"Because (Y/n). I know what you are!"

...What?

You could only stare at the brunette in utter bewilderment.

"I first noticed something was off when your heart didn't beat. When I found you at the church I went to check if you were still alive. You had no heart beat so I thought for sure you were dead." She explained earnestly. "But you were breathing. That's what I couldn't understand. But then I realised, how could you still be alive with wounds that would be fatal to a human being?"

You stared at her confused and angry. Angry at her because she knew she could have been in danger yet she still tried to save you. Confused because what human being did things for another, knowing they wouldn't gain anything from it? Human beings were selfish, yet Aerith had yet to prove that she was too. Watching her during the short time you had been around you were sure she was the most selfless person you had ever met. Maybe apart from Zack that is...

Don't think about Zack.

"If you knew then why the hell didn't you kill me right there and then!?"

The anger on her expression dissolved into a soft, sad looking one, confusing you.

"Because, you spoke in your unconsciousness, like you had been dreaming and you were murmuring things that undead cannot, and I sensed something within you, something lost. I knew then you weren't a threat, and that you desperately needed help."

"I haven't told anyone because I know they wouldn't believe me." She smiled sadly. "I just know in my gut, that you're special (Y/n). And I've learned to trust my gut and myself throughout my life, I felt something within you. Blame it on my magic if you will, but I know I'm right."

"And you're one of us now."

That evening there was a sense of unease that settled on the large group that resided within 7th Heaven.

After Aerith's confession she convinced you to talk with some of the members of AVALANCHE and possibly shed a little light on your situation, perhaps not all of it however. It was the least you could do after they somewhat defended you in that spat with ShinRa in the town. 

You knew that some of them were wary after the event in the town, of course they would be, why would ShinRa send a bunch of soldiers after one woman? 

Before entering the lounge hidden behind the bar, you gripped Aerith's arm causing her to turn in surprise. 

"I'm...I'm sorry about my outburst earlier, I never really get that emotional." You confessed quietly. 

No, you never got emotional. Not since you became infected. So what had that been about? 

She offered a kind smile, an understanding one as she turned to you fully and plucked your grip off her arm, only to cup your hand in both of hers warmly. 

"It's perfectly ok. We all get like that sometimes, don't worry yourself. Now come, the others need to hear a little explaination." She said starting to pull you into the crowded room. You sent her a shocked expression.

You couldn't just upright tell the group that you were dead! Was she crazy?

"Don't worry, you don't have to tell them everything. Your big secret's safe with me." She winked. 

You held your breath as you entered, voices quietening and eyes landing on you and Aerith. You had the room's full attention. You gulped. 

There in the room sat Cloud, Tifa, Barrett, Denzel, Cid, Sora, Riku, Kairi, Naminé, a dark haired girl you had yet to be introduced too and Vincent leaning on the wall in the corner. And of course Aerith at your side. 

Marlene was no where to be seen, you assumed she had gone to her room considering how late it now was.

Aerith gave your hand a comforting squeeze and let go. From her encouragement, you took a deep breath. 

"I'm aware that many of you must have questions and are suspicious of me, and you have every right to be." You started, hating the way your voice didn't project the confidence you had wanted it to. It came out quieter and feeble. This was not the time to be pitiful. 

"I've not been honest with you and after what you all have done for me I should be, its the least I can do. However even I myself am not quite sure of my own circumstances." 

Half a lie but it would do for now. 

"But what I do know is that ShinRa is after me and I know that being here puts you guys in unnecessary danger." As you spoke you tried to make eye contact with each one of them, making your honesty known, and trying to show that you were truly grateful.  

"Of course, I have no place to be asking this, but if you were to allow me to stay with you a while longer, I can help you find your friends beyond the wall."

"Not to be rude lass but, what makes you think you would be much help beyond the wall? No ones been over there since they closed it off." Cid said after exhaling a cloud of smoke from his cigarette. 

You inhaled, "I was there a few days ago, I had been living there until ShinRa found me." 

Immediately you could see the questions your words had just raised in everyone's eyes.  Aerith was first to speak, albeit still in her soft motherly tone.

"You were living there?" Her thin brows were furrowed deeply, struggling to believe your words. You had to remember that although Aerith knew your biggest secret, but she still didn't know much else about you, none of them did. 

