"Rufus' Twin"
By Jen

Chapter Seventeen - Revelations

Tai found Aeris' story quite astonishing, and even a bit difficult to believe. After all, it wasn't every day one met someone claiming to come back from the dead. Over the years, he had heard bits and pieces about the people who had saved the planet, and had of course been grateful too them. If it hadn't been for their courage, he knew he would not be alive right now. But this woman seemed very earnest and looking into her clear, green eyes, he found it hard to believe she was lying. If she was, she was a very convincing liar indeed.
He was a strong believer in fate and destiny though; something had brought him to this woman just when she needed help the most. He found it no coincidence that she was the girl the children spoke of all those years before. He had always felt there was something special about this church they sat in now. He supposed then, if it was easy enough for him to believe in a higher source guiding them all, it was not so much of a stretch to believe that she had been brought back from the lifestream. She too, then, had a destiny she had yet to fulfill.
"That is quite a story, Miss Gainsborough," he said, after a momentary pause.
"Please call me Aeris. I know it's a bit difficult to believe, but it is the truth."
Tai had a feeling there was something she was leaving out. She had told him about meeting up with Avalanche and dying while trying to save the Planet. She had also told him about her returning nearly nine years later. But what she hadn't told him, was how she had died and why she was back. Though there was little information on the lifestream, he thought that she had to be extremely important to be allowed to return after so many years had passed.
Aeris shook her head, a small smile on her lips. "I can see you don't believe me. I can understand. You just met me after all."
Dark green eyes pierced her own. "You are a very trusting woman, Aeris. Most would say you are a fool for traveling with a man you know nothing about."
Aeris' smile deepened. "I'm not most. Besides, I know you won't hurt me."
He inclined his head. "How can you be so sure?"
"I just know. You just saved my life, and if you wanted to hurt me, you would have done it by now."
Aeris supposed Tai's questions should have made her nervous, but she truly did believe he meant her no harm. She thought she was a fairly good judge of character because she tried to look beyond the person to who they were inside. It wasn't only her Cetra heritage that wanted to find the good in all people, but also her relentless optimism. She knew there were people out there that were evil by their own choosing, but she knew most had a reason. Even Sephiroth had a reason for his madness.
"You are an extraordinary woman, Aeris. There are few people today that would go on faith alone."
His comment surprised her, and momentarily left her without speech. She fully expected him to point out the faults in her reasoning and lecture her on her naiveté. If this were any one of her friends, she knew that, that was what she would be hearing right now. Strangely enough, his words warmed her and left her feeling as though she had just been praised.
"I believe you Aeris. But I know that you are not telling me everything, there is something you are holding back. Perhaps something you do not trust me with."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "You are a very perceptive man, Tai."
He smiled. "Perhaps it was just a lucky guess."
"No. You're right. Have you ever heard of the Cetra, or Ancients?"
He nodded. "Yes. They talk of them a great deal in Cosmo Canyon."
Tai liked Aeris; there was something comforting about her, something in her manner that made one feel happy just to be sitting next to her. He wasn't certain exactly what it was; perhaps it was the way she listened so attentively to everything that was said to her, as though there was nothing outside of his words. Or perhaps it was her beauty. It was difficult for any man to ignore just how lovely of a picture she made, sitting among her own flowers with the sun shining through the stained glass window, bringing out the golden highlights in her hair and accentuating the gentle glow of her eyes. Perhaps it was everything; it was her.
"Well," she answered, "I am a Cetra. At least, I am half Cetra, and to my knowledge, the last remaining one."
"That would explain it then."
"You don't look surprised," she replied.
He smiled. "If I can believe that you have risen from the dead, then I am certain I can believe you are a Cetra."
Aeris shifted her staff so that it rested across her lap and asked, "What did you mean when you said 'that would explain it then'?"
"It would explain why you have been chosen to return. The Cetra are the Protectors of the Planet. Perhaps something is once again a threat, and you are needed."
"I've thought of that. But I can't be sure," she added, tugging at her bottom lip with her teeth.
"Something is troubling you," he remarked.
Aeris liked Tai; he was extremely polite and had treated her as an equal since first meeting her. He seemed genuinely interested in everything that she said and had believed her even when she knew it would be difficult for someone outside of the events of the past to understand. Though the scar marring his face should have been frightening, it was quite the opposite. And his eyes more than made up for any blemish he might have. They were such a deep shade of green, and every time he looked at her, she had the feeling that he saw nothing beyond what his eyes were focused on. It was nice to be the center of one's attention, no matter how selfish that need was.
