he assured me. "Where is my sister?" I persued. "At the airship," he told me. "I want to see everyone," I told him insistantly. "Don't worry," he said. "We'll see them soon." I smiled up at him and laid my head against his chest. "I knew that you would come for me..." I whispered. "...you always do."
Sephiroth rushed into the room with me in his arms. He had climbed the ladder of the Highwind with me slung over his shoulder in his urgency to get me here. "Aeris!!" he hollared, as he laid me down, knowing that she was the best at healing. She raced in straight to my side having been already on her way when she discovered that Sephiroth arrived. She ordered Sephiroth out of the room so she could concentrate better, knowing that he would be hoovering over me with intense worry. She closed the door, telling him to give her fifteen minuites.
Aeris stepped into the room that morning. Sephiroth had fallen asleep in his chair, his head laying next to me, and was still holding my hand. She sighed and left the room. His eyes snapped open when he heard the door click shut and he looked at me willing me to wake up. He pulled the shadow materia out of his wrist band and placed it in my hand, closing my fingers around it. All of the sudden he felt dizzy and slumped forward, unconcious, with his arm draped across my waist. ~~~Sephiroth looked around and realized that he was in the ancient forest. The mist covered the tree tops catching the moonlight creating an eearie, magical feeling. He began to walk in the direction he was facing. A midnight colored bird, a raven, with purple tinted feathers landed on a branch just ahead of him. His eyes widened and he chased after the ebony bird. It landed again and he stopped to look at it. It crowed and he walked past it, now following the sound of moving water. He emerged from the trees to where a river flowed. I stood there watching the water silently, watched the smoke hoover over it. The water glistened a dark blue as little stars danced on its surface. My sigh was caught in the breeze and my tears swallowed by the ancient river. "Raven...." he whispered. I turned at the sound of my name. My eyes were wide with surprise and my jaw hung loose with disbelief. I blinked several times and when he didn't vanish I smiled hugely. This time he ran to me. I held my arms out and took a step forward as he grabbed me around the waist and lifted me into his arms. My own arms were wrapped tightly around his neck and my feet dangled above the ground. And I cried.......~~~
****************
My eyes slowly opened and adjusted to the light. I felt Sephiroth's arm on my waist and turned to look at him. He was still unconcious. I sucked in my breath and leaned toward him. I swept his hair away from his face and just looked at him. He looked so peaceful and he was breathing steadily so I left him alone. He must not have been sleeping well. I sat there stroking his hair when Aeris strode in. I seen the excitement in her eyes and put my finger against my lips to keep her from talking. She looked at Sephiroth and then smiled at me understanding. "He hasn't slept well since you were taken," she whispered. I nodded understanding. "Will you tell me what happened?" she asked. I told her everything from when Marron took me; to Sephiroth's battle with Marron. "I'm going to go tell everyone that you're okay," she hugged me and left the room. I laid down and shut my eyes, falling asleep almost instantly. Sephiroth woke up and looked at me. "It was all a dream?" he asked out loud. "Please wake up," he whispered.
~TO BE CONTINUED...~
I pushed aside the heavy door to the fire place and threw in the fresh wood, Aeris was busy watching the videos of her mom and dad, Sephiorth used fire materia to light the wood, Cloud was buying supplies at the store and the others were exploring. Tifa had requested to be dropped off in Nibelheim and Cid was returning to the Highwind once he had a few drinks at the inn. Vincent had decided that he wanted to go to the Great Glacier again. He had heard about a summon materia in the mountains that he wanted to retrieve. I didn't bother with the stairs, I jumped off onto the lower level and then ran down the steps into the basement. I threw aside a bunch of junk and snapped open a secret door. Then I ran back up the steps with a box I pulled out. I dropped down in front of the fireplace, where I had always used to sit, and pulled the lid off. Curious, Aeris walked over and sat down next to me. Sephiroth sat on the bed across the room. "Wow! You even have pictures!" Aeris exclaimed. I smiled. "I had a friend that ran around with a camera all the time. For some reason he liked to take tons of pictures of me," I laughed. I picked up the large stack and untied the ribbon holding them. I handed them to Aeris while I explained them to her. "This is my first day here. This is when I wiped out on my snow board, everyone thought it was hilarious!" I laughed. We went on through them. "Is THAT Rufus?" she asked. I nodded. "He about drove me insane!" I exaggerated. "Wow! You look really mad in this one," she said. I looked at it. We were standing in front of that tree I had climbed to get away from him. "Actually you look angry in all of these pictures with him in it," Aeris added. Sephiroth asked to see them and Aeris handed them to him. I picked up another picture and sighed. It was of me and Zack. Aeris giggled and showed me a picture of Zack with his head in the snow and me standing there laughing at him. "His first time on a snowboard," I laughed.
