Keys to the Past

A little bit of fun in this one. Have fun reading.

Chapter 6

Hikari would not get any rest this time. She dreamt of a man, his eyes said so much, and they were red-gold in color. They burned into her soul, made her heart beat fast, and set her blood on fire, but she could not see his face. Then of another set of eyes that were pale green flecked with gray and looked like cat’s eyes. These eyes froze her to the bone, so much so she could not stand to look into them for long. These eyes fought with her, and tried to slice her to the core making her bleed. This blood also marred her dream, so much blood that she felt she was going to drown in it. There was a voice that said, “ You will be here with me. We are destined to be one.” Awakening with a start she felt her face, and looked at her hands. No blood, just sweat.

She stood up from the bed she lay on, and looked out the window in her room. She could see the earth below with all its small towns, and cities. It was early morning the next day. She had slept the whole day away, and had not taken off her clothes. She went into the bathroom and took a shower.

After she dressed, put her hair in a ponytail, and came out of the bathroom, a beep sounded at the door to her room. She walked over to the door, and opened it to see Nanaki looking up at her with concern.

“Are you alright Hikari? I heard you talking in your sleep earlier.”

She invited him in and shut the door. “Nanaki I had a dream that turned into a nightmare. I saw eyes, and they were…”

As she was going to explain her dream to Nanaki a beep sounded, and Cid came on the speaker. “We did well not to get spotted by Shinra or the Turks. I will be leaving the airship for a while, but will be back aboard soon. We must prepare for the unexpected. That is all.”

A beep sounded at the door again, and this time it was Cid. He smiled widely at Hikari when she opened the door. “We’re here. We will meet Barrett at the ruins of the church. From there we will get to Tifa’s bar. I hope we don’t have to fight with those Turks. They’re a pain in the fucking ass. The team will be pissed about this. I’m sure they would like some peace and quiet like the rest of us,” he said.

Hikari gave Cid one of her rare smiles. “I’m as ready as I will ever be,” she said as she turned to get her cloak.

“Good, but we won’t be able to land the ship. We will have to jump and make a run for it.”

“You are such a sweet man Cid. Thank you for helping me.” At this compliment from Hikari, Cid smiled. He looked younger when he smiled, she would have to make this gruff man smile more often.

“Well then lets make a run for it shall we?” patting his spear as he said this.

They headed to the airship area where they would jump out. When they were ready to jump out Cid’s cell phone rang. “Why ya callin me now Barret? Do you have trouble? Shinra huh? Ok,” he said to Barrett. He held up his hand for Hikari and Nanaki to wait. “Red and I are on our way to Midgar. Alright we’ll have to get around them without being seen. I’m sure we can do that. You’ll find out what’s goin on when we get there.”

Getting a signal from Cid, they jumped from the airship. The airship took off quickly. They ran until they got near the town. Sneaking through the ruined part of the town they watched for Shinra soldiers. As they neared the church they heard two Shinra soldiers talking.

Soldier One said, “Why is the Boss sending us here? Has he gone nuts or something?”

Soldier Two shrugged and said, “I don’t know. All I know is that we are here looking for a woman that the Boss said is very important. You would think with all the money he has he could get any woman he wanted.”

Soldier One chuckled. “Yeah. I don’t know why he wants this woman either, but I heard he has an itch for that hottie Tifa at 7th Heaven. You know buddy, I wouldn’t mind her scratching my itches.” He said as he pointed to his crotch. His buddy chuckled along with him.

Hikari saw what the soldier did and it pissed her off. No one talks about her best friend that way. Quietly she came from behind the wall where they were hidden, and caught both of the soldiers in a chokehold from behind. They struggled against her arms, when they passed out she quietly laid them down on the ground.

“You should not have done that Hikari,” Nanaki whispered.

“I know, but they won’t remember what hit them. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let them get away with talking about Tifa like that.”

“Men are assholes Hikari.I like the way you took them down. Remind me not to piss you off,” Cid whispered from behind her.

She smiled at him. He winked at her.

As Nanaki looked around he motioned for them to follow. When Hikari passed by him he whispered to her again. “Don’t encourage Cid to flirt. Once he gets on a roll he will not stop.”

Hikari smiled at Nanaki and followed him.

When they got to the church, Cid whistled, and a similar whistle answered back.

Climbing through a crack in the wall they saw Barret standing with his arms folded, waiting impatiently.

“It’s too early to be awake damn it. Hurry up I want to go back home. These soldiers are makin me all antsy. I want to shoot some holes in ‘em.”

