Reno sat up and rubbed his back. He heard Ellena groan from a few feet away. Rude was adjusting the sleeves of his jacket, expressionless as always. The trio had slept in the Mythril mines for the last couple of weeks and still haven't gotten used to laying on the hard stone. Over the days SOLDIERs also joined one by one until there was at least a dozen. "I can't take this anymore!" Reno bawled. "What are we gonna do?" Ellena asked tearfully. "I want to get revenge!" Reno roared. "Its all that girl's fault! My plan was fool proof and she had to mess it up!" "What about AVALANCHE?" Ellena asked. "Don't worry," Reno laughed crazily. "I haven't forgotten about them either! I'll have my revenge. Mark my words, I'll have my revenge..."

A month later...
I pushed the key of the ancients down and turned to watch the tunnel of water shoot up. I walked around to it and slipped through the wall of water. It began to glow and an image appeared. "Whats HE doing?" I asked myself. Cloud was in the city of the ancients seemingly looking for something. He was just outside the capital where I was at. I watched as Sephiroth dropped down in front of him.

They spoke for a moment then Sephiroth pointed at the stone bridge. Cloud ran across and the image vanished and another appeared. "No!" I cried. I backed up and bumped into something solid. I spun around to look at Cloud. "Have you seen Aeris?" he asked. I nodded. "You have?! Where is she?" he was trying to hide his panic to no avail. I pointed at the image on the water. Aeris was bound in a dark place that I couldn't tell where. The image faded and was gone then the water lowered. I looked at Sephiroth who had removed the key. "I have to leave the city," I told him. "Don't think for a second that I'm going to let you go without me," he stated. I walked around to where he was standing followed by Cloud. "Someone kidnapped Aeris," I informed him. "Who?" he asked surprised. "I don't know. It was too dark to even figure out where she was," I turned my head to hide the tears that had gathered. He grabbed my chin and gently turned my face to look at him. "We'll find her," he promised. I gave a weak smile and threw my arms around him. "I don't know where to begin," Cloud muttered. "I have no clues." I pulled away from Sephiroth and shoved the key back down. "Go get your friends so they can get some rest. This may take awhile," I replied. "What are you going to do?" Cloud asked. "I'm going to stay in there until I can find my sister!" I said walking away.
18 hours later....
I sighed as I opened my eyes. I'd concentrated for hours and didn't get much more information. I swayed a little with exahustion. I felt hands on my shoulders. "Sephiroth..." I sighed. "Do you have any idea where that is?" "The Great Glacier." my eyes widened. Was I hearing things? He held my arms at my sides and pulled me back against his chest. "I thought you were dead!" I was frightened. Maybe I was crazy? "Defeated but not dead," he laughed. "But it can't be..." I looked up slowly and seen my own image and behind me.... "Reno!"
"She's been down there for and awful long time," Tifa sighed. Sephiroth walked down from the top floor and left the building. "He must be going to check on her," Vincent replied. It was just Cloud, Tifa, Cid and Vincent now. Barret and Marlene went to Corel to help rebuild. Yuffie went home to Wutai (with a handful of materia!), Red XIII returned to Cosmo Canyon to begin his job as their protector, and lastly Reeve took over the Shinra building and is using its facilities to clean up Midgar and remove the reactors. Vincent decided to tag along with Cloud until he figured out what he wanted to do. Sephiroth walked toward the piller of water and got a sudden sense of foreboding. He stepped through the water. His face turned into a mask of surprise when he seen the image. I was unconcious being carried away by a man whom he couldn't quite see. My eyes fluttered open and I whispered Sephiroth's name and they closed once more. The image faded away and the water was all that was left. Rage boiled inside of Sephiroth as he headed out of the city of the ancients. He spotted Cloud in the corner of his eye when he drew his sword. Cloud ran after him, "Where are you going?!" "Shes gone too," Sephiroth muttered. "What?!" Cloud was taken by surprise. Sephiroth stopped, "He has her too. I'm going to go find her." "Do you know who has them?" "No." "I do." Both Cloud and Sephiroth turned to the voice. Reno smiled at both of them. Sephiroth grabbed him and pressed his sword against his throat. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Reno had a crazed look on his face. "I have the last of the ancients in my power. Imagine my surprise when I found out they were SISTERS!" Sephiroth reluctantly dropped him.

