Chapter 5

Aeris was so tired and confused that she didn't hesitate to go straight for the bed after everyone split up to explore Costal Del Sol. At first, she wanted to relax and take her mind off Sephiroth at the beach and told everyone she was going to go tanning. However, she found Hojo there a little before Cloud showed up. Hojo spoke of nothing of great importance, more like mocking them and the fact Aeris was an Ancient, though one of his female companions said that he was saying something about heading west and following Sephiroth. She couldn't stand Hojo's presence and went to the hotel, speaking with Cloud more of how she was an Ancient. She tried to find out if Sephiroth was an Ancient as well, but he would not answer sensibly. After he left, she plopped herself done on one of the beds and went straight to sleep.

When Aeris awoke, she was shocked to find that it was the middle of the night. She sat up to observed Tifa fast asleep in the bed next to hers in their small room. Sighing, she had forgotten to brush her teeth and her face felt icky from wearing that helmet on the boat ride over. She grabbed her hygiene items and drug herself into the bathroom. She noticed inside her bathroom, there was an opened window that viewed out over the beach. As she brushed her teeth, she thought how lovely the view must be in the mornings. While in her state of admiration, Aeris could have sworn she saw the gleam of a long sword out on the dark beach. At first, she thought she was imagining things and began to wash her face. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw it again. Now she was truly concerned and focused all her attention on studying the darkness out on the beach. She could faintly hear the waves rocking back and forth up upon the shore down below. After several minutes, Aeris saw a dark figure move about and the quick flash of metal once more.

"Sephiroth! I thought he was already gone!" Aeris whispered to herself in anxiety. She didn't know why, but she felt like she must go and talk with him. She shook her head at such a thought. Yet, the night she had met him crept out from the back of her mind. After a few moments, Aeris huffed angrily as she grabbed her staff and a blanket.

"I must be crazy………" Aeris grunted to herself as she made her way across the sand of the beach. He was standing further out than she expected, covered in his black cloak and facing the ocean. Aeris stopped ten feet from the tall shrouded man, unsure of what to say or how to react. He seemed not to notice her. The breeze caught hold of the cloak and Aeris' dress, making them dance about around their legs as the splashing of the ocean became a bit more forceful. Aeris felt as if she was dreaming even if the cold of the night stung her cheeks. Neither of them moved and the planet around her seemed to sing with life.

"Aeris………" The honey-filled voice of the cloaked figure floated in the wind to Aeris, softly meeting her ears and snapping her from her dreamy trance. "It's late."

"Yes, it is." Aeris agreed casually a minute later. She clutched her staff tightly while snuggling in her blanket. She wasn't sure what she felt at the moment.

"The night is beautiful, yes?" Sephiroth asked, turning his head from the ocean to glance at her compassionately. Aeris nodded slowly. He returned his gaze to the waters that stretched out before him. Silence, and then……… "I'm hurt by what you said earlier. I must apologize for my discourtesy and I wish to make it up to you."

"You can make it up to me by bringing back the lives lost by your hands." Aeris scornfully reproached. She pulled her blanket a bit higher around her neck, the wind was biting coldly.

"You know I can't do that—" Sephiroth began softly.

"Then why did you kill them in the first place? And not just there, I saw what you did in the Shinra building and heard what you did to Cloud's town. I won't have anything to do with you! What you done is wrong! Those people were innocent and had families. Their families will miss them, Sephiroth. That is why my friends are coming for you." Aeris went silent again, crouching in the sand and internally praying not to cry.

"You are too sweet for your own good, my flower. The world is filled with corruption and immorality. You used to live in Midgar, I assume. That city alone should prove to you the level of human depravity. However, I will promise you that from now on I will not kill meaninglessly, if that is what you wish." Aeris gazed up after hearing Sephiroth's words.

"Do you truly mean that?" She asked quietly. She was barely audible over the ocean breeze. He glimpsed down at her and nodded solemnly, shaking his hood in the process. She smiled a genuine smile that had not crossed her lips in a few days. He gazed at her brightening smile, feeling relieved and joyous. She giggled at his staring. "Now remember, you promised!"

"Yes. I did." He said, more to herself than her. Aeris placed her staff on the sand and stood back up, still smiling to him. She was no longer intimidated by him and felt safe. Her eyes softened to show that he had her trust. He could not remove his eyes from hers.

"Thank you. Um, back on the boat, you said something about time, like the time is now? If you don't think me rude, might I ask what you are trying to accomplish? You're heading west, right? Where do you want to go?" Aeris asked, stepping a bit closer until only a foot separated them. He turned away at her question.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot relay this information onto you. I—" Sephiroth began until he felt her hand touch his arm. The contact, though it may have been separated by several layers of clothing, sent shivers down his spine.

"Please? I'm only curious, I promise I won't tell my friends." Aeris' smiled gently again when he turned back down to her. He felt himself being drawn towards her caring green eyes, soft sweet lips, and the gentle frame of her face. Aeris felt as though his eyes seeped into her soul. She realized he was leaning down to kiss her. Her mind told her to run away but her body felt like lead. She could not break eye contact until their lips were inches away. Her eyes fluttered shut and she could feel his warm breath upon her lips, contrasting the cold breeze. Sephiroth's lips barely brushed hers when a bolt of tremendous pain racked his mind, sending him to his knees. He let out a growl of agony, confusing Aeris greatly.

