Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Children ❯ Chapter Six: Shadow of the Day ( Chapter 8 )

Shattered Children: Chapter Six

Shadow of the Day

He intended his stop to be very brief. It had been with some manner of panic that Sephiroth remembered forgetting to lock the mansion basement the last time he had left. There were things down there, truths in Hojo's notes that he didn't want anyone to see. Nor did he want anyone to get their hands on Hojo's research in hopes of repeating it. Like a fool, he had forgotten something as simple as locking the bolts. Thus, the plan to stop only long enough to fix that mistake before heading on to Rocket Town.

 

Sephiroth parked Odin right outside the front gate, rusted metal creaking as it swung on broken hinges in the cool breeze. It seemed no matter the time of year, Nibelheim was always cold thanks to the buffers provided by the mountains. The town itself was relatively dead. Few, if any, people lived in the homes. Like Midgar, it had become a city no one wanted to visit.

 

Fighting down lingering memories, Sephiroth stepped up to the front doors and into the mansion. The silence smacked him in the face, along with the stale odor of a building left uncared for. Shadows clung to every corner as cobwebs quietly swayed, wind seeping through cracks in the walls. It still sent a shiver down his spine every time he entered.

 

He quickly made his way to the second floor and the doorway hidden in one of the rooms, though at this point, everyone knew where it was and it was no longer secret. A touch to the concrete and the panel slid open, revealing the wooden, spiral stairs barely clinging to the moldy sides. He had the feeling it wouldn't be long before they crashed, leaving the basement entirely inaccessible. Not that it would necessarily be a bad thing.

 

It wasn't until he approached the lab at the far end of the hall that he thought something was wrong. For one, he was certain that he had closed the door when last he left. Two, it was wildly swinging from its hinges, nearly split in two as it splintered inwards. A mild creak echoed in the dark passage.

 

Eyes narrowing, Sephiroth called his materia to the forefront of his mind, cursing his stupidity in leaving the Murasame on Odin. He crept forward, peering carefully into the musty laboratory. A broken desk, battered equipment, and shattered syringes and vials littered the floor. Books and papers were scattered in all directions. At first glance, however, he saw no sign of anyone else.

 

Pushing open the swaying door, Sephiroth moved into the lab, sweeping his gaze over the destruction. It looked as if a tornado had whirled through, destroying everything in sight. And then, crumpled at the mouth of the hallway to the small office he spotted a dark-clad form. Seconds later, he recognized the long black hair.

 

“Tseng!”

 

The former General wasted no time in crossing the floor, dropping to one knee beside the crumpled Turk. He vaguely registered dried blood stains on the floor before he gently lifted Tseng, the Wutaiian's head lolling slightly on his arms. There were dark bruises already taking form on his face, and several cuts marred his skin.

 

He supported Tseng's weight with one arm, quickly feeling for a pulse. A slow but steady throbbing beat met his fingers. A hasty glance informed him that the man was breathing, but shallow, breaths rattling wetly in his lungs. He likely had a few broken ribs.

 

Sephiroth gently cupped Tseng's face in his hand. “Tseng,” he urged, wondering if he would even be able to wake the man. He couldn't even start healing unless he knew what all had happened. “Tseng!”

 

A barely audible groan was his answer. Relief surging through him, Sephiroth tried again. “Tseng! Wake up!”

 

Silver eyes fluttered open, bleary and unfocused. “Sephiroth?” he croaked weakly, voice dry and raspy. “What...” he trailed off, eyes suddenly widening as he jerked upwards. “Denzel! Marlene!”

 

“Wait, calm down,” Sephiroth muttered, grabbing the Turk as he suddenly groaned and gripped his head, body shaking from pain. “What about the kids?”

 

Tseng visibly tried to gain control of himself as he sucked in shallow, heavy breaths, daring to glance around. “They're... they're not here!” he exclaimed before coughing, something shifting wetly again. “He took them?”

 

Sephiroth blinked. His lover was making very little sense. Someone took the children? But why? And who did this to him?

 

Suddenly, Tseng winced and hunched over again. “My shoulder,” he rasped, reaching with his free hand to touch the injured joint. “I need you to fix it for me.”

