Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Starla's Dance ❯ Chapter 14

Agitated Starla pulled on Sephiroth's arm. This day was starting off so similar to her dream. Sephiroth could not be killed, and it was foolish to think Cloud was alive. Not only had Starla put a few bullets into him, Sephiroth had ran him through with the masumune. No chance he was alive, Starla's head spun as she ran over the possibilities that Cloud might still be alive. Not one of them added up.

"Hey Starla, who's this?" It was one of her unfortunate peers.

"I'm her lucky boyfriend."

"Yeah right," She looked at him. "What, are you some kind of prostitute? No cute guy, unless paid would go out with her."

Sephiroth growled, "I'm not a prostitute, and I am her boyfriend. And last night we had great sex that I'm sure kept up the neighbors well into the night."

"So your in it for the sex! That explains it."

"You know, you can just fuck off. I started the sex last night NOT him." Starla hugged his arm tighter. "He provided all I wanted."

Sephiroth jerked as Starla violently pulled him down the street muttering unladylike words under her breath. At least the conversation didn't go completely as the dream had. Softly Sephiroth stroked her arm. His mind drifting to last night. Then looking down at her he paused.

"You know Star, you cried for me pretty well last night..."

"Oh shush, now where's this bar I need a drink."

Sephiroth laughed, for Starla it was an extreme diversion from the dream. Unwittingly he lead her down passageways are corridors, some looked familiar in the dream, but most looked far different. One in particular he led her down. It was full of the usual peddlers, merchants, beggars, and the occasional hookers.

Her hopes faded as she entered the same passage Sephiroth was killed in his dream. Suddenly her feet refused to move, and her heart beat raised. Not noticing Sephiroth walked on till her arm resisted. Turning he looked back at her and her pale face.

"Star, love, do say, what is it?"

In the hustle of day a few shots rang out. It, however, was not Sephiroth who received the bullets.

Sephiroth hit the ground with Starla as more bullets filled the air. As it cleared he shook Starla. Looking down at her he saw a red bubbling crimson stain spreading across her chest. Cradling her he cried out for help. He herd his request repeated. Lovingly he looked down at Starla who was pale.

"Please, Starla, no." He cried.

"Ow," Starla croaked, "This fucking hurts."

"I know, just hold on."

Reassuringly he squeezed her shoulder, as he glared up he stared towards the source of the shots. A line of over built buildings, people scattering, shop owners grabbing there items and dragging them off to safety so not to loose profit. Glancing towards the bar he saw a short figure hidden in the darkness between the bar and shop, but not so much so that Sephiroth could identify him.

"Sorry Starla, you'll be fine I swear." Sephiroth snagged the arm of a passing teen. "Stay with her and make sure she gets help soon, I'll pay you how much gil you wish when I return."

The boy no older then seventeen stared blankly at Sephiroth. Having no option he knelt beside Starla as Sephiroth dashed away.

Loudly, Sephiroth's feet pounded on the ground. Ahead of him he saw Cloud disappear into the darkness. Rage pounded in Sephiroth's veins, and his anger sought blood. Above him thunder rumbled, as dark clouds moved in. Sephiroth paused in a junction between the back of the shop and the bar. Ahead was an old ware house, to both sides low income housing.

"Cloud, you bloody bastard come out!" A clanging sound came from the warehouse. "Always the abandoned building," Sephiroth muttered.

The rain started to drizzle down as Sephiroth entered the old building. By the age of decay it was one of the original buildings that survived from his time. Survived, Sephiroth looked up at the barely existent roof. Mostly it was open. the exception being a tan aged tarp above him.

Other spots of cover were cat walks extending five stories up and crisscrossing between sections and skeletons of offices. Probably an old Shinra weapon warehouse.

"Cloud, I do not know how you survived, but get our bloody arse out there," Sephiroth took another step. The floor cracked and broke. Sephiroth pulled his foot out of the new hole and froze. Afraid to move any further or fall through. "Shit."

"Be careful, we don't want you to fall and get hurt." Cloud voice sneered as it echoed off the walls.

The words gave Sephiroth courage to walk forward. Rain dripped on his face as he walked from the scant cover. His bright green eyes searched the upper levels for signs of Cloud. Lighting flashed temporarily startling Sephiroth; Thunder crashed soon after.

A ladder slammed down next to him. A deafening cry of medal pierced the air. Rust rained down, and a few of the rungs moved further from there original saddening. Also, it was likely that the drop had loosened the bolts at the top. This place had last seen care years ago. Inwardly Sephiroth groaned at the thought of having to climb it.

"I'm not here to play children's games, and wank around waiting for you to finally show yourself." Sephiroth growled.

Despite misgivings, Sephiroth grabbed a rung and begun to climb. The rain made the rusted medal slick. Water soaked hair clung to his face, often times blinding him in his attempt to climb. One rung gave out from his weight. Quickly he snatched the side of the latter and cursed. His feet threatening to slide off. Slowly he began to climb again.

A shrill squall filled the air as Sephiroth made his way unto the slick cat walk. It groaned and shifted every move Sephiroth made. No matter how slight the move. Rain now game down in a steady roar blurring the path ahead.

Cautiously, and steadily Sephiroth made his way further up. Rust fell unknown in flacks among the rain drops that fell. Sephiroth searched the torrent for Cloud. Up on the fourth floor he saw a dark from in the rain. Cautiously he searched for the next way up. This time it was a steep stairs to the forth floor.

"I never thought you would get up here." Cloud yelled.

"You took the easy way, I don't want to dawdle around to find it." Sephiroth replied freeing his sword from where it rested. "How in the hell did you survive?"

Laughter burst from Cloud as if it was the funniest thing. "Sephiroth don't you know, heaven don't want me, and hell sure won't take me." Cloud wiped at his face like he was brushing aside a tear. "Oh, but dear Sephiroth, hell waits for you."

"I deserve hell for all I did, I wouldn't want heaven to take me." Sephiroth spat back.

Cloud spread his hands out wide. "I'm unarmed Sephiroth, come and finish it."

A cold chill ran up Sephiroth's spine warning him not to go. Anger's rage lulled it with it's need for blood. With his need for blood. Sephiroth approached, his sword at his side readily. His mind flipped frequently wondering how he should kill Cloud; Fast or slow. Or the easier part, toss him from the forth floor and hope the fall kills him.

A shrill, and a jerk snapped Sephiroth back to reality.

"Time has made you more dull."

The catwalk Sephiroth stood on began to drop. Sephiroth's eyes widened as he realized he had no time to backtrack.