Mirror Image

by T'Shael

Chapter 12

"Tifa, I'm going out for a while," Aeris called as she headed for the front door.

Tifa came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel. "Where are you going?"

Aeris looked embarrassed. "I finished unpacking and I realize Sephiroth and I were sharing a bottle of shampoo between us. He has it. I'm going to need a new bottle for myself."

"I have shampoo here Aeris," said Tifa. "You are welcome to use it."

"Thank you Tifa, really," Aeris answered, "I thought you wouldn't mind, but I've used that brand before. It makes your hair look beautiful, but it doesn't like me. It dries my hair out. I'd better get the kind I'm used to. Can I bring you anything back from the shop?"

"No." Tifa kept a smile on her face although she was certain Aeris was sneaking out to see Cloud. "Dinner will be ready soon. See you when you when you get back."

Aeris stopped. "Are you sure you don't need any help in the kitchen? I'll stay and help you with dinner."

"Don't be silly" smiled Tifa. "Tonight is my treat. You can help tomorrow."

"Okay." Aeris smiled back. "I'm glad you let me stay here Tifa. It is really nice to be with all of you guys again."

Aeris went out the door. Tifa's smile faded away. Yuffie came up behind her. "She's sneaking out to see Cloud isn't she?"

Tifa frowned at the younger girl. "She's going to get shampoo Yuffie. Don't be an idiot."

"Shampoo my eye," smirked Yuffie. "She's taking advantage of the fact that you're busy in the kitchen. Mark my words. She's sneaking off to see Cloud."

"Shut up Yuffie!" snapped Tifa and stalked back into the kitchen.

"Just don't say I didn't tell you so!" Yuffie called after her and grinned.

Aeris found the shop she was looking for and bought some shampoo and a few other items. I could use some new clothes she thought. She went to a clothing shop and bought a new outfit. Remembering the chocobo, she asked directions to the nearest feed store and located it after getting lost only once. She bought a few greens and a special treat for Goldie. As she turned around with her purchases, she bumped into someone and dropped everything.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" Aeris cried as she bent to pick up her purchases. She bumped her head against the head of the other person who also bent down. Aeris straightened up quickly holding a hand to her injured forehead. For the first time she noticed who the other person was. Cloud stood holding a hand to his forehead too.

"Cloud? Oh Cloud, I'm so sorry!" Aeris bent to pick up her purchases again, but Cloud stopped her. He started picking up everything she'd dropped.

"It's my fault entirely," he explained. "I was standing too close to allow you to turn around."

"What are you doing here?" asked Aeris. "Do you have a chocobo too?"

"I keep mine at the chocobo farm," he said watching her face. "I was walking around to get some fresh air. I saw you come out of the clothes shop and followed you."

"Oh." Aeris tried to take her packages back, but he pulled them out of her reach. She looked at him questioningly.

"Aeris," Cloud said. "I'm worried about you."

"Why?"

"I think maybe you are being too trusting with Sephiroth," he said. "You know what he's capable of."

Aeris reached for her packages. Cloud pulled them away again. "Cloud . . . " she began.

Cloud's voice rose a notch. "You know what he did before Aeris!"

"Sephiroth won't hurt me Cloud." Her eyes were begging him to believe her. "I feel perfectly safe with him."

Cloud eyes flashed. "I could protect you Aeris!" he said. You didn't do such a good job of it before, said a voice instead him. Didn't Sephiroth kill Aeris while you were "protecting" her? He pushed the voice away. "I can help you fight whatever is coming without his help!"

"Cloud," said Aeris softly. "Sephiroth has changed. He's not the crazed power hungry person he was before. He's been very good to me."

"Dammit Aeris!" cried Cloud startling her. He dropped her packages, pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Surprised, she didn't pull away. He broke off the kiss and looked into her eyes. "Don't you know I care about you?"

He kissed her again and she let him. This was the kiss she she'd been thinking about ever since she'd returned. She felt lightheaded as Clouds arms tightened around her. She could forget the world around her, forget everything forget . . . Aeris pulled free and jumped back a step.

