The Other Side of the Mirror

by T'Shael

Chapter 6

Entering the Icicle Lodge, Jenova walked up to the desk clerk.

She smiled. "Hi, I need a room."

He looked at the pretty woman and returned her smile.

"How many nights will you be staying, Miss . . . "

"Jenny," she said coyly. "Jenny Hunt. I'll be staying overnight. If I decide to stay longer, I'll let you know."

The desk clerk blushed. "Very well Miss Hunt. Please sign the guest book. That will be 300 gil please."

Jenova winked at him and placed the money on the counter. He took it and handed her a key. "You'll be in room 18, that's on the second floor. I'll have someone carry your suitcase."

"Thank you," she smiled. "But it's so small, I'll keep it with me until I go upstairs. I'm a little hungry. Do you have a restaurant here?"

He gave her directions to the dining room. Jenova gave him a final smile before she strolled away aware of his eyes on her back. She entered the restaurant and was seated at a table near a window. Human food was an acquired taste. She scanned the menu. It had been a long time since she'd been to an eating establishment and the menu was greatly changed from the last one she remembered. Jenova chose what she hoped she could keep down and sat back in her chair. How was she going to find Sephiroth? He was here. She could feel it.

She had her answer a few minutes later when Sephiroth entered the room with a woman. Jenova's eyes widened at the change. He wasn't wearing the battle uniform she was accustomed to seeing. He still liked dark colors because his pants and boots were black. His turtleneck sweater was a deep smokey grey that brought out the silver of his thigh length hair. He didn't pay attention to anyone in the room, but the atmosphere changed a little at his appearance. The modest crowd grew quieter. Sephiroth pulled out a chair for the woman. Jenova pulled her gaze from Sephiroth and looked at his companion. She froze. In classic human form, her jaw dropped.

The Cetra! How was this possible? Jenova remembered ordering Sephiroth to kill her. She'd witnessed the execution herself. Why was the girl still alive?

After seating Aeris, Sephiroth sat down across from her. A waitress gave them two menus. The Cetra laughed and said something to Sephiroth. He smiled at her and answered.

Jenova was stunned. Sephiroth was actually smiling. This wasn't the maniacal grin she was used to. What was going on? He said something and the Cetra laughed out loud.

"Coffee Miss?"

Jenova jumped and turned to the girl standing beside her wearing a waitress uniform.

"Yes," she said in a shaky voice.

The waitress turned over Jenova's cup and filled it. She moved away. Jenova picked up the steaming hot coffee and drained it in a few gulps. She sat the cup down and looked at Aeris and Sephiroth again.

Sephiroth was holding the Cetra's hand. They gazed at each other. As Jenova watched, Sephiroth raised the Cetra's hand and kissed it tenderly. When he looked at the Cetra again, his feelings were plain to see. Jenova looked at the Cetra. Her face was a reflection of Sephiroth's. Jenova had seen that look before. What madness was this? It couldn't be! Sephiroth and the Cetra were in love with each other!

Jenova blinked and stared at them. She remembered the look on Sephiroth's face when he rammed his blade through the Cetra. She remembered the look of spite he gave to his weakling clone. Where was the man who had no feelings for anyone? Jenova watched as Sephiroth leaned forward and stroked the Cetra's face with his fingertips. She wanted to scream with rage. No wonder he couldn't hear her call! He was too wrapped up with this Cetra bitch! Jenova gripped the table edge in both hands. Her knuckles turned white as she pressed her fingers into the wood. The table creaked.

"Are you all right Miss?"

Jenova was startled into looking at the waitress again.

"What?" she asked.

"Are you okay?" repeated the waitress. "You look upset."

Jenova struggled to control herself. "Is it possible to have my breakfast, and a pot of coffee served in my room?"

"Yes," replied the waitress.

"I'm in room 18," she said getting up and reaching for her suitcase.

The waitress shook her head as Jenova hurried to the door. The nerve of some people asking for favors and they didn't even give you a tip.

At the doorway, Jenova stopped and looked back. Sephiroth and the Cetra were leaning across the table sharing a kiss. Jenova felt a wave of hatred. She turned her back on that nauseating scene, pressed a fist against her mouth and hurried upstairs to her room.

Sephiroth suddenly shivered and pulled away from Aeris.

"Sephiroth? What's wrong?" Aeris' eyes were full of concern.