“We must leave here quickly. There are two soldiers nearby that will be waking up soon,” Nanaki said as he looked at Barrett.
Barrett quietly walked to the other side of the church, and started climbing to the rafters above. Picking their way through the city, they could see signs of destruction. Shinra soldiers were picking their way through the town searching for their target. Being careful not to get caught they made their way carefully to the Midgar gate. Two Shinra soldiers were waiting there in case anyone went in or out of the city so early in the morning.

Barrett got everyone’s attention and whispered, “We need to distract those soldiers long enough to get through there. I’m going to throw something the opposite way. When I do, you get through there as soon, and as quietly as you can. I can get back to the bar another way if I have to. I won’t be bothered as much as any of you if I were caught.”

He picked up a rock, and tossed it from the direction they had come from. The soldiers took the bait, and followed the sound with their guns drawn. Barret motioned for them to proceed. They got down from where they were hidden, and started to sneak to the gate. They had almost made it before the soldiers decided that there was nothing there.

Barret got in front of Hikari to block them from seeing her. She put her back to his, and made her self as small as possible. The soldiers turned to go back when they spotted them. The soldiers ran towards them ready to shoot.

“Halt! Who are you, and what’s your business at this gate,” one of the soldiers said.

“Nothin to concern yourselves about gentleman. We’re just comin back from hunting some monsters. That’s not illegal is it?” Cid said as he smirked and shrugged his shoulders.

“No it’s not, but you can’t enter this gate. We are doing an investigation here,” the other soldier said as he and his partner walked up to them.

“Aww that’s too bad. I’m gonna get in trouble with the old lady for bein out so late. Why don’t ya be a couple a nice guys, and let us through this once,” Cid said as he leaned his spear against his shoulder, and lit a cigarette.

“Hey, you got any extra smokes on ya?” asked one of the soldiers.

“Sure buddy. Here ya go,” Cid went to hand it to him, grabbed his arm, and bent him into a backward chokehold.

The other soldier went to fire, Nanaki knocked him over, and the soldier lost his gun. Nanaki sheathed his nails, and smacked the soldier in the face hard enough to knock him out.

“Shit that was close,” Barrett said.

“It’s clear. Let’s go before they wake up and bring their comrades,” Nanaki said quietly as he looked around, and listened for any more soldiers arriving.

Sneaking through the gate, they headed into Midgar without being noticed. Snow started to fall as they entered the rebuilt part of the city. They snuck to the 7th Heaven bar before anyone else noticed their presence.

Tifa and Marlene looked up as they entered. “You made it here ok,” Tifa said and smiled.

Marlene walked over to Nanaki and gave him a big hug. She looked up; saw Hikari’s face, and her eyes widened. Hikari smiled to reassure her that she wasn’t a threat, and Marlene smiled back.

Wiping her wet hands on a towel, she walked around the bar to greet everyone.

Hikari smiled and lowered the hood of her cloak. Tifa gasped and she put her hand to her mouth. “Hikari you look so different,” Tifa said as they embraced.

“So do you. Thank you for helping me. Everything has gone haywire since Grandfather started my training. I’m here now, and I’m not leaving this time. There is so much we have to catch up on.”

Nanaki was sitting next to Marlene as Denzel entered the front door with a bag of rock salt. “Hikari maybe you can help Tifa for a few hours while we get some supplies. You can catch up on things,” he said.

“Sure, but what about the Turks and Shinra?”

Tifa smiled, made a fist with one hand, and punched the other. “Shinra soldiers have already darkened our doorstep this morning. We can handle those creeps. Come with me, I have some things we can do for now. This is Marlene and Denzel they are our children. We consider everyone here to be family, so I hope you can see us all that way.” Tifa said.

Hikari held out her hand to shake theirs. “It’s nice to meet both of you. I hope we can get to know each other.”

Marlene smiled, and shook Hikari’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you too. Tifa’s talked about you before, and I hope we can be friends,” Marlene said as she nudged Denzel’s arm. He blushed, and shook Hikari’s hand.

“Marlene and Denzel will you help with the bar while I show Hikari around?” They both nodded and went to work. Tifa smiled and tugged on her hand.

Hikari followed Tifa up a small flight of stairs. “This is my room. Make yourself at home,” Tifa said.

“I can’t take your room Tifa.”

“Of course you can. You’re like my sister, so you’re welcome here anytime. Ok?”

“Ok.”

“I’ve called the team together. Luckily they are all still in town, except for Vincent. He’s on a mission, and said he will be here ASAP.”

At this time Hikari’s stomach decided to make itself known. Tifa chuckled.

“Come on I’ll show you where the kitchen is. We can talk more there.”

Tifa went show her where the kitchen was, when Marlene called her to the front. Marlene sounded upset. Hikari took off her cloak, and put it on the bed.

