Prophecy's Refrain

Two hours, eleven and a half bottles of dye, and four near fist-fights later, A very brown-haired Sephiroth entered the living area.

“Stop glaring at me, you look great.” she said. “And seeing as how my head is STILL attached to my neck, I think I win.” She said, referring to the bet she and Zack had made about the coloring of the general’s hair. She turned to Zack. “You owe me a sparring match.” She cracked her knuckles and smiled wickedly as the SOLDIER paled.

“I don’t want to hurt you though!” Zack said.

Harmony laughed. “If you hurt me, its my own fault. No weapons, at least at first. Just hand to hand for now. Help me move the furniture.”

The men all helped her move things out of harms way, before backing up as far as they could.

Harmony unbuttoned the bottom of her shirt and tied the ends together so she was more comfortable before stepping out into the middle of the room and beckoning for Zack to join her and taking a fighter’s pose. She grinned as he sighed, resigned, and took his place. She took in his form, noticing the size of his boots and the bulge of his muscle. She knew that she would have to be quick and avoid being hit, as it would probably take only one or two good hits and she would be down for the count.

With a deep breathe and a smile, she rushed Zack, waiting until the last minute to swing around behind him and try to land an elbow to his back. He dropped to the ground and his leg shot out, knocking her to her back. She rolled and in one quick movement was on her feet again, blocking the barrage of attacks that Zack threw at her. She blocked a fist aimed at her chest and lashed out, dragging her fingernails across his cheek.

“You’re holding back.” She observed. “Stop it. Whatever you got, I can take it.” she ordered.

Zack grimaced and nodded his head. Suddenly, his attacks came faster and more frequently. It was all Harmony could do to avoid his strong fist and big boots. She knew at that point that the only way she was going to beat him was strategy. She had to wear him out and discover his weakness.

In her distracted state, she missed the boot aimed at her stomach and paid for it, flying backward to collide with the wall next to Angeal. The big man reached down to help her up and she shoved his hand away.

“No.” she said, “I got this.” she twisted around and the group listened to the sickening ‘crack’ as her back popped in several places. “That’s more like it.” she said to Zack before rushing him again. She noticed that most of his attacks were aimed higher and that his balance on one foot was not great, so she aimed low, going for his hips and knees to bring him down. She finally landed a blow to his knee that doubled him over and she used that to her advantage, gripping the back of his head and slamming his face into her knee before shooting her hands out and throwing him into the wall by the window, smashing a vase full of lilacs behind him.

By that time, the rest of the group were cheering and calling out to both of them, offering strategies to both fighters.

“Now we’re even.” she said as he stood. “Wanna get your sword yet?” she taunted.

“Harmony, that isn’t a good idea-” Angeal started.

“No offense, and thanks for the warning, but I wasn’t talking to you.” she said, not taking her eyes off of Zack.

By that time, Zack was irritated that she had been able to throw him, so he marched over to Angeal and wrenched his sword from his hands.

Harmony smiled and went to the stand next to the couch that had been moved up against the wall. Reaching inside, she pulled out two battle-fans, each bearing mean-looking blades.

“Bring it.” she taunted. Zack rushed her.

Sparks flew as she used her fans to block each attack. She finally flipped them open and the men gasped at the multiple blades lining each connector. She swung the fans at Zack with expert grace, nearly taking his head off with one swing.

“First one to bleed?” she said, making the rule.

“Deal.” Zack agreed, swinging at her once again.

That is how the next near hour was spent, swing, block, swing, block, until Harmony realized that Zack was not going to tire, but she was. She used her last burst of real strength as Zack swung at her to trap his sword between the metal connectors of her fan, closing her weapon and wrenching it sideways, disarming the man quickly. With one final lunge, she had him on his back, straddling his lap with her one open fan at his throat. She grinned and applied slight pressure, barely breaking the skin, but still causing the SOLDIER to bleed. At that exact moment, the others gasped and she felt a small prick on her shoulder blade and a light trickle of blood down her back.

Zack had a small knife he’d pulled from his boot.

He stared up at her, blinking as sweat dripped from her to him. He finally smiled and moved his knife from her back, allowing her to move her fans as well.

“Tie?” he asked, panting.

“Tie.” she agreed, also panting. She got off of him and offered him her hand, shocking everyone once again as she all but lifted the SOLDIER from the ground.

And suddenly they were both surrounded, Angeal wrapping one arm around Zack and leading him away, looking as though he wasn’t sure whether he should scold or congratulate the man.

“That was amazing!” Cloud said, clapping her on the back.

“Amazing doesn’t even come close.” Rufus interjected. “You’re ShinRa material, my dear.”

“Thanks, and no thanks. I’m not interested in using my gifts for anything other than sport-like this-or self defense.”

“That was actually pretty impressive.” Kadaj said, stealing her attention. “You might actually rival me in your speed with those fans.” he admitted.

“Thanks.” she said. She reached around the bar and grabbed a couple of kitchen towels. She tossed one to Zack and then began mopping the sweat from her chest and neck.

“I have some antibacterial ointment in my bathroom.” she told Zack, “Let me grab some.”

Zack nodded and followed her to the bathroom, as did Kadaj.

Yazoo and Loz stayed in the living area, exchanging looks with the others before the entire group erupted in soft chuckles.


“Here ya go.” Harmony said, pouring some alcohol onto a cotton ball and putting it on the cut on Zack’s neck.

“Ow!” he said, jerking away for a second before taking the swab and doing it himself. “Warn a guy.” he smiled.

“Sorry.” Harmony said. She waited until Zack had cleaned the wound, and then used a clean swab to rub some ointment into it.