There were several pictures of me and Zack and I gave one of them to Aeris to keep. I picked up another picture that I had forgotten was even there. It was outside the night of my 18th birthday. Sephiroth was carrying me on his back and I was laughing while holding onto him tightly, he was grinning too. Then I picked up the other two. One was of us throwing snow at eachother and the last one was of Sephiroth kissing me in the snow. I opened the leather pouch and put them inside. "Whats this?" Aeris asked picking up a book. "I guess that you could say that it was a journal," I informed her. "I kept track of every day that went by." "Can I read it?" she asked. I nodded. She smiled and went to curl up in a chair to read it. I looked at the rest of the pictures that were mostly just me. I got up and walked outside, snatching up the snowboard by the door first. I went to the hill and slid down with the same skill I'd always had. I had the feeling of deja vu. I reached the end and walked back up. I stopped at the top and looked out at the horizon. *"Why won't you just go away?!" I shouted angrily. "Just give me one chance," Ruffus begged. "Can't you understand that I don't want to?" I pleaded. "Are you THAT selfish?" "I will have you one day! No matter what!!" Rufus yelled.* The voice was so clear in my head. I put my face in my hands and shook my head, trying to push them away. Why are they coming back now? Rufus is dead! I turned around to go home and Sephiroth was standing there. "Whats wrong?" he asked. "Nothing," I told him. "I'm not going to bother you about it but you know that I will listen," he told me. "I know," I said smiling. "Still not going to try snowboarding?" "No," he said. "Why not?" I asked. "I'll leave the snowboarding to you," he grinned slightly. He turned and started to walk back to the house. I grinned and picked up a handful of snow and hit him in the shoulder with it. He spun around and run after me. He had me thrown over his shoulder before I could even turn around. I laughed loudly as I kicked and screamed to be put down. "Are you sorry for throwing snow on me?" he laughed. "No way!" I cried. I struggled until my legs slipped from his grip and I flipped onto my feet. He turned to face me in time for me to leap at him, knocking him back into the snow. He gabbed me, flipped me over and proceded to tickle me. I laughed until my sides ached as I kicked my legs and tried to push him away. Finally he stopped and pulled me out of the snow grinning mischevously. I threw my arms around his neck and he lifted me off my feet. A few yards away Aeris was watching wide-eyed. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine seeing Sephiroth like this. So carefree and... happy. "My sister has the gift to bring out the best in people," she told Cloud who was also amazed. "Do you even notice how happiness makes people look younger?" Cloud observed. "Mmm hmm," Aeris clutched her hands behind her back and smiled sweetly. "What?" Cloud eyed her suspiciously. "I think you should smile more too!" She stated matter-of-factly. She watched as the corners of his mouth twitch and he turned his around, laughing. "You're right!" she exclaimed. "It does make people look younger!" Cloud blushed and turned away again. She walked around him until she was in front of him again. "Do you remember enchantment night? At the Gold Saucer?" she asked. "Yes," Cloud nodded. "Do you remember when I told you that I wanted to know you?" she asked. "Yes," Cloud said. "Well.... I've realized that time is short..." Aeris began. Cloud didn't let her finish. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. She hesitated at first then she put her arms around him. I turned around and smiled brightly when I seen them. I knew that they were meant to be together, like me and Sephiroth. Aeris pulled away and looked him in the eyes. I grabbed Sephiroth's gloved hand. "Come on I'm cold!" I complained dragging him inside. I dropped down in front of the fire, as usual and hugged my knees. Sephiroth sat next to me. He pulled off one of his gloves and held the hand out to me. Tied around his wrist was the ribbon I had given him all those years ago. It was worn and discolored but he still had it right where I left it. I reached out and touched it then I took his hand in both of mine and looked up at him. "I remember the day that I put this on you," I said quietly. "We were so young. Neither one of us had ever killed anyone, I had no idea who I was and neither did you..." He lifted his hand up and kissed mine. Then he looked at me.
"You were always the most important person in my life," he said. He looked down at our hands. "Ever since I first seen you I have thought of nothing else." "Thats because we were destined to be together," I claimed. I squeezed his hand. "This is where we are supposed to be... together.
Check mate, she was ALWAYS one step ahead!" "Its okay," he told me. "Its all in the past. Theres no reason why we shouldn't look toward the future." He stood up and helped me to my feet. "Lets go on back." I smiled and turned toward the hill. "Hey..." he said. I turned around, "What?" "Thank you," he replied. "For what?" I asked confused. "For bringing back Aeris," he answered. "For returning my heart." I smiled as my eyes hazed over with tears.
Then he looked back at me. He dropped the materia into my leather pouch. "Now I can worry a little less about her recklessness," he smiled. He put his arm around me. "She's wanted this materia ever since she seen you use it on me," he told Cloud. "I thank you." He lead me back to the house and Cloud watched as I chatted on and Sephiroth listened to every word. "Its amazing," Cloud muttered.
