Crossover Fan Fiction / Bleach Fan Fiction / Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Aint Nothing But Magick (reverse) ❯ Chapter 23 ( Chapter 23 )

Title: Ain't Nothing But Magick (Reverse)

Author: J'dee, Mabelle, & Tobias

Rating: PG-13 some smoking and drinking refs…

Genre: Drama / Humor/ Action / Adventure / Romance

Author's Note: The original ANBM was a fic where 25 authors + were pulled in to the DBZ/GT world, the reverse is just that… a reverse where a select number of anime characters are yanked in to the real world, with not a true reason why, and no idea how to get back to their home…

 

Chapter 23

 

Gojyo shook his head. “No way… you think that Air freak is going to come after me?”

Hakkai nodded. “I'm afraid so. Kougyoku, you are the main link to her soul.”

Gojyo let out a breath as he watched J'dee standing on the balcony her hot drink in hand a cigarette in the other.

Zack sat at the table scratching his arm and he pulled the sleeve up to his elbow and sighed looking at the decomposition. “Damnit…”

Hakkai looked over. “Zack you should be resting.”

Zack looked to where J'dee stood. “I spoke to Roy this morning while J'dee was sleeping. We're going to go for Cloud today.” He turned back to Hakkai. “Can you and Gojyo make sure she…?”

Hakkai smiled. “We will watch over miss J'dee.”

Zack let out a breath of relief. “Thanks.”

Gojyo looked at Zack resting his head in his hand. “Dude you didn't even need to ask.”

 

~*~*~

 

“Havoc and Riza called.” Misato informed Gene over the phone.

 

“Oh? What's up?”

 

“Apparently Belle some how wound up in Zack's world. She's trying to get back but they wanted Washu to look into giving her a hand.” Misato said, cracking open a beer. She and the diminutive scientist had patched things up today. Misato herself had apologized for losing her temper and Washu had apologized again for keeping it a secret.

 

All was well in Fiften household.

 

“She's in Zack's world…” Gene said, trailing off. Misato took a long drink as she heard Gene sigh on the other end.

 

“Yeah, and Washu is looking into trying to bring her back but informed them it was slim to none without her divine powers.” Misato replied.

 

“If things were that simple they wouldn't need us now would they?” Gene replied and hung up.

 

~*~*~

 

Belle's morning after breakfast began with Reno showing up at her door and the imposing sensation of Vincent had gotten greater at the sight of the amorous redhead. Not that Reno minded, he was doing his best to pretend that he couldn't see Vincent.

“So, ready to get pricked yo?” Reno asked.

“Yeah, I better get the accelerant shot now,” Belle sighed as she stood up and Reno smirked.

“We can do the shot after,” Reno said with a wink and Belle blushed. “Back up, I was joking yo.”

“Vincent, he's all talk,” Belle sighed as she stepped between the messy Turk and her self-imposed bodyguard.

“Hey, I'm not just talk yo,” Reno cried as he grabbed Belle's hand. “I am a gentleman yo.” He kissed the hand he captured and Belle rolled her eyes.

“Like I trust you now,” Belle muttered and Reno tucked Belle's hand into the crook of his arm.

“You don't know,” Reno stated and Belle snorted.

“Where's Rude? I didn't think you'd wander away from your boss,” Belle stated and Reno looked insulted.

“I outrank Rude yo,” he claimed and Belle stared at him before looking at Vincent. Vincent nodded his head, acknowledging the truth.

“You're above Rude?” Belle asked and Reno beamed, giving her another roguish grin.

“I'm right under Tseng,” he bragged and Belle stared at the rumpled suit and long hair.

“Oh, I'm sorry, my mistake,” Belle said.

“I know, I don't know how I did it yo,” Reno grinned.

 

~*~*~

 

Zack rubbed his arm looking at where Hakkai had healed him. “That was a weird place for it to pop up.” He mused.

J'dee was looking at him and he felt her hand move over his arm looking at the freshly healed skin.

“I'll do some research into white light healing techniques I'll find something to fix you up properly.” She looked up at him.

Zack smiled. “You don't have to go out of your way.”

She sighed. “I do if not for me, then for Aerith… she's really worried about you, I can feel her concern.”

Zack's hand touched the side of her face. “Her concern shows on your face.”

Roy cleared his throat from the door. “We're heading out now Zack.

Zack nodded and he looked at J'dee and she squeaked as he hugged her quickly. “I'll be back… You take care.” He kissed her on the top of the head before heading to the door. He stopped in the doorway looking over his shoulder at her flustered looking face and smiled. “Later.”

 

J'dee saw the door close and she looked at the Saiyuki boys in her apartment. Her bodyguards for the day, she let out a breath. “I wish he'd just slow down for once.”

Hakkai smiled at her. “I do believe you know it's not possible for him.”

J'dee sighed. “I know but I don't want him hurt again.” Her hand moved to her chest. “And I can feel it on the wind it's telling me he's going to get more than hurt before this is over.”

 

~*~*~

 

Reno and Vincent were standing back when the scientist approached Belle with the massive needle and Belle was suddenly apprehensive.

“That looks like a big needle,” she stated.

“You should see my needle yo,” came from behind Belle before there was a scrabbling noise and when Belle looked over her shoulder to see both of her male escorts were missing. Then there was a horrible burning sensation and Belle looked down to see the shot in her abdomen, only the serum was burning as it entered her blood stream. Belle managed to make a croaking sound as the needle was removed and she went into the fetal position on the table.

“What's wrong?” the scientist asked.

“It burns,” Belle hissed.

“I must have put the combination in the wrong amount, I'll fix it for tonight's injection,” he said and Belle nodded as she writhed on her side. There was movement and a warm hand was on Belle's shoulder. She looked to see Vincent and he looked like a port in the storm. Her small pale hand wrapped around his leather encased one as she rolled over, burying her face into his lower chest, upper stomach. Vincent froze for a moment before placing his clawed hand over her head, gently stroking her hair in a comforting manner until the pain subsided.

 

~*~*~

 

Cloud reached the exit of the cave shielding his eyes as he stepped out in to the light; he looked over his shoulder back at the darkened caverns of the cave. He turned round and walked a few feet hearing the sound of water. He made his way up a small path and stopped at the large oasis sitting over the cave the water stretched on for miles, there was a small Island in the middle and he blinked.

“You don't see places like this much anymore.” He moved to the garden by the water's edge crouching down he looked at the yellow flowers.

His phone began to ring and he pulled it out seeing Roy's name flashing on the screen.

Cloud flipped it open. “Hello?”

“Cloudy hey buddy!” Zack greeted on the other end.

Cloud smiled, he hated to admit it but every time he heard Aerith or Zack on the other end he felt that guilt that he'd been secretly holding on to slip away more and more.

“Zack…”

“We're on our way to get you okay… The Shinigami should be reaching you first being that they can do that kind of thing.”

“Is Aerith with you?” Cloud asked.

“No we left her behind, she's got a group of bodyguards incase Air takes this as a chance to get at her.” Zack replied.

Cloud nodded. It was a shame he did want to see her, and she had been stubborn in about coming to get him. But he was glad at the same time that she listened.

“That's a good idea. Think they're strong enough to hold him back?”

“Well it is Sanzo, Gojyo, Hakkai and Goku along with Able, Grimmjow, Ed and Havel.” Zack replied. “I think he wouldn't be stupid to go in there alone.”

Cloud blinked he didn't know who these people were but they were definitely a large number used to protect her. “I don't think he would either… How far away are you?”

“Not sure using Shinigami technology so just know we'll be there it could take an hour or two even at enhanced speeds on this thing.”

“I'll be outside.” Cloud stated.

“Okay! Well see you soon.” It sounded like Zack was grinning.

Cloud flipped the phone shut and he looked at the flowers before glancing up seeing wood stacked up to the side like a bon fire was ready to be lit.

“This place has all the elements… It's an uneasy feeling.”

