Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Hateful Transformation ❯ Chapter Fourteen ( Chapter 14 )

Hateful Transformation

Chapter Fourteen

Disclaimer: FFVII belongs to Squaresoft/Enix, not me………………. -cries-

Jenova forced Cloud to barricade himself in the basement library, something that tore at him greatly. After she was done making him lock the door from the inside, so there was no chance of escape for him, she made him grab several of Professor Gast's old journals, from when the science team of Shinra had first discovered Jenova. He didn't want to read them himself, but Jenova opened it and read it to him, repeating lines that she thought were interesting.

"You see, Sephy, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't be alive," She told him quietly, and then laughed. The laughter echoed throughout his mind for a long while. Had Cloud been in control of himself, he would have surely flinched-but, for now, there was -nothing- he could do. It was so much easier to deal with things whenever you could react physically to them…………………………& #8230;. But all Cloud could do was deal with it in his torn mind.

As they neared the end of Gast's journals, it was obvious the head of science was becoming worried about the newly discovered `Ancient'. He was also worried about his partner's new idea…………………………& #8230;and though it gave no name; it was obvious that his partner was Hojo. He explained Hojo's idea fully, and gave his whole opinion on it. Gast evidently didn't like the idea very much at all-but President Shinra adored the idea of a super SOLDIER, and so, overrode Gast's command.

Gast apparently had wanted to give the Jenova project up completely, but had stayed, for young Sephiroth's sake.

Jenova tried to hurriedly read over the sentimental parts, but the parts she knew would bother him she read slowly, agonizingly, often adding her thoughts to the matter.

As they finished Gast's journals, Jenova went over to Hojo's………………………… ;….. Which were even harder to hear for Cloud. During this time, Cloud actually physically winced-a small act, but it showed with great emotion, he just might could gain control over himself once more-if only a little. Cloud tried not to consciously think about it, in case Jenova would try to strengthen herself against him.

Hojo's work was filled with sadistic and twisted remarks-which was typical of the scientist. It contained graphic details of Sephiroth's birth-most things that would have been better left unsaid……………………..

~~

Young Cloud and Vincent both came in two days after Sephiroth had left the reactor-hoping that the time alone would make him think clearly.

At first, Sephiroth seemed to not have noticed them. He was leaning on a bookshelf, reading an emerald colored book, `Jenova Project' written on the cover in white ink, in an untidy, almost illegible scroll. Beside him was a large clump of books, from when he had simply thrown them when he was done.

After a few minutes of waiting, Sephiroth finally looked up from his book, and stared at them, scowl on his face.

"What do you want?" He asked coldly to them both, lazily throwing the book to the side, and striding up to them. "Can't you see I'm busy?!" He continued, spite quite evident in his voice.

Young Cloud glanced up at Vincent, gulped, and said, "We just wanted to see if you were okay…………………………& #8230;……." He said quietly, and then stared at the floor nervously. "Sorry." He whispered seconds later.

Sephiroth watched him closely, his arms crossed completely, cold glare in his turquoise eyes. "I'm fine," He spat bitterly, and walked back to the bookshelf he had been leaning on. As Sephiroth turned back around, there was a look of great sorrow on his face. It disappeared a second later, but Vincent and young Cloud had both seen it.

"Just leave me alone," Sephiroth mumbled quietly, his expression now emotionless. "Just leave me alone………………………… …."

Vincent nodded in understanding, and then left the room without saying a word. Young Cloud watched the general for a moment longer, and then followed Vincent out, leaving Sephiroth standing there alone.

~~

"What do you think about all of this Vince?" Young Cloud asked Vincent, as they were heading towards the other side of the mansion towards the master guest bedroom.

Vincent didn't answer, and instead, stopped right where he was, in thought. He stared out of the dusty window, to see the night sky. He wrapped his crimson cloak around himself, and closed his eyes.

"I shall stay here tonight Cloud," He said in his usual quiet deep voice, his eyes downcast, red light barely escaping underneath his eyelids.

"Okay then…………………………& #8230;…" Young Cloud muttered, one of his eyebrows raised curiously. "See you in the morning." He continued, and continued on to the bedroom.

When Vincent had seen that young Cloud was in the bedroom, he went back down to the basement.

To talk to Sephiroth, to find out more about his past, what lies Hojo had been telling him all of his life…………………………& #8230;.

And hopefully repair an anguished soul…………………………& #8230;……….

~~

"I'm surprised," Jenova said aloud from Cloud's mouth. "That this isn't bothering you…………………………&# 8230;. As much as I had hoped it would. I can tell you're still trying to fight against me………………………… 230;… Don't you know it's futile to fight against me? You don't have a chance. If this doesn't affect………………………… ;. Will this?"

Suddenly, Jenova's hold on Cloud loosened, causing him to fall to his knees.

"What the?!" He cried out, looking about himself in disbelief. He stood up quickly, and laughed cheerfully.

"Don't think I'm just letting you go." Jenova cut in. "You shall always be mine."

It was at that moment, there was a great pain in Cloud's abdomen, and glowing blood poured out of his mouth. After it stopped, he fell to his knees once more, then to the floor, clutching his burning throat, unable to breathe, pool of blood surrounding him.

And then…………………………& #8230;………

Vincent ran into the room.

~~

When Vincent first spotted Sephiroth, his eyes immediately grew wide, and he automatically fell to his knees by the general's side.

"What happened?" Vincent questioned firmly, forcing Sephiroth's head up.

Sephiroth was now breathing, at least, but it was coming out in ragged breaths. Both of his hands were still clasping his neck, pain evident in his eyes.