 

The former General nodded and gently reached out, fingers pressing against the injured shoulder. Tseng gritted his teeth against the resulting pain, sweat beading on his brow as the agony caused his stomach to churn. Sephiroth winced, not liking what he could feel beneath his fingertips. It was more than just popped out of place. Someone had taken careful pains to completely shatter the bones beneath. It wasn't within his capacity to fix.

 

“I can't,” Sephiroth admitted, removing his hand much to Tseng's relief, allowing the Turk to breathe easier. “It's something that needs Aeris or Reis' expertise. I'm sorry.”

 

“Dammit,” the other man cursed through clenched teeth, uninjured fist slamming into the floor. “That bastard.” He tipped his gaze, hating to admit that he would have to rely on someone else for what should be his duty. “You'll have to go after them. He can't have gone far, not with two children.”

 

Green-grey eyes blinked. “Who?”

 

If Tseng answered, Sephiroth did not hear him. In that moment, sheer pain burned through his arm and back and a thin scream slipped through his lips. He curled over, nearly dropping the Turk when he felt his skin ripping and pulling, the piercing stab of agony that was his Geostigma.

 

Fingers clenched and unclenched. He heard her voice, calling to him, whispering to him. No, not whispers. Not anymore. She was loud enough, her tones clear and concise. They echoed through him. Asking. Telling. Demanding. She was his, her son, her path to destruction.

 

He belonged to her.

 

Sephiroth groaned and hunched forward even further, pain throbbing through his arm and back until it felt as if something was trying to force its way through. Like he had seen Vincent all those years ago, Chaos shoving its wings through the ex-Turk's back in a shower of blood and gore. He dimly felt Tseng's hands on him before Tseng gasped, fingers digging tightly into his skin.

 

Someone was yelling at him. Disappointment in their tone. A failure? He was a failure? Sephiroth couldn't be sure. It felt as if his memories were crashing around him, attacking him with their truth.

 

He was a monster, just like these creatures in the tanks. He was formed and bred and created. He was unloved. He was beautiful, even when those hands defiled him, hands that should have held him in love. Even when the needles pierced his flesh and he cried, those eyes watched.

 

We will purge this world, Jenova claimed, a sibilant hissing command. You and I, together, my son. We will make it our own.

 

He wanted to say no. He had been saying no. He had been denying her and ignoring her and blocking her out.

 

More pain rattled through him. He could feel the burn of the Geostigma as it flared across his back, spreading and worsening. It was trying to consume him, reduce him to ash. Make him pay for what he had done. Make him pay for what she had done. He had her blood. He had that man's blood. He deserved it, after all. Someone had to pay the price, pay the price in blood. It was to be his, his life in the end.

 

Sephiroth couldn't understand the thoughts, jumbled up and confusing as they raced through his mind. There was her voice and then there was his voice and there was Zack's voice and Tseng's. Denzel was disappointed and Cloud was there, for some reason. Cloud was there with his mako blue eyes, forgiving and yet, he was angry. He was disappointed.

 

If she was trying to break him, if Jenova was trying to mold him back into hers again, he feared she was succeeding. He was getting the craving, the need to destroy, the ache for blood. Hands twitched with the desire for destruction. Yes, they would pay, these humans.

 

At every destructive thought, the Geostigma pulsed and blazed until his entire body was shuddering and shaking. His head was throbbing, feeling as if it were about to explode. Lights danced in front of his eyes, multi-colored and bright, though they were slowly being sucked in by a black hole of nothingness.

 

Someone said his name. It wasn't her.

 

“Was I created this way, too? Am I the same as all these monsters?”

 

“You are just a puppet.”

 

“What I have shown you is reality. What you remember, that is the illusion.”

 

“Ever since I was small, I've felt different from all of the others... special in some way. But not like this.”

 

What he remembered. The illusion. Jenova's eyes and her call and her face. Her claws scratching down his spine. No. Those weren't her touches. Those belonged to him, to that man. They were fingers, pressing and touching. Invading. Without permission, without reason.

 

Black spots flitted and grew larger, overwhelming him, consuming him. And the pain had slipped to sheer agony until he was clenching his teeth, a thin trail of blood sliding from his lips.

 

His body became weightless, falling slowly and yet quickly to the ground, slumping in obvious distress. On the very edge of his sanity, he heard his phone ring though he could have sworn it was on silent. It was Zack's ringtone. Zack was calling him.

