Mirror Image

by T'Shael

Red XIII walked up on the riverbank and shook himself.

"God dammit" yelled Cid. "Stop shaking that shit all over me!"

Red XIII stopped. "Oh. Sorry." He moved a little ways off and shook himself again. The others stood on the riverbank watching him.

"Well?" snapped Barret impatiently. "What did you find? C'mon Red. You're wasting time! "

Red XIII gave himself a final shake then trotted back to his friends. "They went into the river here, but they didn't come out on the other side."

"They are following the river," said Sephiroth.

"Following the river where?" Tifa said. "They could have come on shore anywhere."

"They could be in the Corel Mountains or at Costa de Sol," replied Vincent. "Don't forget those small islands near the materia cave."

Yuffie was bored. As far as she was concerned, they had been following Sephiroth and Red XIII far too long. She was still fighting the queasy feeling in her stomach. While the rest of the group watched Red XIII sniff around, Yuffie wandered along the shore enjoying the late afternoon breeze. The sun was getting low on the horizon. She almost didn't see the dirty strip of ragged material on the ground. She picked it up. It was the same color as the bits of material they'd found back in the forest. Excited, she ran back to the group.

"Hey look!" she cried.

"What the hell are we supposed to do now?" grumbled Barret. "That bastard Hojo has a good head start on us."

"Tifa is right. They could have come out of the river anywhere," said Cloud.

"When we find Hojo, let's beat the shit out of him and make sure he's dead this time." Cid ground out his cigarette and reached for another. "Damn, last one. I have to make sure I get another pack out of the Highwind."

Yuffie waved the cloth. "Hey guys!"

Sephiroth was the only one who took any notice of her. "Have you found something?"

Yuffie handed the strip of cloth to him. He studied it and gave it to Tifa. "This material matches the scraps we found earlier," he told her.

Tifa nodded. "It's from Aeris' blouse." She held it out to Red XIII.

He sniffed it. "It has Aeris' scent all right. Our mystery person handled it too."

"Okay, now we know they stopped here, but that still doesn't help much." Cloud looked worried.

"I smell shoe leather," said Red.

"More than likely, her feet were tied with this cloth." Sephiroth looked down river. "Until they reached this spot, Aeris was carried across the chocobo's back. They untied her feet so she could ride astride in front of the other rider."

"How can you tell Aeris is riding in front of the other rider from a piece of cloth?" asked Yuffie.

Cid made a face at her. "Because if Mystery Rider let her ride in back of him, she might jump off and try to get away."

"Oh." Yuffie looked contrite, then made a face at Cid.

"If they wanted her to ride astride, they must have figured on a rough ride," said Cloud.

"Where does this river lead?" asked Tifa.

"It leads to the ocean a mile or two after Costa del Sol," said Vincent.

"Hey Red!" called Barret. "Can you tell what kind of chocobo's they have?"

Red shook his head. "Chocobo's smell pretty much the same. Of course there are slight scent variations just as there are for humans, but it's not enough to tell one breed from the other."

"Damn!" said Barret.

"They could be in Costa del Sol," Sephiroth's said in a quiet voice, "But my guess is they are heading for Midgar."

"Midgar?" everyone echoed.

"The Shinra building is in Midgar." Sephiroth folded his arms. "And so is Hojo's equipment."

"Son-of-a-bitch!" said Cid.

"We have to go to Midgar right away," said Tifa.

"We can't." Cloud looked unhappy.

"Why the hell not?" demanded Barret. "That bastard is going to try some of his crazy shit on Aeris. We have to leave now!"

"We'll never be able to find them before dark." Cloud pointed at the sky. "We can land near Midgar, but we won't be able to go into the city before it's too dark to see our way around. It's much too dangerous. At last report Midgar was infested with Hojo's monsters. They've had the run of the place since the survivors moved away."

"We'll use flashlights, dammit!" snapped Cid.

"That's like ringing the dinner bell," said Yuffie scornfully. "Here Mr. Monster, see this light? I'm right here. Come and get me!"

Cid gave her a dirty look and Yuffie grinned at him evilly.

"Besides the monsters in the city, we don't know what lives in the area around the city. Do you really want the Highwind on the ground all night?" asked Cloud.

Cid folded his arms, "Hell no!"