 

~*~*~

 

Belle sat in front of a fountain as Reno bought something to eat from a street vendor and she smiled as she looked at the mixing of futuristic world and old world. Vincent was standing to the side staring at her and Belle felt like rubbing her face to make sure there wasn't anything stuck there.

“Here you go yo,” Reno said as he offered Belle what looked like a foot-long hot dog and Belle gave him a look. “They're good.” He held up his own which was half finished.

“You were ten feet away,” Belle stated as she stared at the Turk as he grinned. It was slightly infectious and she smiled back at him.

“That's a much better face yo, you were looking really sad,” he said as Belle took the hot dog and stared at the chili-like toping on it. She took a small lady-like bite, doing her best not to encourage any dirty Reno fantasies. Reno devoured his dog with plenty of time to make Belle feel like she was staring in the sexiest porn ever instead of eating lunch.

“You know what's really disturbing? Having two men stare at you while you eat,” Belle stated after she finished her lunch and Reno grinned a big perverted grin.

“It was an entertaining lunch yo,” he grinned and Belle shook her head. It was a beautiful day and she had to admit it was almost too perfect, but there was a wrongness underneath, a cancer hidden under the lush skin of the day.

“What's wrong?” Vincent asked and Belle felt the first tears well up in her eyes.

“I can't live here,” she said as she looked at the two men and Reno's carefree look was gone. “I can't. This feeling, it's got me worked up in knots, I can't imagine living the rest of my life feeling this sensation.”

“What's it feel like yo?” Reno asked and Belle looked at him.

“Like something horrible is going to come at any second and ruin my life,” she said and Reno placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You'll be fine yo, I'm here,” he grinned but there was a sinking feeling rising in Belle's stomach and her eyes widened as a shadow blocked out the sky.

“It's here,” Belle whispered as Reno and Vincent both looked up at the monster that was falling from the sky bellowing a murderous scream.

 

~*~*~

 

J'dee flipped out her phone as the text message came through her phone from Roy.

 

`We've arrived and Cloud is standing out front… we're going to go in and see if we can't pull out a few of the captured… will sms you more details later… oh and I'm taking you out to dinner tonight.'

 

J'dee let out a breath. “Doesn't he ever quit?” She sighed walking out on to the balcony; she looked down the place looked almost empty without any of the Shinigami lingering around. She saw Able below obviously in a conversation with Hakkai. Gojyo was jumping along the balconies followed by Goku doing a quick sweep of the area. Across the road were Havel and Sanzo the two priests just walking the perimeter.

J'dee turned round and stopped looking at Ed and Grimmjow on the ps2 playing budokai. She walked in to the kitchen and began to make herself some fruit salad from the fridge. The wind suddenly picked up and J'dee looked to the door to the balcony as she heard a voice on the wind that made her shudder involuntarily.

`I hate these bad feelings… some things going to happen I can feel it.'

She continued slicing the watermelon putting pieces in to a bowl before she cut up some bananas, mandarins, apple and pineapple tossing them in there to.

J'dee stopped as she felt the hand touch her on her shoulder she looked over her shoulder and stopped seeing a shadow like silhouette standing there.

She let out a cry jumping out of the kitchen and running to put the table between her and the figure.

J'dee felt herself pulled back and she landed on the couch hard. “Ow!” She shot Grimmjow a look as the Espada looked at the shadow like creature.

“'Tch interrupt my game…”

The shadow creature looked at her. “Kyo is ours now. Soon he'll be joining Ichigo…”

J'dee's frowned. “Bastards.”

Grimmjow's eyes narrowed. “I doubt you took out Kurosaki that easily and if you did I'm going to have to hurt you for killing him before I could.”

J'dee was aware of Ed leading her to the door before he pushed her out. “Go upstairs I'm sure the lieutenants' have made it back now. We'll handle this.” Ed looked at her.

“Ed…”

He just smiled. “We'll be fine just hurry before more come.”

 

~*~*~

 

“Shit yo!” Reno cried as he ripped out his cell phone and called ShinRA headquarters.

“Stay with Reno,” Vincent ordered and Belle watched as her guardian leapt in to the air, bouncing off various buildings to get up into the air in time to greet the creature with a few bullets in the face. The creature's screams got angrier and Belle prayed that Vincent would be okay. Then Belle realized that the creature's attention had shifted to her. Not to the dozens of people running around screaming in horror, not to Reno, not even on Vincent attacking. Red and heartless eyes fell on Belle and she could feel the creature's hatred lock on her.

Vincent followed the creature's attention and his eyes widened slightly as he saw Belle staring at the creature with a strange look on her face. He raced across a rooftop to shoot at the creature as it approached. It turned its head to shriek at him before diving towards the fountain.

For a moment it looked like Belle was frozen but in a second she began to run around the massive fountain, hidden from both the creature and Vincent. The creature landed on the ground, roaring as it searched for the woman. Vincent launched into the air, somersaulting onto the creature's back and firing into it. The bullets opened holes in creature's hide, but it was massive and it would take more than just him to stop it.

“Vincent, helps coming yo!” Reno cried and Vincent saw the Turk to the side of the courtyard, alone. Vincent was too busy to yell to Reno, but he was concerned with Belle, where had the woman gone? The creature shook its back violently, sending Vincent into the air, he quickly twisted in mid-flight.

Belle was soaking wet as she hid within the fountain. The creature was searching for her, but its eyes obviously couldn't see through the falling water. Her eyes were wide as she watched Vincent leap and fly through the air. His black hair and red cape were flashing in the wind as he moved mid-air. Belle was spellbound as he attacked the creature again and again, but slowly it dawned on Belle that the creature wasn't taking enough damage, it would take Vincent hours to stop it. As if on cue the creature slashed at Vincent, missing by a mile but destroying a building. Reno was off to the side ordering people to safety.

The creature screamed in rage as it was continuously attacked, but it didn't seem to care about Vincent, it was clearly searching for something. Belle knew the creature wanted her, it knew she could feel the wrongness and it didn't want her around. The only things stopping the creature were Vincent and Belle's current hiding spot.

 

~*~*~

 

J'dee made her way to the elevator hitting the button, she could hear the wind pick up in the hallways and heard the shuffling sound make its way down the hall. The sound of static filed her ears and she covered them quickly. She stopped seeing a figure cloaked in black down the hall. It almost resembled an Organization thirteen cloak. Face hidden from view, she felt the wind strike towards her and she turned and ran to the stair well she quickly descended the steps as fast as she could, a black cloaked figure definitely fit the description the Sanzo party given her of the man who had sent them here.

She could hear the deep voice carried on the wind.

“I can still hear yooooou.”

“Shit, shit, shit. What is this guy suicidal?” She growled as she made it to the next floor down she raced out in to the hall before running to the elevator hitting the down button repeatedly.

J'dee let out a cry as arms wrapped around her and a hand covered her mouth and she was pulled back.

“Shhhh.” Havel's voice filled her ears and her heart began to slow down, she looked up but couldn't see him, then she realized she couldn't see herself either. He had cloaked them both.

 

The black cloaked figure stepped casually onto the floor it was then she noticed Sanzo at the far end of the hall, he stood there jeans and black top gun rose pointing it in the direction of the cloaked figure.

“You…” The figure chuckled. “I'm soooooo disappointed in you Genjo Sanzo.”

“Shut the fuck up!” Sanzo snapped and the Smith and Wesson fired.

Havel slipped her back in to the stair well at the far end of the hall on the other end. He uncloaked them before letting her go.

J'dee slipped to her knees. “Oh God… that was one of them wasn't it?”

Havel nodded. “Keep going downstairs get outside and go as far as you can from here. He's over run the apartment in only a matter of hours with his shadow minions.”

“Because Roy took the Shinigami right?”

“Right. But we still have Kenpachi and Yachiru… if they didn't wander too far.” Havel looked to her. “I saw them outside two hours ago but who knows where they are now.” He gave her a light push. “Run as fast as you can.”

J'dee took off down the stairs running before she managed to break outside in to the sunlight. There was only one place she could remember that she could go and she ran towards it.