'My son! STOP THIS! Don't you see! She's trying to disrupt our plans! She's corrupting you! Cease this meaningless wooing and proceed to our next destination! I only see her making you weak! She is the enemy and nothing but a hindrance! She is only a barrier between us and our goals! No, I am sick of your thoughts repeatedly returning to her! KILL HER! I COMMAND YOU!' Sephiroth's mind was overwhelmed by the voice of Jenova. He grasped his head and writhed in anguish in the sand. Aeris threw herself to her knees beside him, grasping for his hands to comfort him.

"Sephiroth! What is wrong!" Aeris fearfully asked. "Please tell me!"

Sephiroth pushed her back and struggled to get up. He was still clutching his head as the pain continued while he turned from her. "Aeris! Leave! Leave me now!"

"Not until you tell me what's wrong!" Aeris told him, now trying to help him stand. He, however, weakly pushed her away again.

"No…… Mother! I-I……… Won't! St-Stop it, please!" Sephiroth rasped. Another wave of pain shot over him.

'Kill the Cetra bitch! KILL HER NOW! DO IT!' Jenova shrieked inside his mind. She was beginning to blank his mind with pain, gradually taking over his arm and forcing it to reach for his Masamune. Yet he continued to resist, slowly pushing her back.

'MOTHER! STOP IT! I-I, OWWWE! Shit! I have a plan! Please! Just listen! We'll use her great power to help summon meteor! Please stop!' Sephiroth screamed in his mind. Jenova's voice and wrath began to let up. Sephiroth gulped for air when he was fully released.

'Proceed now to our next destination, before I tear this little whore apart with your hands! Go now!' Jenova ordered viciously. Sephiroth stumbled a bit while forcing himself to stand, Aeris not hesitating to help steady him. He rubbed his temples and turned from her.

"I must leave." Sephiroth told her dryly. Aeris' face was full of confusion and worry. "Please, go back to your friends, I'm alright. Just go."

"I………" Aeris tried to comfort him somehow but he cut in.

"Go!" Sephiroth yelled. Aeris jumped, startled and hurt by his dismissal. Sephiroth felt her confusion and let out a sigh and turned to her. He hurriedly gave her a peck on the lips before taking a step back. "Do not worry, I will see you soon enough but for now, I must leave you."

"O-Okay. Goodnight." And with that, Aeris took a few steps back while watching him, grabbed her staff, and turned to run all the way back to the inn. Sephiroth stared until he lost sight of her going into the building. With another sigh, he turned and began to head westward, his cape trailing behind him.

Aeris had changed her clothes, due to all the sand she got on them, washed her face again and was now in bed. She had out her journal and was writing in it.

Geez, it's been a while, hasn't it my journal? Anyways, a lot has happened! I'm still with Cloud, pursuing Sephiroth and we made it to Junon and helped this little girl from this sea monster. But before any of that, I bumped into Sephiroth outside of camp before we got Junon! Ah! It was crazy, he kissed me! And he gave me these really beautiful flowers. They began to wither so I had to leave them behind, though I saved one and am currently keeping it in you, journal. So, back at Junon……… Well, we had to sneak onto the ship by posing as soldiers. Oh my gosh, those suites were horrid! They smelled awful and were all itchy and stuff—Gah! I'm off topic! We saw Sephiroth again and I gave him a piece of my mind about him killing people. Well, I guess he took that to heart because tonight he promised me he wouldn't kill anyone anymore. But I'm skipping ahead here! We also saw Hojo earlier today; he was vile as ever and wouldn't answer any of my questions about Sephiroth being an Ancient! Oh darn! I could have asked him in person! Though, I was a bit distracted by his beautiful eyes—NO! Bad Aeris, bad! Quit it! He had this weird convulsion and it worried me. I hope he doesn't have turrets……… Well, maybe it's because he's crazy. Wait, why do I keep meeting him if he's crazy! Maybe I'm crazy……… Of course Cloud and the others do not know any of this and I hope to keep it that way. They'd probably freak out if they found out I was fraternizing with the enemy. It's just, I don't see him as the monster everyone says he is, I mean, yeah he's crazy and has killed a bunch of people……… But I see a man in him. He's human, or Ancient, I'm not sure. But I am sure he has a heart. And though it may be tainted, I feel as though it can be healed. I'm willing to try and heal it, if he lets me……… He said something while having that seizure tonight, as if he was talking to someone. He said 'stop mother' or something similar to that. I wonder, maybe, it isn't him that's making him do these things. I know it sounds silly but it's just a thought. Anyways, I'm tired; I think I'll turn in. I promise I'll put another entry in soon.

Aeris

Author: twitch School sucks. I'm tired. I am hungry. But does anyone care? No. Oh well. Meh. Anyways, a few of you mentioned that my story is a lot like Path of Seduction. I went and checked out the story and was shocked. It does have some similarities. I didn't mean for it to be so I apologize if that does anything for you. I've been using some of my friends' ideas and I have plotted out the ending for this story and hope that it's good enough for you all. If not, I'll shoot myself. Good enough? K. Please review, I love the constructive criticism and hearing your thoughts! Thanks!