Something Precious (Sephiroth x OC) Ch. 2

Wow, I haven’t been here in a while.  Banora was somewhat peaceful to me, even though my past here wasn’t so great.  Genesis and I, along with Angeal, used to always play where the dumbapple tree was.  Also, here was where I had first met Sephiroth.  He had caught me before I had fallen from the top of the tree. 

I looked down to see that I was wearing a white sundress that came down to my knees and I was barefoot.  The grass was soothing and the wind made me feel calm.  I walked through the field into the forest.  The forest path led me to the waterfall where Genesis had taught me how to swim.  I smiled thinking about how we would goof around and just relax here.  I walked to the edge of the water hole, and stepped in letting the water soothe my legs.  Without warning, two hands lightly brushed against my skin and a warm breath warmed my shoulder.  I looked down to the pale slender fingers that caressed me so gently.  I knew those hands very well; they belonged to Sephiroth.  Lips gently caress my neck as I leaned my head to the left.  A light moan escaped my lips and a purr escaped from Sephiroth’s throat.

“Sephiroth, how much longer must we hide?” I asked.

“I know that this is hard, but I must keep you safe.  Not only from your brother, but from Shinra as well.” 

His arm snaked around my waist and placed one hand on my stomach.  Sephiroth made a caressing motion to soothe my aching stomach.

“I must protect both of you.”

“Genesis will understand Sephiroth.  I know he will,” I said while turning around.  “Any man would want to know of a new addition to the family.  My brother would accept us.”

“But Shinra won’t,” he shook his head then cupped my cheek.  “You mean the world to me, and the very thought of you being in danger would worry me.”

“Then let’s tell Genesis and Angeal.  They’ll understand,” I pressed.

“No, I have to face them like a man.  I need to speak to them on my terms.  Promise me you’ll wait.”

“As long as you promise to tell them soon.”

A warm kiss was set on my forehead.  “I promise my love.”

I smiled at him then reached up around his shoulders and pulled him closer to connect our longing lips.  Just before our lips touched the sun glowed in my eyes, blinding me and a scratching sound erupted through the air.

Stirring from my sleep I groaned in anger because I was having such a good dream dammit!  But I couldn’t get angry; I knew that Shadow had to use the bathroom.  As I opened my eyes I was attacked by Shadow’s licking.

“Ah!  Okay, okay girl, I know.  Let’s take you out okay,” I muttered while petting her head.

She barked once then walked over to my bedroom door.  Before I followed her, I walked over to her bed to check on the puppies.  I chuckled as I noticed that Shadow had actually pulled her blanket over her pups to keep them warm while she was gone.  I was so proud of her.  I heard her scratching on my door, even though I remember it being open before I went to sleep.  Walking over to the door I opened it slowly and peered in if someone was in my room.  To my surprise, there was someone sleeping in my bed; Zack.  I scoffed while letting Shadow in and she jumped on top of Zack and licked all over his face.  He woke up almost immediately, and while Shadow was waking him up, I went to open the window. 

“Hey!  Shadow, get off!  Man,” Zack grumbled.

“Morning Zack,” I greeted.  “Who let you in and let you sleep in my bed?”

“I have a key remember,” he yawned.  “You were already asleep on the couch and I recall that the last time I tried to move you, I got stitches.  Plus your bed is more comfy.”

Shadow barked and leapt out the window to go and do her business.  I laughed at Zack who stood up and yawned again.

“Yeah that’s true.  Genesis taught me to expect the unexpected.  And I thought we were over that.  I take it Angeal told you about my mission?”

Zack nodded his head.  “Yeah.  I’ll watch over Shadow and the pups for ya.”

“Thanks so much Zack, I appreciate it.  Anyway if you wanted to crash here, use the pull out couch please.”

“Aho-kay,” he yawned.

“I gotta get ready.  The puppies are about a day old so just make sure they’re nice and warm.  By the time I get back their eyes should be opening.”

“Sure,” he spoke low.

Sighing, I walked over to Zack and pulled him into a comforting hug.  He wrapped his arms around me returning the hug.

“I know, I miss him too Zack.”

“He’s still here,” he said.  “Two little ones he left for us.  Would you mind if I had one?”

I pulled back, “Sure.  But I kinda chose to keep the white one; I named her Snow.  The other one is Zorro.”