“Thanks.” Zack said. Harmony nodded and allowed Zack to leave the room, only then noticing that Kadaj had followed as well.

“You could have kicked my ass on the beach.” he accused.

“…Possibly.” Harmony allowed.

“Why did you just let me take you then?” He sat down next to her on the rim of the bathtub.

“Well…to be honest…I’m not sure. Something just…spoke to me and told me not to fight too hard. I really don’t even know why I decided to run on the beach. That’s not my normal run.”

“You’re bleeding.” Kadaj interrupted.

It was only then that Harmony remembered the cut to the back of her shoulder that Zack had delivered.

“Oh…yeah.” she let out a small laugh and reached for the alcohol and cotton balls, only to have Kadaj slap her hands away. His own pale hands took over, splashing the alcohol on the pad and slowly pulled her shirt over her shoulder to reveal creamy pale skin.

The cut wasn’t bad, but worse than either had first thought. Kadaj pulled her shirt down further and carefully began wiping the blood off of her skin. Soon, however, he realized that as soon as he let her shirt slide back up, blood would cover her skin again.

“You need to take your shirt off.” He said.

Harmony eyed him suspiciously, but after looking at her back and putting the pieces together, she realized that he was right. She slowly unbuttoned and untied her shirt, slipping it off of her shoulders and letting Kadaj toss it into the trash bin. Neither noticed Cid creep into the doorway, joined by a silent Vincent.

Kadaj finished cleaning the blood from her back and shoulder, and then prepared another swab. He tried to be quick about it. He wasn’t as sadistic as everyone thought he was. He didn’t want to cause her pain unless he had to. Still, she hissed as the alcohol made contact with the cut. Kadaj leaned in, surprising himself as he fought not to blush, and blew across the cut gently. He smirked when he saw goose bumps erupt on her skin. He finished cleaning the wound and stuck his hand around for the ointment, rubbing it over the cut with a bare finger and then covered it with the bandage that she handed him.

“All done.” he said quietly, still leaning closer than was really necessary. The two men in the doorway struggled to hear the conversation.

“Thank you.” Harmony said, just as quietly. She turned her head to face him, surprised at his closeness.

“Your…welcome.” he said. “I’m not as bad as they think, you know.”

“You’re not?” Harmony could feel her breathing speed up again.

“I only do what Mother asks… I can’t help it, she’s so powerful, you see… I was content to pick my life up again after Hojo released his experiments …I just wanted to be free… but then she started talking to me… The planet deserved what it got… that’s what she told me. What she still tells me… I don’t know why she chose me… Yazoo and Loz can’t hear her… Only me…” he said, leaning into the hollow of her throat. “She’s quieter now… just a faint whisper in the back of my mind. I still think that someone has to be punished for what was done to her… and I’m fighting so hard between hating you for trapping her, and thanking you for weakening her hold on me…”

“Kadaj…” Harmony said, her breath rustling his hair and causing it to tickle his forehead. “If you’ll let me…I can help you…”

“I don’t want your help.” he said, pushing forward and brushing his lips across her ear.

Harmony turned her body toward him and gasped when he trapped her against the wall, an arm on either side of her.

“I don’t need your help.” his face a mere breath away from hers. “All I want is understanding. And respect.” He was so close to her now. If she inhaled, her lungs expanding would push her forward from the wall and their lips would be touching.

“Kadaj…” She whispered, her breath hitching and giving her away.

He smirked and closed the distance between them, slowly molding his lips to hers. His hand left the wall and cupped the back of her neck as she began to respond to his kiss.

Harmony had never felt this way. She hadn’t been with anyone-hadn’t even KISSED anyone-since she was raped. She wasn’t a virgin when she was raped, but never had anyone ever inspired such flustered lust, she just did it because it was expected. No one had even been able to get as close as she allowed him to be. Not for years, anyway.

She let out a shaky breath and let her arms wrap around his shoulders, falling into the kiss and responding softly-until she felt soft fabric against her bare chest. She pushed him away and held him at arms length with her head bowed.

“I’m sorry…” she said, “This shouldn’t happen… not now…” she looked up at him, expecting to see anger, but saw instead only amusement and understanding.

“All right.” he said. “I’ll leave you alone to … cover yourself.” But as he turned to leave he stopped short, causing Harmony to look around him.

She froze and blushed in mortification when she saw Cid and Vincent standing in the doorway. She squealed and hid herself behind Kadaj.

“It isn’t what it looks like!” she said.

“Huh. Too bad, I was about to congratulate the punk on a job well done.” Cid chuckled.

“We came to make sure you’re all right.” Vincent said. “You seemed to be exhausted…and with Kadaj missing as well…” he trailed off.

“You thought I’d try to kill her.” Kadaj finished. He sounded amused, like he wasn’t irritated or affected…but after hearing his words only moments before, she knew that it was all an act.

“I’m fine. You guys don’t give them enough credit. They gave their word, and in this situation, they warrant trust.” Harmony said. “They can’t lie to me, anyway. You can’t lie to a witch.”

Kadaj looked at her and said “I don’t need you to defend me, and neither do Loz or Yazoo.” but she saw in his eyes the gratitude. She could have sworn she saw a little nugget of respect force its way into his brain as well. She suddenly knew that of everyone in the group, Kadaj, Vincent, and Hojo would be the most difficult to change.

“Of course.” Vincent said. Still the three men stood there.

Harmony finally let modesty overtake her.

“Do you perverts mind? Or are you enjoying the show?!” she said. She nearly laughed as two of the three jumped and rushed down the hall. The third remained behind for a moment.

Kadaj turned around and faced her. He raised his hand and ran his fingers down her arm gently, turning away and walking out of the room when his pale fingers reached her wrist.