 

He knew he ought to answer.

 

And then Sephiroth knew nothing.

 

Blue eyes. Blond hair. A wavering smile which had the capacity to be stronger. And a field? Flowers?

 

They were surrounded by white, a bright clean white. Something almost Holy. It burned Sephiroth like fire. He wasn't allowed to be in this place. It wasn't for men like him.

 

But he could have sworn he had been invited. Sephiroth was confused, his lips pulling into a frown as he stared into the flowers around him. There was warmth at his back, the warmth of another person. This person was shorter than him and their hair poked at the back of his neck, tickling.

 

“You never make things easy, do you?” came the sigh, half-amused and half-concerned.

 

He recognized that voice. But instead of saying so aloud, his response took another direction. “Do you forgive me? For failing you?”

 

“Forgiveness?” the voice he knew repeated. “Do you think you need forgiveness?”

 

“Yes,” Sephiroth whispered, his hands clenching as he stared at the ground. “They lost what I cannot replace. I am a thief, stealing the happiness of others. I must be forgiven. If such a thing can be forgiven.”

 

There was a moment of silence where not a wind stirred. It wasn't until then that Sephiroth realized he couldn't smell a single one of the flowers. Everything was so still, as if it were a moment frozen in time.

 

A hand gently touched the back of his. “By who?”

 

“Cloud?” Yet, when Sephiroth turned to look, there was no one there.

 

*****

 

The sound of motors from vehicles more than the brother's motorcycles announced their return to Vincent. He stirred in his tree and peered through the pale branches to catch sight of his targets rolling into the area. Kadaj was on his cycle but the other two were in the cab of a rather large truck. Even more surprising was the sight of the children loaded into the back.

 

There had to be at least twenty of them, some that Vincent recognized from living in Junon at the Orphanage that Reeve ran. Confused, he carefully shifted position to get a better look, digging his binoculars out of his pack. He brought them to his eyes, peering through the ends at the brothers.

 

Kadaj was parking the cycle as the eldest came out of the cab, closing the door behind him and moving to the back of the truck. He lowered the tailgate, gesturing for the children to disembark which they did without a fuss. In fact, they didn't appear to have been coerced at all.

 

Vincent frowned, shifting his field of vision. Yazoo was climbing out of the cab as well, two forms clambering out after him. The former Turk's eyes widened in shock, zooming closer to get a better look. Marlene and Denzel both were with the three, though he couldn't fathom how that had happened. Weren't they safe with Aeris and the others? Did that mean something had happened to Aeris?

 

He watched as the brothers directed the children towards a path that led deeper into the forest. Vincent knew from experience that this was the second half of their campsite, a location just outside one of the Ancients' abandoned spiral structures and beside a relatively small, clear lake. There would definitely be more room for them to house the kids there.

 

He couldn't help but wonder why they had amassed an army of children in the first place. It made no sense, no matter how much he twisted the situation. Twisting his jaw in confusion, Vincent waited until they were a good distance away before soundlessly leaping from his chair and following them. The binoculars left behind, he fumbled for his phone, hoping to Kami that he could figure out how to work the blasted thing.

 

Cid had said there was a way to take pictures with the expensive device. Keeping half an eye on his targets, Vincent turned his phone every which way, trying to find the shortcut button on the outside. He vaguely recalled Cid pointing it out to him before laughing at his lack of phone sense.

 

In irritation, Vincent had stalk-- walked away and didn't finish listening to the explanation. Frowning, he found a button that had a symbol on it that resembled a camera. He pushed it experimentally and was relieved to find that the screen on his phone automatically popped open the picture menu. Thank Kami.

 

Breathing a bit easier, Vincent trailed after the brothers and their new companions until they were in front of the abandoned structure. Keeping himself very well hidden, he snapped a few pictures of the children, especially Marlene and Denzel. He planned on sending them to Reeve since it would be somewhat counter-productive to actually speak into his phone.

 

That, at least, was pretty self-explanatory. Within seconds, the pictures were whizzing their way through the networks to Reeve's own cell.

 

It wasn't long before his phone buzzed in his hand. Flipping it open, he caught sight of Reeve's response and sighed. It was a damned text message. He hated them because he still couldn't get his phone to stop trying to fill in the words for him. And he was absolutely loathe to ask Cid for help.