Tai must have sensed her hesitation, for he added in her silence, "You do not have to tell me if it bothers you to do so."
"No. Maybe it would help for me to talk to someone who isn't so involved in the situation. My friends are well meaning, but I don't think they're looking at it quite the way you could."
"You see," she continued, "since I've returned to my physical form, I haven't been able to hear the Planet's cry or the voices of my ancestors. Always before, they were there to guide and comfort me. But I hear nothing now. Nothing but silence. I...it makes me wonder if it's a punishment. When I was in the lifestream, I was never quite able to let go of my friends. A part of me always hung on to them, and wanted to come back. What if I somehow managed to make myself come back and they're punishing me for it?"
She leaned forward, her eyes clouded and troubled. He could see this greatly distressed her, and he sought for some way to ease her anxiety.
"You believe in destiny Aeris, in fate."
She twisted the fabric of her dress around her fingers, saying, "Yes."
"Once, it was your destiny to die for the Planet. Now, it has decided you must live again. You have not fulfilled your destiny as you once thought you have. I do not believe, no matter how much one may wish, that one can ever return from the lifestream to the land of the living simply by sheer will. One has to be allowed to come back. You have. Now, you must figure out why. I do not know why you can no longer hear the Planet, but something must be stopping it. I do not believe you would be sent back only to be punished. It is only natural that you would long for those you loved. Even after death."
Aeris smiled, feeling a strange sense of relief, and not understanding why this man was able to bring it to her when her mother and Tifa could not. Maybe it was because he understood things in a way no one else did. Maybe it was because he seemed to understand things quite in the same way she did.
"Thank you. You've made me feel better about all this."
Tai smiled in return. "It was my pleasure."
Aeris glanced over at the flowers blooming. "The church is in good hands. It gladdens my heart to know someone still cares enough to keep the flowers alive."
"They care about you."
She turned her head, staring at him for a few moments before rising. "Well...I really should be going. I'm traveling to the City of the Ancients. I'm going to find out why I can't hear the Planet, and somehow I think my answers are there."
Tai rose with her. "That is one of my favorite stops when I travel. Perhaps you would let me take you there? I know you do not need a guide, but perhaps company would be nice."
"Thanks for offering, but I'm going to meet with a friend who will take me there."
"Then, I will take you as far as your friend."
She laughed. "You're stubborn."
He nodded. "So I have been told many times. Shall we go?"
She tilted her head to one side and said, "I suppose company would be nice. Or are you just going to act as my bodyguard again?"
He smiled. "A little of both."
"At least you're honest," she remarked, as they left the church.
They house that she and Elmyra had once shared wasn't that far off now, and though she had considered stopping there too, felt the pull to do so, she felt it was better to move on. As it was, she had spent much more time at the church than she had originally meant to. Meeting up with Tai and talking to him had nearly made her forget that she was supposed to meet Reeve. She hoped that he wasn't too worried when she was late. Since she had returned, she had found him to be unusually overprotective of her. She wasn't sure why he felt that way; they really didn't know one another well.
Tai walked silently alongside Aeris as they walked through the reconstructed playground and into Sector Seven. Though she had not told him where they were traveling too, she seemed to know exactly where she was going and at the moment, he was content to follow without question. He was between jobs at the moment, so he had no pressing matters to attend to. He had the feeling that Aeris intended to leave him behind when they reached wherever it was she was going, but he fully intended to travel with her to the Ancient City. Partly to offer her protection, and party for reasons of his own.
Sector Seven, though cleaner than most due to its reconstruction years before, was essentially the same as all of the slums. Children played ball in the dusty streets while those without work hung out at the local bar or wandered aimlessly. The housing was for those with low income, so most of the small houses were one story, containing no more than three bedrooms, and usually two. Graffiti marred the walls of some buildings here and there, and if the windows were dirty enough, some clever child carved his own message with his fingers. Stepping from Sector Seven into Sector Eight was like stepping into another world.
At the center of Sector Eight sat what was once the Shinra building. Its imposing tower of glass and steel rose high above every other building, seeming to touch the very skies. All around it, clean city streets, lined with actual trees twisted and curved. Beautiful houses and buildings were spread out along the paths, and the most astonishing thing of this whole sector, was the fact that the sky itself could even be seen at all. To live here took money, something which most of the people of Midgar did not have in abundance. So it remained, a place for the wealthy, or those lucky enough work for the rich.