“Yeah, I wanted the black one anyway.  So, two weeks with Sephiroth, I bet you’re excited.”

I laughed at my best friend, “What nonsense are you spouting this time?”

“C’mon, you and I both know you’re excited because you are going on a mission, alone, with Sephiroth,” he snickered.

“Pfft,” I scoffed, “I’m excited to get out of here so I’m not so bored.  Plus, I can have a break from Genesis’ nagging.”

“Suuuuure, you can’t tell me that you’re not happy to be alone with him.”

“You know, you sound like Selphie.  Why don’t you all have tea and cookies together and talk about who is the next piece of meat in first class,” I joked.

“Haha, very funny.” 

I turned on my radio and hooked in my AV port and listened to Vocaloids, Cantarella.

“Now why don’t you get out while I get dressed?  There’s food in the fridge, you know where to get it.”

“Don’t mind if I do,” he said and scurried into the kitchen.

I locked the door and pulled out my clothes to wear.  I walked into my bathroom to change, brush my teeth, wash my face, and brush my hair.  When I was finished, I went back in my room to wait for Shadow.  I peered out the window wondering if Shadow was on her way back when I felt a sudden sting hit my left shoulder.  I looked on my shoulder, and there was nothing there, but a small puncture.

“Damn mosquito,” I tsked then yawned.

I decided to lie down and listen to music until Shadow came back.  Didn’t I get enough sleep?  Oh well, might as well relax before the mission.  The next song that played was Burn by Apocalyptica and the sound of the cello lulled me back to sleep.  Even though it was a rock song, for some reason it helped me relax into slumber.

Zack’s POV

Man, how can Soph just listen to instruments?  Where’s the lyrics?  Ah well.  I went to check on the puppies to make sure that they were nice and warm.  I was glad that Rex left me something.  I’ll be glad to have Zorro, so Rex will be with me in some way.  I put my bowl in the sink then went to watch TV.  Before I could even get to a good channel, there was a pounding on the door.  I got up, walked over to the door, unlocked it, and opened it to see Genesis, Angeal and Sephiroth standing there.

“Hey guys,” I greeted.

“What are you doing here in my sister’s apartment?” Genesis asked with a deep tone.

“Nothin’, just chillin’.  Come in, I bet you’re looking for Sophie, she’s in her room.”

“She’s supposed to be ready, not slacking off” Sephiroth said while walking over to her bedroom door.

“Ah, calm down Sephiroth,” Angeal said.

We could hear more music playing from her room.  Genesis glared at me for a moment, then walked over to the door and knocked.

“Soph, you in there?” he asked then knocked one more time.

You could give me anything but love~

Anything but love~

We all heard her radio.

“Ah, she’s listening to Apocalyptica.  She won’t hear you,” Zack said.

“Good to know that you know my sister so well,” Genesis snapped.

“That’s it,” Sephiroth said and opened the door.

Expecting to get yelled at, I was shocked to see that Sophie was asleep on her bed fully dressed.  Sophie actually looked harmless and innocent while she slept.  She never usually falls asleep after just waking up.  Sephiroth walked over to her and tried to shake her awake, but she just turned over.

So go on infect me

Go on and scare me to death

I’ll be the victim

You’ll be the voice in my head

You could give me anything but love

Anything but love

Anything but love

Anything but love~

“Sephiroth, I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Genesis said.  “She’s not the person to try and wake up.”

“Yeah I have the scar to prove it.”  I looked to her radio.  “Wait, I’ll get her up.”

“And how are you going to do that?” Genesis questioned while crossing his arms.

“Watch this,” I said.

I searched Sophie’s IPod then found Flyleaf then I went to set her radio on high.  The guitar started to hum a little in the beginning of I’m So Sick.

I will break, into your thoughts

With what’s written, on my heart

I will

BREAK!~

“Whoa!” Sophie jumped up.  “What the hell?!”

Sophia’s POV

A scream woke me out of my sleep and I jumped while yelling.  I looked around and there was Sephiroth, Genesis, and Zack who was turning off my radio.

“Jeez, how long was I out?” I asked Zack while rubbing my eyes.

“Not too long.”

“Okay, why is he in your apartment?” Genesis questioned.