 

“Kadaj was here,” the President had typed. “He was looking for Jenova's neck. I had not known he'd taken the children. Or Marlene and Denzel for that matter. Why?”

 

Cursing under his breath at Reeve, Vincent fumbled with his thrice-damned phone to type in his response. He would make a longer call later when he was out of earshot so for now, this awkward message would have to do. By the gods he hated technology.

 

After several moments of cursing and attempted phone-throttling, Vincent managed to send a response to Reeve. He promptly cut the device off as soon as the text was delivered and continued his observation.

 

Kadaj was looking for Jenova's neck. He wondered how much of the boy's actions were of his own will or Jenova inspired. He never expected that they would have to deal with a second Sephiroth. Or three of them to be more exact. He had yet to see the brothers fight but if they were anything like Sephiroth... then things weren't going to be easy this time around.

 

Again, he wondered what purpose the children would serve. Contrary to the others, Marlene and Denzel looked upset. Marlene's face was visibly tear-streaked though she appeared to be attempting to put on a brave front and Denzel kept angrily eying Loz.

 

Everything was becoming far more complicated. He should have attempted to do something before children became involved. Now Vincent's hands were tied and he could do nothing but observe. It left him feeling worse than useless.

 

With a sigh, Vincent settled in for the long haul.

 

*****

 

Marlene had seen a lot in her young life, probably more than the average person would suspect considering her age. But she had survived a kidnapping by the Turks, a rescuing from the Turks, a near destruction of Kalm, a near destruction of Midgar, and numerous other dangerous events. She was stronger than she seemed and understood a lot more than others surmised.

 

Still, she had never thought she would see the day when Mr. Tseng was defeated. Admittedly, it looked as if he was having a hard time fighting. There were times when he just stood there without doing anything and let the other man hurt him. He was having difficulty concentrating or something. She didn't know.

 

Denzel was worried, too. Though he didn't show it. The man had kicked Tseng when he was down to make sure he was unconscious. And then he had grabbed them, saying they had to come with him or else. There wasn't anything else the two of them could do.

The man hadn't been mean about it and hadn't hurt them but after seeing what he did to their protector, the two children didn't dare put up a fight. They could only follow numbly, hoping that Mr. Tseng would be okay or that Mr. Sephiroth would come help him.

 

And now they were far away from Nibelheim. The place was kind of pretty with its white trees and dark green plants. The water looked clean and sparkly, too. But she wanted to be home, not here with these men who all looked a lot like Mr. Sephiroth.

 

There were other kids here, too. Kids she recognized from the orphanage. They didn't look scared though. And they kept to themselves. They had played quiet games and had talked earlier, though now they were sleeping, leaving Marlene and Denzel alone.

 

Denzel had finally fallen asleep, his head pillowed on her legs. Marlene was too confused and worried to sleep, even though her body felt really tired and her eyes drooped. She couldn't help but watch those men, wondering what they wanted and why they hurt Mr. Tseng. She wasn't really afraid though. She didn't feel she had reason to be.

 

She patted Denzel's head with her free hand, comforting the boy as he whimpered in his sleep. Denzel had nightmares a lot, not a surprise. Watching Mr. Tseng get beat up probably reminded him of losing his parents. But Marlene didn't know how to help so all she could do was watch over his sleep. Aeris did it all the time and she always knew best.

 

Marlene was just starting to doze where she was leaning against a tree when a sound startled her. It sounded like something breaking. She jumped and looked around, but couldn't see anything that would make the sound. She could see the one that had attacked Mr. Tseng walking around where the other kids were sleeping, laying out blankets and stuff. The long-haired one was near the motorcycles, fiddling with his phone. But the other one, the smallest one who seemed to be in charge, he was missing.

 

There was another sound, though this time it was different. It was faint and she almost didn't hear it except she was so close to the huge shell. It was really a house but since it looked like a big shell that was what she called it. In any case, the sound was like someone crying and voices. It sparked her curiosity because the voice sounded so hurt, like they were in pain.

