[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter 2



Bring Me My Puppet



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"So you guys came from a different world and you don't know why you're here. You just finished killing some guy named Sephiroth and saved your world from total and utter destruction by something named Meteor by using the "Lifestream". You crash landed in a valley right before hitting a mountain and green mist sprang up and brought you here? Am I right?" Zell looked at everyone as they tried their hardest not to hit him.

"I think that they already said that, Zell," Selphie said, looking exasperated. "Now, let's all introduce ourselves!"

Vincent, who had refrained from speaking through Cloud, Tifa and Yuffie's explanation, could have killed the two on the spot. He disliked people who were perky… and those who were happy… and those that smiled… frankly, all people unlike him. He couldn't understand how they could do so, when he himself had gone through pain that seemed a bit unimaginable.

He listened as the two perky ones introduced themselves as Zell and Selphie. The arrogant, scarred man was Seifer. He nodded his head when his name was spoken and noticed a girl standing to the side, looking to the distance. Her clothing- if you could call it that- was not from his world so he assumed her from this one.

What had gotten his attention was the familiarity that she wore about herself. She just seemed like someone he knew and he walked over to study her better.

She had waist length burgundy-black hair that was tied back in a braid. A few chunks of bangs lay in disarray on her brow. She was 5 foot 7, and had fierce black eyes. Deep red lips set off her olive skin. Whether she had darkened them by some means, or they were naturally like that, he couldn't tell. She was holding the same type of weapon that the taller blonde… er, Seifer, had, although the two were obviously different. She seemed almost to be looking for something far away.

The wind blew and ruffled her fair and long trench coat. Vincent saw that underneath the black jacket, she wore a blood red tank top and black leather pants which covered black sturdy boots. She was well built and he could tell that she was a serious fighter. There was nothing about her that was vanity. Even her hair was practical. It blended in with the dark forests and would be out of her way in a fight.

With shock, he realized why he thought that he knew her. She had a mannerism almost like to his. Her grief seemed fresher, though.

He gently touched her wrist, hoping not to startle her. Her eyes immediately went to where he had invaded her space and he saw her shift her weight so that she could fight or kill him if necessary. He was impressed. Only one greatly trained could move like that so quickly.

He said quietly, "I didn't catch your name back there. Might I have it?" The mysterious girl turned her almond-shaped eyes to him and he say that they were puffy and red, as if she had been crying. It was a long moment before either moved or blinked.

"I'm Melanie. Melanie Détente. Most people call me Mel. And you are?" Though it was painfully obvious that she had been crying earlier, there was a defiant fire burning in her eyes. She didn't like that he had invaded her thoughts.

"I am Vincent Valentine, and am pleased to make your acquaintance." He had never let go of her hand and he now lifted it up and placed a gentlemanly kiss upon it.

She pulled her hand away and curtly nodded. "Fine. The pleasure does not go both ways." She nodded to the horizon. "Someone else came with you, perhaps someone from your group. I plan on looking for the two." He was about to comment when she shook her head. "Don't ask how I know. I just do. Stay with the rest of them. I'll bring whoever I find back to this area."

She jogged off, obviously happy to get away from him. The dark man smiled to himself, though it was small and fleeting. She did not like anyone or anything, it seemed. He wondered how many friends this 'Mel' had. Most likely not many. He saw her jump onto the only thing that seemed familiar- a chocobo. Mel rode over to Seifer and was obviously introduced to the rest of the group.

She gave the same curt nod that he had gotten and she bent down to say something to the blonde. Vincent had learned long ago to read lips and he shifted to read hers.

"Seifer, there were more people who came, two in fact. I'm going to go look for them, all right? They might be friends of these… people or could have answers. How about I get another chocobo from the forest and you guys take these four back to the Garden? I'll meet you there."

Seifer frowned and said to her, "I don't know. Maybe I should go with you. It might be the sorceress out there."

"And leave Selphie to take care of these five?" she shook her head. "Nah, she'll need help. And I'll be fine." When he didn't look convinced, she sighed. "How about this- you watch the sky and if I need help, I'll send a Firega into the sky. Then you can come find me. Deal?"