Tifa went downstairs and started talking to someone. She didn’t sound happy either. Slowly Hikari walked to the top of the stairs, and listened.

“Look Reno, I told you that I haven’t seen anyone matching that description. Why are you looking for her anyway? Did she dump you, or something?”

“No, and I can’t tell you why I’m looking for her. Shinra business. You understand,” Reno answered in his cocky attitude.

Hikari knew that voice. It was the red haired, pretty boy Turk.

“Fine Reno. I’m not open yet, and I have work to do, so could you please leave?”

She could see the mirror behind the bar where Tifa was standing. There was only Reno and the big bald guy in the bar that Hikari could see.

Denzel came out of the room that overlooked the stairs, and saw Hikari. She motioned for him to stay quiet and walk to her.

He walked over to her and she whispered, “Tifa and Marlene may be in trouble.”

He went to go downstairs, but Hikari put up her arm to stop him.

“Wait. Can you get out from up here?”

He nodded.

“Good. Go get anyone you can, and hurry. I will make sure Tifa and Marlene will be ok. I promise.”

He looked worried, but nodded and went back into the room he came out of.

Looking towards the stairs, Tifa saw Denzel enter the room. Tifa smiled.

“Is there someone upstairs Tifa? I’m just gonna go check if that’s ok with you.” Reno said.

Hikari pulled out her wicked knife and motioned that she would be ok if Reno came up the stairs.

“Just Denzel. He’s getting some chores done, so please don’t bother him.”

“Ok, but if it’s not one of the kids. Rude will have to hurt one of you. Now you wouldn’t want him to do that would you?” Reno said, any trace of friendship gone between them.

Reno walked up the stairs. Tifa gave Rude a smile, and he blushed.

Hikari went into Tifa’s bedroom, which was dark, and hid in the closet. He reached the top of the stairs, and walked to the door Denzel had disappeared into. Going in the room, he searched, and found it empty. He came back out, and entered Tifa’s room.
Searching the room, he finally came to the closet. Hikari lunged at him from the closet. She punched him, and put her knife to his throat.

“Hello pretty boy,” she said.

“It’s you? Good,” he said. “You’re coming with me, but first I want to take a good look at you, now drop the knife.”

“Nope, sorry. I can’t do that. You’re a cocky ass aren’t you?”

Reno knocked her hand away, and went to hit her with his baton. She was too fast for him, dodged the baton, and got behind him. She grabbed him, and put the knife to his throat again.

“Now this looks familiar doesn’t it?” she said pushing the knife into his throat.

She made him walk over to the bed, she kicked him behind the knee, and he fell onto the bed. He tried to turn over, but she got on top of him as he was turning. She held the knife to his throat, and took the baton from him.

“So, you came here huh? That’s a very bad move on your part,” he said.

The room was dark, and Hikari looked around the room to see if there was a light nearby. She leaned over him to turn on the lamp next to the bed. She pinned him to the bed with her body, and looked up so that he could see her face. She didn’t have much experience with men, but one of her teachers told her she could use her beauty to knock a man off guard. Grandfather had told her this also, but used crude words to describe the things she could do to them. She was going to try to stall for Tifa and Marlene, and do whatever she had to in the process.

“Mr. Reno, I going to have to do something very bad to you now.”

“Sorry little goddess, I don’t think so, and call me Reno. It makes me feel old to be called mister.”

Hikari sighed. “Well then Reno, you’ve been a naughty boy to threaten my friends, but threatening a child is even worse. You’ll have to pay for that.”

Looking deeper into his eyes, she smiled. She pressed her breasts to his chest, and looked into his eyes. She reached up and felt his lower lip with the forefinger of her empty hand. He gasped, and she felt him get hard. His breathing quickened as she the pushed her hips into his, and moved them against his. He groaned.

“Damn it woman what the hell are you doing?”

Hikari moved faster and Reno dropped his head back on the bed. He grabbed her hips to try to stop her from moving them. She pushed the knife into his throat, and he softened his grip on her hips.

“Poor Reno. You should get out more often.” She leaned up and replaced the finger with her lips. He gasped as she put her hand up his shirt, and caressed one of his nipples. She then used her fingernails, gently scratched down his torso.

“Oh, little goddess I want to fuck you.”

He let go of one of her hips, unbuttoned his pants, grabbed the hand on his chest, and slipped her hand inside. He moaned and thrust his erection up into her hand.

“Reno you alright up there?” Rude yelled.

“Tell him you’re fine, and that you’re just looking around,” she said. He did what she told him.