 

~*~*~

 

The creature was getting annoyed with Vincent and the fact it couldn't find Belle. It finally shrieked as it opened its wings and when Vincent leapt at it one flap sent the man slamming into a building. As the gust threw Reno into a wall it cut the water of the fountain exposing Belle in all her drenched vulnerability. Both Vincent and Reno watched as the creature caught sight of Belle. It screamed as it moved to stand right in front of the fountain as the water curtained Belle again.

Belle felt her heart pounding as she moved quickly to the opposite side of the fountain. Only by divine grace did she trip, falling on her face in the water just as a tentacle sliced through the water ripping the top of the fountain away, as it would have Belle's shoulders and head had she been standing.

Vincent flew at the creature landing on its shoulder and shooting at an eye. The creature screamed in agony as it slapped at him and Reno watched as Belle stood up in the remains of the fountain. The broken pipes shooting a thirty foot spray into the air.

“Get out of the way yo,” he called but the creature screamed and turned to look at the woman. It chose to forget Vincent and entered the spray to look down at Belle.

The large mouth opened as it became obvious the creature was going to use its razor sharp teeth to rip Belle to shreds. Vincent shot out one of the eyes and the creature hissed but its objective was more important as it lunged for Belle.

Belle stared and screamed as the creature lunged only it discovered that it was being encased in ice. The water from the fountain was covering the creature in a layer of ice that was thickening with every second. Vincent stared for a moment before looking at the creature, it was unable to bend forward and it screamed in rage.

“Cover the head yo!” Reno cried and Belle looked up, a fire entering her eyes as she narrowed them at the creature's head. Sure enough the creature's head began to freeze and Vincent took aim. When there was a deep cracking noise, Vincent shot and the creature's head shattered.

 

~*~*~

 

Cloud walked through the caverns with Roy, Zack, Renji and Ikkaku he took them in to the room. While Hisagi, Kira, Yumichika were wandering the halls close keeping an eye on the security of the place.

“This place seems empty this time around.” Zack mused.

“Air left this morning, Water vanished. Earth and Fire I believe went to discuss some plans in another dimension.” Cloud explained.

“So we could just grab them and go?” Zack asked.

“We could but do you have enough transport for all these?” Cloud pushed the door open.

Zack stopped dead seeing all the tubes. Fire's side of the room had three figures in the four tubes. Water and Air held two figures in their four tubes each.

Roy looked at Cloud. “Where's the one where Maes was held?”

“Hidden down the hall.” Cloud replied.

“Shit they actually got Kurosaki.” Renji walked up to the tube he noticed the liquid holding Ichigo was a darker color than the others. “What happened to him?”

“Earth impaled him. Air had to do one of his healing jobs but he didn't wash the blood away before dumping him in there.” Cloud replied.

Zack moved up to one of Air's tubes brushing the plaque down and he looked at Cloud's name on the tube. “Her fourth…” He moved to the last tube and looked at the name there.

“It's Gojyo isn't it?” Roy asked.

“Yeah. Maybe leaving him behind with J'dee wasn't a good idea that's twice the reason for Air to go there.” Zack mused.

Ikkaku shook his head. “We can't carry eight people back… We should have brought the captain we could have if he was here.”

Cloud looked at them. “I'll stay I'll keep an eye on them then.”

 

~*~*~

 

Belle entered her room shivering even under Reno's suit jacket. She had not spoken since the creature had attacked.

“You better change yo, you don't want to get sick,” Reno suggested as he closed the door leaving Belle alone. She moved to the closet and opened it up. There were Turk uniforms and not much else.

Pulling out a uniform that looked like it fit her, Belle tossed it on the bed as she undressed. She took the time to change her bra and panties before she saw her cell phone on the bedside table. She grabbed it without thinking. J'dee's number was sent and Belle stood in her room with wet hair, shivering and hoping to hear her best friend's voice.

 

~*~*~

 

J'dee sat in the field of flowers right in the middle of the mixture of yellow and green, the meadow was peaceful, and she had always loved sitting in them as a child feeling the wind around her and the earth beneath her.

She was aware of her cellphone ringing and she pulled it out the Garden - Late show song warbled out it was her special ring tone for the likes of when Belle called.

She answered.

“Belle God I was starting to get worried.”

She heard Belle's shivering voice and she blinked. “S-s-sorry…”

“What happened?” J'dee went to stand up but she felt the wind pick up and she was shoved back down. She looked round trying to see if she could see anyone looking out of place in a meadow of flowers apart from her.

“I got attacked… It was looking for me.”

J'dee's heart went out to Belle stuck in a foreign world with a bunch of characters she knew no more than what she had told her about… when she wanted to listen that was.

“Aww sweetie just hang on, okay?”

“I don't think I'm going to ever see home again!” Belle exclaimed she sounded near tears. “And I know more are going to come for me! I can feel it.”

“Don't say that! Don't even think it. Keep your head up okay? If you think that way it will happen because you already jinxing yourself.”

She heard Belle laugh. “Says the one who's horrible at it… hypocrite.”

J'dee smiled and she felt her heart soften to hear the laugh. “Ooooh can I ask you something?”

Belle sounded weary suddenly as she knew that tone of voice. “What?”

“Rufus, have you met him yet?” J'dee smirked in thought of the blue eyed blonde haired hottie president of ShinRA.

“Not yet.” Belle replied.

“Oh god damn before you go, meet him and tap that for me pleeeeese!” J'dee exclaimed.

Belle broke out into laughter. “That's it I'm restricting your Gojyo play time from now on.”

“Hey, hey, hey! This is all me baby no Gojyo involved here. I don't even know where he is right now.” J'dee sighed.

“What's happening there?” Belle asked.

“Roy, Zack and Shinigami headed out to get Cloud today… Gojyo last I saw was balcony hopping I hope he doesn't get caught outside Mrs. Gehlun's apartment… seriously Zack told me he had to move quick before she busted him, crazy old German woman.” J'dee smiled at the thought of Gojyo being attacked with the same broom Mrs. Gehlun had grabbed before running out on to the balcony to try and hit Zack with before he vanished.

Belle laughed. “He'll linger you know he will.”

J'dee smiled she could hear the door opening on the other end but it seemed Belle didn't hear anything.

“Tell me about Rufus…” Belle asked.

“Rufus. Well apart from being a hottie in a white suit, he's actually quite smart… think Roy… without the perversion and not as lazy. There is always a motive for what he does, he's smart calculating and got most ground bases covered. His outward appearance is seemingly good but who knows what he's thinking. I don't see him as a bad person just a person born in to a bad family, but this is all me talking here. He also has a large panther like kitty called Dark Nation… I want cuddle it!” J'dee squealed.

Belle laughed. “Right hug a panther… you do that, while I watch it eat you.”

“Meanie…” J'dee pouted.

“Well I'm just getting changed so I'm going to put something warmer on. A Turk uniform is all they have.” Belle remarked.

“Hey can you bring me one of those? I always wanted a Turk uniform.”

“I'll see what I can do. I'll call you tomorrow.” Belle laughed ending the call.

 

J'dee looked at her cellphone and let out a breath she stood up she stopped suddenly as the wind picked up again.

“Fooooound you.” The voice came from behind her.

J'dee spun round and she saw the black cloak, before there was a sudden flash and he was behind her. J'dee felt her head spin suddenly as if a dizzy spell hit her, but she knew she had been clipped on the back of the neck by him.

She fell forward and was aware of an arm wrapping round her catching her.

“This definitely beats Fire…” She heard his voice before unconsciousness took her.

 

~*~*~

 

Belle finished her conversation with J'dee and pulled on the Turk shirt before she was aware of a presence in her room. She turned around quickly to see Reno leaning against her door. Belle wiped the tears from her face as she looked at the carefree Turk. The light in Reno's eyes was predatory and Belle was suddenly aware that all she was wearing was a shirt that was only half buttoned. Her long legs were shivering as she looked out from under the dark tendrils of her hair.