“He’s staying to take care of Shadow,” I grumbled.  “And no we are not sleeping together, we are best friends.  End of discussion.”

A bark erupted from the window, Shadow had come back and she pushed past the others then went straight for her pups.

“Protective mama,” Zack said.

I laughed, “Yes she is.”

“You’re late,” Sephiroth said.  “You were supposed to meet me at the discussion room at dawn, and you didn’t show up.”

“Please,” I said while getting up feeling wobbly.  “Whoa, got up to quick,” I leaned on the dresser and held my head.  “You know that Lazard won’t be there until around nine because of his so called ‘special time’.”

Genesis came over to help me steady myself from leaning on the dresser.  He pulled me to his chest then lifted his hand to feel my forehead. 

“You’re temperature is fine.  Are you sure you want to go-”

“Yes!” I pushed him off.  “I want to go, I’m tired of being cooped up here.  Sephiroth, I’m sorry that I didn’t get up that the time you wished for me to but Lazard might be in his office right now.  We should go now.”

I pushed past Genesis and grabbed my bag, slung it on my back, and attached my blade.  I quickly laced up my knee high combat boots and crossed my arms. 

“Let’s go before you make us late.”

“Rrgh,” Sephiroth grumbled and rubbed his temple.  “This is going to be a long mission.”

“Well good!” I exclaimed, “Maybe I’ll put you to shame and we’ll see who the real hero is.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself.  I’m in charge of this mission, remember that Sophia.”

“How about we all get out of my room, and just get to it, sound good?  Okay let’s go,” I said and ushered the boys out of my room.

When we made it to the living room, I saw Angeal feeding Shadow.

“Took you guys long enough,” he said.

“Thank sleeping beauty over here,” Sephiroth pointed and left out the door.

“Shaddup!  Thanks Angeal, I appreciate that.”

“No problem,” he replied while scratching Shadow’s ear.

“Okay so Zack has a key, and as long as you guys let Shadow out every once in a while, she’s good.  Zack will stay here,” I reached to grab Zack’s ear, “on the pull out couch, got it?”

“Ah!  I got it I got it!”

I let him go then walked towards the door.  Shadow ran over to me jumping up to lean on me, and licks my cheek.  I scratched her head, promising her that I’d be back then I turned to wave at the guys and followed after Sephiroth.  We made it to the elevator where he pressed the button that went up to level 49 to the meeting hall.  We walked out of the elevator towards the meeting hall and there was Lazard looking through paperwork.

“Reporting sir,” Sephiroth greeted.

Lazard turned to us. 

“Ah, there you both are,” he greeted then eyeballed me in a way that made me quite uncomfortable.  “As you know, this mission will take some time.  But it may be a turning point in this war.”

“What are our orders?” I asked.

Lazard pulled up a map on the hologram pinpointing about seven camps. 

“The Wutai have been spreading their forces, and the more terrain they gain, the greater chance for them to ambush from all directions.  Your job is to go to each of these camps, and destroy them.  Bring back any plans that you may find, but your main priority is to destroy each camp.  We cannot let them spread, or this war may just turn on us.”

“Yes, sir,” I said and loaded the information into my phone.

“Good,” he said.  “Sephiroth, let me know how the Second Class does on a long mission such as this.”

“My name is Sophia, not Second Class,” I snapped.

“Watch it,” Sephiroth warned in a low tone.  “I’ll report to you as soon as we return.”

“Good luck General, and Cadet.”

I turned and left the room without acknowledging Lazard.  Sephiroth followed behind me as we made it to the departing dock.  I grabbed the first motorcycle I saw and equipped my bag onto the side.  Sephiroth took the motorcycle beside mine, while I tried to steady my vision and get my helmet on.  I think Sephiroth noticed because he had put a hand on my itching shoulder.

“Are you sure that you’re alright?”

“I’m fine Sephiroth,” I pulled away.  “Let’s just get to the first location.  I feel like I need to blow up something.”

I heard him sigh, but let it go.  I revved my engine and took off towards the exit heading to the first location.  The trip would take a few hours on motorcycle and I was lost in my own thoughts the whole way.  I thought about why I fell asleep, the way Lazard was eyeballing me, and…that dream.  Sephiroth was riding beside me and after about two hours of riding, he sped ahead of me then hit the breaks.  I skidded to a stop before I hit him.