 

She knew it probably wasn't smart to go investigate but if she was going to try and get back to Mr. Tseng and the others, she needed to gather information. Therefore, Marlene formed a Plan. It wasn't a very good Plan and was only in the early stages, but it was a start. She watched the big man from the corner of her eye and carefully eased Denzel's head off her lap. She pillowed it on his jacket.

 

He frowned in his sleep and mumbled something but didn't wake. Proud of herself for her sneakiness, Marlene then stood and crept towards the shell house. Neither of the other Sephiroth-look-alikes noticed her movements. So far so good.

 

Marlene slipped into the entryway, glad that it wasn't really dark. For some reason, everything around this area sort of glowed, as if it was covered in glow-in-the-dark paint or something. It was kind of pretty and comforting, though she could have done without the whole being taken captive and watching Mr. Tseng get beaten and bloody.

 

Exercising her sneaking skills taught by Elena-aneki, Marlene crept down the small corridor until she found herself at a doorway. Hiding against the side, she peered in cautiously and looked into a rather large room with a lamp lighting it. It was here that she found the last of the three look-alikes and quickly ducked back behind the wall. Forcing herself to breathe quietly, she snuck little peeks.

 

The youngest one was pacing back and forth across the ground, boots making a lot of noise and clomping. He was mumbling under his breath, too, body shaking and his fists looking as if they were about to punch someone.

 

“We've had this discussion,” he hissed in a dangerous voice that was kind of scary. His lips curled back, showing that his teeth were gritting together.

 

She watched as something made him flinch before he shook his head. “I can't. I won't.”

 

There wasn't anyone else in the room so she couldn't help but wonder who he was talking to. Feeling a bit bolder, Marlene placed her hand on the door frame and peered further into the room. She was careful to keep most of her body hidden by the wall though.

 

He was still pacing. Back and forth, in quicker movements. He looked really distressed, like he was about to start screaming and crying both.

 

“I don't want that!” he practically yelled in anger.

 

She drew back out of slight fear, but couldn't stop watching. He looked so hurt. It reminded her of Mr. Sephiroth.

 

The youngest boy chewed on his lip and to her surprise, it drew blood. He angrily wiped at the blood with the back of his hand, a strange look in his eyes. It made her just a little bit scared. But he seemed scared, too. She just didn't know what of. There was still nothing she could see and the room was very bright. He couldn't have been afraid of the dark or monsters.

 

One hand clenched at his silver hair. “Stop,” he moaned and it came out broken. He sounded as if he were in pain.

 

The pacing abruptly stopped and he came to a halt in front of a mirror which hung the wall. He stared and stared at the reflective surface with eyes that were the same color as Mr. Sephiroth's. She wondered what he saw in the mirror when all of a sudden his fist pounded against the wall next to it, causing bits and pieces of the house to crumble to the ground. She hadn't known he was that strong.

 

“Shut up!” he shouted, echoing around the room.

 

Marlene ducked behind the wall as her heart began to beat wildly in her chest. She was still curious but it fought with her fear. A part of her was worried for the man but she was also afraid of him.

 

“Shut up,” he said again, a bit quieter this time. As if he were begging.

 

She peeked around the corner again and saw him raise a hand. It was trembling as he grabbed the mirror and suddenly threw it to the floor with a loud crashing sound. Her eyes widened.

 

“No! I won't do it!”

 

He shook his head wildly, looking almost crazy. “Leave me alone.”

Both fists slammed into the wall, making it shake and crack dangerously again. Her eyes moved to the ceiling where it splintered but did not fall. That was a lucky break.

 

“Stop...” he moaned this time. It sounded as if he were crying as he slowly fell to his knees, head hanging between his shoulders. His hands remained on the wall above his head, fingers digging into the side of the shell house.

 

“I won't hurt him. Please...”

 

Marlene clutched onto the door frame as she watched him, a part of her feeling sorry for him. He looked as if he were really hurting. Like maybe he was crying, too. She sort of pitied him, wanting to comfort him.

 

She wasn't stupid. She knew what the big man did to Mr. Tseng. But when she looked at the three look-alikes, she noticed that they all had the same look Denzel got sometimes when he was missing Sephiroth or his parents. All three of them looked lonely, even though they had each other, as if they were being hurt on the inside. And sometimes, that was more painful than being hit or cut.