"I don't know," he said looking around the room. "For a moment . . . I felt something."

Aeris scanned the room. "All of a sudden, it does feel a little creepy in here doesn't it?"

Sephiroth nodded. "It almost felt like-"

"Like what?" asked Aeris.

"Nothing," he said. "It's impossible anyway. Why don't we just go home and have breakfast?"

"And miss all this hand and foot service we're getting?" Aeris looked at him in disbelief. "If you're going to make me do all the cooking, I want to sit here and enjoy this while I can."

"What if I cook breakfast?" he asked. "Would that get you to change your mind?"

"What did you feel Sephiroth?" Aeris held his eyes.

"It almost felt like Jenova," he said reluctantly.

"Jenova?" Aeris looked around. "Jenova is dead. How can that be?"

"I don't know," he said looking around the room. "It's gone now anyway."

"It really bothered you didn't it?"

"I'm okay Aeris," he said. "I just don't like to remember the things Jenova made me do. I'd hoped never to feel her presence again."

"You felt her presence?" Aeris looked frightened.

Sephiroth took her hands. "Don't worry about it Aeris. It was probably just the flashback of a memory. I'm all right."

"Are you sure that's all it was?" She didn't look convinced.

"I don't see Jenova around here," he said, "Do you?"

Aeris shook her head.

"Let's go home," said Sephiroth. "At home, you get fringe benefits along with breakfast."

"What fringe benefits?" asked Aeris.

Sephiroth winked at her. "You get to take advantage of the chef."

Aeris winked back. "Let's go home."

Jenova unlocked the door to her room with trembling fingers. She locked it behind her, scanning the room with frantic eyes. Spotting one of three pillows on the bed, Jenova rushed across the room and grabbed it.

Pressing it against her face, she began to scream. The pillow muffled her cries. When she was through, Jenova ripped the pillow to shreds. Sephiroth was in love with the Cetra and the Cetra was in love with him. If she was to gain control of Sephiroth again, she had to get him away from that green eyed siren.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Jenova answered it. She took her food and a steaming coffee pot from a bell hop who kept staring at her. Wondering what was wrong with him, Jenova closed the door in his face and set the food on the dressing table. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She was covered with feathers from head to toe. She looked around the room. There were feathers everywhere.

Jenova raised her palm to the room. A pile of feathers on the floor began to spin. Those close to the vortex, were drawn toward the rotation. In a matter of seconds a small white tornado was twirling in the center of the room. The feathers in Jenova's hair and clothing were drawn away from her. They flew toward the tornado and twirled with the others. When every feather was spinning like a top, Jenova opened a window that looked out on clean unmarked snow.

She pointed at the tornado, then pointed out the window. With a swish, the feather tornado broke apart and swirled out of the room into the open air. The wind she'd created carried the feathers far away from the Lodge before they broke apart and scattered over the snow. Someone knocked. Jenova closed the window, smoothed the remaining pillows and went to open the door.

The bell hop stood there with the manager of the Icicle Lodge.

"Excuse me Ma'am," he said respectfully. He pointed to the bell hop. "This young man seems to think there's a problem with your room."

Jenova stood aside and let them look in.

"What problem is that?" she asked with a puzzled look on her face. "I'm quite pleased with it."

The manager and the bell boy looked into the room, then at each other. The bell boy turned a little red.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you Ma'am," said the manager. "He was mistaken. Perhaps he mixed your room up with another."

"It's quite all right," smiled Jenova. "These things happen."

"You're very kind Ma'am. Enjoy your stay at the Icicle Lodge."

The manager gave the bell boy a sharp look and walked away. The bell boy glanced at Jenova and hurried off behind him.

Jenova closed the door and went to the dressing table. She took the lid of the coffee pot and took a few gulps. Wiping her mouth she sat down and stared at her meal of ham, scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast. First she would eat. Then she would find a way to separate the love birds downstairs.

By the time Jenova finished her meal, came downstairs and peeked into the dining room, Sephiroth and Aeris were gone. She decided to talk to the desk clerk again. Making sure no one was watching, she altered her clothes so she was now wearing a tight black body suit with a low cut neckline. The clerk's eyes lit up when he saw her approaching.

"Hello Miss Hunt," he said. "What can I do for you?"

She smiled at him and he blushed.