“Damn, that's a good look yo,” Reno said as he advanced on the woman. Belle went to move back only for her knees to hit the side of the bed. Her foot slid on the rug and Belle fell onto her back. Reno was over her in a second, not touching her but effectively pinning her to the bed.

“Vincent won't take kindly to this,” Belle stated and Reno grinned.

“He's getting debriefed right now yo,” he whispered as he lowered himself toward her. Belle's heart was racing and her body was responding to Reno's closeness. Her stupid pregnancy hormones whispered about how soft his red hair looked, how sweet his breath smelt, and how precise he was in his movements.

She gnawed on her lips slightly as she took in the masculine scent. Reno had a clean smell to him, but there was something underneath, a musky scent that screamed male and each breath of it made parts low on Belle tighten. From the way his eyes sparkled, Reno knew Belle was affected by his proximity.

“So you like redheads yo,” Reno chuckled as he locked eyes with her. Belle's heart was pounding so hard she was certain she was going to pass out but she didn't. Blue met blue and Belle was torn between wishing that Reno would just kiss her and wishing Reno would back off. Not that it mattered, Reno went for it and Belle's eyes fluttered, it had been so long since she had been kissed and this was without a doubt the best kiss of her life.

Reno had eaten something sweet and minty, but the underlying taste was man and Belle's hormone laced mind wanted more. He was resting on his elbows as his fingers dug into her hair, his hips were pinning hers, and his tongue was plundering her mouth. Belle's experiences with this deep of a kiss were practically nonexistent so she let Reno take over, let him have his way. One of her hands was twisting up the bedding underneath it while the other was on Reno's shoulder, still trying to decide if she was going to yank him closer or push him away.

There was an aching emptiness and Belle had a feeling if she let him, Reno would make sure she felt anything but empty. Reno pulled off of her quickly and smiled at her. Belle stared at him on the other side of the room, eyes wide in surprise but she said nothing as she covered her mouth with the hand that had been on his shoulder.

“Better get dressed yo,” Reno grinned as he left the room and Belle blinked in surprise. Her breasts were almost painfully tight and her loins were aching, it took a moment for Belle to realize what Reno had done.

“Son of a bitch!” she hissed as she realized that the Turk was working her up for his own amusement. She hissed as she pounded on the bed, quickly getting dressed so she could get her next shot. She felt sullied and dirty, but the worse was the faint disappointment that Reno had stopped. The disappointment made her feel dirtier.

 

~*~*~

 

“Hooooooney I'm home!” Air let his voice boom through the corridors of the caverns and instantly he knew Fire and Earth had vacated but Cloud had company. “Tsk, tsk… Cloud I leave you alone for a couple of days and you invite people over…” He looked at J'dee draped over his shoulder before he sped through the caverns and in to the room where all the tubes were. He skidded to a halt before he set J'dee on a cushion of air and looked up at Ichigo floating there he checked each tube they remained untouched and he looked out in to the hallway.

“Earth's room… I bet you he found it.” He looked back at J'dee before picking the woman up and dumping her on the table he looked round finding something simple to bind her to the table with. He lent down once she was secured and he pushed the left bang from her face leaning over her, she was still out cold.

“I definitely win with you in my grasp.” He stood up and turned round walking out the door.

 

Entering Earth's hidden room he looked round seeing the ground disturbed as well as the tubes he looked round. “Oh come out come out where ever you are…. Oooooh Cloooooooud… I brought you a playmate too…”

 

Cloud sat crouched down he looked at Zack and frowned. The Shinigami had left when Havel had called them and said Air and his minions had shown up at the apartment complex. But Roy had remained like he wanted a good shot at Air or Earth for attacking Mae's spirit and using it in their plans.

 

“Gojyo…” Zack whispered looking at Cloud.

“We'll get him out.” Cloud remarked. “Before he does to him what he did to me.” His eyes narrowed in memory.

Zack sighed and he felt his stomach itch in irritation at the thought. He lifted the shirt up and blinked seeing the decomposition covered his entire abdomen again. “Damnit… I can't hang around here.”

Cloud looked at Zack his eyes widening. “Zack… what is that?”

 

~*~*~

 

Belle was shocked to find herself having dinner with Rufus, Tseng, Reno, and Vincent, but she didn't complain, not every girl got to dine with such a handsome collection of men. The only negative was that she was across from Reno, nothing like having her brief encounter rubbed in her face. She was proud that she didn't blush as she sat down. She was dressed like a Turk, of course, a proper Turk like Tseng instead of Reno. She made a show of adjusting her tie and brushing a few wrinkles out of her suit before she sat down.

“Welcome,” Rufus said and Belle nodded her head. “I'm Rufus Shinra.”

“J'dee told me about you today actually. A pleasure to meet you,” Belle said and Rufus offered his hand. Belle took it and the second she did she could sense the wrongness around Rufus. She threw herself back so fast her chair over turned and she crawled backwards away from him. The group stared at her but she was staring at her hand. She could almost see it, like spider threads. She hissed at it as she realized it was partially water. The wrongness seemed to fly from her fingers and towards Rufus.

“What's wrong?” Rufus asked, preparing to grab his gun. Belle's eyes flashed and the wrongness flew away from Rufus and through the window, never hesitating to pass through the solid. Belle got up and stared in shock.

“She did something similar to that the first time in Seventh Heaven,” Vincent spoke.

“It's her powers yo,” Reno stated. Belle blinked as she looked at Tseng and Rufus.

“I'm sorry, there is something very wrong with you,” Belle whispered and Rufus stared at her, giving her nothing. “It's still waiting to get you. Something about the worlds coming together is bringing back whatever wrongness you had.”

“Sir,” Tseng said, “she could be speaking of the geostigma.” Belle approached Rufus, her eyes flashing here and there as she stared at him.

“I think…I think I can get the wrongness to leave you, even with the worlds colliding,” Belle said and Rufus stared for a moment.

“Do it,” he said and Belle nodded as she held her hand towards him, close but not touching him. Her face turned in revulsion as she pulled the wrongness from Rufus. It was like stroking something rotten and vile and Belle felt her stomach turn as she collected the wrongness in her hand. She made a noise of someone about to throw up as she stared at something no one else could see. Reno stared but he couldn't see it, neither could Rufus but Vincent could feel something gathering in Belle's hand. Belle covered her mouth with the back of her other hand as she quickly looked at Rufus again before she turned to the window and flung whatever was in her hand away.

Belle gagged slightly before she knelt on the floor, exhausted from so much, the monster, the shots, and the wrongness. She felt the tears falling as she hugged herself.

“Thank you,” Rufus said and Belle nodded.

“You are welcome,” she sobbed and Vincent knelt beside her.

“You should rest,” he said as he picked the woman up and began to carry her to her room. After they left Reno and Tseng looked at Rufus.

“Do you feel any different sir?” Tseng asked and Rufus thought about it.

“I do,” he said his tone dull but his mind was racing as he realized an unnoticed, substantial amount of tension had vanished from his body.

 

~*~*~

 

J'dee came through with a groan, she blinked realizing she was lying on a table and looked up seeing her hands bound above her and she tried to sit up the table shook and she gasped. She watched her cellphone as it fell out of her pocket and landed on the ground.

“Shit.” She pulled at the binds She could hear his voice in the hallway. Air's voice.

“Awwww c'mon Cloud play nice…” She heard the sound of metal meeting metal. “It's not my fault he picked you over Aerith!”

“Damnit…” J'dee hissed.

She looked above to see what was binding her hands to the table and she froze seeing the two orange haired teenagers within a set of tubes.

“Ichigo! Kyo!” She pulled at the binds trying to sit up the wind whipping around the room violently. She heard other tubes begin to shake and she stopped looking to the other side she saw the figures of Vash and Hohenheim in another tube. “Muthafuc-”

She froze hearing the door open and she looked up and blinked staring in shock.

Zack lent against the door Roy helping him through.

The two stopped looking at her.

“Shit…” Zack moved but she just watched as he doubled over his hand moving over his stomach. “Roy, get her off that… please.”