 

Marlene knew that very well. She sometimes heard Aeris crying when she was thinking about Cloud. Her father always got upset when he talked about Dyne, the man who was really her dad. And Elmyra was really sad whenever she mentioned her other husband.

 

Suddenly, a hand settled on her shoulder. She started in surprise, heart leaping into her chest. Marlene looked up to see the big man staring down at her. A smile was on his face though and he didn't look to be angry. He squeezed her shoulder and then let go, walking past her and into the room.

 

The boy on the floor looked up, a few tears dripping from eyes beginning to turn red. “Loz,” he croaked, looking every bit like a child. “She won't stop.”

 

Finally, the big one had a name. Loz. It sounded weird. Marlene crinkled her nose at the sound of it but kept watching anyway. Loz didn't seem to care and the other still hadn't noticed her.

 

Her curiosity wondered what they were talking about.

 

Loz set his hand on the other one's head like Marlene had done for Denzel. The younger man turned towards him slightly, hands finally letting go of the wall and falling to the floor. He stayed there, crouched and shaking.

 

Marlene wondered if maybe they were like Mr. Sephiroth who used to be bad but was now hurting and wanting to love Mr. Tseng anyways. He was trying and it was hard but he was making the effort.

 

The three looked like they needed to be rescued. And even though they had hurt Mr. Tseng, they looked as if they were in pain, too. As If they were fighting a battle they couldn't win and knew they weren't ever going to win.

 

Despite herself, and knowing she probably should hate them, Marlene didn't. Instead, she felt pity. The fear that had been steadily growing inside of her gradually flitted away, leaving nothing but sadness behind.

 

It was then that the curiosity left her. Marlene decided that the Plan had ended and tiptoed away, leaving them alone. She snuck back to Denzel's side, a yawn attacking her.

 

Curling up next to her best friend, Marlene tried to go to sleep. She was certain, if she waited long enough, both Mr. Tseng and Mr. Sephiroth would come save them.

 

*****

 

“I hate this place,” Yuffie commented, wrinkling her nose as she and Nanaki stepped into Nibelheim after descending the mountains. “I don't even have a personal reason either. I just do.”

 

Tail swishing behind him, the demi-human was inclined to agree. “It reeks of ShinRa. That is reason enough,” he responded, sniffing tentatively at the air. “Both Tseng and Sephiroth have been here, as well as the kids. There's another person though. I don't recognize him.”

 

Yuffie lifted a brow. “You can tell it's a guy?”

 

He curled his lip in a light smile, tapping his nose with one clawed finger. “One of the perks.”

 

The ninja sighed, hefting up her shuriken. “Well, at least that explains why no one's come back yet, though I'm a bit worried if it's something that Sephiroth can't take down.”

 

She had a point. After dropping by Rocket Town to visit with the children, both Nanaki and Yuffie had instead met with a somewhat frantic Aeris. She couldn't reach Tseng and he had both children with him on a quick search of the ShinRa Mansion. It had been hours and she was certain something was wrong. Thus the reason she had asked the two to check it out for her since she couldn't leave. And now, it seemed that the widow had been right to worry.

 

They approached the stairs, a trickle of dread lingering on Nanaki's spine. He wasn't going to speak his own concerns aloud. That there were indeed few who could battle on par with Sephiroth. Were it not for the strange scent, he might have worried that something had happened to the former General's sanity. It was no secret that he had been rather non-communicative and distant lately. He might have been laboring under the belief that he needed to protect them from himself, never mind the fact that they defeated him before and would do it again if necessary.

 

Nanaki was certain that Sephiroth's guilt complex was ten times larger than Vincent's own, and that was saying a lot. After all, the ex-Turk had angsted over a dead love for the better part of thirty years. Nanaki knew that Sephiroth blamed himself for Cloud's death as well as the destruction of Midgar and numerous other non culpable things that he still piled on his conscience anyways. He supposed in many ways, Sephiroth and Cloud were a lot alike.

 

The two friends-turned-lovers quickly found their way to the room with the hidden door. It was closed, which wasn't really all that unusual except that it only closed when someone left. If there were others down there, they wouldn't have been able to get back out because it locked automatically behind someone. All that remained was to go below.

