Jenova (IC)

[Steiner]

Sephiroth shouldered his sword and followed her out into the howling wind. What was she going to do? Some trick or power?

He waited with an impassive face whilst she seemed to exult in the storm. With her hair lashing about her and that smile, she was - he had to admit, a truly striking woman. His eyes followed her every movement, not wanting to miss a single step or movement.

 

[Mayu]

She looked at him what the hell was she doing she looked at her hands then looked up at the gray sky, tears fell down her face as her anger soon started to hit her as a green glow surrounded her, she didn't know what was going on, she grew afraid but lighting was seen and circled her. With a gesture of her hands lighting went right for him.

 

[Steiner]

He didn't even have time to block - so he just leaped clear up and over the energy based attack. He hadn't expected for a moment that she would attack him - or that she would have so devastating a weapon.

Turning the jump into a forward somersault back onto his feet, Sephiroth looked at her, waiting for the next move. As the pair of them stood - looking at each other - he flourished Masamune so that it caught the light and prepared to counter her next attack - if it came.

 

[Mayu]

She saw what she had done "How the hell did I do that?" She heard herself ask. She heard thunder in the area. She closed her eyes her hands down to her sides as a green glow took hold of her body.

She extended her hand out diagonal from her head as that hand went down slowly.

"Lighting...." Her arms crossed "Give me the power" She said as the lighting struck her but lighting went into her hand and formed as a long sword just like Sephiroth.

She opened her eyes she had unlocked some of her power.

 

[Steiner]

"So... You learn only through pressure? Let's see if you can use that blade in your hand, shall we?"

Sephiroth advanced on her, an amused smile on his lips. This was turning out to be so much more interesting than he'd expected! His blade cut the air as he whipped it around first in one direction and then the other - slightly crouched - he stalked towards her.

As he reached her, he flicked out a sideways cut that wasn't even aimed to connect with her body, simply pass within the arc of her sword arm.

 

[Mayu]

She was surprised with this, she held the sword up but she felt the strength within her as she twirled out of the way. "Im not like Cloud Sephiroth and its time you see that" She growled as she went right after him jumping into the air as her sword glows red twirling around her body to strike him her eyes pure green like his now.

 

[Steiner]

Sephiroth laughed with the joy of combat - she was FAST too! And strong!

But she was inexperienced. He caught the blow on his own blade, his eyes widening in appreciation at the strength of it, and slid it down the length of his Masamune.

Stepping inside the blow he brought a kiss down onto her lips, before elbowing her offbalance and flicking back out of her reach again.

"No, no you aren't. You're faster for one. But you're unseasoned and as naturally aggressive as a kitten. I can train you though - you're worthy."

 

[Mayu]

She stumbled back but took her feet flat on the ground looking at him as her blade was up ready for him she didn't keep her guard down, she looked into his eyes and nodded. "Good im a quick learner" She said simply even tho she put her sword down she was on alert and knew how to do magic if she had to but really didn't want to, but her eyes showed she was on alert.

 

[Steiner]

Sephiroth could have continued all day - but he respected her decision to stand down. The point, after all, had been made.

"So. You've never lifted a sword before and this is how good you are? You'll train up just fine, trust me, Hope. Yes, all false modesty put aside, you're capable of being trained to be as good as me - especially once you have a little experience."

Standing forward he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You're not my equal, girl. Not yet. But you could be - and strangely I don't feel threatened by it, I feel glad of it."

 

[Mayu]

She smiled and nodded "Thank you" She said softly and sighed some "Come we should rest" She said yawning a bit "Ive not had a good night sleep in years few hours would be nice" She said kindly she turned and walked beside him back. She felt the kiss still on her lips she was very happy he kissed her.

 

[Steiner]

Sephiroth allowed the girl to lead him back inside. The storm was worsening and their breath clouded as they walked through the damp corridors to the room.

Entering the room, he stood his sword next to the single bed and sat down on it. "Come. There's not much comfort to be had here, but if you're my equal we should share it, no?" he taunted her gently, extending the arm on the inside of the bed as if to enfold her.

 

[Mayu]

She smiled "Yeah I suppose" She rolled her eyes at him but laughed she enjoyed his arm around her, she looked at him. "Sometimes I wonder why I am the way that I am, but ive always respected you, if cloud comes with his friends, I will help you Sephiroth, so you do not have to die again"

 

[Steiner]

Sephiroths eyes glowed a little brighter at the reminder of his enemy.

"I wonder. At present I have no objective or agenda that would cause Cloud to hunt me. No doubt he'll hear from Valentine that I have awoken again. Will my very existence be cause enough for him to hunt me down, I wonder? I warned him I would never be just a memory."