 

Roy moved up to her side and she felt the binds loosened and she was pulled to sit up. “So you were Cloud's playmate huh?” Roy looked at her. He pulled out his phone flipping through his messages sure enough there was an sms from Gojyo stating they couldn't find J'dee anywhere and she wasn't answering her phone. Roy looked at her phone on the ground and he picked it up handing it to her.

“I haven't seen Cloud yet.” J'dee sighed.

“Best not to he's fighting Air right now.” Zack remarked.

“He's what….” J'dee raced to the door and she was grabbed from behind then pulled in to Zack's chest as he held her.

 

J'dee could suddenly feel it his body was going cold the cold chill of death.

“Zack…” She looked over her shoulder and she saw the creeping decomposition on the crook of his neck. “Oh God not again… We need Hakkai…”

Zack held her close. “Cloud wanted us to find who Air brought here and take them back with us.” His head dropped to her shoulder. “We didn't think it would be you.”

“Guess dinner will have to wait till tomorrow night.” Roy joked.

J'dee turned round in Zack's arms and hugged him. “We can't leave him here. Zack you know this. He needs a place to rest up and recover from what Air has done to him.”

 

Zack smiled slowly. “I knew you'd say that…” He let her go leaning against the wall. “Roy, go with her… I'll wait for you here.”

Roy let out a sigh. “Don't move we'll be right back.” He walked up behind J'dee his hand touching her on the shoulder. “Let's go. I'll cover you the best I can.”

 

J'dee let Roy lead her down the hall the two of them ran towards the sound of the battle. J'dee looked up as they reached inside the large cavern she could feel the power of Air the minute she stepped in the room.

Cloud was above them on a ledge spinning round Buster sword in hand he blocked the long black sword of Air and the two jumped apart before colliding again with a loud clang. The metal flashed illuminating the dark area revealing hideous shadow like faces on the wall watching.

The way Cloud moved and fought had her standing dumbfounded for a moment, he spun round like he was flying going up and up, the overly large sword spilt in two one in each hand as he flew towards Air slicing through the shadow like creatures and wind based attacks being flung in his direction. Yet Air matched him with the flips and the slashes. To compare it to a battle it would be like comparing Vincent and Sephiroth merged into one being fighting Cloud.

“J'dee.” Roy spoke snapping her out of it.

“Sorry that is way above my league.” She whispered.

“Like I said I would cover you to the best of my ability.” Roy repeated.

J'dee looked round she raced to a ledge and began to climb it trying to get up high enough to get into Cloud's vision. If he saw her he'd change his mind in staying she knew that between her and Zack she knew they could affect his choice to stay.

 

Cloud landed on a ledge and Air looked at him. Cloud wondered why the blonde had his hood pulled up. He looked to the side seeing Roy standing there.

“I told you to get Zack out of here!” Cloud shouted.

“Cloud… it wasn't Gojyo Air grabbed!” Roy shouted at him.

Cloud froze. If it wasn't this Gojyo character then who was it? He saw the flash of metal and dodged but the impact loosened the gravel beneath him and he slipped down.

Only then was he aware of a hand that caught his.

Looking up Cloud sucked in a breath seeing her face staring down at him and she smiled. Bangs hanging down on either side of her face, her hair was pulled back in to a messy disheveled ponytail.

“Cloud.” She looked relieved to see he was alright.

“Aerith…”

She smiled at him. “You ready?”

He looked up seeing Air looking at her and Cloud knew he was pissed off.

“You.” Air shot Roy a glare.

Roy smirked. “Yes me.”

Air sent a gust of wind at the Colonel who ducked and rolled out of the way his hand going in to his pocket Cloud caught the flash of a white glove before he looked back up at Aerith.

Cloud nodded his head at her. “I'm ready.”

She pulled him up and he felt the wind pick up under him propelling him up towards Air.

 

Air flinched in pain as the Buster Sword impaled him to the wall and he shot Cloud a dark look. “Oh you'll pay for that… starting with Zack.”

He slipped into the shadows of the wall and the wind whipped around him before dashing out the open door slamming behind them.

 

“Zack!” J'dee jumped down from the ledge. Roy catching her at the bottom and she raced to the door pulling at it to find it locked. “Shit.”

“Stand back.” Roy slipped on his other white glove.

J'dee jumped back as Cloud landed on the ground next to her. She saw him looking at her and she felt her face heat up, he was looking at her like she was truly Aerith reincarnated.

 

*SNAP*

 

The door was blown open by a gust of fire.

Cloud saw Aerith run through first and down the hall; he looked at Roy, before they quickly followed.

 

J'dee reached the room and she stopped seeing Zack lying on the ground his skin was charred black and she dropped to her knees rolling him over on to his back.

“Zack…” She shook him slightly. “Hang on okay we'll get you back to Hakkai and he can fix this.”

“Aerith here.” Cloud tossed her a green orb.

J'dee caught it and looked at the materia. “Cloud… I…” She was stopped by a hand grabbing her wrist and she looked down at Zack watching his eyes open they were no longer the sky blue she remembered but completely black and she could feel the cold touch of his grip as it squeezed it, was like how she remembered the grip of death to be.

She saw his other hand go for his sword and J'dee let out a cry as she was pulled away suddenly and the sword was embedded in the ground where she had been.

Roy's body covered hers as he held her against the wall shielded.

“It's your fault… Aerith.” Air's voice seemed to laugh. “You left him now he belongs to me… Zack if you will.”

Zack grabbed the hilt of the sword not saying a word he shot her a dark look.

 

Roy spun round and he snapped his fingers, Zack spun the sword round deflecting the gust of wind. Grabbing J'dee Roy pulled her in to the hallway.

Cloud close behind them. They raced through the caverns Cloud shouting directions at them. It seemed like the blonde had memorized each turn and room in the caves.

“Okay turn right up here there will be some stairs up. They lead outside. There are several entrances and exits. This is the one I use when I want to slip out unnoticed.”

Roy reached the stairs and he looked up pulling J'dee up they passed several engravings on the wall. But Roy didn't really have time to look at them as he made his way up the stairs either. But he was well aware of the arrays surrounding the doorway as they reached the outside.

 

Roy looked up seeing the dark sky and he stopped dead seeing the shadow minions floating around. He stopped dead the car was parked in the trees on the other side of them.

Cloud slipped out behind them. “Aerith… can you forgive me?”

He was aware of J'dee turning to look at Cloud.

“For what?” She looked confused for a moment.

“I let you-” He was cut off as she hit him in the chest.

“I haven't died here so you have nothing to apologize for!” She snapped.

Roy covered his mouth shaking his head.

Cloud looked down. “Then Zack-”

“We'll get him back.” She stated over confidently. “Until then come with us. You need to rest you've been fighting for too long.”

Cloud shook his head. “Aerith if it were you and Zack together I wouldn't object but I can't leave him like that down there.”

“If I can get home to Tseng's notes of Aerith's life time maybe I could remember something and I could help but I don't want to leave you here where you could die. I promised Tifa I would find you.” J'dee looked hurt by Cloud's refusal.

“Aerith… when you see Tifa tell her you found me. But let her know I'm not running away from this. People I care about are going to get hurt if someone doesn't stay behind.” Cloud's gloved hand touched her on the arm.

J'dee hugged him. “Stupid man.”

 

Cloud blinked and looked at Roy before he hugged her back, the memory of holding her cold dead body in his arms flashed through his memory and he pulled her closer, she was warmer, she was alive.

“I'm sorry… but its Zack if you were in my position you would do the same thing to save someone you cared about wouldn't you?”

J'dee let out a breath. “I would.” She thumped him on the chest angrily. “Don't you dare die or I swear even though there's no phoenix down here I will find one revive you and kill you myself!”

 

Roy held out his hand to her and he watched as J'dee grabbed it and he held up his other hand and then snapped. The fire making the minions back away as he made a path to the car. J'dee clinging close to him Roy looked over his shoulder, seeing Cloud watching them, before he turned round and raced down the stairs.