For the next three days I drug Cloud out of bed and onto the slopes! I liked to do flips on the ice ramps and he just jumped them. Aeris liked to sit at the top and watch. She thought it was hillarious when Cloud fell. The fourth day we stayed out there all day. I enjoied his company. He told me about his childhood and how he met Aeris and how he and Aeris spent thier time together before she died and about what he and Aeris did while I was in the ancient city! There was no denying how much he cared for her! I walked into the house, followed by Sephiroth, and collapsed on the floor in front of the fire. I was exahusted! Sephiroth smiled as he laid a blanket over me. He glanced around the room. Cloud was outcold, stretched out on his pallet next to the bed where Aeris was already asleep. He spotted my journal where Aeris had left it. He approached it and picked it up. His eyes widened as he flipped through it. I had drawn hundreds of pictures of him as I had remembered him before he went to SOLDIER, when he was only 17. The last one was dated the night he left after visiting, when he was 20. He never knew that I had artistic talent. The words on the pages around it were what then attracted his attention the most. ~It had been three whole years since I had last seen Sephiroth. He has changed so much! So much taller, and stronger. I was so happy to see him I cried. I realize now that I love him.... I always have.~ He flipped to the front and started to read from there. He fell asleep in that chair.
I watched as Sephiroth's hair blew in the wind. He wasn't wearing his cloak and was barechested. He held his masamune in front of him, facing Cloud who had his Ultimate Weapon clutched tightly. It was dark. All I could see were Cloud and Sephiroth even though I could see them clearly. It was as if they were standing in nothingness. Before Sephiroth could even move Cloud hit him with Omnislash.
Blood poured down Sephiroth's face and his eyes were wide, he put his hands on his head and disappeared. "No!!!" I screamed. I slipped and fell from where I was standing and landed on my back.... "Wake up!" Cloud exclaimed shaking me. My eyes jerked open. "NO!" I screeched. "You bastard!" I pulled a dagger free and lunged on top of him. He grabbed my hand before I could shove it into his chest. He twisted my wrist making me drop the razor sharp blade. He rolled me over and held my arms down so I couldn't move. "Let me go! You killed him!" I screamed. "Killed who? I didn't kill anyone!" he exclaimed. "I seen you!" I yelled. "Let me go!" "Not until you calm down!" he said. Sephiroth grabbed him from behind and threw him back. "What in the hell are you doing?!" he growled. "Sephiroth!" He turned around and I threw my arms around his waist. I began to cry hysterically. "She was having a nightmare and when I woke her up she tried to stick one of her daggers in me!" Cloud told him. "She was saying 'you killed him'. I don't know what she's talking about." "I'm going crazy!" I moaned. Sephiroth lifted me up and carried me down the steps where he could talk to me alone. He sat in a soft chair with me in his lap. I still had my arms wrapped tightly around his neck. "I seen him kill you!" I cried. "It was only a dream," he soothed. I looked at his face and put my hands against the side. "It was so real," I whispered. He put his hands over mine. "I'm here aren't I?" he asked. I leaned forward and kissed him. Then I layed my head on his shoulder and let him hold me until I fell asleep.
Sephiroth carried me upstairs and layed me on my pallet. "I can't beleive I slept through that," a wide eyed Aeris replied. "Don't feel bad," Sephiroth mumbled. "I slept through most of it." "Is she alright?" Aeris asked worried. "For now," Sephiroth answered. "I have no idea what has gotten into her. She has never in her life done anything like it. Even when Cloud really did kill me she didn't go after him." "Maybe it was just the panic from the dream," Cloud suggested. "Its possible... but its still not like her!" Sephiroth sat down and stared into the fire to think.
Laughter. Everywhere I heard laughter. I turned in circles trying to find the source but it was coming from everywhere. "Sephiroth, where are you?" I cried. "Hes not coming for you!" more laughter. "No! He would never desert me!" I shouted. "He would and he has..." I jerked up and looked around the room. "Sephiroth?" I glanced around frantically and when I didn't see him right away I leaped to my feet. Cloud and Aeris were both asleep but I couldn't find Sephiroth. I opened the door and walked outside. I took a few steps out into the open and observed the area. Everyone's lights were out and everything was quiet. I pulled my other dagger out and looked at it. "I tried to kill Cloud..."
I muttered. "Whats wrong with me?" I spotted someone emerge from the inn and watched him, wandering. He was tall and strong like Sephiroth but his hair was black and was only down to his waist. He wore a black cape and his clothes were black and a deep crimson color. He carried not one sword but two. He spotted me staring at him and walked towards me. As he drew closer I could see that his eyes were a deep brown, almost black. "Do you know who lives there?" he pointed. "I do," I said. "You're Raven?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "Who are you?" "I was sent here for you," he told me. "For me? You have got to be joking," I laughed. "Do I look like I'm joking?" he asked. "Not really. But I'm not going anywhere," I crossed my arms. "I was promised a very valuable materia if I brought you back with me," he informed me. "Materia?" I asked. "The shadow materia," he said. "The shadow materia is mine," I blurted out and immediately regretted it. "Not anymore it isn't," he grabbed my arm and I jerked it free. "You're not taking me anywhere!" I yelled at him. He looked me over and smiled, "Its no wonder he wants you so bad." I slapped him hard in the face wiping the smile away. He grabbed my wrist and squeezed it hard. I swiped at him with my dagger, forcing him to let go or be cut. I ran back to the house and he chased after me. I seen Sephiroth and ran to him, hiding behind him.