"I was just curious," she said leaning toward him. He fought to keep his eyes on her face but they kept slipping down. "I saw the most unusual couple having breakfast when I was in the dining room. A man with long silver hair and a very pretty girl. Who are they?"

"Silver hair?" The clerk blinked. "You mean Aeris and Sephiroth."

Aeris. That was the Cetra's name. Jenova smiled sweetly. "Are they an item?"

"They're an item all right," said the clerk. "Hard to believe isn't it? Not too long ago, he was going to destroy the world. He called a meteor down from the sky to kill everyone."

"I remember seeing that horrible thing in the sky." Jenova shivered delicately. "It was destroyed, but I don't really know what happened to it."

"Cloud Strife and his group AVALANCHE stopped it," said the clerk helpfully. "They killed Sephiroth and stopped Meteor from killing us all."

Jenova looked puzzled. "Cloud Strife killed Sephiroth?"

"Didn't you know?" The clerk nodded. "It's the hottest gossip on the Planet. They had a duel Cloud won, Sephiroth died."

"But Sephiroth was alive and well," said Jenova. "How can that be?"

"No one really knows," said the clerk. "There are rumors flying around about him and Aeris. Supposedly he killed her, but both of them came back."

"How did they come back?" asked Jenova. "What are the rumors?"

"They don't talk about it," said the clerk, "But the rumor is they came back to save the Planet."

"Save the Planet from what?" asked Jenova. It was taking too long to get information out of the man. She was just about ready to snatch him over the counter and snap his neck. She leaned forward a little bit more.

"They say Hojo came back and he was going to create an army to take over the world," answered the clerk. He was starting to sweat. He wiped his brow, trying to keep his eyes on her face. "Sephiroth killed Hojo and his clone. He saved Aeris from Hojo's lab."

"Sephiroth saved Aeris?" Jenova felt a surge of anger.

"Yeah." The clerk was pleased to have such a pretty woman as his audience. "They've been together ever since. They're going to get married."

"Married?" Jenova wanted to break something. "He's going to marry her?"

"They haven't set the date yet, but it should be soon." The clerk's eyes fell down to her breasts. His face turned red. He dragged his eyes away, cleared his throat and smiled at her. "He's lucky to have found such a beautiful girl. There aren't too many beautiful girls around here."

Jenova turned her eyes toward a window lost in thought. The clerk took advantage of her distraction to admire the view. When Jenova didn't speak for a while he decided to speak instead.

"Sephiroth is taken, but there are plenty of us single guys in town."

Jenova didn't seem to hear.

"We know how to treat the ladies." He cleared his throat. "Take me for example. I have a job, my own place. I own a gold chocobo. The only thing I don't have, is someone to share it with."

She went on gazing out the window.

He tried again. "Icicle Village is fortunate to have such a beautiful visitor."

Breaking out of her thoughts, Jenova ignored the compliment. "Are they staying here in the Lodge?"

"Who?" the clerk looked blank.

"Sephiroth and Aeris," replied Jenova.

"Oh. Oh no!" The clerk shook his head. "They just stayed last night. Somehow Aeris fell into the sea and almost drowned. Sephiroth brought her here half frozen. We have a visiting doctor as a guest. He pulled her through. They just checked out and went home."

"Do they live in this village?" asked Jenova.

"They sure do," the clerk gave her his most engaging smile. "They live in the last house on the north side of the village."

"Oh." Jenova tried to keep her face neutral. "They're living together."

"Like I said," the clerk leaned closer. "He's taken. He's lucky too. Any man would be lucky to have a beautiful woman on his arm. I don't see any rings. Are you seeing anyone?"

Jenova didn't hear him. "I thought Sephiroth was a killer."

"Oh he was," said the clerk. "He was a killer right up until Cloud killed him. I think he would have come back a killer too, if it wasn't for Aeris. He fell in love with her and he's been a different man ever since."

"What do you mean?" asked Jenova. "Different how?"

The clerk raised his hands. "He's not trying to take over the world anymore. Folks around here were scared to death of him when they first arrived. I mean, you either stay the heck out of his way or be respectful when he's near. But now . . . anyone can see he's really wrapped up in his love for that beautiful lady of his."

"I don't mind telling you, there are a lot of single women around here kicking themselves because they didn't make a move on him when they had a chance, regardless of what he tried to do to the Planet before. Sephiroth was always considered to be quite a catch. They just didn't know how to approach him."