"I don't like it, but I have no choice. Be careful. You're the only person who is even close to being as good as me with the gunblade." She rolled her eyes and took off, calling back to him, "I just broke up with Zell and you're already flirting with me? You're just as bad as Irvine!"

Who was it that had come with them? Maybe Cid or one of the others… or some strange passerby… or could it be possible that Sephiroth was alive and had come too? He watched as Mel rode off and hoped that he was just being paranoid and apprehensive.



***



Mel stopped as she was riding, another chocobo in tow. Again she was feeling lightheaded and dizzy. She slowly turned around, facing a different direction. The pounding in her head ceased and she continued that way. What's going on?' she thought. 'This is too weird. I'm not supposed to feel where this person is.

A glint of light caught her eye and she rode faster. She got to the source and gasped. There was an extremely handsome man laying out cold on the ground- or he would be handsome if he wasn't so battered and bruised. She would have thought him dead if she hadn't seen the slight movement of his chest. His silver hair was matted and covered with blood. Even someone as unsociable and unfriendly as her could feel sorry for him.

She jumped off the animal, immediately casting Curaga on him and Protect on herself. After all, this all might just be a trick. She smiled bleakly. That was the cynical Mel that she knew and was.

She knelt by him and cast yet another Curaga on him. When he didn't move, she used up two more of the spells and was dismayed when he still didn't stir. She cursed under her breath. He must have been near death in order for him to need that many Curagas. She used another and saw him open his eyes. Mel sighed in relief and stopped mid sigh.

He had the most beautiful eyes that she had ever seen. They were green, deep, and intense. They were just… so beautiful, so perfect. Mel blushed when he chuckled slightly.

Mel noticed as she looked down, averting his gaze, that he had a single wing. "You're an angel with one wing?" she asked.

He gently took a hold of her chin. He lifted it so that he could see her eyes. "That's why I was kicked out." He smiled slightly. "Whether it was heaven or hell is up to you."

"You're not from this world, are you? You came from wherever Cloud and the others did, right?" Sephiroth could see that she did not know who he was.

"They're not with you, are they?" When she shook her head, he sighed in relief. "Good. They're the ones who did this to me. They tried to destroy our planet and blamed it on me. Can you help me?" There was fear is Sephiroth's eyes. He had always been a good liar.

"Of course! You can stay with my uncle in town. They won't find you." She smiled wirily. "Most people can never find my uncle. He's always moving around. But he'll take care of you. He'll do anything that I ask him." Her hands flew to her mouth. "I'm so sorry. I never talk this much. What's your name?"

He easily sat up. Whatever Materia or whatever they used around here, it really worked. "My name is Sephiroth, dear lady," he said, taking her hand and, never removing his eyes from hers, he kissed her hand.

Mel blushed, twice in one day. 'Amazing,' she thought. 'That my hand could be kissed twice in one day and have two totally different effects each is beyond me.' Aloud, she replied, "I'm Melanie. Melanie Détente."

"Well, Melanie, I thank you for your help and the rescue of my life. How may I repay you?"

Melanie swallowed. "I-I don't know, sir. You d-don't have to repay me in any way." She had never been flirted with like this, not even with Zell. He had been her first boyfriend… and probably her last.

"Quit with that 'sir' crap. Call me Sephiroth. And I believe that I know just how to repay you." His eyes glinted and gave off the impression that he knew just how bad he was screwing with her head.

This one-winged angel leaned in and was about to kiss her quivering lips when they heard a rustle in the bushes. They jumped up to see a disheveled young lady with a long sword pointing at them "Sephiroth," she said. "Prepare to die once and for all."



***



Ooohh! I just simply love cliffhangers.

Author's note- Détente is a policy toward a rival nation or bloc of nations characterized by increased diplomatic, commercial, and cultural contract and a desire to reduce tensions, as through negotiations or talks.

*giggle* I get my information from Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000©, that one, verbatim.