Since leaving Wutai fifteen years before, Tai had traveled to Midgar, knowing that as a mercenary, most of his work could be found there. Over the years, he had made a comfortable living and found that the traveling necessary to his particular vocation appealed to him. Money mattered little, it was simply a means of survival. As long as he had enough to live on, he could not find fault with his life or the path he had chosen. It was true that it was dangerous at times, and that he had narrowly escaped with his life too many times to count, but it was his livelihood.
They came to a stop in front of the Reeve Electric Co., and Aeris turned to Tai, saying, "This is where we stop. Thank you for watching over me, and it was a pleasure meeting you."
Tai smiled. "You are not getting rid of me quite yet. I shall walk with you a bit more."
Aeris shifted her staff to her other hand and fisted her free hand on her hip. "You don't have to do that. I'm safe here."
"Call it for curiosity's sake," he responded.
She tilted her head to one side. "I'm beginning to think I won't get rid of you."
"All right, I will admit I wish to see the Ancient City. It would be much simpler for me to travel with you and your friend rather than find another way. And I shall consider it payment for my services."
"Ah yes, I forgot you're a mercenary. Well, I suppose I do owe you... and I can't see as to how you're coming along will hurt anything..." she added, with a small teasing smile.
"I promise not to be any trouble."
"Just remember then, you promised. Now we'd better hurry up. I'm late as it is."
"My apologies. That is entirely my fault," he said, following her into the building.

*****

Reeve paced in front of his desk, his hands folded behind his back and his head bent in thought. Aeris was late by nearly a half an hour, and he couldn't help but feel that she had run into some sort of trouble. He knew he never should have allowed her to travel through Midgar alone. What he should have done, was put aside the meeting with Cloud and fly over to get her himself. If anything had happened to her... well, he would accept full blame.
Running an impatient hand through his now-graying brown hair, he forced himself to relax enough to sit on the edge of his desk. His eyes slid around his office and out the opened door, to where they took in the hallway. It really hadn't been all that long ago that Shinra had been in control of this company. And he had been merely the Head of Urban Development, a title that didn't mean much when Shinra allowed him so little power.
When they had asked him to take Cait Sith, a creation entirely of his own making, and spy on those trying to destroy the company, he had been torn in two directions; loyalty to the company that paid his bills, and the stirring in his blood to do something about their corrupt ways. But what could he do? He was no fighter; he was just a simple man, an executive that lived from day to day knowing that Shinra could rip his job out from under his feet at any moment. And so, he had agreed. He hadn't known at the time, just where that decision would take his life.
Now, nearly nine years later, he was head of his own company, President, and the ultimate power in the chain of command. It had taken nearly these nine years to turn the company around too. Changing its name to Reeve Electric Co. and running the city on electricity instead of mako, was only the beginning, and not enough to actually change the company. With the help of Cloud, something he had never expected out of the wandering warrior whose need to govern himself and to be free nearly outweighed everything else, he had gutted the company from the inside up.
They started at the bottom, where the problems were small but added altogether, created something far more dangerous. As time went on, they were able to have enough power, enough knowledge to take on the bigger problems and finally begin to see the results of their changes. Without Cloud, Reeve knew he never would have been able to do that. Though he was well versed where politics were concerned, far better at them than Cloud, Cloud brought things to the bargaining table Reeve just didn't have. Among them, his strength of will and his ability to get others to listen to him. It was what had made him a leader.
Despite that though, Cloud had insisted that Reeve take the presidency while he filled the vice presidency. Over the years, they worked together and complimented each other in with their own strengths and weaknesses. What Cloud couldn't handle, Reeve usually could, and vice versa. All in all, Cloud had grown up much over the past nine years and his leadership abilities had grown with him.
It hadn't been easy at the start, true, Cloud as well as Reeve had, had a lot to learn. Running a company was no small task, and when those under one didn't support one, the foundation could crumple to the ground, no matter how hard one tried to hold on to it. But hang on they had, fighting tooth and nail to keep the company afloat even when it seemed impossible. And in doing that, they had gained a loyalty and a respect from those under them that was rarely seen.
"...so I'm laying them right here."
"What?" Reeve asked, blinking. When his eyes came into focus, he saw Cloud standing in front of him, a look of acute amusement on his face.
"You were wandering again. Must be the old age."
Reeve glared at him. "You just remember that, which one of us is the older, more mature one."
"I dunno," Cloud responded, laying the folders on his desk, "I heard about that fight you had with Reno."
Reeve groaned. "Don't remind me. I think Reno is the only one that can make me forget I'm supposed to be laid back and calm."
