Parenthood'z Nightmare

Chapter XXIV - Welcome Home

It concerned him that the knock at the door hadn't woken him, but as the intense vertigo rang, making the room pulse, he was surprised that Gillian's voice had roused him at all.

Having a decent idea of who was at the door, Sephiroth hurriedly stripped and pulled his leathers on, pauldron's and all, hissing when he slid his leather pants up his bruised hip and zipped up his skin-tight boots. At least the thought of who may be awaiting him had withered his erection.

"It's four A.M." He menacingly growled; his footsteps heavy as he walked downstairs, as intimidating as his leathery costume. "You're going to wake the entire village."

"HA! Let them wake!" Hojo scowled. Heidegger stood alongside him, an unwelcome surprise.

'I was right.' Sephiroth mused.

"I want to know why Shinra's strongest was sent home after only three days in Wutai!" Hojo exclaimed, not even attempting to level his voice. "What changed?"

Sephiroth grit his teeth. "A bomb fell on me. I sustained injuries and have been relieved until I am stable enough to return."

"Odd! Very odd!" He slammed his bag on the table. "I am going to examine you."

He crossed his arms. "Are you really?"

"It is unlike you to make such a mistake." Heidegger announced. "You are a First Class SOLDIER, SOLDIER's poster boy. This does not bode well with us. Your image is the Company's image. Your wounds wound the Company."

"Sir, it won't happen again." He grumbled.

"Did it have anything to do with you returning to that Camp?" Hojo laid his instruments on the table, lifting a small joint hammer he motioned to the chair, demanding Sephiroth sit.

"No." He was adamant. "And there's no need to examine me. A doctor already has."

"I will not let my star boy be examined and dismissed by someone so mediocre! SIT!"

The pain of the Hojo's shrill voice cut through his head. Sephiroth did all he could to supress his pain and reluctantly took a seat, allowing Hojo to poke and prod as he liked.

"You must make a strong comeback after this error." Heidegger boomed. "You will give the full story to Shinra News. We want this delay on the battlefield to sound as heroic as possible! You were rescuing a damsel and taking down Wutai's General or something. You will make appearances; you will attend Shinra's Winter Solstice Ball, the President's birthday and public openings. You will appear as strong and unharmed as we claim you are!"

Sephiroth clenched his eyes and flinched, a cry trapped in his throat as Hojo played with his hearing, snapping his fingers beside each one.

"SOLDIER!"

"I understand."

"Ah! I see," Hojo smirked, "the Mako has already begun to heal what was damaged! An ordinary man would be dead!"

"I'm sure Shinra News will publicize that." He glared.

"The doctor's findings were conclusive," Hojo said, "but I am not happy with the rate of your recovery. The President wants you to return to the battlefront as soon as possible. Your absence is making this War tedious!"

"Surely the man who began it made it tedious?" He felt the ghost of Posie's arms wrap around his shoulders. He was tempted to lift a hand there to squeeze her forearm, but knew it would appear strange and he would find nothing.

He sighed. "Are you both done? I am sure Mrs Hewley wants to sleep. She has been kind enough to open her home to me. Angeal will be furious to hear of this."