“What the hell Sephiroth?!  Are you trying to kill us before we actually start the mission?!”

He took his helmet off then got off of the bike and walked over to mine. 

“Let me see your arm,” he demanded.

“What?” I questioned while itching it.  “I’m fine it’s just a mosquito bite.  We have about another hour to go we could take out about two camps if we tried.”

Sephiroth shook his head.  “We need to set up camp here.  The distance will give us an advantage to get away.  But first let me see your arm,” he reached towards my arm.

I pulled away and got off of my bike. 

“Sephiroth, I said that I’m fine.  Now let’s just set up camp General,” I scoffed while pulling out my pack and grabbing the portable tent. 

Sephiroth, I assumed, was hiding our bikes so we wouldn’t be spotted.  I worked on getting my tent up, but the soil was too rough to thrust the stakes through to hold.  My left arm felt numb, and I had to try harder to hoist the tent up.  With frustration, I kicked the last stake into the ground hoping that it wouldn’t release the rope.  I found a rock and put it on top of the spike to make sure it stayed in place.  As I was working, I kept scratching my arm where the bite was.  It was so itchy!  The worst part was I knew that I didn’t have any ointment for it.

“Alright, my tent is up,” I said while scratching.  “You’d think with all the technology we have, we’d make a pod that can just make a house appear.  Hey, where’s your tent?” I asked.

“We’re sharing a tent,” he said.  “Easier to clean up, and close so if an attack happens we don’t get separated.”

I turned around and blushed slightly.  Sleeping near Sephiroth?!  Why?!  I have to think about getting out of this. 

“Well, then it will be easier to rotate on who keeps watch.  I’ll take first watch after we hit the first camp.”

“Alright.  Let’s start out towards Gongaga, and if that goes quickly, we’ll strike at Nibelheim.”

“That’s a long stretch Sephiroth.  We’re going to trek on foot?”

“Yes,” he turned to me, “are you too weak to make it?”

“I’ll make it just fine buster,” I pushed past him.  “Let’s get going before we miss daylight.”

I bet Sephiroth smirked and I just ran ahead of him, which probably pissed him off more.

Sephiroth’s POV

*Why did I decide to bring her?  This would’ve been a lot easier if I had just brought Angeal.*

I watched Sophia run ahead of me, but before she left, I noticed her shoulder had a spider web of infection.  It was black, and the redness around it was from her scratching.

“Sophia wait!” I called but she took off.  “Damn.”

I followed after her hoping that nothing would halt our mission.

Sophia’s POV

I felt like we should’ve taken our bikes to save our energy.  But since Sephiroth hid them well, there was no point.  Maybe we’d make it in time to make a plan and possibly take out two camps.  The thing is, we need to cut off all communication so the other camps won’t know that we’re coming.  Sephiroth caught up with me.

“We’re almost there,” he said.

“Hah, you can tell from here?”

“Just stay close.”

We approached the first camp in Gongaga and stopped behind some trees.  I saw that the Wutai had guards on every post, along with beasts on the inside.  Infiltration won’t be easy, but we need to get to the communication center.

“I should infiltrate, set up a bomb, while you take out the guards,” I whispered.

“Are you sure that you’re up to it?” Sephiroth asked with…concern.

“Yes I’m sure.  What’s your deal General?” I snapped in a hush tone.

He looked forward.  “Just be careful.  If anything happens, retreat.”

“Not necessary,” I said.

I got up then went along the south side.  I saw that there was only one guard on the south side, and that gave me great opportunity.  I saw him just walking, and I decided to act out to get him alone.  I placed my sword down near a tree, muffled my hair, and threw some dirt on my shirt to make it look real then I ran over to him being hysterical.

“Mister!  Mister please help me,” I crashed into his chest.

“Uh, what’s wrong ma’am?” he asked.

“My brother,” I shrieked.  “Hill, please help!”

I pushed him then ran back into the forest crying and knowing he would follow me.  To my luck he did follow and just kept calling me.  I hid on the side of a tree as he passed then I quickly got behind him and snapped his neck.  No sound, no suspicions.  When he hit the ground I dragged his body into some bushes and undressed him from his uniform.  My arm started to feel numb again, but I ignored it while I pulled on the outfit.