"What do you want?" Cloud glared at him. "What else?" Reno laughed. "To hell with this planet! I'm going to the Promised Land! And I'm using those two to do it!" Sephiroth wanted to kill the bastard so bad he could almost taste it. "I just wanted you two to know that I, Reno, got the last laugh after all!" With that Reno left laughing all the way. "Hes insane!" Cloud exclaimed. Sephiroth started walking in the direction that Reno left in. "Where are you going?!" Cloud asked. "To follow Reno," Sephiroth muttered. "Thats just like you to go rushing into things without thinking first!" Cloud yelled after him. Sephiroth spun around. "I have to find her before he hurts her trying to get the promised land!" he growled. "Can they take someone to the Promised land?" Cloud asked. Sephiroth bowed his head. "Yes."

I felt so cold. I could feel my body shivering violently. I struggled to open my eyes. "Aeris?" I whispered glancing up at her. "Yes its me. Try not to talk. You've got pnemonia," she replied worried. "Where are we?" I asked. "We're on the Great Glacier. In the middle to no where. Its sooo cold outside. There is no way we could survive if we tried to leave!" she moaned. I shivered again and she pulled the blanket over me more. "I'm beginning to think that they want us to die here!" I looked up at her. "We've got to find a way out," I said. "You know what it could mean if we don't. I don't want to die!" The fever rushed through me intensifying my emotions tenfold. She picked up my hand and held it. "It'll be alright," she whispered. "No it won't," I moaned. "I know this is going to come out badly! I don't think that I'm going to make it." "Its the fever talking. Try to rest." I closed my eyes and fell asleep. In the night my fever broke. When I awoke it was night time. Aeris had a small fire going with the wood left for us. "Reno came while you were asleep," she told me. "For some reason he panicked when he discovered that you were sick!" I was surprised. "Why would he care?" I asked. "I don't really know," Aeris thought about it. I tried to sit up but was too weak to even do that. "Just rest. You're too worn out to do anything and you need to gain your strength back," Aeris fretted over me. "How long have we been here?" I asked. "A month," she looked away. "A month! Oh Aeris, I'm sorry that I was so much trouble for you!" "You are my sister! So don't say such things. You brought me back to life, I'd say I owe you more than a month's time," she smiled. I smiled back. "Tie her up and make sure the other one is kept warm," Reno instructed as he entered the cave. A SOLDIER tied Aeris's arms behind her back and they wrapped me in a thick blanket and carried me out of the cave.

Sephiroth stood on the deck of the Highwind staring out at the passing landscape. "Lucrecia would have been proud of what you had become," Vincent replied from behind him. "Just think," Sephiroth muttered. "You could have been my step father." "But I'm not," Vincent sighed. "Even though I was in love with your mother. She was heartbroken over losing you..." "What do you want?" Sephiroth asked. "I want you to know that I will help you no matter what," Vincent answered then he walked away leaving Sephiroth alone with his thoughts.
"What are we doing here?!" Aeris asked looking at the humongous hole that was once the Temple of the Ancients. "This is where you are going to take me to the Promised Land. Combining the two of you and your white and black materia will open it long enough for me to enter." "I won't do it !" Aeris yelled. "If you don't I will let your sister die!" Reno laughed. Aeris bowed her head in defeat. Reno grinned and walked up to the helicopter they had come in. He scooped me into his arms and started to walk across the small wooden bridge. I opened my eyes. They looked strange. "Sephiroth? I knew you would find me..." I whispered with a weak smile. "Please don't leave me again, Sephiroth." Then I motioned for him to put me down. Reno sat me on my feet and I hugged him happily. He couldn't conceal the shock on his face. "Shes seeing what she wants to see," Aeris replied. I turned around and my eyes widened, "Mother?!" I began to cry. "Mother, I'm sorry but I let Sephiroth kill Aeris. I thought that I wanted her to die because she was the good one. She was the one you kept. Shes the one going to the promised land while my soul blends with the shadows. I'll be all alone." I ran towards the enormous crater from the temple. "Lets get it over with!" I cried throwing my arms wide and my head back. The earth began to rumble and the lifestream erupted from the ground at the base of the crater. I turned around once I heard people approaching. I scowled at the group of people who had climbed from the highwind. A dark mist rose from the ground and surrounded me. My hair blew about my face. Sephiroth walked towards me. "Come to me Sephiroth," I said opening my arms. "Don't let the darkness overcome you," he said. "Fight it!" "Why should I fight it? Its a part of me! Like its a part of you!" I told him. "I have the power to do anything! To destroy everything!!" "If you let it control you it will destroy you!" he yelled. "You love this planet..." "Join me or I will destroy you," I glared. "You can't mean that!" he extended his hand and then let it drop to his side. "You will regret this day," I muttered then disappeared blending into the shadows.