"You mean we're going to let Hojo have Aeris tonight?" Barret looked incredulous. "By morning it might be too late. She's your woman Sephiroth, aren't you going to go after her?"

To Cloud's annoyance, Sephiroth didn't bother to correct Barret. Yuffie hid a grin, Tifa looked relieved, Cid looked away and puffed his cigarette. Red and Vincent suddenly discovered the darkening sky was the most magnificent thing they had ever seen.

Sephiroth addressed the group. "I don't like the idea of Hojo holding Aeris prisoner, but Cloud has a point. No matter how strong or how skilled we think we are, it would be suicide to walk into Midgar in the dark. Aeris and I went there before you found us in Icicle Village. We saw creatures in Midgar that never lived near the city before. None of these creatures were produced by natural selection. We don't know anything about them except that they kill. I suspect they're breeding too. Since we don't know what is breeding with what, there's no telling what lives there now. There might be creatures there none us have ever seen or fought before. Do any of you really want to meet them in the dark?"

"Hell no!" said Cid.

"That was a nice speech Sephiroth," said Cloud. "What were you doing there with Aeris?"

Tifa rolled her eyes at Cloud.

"That's none of your business," said Sephiroth in a cool voice. "We're here to save Aeris."

Cloud bristled and Tifa quickly stepped to his side. "Saving Aeris is the most important issue here."

Thwarted from a confrontation with Sephiroth, Cloud wanted turn on Tifa, but he stopped himself in time. She was right, whether he liked it or not.

"What are we going to do now?" asked Yuffie.

"Don't forget I bought a villa in Costa del Sol," said Cloud. "We'll stay there for the night."

"While we're there, we might get lucky and find Hojo and party in town, or maybe they passed through." Cid blew a smoke ring at the sky. "If not, we can definitely rule out Costa del Sol."

"Damn," said Barret.

"Okay everyone," said Cloud, "Let's move out."

Aeris didn't know if she was more terrified of Zephiroth or the shadows closing around them in Midgar. Hojo wasn't helping matters either. He insisted on stopping to examining one thing or another regardless how long it took. Aeris shivered.

Zephiroth brushed her ear with his lips. "Don't worry pretty one. I'll keep you safe."

"I don't want you to do anything for me!" she shivered again.

Zephiroth laughed and kissed her ear. Startled, Aeris cried out and tried to kick at him, but he pinned her leg under his leg against the chocobo's side. "Don't do that again!" he snarled in her ear. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to."

Hojo ignored them. He was too busy looking at the damage caused by Meteor. He nodded to himself and smiled. "Well done Sephiroth. Well done, my son!"

Zephiroth nibbled Aeris' ear and she shrieked. A monster answered with a roar. It didn't sound very close, but Hojo turned on Zephiroth, eyes blazing. "Can't you keep your hands off her until we get her to my lab?"

Zephiroth glared at Hojo then looked away.

"You had to crush that Enemy Away materia didn't you?" complained Hojo. "We could have used that about now."

"Why didn't you say so before?" Zephiroth grumbled.

"Use your brain next time dammit," snapped Hojo. "Let's get to the lab. It will be dark soon and we dare not be caught out in the dark by the monsters." He galloped off.

"I would have thought you'd feel right at home with them," said Aeris to his back.

Zephiroth clamped a hand over Aeris' mouth and whispered in her ears. "It won't be long now." He planted a moist kiss on her ear, released her mouth and galloped after Hojo. He laughed as Aeris tried to wipe his touch off on her bindings.

In Costa del Sol, Cloud and his party asked everyone they could about Hojo and Aeris. Every response was negative. "They didn't come here." Cloud said to the group when they met in the villa. "Hojo must have gone straight to Midgar."

"Damn," said Cid softly. "Poor Aeris."

"Sephiroth?" Tifa turned to the former SOLDIER. "Do you still feel Aeris?"

"I feel her," his voice was choked with emotion and everyone looked at him in surprise.

"She's even more terrified then she was before. I can feel her calling to me and I can't do anything about it."

He suddenly left the room. They heard the front door slam.

"Where the hell is he going?" asked Barret starting to rise.

Vincent stopped him. "Leave him alone."

"But he . . . " began Barret.

"Feels worse than all of us," finished Vincent.