“Nice work,” I heard Sephiroth.

“I thought you were at your post,” I said while tucking my long hair in the helmet.

“I wanted to make sure that you didn’t get caught.  And don’t think that I haven’t noticed your arm Sophia.  What’s going on?”

“Nothing Sephiroth,” I said while standing up and grabbing my sword.  “Hold onto this for me.  I’ve gotta get in fast.  Now go back to the entrance.”

I left him and went back to the guard’s post.  Just in the nick of time too, because another soldier came.

“Alright Cadet, you’re relieved of guard.  Now it’s your turn to man the command center.  Relieve Jester, got it?”

“Yes sir,” I said sounding like a man with a device to mask my voice that I put on the helmet.

I walked past him and circled around to the front of the gates.  Once I approached the main entrance, the gates opened up to let me in.  I walked through, so far so good.  Now, I had to find the communication center.  I walked through some double doors, being weary of the other soldiers.  I walked through what seemed like a maze, and made it to the center of the compound.  I went through the main house and looked around for the center.  I hadn’t paid attention to a person walking and bumped into them.

“Cadet!  You’re supposed to be at your post!”

“Sorry, I was relieved and sent to relieve Jester from communications.”

“Well don’t just stand there, go!”

He pointed at the correct door for me to go through.  I smiled then walked over to that door.  When I opened it, there was about four men in here.

“Jester,” I called, “you’re out.”

The man sitting at the middle of the rounded room got up and walked over.  He said a simple thanks and I took his seat.  I looked around on the controls, and read on the screen the main shutdown.  This is gonna be easy as pie.  There was no useful information for me to gather so I decided to kill these three first then shut down the system.  Grabbing the small bomb from my boot, I walked over to the table in the middle of the room.

“Men, I found this in the forest on my watch.  What do you think it is?” I asked while placing it on the table.

All three men got out of their chairs to come over to examine the small device.  When the one on my right came closer, he tried to bend down to get a closer look.  He had an axe on his back, and that gave me an advantage.  The soldier leaned down.  Before he could speak his first word, I slammed his face into the corner of the table, gripped his axe, and swung it severing the other two soldiers’ heads in one quick swing.  To finish it off, I caught the axe with my right hand, flipped it, and shoved the tip of the axe into the first man’s jugular, making sure he didn’t scream.  It was over in mere seconds.

“Too easy,” I said.

I turned to the main computer, hacked into the grid to make sure that one signal was still active as to not give the other camps the heads up that we were coming for them.  Then I shut down all communications and locked the system.  This place was going down.  I flicked on the switch to activate the bomb and walked out of the communication room.  I took off the helmet then opened my cell phone to call Sephiroth.

“Two minutes,” I said.

“Understood.  Get out of there and try to not get killed.”

“Heh, ye of little faith,” I smirked.

I hung up and walked down the corridors towards the exit.  Wutai soldiers came piling in from noticing their communication was shut off.

“Halt!” one called.

I just smirked and kept walking straight.

“I said halt!”

One shot a bullet in my direction, but I sliced it with the axe. 

“Out of my way,” I warned.

“Kill her!!”

Half of the soldiers opened fire towards me and I dodged the bullets while fighting off the other half.  They weren’t really strong, so it was easy.  I was more focused on escaping the building before the bomb went off.  I had about another minute and a half to get out before the place blows.  I was able to run through the corridors dodging soldiers and cutting down who I needed to so I can make it through.  The blast should kill them along with whoever is in the building, and we just have to kill off the stragglers.  The second I made it out to the courtyard, an anti-SOLDIER creature jumped in front of me.  There was no time to fight, but this hideous creature that was in the shape of a spider, blocked my only exit.  My initial move was to use Firaga to flame him, but to save energy, I decided to see if I could get him blasted by the bomb.  I jumped out of the way and went to slice one of its legs.  It was a success, until I was shot on the hand from behind which caused me to drop my axe.

“Dammit!” I shouted.

Rolling away from the spider I ran to reach for the axe, but gunshots were going towards the axe so I avoided it and tried to fight my way out.  I grabbed another sword on the ground, and stabbed the soldier above me, used him as leverage, and kicked the soldier behind him. 

“Sophia!” I heard Sephiroth call.