Roy opened the door and J'dee climbed in he jumped behind the wheel and started the car up driving out of the area fast keeping the window down and snapping his fingers outside every so often to shake off a lingering shadow. Without the Shinigami it was going to be a long drive home…

 

~*~*~

 

Belle stared out the window. She had been trying to sleep for hours but no matter how tired she was the wrongness of this world was eating her away. She was slightly worried that whatever she had taken from Rufus was now on her even though she knew it wasn't. She sighed as she sat up and looked at the night outside of the ShinRA building.

“You need to sleep,” Vincent said and Belle barked a laugh. She was going to lose it, between Alphonse, Reno, and this world she wasn't going to make it.

“I can't stay here,” Belle stated and Vincent approached the bed, the wrongness of the world seeming to be blocked out by his presence. Belle looked up his tall body to see those soft red eyes giving her a familiar and much hated look. Belle's eyes filled with tears.

“I'm not her!” she snapped as she buried her face in her hands. “I'm not any of them! I'm Belle! I'm alive right now! I shouldn't feel guilty for being alive!” Vincent sat on the bed and stared in silence as the woman in front of him broke into pieces.

“I know,” he said and Belle sobbed.

“I hate this world, it's so wrong! Just being here is making me sick. My body is filled with knots and aches because of the wrongness!” she sobbed as the tears fell. “I can't deal with being a doppelganger for all these people and have to put up with this weirdness!”

“Perhaps that's why they were sent,” Vincent said and Belle looked up at him in shock. Her large blue eyes were so upset that Vincent wished he could take that look from her eyes. Lucrecia or not, he did not want to see such a look in her eyes.

“Well it's working, I'm not me anymore, so many people see me as a dead person brought back to life, it's like they're trying to make me into someone I'm not. I'm not some saintly mother, I'm not some jilted lover, I'm not some divine father, I'm just me and I just wish someone would see me as Belle and not someone else,” Belle said and Vincent stared at the woman for a moment.

“I see you as Belle. You can't be anyone but Belle,” Vincent spoke and the look on her face was blissfully painful. Vincent was shocked when she practically fell into his arms crying as she hugged him. He was confused as she sobbed into his chest, but he held her, held her until she fell asleep against him in the dark. He wondered if he shouldn't show her and he decided he would in the morning.

 

~*~*~

 

Roy pulled the car up outside the apartment building J'dee had slept in the car her head on his shoulder most of the way. He lent back in the seat his hand going to his head.

“Zack… I hope like hell Cloud can get you out of there…” He whispered.

The door opened and he looked at Armstrong standing there.

“Colonel…” He stopped seeing J'dee sleeping against him. “You got her back.”

“Yeah but we lost Zack… Cloud stayed behind because of it.” Roy looked to J'dee.

Gojyo looked in the door and he let out a breath. “Dude that was too fucken close if you ask me.”

“Gojyo you and J'dee need to be under constant surveillance. Air is pissed off he lost her and you are the last one he needs.” Roy stated.

Gojyo nodded. “Yeah Renji mentioned that.” He lent on the door. “Is she alright?”

“I think she'll be fine. But let's get her inside. Try not to wake her. It's been a rough night.” Roy stated.

He watched as Gojyo walked round the car and opened the passenger side door and gently lifted J'dee out carrying her in his arms.

Roy felt Armstrong help him out of the car. Ed stood in the doorway looking at him. “Full metal…” He placed a hand on Ed's head chuckling as he passed and headed inside before he heard the shout.

“STOP MOCKING ME COLONEL!”

“Sorry what was that I think you need to speak up sound doesn't travel to well up.” Roy laughed. He smiled to himself he needed some lightening up after the long day and night and Ed was the best entertainment.

“YOU HEARD ME!!!” Ed shouted.

 

~*~*~

 

Belle was enjoying the walk far from town, they had escaped the ShinRA building easily and Vincent was taking her someplace he believed she might find peace. He hadn't spoken much but Belle was thrilled to be away from ShinRA and Reno. She was taking great joy in their walk. The path was lovely and full of life. They were following a river which Belle would stop occasionally to stare at.

“This way,” Vincent pointed to a rather steep trail and Belle sighed as she began to walk. She zoned out for a moment and nearly fell. She grabbed Vincent's hand, the cold metal of the claws would have scared her if it was someone else, but the golden hand was just Vincent. Belle kept her grip as they continued up the trail.

Vincent stared at the smaller hand in his own, clinging to his monstrous hand as if it were nothing. Belle didn't even look at it simply at his face to smile as they moved up the path. Belle's eyes widened as she heard a familiar roar.

“A waterfall?” Belle asked with an almost childish joy. She kept her grip on Vincent's hand as they reached the crest of the path. There was the waterfall and Belle smiled as she let go of Vincent's hand to stare at the several falls created by one massive river higher up. Belle was amazed as she approached and there was a pang of something in her heart as she stood at the spot. “Oh Vincent, it's beautiful.” Belle turned to give him a shy smile.

Vincent stood for a moment as she explored the side of the river before he approached her. He took her hand with his more human one and began to lead her. There was a small cave opening and Belle's eyes were wide as they entered. She made a gasp.

“What's wrong?” Vincent asked as he looked at her as her free hand clutched her breast over her heart as if in pain.

“There's something here,” Belle said and Vincent nodded as he continued on. She continued to make noises as they moved into the much larger chamber. He stopped completely when they reached the water's edge and Belle gasped.

“Who is she?” Belle asked and Vincent stared at the empty crystal.

“Lucrecia was there, but she's vanished due to recent events,” he spoke and Belle stared at the crystals in the center of the water.

“No….she's not gone,” Belle said as she took as step forward. Vincent released her hand and Belle stood on the water. Vincent's eyes grew wide as Belle stepped across the water to the crystals in the center. Vincent knelt and touched the water, but it was normal water, it let his hand pass through with no effort. His ruby eyes moved up to gaze at Belle as she stared at something he couldn't see within the crystals.

 

~*~*~

 

Cloud sat on the ledge where Aerith had grabbed his hand he looked behind to where Air had vanished he sat there one leg dangling over the edge the other pulled up to his chest.

“Aerith I hope Roy got you back alright.” He looked down below at Zack on the ground.

Zack seemed to be fighting something internally as he lay there. Cloud had managed to pull him away from Air, but he was just a darkened shell of the Zack he once knew.

He pulled out his cellphone looking at the sms from Roy.

`We're back at the apartment, she's sleeping at the moment… we're upping security. Fill us in on Zack's condition when you have a chance…'

Cloud flipped the phone closed he looked down at Zack who managed to stand to his feet for a moment and he staggered.

“She needs to die…” He mumbled incoherently before heading to the burnt up doorway.

Cloud jumped down from the ledge landing in front of Zack.

“Zack… you need to rest.”

Eyes blinked looking at him confused for a moment and Cloud caught Zack as he fell. He pulled out his Materia the cure and activated it letting the healing properties take away Zack's injuries.

The former SOLDIER slumped to the ground and Cloud put the materia away. He knelt down next to Zack lying on his back.

“Cloud… every time I think on her something wants me to kill her…” He whispered before flinching in pain.

Cloud looked down at Zack, the rocks the ground Zack was lying on his sword in his hand everything screamed the same and he felt just as helpless now as he did then.

“Death… isn't it a bitch?” Air voiced walking in the room. “Stop healing him you're only prolonging it.”

Cloud looked up at Air. “I won't let him die again.”

“Me, me, me, I, I, I… selfish brat, he's in pain. Let him go.” Air huffed.

“You're not having him.” Cloud shot Air a dark look. “I saw that when it covered all of his body he followed your orders he was you puppet so long as I can keep healing him a bit at a time he won't listen to you.”

“And what happens when you run out of MP and HP this isn't a video game Cloudy… its real life…” Air lent over him. “You can't do jack… that's what happens. Then bada bing bada boom I get a new shadow minion.”