"What are you talking about?" Cloud wanted to go after Sephiroth just as much as Barret did.

"He's talking about how Sephiroth feels about Aeris," said Tifa in a low voice.

"He doesn't feel anything," Cloud jerked a thumb in the direction Sephiroth had gone. "He's only hired help chosen by the Cetra."

"Cloud," said Cid, "I hate to say this, you need to stop acting like a goddamn fool."

"What?" Cloud couldn't believe his ears.

"He's right," said Red. "Open your eyes."

Yuffie looked from one face to another.

"If you guys have something to say, say it!" Cloud folded his arms and waited.

"Cloud," said Vincent. "Haven't you ever seen a man in love?"

"A man in love?"' Cloud looked bewildered. "Who are you talking about?"

"I thought Yuffie was bad," Cid rubbed his forehead, "You're not too far behind her!"

Yuffie shot Cid a dirty look.

Clouds expression cleared. "You're talking about Sephiroth? You think Sephiroth is in love with Aeris? Impossible!"

"Why?" Tifa was looking at her folded hands.

"Because . . . because . . . " Cloud hesitated. Why was it impossible?

"He probably doesn't even realize it himself." Tifa kept her eyes on her hands. "How do you show someone you love them when you're not sure how they feel? Top that off with the fact that he killed her the last time they met. That makes it even harder to say the right words."

"Think about this . . . Sephiroth was a general. Women tend to flock to special men and Sephiroth was . . . is very special. Does anyone ever remember seeing a news broadcast, a newspaper article or a gossip column about Sephiroth attending Shinra functions with women? He used to get all kinds of publicity. Did you ever hear he was seeing anyone?"

Barret wrinkled his brow. "Come to think of it . . . No."

"So Aeris might be his first love?" asked Yuffie. "Neat! How romantic!"

Cid rolled his eyes at Yuffie. He lit another cigarette.

"Maybe he doesn't like girls," said Cloud grimly.

"Why?" asked Yuffie, suddenly alert. "Did he make a pass at you when you were a SOLDIER? "

Cloud rose with fire in his eyes. His hand reached for his sword. Cid grabbed his arm and forcefully pulled him back into his seat.

"Cool it ninja," he said in a warning voice.

"Sorry Cloud," said Yuffie hiding behind Barret.

"Doesn't this prove Sephiroth has changed?" asked Vincent. He looked straight at Cloud.

"Even if it was possible for that monster to love Aeris, that doesn't prove Aeris loves Sephiroth." Cloud pointed out.

"I don't know," said Tifa. "Have you ever noticed how much she glows when she's with Sephiroth? What kind of proof do you need?"

Cloud was silent.

Red XIII thought this would be a good time to get away and let Cloud and Tifa talk. He made a big show of yawning and stretching. "We'd better get some sleep so we'll be fresh in the morning." He trotted off.

"I could use forty winks," said Cid rising. "Goodnight everyone."

"Yeah, me too." Yuffie waved and wandered away.

"I am kind of dead on my feet." Barret yawned and left.

"So am I." Vincent followed Barret.

Tifa rose and went to a window overlooking the villa's shoreline. She turned off the light to cut the glare on the window. She motioned to Cloud. He came.

"Look." She pointed to the dock.

Cloud looked. Sephiroth stood on the dock looking out to sea in the direction of Midgar. The long silver hair down his back glowed under the soft light of a dock lamp. A soft breeze ruffled his long black cape. He was wearing his battle suit again. He's ready to do battle to protect Aeris, thought Cloud. The scene was touching even as he tried to harden himself to the sight. Aeris and Sephiroth. Sephiroth and Aeris. And Tifa.

He turned to her. "I need to get some sleep Tifa. Why don't you take the bed in the master bedroom? I think I'll sleep on the sofa tonight."

Tifa's heart dropped but she managed a weak smile. She gave Cloud a quick kiss and walked away.

Cloud turned back to the window. Sephiroth was as still as a statue. Cloud watched him for an hour before finally going to bed.

It was late when they arrived at the ruined Shinra building without being challenged by a monster. The lower floors of the building seemed undamaged. Hojo was pleased. There was a good chance he would find his treasures in the basement lab intact. He got off his chocobo and led it into the building through the broken front doors. Zephiroth climbed off his mount and dragged Aeris from its back. She stumbled on legs numb from too much riding. Leading the chocobo with one hand, Zephiroth grabbed Aeris with the other and dragged her along as he followed Hojo. His grip was like a vice.

