Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Legend of the Final Materia ❯ Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Hours later the Ragnarok touched down near Lunar Gate. Laguna was already waiting for them by the time they departed the ship. His staff began moving the ship and getting it prepared for space flight. Squall relayed the new turn of events to Laguna and he told Squall of the reports from the Esthar troops of strange black clad individuals that were seen around the area.

The staff members approached the team and announced that the Ragnarok was ready for them to board. Laguna nodded and turned to Squall. "Well, looks like this is it. Go out there and kick butt!! Remember what I said before the Ultimecia mission: Believe in each other and trust your friends. Have faith and all that other stuff!" He scratched his head, "I guess that about covers it."

Gunfire erupted outside the Lunar Gate facility and the Esthar soldiers who were standing by rushed out to see what was happening. Soldiers clad in black were attacking the facility, tryin to stop the ship from taking off.

Laguna shouted at Squall and his friends, "GO GET GOING!! WE WILL HOLD THEM OFF!!!" Esthar guards grabbed Laguna by each arm and dragged him towards a special exit of the facility.

The scene quickly turned to utter chaos as guards began rushing around, fighting off the advancing army, and shouting orders. Squall and his friends were rushed into the ship. Once the hatch was secured, the ship was prepared for take off. Squall and the others barely had time to reach their seats before the Ragnarok was thrusted forward from the exploding engines below. The Gravity forces shoved them back into their seats as the ship rose, gaining speed by the second. Soon they were clear the launch pad and continued to rise into the sky.

Just as the ship cleared the launch facility, it erupted into flames as an explosion ripped through the area. Smoke rose from the destruction below and engulfed the ship momentarily. The ship continued to gain altitude and quickly cleared the smoke.

Squall gripped his seat tightly, making his fingers turn white. There was so much he wanted to say to his father, but never found the best time to say them. Now, he knew, it was too late. Shin Ra took that chance away from him, just like they were trying to take away his home. Shin Ra was threatening everything that meant something to him. He vowed to protect the last remaining thing in his life. Even if it costed him his own life, he was going to stop Shin Ra from getting their hands on Rinoa.

After the ship was leveled and the course plotted, Shukera sat down with the laptop and began typing out a message to her brother. She noticed Selphie sit next to her and replied, "We are meeting them in a place called Cosmo Canyon. The ship will be hidden in a forest called the Ancient Forest, which has some kind of strange electrical barrier around it that will make the ship undetectable."

Selphie's eyes lit up excitedly, "WOW! That's soooo cool!! I can't wait to see this place!!!"

Zell slumped over in his chair and Selphie stood to wake him. "You should go to your sleeping quarters before you get a stiff neck."

He grumbled and groggily walked towards a chamber they were using for their sleeping area. Soon after, snoring could be heard coming from his area.

Selphie giggled and returned to Shukera, who was just finishing up the message. Irvine walked up and she waved at Shukera. "I'll catch you later!! We are going to look at all the stars, its soooo beautiful!!" Irvine and Selphie walked off to spend some private time together.

The ship held an eerie silence to it that began to close in around Shukera. In the sleeping area, Rinoa and Squall slumbered embracing each other. Zell snored lightly in his bed where he slept. Raijin slept silently next to Fujin. He snored as Fujin sat awake staring at the wall in the darkness. The way Seifer was acting towards Shukera bothered her and feared she was losing him. Secretly she wished that things were the way they once were a few days ago when Seifer stood by her side. Now, she was left in the dark next to snoring Raijin.

Shukera finished the message and pressed send. She sighed, shut the laptop and stood up. With a stretch she walked over to the window and peered out. Her mind drifted off towards Reno and Aerith as tears began falling from her eyes.

"You OK?" Shukera spun around to see Seifer standing there smiling at her. She offered him a smile and turned back to the window. "I was just thinking about Aerith and Reno." She rubbed her arms.

Seifer grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him. "I know who you are. You are someone that believes in your friends and people you care about. You fight for what you believe in and protect those you care for whole-heartedly. And…" He touched her chin with his hand and moved her face to where she was looking directly at him as he continued, "You're beautiful."