"Whats wrong?" he asked trying to keep his balance. "There is someone after me!" I cried. He glanced out the door. "Theres no one there," he said. I held up my hand. "Look at what he did to me," I showed him the slowly darkening bruise on my wrist. He went to the door and looked around. "Don't leave without me or Cloud with you," he instructed, his voice full of anger. "What did he look like?" I told him. "I've never seen anyone like... but I am going to kill the bastard when I do," he growled. I slipped into his arms. "Why does all the bad things seem to target me?" I asked. "Because you're different from everyone else," he answered. "But so is Aeris and they leave her alone," I argued. "Evil is attracted to darkness," he told me. "They are mistaken in believing that darkness is evil." "Don't let him take me," I pleaded. I was afraid of the guy like other people were afraid of Sephiroth. "I'll never let anyone take you from me," he said quietly. "Lets leave here," I said. "Where do you want to go?" he asked. "We can go to my place in Costa Del Sol," Cloud suggested. We turned to look at him. I walked in front of him and looked him in the eyes. "I'm sorry," I whispered looking at my feet. He hugged me. "Its alright," he said. "Really?" I asked. "Yes, just make sure you stick to attacking the bad guys next time," he laughed. I giggled. He handed me my dagger that I had never retrieved and I stuck it back in the holster. *"I see you made yourself very popular here," came Rufus's voice from years before.* I looked around the room. Was he here? Or is it just a memory returning to haunt me?
We did as Cloud suggested and went to Costa Del Sol, after Vincent had returned from the Great Glacier. It was the off season so not so many people were there. By this time most of the people consitered Sephiroth just another legend to add to the history books. Most people thought he was dead. Thankfully we didn't get as much attention as I thought we would. We didn't spend much time in the city limits anyways. I liked to go to a rocky part of the beach, near the mountains and look over the cliffs. I loved to watch the waves crash against the base and spray a fine mist into my face. Eventually everyone began to let their guard down again. And we completely forgot about the incident at Icicle Inn. One morning I woke up early and headed out the door. "Where are you going?" Vincent asked. "To the cliffs. I need some air," I replied. He smiled, "I know how you feel. Restless." I nodded, smiling and left. I sat there for a very long time just daydreaming and thinking about my past. "I knew that one day you would come here alone," someone behind me said. I turned around and my eyes widened. "How did you find me?" I hissed. "Wasn't too hard. I just eavesdropped on you before you left!" he laughed. "I have a job to do, you're coming with me." "Like hell I am!" I growled. "I'm not giving you a choice," he took a step towards me. "And I'm not giving YOU a choice," I pulled out both daggers and moved into a fighting stance. "I'm not going without a fight!"
She's been gone an awfully long time," Aeris observed. "Too long," Cloud added. "I'm going to go and look for her," Sephiroth headed for the door. "I'll go with you," Vincent followed. "Wait for us!" Aeris and Cloud also followed. They went to the cliffs where Sephiroth instructed everyone to split up and search. Vincent went north along the beach. He walked hard knowing that the sun would be setting soon. He looked upwards where the sun was lowering behind a cliff and then rushed forward. On top of the cliff he seen two silhoettes who appeared to be in combat. One he recognized and the other looked kind of like Sephiroth, but he knew that it wasn't.... I kicked him hard making him faulter a little. I knew that he could easily kill me but I also knew that he wouldn't. I crossed my daggers across my chest in a defensive stance and when he drew near I began to attack him fiercly with the daggers. Most hits he managed to block with his twin swords. He was equal in strength and skill as Sephiroth. One of my daggers met its mark and made a thin line along the side of his face. He stopped, touched the wound and then looked at the blood that had rubbed off onto his hand. He looked at me and grinned. I could see the evil shining in his eyes. "You are the first who has ever left a mark on me," he informed me. "You are actually better than I thought. I can see why he wants me to bring you to him so badly. Who wouldn't want a fierce woman? Maybe I'll just keep you for myself. I could use a strong woman to keep me company!" He laughed. "I would no sooner be your woman than I would willingly jump into a pit of snakes," I spat. He laughed again. "Pray tell me what Sephiroth has done to win your firey little heart," he requested. "Whatever he can do I can do ten times better!" "Sephiroth has no rival," I replied. "He does now!" he leaped at me, catching me off guard. The daggers flew from my hands and struck the stone of the cliff. He dropped his own weapons and grabbed me, lifting me up. "Let her go!" Vincent yelled. He dropped me and turned to face him. He snatched up one of his swords and attacked. Vincent hit him with an ice spell which he countered with a lighting spell. He missed Vincent and it hit close to where I was standing, the force of it knocked me backwards off the cliff. Vincent ran to the ledge but when he heard the footfalls behind him he turned in time for the sword to come sliceing down.......
I hit the water hard and instictively began to kick my legs. I broke throught the surface and struggled to breathe. I felt a large wave lift me up and was crushed into the cliff wall. Wave after wave came and I could barely move. I choked on the salty water and felt a hard jagged rock tear across my back. When a particularly large wave came my head was thrown back and smacked against a rock. Darkness rose in front of my eyes and I fought against it knowing that if I succumed to it all would be lost. It would be the end of me. I slowly inched myself to the side between waves until I reached a large rock. It took me a few tries but I finally managed to climb up. I laid my head down and let the blackness take me.