Cloud patted him on the shoulder. "Don't let him get to you. Reno's the type that never grows up. One of these days he'll get what's coming to him."
Reeve grinned. "That sounds so ominous." Then he sighed. "What have you got for me here?"
Cloud crossed his arms, settling against the side of Reeve's desk. "You remember when I met with the Mayor of Kalm and contractors last week to talk about expanding Kalm to both benefit the towns income and that of Midgar's? Well, they wanted more figures. So that's what those are. You're up to bat with them next week, so I figured you'd need those."
Reeve made a face. "They still can't get over the fact that this was once Shinra, can they? I mean, its plainly obvious just how much this would benefit both cities. It's not like we're out to destroy them or anything."
Cloud shrugged. "You can't really blame them. I know nine years seems like a long time, but it's hard to get a town back on its feet. Especially when they don't have the resources we do."
Reeve stared closely at him. "All right, I concede. You're the wiser, more mature of us two."
Cloud grinned, and waved the compliment away. "I don't think it's that at all. I think you have something else on your mind. Weren't you supposed to leave with Aeris by now?"
Reeve automatically glanced down at his watch. "Yes, about a half an hour ago to be exact. She's late. I only hope nothing happened to her. I should have given that last meeting to you and went and got her myself."
"I'm sure she's fine. You know Aeris, she tends to move at her own pace and let things distract her. And it was important for you to be at that meeting; they wanted the president, not the vice president."
Reeve rolled his eyes. "Politics. You would have been perfectly suited to handle that."
"Ah well," Cloud replied, then looked down the hall. "I do believe that's my phone ringing. Enjoy those reports," he added, tossing Reeve a wink before leaving.
"Sure I will," Reeve muttered, picking them up to thumb through.
Though he had to admit Cloud was right, and at times wished he had the other man's lack of worry and fear, he still couldn't help but wonder what was keeping Aeris. He would have liked to think she got caught up in exploring the city or something. It was nine years since she had last seen the city, since she had last seen anything. Slipping off the edge of the desk, he felt his worry begin to dissipate as the thought along those lines. Trust Cloud to know how to get rid of Reeve's perpetual worries. He knew there was another reason he kept the man around besides being the vice president.
His back was turned to the doorway, and his mind was engrossed in the reports given him by Cloud, so he didn't notice when two figures stepped into his office. One, a slight female with a cheerful smile, walked quietly up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. Reeve jumped, and spun around, ready to yell at Cloud, only to find himself face to face with Aeris.
"Aeris! You're late. I was beginning to worry."
"Sorry. I got kind of got caught up. I went to visit the church," she added, her eyes sparkling. "The flowers are still so beautiful Reeve, because the children take care of them."
Reeve was so caught up in the glowing radiance of her face, that he almost didn't notice the man standing in the doorway. He was tall, wearing a dark trench coat that wasn't quite able to hide the fact that he carried a sword at his hip, and his face was an expressionless, dark mask with a scar running up one side. Reeve's first impulse was to push Aeris behind him because the man looked dangerous, but she skipped away from him and grabbed the man's hand, pulling him farther into the office.
"Reeve, this is Tai Hataka. I ran into a bit of trouble in Sector Six and he helped me out. I tried to get rid of him, but he insisted on escorting me here. He's as bad as Cloud was."
Reeve stared at the man for a few moments, still not liking the look of him or the aura he felt radiating off him. It was the very same one Cloud exuded, without even knowing it. Whatever this man was, he was a fighter, and that alone was enough to put Reeve on edge. With the exception of Cloud, he found it hard to be around men that possessed skills he didn't have. They made him feel weak, and useless, only half a man. He knew it was ridiculous, that it was more in his head than theirs, but he still couldn't help but feel that way.
"Reeve Antony," he finally said, stepping forward to offer the man his hand.
Tai accepted Reeve's hand, knowing at once that he was the president of the company. In the world in which he worked, many things circulated on Cloud Strife and Reeve Antony, all of which were fairly good to his amazement. He remembered the Shinra of before, and how corrupt and binding its rule had been. Right now, he could sense a mistrust in this man, and didn't blame him. After all, he was a stranger, a mercenary that had long ago acquired a hardened interior and exterior.
"It is a pleasure to meet the man who has restored this great city and given much back to the people," Tai responded.