"You're hurting me!" she cried. Zephiroth gave her arm a jerk and she fell to her knees. Aeris bit her lip to keep from crying out. Zephiroth pulled her up roughly and gave her a spiteful grin.

There was just enough light left to see. A monster howled somewhere in the ruins behind them. Aeris flinched. She didn't want to meet whatever that was. Hojo seemed to know exactly where he was going. He stopped in front of a wall and ran his fingers over the surface. "There's an emergency panel here somewhere, " he muttered. "Only a few of us knew about it."

He poked and prodded. Aeris could barely make out his form in the gloom. Something skittered in the darkness and Aeris jumped. Zephiroth pulled her closer. She pulled away. Another scuttling noise. Zephiroth turned his attention to the darkness behind them. Hojo kept prodding at the wall. Just as Aeris was beginning to think they should find a place to hide for the night, she heard a click. Hojo opened a panel

He felt inside and Aeris heard him counting to himself. Somewhere behind them, something was making tiny scratching noises and it was coming closer. Aeris shivered and Zephiroth quickly let go of her arm and slid his arm around her waist. He pulled her close to him.

"I'll protect you little one," he whispered.

Aeris tried to pull free but he only tightened his grip. "Why aren't you getting your sword ready for whatever is making that noise?" she asked.

"Because whatever that is, it's small," he told her. "For you, I'm the most dangerous thing in this hall."

He tried to kiss her but she turned her head and his lips landed in her hair. He laughed softly and began to nuzzle her neck. Aeris wanted to scream but she was afraid something worse than Zephiroth would come to investigate.

"Aha!" cried Hojo triumphantly. There was a click and all around them the lights began to come on.

Aeris caught a glimpse of puppy sized monsters running for the broken doors. They don't like the light, she thought. There were some signs that all was not right with the electrical system too. She could hear popping noises and there was a smell of burnt wires in the air. Some of the lights went back out, but most of them stayed on.

"I've turned on the power for this floor and the emergency lights in the basement," explained Hojo. "We'll have more than enough power to do what we need to do. The basement has its own power source. We'll turn it on when we get there. Come along Zephiroth. Don't forget your little playmate."

Zephiroth raised his head and gave Aeris another spiteful smile. He changed his grip to her arm and began to drag her again. The hallway ran left and right. Hojo took the left corridor. At the corner they made a right turn. Hojo stopped in front of a door marked "Stairs." He opened a panel on the wall and pressed a button. He opened the door.

There was one flight of stairs leading down to a platform and one leading up to another. As far as Aeris could see, the stairs going down were well lit. There was only one light on near the platform above their heads. Beyond that was only darkness.

"We won't need these chocobos anymore he said." Hojo slapped his bird on the rump. It warked and ran off down the hallway. Zephiroth turned to his chocobo. He raised his hand to strike it.

Thinking fast, Aeris kicked his shin as hard as she could. Zephiroth roared and grabbed his leg letting go of both his charges. Aeris and the chocobo collided in an effort to get out of his way. Aeris turned and grabbed as many feathers as her bound hands could hold and made a desperate leap. For one terrible second, she thought she wouldn't make it but to her surprise, she landed perfectly on the chocobo's back. She kicked with her heels. The chocobo fluttered its wings and charged down the hall with Aeris clinging for dear life.

"Don't let her get away!" screamed Hojo. "After her damn you! After her you fool!"

"Aeris!" Zephiroth roared.

Aeris leaned low on the chocobo. She didn't know where she was going. All she knew is that she couldn't go outside in the dark, she didn't want to go into Hojo's lab and she didn't want to be alone with Zephiroth. If she could find a room with a strong enough door and lock, she could hole up and find a PHS or some other communication device that would operate on emergency power. Maybe she would be able to call her friends for help. If not, maybe she could find a way to escape the building with the chocobo when the sun rose again the next morning.