The others had found Vincent and Cloud had gone to tell Cid to bring the Highwind back. "Vincent? Can you hear me?" Aeris asked quietly. He opened his eyes slowly. "She.... went...." Vincent struggled. "Where did she go?" Aeris persued. "...went.... over..." he tried to catch his breath. "Over? Over where?" Sephiroth asked. "....the... cliff........" Sephiroth's widened as heard those last two words. He raced to the ledge and knealt down to look over the edge. "Damnit!" Sephiroth yelled. "The tide will be coming soon!" "Do you see her?" Aeris asked fearfully. "Yes, but if we don't get to her soon the ocean will swallow her up!" Sephiroth looked around desperately for a way down but the cliff went straight down. "She isn't...?" Aeris choked on a sob unable to speak. "I don't know," Sephiroth answered. They felt a powerful breeze and looked up at the Highwind. Sephiroth climbed up and asked for a strong rope. Cid found some in the cargo hold while Sephiroth explained to Cloud what had happened. "You're going to go," Sephiroth told Cloud, handing him the end of the rope. "You aren't strong enough to pull us both back up." Cloud tied the rope tightly around his waist. Sephiroth got a good foot-hold and began to lower Cloud down, slowly. Finally Cid told him that he was there and Sephiroth stopped. Cloud felt for a pulse then checked to make sure that nothing serious was broken then he lifted me up and got a good grip on me. Cid gave Sephiroth the signal and he began to pull. Two guys on the crew watched him in amazement as he pulled almost effortlessly, then on Cid's command assisted in pulling me and Cloud over the edge. Sephiroth took me from Cloud and looked me over. "She's not hurt too seriously just beaten up pretty bad," Cloud assured him. "Its a miracle she even survived," Cid said looking over the cliff. "Those rocks look pretty lethal!" "Have they gotten Vincent on board yet?" Sephiroth asked. "Yes," Cloud said. "Then lets get the hell outa here!" He turned and carried me into the airship.
That night I woke up in a large cot on the airship. I sat up slowly, every muscle in my body screamed in agony. Sephiroth had fallen asleep in a chair and Aeris sat by another cot where Vincent lay with a large bandage on his chest. I slid onto the floor and walked slowly towards him. "What are you doing up?" Aeris asked quietly but firmly. I looked at Vincent. "What happened?" I fell to my knees beside him. "Sephiroth said that it was a sword wound," she answered. "Damn! It was all because of me!" I began to cry. "I'll never forgive myself if he..." I buried my face in my hands. "All we can do now is hope that he pulls through alright," she said. "Don't blame yourself. It couldn't have been your fault." "But he was after ME," I argued. "Vincent tried to help but he was just too strong for us." "Who? Was it that guy again?" she asked. I nodded. I put my hand on Vincent's face. He was burning hot. "He has a fever," I told Aeris. "Will you get me some cold water and a clean cloth?" She nodded and went to fetch them. When she brought them back I soaked the cloth and washed his face and neck with it until he cooled down. I reached into my pouch and retreived the shadow materia that held all of my magic power. I put my hand on his forehead and closed my eyes. I willed the magic energy into his body. I couldn't let him die. Not like this. I poured myself into it, desperate to save him. Sephiroth woke up and jumped up when he seen that I was missing. He noticed a soft light and turned around. I felt my body begin to tremble and I was pushed backwards. Vincent opened his eyes and tried to sit up. Aeris pushed him back down. "Lay back down, you're not strong enough to get up yet," she told him. I sat back up and pulled a the blanket over him. "Thank you," I whispered before standing up. I started to walk, my knees wobbled and I fell. Sephiroth lifted me up and put me back in bed. "You're weak too. You need to rest," he said sitting down in his chair beside me. "Will you tell me what happened now?" I layed on my side and looked at him. I told him exactly what happened. He looked angry when I was finnished. "Do you know who he was talking about? The guy that hired him?" he asked. "I have no idea," I sighed. "I don't even know anyone who would want me this badly." He gripped my hand. "Try to get some sleep," he told me. I closed my eyes and it didn't take long for me to drift off.
