What You Treasure

Title: First Contact

Warnings: Mild Violence

Community: 30_tears

Theme: #7. Down in the dumps


The sound of running water made her stir. The side of her face ached but she was able to move her jaw. Nothing appeared to be broken from the angry blow. The bathroom door was shut, he had to be in the shower. Darkness was already setting outside. Dusk was easing over the land bringing the night. Needing some fresh air she decided to go outside. She wouldn’t go far, just out in view of the place. He’d be able to see her if he stepped outside. Besides escape was not an option for her. A few minutes alone would help ease some of the tension making her shoulders stiff.


The air felt wonderful upon her cheeks as brown eyes took in the setting sun. The sight was beautiful to behold. If only she could forget all her worries. This wasn’t a good year for her. She wondered how the others were doing. Where they worried about her? Cloud would most likely be frantic with worry. He’d never forgive himself if something happened to her. Even if she didn’t blame him, it would be one more sin on his soul. She had to survive, for herself and him. There was nothing Sephiroth could do to scare her. The most he could do was kill her. She’d come close to that point several times and she wouldn’t fear death. She’d fight against it happening but would not let it rule her.


A bird screeched over head as growling became noticeable from her left. There was a large expanse of trees, that went into the little expanse of forest. It almost resembled a dog at first. Her neck stiffened and her shoulders squared off as something burst from the foliage. She took a step back, seeing what appeared to be Sephiroth in the distance. That couldn’t be right, something was wrong. The long silver hair wasn’t long enough, nor was it tall enough. The male had to be shorter than herself. As it neared her slowly she noticed the other differences. The face was more distorted and unpleasant to look upon. The top teeth overlapped it’s lower lip and the eyes were pure black filled with rage. It sniffed the air as the wind swirled around her brushing the short hair into her eyes.


A fierce growl escaped the sharp teeth as the piercing eyes focused on her in rage. She wasn’t sure what it was but didn’t have time to question the small details. It charged, running at top speed for her. Jumping at the last second the rush of air was felt as it skidded past her. She had time to turn around and see a claw coming at her chest. The hand was grabbed an inch from having her heart cleaved out. A kick to the massive jaw sent it back. It only staggered before moving it’s mouth, testing the damage.


Her eyes fell to the closed door. She couldn’t make it to the door in time since the creature was now between her and the goal. It would also accomplish nothing. Most likely the bathroom door was locked and she’d be dead before he came out if she were to cry out for help. Not to mention asking him for help left a bitter taste in her mouth. She’d handle this thing alone. It resembled Sephiroth so greatly she could only imagine where it had come from. If the tattoo on it’s forehead was any indication then Shinra had been up to no good. But why would it come here? Was it looking to kill her? Somehow she doubted it. But if it was after Sephiroth why attack her? The beady eyes focused on her as it sniffed the air again. It growled again before opening it’s rather large mouth.


Saliva dripped from the sharp canines. The ground hissed and smoke came up as the grass sizzled. It charged again and she went down to sweep the feet from underneath. A thud was heard as it landed straight upon it’s back. A howl of rage echoed in the night air. The sharp nails raked across the ground where her leg had just vacated. Getting back to her feet she moved back quickly as it did the same. Nails were swiping at her as she dodged. The speed was increasing at it became more agitated. Another minute and she’d find herself grated. Using some force she jumped back putting the smallest amount of distance between them. It wasn’t enough, it was coming again.


Running was no longer an option. Terror filled her as the claws came arching towards her at an unbelievable rate. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to stop the blow this time. A scream tore through her throat as something hard slammed into her propelling her to the side. The ground came up to meet her hands as the sound of tearing flesh was heard. Spinning her head around, brown eyes widened in shock. The thing was being held up in the air by a very naked Sephiroth. Blood dripped down the pale chest as the creature clawed at the arms holding him up. The man showed no hint of pain as the skin tore under the razor-sharp talons.


A wheezing sound began as the hands went to those now crushing the throat. She watched as the grip tightened with ease making the thing’s eyes grow wide in terror. Hate blazed at the expressionless man now squeezing the life from the beast. With an audible but horrifying crunching sound the bones and meat caved in under the strain. The flailing arms dropped as the eyes remained open but now lifeless.