"What's wrong?" Cloud tried to reach for her again.

Aeris jumped back another step. "Sephiroth."

"Sephiroth?" Cloud's eyes flashed again. He turned around looking to see if Sephiroth was coming up behind him. There was no one there. He looked at Aeris.

"I meant Tifa!" cried Aeris. "I can't do this to Tifa!" She started grabbing her packages off the floor.

Cloud watched her with narrowed eyes. "You said Sephiroth's name first. Why?"

Aeris grabbed the last of her packages and tried to get past Cloud. He blocked her path. "What about Sephiroth?"

Aeris was visibly upset. "What about Tifa? You were holding her hand earlier today. How could you come here and kiss me?"

Cloud ignored her question. "Has Sephiroth ever kissed you before?"

Aeris clamped her mouth shut and looked at him with wide eyes.

"He has, hasn't he?" Would she deny it? Cloud's face reddened. "He's kissed you before. Did you let him?"

Now Aeris was angry. "So what if he did? You have your life Cloud and I have mine. You also have Tifa. This is wrong. We shouldn't even be together. I have to go!"

Cloud stopped her with a hand on her arm. "Tell me one thing."

Aeris tried to shake his hand off but couldn't. "What is it?"

"Can you tell me, you don't have any feelings for me at all?" Cloud stared into her eyes. "Look me in the eyes Aeris and tell me you don't think of me."

Aeris tried to look angrier then she was but lying wasn't one of her strong points. She dropped her eyes and let the tension roll out of her body. "I have feelings for you Cloud, but I'm not sure just what those feelings are. I don't want to come between you and Tifa."

"Tifa knows I care for you," said Cloud. "I told her."

Aeris looked shocked. "Cloud, no! You must have hurt her terribly."

"She was very upset," Cloud admitted. "She wants me to resolve my feeling about you and her."

"And have you?" asked Aeris.

"I love you Aeris," he said quietly.

He loved her! Aeris didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Her heart leaped with joy, but why did she feel so bad at the same time? He wasn't finished yet. Cloud leaned close to her face. "Tell me you don't love me Aeris."

"I can't," she said.

Cloud whooped with joy. Aeris was happy and horrified. "But what about Tifa Cloud?"

He turned back to her. "That's the hard part. I love her too."

Aeris looked like she wanted to faint. "Cloud. You can't have both of us. This is crazy. I wish now I had never left Icicle Village."

"Why?" he asked her.

"Cloud!" Aeris was totally exasperated. "You love me and you love Tifa. You're standing here jumping for joy. Someone has got to get hurt here."

"I'm acting like a first class jerk, aren't I?" Cloud asked.

"Yes you are," said Aeris, "And I'm just as bad." She started to walk away, but Cloud stopped her again. "Forget about me Cloud. Go back to Tifa. This isn't going to work between us."

"We need to talk about this more," Cloud said. "We could meet early tomorrow morning."

"I can't," said Aeris pushing by him. "I have to meet Sephiroth in the morning."

"Sephiroth? Why do you have to meet Sephiroth?"

"Because Sephiroth is training me in the use of materia," said Aeris patiently.

"I could train you how to use materia," argued Cloud. "I'm pretty good at it myself."

"Sephiroth started my training and Sephiroth will finish it." Aeris took two steps and Cloud was in front of her again. "He'll finish you just like he did the last time," he said.

Aeris glared at him. "You stop talking about Sephiroth like that! I mean it Cloud!"

Cloud just stared at her. Aeris didn't flinch under his gaze. "You have feelings for him, don't you?"

Aeris snorted and pushed past him again. She went out of the shop and started up the street. Cloud fell in beside her. "You do have feelings for him! Do you love him Aeris?"

Aeris was trying her best to ignore him.

"Do you love him Aeris?" Cloud insisted.

Aeris stopped and looked him in the eye. "How I feel about Sephiroth is none of your business Cloud. Go back to Tifa!"