She moved over next to him, she took the knife from his throat, and slipped her arm under his neck. The way she held the knife, she would not have to adjust it, and put back against his throat. She put her free leg over both his to hold him down, and she caressed his erection.

“Do you want me to do this? ” he nodded. She started to pump his hard cock. He flexed his hips, and moaned.

He pulled her to him, and tried to kiss her, then he raised his free hand putting it to her breast.
She let out a sigh, squeezed his cock, digging in with her nails, and he gasped in pain.

She whispered into Reno’s ear. “Make any sound to alert your big friend down there, and I’ll have to give you a smile from ear to ear. Now are you going to be a good boy?” Reno nodded. “Good, now you’re going to get up, and we are going downstairs. NO TRICKS.”

They got up off the bed, while Hikari kept a hold of his cock. She released it, motioned to the door, and walked to the door with the knife to his throat. Reno was careful not to piss her off.

“Open the door,” she said and he did as he was told. “Please button yourself up. You wouldn’t want to humiliate yourself in front of your partner now would you?”

She caught his expression in the mirror on the door. He looked annoyed, and his usual egotistical look was back in place. He buttoned his pants, and adjusted his shirt.

“Let’s go downstairs. I believe we have company,” she said as she nudged him to make him walk out the door.

“I’m sorry for pissing you off little goddess, but I did enjoy that. I know my boss will take that sweet little body of yours before he tortures you. He shares his women, and if I get a hold of you again you will be sorry,” he chuckled and said,” I did enjoy what you did to Elena though. It was very amusing.”

Walking out the door, they walked towards the stairs, and they could hear Tifa welcoming someone to the bar. Reno sighed, and realized he and Rude were outnumbered.

As they walked down the stairs they heard Cloud ask, “Are you and Marlene alright Tifa?”

“Yes, but Reno went upstairs, and my friend Hikari is up there.”

“I’m ok Tifa, but Mr. Reno here isn’t,” Hikari said after nudging him down the stairs.

Everyone gawked when they saw Hikari with the knife to Reno’s throat. Barrett and Cid started laughing at Reno’s situation. Yuffie looked mad as hell. Nanaki raised an eyebrow, and Tifa smiled. Cloud shook his head, and gave a small smile. Vincent hid his expression.

CaitSith said, “Did he hurt you Miss?”

“No. He just underestimated me, and well, lets just say I used it to my advantage,” she said as she nudged him to a table. “I think you and your partner should sit down now.”

Rude clenched his fists ready to fight someone. Hikari pressed the blade of her knife harder into Reno’s throat as a warning. Rude reluctantly sat down. Hikari forced Reno to a chair, and he sat down. She took the knife from his throat, and released him.

Yuffie walked over and stomped on Reno’s foot. He hissed in pain, and looked up at her. “You’re such an asshole Reno. I should cut you into little pieces.” she hissed at him, as she stomped on his other foot. Tifa took hold of her arm, and pulled her away from Reno.

“I think you should tell my friends here why you and Shinra are trying to kidnap me, Mr. Reno,” Hikari said.

He shrugged, and raised his chin.

Hikari walked over to where Rude sat, and put her elbow on his shoulder. He jumped when she did this. Barrett and Cid chuckled. Hikari looked Reno in the eye, and pushed her elbow into Rude’s neck. He clenched his jaw, and raised his chin. He was determined not to show anyone he was in pain.

“Now you can either deal with me, or I can have my friends deal with you.”

She gave Reno a look that froze his ass to the chair.

“Fine,” he said. “You’re the Great Sword Sato’s granddaughter right? Well the boss wants to know where that key is, and exactly where your parent’s secret lab is. Look, if you come quietly without any problems, then we won’t hurt anyone. If you don’t, I don’t know what the Boss will do.” He shrugged his shoulders.

Hikari looked Reno in the eye, the anger he saw there made him flinch. Rude flinched, as the pressure on his neck got harder. Reno looked away.

“I’m not going anywhere with you. Especially not to Rufus Shinra. Because of the Shinra, and because of the Turks my family has been massacred. Now if any of you harm my friends, you will fear me more than you fear death. Got it?” said Hikari with such deadly menace it froze everyone’s blood.

Reno’s eyes widened, and the room fell into silence. She took her elbow off Rude’s neck.

“Now get the hell out of here, and do not come back. If you do I will tear you to bits, and send you back to Bossman in a tiny box.”
He nodded. She knew they would be back, but she would be long gone before then. Reno and Rude both stood, and walked out of the bar without looking back.

Hikari hunched her shoulders and sat in the chair that Rude had vacated. Tifa walked over to her and put an arm around her shoulders.

“Are you ok Hikari? That bastard didn’t hurt you did he?” Tifa said.