 

Yuffie tried to fight back the chills that attacked her as they descended the rickety stairs. She never liked coming to this place the first time around. Finding Vincent in a coffin had been strange enough, though she was glad she hadn't been present for that. Still, she had fought that Lost Number creature from the side and it was pretty damn creepy.

 

However, even she knew that the worst monsters were those found in the abandoned lab and laboratory. She had only taken a few glimpses at the research notes Hojo left behind. Those few sentences and mad ramblings she had caught had been enough for her to never touch them again. Yuffie avoided the ShinRa mansion like the plague. She didn't need anymore nightmares.

 

She'd had the thought on more than one occasion that it might be better to just burn the whole place to the ground. It certainly wasn't helping Sephiroth to spend his time brooding in the dark, surrounded by the evidence of all the atrocities his father had performed.

 

“The door's open,” Nanaki commented, disturbing Yuffie from her reverie as he jerked a head towards the lab.

 

Yuffie blinked. Open was putting it lightly. The door was barely swinging from one hinge, a few holes punched in the thick metal. An uneasy feeling began to settle in her belly and she swallowed thickly.

 

“That's not a good sign,” Yuffie responded, fingering her shuriken. She didn't know if the threat was still present but it never paid to be careful.

 

Nanaki didn't respond, instead silently stepping towards the doorway. He peered inside, body braced to fight at a moment's notice. Golden eyes swept through the laboratory, taking in the destruction. Books were strewn everywhere, along with pages and pages of documents. Glass glinted in the pale, sterile light and in the far corner, something green coated the floors. It looked like the location of a pretty vicious battle.

 

And then he saw them, the two bodies curled near together close to the small corridor that led to the inner library. He recognized them in an instant. None others were present.

 

“They're here,” Nanaki tossed over his shoulder before rushing into the destroyed workplace, mindful of the shattered glass on his unshod feet. He still couldn't get used to wearing shoes of any kind, not even open sandals.

 

Yuffie's startled breath behind him was all the proof he needed that she had followed.

 

The two men were curled up on the floor, bodies nearly wrapped together in a position that would have been rather adorable if the situation had been different. One of Sephiroth's hands was even laid on Tseng's thigh and the Turk's head had fallen onto the General's knee. Both were unconscious and breathing.

 

Yuffie dropped to her knees at her cousin's side, automatically reaching for a pulse. “He's warm,” she murmured. “And his pulse is steady.” She frowned at the sight of the blood flecking his lips, casting her eyes around the room.

 

They fell on the shattered remnants of something metal. It took seconds for her to recognize what was left of one of Tseng's precious swords.

 

“Who could have done this?” Nanaki posed aloud as he checked Sephiroth, verifying that the man didn't seem to be injured in the slightest. He couldn't find a reason for Sephiroth's unconscious state. “And where are Denzel and Marlene? They were here.”

 

Yuffie shook her head, fingers curling into fists as she rose to her feet and stepped quickly into the library. A brief search let her know that the children weren't hiding somewhere or anywhere nearby. She turned and headed back into the main lab, nearly stumbling on Tseng's other sword along the way. It was half-buried under a bookshelf and several tattered books.

 

Tugging it free, she rejoined Nanaki who was tallying Tseng's injuries. “We have to get him to Rocket Town.”

 

Yuffie nodded, showing him the sword. “Maybe Reeve knows what's going on.”

 

“Hmm. Maybe.” Nanaki turned back towards Sephiroth and it was then that his eyes caught sight of something interesting. The former General's dyed hair had slipped aside, revealing something on his collarbone. They looked like some sort of wrapping or even...

 

“Bandages?”

 

Yuffie's eyes slid his direction, taking note of the same. “What in the world is skilled enough to scratch Sephiroth?”

 

Nanaki frowned. It was obvious whatever wound was hidden beneath Sephiroth's shirt hadn't been caused by the recent fight. Though it probably wasn't polite, his curiosity compelled him, as well as the sight of the strange shadow peeking to the side of Sephiroth's throat. A clawed finger carefully peeled back the edge of the visible bandage and he gasped, more of the white fabric sliding aside.

 

“By Suzaku,” Nanaki breathed in shock. “How has he survived this?”

 

“What is it?” his companion asked, trying to wake her cousin with no success. He was effectively unconscious, probably a good thing judging by the state of his shoulder. She couldn't imagine the pain he was in.