"Is that what you want Aeris?" Cloud spoke with deadly calm.

"Leave me alone Cloud." She pushed past him and walked away. Cloud watched her go with pain in his heart and anger in his eyes.

Aeris looked back when she thought it was safe. Cloud was no where in sight. She saw a bench nearby and sat down to rest. What had she gotten herself into? She had feelings for Cloud, and she'd had more than one fantasy about a life with him but now those fantasies were muddled. She imagined she could still feel the warmth of his lips on her own. She brushed them with her fingertips. He'd caught her by surprise, but his kiss was a sweet as she thought it would be. She shook her head. She couldn't live in Tifa's house and make a move on Cloud. Did she even want to? She looked around. He was really gone. It was really going to be hard to sit down to dinner with him at Tifa's house tonight knowing what had just happened. It was bad enough trying to keep Cloud and Sephiroth from fighting. Sephiroth! What about Sephiroth? Aeris closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. She could feel the beginnings of a headache. Cloud and Sephiroth in the same room and her in between. What a night this was going to be!

* * * * *

Hojo stood smiling as Zephiroth wiped the blood off his blade onto the body of the elderly man he had just killed. The man's body lay across that of a young woman, presumably his granddaughter. The rest of the mining family, a husband, wife, two other children about twelve and nine years old and an old woman, lay in various positions nearby. Zephiroth slid the sword back into its sheath.

Zephiroth was proud of that blade. It had been made special for Hojo by a man who died on Hojo's orders right after he presented the blade to the crazed scientist. Named the Hand of Death Masamune, the blade was just as long and curved as the one carried by Sephiroth. The hilt of the sword was black trimmed in gold. Zephiroth had used the blade several times now. Each time he seemed to enjoy it more. He noted the pride in Hojo's eyes and grinned. Nothing pleased him more than pleasing his father.

Hojo took possession of the two gold chocobos Zephiroth had murdered the family for. Zephiroth dragged the old man's body aside and searched it. He found a few gil and an Enemy Away material. Laughing, he crushed it under his boot. He searched the other adults, saving the wife for last. He found a few more gil and put them into a pocket. He stood up. Was this all? He kicked the woman's body. Now he had blood on his boot. He frowned. The young woman wasn't as bloody as the rest. He went to her and wiped his boots against her dress until the blood was gone and he could see the shine again. Pleased, he strolled over to Hojo.

"They weren't carrying much father," he said. "Maybe the next travelers we meet will be better off."

"Maybe they will," agreed Hojo. "In the meantime, you have done well. These Chocobos can take us anywhere we wish to go."

"Where are we going father?" asked Zephiroth.

"We're going to look for your brother, my son." Hojo chuckled again.

"What will we do when we find him father?" asked Zephiroth.

"We will take over the world my son," replied Hojo. "We will take over the world!"

* * * * *

Aeris was happy to see Sephiroth arrive with Vincent. She was afraid he wouldn't come at all. She had asked Tifa earlier on to seat her next to Sephiroth. Tifa agreed to that and placed Vincent on the other side. Sephiroth was seated between two people who didn't mind him being there.

Sephiroth didn't speak during the meal and Aeris kept glancing at him in concern. She understood his unwillingness to speak to the others and wished she could do something to set him at ease. Most of the talk centered on how things had changed in the time she and Sephiroth had been away. Plans were in the works to rebuild Midgar. Aeris listened with interest. So far everything had gone well. Cloud paid a lot of attention to Tifa. Aeris was relieved. The meal was all but over when the first signs of trouble began.

Red XIII finally spoke to Sephiroth. "Have you had any more feelings about the Planet in danger?" he asked.

"I don't think he feels anything," muttered Barett under his breath. Sephiroth chose to ignore him.

"I haven't felt anything since the night before we left Icicle Village," Sephiroth answered. "Aeris?"

Aeris shook her head. "Nothing so far. I still think the danger is close though. I only wish I knew what it was."

"It's probably sitting at the table with us," muttered Barett.

"I don't think the danger is that obvious," said Yuffie smiling at Aeris.