“I’m fine. He’s just a jackass. We should get ready to go. I don’t want them to come back while we are here.”

Hikari stood and walked to the stairs. Marlene and Denzel were standing in front of them. Denzel was holding his arm as if it pained him.

“Did you hurt your arm Denzel?” Hikari asked with concern. He blushed and tried to smile.

“I slipped and fell trying to find Cloud. It’s nothing. It doesn’t even hurt that much,” he said.

Tifa walked over to where they were standing. Worry evident in her eyes. “Let me see your arm Denzel. Can you move your fingers?” she said as he raised it to show her.

He turned pale when he tried to use his fingers.

“It’s broken. We will have to get a heal materia.”

“Tifa, let me do it, this all my fault,” Hikari said. “Bring him over to a table and have him sit down.”

Hikari followed them to a table. Everyone crowded around where they were. Marlene stood next to Denzel with tears threatening to fall. Hikari knelt down in front of them. “Thank you for helping us. You are a very brave young man Denzel. Please give me your arm. You must stay still or this will hurt.” He nodded, and looked at Tifa not sure if he could trust Hikari.

Tifa nodded.

Hikari looked at Marlene and smiled “Pray real hard, and it will help ok?” Hikari said.

Marlene nodded.

Hikari pulled out the heal materia from her bag, gently took hold of his arm, and he flinched in pain. Hikari concentrated on the materia. The area around where Hikari and the children sat illuminated with a peaceful green light. A stronger white light concentrated at Hikari’s arms where the tattoos were, and moved into Denzel’s arm. Denzel gasped and his eyes widened. Cloud started to walk towards them until Denzel closed his eyes and smiled. The lights faded, and Hikari sighed.

“Your arm should be ok now Denzel. Just be careful with it for a few days ok?” Hikari said.

Denzel looked at his hand and started to move his fingers. “It’s not broken anymore, but I don’t feel the pain. It tingles,” he said as his eyes widened.

Tifa gasped, and looked at them. Hikari started to stand, and Denzel hugged her. Marlene walked over and put her arms around Hikari.

“I can’t believe you completely healed his arm Hikari. Heal materia can’t take away the pain… I don’t understand how, but thank you. Denzel is my best friend in the whole world,” Marlene said.

“Your welcome.” Denzel and Marlene let go of her, she stood, and turned to some very shocked faces.

Tifa put her arms around Hikari and gave her a hug. “Thank you Hikari,” Tifa said.

“How did you do that? Do you have a new Materia we haven’t seen before?” Yuffie asked excitedly.

“No, not materia. I can’t explain it. There was my grandfather’s ring, and my mother’s bracelet. They held the Great Sword, and the Halcyon sword. When I summoned them, they merged together, and this happened. Let me show you.”
She pulled off her gloves, and Yuffie whistled.

Hikari’s gasped and her nose started to bleed. Her pupils dilated, and her eyes rolled up. She started to fall to the floor as Tifa caught her. Everyone crowded around them.

“Tifa? What happened, will she be ok?” Marlene said. She held Denzel’s uninjured arm tightly.

Vincent walked over to them and knelt down. He laid his hand on her chest. “She will be ok. Whatever this power is, it must drain her. I will take her upstairs to rest. We must prepare to leave before the Turks and Shinra come back.”

“I’ll show you to Tifa’s room,” Marlene said walking to the stairs.

Lifting Hikari, Vincent walked up the stairs following Marlene to Tifa’s room. Marlene looked up at Vincent. He nodded and gave her a small smile. This was very unusual for him, and Marlene smiled back. She touched Hikari’s hand then turned to walk back downstairs. Vincent took Hikari into Tifa’s room and laid her on the bed. There was something shiny on the bed, and Vincent picked it up. It was Reno’s baton. He reached over to the bedside table for a tissue, and wiped the blood off her nose.

“You made a grave mistake threatening them. They will seek retribution,” he said quietly even though she was unconscious.

Vincent took hold of the arm closest to him to study the tattoos, and the tattoos started to light up. Looking down at his side, and standing with a lightning quick reaction, he pulled his gun form its holster.

“My gun is vibrating. It has never done that,” he thought.

The eyes of the canine heads on the gun and the key that was attached to it by a chain turned red and lit up.

Puzzled by what just happened, he holstered his gun. Lifting her cloak from the bed, he covered her with it. Her breathing was even, telling him she was asleep.

He thought to himself, “I will have to return this baton to that little bastard, and teach him a lesson. Strange, I don’t remember the Sato’s having a child.” He turned and walked to the door. Before he left he looked at her sleeping form. He walked downstairs and heard everyone talking.