Cloud's head shot up looking at him then he looked at the shadows circling the cavern. “They're not…”

Air grinned. “They are. There are a lot of souls connected to those three and each dead one and living one close to them we've enlisted the help of. They start out like the puppy here.” He motioned at Zack on the ground. “We torture them a bit carve them up and let them stew for a while then pooooooof.” He jerked his thumb to a shadow like creature slipping out of the wall making Cloud's eyes widen. “Know him?” Air laughed. “Oh yes that's right you do… you killed him… a couple of times.”

Cloud pulled Zack up to him seeing the silhouette of the over six foot figure standing there, armor, sword, knee length long hair, long flowing jacket.

“Sephiroth…” Zack mumbled looking at the figure.

Cloud slipped Zack's arm round his neck and he helped him up walking to the door. “Where you going Cloudy?!” Air laughed.

 

The pain was too great and he closed his eyes this was different from being shot. It was like he was loosing himself more and more. But the urge to see her again was also painful, He looked to Sephiroth's silhouette and he looked down.

“Cloud… just… leave me.” Zack mumbled.

“No.” The stubborn reply came. “I let you die once not again.”

Zack sighed. He looked to the side as `Sephiroth' walked beside them. “Is Angeal trapped here too?”

Sephiroth shook his head. “No… they couldn't reach him.”

Zack smiled. “Good.”

Cloud looked at Sephiroth. “Just leave us alone.”

“He was the only friend I had left after Angeal and Genesis deserted.”

“Some friend! I'd hate to see how you treat your enemies!” Cloud snapped.

Sephiroth seemed to smirk. “You already know Cloud.” His hand moved to Zack's shoulder.

Zack slipped to his knees suddenly dropping to the ground. “I want you to save her… even if it's from me.” He whispered.

Cloud tried to pull Zack up. “Not happening! We'll do it together!”

Cloud saw the flash of metal and he jumped back seeing Air stepping in between them. Sephiroth crouched over Zack and Cloud saw the silhouette explode the darkness sucking Zack right in to its core.

“ZACK!”

 

~*~*~

 

Belle stared at the woman who looked just like her in the crystals. She was seeing her with the water vapor power, but she could still see her. It was so strange to see someone who looked just like you inside of a crystal. Belle's body tingled and Belle knew that this was part of the reason this world felt so wrong. She was missing this person.

“Come on, you're not supposed to be here,” Belle said and the other woman's eyes slowly opened. “Lucrecia, you need to join us.” Belle felt the other souls inside of her well to the surface and not just Koumyou, Rem, and Trisha, but suddenly there was Noelle and others she didn't even know about. Belle fell to her knees as she lived dozens of lives in seconds. Flash, Feudal Japan and a demon lover who bore red stripes on his cheeks like Reno, with white hair like Abel, and with a sweet disposition like Hakkai. Flash, three daughters and a martial artist husband who opened a dojo. Flash, a ninja mother training with a young son before a monstrous fox attacked the village and chasing a sweet husband to defend their child. Flash, chasing after a clever kitsune with a golden treasure with black wings tucked to her…his back. Dozens more surfaced and in a second Belle could identify so many lovers, children, parents, siblings, and grandchildren.

“Belle,” Vincent called and Belle turned to look at him before she turned her face back to Lucrecia.

“Lucrecia,” Belle spoke softly as she pressed a hand to the crystal and slowly a blue-green light began to slip from the crystal, wrapping around Belle. For a moment Vincent saw Lucrecia as she had been in the crystals, Belle was gone. That moment passed quickly and Belle was slipping to her knees as she gasped deeply.

 

~*~*~

 

J'dee woke up and she was aware she wasn't in her apartment or bed and she sat up suddenly panicking and she looked round. She stopped dead seeing the state of the bedroom. It was like a tornado hit it. Then she was greeted by an image of half naked women posted on the wall from playboy and hustler magazines.

She fell back into the bed, it was soft… softer than her own she seemed to sink into the mattress.

She was aware of the shower in the on suite turning off. The door opened quickly and she looked at Gojyo wrapped up in a towel he stopped looking at her and grinned.

“Morning beautiful.”

J'dee seemed to jump from the bed and she just hugged him. He caught her quickly his arms going round her.

“Long night huh?”

“I can't do this by myself. I want Belle back I want Toby here!” She let out a defeated choke.

 

Gojyo rubbed her back and he held her close. “I know honey… I know… we'll get them back. Somehow… But right now you need to recover.”

Gojyo helped her sit down on the bed and he sat next to her as she lent forward her elbows resting on her knees.

She reached in to her pocket and let out a sigh. Gojyo picked up his smokes from his bedside table and offered her one, she pulled it out he lit the end with his zippo.

Gojyo pulled his own smoke out lighting it taking a drag.

“Why am I in your bedroom?” J'dee asked.

Gojyo blew the smoke out after letting it linger and swirl round his mouth for a moment. “We're under watch honey; it's you and me that Air is after now. So they think they can watch us better if we're together.” He replied. “Besides your apartment is being cleansed by the monk.”

J'dee looked at him. “Oh… so what now?”

“We wait.” Gojyo shrugged. “It's all we can do.”

 

~*~*~

 

Belle looked over at Vincent and she could see him as he once was, young and sweet. She could remember Lucrecia's hesitation and Belle suddenly had a wave of hatred for the part of their soul that belonged to Lucrecia. Belle stepped onto the water this time aware of forcing it to hold her up. Belle extended a hand to Vincent. Vincent took her hand and was pulled onto the water. He was shocked to find himself standing in front of Belle as she stared at him.

Blue eyes moved over every feature of his face before her hands boldly until the first few buckles on his cape and freed his face to her. Soft hands moved to capture his face between them. A thumb moved over his lips and for a moment Vincent wished the woman in front of him was Lucrecia but he knew she wasn't. Her fingers moved into his hair and for a moment it looked like she was going to pull away. Instead Belle pressed against him and pressed her lips to his. Vincent's mouth went slack in surprise as Belle took advantage of his shock.

Her soft blue eyes were locked with his hard red ones and the kiss broke slowly. Belle licked her lips as she took his claw in her hand and began to pull him after her. They left the cave and Belle smiled at Vincent for a moment before she pointed at the waterfall and it turned to ice in an instant.

“Thank you Vincent, I understand now,” Belle said as she waved her hand again and the ice turned to water instantly. Across the surface of the river water would rise up and down as if a group of children were tossing another upon a tarp. Vincent's eyes widened as the jumping of the water was following the movement of Belle's hand. “You have made me complete and this power…I understand it so much more now.” They stood across from each other and Vincent wanted to ask her about Lucrecia before she turned away from him.

“I hate her now, before I pitied her for her weakness but now…I hate her, how could she leave you?” Belle said as she looked over the river. “I will never forgive her weakness. I'm sorry.” She looked at him and Vincent could see the difference between Belle and Lucrecia suddenly. This woman knew loyalty, she knew herself, and she knew what she had to do.

“Shall we try Seventh Heaven?” he suggested and Belle smiled.

“I need to get home,” Belle said, her stomach was definitely starting to show and Vincent wondered if Lucrecia looked as determined when she was carrying her child.

 

~*~*~

 

J'dee fresh from the shower grabbed a towel she wrapped it around herself heading out into Gojyo's room stopping dead.

Roy, Havoc, Hawke-eye, Gojyo, Renji and Ikkaku were in the room.

“Well my timing sucks.” She looked to the side flushing in embarrassment.

“Ooooh yeah now there's a hot look.” Gojyo grinned.

Roy moved up to her and she looked up at him. “How are you feeling?”

“Like crap… but thank you Roy. You went out of your way even driving all night to make sure I got back okay.”

J'dee looked at Hawke-eye gathering her clothes and walking out.

“I'll bring you a change of clothes.” She stated the door closing behind her.

Roy nodded. “Belle would probably not forgive me if I left you there… I wouldn't forgive myself either… But we'll definitely have dinner tonight.”

J'dee's eyes went flat. “You never quit do you?” She walked to the bed looking at the time on her cellphone.

“One dinner then you can decide.” Roy smiled flashing one of his charming smiles.

J'dee sighed defeated. “Okay fine one dinner.”