"What have you done?!" Sephiroth growled at the turk. Reno just smiled. The black mist rose over him and then, he too, disappeared. "Reno made her who she is," Aeris mumbled tearfully. "She has... recruited him, I guess you can say." "Its happening all over again!" Cloud moaned. "What the...?" Vincent felt strange. He fell to his hands and knees. "NO!" he cried as the shadows engulfed him. "Vincent!" Cloud cried. "Shes going to take us one by one," Aeris said. "Until only one remains." She looked up at Sephiroth. "But why would she turn against him?" Cloud asked. "Shes not herself. Shes someone else entirely," Aeris explained. "Who?" Cloud asked. Before she could answer the mist surrounded her and she was gone. "No!" Cloud yelled. Then Tifa screamed and she was taken too. "What the @#$%& are we going to do?!" Cid panicked. He started back to the Highwind and he was about to climb the ladder when the darkness took him too. Reno appeared before Cloud and Sephiroth. He was grinning madly and then he transformed into a hideous creature. Cloud and Sephiroth attacked him several times. Sephiroth was surprised at how powerfull he was. "Knights of the round!" Cloud summoned. The thirteen knights came and plummeled Reno until he transformed back into his normal self. The dark mist left him and he crumpled to the ground. Then the mist crept along until it met Cloud's feet. Then he too was gone leaving Sephiroth alone as Aeris predicted. Sephiroth heard a laugh echo in his ears and I appeared before him, my eyes glowing. My feet were hoovering over the ground. I laughed and transformed into a huge black dragon with glowing green eyes. "Sephiroth... you have to fight the dragon!" he heard Aeris call out. "But I can't!" he exclaimed. "I can't hurt her!" "It ISN'T her!" Cloud yelled. "Its the darkness!" Tifa declared. "Defeat the darkness and you'll set her free," Vincent explained. "And get us the @#$% out of here!" Cid added. Sephiroth nodded. He clenched his jaw and gripped his sword tighter. Then he attacked the dragon full force. It was stronger than the Ultimate Weapon, almost as powerful as the Ruby weapon. Sephiroth was quick avoiding the powerfull spells, just barely. Finally he used his deathblow materia.... he leaped high into the air and brought the masamune down to slash the beast. The dragon gave a mighty roar and the darkness began to evaporate and the dragon became smaller and smaller until only I remained standing there. I looked at Sephiroth with remorse in my eyes and fell in a heap on the ground. Then just as quickly as they disappeared Cloud, Aeris, Vincent, Tifa and Cid reappeared. Tifa watched as Sephiroth fell to his knees beside me and smoothed the hair away from my face. He lifted me into his arms and walked to the crater that had filled up with the lifestream. "Sephiroth!" Aeris stopped him. "I want to go too!" Sephiroth nodded once not taking his eyes from the lifestream. "And me too," Cloud stood next to Aeris. Sephiroth turned to look at them. "Then come...." he fell back into the lifestream. Cloud and Aeris followed. Vincent stood up, "I'm going too." He dove in after the others. "I'm going back to the highwind," Cid muttered. Tifa sat on a rock to wait for everyone to come back. She didn't hear Rude and Ellena sneak up behind her......