Although you hadn't told the group the full truth, you took advantage of the way you had told your story, and now, you could twist it ever so slightly.

"Yes, believe it or not. Obviously there was no way over the wall so I was stuck there, and I found a place to survive."

"That doesn't tell us why ShinRa is after you." Vincent remarked from his place in the shadows, red eyes studying you carefully. 

You laughed dryly in your head. Ever the suspicious one.

Of course he was, you would have been too. There was always one in every group and they were usually the one who kept the others from danger.

"Well they never told me the exact reason," Truth. "But if I made a guess it was because they couldn't believe that anyone would be able to survive on their own out there without getting infected somehow, so they wanted to run tests on me." You shivered at the memory of being strapped to that table. "I wasn't the only thing the took from there. They had teams of people to round up a small group of the infected. I'm not sure what kind of tests they wanted to conduct on them though." 

"They must be trying to work on a cure, what else could it be? Although I don't understand why they would want to run tests on you..." Tifa interjected with uncertainty in her voice. You could see that she wasn't trying to push you off as a bad guy, but you knew none of them could rule that out straight away.

"I wouldn't o that far, ShinRa don't exactly have the best reputation. What do they care about the people of this city? They could be making bio weapons with the virus for all we know." Barrett spat.

You shrugged, "They possibly thought I was immune to the infection from being out there so long. Anyway, my answer to Cid's question is that I know my way around the other side of the wall. I know the populated areas where the undead tend to gather and areas that are safer to go through." You paused glancing at Aerith before continuing. "So please, let me stay a while longer."  

The room sat in an uneasy silence, then Aerith stepped forward.

"Those in favour of (Y/n) joining us, raise your hand." Aerith spoke.

Silence. No one in the room moved an inch. It caused an invisible weight to push down on your chest. Until someone lifted their hand.

Cloud had been the first, a certain determination shone in his baby blues. Denzel and Sora followed suit in unsion, and then the rest, one by one. 

Although being the last to raise his hand, you were shocked that Vincent had joined too. 

And just like that, the invisible weight had lifted, and you felt so much lighter, happier even. 

You let your lips slide into a genuine smile. "Thank you, everyone."

The group began to file out and leave to their respective rooms to get a good nights sleep, save for Barrett and Cid who stayed behind to smoke and drink.  

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier, I was just-" Tifa began as she approached you first. 

"Its fine, honestly. You welcomed a complete stranger into your safe haven without question. Its only natural for you to be wary especially after today." You cut her off. The ravenette gave you a smile of relief. 

"Thank you for understanding, (Y/n)." Tifa finished patting your arm gently and brushed past you to get ready for bed. 

"Hey, (Y/n)?" You turned your attention to Denzel, his eyes cast down in a shy manner. 

"Denzel?" He looked up a look in serious gaze you couldn't quite place. 

"Are you really gonna help us save our friends?" 

"Of course, its the least I could do after what you guys have done for me." You said.

His serious exterior melted away and a smile bloomed on his face. 

"I knew I had the right idea about you." You sent him a questioning look causing him to rub the back of his neck sheepishly. "You uh...You kinda scared me somewhat back there. The way you moved, you were quite..." He trailed off, trying to find the right words. Your lips twitched up in amusement. It was oddly fun watching him squirm. 

"I was quite what...?" You asked leaning closer with a playful smirk. The younger male blushed.

"Uuuh, ferocious! It was cool but pretty frightening!" He sighed at his poor choice of words. "Sorry."

You snickered, and punched his shoulder lightly. 

"Hey, its OK. I'm sorry if I scared you but I'm completely on your side, so don't worry."

You just had to remember to keep track of who knew the truth and who didn't. You somehow felt you could trust Aerith for now, as long as you were careful from here on out. 

Again you were afraid of the night, of course knowing you weren't going to get a wink of sleep fearing your own body. 

You settled into the guest room and waited it out all the while questioning what was different about this place to the other side of the wall.

Why? Why were you not turning?

Aerith's words floated around in your head early the next morning like a ghost that had attached itself to you. 

You were not one of them, you were an anomaly. A half undead zombie who had killed and eaten (possibly innocent) people. That would never be ok with you and you knew it would haunt you for the entirety of your undead life, however short or long that maybe.