I stared out the tiny window at the water. Then I punched it. "Damnit!" I was so angry. "What did that poor window ever do to you?" I heard a familiar voice say. I spun around. "What in the hell do you want?" I asked Marron. "I just dropped in to say hi!" he sat down and propped his feet up. "Don't think you impress me any," I muttered. "Don't Sephiroth impress you?" he asked. "Sephiroth doesn't need to impress me," I shot. "I see," he thought for a moment. "What you feel for him, what you say is love, is nothing but a childhood fondness." "What do YOU know about my childhood?" I spat. "Rufus told me whatever I wanted to know about you," he replied. He stood up and began to walk towards me. I backed away. "I know about your darkside. I know you have a little bit of evil somewhere in there." I hit the wall and he put his hands up on the wall on either side of my head and stared down at me. His eyes seemed to be searching my soul. "You're wrong," I told him. I slipped under his arm. I walked towards the other side of the room and sat in a chair. "Leave me alone," I told him. The door opened and Rufus entered. "What are you doing in here?" Rufus asked Marron. "Just come for a friendly chat." I made a "hmpf" sound. Rufus turned to me. "Is he bothering you?" he asked. "Who cares?" I countered not looking at either one of them. Rufus threw up his arms in exasperation. Marron just smiled. "Do you want him to leave?" Rufus asked. I didn't answer. "Do you want ANYTHING?" he persued. I didn't answer. "You know I can give you everything you want," he said. "Give me Sephiroth," I muttered. "Damnit," Rufus cursed. "You'll cave." He left the room and Marron sat down. "Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?" I asked glaring at him. "Wheres the shadow materia?" he asked. "Forget it," I hissed. "I can't," he told me. "Don't you realize that by handing over the Shadow materia would be like handing over myself as well," I growled. "I have no objections to that," he grinned. I threw him a hatefull look. "How do you know Rufus anyways?" I asked. "I'm a Turk," he answered. "Then how come I didn't know about you?" I didn't believe him. "I didn't want anyone to know. I'm kind of like an undercover Turk," why wouldn't he stop smiling? "Why do I have so much trouble with the Turks?" I sighed leaning back. "Quite possibly because of Sephiroth," he replied. "How do you come up with that?" I asked angrily. "If you hadn't met Sephiroth you would never have gotten involved with the Turks," he said. "It isn't Sephiroth's fault that you guys are a pain in the ass," I muttered. "No but its his fault that my brother is dead," he got to his feet. "Your brother?!" now I was really confused. "Tseng," he informed me. "Sephiroth took from me the most important person in my life, so I releived him of his." I was speechless. "This has to be a dream," I whispered. He jerked me to my feet, his fingers digging into my arms. "Does this feel like a dream?" he growled. "Forget about Rufus you have worse things to worry about." He let me go and left the room. I laid on the bed and fell asleep. For the next week I had nightmares about Sephiroth betraying me. I thought that I was going to go crazy. I was kept locked up in that room. Finally I waited the entire day behind the door. When a gaurd opened the door I hit him in the back of the head and ran out, locking the door behind me. I made my way stealthily through the corridors to Rufus's cabin. He wasn't there so I ransacked the room until I found what I was looking for. His stash of materia, that was well hidden. I picked up my leather pouch that was inside and clipped it to my belt. I was closing the lid on the box when I noticed it. "How could he just leave it here?" I asked myself picking up the illusion materia. I dropped it in my pouch and left the room. I wondered where the helicopter was. It was my only way off the ship. I stopped when I heard voices... "Its been a week and you failed to produce me the shadow materia," Marron said. "I couldn't find Sephiroth anywhere," Rufus said. "It was like he disappeared." "Why were you looking for Sephiroth?" Marron asked. "Who else would she trust the materia to?" Rufus barked. Marron thought for a moment. "You may be right... but still, I have no materia you have no girl." "I'm not letting you take her when I am so close to getting my revenge," Rufus growled. "Revenge? I thought you were in love with the girl," Marron was confused. "Who needs love?" Rufus waved his hand. "Sephiroth tried to kill me because of her. And after the way she and her brother treated me it would be no surprise to me if she wanted me dead as well. I already had that miserable brother of hers shot. I want her heart to break." Before I could do or say anything the ship began to rock violently and I was thrown forward into the room. "What in the hell?" Rufus grabbed onto something to keep from falling. "Whats going on?!"
Aeris ran out of the capital and raced through the city of the ancients to the building where everyone was waiting in. "Sephiroth!" she cried when she burst through the door. "He left," Cid replied. Cloud stood up, "Whats wrong?" "Do you know where he went?" Aeris grasped his shirt in her fists. "I think he went to the forgotten city." Aeris ran out the door before he could say anything else. He followed her. Curious, Cid got up and followed too. Aeris ran down the long flight of steps and stopped when she reached the alter. Sephiroth was sitting on the steps looking at the shadow materia. Cloud caught up to her and soon Cid arrived as well. "Are you going to tell me what you're panicking about?" he asked. Sephiroth glanced up. Emerald Weapon," Aeris blurted out.
I crawled out the door onto the deck. The ship was rocking so hard you couldn't even stand up. The water was rolling even though there wasn't a single cloud in the dusk sky. "What is happening?" I asked no one in particular. I reached into my pouch for my levithian materia and the illusion materia fell out. I tried to grab it but it rolled into the cabin where I had just come from. Emerald Weapon rose out of the water, creating a large wave that rolled across the deck. I held onto the side of the ship, hugging it to keep from going overboard. I seen dozens of men get swept off and squeezed my eyes shut. "Why don't you say hi to your brother for me." I looked up at Rufus who had his gun pointed at me. Before he could pull the trigger another, smaller wave washed across the deck, knocking him off his feet. I stood and started to run towards the helicopter that was miraculously still there. Emerald Weapon attacked me hard with magic and I fell to the deck. Marron picked me up, shoved me into the helicopter, and climbed in behind me. That was all I remembered before blacking out.