“Colonel!” Havoc exclaimed.

“Oooh he's good.” Gojyo mused.

 

~*~*~

 

Vincent and Belle entered Seventh Heaven to see Rude and Reno sitting at the bar looking a little annoyed and amuse respectively. Belle smiled as she looked at the regulars before smiling at Tifa. Belle took out her cell phone and dialed J'dee.

“Hey, it's me, I'm complete now, I have all my memories of all my souls and girl, we're holding more than just four souls,” Belle said.

“What?” J'dee cried on the other end and Belle grinned.

“Get to Seventh Heaven now, I'm coming home,” Belle said.

“What?” J'dee screamed. “I'll be there in a few minutes!”

“See you then,” Belle said as she shut her phone.

 

~*~*~

 

J'dee grabbed her shoes freshly changed from the shower and running down the hall. “Who's driving?” She called out.

“That would be me.” Hakkai smiled as he stood by the elevator Hakaryuu perched on his shoulder. It binged and Hakkai held it open as they entered.

“How are you feeling now?” Roy asked.

“Better knowing she's coming home, but not so good… can we neglect to tell her about my kidnapping for a little bit?” J'dee asked.

Hakkai looked at her. “She will need to know eventually and you have seen inside their lair that would make Air or any of them want to end this fast.”

J'dee sighed. “Then can we wait till we tell her. I want to find out who these other souls are that she's discovered. I figured it was more than four, but I'm not sure who the others are.”

It was at that moment the elevator binged and J'dee headed outside she looked at Renji standing there.

“Hey is it true? Belle's coming back?”

“Yeah I think it trapped her because she was incomplete.” J'dee explained.

“Are you complete?” Renji asked.

“Doubt it… Misaki hasn't given me any memories yet. But I think I'm going to get them soon especially after seeing Ichigo like that.” J'dee mused.

Hakaryuu kyuu'd as he transformed in to the jeep.

“Renji get some Shingami to follow us to Seventh Heaven including the AX group… just incase.” Roy stated.

“Yeah, sure.” Renji replied and he leapt off to inform the others.

Hakkai started up the jeep and he looked at Gojyo.

“Dude what are you waiting for lets go get her.”

Hakkai smiled as he drove towards Seventh Heaven.

 

~*~*~

 

“What's that yo?” Reno asked and she smiled.

“I need to go home now,” Belle said and Reno blinked.

“You think it'll work yo, or are you just trying to run away?” Reno grinned and Belle smiled a secret smile as she moved up to the redhead. Reno blinked as the woman approached, her hands moved to either side of his waist to rest on the bar behind him. Her head and shoulders lowered so her nose was nearly where his first button was done and she took a deep breath. There was no mistaking that the woman was scenting the Turk.

“You are fluid in motion,” Belle said as she moved up his chest to his neck, leaning to the side away from Vincent. “I am Water. If you're fluid, you belong to me.” Her teeth dug into Reno's earlobe and he gasped as it sent an electric shock to something low on his body. Belle pulled back so she was face to face with Reno, their lips a breath apart. “You don't want me to…verify that ownership. No matter how good it would make you feel.” One of Belle's hands grabbed the long length of red spilling down Reno's back; she wound it quickly around her hand.

“How do you know?” Reno taunted only for his head to be yanked forward into a kiss where he was sorely outmatched. Something in the pregnant woman had changed she was definitely stronger and more confident. As Belle plundered Reno's mouth and pressed him back into the bar the room seemed to grow humid. Reno's body slid down slightly so Belle definitely had the upper hand. She pulled back breathing hard, but no where near panting like Reno was.

“Because you like being your own man,” Belle said before kissing him chastely. “Watch out, my blood red fluid, next time I see you, I might not be able to resist taking you with me.” Belle shook her head and sighed as she walked to the door, pulling it open and smiling as she saw a group of surprised Shinigami, a group of Saiyuki guys, a few Fathers, and J'dee.

“That's your world,” Vincent stated and Belle nodded as she looked at the stoic man.

“Thank you Vincent, I'll never be able to repay you for what you've done for me. I will do my best to make sure Lucrecia returns to this world after all this is over,” Belle said as she stroked his cheek. “Take care.” Belle stepped out of the bar with a victorious grin on her face as she ran to J'dee, hugging her friend tightly.

“Um…Belle…” J'dee stated and Belle turned to see that Vincent had followed her out of Seventh Heaven into her world.

“Oh,” Belle said before smiling and grabbing Vincent's clawed hand and smiling at J'dee. “Can we just go home? I desperately want to take a shower and sleep in my own bed.”

“Uh…sure,” J'dee said as Belle began the march back home.

 

~*~*~

 

“Where are you going?” Fire paused on her way out, wrapped in her customary toga. She turned to see Air leaning against the door frame, watching her.

 

“I've had enough of sitting around waiting. I'm going to take care of Washu. Unlike you Air, I'm focusing on actual souls.” Fire said haughtily. Air frowned and pushed himself away from door frame.

 

“It's too soon. Water's already displeased with you for going against the plan. Actual soul parts? You know better, Fire.” Air chastised. Fire smirked and laughed cockily.

 

“I want the boy's power! What better way then to force him to grow by bringing the last four to his world? Then when his powers rise to the peak…” Fire trailed off grinning evilly. Air scowled.

 

“You jeopardize everything we're working towards by skewing off on you own! Do you honestly think this plan will work?” Air demanded. Fire continued to smirk cockily at him.

 

“Of course, when I remove the scientist from play. I'll capture her now and the boy will lean more heavily on the others. When I get the opportunity I'll steal the fourth and then…” Fire left it hanging but she grinned evilly, showing her teeth.

 

“I'll get Earth to stop you. She has enough power to stop you until Water returns.” Air snarled, spinning around and heading deeper inside. He stopped at what Fire said next.

 

  “Go ahead, feed me.” She called. Air turned to face her.

 

“Explain yourself.” He demanded. Fire's grin got wider.

 

“I consume, Air. I consume anything related to Earth. If Earth tries to stop me, I'll burn and burn. Even you would feed me if you can't muster enough wind to stop me. Only Water can, and he's too weak to do anything.” Fire smirked. “Poor little Water, so connected to his opposite that he falls apart when she leaves. Is he crying a river now?”

 

  “You need to control yourself damn it! You're getting too caught up in the power!” Air snapped. Fire shrugged.

 

“Like you aren't?” Fire replied, and disappeared in a plume of fire. Air snarled and wind whipped around him in a frenzy.

 

“DAMN YOU!”

 

~*~*~

 

Space is quiet. There are millions upon millions of objects that fill it. Stars, planets, asteroids, comets, each moving at a unique and mostly unknown speed and path. But each of them is utterly and completely quiet. In this plane of existence, only humans have the knowledge to send noise through the infinite black. With our radio waves, satellite signals, even explosions do we send actual sounds. And if we had the technology to hear on this band, we'd hear a faint but steady signal reaching towards our planet.

 

Coming from a small blue mech that carried only one person in its cockpit, but several thousand tons of metatron in its vector trap.

 

“L-little Washu….” Loud coughing, before the weak voice tried again. “Little Washu. This is Toby. Mayday, mayday, I'm hurt and I think I'm-” More coughing. “I lost the coordinates and re-entry protocols. ADA was forced to reboot and lost the numbers. I need help…”

 

Timing is everything.

 

And Fire had very good timing. Because Washu's lab was now empty, only the countless experiments and equipment remain. The tanks holding Ed's arms are safe, as is the rack holding Belle's shot. But Washu's computer is burned and the scientist herself is gone.

 

And Tobias's distress call rings out in the empty and silent lab as it does in the quiet of space.

 

~*~*~

 

Water felt his power grow and he let out a sigh of relief as he solidified and walked out of the lake. He teleported back to his room and decided, he would have to take one of that bitch's dear ones now. She had earned it for running away like that and she would sorely regret it for the rest of her life…or what he allowed her of it. Water laughed as he grabbed his blade, this victory would be sweet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be Continued…….