Reeve stepped back, at a loss for words. He hadn't expected the man to have such manners, but upon hearing him speak, he realized that Tai hailed from Wutai. That explained a lot; Wutai was known for its customs, among them, the innate sense of politeness, even when one didn't like the person one was conversing with. Of course, Yuffie was the exception to that rule. Yuffie was the exception to everything.
Finally finding his voice, he said, "T-thank you."
Aeris beamed; to her way of thinking, they were already getting along great. Which was good, because she needed that when she told Reeve that Tai intended to come along. She fully expected him to argue still, but she thought she could sway him with logic. Tai had rescued her from a worse fate in Sector Six, and she was indebted to him. Since he had asked to travel along with them to the Ancient City as payment, she could hardly turn him down.
Reeve watched as Tai's eyes strayed to Aeris, and felt his stomach clench as the other man's eyes lingered there for one second too long. Aeris was beautiful, and there was such an innocence that surrounded her, that it made one want to embrace life with her. Or embrace her. Reeve knew he shouldn't feel like this, after all, Aeris wasn't his, and they hardly knew one another. Yet, there was something about her that drew him to her.
"Reeve, Tai is going to be coming with us to the City of the Ancients," Aeris said, her tone cheerful.
"What?" Reeve asked, his gaze shifting to Tai.
Aeris walked forward and placed her hand on his arm, as if sensing the mistrust in his stare. "I was attacked by creatures in Sector Six, if-"
Reeve interrupted, his stare intense. "Are you all right?"
Aeris smiled and patted his arm. "I am now. You see, Tai saved me from getting hurt. I'm in debt to him for that, and he asked that I repay it by letting him travel with us."
Tai could tell that Reeve didn't want him traveling with them. That did not bother him though; he found it easy to conjure up indifference to Reeve's obvious dislike. It didn't matter anyhow, he fully intended to go with them whether the other man wanted it or not. He was certain though, given what he had heard on this man, that Reeve would feel honor bound to let him travel along. As it was, Tai was beginning to think it was good for him to go because Reeve didn't seem like the type that fighting came easily to.
Reeve slid his hand around Aeris' arm and said to Tai, "Can you excuse us for a moment?" Then, without waiting for an answer, he pulled Aeris into the corner of his office.
"Reeve-" Aeris started, slight irritation creeping into her voice.
"What do you know about this man?" he whispered harshly.
"What do you mean?" Aeris said aloud, refusing to lower her voice.
"You don't even know him Aeris, he's a stranger."
She offered him an indignant expression. "I know he saved my life, and that's enough for me."
Reeve shook his head at her naiveté. "Aeris, just because he saved your life doesn't mean he's a good man. He may have other reasons. And why would he want to travel with us anyway? There's nothing at the city for a man like him."
Aeris jerked her arm away from him and said defensively, "I don't know what you're getting at Reeve Antony, but I think you should trust my judgment. He said he wanted to see the city because he enjoys being there, and I could see why. There isn't any ulterior motive and I'm ashamed of you even thinking there was."
Reeve's face flushed as he felt control of the situation slipping away, but he still said, "Aeris, I know you try to see the best in everyone, but-"
"Well I'm not seeing the best in you right now! Now either he comes with, or I'll find some other way to get to the city," she said, crossing her arms.
The threat hung in the air between them for a moment, and out of the corner of his eyes he caught Tai attempting to pretend he wasn't hearing the conversation. Reeve stared fully at him and their eyes locked. Ever so slightly, Tai's lips curved up into a smile that raised alarm within Reeve. But there was nothing he could do. He couldn't just let Aeris run off with some stranger. It was better if he put up with the man's presence. At least he could watch the man and keep Aeris safe if he tried anything.
"All right," he conceded. "Let's go then."
Aeris didn't smile at him, but he could sense she was no longer angry. Aeris had never been one that was able to stay angry for very long. Her innate sense of goodness wouldn't allow it.
They walked down the hall in silence, stepping up a flight of stairs that led them to the top of the building. Waiting for them on the helipad, was a huge black helicopter that Reeve would be piloting them in. Though it was true his personal pilot had come down with the flu, he still could have had another fly Aeris there. The truth was, he had wanted to do it. It was difficult clearing off his schedule to find the time for it, but Cloud helped, all the while tossing Reeve sly glances and throwing comments at him laced with hidden meanings.
After making certain the other two were secure in the back, he climbed up into the pilot's seat and fitted the headphones on his head. Strapping himself in, he reached forward to flip the necessary switches and listened to the roar of the propellers as they started up. After a quick glance over his shoulder, he began his ascent. The helicopter handled smoothly, and he had to admit it felt good to fly it. It had been a long time since it had been necessary for him to fly anywhere. He was worried at first that he would be a bit rusty at it, but it seemed that the knowledge had never left him.