Sephiroth woke with a start. He put his head in his hand and tried to shake off the nightmare. "She can't hate me..." he told himself. "Not when I care about her so much... she wouldn't turn against me. Not after all that we've been through together..." He stood and looked out the window at the nighttime sky. "She told me that she would always love me..."
A few days later....
"Wake up." I opened my eyes. Marron was knealing beside the bed. I looked up at him and got a confused look on my face. A ghost-like image floated in front of him, then it disappeared. "Whats wrong?" he looked alarmed. "Its just... your eyes," I told him. "Theres something strange about them." "You're just tired," he lied. "Yeah, I guess so," I muttered. But why did I feel so strange. Why did I feel like Marron was a stranger? I've known him since we were children. "I think I need to rest longer," I mumbled rolling to my side. "I feel so depressed of a sudden." Marron stood and left the room, leaving me with troubled thoughts. I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Finally, I got up and walked outside. I spotted a tall figure standing, facing the moon, and walked towards him. "Why do I feel so odd?" I asked. He turned around unaware that I was there. "Whats wrong?" he asked. My eyes were big and confused. "Everything feels so vauge. Like its not familiar to me. I remember everything so its not like I have amnesia or anything but... well it just seems like I don't know you anymore," I looked at my feet. "You're still exhausted from getting zapped by emerald weapon," he told me. "See what I mean?! You never used to be so passive about my feelings!" I exclaimed. "Now you only make excuses for them. You used to at least try to help me and you always seemed to have an answer for everything. You always made me feel so secure and now I feel like I'm coming apart at the seams." He didn't say anything. He looked like he was deep in thought. "I guess I didn't think things through very well," he mumbled. "Think what through?" I asked. "Why don't you seem like the same person that I grew up with?" "Because he's not." I spun around. A man who resembled Marron but with lighter features was behind me.
I sucked in my breath and jerked my head back towards Marron, my hair flinging to my other sholder. He was glaring at the other guy. I closed my eyes and seen Marron and then the other guy and then Marron and then the other guy faster and faster until I couldn't tell who was who. I put my hands to my head and dropped to my knees, hard. "Marron?.... Sephiroth?... What in the hell is going on?!" I cried. Sephiroth lifted his sword. "I know that you've done something to her, get out of her head!" Marron drew his swords in time to block Sephiroth's deadly blow. "I want the shadow materia!" Marron roared at Sephiroth, rage strengthening his attack. Sephiroth blocked all of his blows and then brought the masamune down hard, slicing through one of Marron's swords. The holy sword overpowered the mythril easily. Marron threw the handle aside and attacked with one sword. "I took her away from you and I'm not letting her go!" Marron growled when Sephiroth knocked him back. "I took her memory of you and put myself in your place. Then I fed you nightmares of her hating you. Its too bad you didn't fall for it because now you have to die!" Marron attacked with the fierceness of a tiger, pushing Sephiroth back. "Sephiroth!" I screamed throwing my arms wide. The shadow materia in his wrist band began to glow softly. Images flashed in front of Sephiroth's eyes... Me and him running through the forest.... me tugging on his arm begging to go to Gold Saucer... him twirling me around after I won the chocobo race... my fingers wrapped in his hair as I slept in his arms in Midgar... when I ran and leaped into his arms when he visited me at Icicle Inn... him carrying me on his back... him kissing me in the snow... me pleading with him to never leave me again after I got stabbed by Kain... him finally telling me that he loved me in Midgar..... He held me in his arms at Icicle Inn running his hand down my hair he whispered, "I'll never let anyone take you from me." .......With a mighty cry Sephiroth swung his sword so quickly it was just a blur. Marron was barely able to block the blows as he stepped back. Lightning flashed and rain began to pour down like it was a hurricane. Sephiroth lifted the masamune high and it looked like lightning when it swung down smashing through Marron's sword. Shock animated Marron's features as he touched his chest then looke at blood covered hands. He lifted the broken sword making one final, mad attempt to kill Sephiroth, rushing forward he impaled himself on Sephiroth's long sword. The force of it sent the Illusion Materia flying through the air. Sephiroth withdrew his sword from Marron's dieing body and swung at it making a whistleing sound as it cut throught the wind. There was an explosion of light when the sword struck, blinding him for an instant. When it was gone he stood there silently as the rain drenched him. The cold drops washed all traces of blood from the holy sword. Marron lay face down in a large puddle of water, his blood turning it red. Sephiroth looked to his left and felt his heart lurch. I too was laying face down but on the grass. He hurried to me and turned me over. He let out a sigh of relief when he discovered that I still breathed. He brushed the wet locks of hair out of my face and just looked at me for a moment. He leaned forward and kissed me on the lips.
When fifteen minuites was over Sephiroth threw open the doors and entered the room. Aeris sat in a chair looking at me with tears in her eyes. I was wearing dry clothes, my leather belt and holsters were laying on a table with my knee high boots laying underneath. "I didn't take off the talisman," Aeris said quietly. "She has never taken it off." "Whats wrong with her?" Sephiroth looked so helpless... something she'd never seen before. The pain in his eyes made them sparkle. "Shes in a deep coma," Aeris explained. "Whatever happened to her, she just wasn't strong enough to handle." Sephiroth sat on the other side of me and held my hand. He looked so lost... Aeris felt so bad for him, knowing that his heart was aching. She stood up and left the room. Sephiroth didn't even notice her.
