kh_drabble | challenge 24 [C H I L D H O O D]

Challenge: [24] Childhood
Title: Hollow
Word Count: 168
Warnings: None, really. I'm lame. Kinda creepy onesided Aerith/Sephy?

He could never quite put his finger on it. Sephiroth knew there was something different about her. The other children tended to make fun of him. Cloud would laugh at his hair, or Yuffie would pick on his size. Then again, Cloud had no business to say anything of anyone's hair, and Yuffie picked on everyone. Squall was distant, and besides he liked to spar with the soldiers more than play silly games.

And Sephiroth liked games.

He liked to watch her more, though. Resplendent in pink, walking along the pools at the base of the castle, Aerith was a mystery to him. Why she would smile at him when no one else would. She smiled at everyone, but he was certain there was something else there.

Perhaps it was in his own mind. But then again, maybe it wasn't.

Which is why, even years later when she had forgotten him, after the rest of them had turned away, Sephiroth continued to watch.