Shukera's face reddened as she turned away from him. Seifer turned her face back to him as he continued, "I have to apologize for the way I acted when I first met you. I hope you forgive me. I really never wanted to hurt you. I had to get you to fight me at your full ability. And…I'm really sorry for the way I treated you and Raijin. He is my best friend…him and Fujin are like my family." He dropped his gaze and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "I'm…really sorry."

Shukera smiled, "Hey it's alright. I'm sorry as well. I wasn't very nice to you and I called you names."

Seifer laughed, "What can I say, I deserved it. I have to admit, I really liked Pompous Ass. That one had a certain ring to it, know what I mean??" He laughed and became serious, "I just couldn't control myself and the more I cared about you, the worse I got."

Shukera dug into her pocket and pulled out her friend's message. "I would like you to read this over again…"

Seifer took the message and read it. When he finished, he looked at Shukera in complete surprise. "I don't understand. I thought you hated me."

Shukera became nervous and stuffed her hands into her pockets. "I never hated you. I was feeling guilty cause when he was pouring his heart out to me, I was thinking about you. I became confused. Honestly, I didn't know what to do about either one."

Seifer reached down and grasped Shukera's hand without facing her. They leaned against the wall of the ship and faced the opposite wall. Shukera shivered when he grabbed her hand. He placed his other hand on the back of Shukera's neck and brought her closer to him. When she was standing before him, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her even closer. Shukera closed her eyes and laid her head against his chest. For the moment they enjoyed each other's embrace in the silence of the ship.

Seifer whispered in her ear, "I have never felt as safe as I do now."

Shukera felt something she couldn't explain. This was happening as she had imagined it, but something was wrong. She whispered, "Neither have I." The words were said, but she didn't feel them. Inside she screamed out of frustration. For the moment, she shoved her strange feelings aside and smiled.

Slowly he lowered his lips until they met hers and he kissed her deeply as he wrapped her tightly in his arms. Shukera closed her eyes and kissed him back as she wrapped her arms around him.

Selphie placed her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle when Irvine placed his hand upon her back and motioned for them to leave. When they were out of earshot, Selphie removed her hand from her mouth and grinned.

"I knew that was going to happen!!! I knew it was just a matter of time!!" She leaned her head against Irvine's chest and swooned. "This is so romantic!!"

Irvine pulled her into a tight embrace and held her for a long time without saying anything. Selphie just closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment.

Shukera broke the kiss and looked up into Seifer's eyes. She tried to smile but all she could see were orbs of aqua staring back at her. She backed away from him confused and shook her head.

His next question caught her off guard and made her mind swim with confusion. "I want you to be my girlfriend, my companion. I want you in my life Shukera."

The uncomfortable feeling entered her heart once again and she quickly looked away. Nervously, she pushed her braid back over her shoulder and shook her head. "I…I can't. Not right now. I have to take care of this situation first. It's a bad time and I can't think about that right now." She turned away from him and stammered, "I…have to make sure everyone is alright." She couldn't shake the memory of the aqua orbs and the way they looked at her.

Seifer nodded and looked out the window. "Including Reno."

Tears welled up in her eyes but she quickly wiped them away. "Reno…and everyone else…including Aerith." She turned back around to face him but she avoided his eyes. "I have a lot on my mind Seifer. I hope…you understand."

Seifer nodded and ran his hand through his hair. "Yeah, I understand. But don't forget, when this is over, I expect an answer." He smirked and winked at her.

Shukera laughed half-heartedly and stretched. "I'm exhausted." She walked into the room where everyone was sleeping and chose a corner away from the others.

Everyone was asleep, regaining their strength for what was ahead, except for one. Narrow, jealous eyes fixed upon Shukera as she retired for the night. In the darkness, Fujin sat against Raijin and watched in disgust as Shukera rested her head against the wall. She looked down at Raijin's sleeping form and shut her eyes, blocking off the tears that began to fill them.