"They're going to stay right here in Icicle Village after the wedding. The mayor stopped by see how to see how Aeris was after the accident. I guess he was worried that Sephiroth might want to move away. He pays Sephiroth for every monster he kills. He even offered him a steady job to clear out all the monsters on the glacier. Sephiroth agreed to take the job last night. This village will have the best defense on the Planet."

Jenova was silent.

The clerk leaned closer. "Say, are you doing anything tonight? You don't have a boyfriend here in town, do you?"

Jenova laid more gil on the counter. "I'm going to be staying for about a week."

"Sure thing. I'll put you down for a week." The clerk smiled. "You know we've got a balcony that has a terrific view of the valley. It's a beautiful sight at night under the stars. It's all enclosed too and perfectly safe and warm. A perfect place for two people to get to know each other and I'm off duty in a couple of hours."

"That's nice." Jenova wasn't really listening.

"I think you're a very beautiful lady," said the clerk. "How about you and me-"

Without a word Jenova turned and went back up the stairs. The clerk watched her go with a disappointed look on his face.

Back in her room, Jenova paced the floor. She had expected some problems with Sephiroth, but now she'd learned Cloud might be a problem too. If he could defeat Sephiroth once, he might be able to do it again. Who would have thought Sephiroth's failure clone would be the death of him? She was going to have to take care of both of them. Jenova went to her window and looked out at the snow. Once they were both in her power, she would take care of the Cetra once and for all. With that distraction out of her way, Sephiroth would stay on the path she had chosen for him. Cloud would join him. As far as Cloud's friends went, AVALANCHE wouldn't have a chance against the three of them. There would be no one to stop her this time. Jenova smiled.

Sephiroth was so worried about losing Aeris to the cold, he hadn't given the gold chocobo another thought. All night long, Goldie waited patiently in front of the Lodge. He wouldn't let anyone touch him and he didn't try to run away. When he saw his owners coming, he warked happily and rubbed his head against Sephiroth. He cooed when Aeris rubbed his neck. When they climbed aboard his back, Goldie did a happy strut all the way home. Sephiroth made sure Aeris was inside before he led the gold chocobo to the shed. Once he saw to the animal's need, he went in through the back door.

Aeris had turned on the heat. He found her sitting comfortably on the sofa. Sephiroth sat next to her and took her hands.

"Before I start breakfast, I need to talk to you," he said.

Aeris looked at him curiously. "This sounds serious."

"It is" he said. "Yesterday was almost the end of the world for me. It took almost losing you to make me see I have to stop playing childish games with my life and grow up a little."

"What do you mean?" asked Aeris.

"Let's get married six weeks from today," he told her. "I don't think I can wait any longer than that. Will that give you enough time to prepare?"

Aeris looked surprised. "Yes, but what about Cloud and Tifa's wedding? You wanted to get married before they did."

"I don't care if Cloud gets married before or after us," Sephiroth said caressing her hand. "I don't care if he never gets married. All I know is it's important to me to be more than someone who just lives with you. I want to be your husband and I want you to be my wife."

Aeris squeezed his hand and laughed. "If I had known that almost drowning or freezing would make you set a date, I would have thrown myself in the ocean the first time you came up with that "week before Cloud" idea. I think I'll call Tifa and tell her what she has to do."

Sephiroth smiled.

Jenova went out that night. There was a different clerk at the counter. He was too busy reading a book to notice the dark-haired woman leaving. She walked through the snow until the Icicle Lodge was a bright spot in the distance. When it was safe, Jenova resumed her natural form. Rising high above the ground, she set course for Midgar. She was sure to find just what she needed in the ruined city. Jenova wasn't afraid of the monsters. She needed energy to do all the work she would have to put in tonight. The first one to attack would be her evening meal.

"Look Cloud," said Tifa. "I'm tired of your excuses. If you don't want to get married, just say so!"

"I love you Tifa and I want to marry you," said Cloud. "I'm not making up excuses."

"As far as I'm concerned, you are." Tifa folded her arms. "I'm just about ready to call this whole thing off."

"Tifa-" began Cloud.

"I don't want to hear it," she said. "As of this minute-"

The phone rang. Tifa frowned at Cloud and answered it.

Cloud wiped his brow. "Saved by the bell."

Tifa gave him a dirty look before she spoke into the receiver.