He drew her in against him, the pair of them close for warmth and comfort. Although the room kept out the storm, there was no heating as such and neither of them were dressed for cold weather.

 

[Mayu]

She smiled "They told me a lot in the two years they injected me with what they did, they told me no matter how many times you are back from the dead you will remember everything, your a soul that jumps from one clone to the next, they told me you will know where to start looking because it is where you killed Aerith, I do not know where that is but I hope you still remember, they maybe there, waiting for us, but I will be there by your side, thats why they made it so I can learn quickly of my fighting by magic and by sword style"

 

[Steiner]

"The Shining city. I remember quite well - I ambushed her from high and behind. It was a merciful death. It was also the beginning of the end of my plans, if I'd but known it..."

A brief shiver travelled down his back. His death had been a difficult experience, and it was one he felt he still owed Cloud Strife for.

"They were right about my reincarnative powers. I've been killed several times and each time the Lifestream nourishes me and returns me to a body that I can use."

Here Sephiroth stretched, showing the lithe muscles of his chest and abdomen, his long legs and the powerful arms.

 

[Mayu]

Hope smiled "It wasn't the girl you need it was me or so Hojo has said but I don't know what that loony tells is real or just a bunch of bull shit" She said softly. "But I will be there to help you in any way that I possibly can" She said kindly. Her gentle eyes looking him up and down she found him very handsome looking up into his eyes, his green eyes she smiled some.

"Im going to enjoy my time with you"

 

[Steiner]

Sephiroth looked down in surprise at her. He hadn't considered the possibility that she would take pleasure in spending time with him.

"This is more fun than the lab, hmm?" he asked her humorously.

Suddenly he put his head on one side, puzzled.

"So, you've heard about me. You know who I am. Why are you so unafraid. Why so sure that we can work well together? What do you think of your part in all this?"

 

[Mayu]

She smiled "Because I see you in a different light, your wise and powerful and all you wanted is peace within yourself, maybe im crazy but there is just something more I feel from you, and my part? Im just happy. People may see me being strange but that I do not care about"

 

[Steiner]

Smiling he stroked a finger down her cheek. "Happy is good. Perhaps you're wiser than I am. We should rest now, tomorrow we begin our trek to the City. It may be arduous and you never know who may try to stop us."

 

[Mayu]

Hope nodded and laid her head on him on his shoulder, a sweet smile on her face. As she soon fell asleep, the only warmth from his body, she enjoyed laying by him, a dream come true.

 

[Steiner]

Now she was asleep, he drew her in closer, showing her affection he never would have whilst she was awake.

He had no idea why he trusted this girl sent from who knew where, but the truth was that he did. She was just offbeat enough to have been raised in a lab, and he recognised the poor parenting skills of Hojo in her odd mix of naivety and power.

The next day would dawn soon enough, for now he would sleep comfortably in the arms of the first person to trust him in as long as he could remember.

 

[Mayu]

She smiled happily in her sleep, but it was morning when she woke up, she saw Sephiroth holding her, she smiled seeing they should be getting up. But she wanted to be in his arms longer so she closed her e yes, cuddling closer to him.

 

[Steiner]

Morning light drifted into the room, causing him to stretch a little before waking. The body draped on him affected the freedom of his movement and caused his eyes to snap open.

There she was.

She'd shifted from last night but, far from having a problem with being snuggled in against him, it was clear that Hope had sought to move closer still. Now she snoozed, her eyes closed, and her breathing light. She had a happy half-smile on her face and seemed so peaceful and contented that he found himself smiling in return.

He should wake her. They should leave. Instead he began to run his hand through the fine strands of her hair, stroking her gently. She looked so at peace and comfortable with him - it reminded him of how long it had been since anyone had sought comfort in his arms, let alone found it.

 

[Mayu]

She moved a bit as he ran his hand in her hair, she yawned a bit as she slowly opened her eyes, she had a restful and peaceful sleep, nothing woke her, she looked up into his face seeing his kind smile. She sighed a bit brushing her hand on his chest. "Sorry I didn't mean to keep you prisoner"

 

[Steiner]

He'd seen her fingers caress the blade of his sword like that, but the sensation of them running down his chest caused him to involuntarily shiver.

She was innocently enough sweetly wishing him good morning, but the combination of her fragrance, the warm weight of her against him, the silk of her hair and now this...

As her face tilted up towards his, he leaned the short distance down and kissed her, not too hard, but firmly, his lips pressed against hers.