Sephiroth tossed it upon the ground opposite of where the girl was half laying. What the hell had Shinra done? It was almost amusing seeing something that greatly resembled himself. But why had it attacked the girl? Or had she simply been in the way? Had Rufus designed a creature to hunt him down? If so then he’d deliver it back to him so that the man would know he’d failed. He was tempted to just go give the man the same treatment his father had received. “Get back inside.”


Tifa pulled herself off the ground but glanced at the man’s chest. It was badly torn in several spots. Why had he pushed her out of the way? The question lingered in her mind as she made the distance to the small cabin. The corpse was left outside as he followed behind her. She went straight for the bathroom to find anything to clean the wounds. There was an old kit inside that was almost empty. There was some gauze bandages and antiseptic. She remembered how the man’s body had healed up in Shinra’s lap but for some reason they were still bleeding freely as she walked back in. His head snapped up as she walked back in.


“I don’t need you to tend to me. They will heal soon.” He sat on the edge of the bed noticing the pain tearing through his chest. What the hell had that thing been? The wounds should have already begun to heal yet they weren’t. He glared at the girl walking towards him with a determined look. “Don’t. Why should you bother?”


“Look, I saw what that thing’s saliva did. There is no telling what Shinra made. We both know that it was made from them. It is probably infected with whatever it had in it’s saliva. I doubt even you can heal. You’re body probably is regenerating but only enough to keep the wound from spreading. You are bleeding and I am tired. Unless you plan on sleeping on the floor tonight you’ll let me do it.” The hands went to the edge of the bed but he let her approach. The skin around the cut was blistering and had turned red. “The acid was most likely in it’s claws as well. Besides you didn’t have to get in the way. That blow was meant for me.”


His eyes narrowed but he allowed the girl to work. He wasn’t going to point the fact out that he’d spared her life for a reason. When it came time for her to die he’d be the one to end her existence. Having her killed by some pathetic replica made by Shinra wasn’t part of his plans. The girl’s life would end when he deemed it to. The smaller hands began cleaning the torn flesh making him jerk back. One flaw, he still felt pain. His mind flickered back to when he’d killed the Cetra girl that the puppet had cherished. He’d asked the man, did he feel things as well? Did this mean he wasn’t perfect? Was he just like the puppet? The questions raced through his mind as the brunette scrubbed at the damaged chest.


Tifa didn’t like the way the wounds looked. They weren’t spreading but still looked raw. Doing what she could they were bandaged and wrapped up. It put her in close range of the man as it was placed around his torso. Neither spoke while she worked. She wondered why she even cared. The only explanation was that it should have been her. If it had been her instead she’d already be dead. In an ironic sort of way he’d just saved her life. True, it was his fault she was even here in the first place and planned to kill her later. She just knew her conscious wouldn’t allow her not to do anything when the action had spared her the damage. The scratches around his wrist were next to be tended to. “There, we’ll see how they look in the morning.”


The breeze picked up the stale scent of rotting meat and urine. The tall figure glanced towards the dog trotting down the alley. It’s tail was tucked between it’s legs as it ran for cover. Grinning he walked closer towards the beast feasting upon the dead man behind the vacant home. It growled slightly until it recognized whom had disturbed it’s meal. Number Twelve looked down at the grisly mess with dismay. As much as his hunger stirred, he refused to feast in such a manner. The replica before him was nothing more than an advanced animal without much common sense.


Even while it feasted the humanity showed. The creature wiped it’s mouth as it gorged. The long black hair stirred as the wind shifted directions. The port town of Junon seemed oblivious to the two males as the night carried on. Number Twelve was waiting for the perfect time to sneak upon the ship that was headed out in the morning. It meant sneaking into Shinra’s establishment and making his way to the harbor. That would be no problem as the security was lax. He’d have to leave his companion here but it was a sacrifice he didn’t mind making. He had no loyalty to it or anyone else. One thought entered his mind, to find HIM. The man’s name echoed in his thoughts leaving anger in it’s wake.


The need to kill the man he’d been made from was strong. It was a driving desire that must be met. To tear apart the flesh that had created him. The creature at his feet sat down and belched as it poked at the organs now falling at the newly opened stomach. Giving in, he left the man to his meal. Time to make his way to the harbor and head south.

Next Chapter: Shinra gets a gift and a display of bad judgement... Please read and review.