"Jen-" He started to answer, then stopped, and closed his eyes tightly. He took in a deep breath, and opened his eyes again. "Jenova………………………̷ 0;…….." He finished, staring up at Vincent blankly.

"Jenova…………………… …………." Vincent whispered, the name calling up memories. He glanced over at the journals that were all over the room, all of them with the title `Jenova Project'. Every single one.

Sephiroth closed his eyes once more, but this time he didn't open them. Vincent forced one of his eyelids open, and discovered that he was unconscious. He slowly laid his head back down, a small splash arising as the side of Sephiroth's face fell against the luminous blood………………………… … Vincent ran his finger through it, gathering a bit on his finger. He sniffed it, recognizing the scent easily.

It smelled almost exactly like pure Mako.

That explained why it was glowing.

Vincent looked down sadly on the unmoving form of Sephiroth, thinking of how one person could ruin the lives of many.

"Damn you Hojo…………………. Damn you…………………………." Vincent whispered, watching Sephiroth's chest rise up and down. The rhythm was beginning to get slower and slower.

"I need to get him some help." Vincent realized. "Now……………………."

Vincent stood up, and then leaned down, and began to pull Sephiroth's body up against the bookcase into a sitting position. He then turned around, and forced the general's body against his back.

Vincent stood up, with some trouble, the slightly taller man dangling limply off of his back. He then started to leave the basement, kicking the door open with his left leg.

When he was outside, he eyed the skulls and skeletons without emotion, simply stepping over them if need be. For once, he was grateful for his own glowing eyes-otherwise he wouldn't have been able to see anything at all.

The staircase was the biggest challenge for Vincent yet. At the tilted angle, Sephiroth occasionally started to slide off of his back, and sometimes it was hard to pull him back up.

As he climbed up the stairs, Vincent closed his eyes, and remembered the second to last time he had spoken to his beloved Lucrecia………………………R 30;……

~~

"Vincent?" The soft timid voice of Lucrecia emerged from the darkness next to a Turk known as `Vincent Valentine'.

"I'm sorry……………………… about all of this. Hojo didn't want me to see you……………………….. So I………………….. I couldn't. I'm sorry Vincent………………………̷ 0;."

Vincent said nothing, but nodded his head in understanding. Lucrecia looked over at Vincent, guilt written on her face.

"Vincent…………………… ;……" She said quietly. "I think there's something you should know…………………… but, please, don't tell anyone………………………… ; It would be terrible for all of us if people knew."

Vincent, once again nodded, and said, "I understand. I shall never tell anyone."

Lucrecia grinned softly, and felt her bulging stomach feebly. She continued to watch Vincent, love in her eyes, as she said…………………………. .

"You see, Vincent………………………̷ 0;………….."

"This baby…………………………& #8230;.."

"Is yours."

And, just as he had promised, Vincent had never told a soul.

~~

Vincent wasn't sure how Lucrecia had known, but he knew she would never lie to him, so he continued to believe that Sephiroth was his son. And it helped him to go on, knowing that Sephiroth existed only because of the love that had existed between Lucrecia and himself.

As Vincent finished walking up the stairs, a small smile formed on his lips. Despite it all, he was smiling, something that was quite rare for Vincent Valentine.

Vincent began to slowly walk down the tiny staircases that led to the exit way. One of the steps started to cave in, but, luckily, he was able to get away from it before it caved in. These staircases were a lot easier for him to go down than for him to go up the last one…………………………..

When Vincent stood at the musty old exit way. He took a deep breath, and forced it open.

To be welcomed by the smell of intense Mako, for once a smell that he greeted with open arms.

It was extremely dark outside, and Vincent saw no one that could help.

At first.

He walked down the dirt paths of Nibelheim, and finally did spot someone.

It was a woman with spiky blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a smile that always seemed to stay on her face.

It was Cloud's mother, Cassandra Strife. She was watering her flowers that were right outside her window with a battered metal watering can. She was facing the opposite direction from Vincent, humming softly.

Being as there was no one else that could possibly help, Vincent struggled up to her. On his back, Sephiroth was still laying unconscious, slight stream of blood coming out of his mouth.

"Excuse me," Vincent called to Cassandra meekly. She turned around, her usual smile on her pale face.

"Yes?" She asked pleasantly. At that same moment, she noticed the still form of Sephiroth on his back. She dropped her watering can without a thought, and ran up to him. She turned Sephiroth's face toward her, and stared at him blankly. "Come inside," She ordered Vincent, and ran inside her house, leaving the door open. Vincent willingly followed her, and walked to the center of her house.

"Lay him down on the bed!" Cassandra yelled, scrounging around for her medical supplies. Vincent glanced around the single room for a bed, and spotted one that was near the hallway, partially hidden by a small `gate'.

Vincent limped over to it, his legs now aching from the weight he had been carrying. He stood in front of the bed, and then turned around, leaning back as far as he could to insure a soft landing.

When Sephiroth was lying limply on the bed, Vincent stood up to his full height, and looked at his still form, remembering the tiny moment of sorrow he had seen just an hour or so before.

"Excuse me sir," Cassandra said, running up behind him, toting her brown medical bag with a small red cross beside her. "I'll try to help as much as I can." She told Vincent, taking out various items from her bag.

Cassandra then started to administer some medicine, some that showed some healing, a few that nothing happened after………………………… ….. And finally one that worked perfectly.

After the last one was given, Sephiroth spluttered some blood out of his mouth, and gradually opened his eyes…………………………& #8230;………………………… ;…..