Chapter Fourteen

Yazoo…

I walked through the door of the home that I shared with Graceona and Leonard. I placed my keys on the table, shutting the front door, locking it behind me. It had to be late, considering that even Graceona was in bed. The date tonight, if I had to be honest, I was worried about at first, but now I was looking forward to tomorrow night. But first I had to work for the hair lady. I had never gone into debt to anyone for anyone before. Perhaps Leonard was right. Perhaps I was becoming my person, leaving the ways of Sephiroth in the dust. I hardly thought of the man that had created me, though there were days that his deeds he did through my brothers and I would haunt my thoughts. I sighed, shaking the thoughts from my head before they could become roots and grow into something that no one wanted. He would not use me as a host to carry out sinister things upon these people. Though, I hate to admit this, and never would I admit this openly to anyone. I have grown to like or love rather, the people who I once helped torment. Would I risk my life and my safety for those in this town? I think it would be a safe bet to say I would do anything for these people. Kourtney is like the sister I had always wanted. Her innocent nature, curious mind, interesting questions. I walked to the living room to see Graceona asleep on the couch, then walked upstairs to my room. I opened the door to see that Kourtney's room was enveloped by darkness. The child wouldn't enjoy that. Shockingly, the child is sleeping at all. I walked into her bedroom, turning her nightlight by the bed on, making my way from the room. I went to my room, shutting the door, turning my light on the novel that I had found comfort sat on my bed. I sighed, walking over to it, collecting the book, placing it in the nightstand drawer. I walked over to the closet as a soft knock entered my ears. I walked to the door to see Leonard standing there, looking at me. The older man looked well-rested, well more so than he did a couple of days ago. "Come on in." I moved as he walked into the room, sitting in the chair by the window.

"So, how did it go? Did the girl invite you for round two, or did you scare her away?"

"We're going out again tomorrow night. We're going back to Midgar at that old church."

"Ah, seems you won her over with flowers, and that church had its fair share of them. Aerith kept it well in stock. It is safe to wager that woman loved her flowers." he smiled.

"Aerith?"

"A flower girl, we all knew. She is, sadly, no longer with us. But, I didn't come in here to go down memory lane. That might happen another time. If Sierra wants another round, I'm impressed. Though the child isn't that hard to please, considering who her father is. Poor child, being related to Reno."

"Don't tell her that. She's touchy with her father and insults towards him. Though she thought it interesting that I could wreck a helicopter that her father was piloting." I sat down on the bed.

"You were gone all night. Kadaj and Loz had left when you did. I wonder what those two are doing? They still haven't come back home."

"Who knows with those two, they're probably miffed after today with you and Graceona taking my side, much less getting involved with the issue, to begin with, whatever, the reason, they'll get over it and be back later."

"Do you speak those words to calm your mind, relieve yourself from the worry?"

I looked at him. "Maybe they are my brothers, no matter how crazy they are. We have a bond, somewhere. Loz and I get along well, however, Kadaj he and I have grown distant in the past few months. The argument today was anything but rare with the two of us. It's a regular thing I deal with."

I rubbed a hand through my hair. "Do you want to go look for them?"

I looked at him. "Not tonight. They need to let off some steam. If they aren't back by tomorrow, then I'll go look for them. Dealing with them tonight wouldn't be wise. Well, at least Kadaj Loz, however, didn't seem upset from the event. He perhaps enjoyed the battle. He had always stated that he wanted to fight Grace one-on-one. But a fight is a fight with him, childish beyond measure, but his will to fight is dangerous. Anything but childish."

"Look, if you want to go look for them, I'll go with you. I'm rested up and ready to go."

I looked at him. "No, Leonard. If you want to go with me in the morning, you can, but right now I want to get some comfortable clothes on and go to sleep for once. I have a busy day tomorrow, looking for Kadaj and Loz, then the work for a merchant, then my date at seven. I'm triple booked."

"Doing work for a merchant? Why?"

"I promised to work for the lady that sells hairpieces if she would let me get a hair bow that Sierra liked."

"I know the one."

He stood up, walking to the door. "You better get some sleep then. Your day is going to be anything but boring tomorrow. Good night."

"Goodnight, Leonard." The older man walked from the room, closing the door behind him, as I got ready for bed. Soon calling it a night.