 

The demi-human didn't speak, instead working a bit more of the bandages aside to show her the dark and purpling stain of Geostigma spread all over the right side of Sephiroth's throat and down across his collarbone. Nanaki could only assume that it also raced down the man's back and towards his arm.

 

Yuffie sucked in a deep breath. “That's the worst case I've ever seen,” she commented in horror, a vague sense of nausea creeping into her belly.

 

Other people had died from cases that weren't half as bad as what Sephiroth suffered. How had he managed to wield his sword?

 

Sephiroth hadn't mentioned it, hadn't told anyone that he had contracted the disease. They were aware that Reno suffered from a mild case. And Denzel. Vincent to some extent. Even Zack had a few lesions on his hip and thigh that were growing increasingly worrisome. But nothing compared to this. It was truly as if the planet had taken great pains to punish Sephiroth.

 

Nanaki nodded in agreement, his nose wrinkling a bit. Only those with sensitive nostrils could tell but the Geostigma always scented faintly of decay, like flesh that was slowly and steadily rotting away mixed with the harsh and acrid odor of mako. Sephiroth usually smelled pleasant but now, his natural musk was being overridden by the stench of Geostigma. If he had been near Sephiroth sooner, he would have noticed it but damn, the man had been so solitary.

 

“I didn't know,” Yuffie added, a part of her upset that Sephiroth obviously didn't trust any of them enough. Her eyes slid to her cousin. “I wonder if Tseng knew.”

 

“He had to have,” Nanaki answered. “You saw it for yourself. They've been intimate. No doubt Sephiroth didn't want anyone else to know.”

 

The ninja frowned, a sense of helplessness joining the other emotions warring in her heart, some of it guilt. “But Reeve--”

 

“Sephiroth doesn't trust doctors anymore than Vincent does,” her lover reminded her with a faint sigh. Sometimes, he wondered if the two - Sephiroth and Vincent - weren't related after all. “Do you think you can carry Tseng? I'm pretty sure I can get Sephiroth over a shoulder.”

 

Her eyes darkening in thought, it took a moment for the ninja to stir and nod. “We only have to go as far as the gate. I can grab us a car.”

 

Nanaki lifted a brow. “Since when have you learned how to hot wire anything?”

 

The cheeky grin he received in return made him feel marginally better. “Wouldn't you like to know?”

 

He rolled his eyes. “I shouldn't have asked.”

 

Kneeling, Nanaki hefted the unconscious man rising to his feet and situating Sephiroth until he was draped over one shoulder. He was grateful for the extra strength this form provided him. Luckily, Sephiroth had only a few inches on him in height but the man was considerably more dense in terms of muscle mass, which one wouldn't be able to tell at first glance.

 

He eyed Yuffie as she stood, claiming Tseng's scabbard and shoving it into her belt where it awkwardly clanked at her thighs. Nanaki didn't dare offer to carry it, having the feeling that it was like a family thing. He watched as she somehow managed to get an arm around Tseng and haul him against her side. Forcing herself to be careful was making it much more difficult. He watched with bemusement as she huffed under his greater weight and height.

 

“Okay,” she panted, giving him a look that was both annoyed and amused. “Just a little help.” He considered it great progress that she no longer took it as an insult when he offered aid. Though this was probably due to the fact she beat him in their spars more often than not even when he was actually trying.

 

Despite the situation, Nanaki chuckled at her and moved to Tseng's other side, throwing his other arm around the man's waist. Tseng was remarkably less heavy than his lover but it was still awkward all the same. Yuffie's personality did not quite match her stature.

 

“I could always carry them one at a time.”

 

Yuffie shook her head. “I'm not leaving him here alone or staying here alone. It's this or nothing.” It was always cute how her jaw set with determination. He wanted to kiss her. Only, now was not the time.

 

“Stubborn,” Nanaki muttered under his breath, but the tone was filled with affection.

 

“And proud of it,” she replied smugly, giving Tseng a little bump with her hip. “Now let's get the two lovebirds back to Aeris so we can figure out what the hell's going on.”

 

Nanaki had long ago learned it was better not to argue.

 

*****

 

a/n: This chapter annoys me for some reason. I don't know why. I feel that it is terrible. Feedback?