AVALANCHE gathered their weapons and supplies into two four wheel drives, preparing for the rescue mission. Aerith was staying behind with Marlene and before you left the front door of the bar she offered you a small beautiful flower saying that it would protect you. Its petals were a luminescent white and they emitted a soft glow. The flower seemed very familiar to you, though you shrugged it off and thanked Aerith. It was a fairly small one so you managed to carefully fit it into your coat pocket.

You sat next to Kairi in Barrett's four wheeled drive, off road truck, feet resting on the blanket covered pile of weapons. 

In the corner of your eye you watched as her hands interlocked tightly, so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

She was scared, clearly so and with reason. Yet you admired the way her eyes shone with bravery and made a meek attempt to cover up her weakness. To hell with your plans of not getting too close.

"Hey," You spoke softly, getting her attention. "It'll be dangerous, but we'll get your friend back." You tried your best to comfort. To your surprise, it seemed to have worked as her eyes melted into a relaxed simmer, as if a slight weight had been lifted. 

"Thank you, (Y/n). We barely know you yet you're willing to risk yourself helping us. I'm so grateful." She said offering a weak smile, one that also said that she seemed to accept you. You weren't sure how to reply, and you still weren't confident in smiling completely so you returned her smile with a nod.

"But," She began again quietly, grabbing your attention. "Why? Why are you so willing to help?"

"Because I would hate to be in your situation, feeling so helpless and scared. I had a similar experience with someone I cared for, and in those moments I felt the worst, not being able to do anything. So I want to help, not only for your peace of mind, but my own too." 

And I have nothing else to lose anyway.

Kairi merely stared at you in such awe, not knowing how to reply. She bit her lip, feeling her eyes dampen with telltale tears. Kairi shook her head and looked down at her lap, reddish brown locks covering her face. 

"Thank you." She whispered. 

The truck filled with two others as they climbed in. The blonde girl you remember being Naminé and the dark haired girl from the other evening. You guessed this was going to be a truck full of girls, excluding Cid who was driving and Barrett in the passenger seat up front. The others had grouped off in another vehicle. 

"I guess I have yet to introduce myself (Y/n)!" The new girl said brightly, a wide, friendly smile on her lips. "I'm Yuffie! And I'm the best ninja around, so don't forget it. Pleasure to meet you." 

You already felt drained from her big personality, although it was a breath of fresh air you couldn't help but feel she might be exhausting to be around.

"Likewise." You replied with a small smile, nothing in comparison to her own. 

"Hey you ok there (Y/n)? You seem like a zombie, did you get any sleep?" She chuckled harmlessly. 

You froze in your seat at her words. 

"There's something I wanted to ask you, (Y/n). If I may?" The blonde girl asked nervously. 

"Go ahead." You replied warily, eyeing her fidgeting hands and feet. 

"Your intent seems so pure to me, and genuine, and I truly am grateful for your help, as is Kairi and the boys... " She trailed off, glancing from the ground and back up to you. "Yet why is it that I can only sense a pure blackness in your heart?" 

The question caught you off guard as well as the other girls and the shock must have been evident on your face when a look of guilt crossed Naminé's features. 

"S-sorry! I didn't mean to pry or even say it like that!" She exclaimed her hand flying to her mouth as if she had insulted you. It was true though, she had gotten you a little unsettled by her 'innocent' enough question.

What on Gaia could she have meant?

You shook your head, telling her not to worry about it. 

Cid flung his arm lazily on the back of his seat as he turned round, "You girl's ready to go?" You all nodded in unison.

"Lets go rescue your friends."

I don't know why but I feel like this chapter was so dumb I hate it -.-

Again I haven't edited this chapter so please tell me if something seems amiss or if there are any mistakes it is appreciated!

I'm seriously going to try and finish this story this year, its waited too long for one bleeding update and I feel I owe you guys that much. 

Also all this talk about the wall is giving me Game of Thrones ptsd -_-

 -Rikki

P.S GOOD NEWS! I'm re-adding both THE WARRIOR OF LIGHT and KUJA to the BOC list. Although I still haven't played their games I've been watching a few play throughs and decided to re-add them!

UNEDITED 

April. 03. 2020