"I just hope we're ready when it comes," said Aeris ignoring Yuffie.

"Anytime, anyplace," muttered Barett.

"As long as I've got my materia," said Cid looking pointedly at Yuffie, "And my Venus Gospel, I'm ready."

"Why did you look at me when you said that?" asked Yuffie frowning at Cid.

"If the shoe fits . . . " Cid took a puff on his cigarette.

"Wait a minute . . . " Yuffie started.

"The planet is in danger again," said Tifa. She looked at Aeris. "We shouldn't be fighting among ourselves."

"Just one of us," muttered Barett.

"Tifa is right." Vincent looked at all of them in turn. "This the time to stick together, not fight among ourselves." He looked at Barett. "Or throw pointed barbs."

Barett mumbled to himself and was still.

"I agree," said Red XIII. "All we can do now, if wait for the danger to show itself."

Barret looked at Sephiroth.

Sephiroth stood up. "Do you have something you want to get off your chest Barret?"

"You'll do for starters," answered Barret standing up.

"Dammit!" said Cid. "This is worse than baby sitting a bunch of spoiled brats."

"Maybe it will make everyone feel better if I leave," said Sephiroth.

Aeris looked distressed. No one said anything. Sephiroth moved toward the door with long strides. Aeris glanced at her friends and went after him. The door closed behind her. She had to run to catch up with Sephiroth.

"Sephiroth wait!" she cried. He kept walking. Aeris tried to jump in front of him and stumbled. She would have fallen if he hadn't reached out to catch her. He sat her back on her feet.

"Go back and eat with your friends," he told her roughly.

"Not unless you come with me."

"Then you must have eaten enough." He walked away.

Aeris watched him go. He didn't look back. When he was almost at the Inn, Aeris got angry. She went after him. By the time she got to the door, he had already gone upstairs.

"What room did the gentleman with silver hair go into?" she asked the clerk.

"G-gentleman?" he looked puzzled. "You mean Sephiroth?"

Aeris leaned over the counter and said slowly, "What room?"

"Room 14 on the second floor," he answered. "But only guests are allowed upstairs."

Aeris stared at him so long, he began to perspire.

"Go right on up," he gulped.

Aeris marched up the stairs. She looked at each door as she passed. When she came to room 14, she hit it three times with her fist. Something inside was asking her what she was doing charging up to Sephiroth's room and banging on the door. This isn't like you, the voice said.

Well, I'm different now, she thought. Why? asked the voice. Because . . . She didn't have time to finish the thought. Sephiroth opened the door with a wary look on his face. It changed to surprise, then annoyance when he saw her.

"What do you want?" he growled.

"Let me in Sephiroth," she said. "We need to talk."

"Go away Aeris," he said.

"I won't go away Sephiroth," she said. "We're partners, remember?"

Sephiroth laughed bitterly. "A mistake I made in the Lifestream. You would be better off with your friends for bodyguards." He started to push the door shut. Aeris gave it a mighty shove.

She couldn't have shoved him out of the way. He was much too strong for that, but her sudden movement made him jump back in alarm. His hand automatically went to his masasume. Aeris walked into the room. She looked at his hand and then at him. Realizing what he was doing, he dropped his hand away from his sword as if he had been burned.

"I-I am sorry Aeris," he said in a low voice.

She pushed the door shut and walked up to him. "I'm not upset. You were a SOLDIER. You're trained to react to aggression." She ran her fingers through a strand of his hair. "I guess I was pretty aggressive huh?"

"You shouldn't be here Aeris," he said in the same low voice. "Those people are your friends. If you spend too much time with me, you could alienate yourself from them."

"I told you before, I choose my own friends," Aeris looked into his eyes. "You're my friend too, Sephiroth."

He couldn't say why that made him happy. He couldn't understand a lot about himself lately. Always on the outside looking in. He'd spent a life time learning not to care about anyone else, and now Aeris was making him react in ways he never dreamed was possible. Aeris was the only woman he'd ever spent time alone with. The only woman he had ever kissed. And he enjoyed it.She was standing right there in front of him looking as beautiful as ever. She'd called him friend. Why was he happy and sad at the same time? What was happening to him? Overwhelmed by emotion, he turned away from her.