The trip to the Northern Continent was a tense one, at least on Reeve's part. Aeris and Tai managed to have a conversation, though they had to shout above the noise to be heard. As petty as it was, Reeve had to admit the other man's voice was beginning to grate on his nerves. It would be a relief when they could land and he could draw Aeris into a conversation that would hopefully exclude Tai. If Aeris would allow it, that was.
Finally, they hovered above the dome shaped surface of the largest building, below it, the small shell huts. Reeve landed the chopper outside the city and they traveled down the once well worn path, now choked with weeds. Aeris led the way, with Reeve right behind her, and then Tai. Excitement shivered off of her in waves, and it was hard not to let it infect one. It was apparent this city meant much to her, even if it had once been the site of her death.
As they neared the first set of shell houses, she spun around, an unnamed emotion glittering in her eyes. "Can you feel that? The humming? I haven't lost them after all! Not here at least..." she trailed off, her expression puzzled.
Reeve didn't feel anything, so he didn't know how to respond. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Tai looking around, his attention seemingly centered on something else. Why that made him uneasy, he couldn't say.
"Yes... we have to go down there," she pointed, and Reeve saw she meant the large building.
"Aeris... are you sure?"
She smiled reassuringly. "It'll be all right."
They followed her once again in silence, making the descent down the crystal stairs and to the city bellow. Anxiety began to claw at him, and Reeve sought to push it away by distracting himself with the swinging motion of Aeris' braid. He managed quite well until they stood at the wooden posts serving as steps to the altar. All at once, through the eyes of Cait, it flashed back to him.
Aeris kneeling in prayer, her small hands clasped together as she spoke to a source only she could hear. Then her looking up, her face radiant at the sight of Cloud... but that smile was cut short as Sephiroth suddenly descended from above, the blade of his Masamune piercing her slender frame and robbing her of her life.
The anxiety must have been on his face, for Aeris touched his arm and said, "Are you all right?"
He jolted out of the memory, wiping at the sweat that had gathered on his forehead. All he could manage was a jerky nod.
Aeris, somewhat reassured, started forward. When she stood on the altar, she looked up, as if expecting to see Sephiroth there. But really, what she was looking at was the beautiful winding staircase that seemed to shimmer with a life of its own. Then, falling to her knees she folded her hands and began to pray. She asked for help, for understanding, and for forgiveness. All around her, the voices of her ancestors swirled, combining together like a beautiful melody only she could hear. She felt more at peace than she had in a long time, and knew that here, she would find her answers.
Danger.
"Danger?" she said aloud.
A great force, blocking us from you. Something we have never before been faced with.
"I don't understand. Something powerful...enough to keep you from me? How is that possible?"
This force carries within it the blood of our enemy. And the blood of us. This combination was not meant to live together within one soul, and it gives this force great power. Beware daughter, for this force could be the one that destroys us all.
"Where do I find this 'force'? Is it a creature... a person?"
It is a man. A man created by human hands; a man that was never meant to be.
"How will I find him?"
He will find you. Now, let us leave you with a few words of wisdom. You must learn to trust what you cannot see, to listen with your heart, and accept the help of one who is not known to you.
"I don't understand."
You will... And she felt them pulling away.
Suddenly, she heard Reeve shout a warning and she leapt up to find Tai, his sword drawn, facing a large group of what appeared to be soldiers in black suits. One had a gun shoved into Reeve's back and the others were advancing on Tai.
"Drop your weapon and come with us."
"I will not," Tai answered.
Aeris, remembering the words of the Cetra said, "Tai, lay down your sword. We must go with them."
He spun around to look at her in confusion, and Reeve called out, "Aeris, no! Run!"
Aeris shook her head. "We have to go."
With great reluctance, Tai set down his weapon and watched as Aeris walked toward them calmly.
"If you've caused this," Reeve snarled at him, "I will kill you myself."
Tai regarded him impassively and allowed the soldiers to jerk roughly on his arm. When Aeris reached the soldiers, she lay her staff next to Tai's sword and and they took a hold of her arms. Two soldiers picked up their weapons, and then began leading them away.
Aeris now knew why she had returned.

Took me long enough, eh? I know I'm slow. But I hope it's worth the wait! As you can tell, I'm now leading toward something. I'm slowly tying all my loose ends together and each chapter will reflect that. Now, on to the next one!

Thanks for reading!