I turned around and there was Sephiroth slicing down a behemoth.  I ran and kicked off of the next soldier, flipped backwards, landed on the spider’s leg, and jumped in Sephiroth’s direction.  Sephiroth tossed my sword to me, and in mid jump I had powered up, caught the sword and transformed it.

“Suitchiburēdo!”

I summoned my bow and arrows.  I had about ten seconds, and I covered my arrow in ice then shot it in the air.  When I landed next to Sephiroth, I shot a fire ball at the arrow shattering it, causing ice shards to pierce every soldier.

“Run!” I shouted.

Sephiroth followed in suit.  The last three seconds were up and the blast encompassed the whole compound.  Everything seemed to be in slow motion; the blast was so loud that I felt I went deaf.  Sephiroth grabbed my numb arm, pulled me to him, then jumped behind a tree to avoid the blast.  My face was buried into his chest and he had his arms wrapped around me.  I was glad that my face was there so that he couldn’t see the blush on my face.  Regardless of the fighting he did, his aroma was sweet and musky and it made me want him even more.  I took a breath then leaned up.

“Is it over?” I asked.

“It’s over,” he answered, “there are no survivors.”

I separated from him and stood up just looking over the debris left of the compound.  There really wasn’t anyone left.  In the middle was a charcoaled spider that I was glad was dead because that thing scared the crap out of me.

“Phew, that wasn’t so bad.  We should move quickly so we can take care of the camp outside of Nibleheim.”

I hadn’t even noticed that Sephiroth stood up until he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him.

“You were shot,” he said.

I pulled my hand back, “I wasn’t shot, the bullet grazed my hand.  I’m fine, now let’s move General.”

“No.”

“What?” I questioned.

“We’re not going yet.  We need to dress your wounds-”

“Sephiroth!” I exclaimed.  “We are losing daylight and time.  Let’s move so we can get this over with.  The more time we wait fighting over going back or not, we may be losing the fight in this war.  Now stop worrying about me and get your ass in gear.”

Sephiroth hovered over me, glaring at me with those cyan eyes.  He leaned down getting within inches of my face. 

“You do not give the orders.  Your brother is not here to protect you, so your little fits of rage won’t work here.  Whatever I say goes.  And if you don’t understand that, I will abort this mission, drag you back to Midgar, and leave you to deal with the consequences of interfering in a top mission.  You may even be released because you are incompetent, uncooperative, and foolish.  Those qualities don’t make a SOLDIER reach 1^st Class.”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks.  Without even thinking, I slapped him across the face making him back up.  Heaving in air, I held in whatever nagging emotion that was fighting to show, but I didn’t want to show him my weakness.  I hung my head slightly to let my bangs cover my eyes.

“You’re no hero, you’re just a 1^st Class jerk.”

Without another word, I walked back towards the camp.  It surprised me that he didn’t come after me to get payback for the slap I gave him but at the moment I really didn’t care.  How could I care about this man who sees me as nothing more than a lowly 2^nd Class soldier?  If that’s how he sees me, then I’ll just go ahead without him since he doesn’t want to get the job done and of course he’ll get all the credit.  During the walk back I began scratching my shoulder again.  I think the damn suit is making it itch even more.  I stopped for a moment to undress from the suit.  Once it was off, the air made the itching cease for a few minutes, until I had to itch again.

“Dammit, I hate mosquito bites.”

I ran the rest of the way back to the camp.  When I got there, Sephiroth was nowhere in sight leaving me alone.  I wasn’t upset about it.  I walked over to the tent deciding to get out of my dirty clothes and into some sweats and a t-shirt.  When I was finished, I went looking for the first-aid kit to treat my hand.  I couldn’t find it; I bet it was attached to the bike.  My hand was starting to feel numb; great now I’ve got two numb arms.  I think the bullet did more than graze my hand, it hit a vein.  I exited the tent to look for the first-aid only to see Sephiroth standing by a tree with his arms crossed.  Since he was the one who hid the bikes, I had to ask where they were; fat chance he’ll tell me.  When I stepped away from the entrance of the tent Sephiroth went in there to change I figured.  I walked over to the fire, that I assumed he made, so I could get warm.  The more I thought about it, the more I regretted hitting him.  Maybe I should apologize to him.

“Sophie,” I heard him say while walking up, “we need to talk.”