"Sephiroth," she whispered. "Please don't turn away from me."

He looked back. "You are the only one whoever called me friend."

She smiled at him. "Someday, I won't be the only one."

"Do you really believe that Aeris?" he asked, doubtfully.

"With all my heart," she replied.

He went to her then. Slowly he reached out and touched her right cheek. Her eyes were glowing. She was smiling at him. He slid his hand under her chin and raised her face to him. Her lips looked soft and moist. He didn't even realize he was leaning forward until their lips touched. She moved closer and his arms nfolded her. Aeris' arms went around his neck sliding under his hair. Their kiss went on and on, both of them lost in each other . . . until they heard the doorknob turn and the door swung open.

They broke off immediately and moved apart. Vincent stood in the doorway staring at them in surprise. Aeris looked at Sephiroth and he looked at her. Both of them flushed deep red.

"Uh-excuse me," said Vincent. "Did I come at a bad time?"

"Uh-well, I mean, uh . . . " Aeris looked at Sephiroth.

Sephiroth tried to look stern but it was plain he was just as flustered. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, beside the fact that this is my room too," started Vincent, "I came to see if you were okay. It looks like I needn't have bothered."

Aeris didn't think it was possible to blush any redder than she already was, but it sure felt she was. "He's all right," she said quickly. "He's fine."

"I see," said Vincent in an amused voice.

Aeris turned to Sephiroth. "I'd better go."

"I'll walk you back," he said. As he followed Aeris out the door, he caught Vincent's expression and knew the man was grinning at him behind his red scarf. He gave Vincent the evil eye, but Vincent's eyes twinkled all the more. Sephiroth snorted and closed the door on him. His first concern was Aeris. She stood looking terribly embarrassed.

He went to her and took her hands in his. "You don't have to be embarrassed," he said. "Vincent won't say anything. I don't think he is that kind of man."

Aeris looked up at him and smiled. They walked together down the stairs. When they were outside on the street, she looked at Sephiroth. "I didn't think you could move that fast."

"You mean when Vincent came in?" asked Sephiroth.

"No," she gave him a sly look. "When you kissed me."

Sephiroth stopped short and stared at her. Aeris laughed. Her voice was like a melody. He wondered if she ever laughed that way for Cloud. Did she ever kiss Cloud the way she kissed him? He hadn't missed the look Cloud sent in his direction more than once at Tifa's dinner table. He knew Aeris hadn't seen them. Suddenly he wanted to ask her how she felt about Cloud again, but just as quick as the idea came to him, it died. He wasn't sure if he could take her answer if she told him she wanted Cloud too. Too? Where had that come from? He shook his head to clear it.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I have never known anyone like you," he said.

"Good!" she told him.

He didn't know what to say to that so they walked in silence for a while. When they reached Tifa's front yard, they stopped.

"Will I see you in the morning for practice?" he asked.

"Right at 6:00!" she said. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Goodnight Aeris," he said.

"Goodnight Sephiroth," she said.

They gazed at each other for a moment, then they both turned away. Sephiroth toward the inn and Aeris to Tifa's front door. When Aeris got inside, everyone was gone except Cloud. He was sitting next to Tifa on the sofa. Yuffie was nowhere in sight.

"Oh!" Aeris said. "I didn't mean to intrude."

"Don't be silly Aeris," said Tifa. "You live here." She slid her hand over Clouds. "You can join us if you like. "

"Thank you, but I think I'll go to bed. Goodnight!" Aeris went upstairs.

"She was looking awfully rosy," remarked Tifa. "Wonder what that was all about."

Cloud squeezed Tifa's hand. Why was he so concerned about Aeris when he had a beautiful woman sitting next to him? As far as Aeris' rosy face, he'd noticed that too. He didn't want to think about it.