"Hello? Aeris? Hi!" Tifa's face lit up. "We're both doing fine. Of course that's not going to be true in a few minutes. Oh nothing. I'm getting ready to kill Cloud. Yes, that's what I said. I'm going to kill him. You know why. What? Really? That's wonderful. Is that enough time for you to prepare? At least one of us has a man who can make up his mind. Are you sure you won't trade Sephiroth for Cloud? Oh damn. Well okay. I guess I'll have to keep him. I'll help you with your plans and you can help me. Okay? Great! Thanks Aeris. Bye!"

"What was all that about?" asked Cloud.

"Aeris is getting married in six weeks," she answered. "At least Sephiroth isn't holding her up like you're doing to me."

"I'm not holding you up," said Cloud. "We'll get married in five weeks,"

Tifa put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Five weeks?"

"Sure," Cloud smiled at her. "We'll beat Sephiroth by a week."

Tifa approached him with fire in her eyes.

"Cloud Strife, did I hear you right?" she asked. "You're going to force me to rush my wedding plans, just so you can beat Sephiroth to the altar? We're not talking about five months here. We're talking about five weeks."

Cloud looked blank. "What's the problem?"

"Oh!" Tifa rolled her eyes. "Nothing really. I just have to find a dress, bridesmaids, a caterer, a photographer, invitations, a place to marry and so on and so on. There's no problem really."

"Good." Cloud leaned back in his chair. "It's settled then. Five weeks it is."

"WHAT!" Tifa looked outraged. "Why you-"

Cloud looked more confused than ever. "But you said-"

"Never mind what I said," Tifa snapped. "That NOT enough time!"

"If Aeris can plan a wedding in six weeks, why can't you plan one in five?" Cloud asked defensively.

"Men!" Tifa looked up at the sky and sighed. She counted to ten before she looked at Cloud again. "Aeris likes simple things. I have dreams too. Most every girl knows what she wants her wedding to be like."

"You're not going to have smoke billowing across the room so you're stepping out of the clouds while white birds are released are you?" asked Cloud warily.

"No." It was Tifa's turn to look puzzled. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"Nothing." Cloud cleared his throat. "So how big is our wedding going to be?"

"I haven't decided yet," said Tifa. "Maybe a hundred people or so."

"A hundred people?" Cloud looked a little wan. "Are they all staying for the reception?"

"Naturally," answered Tifa. "Anyone who comes to the wedding is welcome to stay for the reception."

"Are we going to feed all of these people or are we going to ask them to bring a sack lunch?" Cloud was mentally calculating the expense.

"WHAT?" Tifa narrowed her eyes.

"I was kind of hoping we'd have a few of our friends in attendance," said Cloud. "Maybe thirty or forty people if that."

Tifa began to tap her foot. A bad sign.

"First you hold up our wedding plans," she began, "Then you only give me five weeks to plan it, NOW you want to get cheap on me?"

"No! Not cheap," Cloud cleared his throat. "Just a little less extravagant."

Tifa stared at him.

"Tifa," said Cloud, "Neither of us has a real income yet. We're living off money we made while we were after Sephiroth and a few guest appearances. It won't last long if we spend it all at one time."

She stared at him.

"If we both had jobs, a large wedding wouldn't be a problem." Cloud trailed off looking at the anger in her eyes. He threw in the towel. "Okay. Plan our wedding any way you like. The villa is bought and paid for. We may not have heat, light, water, or food, but at least we'll have some place to live."

Tifa brightened. "Thanks Cloud!"

She turned and hurried away, but stopped before she went through the door. She stood there a while then turned back toward Cloud.

"Oh all right," she said. "I'll make sure my plans are somewhat modest. Okay?"

He grinned at her. "Okay. I love you Tifa."

"Same here." She smiled at him.

Cloud raised an eyebrow. "You love Tifa?"

She blinked. "Sure."

She ducked out of the room. Cloud sat at a loss for words. Tifa stuck her head around the corner.

"By the way," she said, "I love you too."

Cloud smiled.

* * * * *

The desk clerk had slipped away to the restroom in the quiet of the early morning hours. Returning from her night time activities, Jenova managed to sneak up to her room without being seen. Laying on her bed, she thought about the items she'd collected from Midgar and moved to Hojo's secret cave. She didn't really need to sleep as often as humans did, but she decided to rest for a few hours and go over her plans. Everything had to be perfect before her guests arrived. Jenova smiled and closed her eyes.