"I need you. I can't go on living if I don't get to wake up next to you and see you smile again and again. I never could resist your smile... or your eyes. You enchanted me the very first time I looked into them. From that moment on I was yours. My heart... my soul belongs to you." "And mine is yours," I whispered peeking an eye open and grinning. "Why you little..." he stopped for laughing and pulled me into his arms, squeezing me tight. "Put me down," I told him giggling. I ran to the table and pulled on my boots and turned to Sephiroth while I slipped my belt through the loops. "I want to see everyone!" I told him throwing my arms around his neck. "Then lets go," he said with a smile. I turned around and spotted my holsters on the table. I walked over and picked one up. I sighed. "I'll get you some new ones," Sephiroth told me. "Don't bother," Cloud said walking into the room with Aeris, Reeve, Vincent and Cid. "What?" I was confused. "Why not?" Cloud pulled his hands from behind his back and presented me two beautiful daggers. My face lit up as I took them and held them in my hands. They were incredibly light. "They're made from the same stuff as Cloud's ultimate weapon," Aeris explained. "Thank you!" I threw my arms around both Aeris and Cloud at the same time. I strapped the holsters on and put the new blades inside of them. "I never got to thank you," Vincent told me. "For saving my life." "No don't thank me," I hugged him. "You came to my rescue." "I'm glad your back kid," Cid said giving me a quick hug. "I'm glad you're safe," Reeve also embraced me. He looked at Sephiroth. "Do you mind if I take her away for a minuite? I have something important to talk to her about," he asked. Sephiroth nodded and I followed Reeve into the adjoining room where we could talk. He turned to me. "I searched around HQ for any information I could find about Marron after Aeris told me he was a Turk," he explained. "Did you find anything?" I asked. "Yes... in Hojo's lab," he was reluctant to tell me. "In Hojo's lab?" I was confused as much as I was alarmed. Reeve nodded, "It seems that there were other experiments like the one done on Sephiroth." "What are you saying?!" I blurted out. "I'm saying that Marron was pumped full of Jenova cells too while he was still in the womb. Hojo kept it a secret from anyone, including President Shinra. Marron was Tseng's younger brother," he replied. "Oh wow. So there were two like Sephiroth," I muttered. "Actually Marron was exposed to a little more cells which completely set him off balance whereas Sephiroth recovered thanks to you," he added. "Thank you for telling me," I replied quietly. "Um... Raven?" he stopped me before I could leave. "There is something else..." he said turning away. "What is it Reeve?" I was a little alarmed. "Well... uh... this is a little embarassing to say..." he muttered. "Just spit it out!" I told him impatiently. "Well...uh...if you and Sephiroth... have children the Jenova cells will be passed on," he finally said. I dropped my head and looked at my feet. "So I can never have children then," I said quietly. "I guess that I'll leave it up to my sister to continue our line. Its a shame... an ancient like Sephiroth....." I left the room. I looked up at Sephiroth and smiled. I wiped away any traces of tears and went to him. He embraced me. "Its all over," I said. "The last of the Turks is gone now..." I turned around. "Reeve, if you wouldn't mind I would like to join your cause," I replied. He nodded. "I would love to have you and Sephiroth working with me," he said. I looked up at Sephiroth. "Do you care?" I asked. "I don't care," he replied. "Whatever you wish to do." I smiled, "Then its settled." "What about you guys?" Reeve asked everyone else. "I would join you too," Vincent said. "I was a Turk once." "I guess I have nothing else to do. I will join too," Cloud said. "And me," Aeris said. "Aw why the @#$% not?" Cid gestured by throwing his arms up and shrugging his sholders at the same time. "Me and my crew will be your piolets."
"So we are staying together after all," Aeris smiled. "I was afraid that we would all be seperated. I wanted to spend more time with my sister and Sephiroth... and Vincent and Cid... Reeve... and Cloud. Now I can and I'm so happy!" Reeve stepped forward. "Raven, I would like it if you would be my vice president," he announce. "Me?" I was surprised. "Anyone else would do a better job at that..." "I have a job for everyone else. You are good with magic, people, fighting, and you're intellegent. You know all there is to know about the ancients, materia, history and geography of this planet. I would say that you are the one for this job." I smiled and looked up at Sephiroth. He nodded with a small smile. "Yes!" I told Reeve. "I'll do it!" He smiled, "Excellent!" I hugged Sephiroth around the waist and laid my head against his chest. Aeris motioned for everyone to leave and they did. She smiled and followed them, shuting the door behind her. We held eachother, saying nothing. Words could not describe the way we felt. I looked up at him, "Sephiroth?" "What?" he asked. "Where is the shadow materia?" I inquired. "I don't know... I put it in your hand and fell unconcious," he replied, he looked worried. I looked away. "Raven I..." "No," I stopped him. I turned back to face him. "You didn't lose it." His eyebrows went inward in confusion. I smiled. "It went back inside of me," I told him. "Its back where it belongs." He just smiled.