The chocobo ran down the hall making two right turns and a left. Aeris heard a chocobo scream. She was almost thrown over her chocobo's head head when it suddenly skidded to a stop. A chocobo rarely screams. The only time they are known to do so is when they are facing death from other than natural causes. Standing before Aeris, a hideous monster had the first chocobo in its talons. As she watched, it ripped the animal in half.

It was at least eight feet tall. It had feathers, hair and scaly skin arranged all over its body like a patchwork quilt. It stood on muscular hind legs with claws as long as a man's forearm. The head was a nightmare in the making. Part bird, part lizard with purple fish-like scales. The huge mouth was full of teeth at least a foot long. It had two dark slits for a nose and big yellow compound eyes the size of dinner plates. It popped half of the chocobo in its mouth and began to chew. The crunch of the bones sent chills through Aeris blood. A bloody leg hung from its mouth and gore dripped from its lips. It held the other half of the chocobo in hairy human-like hands with razor sharp claws. It roared at Aeris and foul breath flowed over her like warm water.

The second chocobo had seen enough. It wheeled in place and launched its body forward. The creature lunged, swinging a clawed hand. The chocobo screamed and careened to one side. Aeris was thrown off before it crashed into a wall, missing half its right leg. The chocobo lay flopping and squawking on the carpet. The monster tossed the rest of the first chocobo into its mouth and reached for the injured one.

Aeris was dazed but she struggled to her feet and turned to run. She didn't think for one minute the monster would be satisfied with a chocobo meal. The second chocobo screamed, hit a high note and went silent. Aeris forced more power to her legs and kept running back the way they had come. She was almost at the second to last corner when she heard it coming after her.

Sephiroth she thought, I'm so sorry I went out by myself. I'm going to die here and you'll never know what happened to me.

She heard the monster turn the corner behind her. She whimpered. She wasn't going to make it. She heard a crash. She put on another burst of speed and made it around the last corner. Zephiroth was running toward her with his Hand of Death masamune. Aeris was glad to see him in spite of herself. Zephiroth let her run past him and stopped. She ran a few more steps then stumbled and fell. Sore and gasping for breath, Aeris pulled herself into a sitting position.

The monster took the corner too fast and slammed into the opposite wall breaking a tooth. In pain, it turned its frightening eyes on Zephiroth. He didn't show the slightest trace of fear. He held his sword ready and waited.

He's just as fearless as Sephiroth, Aeris thought.

The monster rose and charged. Zephiroth used a powerful fire spell. The creature screamed and staggered back. With lightening speed, Zephiroth ripped his sword across the monster's belly. It reminded Aeris of the way Sephiroth handled the dragon. Entrails spilled from the wound. The creature fell back on it's rear and jumped up. It charged Zephiroth. He leaped to one side, avoiding a blow from the creatures forearm. His sword sliced open its flank. Red-brown blood as thick as syrup sprayed the wall. When it turned again, he used a lightening spell, aiming the force of the bolts at the open wound in its belly. The monster roared in agony and rotated its body trying to slash at Zephiroth who danced nimbly out of reach.

He cast a fire spell, aiming at the monsters head. The awful eyes smoked and bubbled as the multi-lenses were destroyed. Blinded, it reared back and roared at the ceiling. Zephiroth rushed forward and slashed it from the top of its throat to the slit in the belly and gracefully leaped away again. The monster teetered and fell over backward. Zephiroth slashed and one of its feet flew off and hit the wall. He swung his blade again. The remaining foot made a horrible sucking noise as it hit the opposite wall, stuck there a moment slid slowly to the floor. Blood boiled from the monster's throat and it twitched and wiggled in agony. Zephiroth walked around it casually, stabbing here and slashing it there. The monster began to whimper and moan.

Aeris was horrified. Zephiroth could have easily put the monster out of its misery, but he seemed to enjoy killing it by degrees. The expression on his face was that of a child opening a present on Christmas morning. She watched as he used a fire spell to singe the inside of its mouth. Weaker now, the monster began to convulse. Zephiroth finally stood aside with his bloody blade pointed to the floor. The smile on his face was overshadowed only the evil in his eyes. Zephiroth switched his gaze from her to the monster and back again. Aries' blood felt as cold as ice water. She wanted to faint.

