Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Legend of the Final Materia ❯ Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Selphie watched as Shukera walked back into the room, pick up a set of clothes and disappear into the bathroom once again. There Shukera threw off her uniform and slipped into her regular clothes which consisted of a long sleeved black shirt with over sized sleeves and wide cuffs at the end, a black pair of stretch black pants which she tucked into her boots, and a large white belt wrapped around her waist. Shukera bundled up the uniform and walked out the bathroom.

"That uniform is ridicules!! I had to get out of it." Truth was, she hated everything the uniform represented and the way it reminded her of what she had done for Shin Ra. Shukera tossed the garments aside and sat in her bed. She was completely caught of guard with Selphie's next statement.

"I like you and want to be friends with you. You are fascinating, mysterious. I find that exciting!"

Shukera looked blankly at the wall, soaking in the words the hyper girl spoke. She heard the words but didn't quite believe someone was saying them to her. "You want to be friends with me? But, why, I don't understand."

Selphie laughed, "Why is that so hard to understand? You are a good person Shukera, regardless of what you think about yourself."

Shukera looked away, the pain more evident than before. "I am a combat Soldier. I have seen many things, many ugly things. I've seen things during the war that no one should have to see or be subjected to. I have done unspeakable things during the war, all in Shin Ra's name. Yet, they ridiculed me back home, called me names like War Pig, mongrel. I shut everyone out of my life. So, you see how surprised I am to find out that you want someone like me to be your friend."

Selphie smiled warmly, "Consider this a new beginning. Leave your past in the past where it belongs. If you were so content with Shinra you would not have gotten out of that uniform so fast. You hate them and what they made you become. Time for a change Shukera."

Shukera finally smiled. "I guess you are right." Deep down inside she knew Selphie was right. Selphie's innocence and honesty made her begin to feel warm inside and casted light upon the darkness of her past. She had never met anyone like the hyperactive girl. Everything about the girl was sincere.

Selphie took Shukera by the shoulders and turned her around gently, "I know I'm right!" She pointed Shukera to the door as she replied excitedly. "Now, let's go meet some of the others."

Shukera just walked as Selphie guided her forward. She wasn't ready to meet anyone, but she knew if she didn't allow Selphie to take her, she would only end up sitting in her room alone, which wasn't going to help anyone. She knew she had to get to know them and feel out their strengths and weaknesses, for their sake. Besides, with Selphie, what choice did she have??

"Thanks Selphie. Thanks to you I feel better…a little better about myself."

"HEY! That's a start!" Selphie slowed down and dropped her hands from Shukera's shoulders and her voice took on a more serious tone. "Look, no one said this would be easy. If you really wish to change, then you have to give people a chance. We are not like they are back in Midgar; you can actually trust us! Believe me, if we can tolerate Bossy Quistis and Psycho Seifer, we can accept you too, not to mention you're a way better person then they are!"

Shukera laughed and couldn't hide the surprised look on her face, which made her laugh even more. The sound of her laughter was something she hadn't heard in a long time. Something unexpected was going on inside her. Something returned to her that she hadn't felt since she was younger, in the days before she became a Soldier, her more innocent days.

Mixed in her laugher, she heard the distant laughter of a young girl who had long ago been forgotten. A young girl who was buried under all the manipulating, killing, and deceiving wanted to be found and freed once again. At that moment, something stirred inside Shukera. The seal she had placed on her emotions so long ago broke, freeing herself just a little. All thanks to a hyperactive girl who knew nothing more than how to love and accept others.

Shukera smiled, not knowing what to do about what was going on inside. She knew it was going to take some getting used to. Smiling she faced Selphie, "I want to meet some of the others. And, I think I'm ready for that change you were talking about."

Selphie smiled happily and placed her arm around Shukera's shoulder, "I'm happy for you. I won't let you go through this alone, trust me. That's the first thing you will have to learn. Trust doesn't hurt as much as you think it does."