Cell Division | By : Savaial Category: Final Fantasy VII > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 2025 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy. It belongs to SquareEnix. I do not make any money from these writings, nor do I wish to. The original creators have all my respect, from game designers to voice actors. |
EPILOGUE
“Daddy, where’s brother?”
Hojo looked down at his girl. That silver hair… Every time he saw it, he marveled at his genetics. Kneeling, he put the inquisitive five-year-old in his arms. “Your brother is with your mother, remember? We divided the two of you up so she could buy your birthday present and I could buy Kai’s present, and neither of you would be able to spoil the surprise.”
Aiko folded her arms. “We like telling each other,” she said, as if revealing a shocker.
Hojo nodded solemnly. “I know. Your mother knows. But, we like to surprise you.”
“So, their birthday is about what you and Vicki want?”
Hojo turned. “Sepiroth!” Aiko said, smiling. She held her arms out.
Hojo obediently handed his girl-child over to his oldest son. “Planning on using her to pick up women today?” he asked.
“That was an accident,” Sephiroth snarled. “How did I know children were women-magnets? It isn’t my fault she looks like she’s mine!”
“We were just playing,” Aiko jumped to the defense. “I wanted to go to the mall. We went in the bookstore to shop and started reading to each other and-.”
“I know, sweet, I know,” Hojo interrupted gently. He patted her head, trying not to smile at nearly identical scowls confronting him. “Everyone thought the two of you were soooo cute.” He’d heard this from Victoria and Kai, who’d witnessed it all. Kai’s disgust reached legendary proportions.
Hojo didn’t have to wonder who Kai resembled. All he had to do was look at himself in a mirror.
Victoria didn’t care if the children didn’t resemble her. If anything, she appreciated it. “I don’t know why it bothers you,” she’d said one morning, while he pontificated on the peculiarities of genetics. “I’ve always known you were dominating. Why would I ever assume they’d resemble me?” She’d smiled, kissed his mouth thoroughly, and forgotten about her hair appointment. He’d made her forget. Making her forget things ranked high on his masculine pride list.
“And, you are soooo cute,” Victoria said, breezing in with Kai close behind. The boy had his nose in a book, as usual. Hojo tried to catch the title and failed.
“Mom!” Aiko crossed her arms and held a stern mien. She looked so much like the man that held her, Hojo’s heart constricted. He cast a glance at his wife, to see if she shared his thought.
She did.
Victoria kissed her daughter’s forehead. She quickly kissed Sephiroth’s cheek before he could think to dodge. “There’s no crime in cuteness,” she said firmly. “It’s a weapon too, if you’ll think about it.”
“Of course it is,” Kai added to the conversation. “People respond favorably to attractive people. It’s an inherent bigotry.” He turned a page. “Aiko will have an easy time of it.” He sounded neither relieved nor upset over this idea.
Merely reporting facts…
Hojo knew if he didn’t work with his second son, trouble would follow. Kai already knew what half the machines in his lab did, even if he couldn’t operate them. He’d already decided he liked women with big breasts and that most television shows were rubbish.
Both children were left-handed and favored the color red.
However, Kai had a lot of his mother, even if neither appeared to know it. Kai loved to pick people apart. If you were nice to him, he kept it to himself. If you were mean, he let you hear his observations. He never spoke a word against his mother, but Hojo had been on the receiving end of his son’s wit more than once.
Kai suddenly met his eyes. Hojo waited.
“Did mom tell you Michael called?”
Hojo shook his head. “No. This is the first time your mother and I have seen each other since early this morning, Kai.”
“Well, he did,” Kai said. “You need your own cell phone. I have one. Aiko has one. Mom has one. Sephiroth has one. You’re the only one too stubborn to enjoy the technology you create.”
Hojo felt outnumbered. This occurred often. He relented. “Fine. I’ll get a cell phone.”
“I knew you would see reason.” Kai closed his book. “Kindly inform me of the number once you acquire it; I want to put you on voice dial.” He walked for his bedroom. “I’m working until supper,” he announced.
Work was nothing more than reading, but Hojo never intended to define his son’s boundaries.
“He worships you, Kanaye,” Victoria whispered in his ear. “If he couldn’t tear you down a bit, he’d hate it.”
“I know,” Hojo answered. “I hope he does it to everyone as long as he lives.”
Their eyes met. Hojo kissed her. He didn’t need a reason and he didn’t care if he had an audience.
“Yuck,” Aiko said distinctly. “Put me down, Sephiroth. I need to go to my room and scour out my eyes.”
“Oh no,” Victoria said. “You’re sitting right here on the couch for the meantime. Don’t think I don’t know you and your brother have communication portals gouged out of the wall. Today’s secret is today’s secret until tonight, when it’s tonight’s surprise.”
Aiko, grumbling, picked up a book on the swords of Wutai and flopped onto the couch. “Will you be around to teach me katas, later, Sephiroth?” She reached out to automatically pet Flame, who curled around her, purring. The big cat had become Sephiroth’s secondary security, paying as much attention to the children as he did.
“I’m attending the surprise, so I suppose I am,” Sephiroth answered.
“I look forward to it,” Aiko announced. She promptly dismissed him.
Sephiroth cocked his eyebrow at Hojo. Hojo returned the gesture. His son wanted to speak privately? Very well, but he had to be back soon. “I’m going out for a few minutes,” he informed, following Sephiroth to the door.
“The festivities start in an hour,” Victoria told him, smiling. “Don’t be late or Kai will throw a tantrum.”
“I will do my best to avoid our son’s celebrated temper,” Hojo answered dryly.
They walked. Sephiroth led him into the elevator. “SL-17,” he said.
“Is it that time already?” Hojo knew it was. He and Sephiroth came here every time the children had a birthday, but no more often. “The years go quickly when one has young children.”
“They just go quickly,” his oldest commented. “Have you worked out how to bring the girl back?”
Hojo smiled. His son had an inordinate amount of interest in his latest Cetra project. “It won’t be long now,” he assured.
“Good.” Sephiroth escorted him from the elevator. “Well, father, it’s play time. Don’t eat him all in one bite. Save some for the coming years.” He pulled out a little photo album and handed it over. “Make sure you show him the pictures of your wife in compromising situations. He especially hates to see those.”
“You aren’t supposed to be looking at them,” Hojo answered, jerking the album free.
“I didn’t. They’re in your head.” Sephiroth grinned. “I have my own appointment to keep, you know. Shall I give Mr. Grey your love?”
“Stay out of my brain.” He paused. “Yes, of course.” Hojo threw the door latch and stepped inside the cell, his heart hammering with excitement and cruelty. “Hello, Mr. Roelin,” he greeted with false kindness. “Another year passed, another happy three hundred and sixty-five days, for most of us. You’re just going to love this year’s pictures.”
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