The creature suddenly stiffened and went limp, Zephiroth looked disappointed. He wanted it to take longer dying, Aeris thought. The thought sickened her. A whimper escaped her throat. Zephiroth heard. He wiped his sword on the monster's body, kicked it and walked toward Aeris. She tried to shrink away. He laughed and slid the masamune back into its sheath. He dragged her to her feet.

He leered at her. "I told you I would protect you, little one." He took her hands in his and began to remove the bindings. Aeris was grateful for that at least. The bindings made her hands uncomfortable. She raised her head to thank Zephiroth.

"Hojo has gone down to the lab," he said. "Why don't we get to know each other better?"

Before Aeris could reply, he pulled her to him for a brutal kiss. She tried to fight him but he was too strong. She tried scratching at him. He wasn't deterred. If anything, he became more insistent. He wouldn't give her a chance to breathe. Tears sprang to her eyes. Zephiroth pushed her against the wall and moved his lips mouth to her throat, she screamed. He kissed Aeris again to silence her. If she didn't get away from him soon . . . desperately she raised her knee and kicked.

Zephiroth howled and let go of her. Aeris didn't wait to see how bad she'd hurt him. She ran. Hojo was her only hope now.

"Wait till I get my hands on you!" Zephiroth roared behind her. "I'll take the fight out of you once and for all!"

She hadn't hurt him bad enough. He was up and coming much too fast. Aeris used the last ounce of strength she could muster, trying to make it to the stairway door. The footsteps behind her told her she hadn't succeeded. Zephiroth seized her by the hair and forced her to a stop. Aeris felt as if the top of her head was coming off. She clawed at Zephiroth's hands. Zephiroth twisted her hair compelling Aeris to turn toward him. He was just about to slap her when Hojo stepped out of the stair well.

"Zephiroth! Stop that right now! Obey me!" ordered Hojo.

Zephiroth stood fast, his shoulders heaving with exertion. "I want her father. I want her right now! You said to keep my hands off of her until we got to the lab. We're here."

Hojo walked up to Zephiroth and put his hand on Aeris' arm. In a voice as cold as ice he said, "Let go."

Zephiroth glared at Hojo. He didn't let go of Aeris' hair.

Hojo moved to stand in Zephiroth's face. "You will do as I say and leave the Cetra alone. I told you that you would have her and you will, but NOT until I get what I need from her. Do you understand?"

Zephiroth looked defiant. His eyes flicked to Aeris and back to his father. Hojo gave him a look that would have frozen a tidal wave.

Zephiroth backed off. He let go of Aeris. "As you wish father."

Hojo continued to stare at Zephiroth until Zephiroth began to fidget. Satisfied, Hojo thrust Aeris at him. "Here take her. We have to go to the lab."

Zephiroth's face lit up. Aeris grabbed Hojo's arm in fright. "No, not him. Please don't let him touch me."

Hojo studied her face. He looked at Zephiroth. "Perhaps you're right." He started for the stairwell dragging Aeris by the arm. She stumbled on the platform and fell to one knee. Hojo yanked her up and kept walking. They came to another platform and went down again. Hojo opened the door to a long hallway lined with doors. At the other end, Aeris found herself in a small lab.

Zephiroth followed them sulking. His kept his eyes on Aeris all the way to the lab. When they arrived, Hojo dragged Aeris to a holding cell with a clear door and front wall. He pressed a few buttons on a keypad in the door and the door clicked open. He opened it wider and shoved her inside. Hojo pressed in a few more numbers and turned to Zephiroth. Aeris could hear him talking through an intercom built into the clear wall.

"There should be food on this floor somewhere. "Come along."

Zephiroth watched Aeris as she collapsed on the bunk. "You know where the food is father. Shouldn't I stay and keep an eye on her?"

Hojo folded his arms. "I put a code into her cell lock. I am the only one who can open it."

Zephiroth turned to Hojo with a look of outrage.

"I said we need to find food!" Hojo placed himself between Aeris and Zephiroth.

Zephiroth hung his head. The long silver hair covered his features. Hojo went to his son and patted him on the shoulders. "I'm sure she's worth the wait. Let's go."

Aeris sat up watching them. When both men left the room, she lay down. This was a nightmare. No one knew where she was. She was afraid of Hojo, but Zephiroth frightened her even more. How long would it be before he broke into her cell and claimed her as his own? Aeris buried her face in her pillow and cried.