"Where should we go first?" Aeris asked looking around at the five paths. "This is just like the time that I fell into the lifestream to find myself. We must be trying to do the same so that she will let go of the darkness," Cloud decided. I was sitting on snow covered steps leading to a house near the Icicle Inn. Sephiroth walked up to me and without a word I turned and went inside. The trio followed me. My mother and Aeris's father were inside. "Honey I have something to tell you," mother said. Aeris's father looked up at her. "I'm pregnant." "What?! Oh damn. I knew this day would come!" he replied nervously. At that moment a little girl crawled into the room and tugged at her dress. He sighed, "You knew this day would come too. You have to send her to her father in Gongaga." I bowed my head and left the house. I headed down another path to a small villiage near a Mako reactor. Aeris watched as a little girl of about 9 or 10 walked throught the forest....
I knelt to pick up a pretty wild flower. I turned when I heard a twig break behind me and looked straight into the eyes of a hideous monster with sharp teeth and claws. It attacked me and I screamed. Then a very young boy of about 11 or 12 jumped into view. He got the monsters attention and ran away with the monster at his heals. Afraid, I ran back to the villiage and told Zack all that had happened. After that I was afraid to go anywhere near the forest alone. One day my brother Zack, who was half a year older than me, took me with him to collect firewood for our fireplace. I sat on a huge stump staring off into space. Zack stopped for a second to look at me. Then he smiled. "What are you daydreaming about?" he asked sweetly. "About fairy tales," I answered with a long sigh. "Fairy tales?! You like that stuff?" he laughed. I smiled at him with innocent eyes. "He was like a knight in a fairy tale and I the princess," I whispered. "One day he'll sweep me up and take me away from this boring place!" He threw a rotten apple at me. "Hey!" I cried. I tackeled him and ended up flipping several times in the dead leaves. He landed on top and proceeded to tickle me. I laughed until I cried and he finally stopped and smiled at me. "Lets go. Dad is going to be mad if I don't get this wood back soon," he scooped up the wood he'd gathered. "You go on ahead. I want to stay here a while longer," I announced looking up at the sky. "Okay but don't be long," he started back home. I closed my eyes and listened to the world around me. They snapped open when I heard the crunching sound of dry leaves, afraid that it was another monster. I looked up into the eyes of the boy who had saved my life. He was so intense. I stood, he was at least a head taller than me. He picked a leaf out of my hair. I just stared at him. He had semi-long white-blond hair and green eyes much like my own. He just stared right back. "Hey!" he jerked his head to look at my father then fled. My father ran up to me. "Are you alright?" he asked worried. I nodded. "You stay away from that boy!" "But father....!" "No buts. Stay away from him! He looks dangerous." He put his hand on my back and lead me back to the villiage. A week later I went back. I jumped back when the white haired boy dropped in front of me. When I seen who it was I smiled. "I never got to thank you for saving my life," I stated. "Thank you!" He smiled, "I wanted to do it." "My father says that you look dangerous," I blurted. "Do you think I am?" he questioned. I grinned, "No." "Good." I heard Zack call for me. "I've got to go," I stammered, my smile fading. He, too, looked intense again. "Come back tomarrow," and then he was gone. I ran all the way home. From then on I went into the woods to meet my new friend. I did so until I was about 13 years old.
I ran out the door and into the woods. "Sephiroth?" I called out. "Sephiroth, where are you?!" "Whose Sephiroth?" My uncle asked me walking up. "Hes my friend," I muttered. "You're a young woman now. You shouldn't be around boys alone," he scolded me. "Sephiroth isn't like other boys!" I argued. He began to get worried. "How come I've never met this Sephiroth?" he asked scowling. "He lives in the woods," I answered. "Hes on his own and he stayed here to be close to me!" I folded my arms across my chest. Then I dropped them to my side when I seen how angry he was. He grabbed my arm and practically drug me home. He told my father what I had told him and my father was angry too. "You stay away from that boy!" my father growled. I ran into the room that me and Zack shared and began to cry. "I beleive in you," Zack said from the doorway. I looked up at him and gave a weak smile. "If you trust this mysterious guy then so do I," he added. "Whats his name?" "Its..." "Zack! Come here!" father yelled before I could finish. "I'm coming!" Zack yelled back. I stood up and grabbed Zack's hands. "I want you to know that I will always love you Zack," I whispered. "Please don't hate me for what I am about to do." Before he could stop me I climbed out the window and ran into the forrest. I ran until I could no longer stand it and sat down on the stump to rest. "Have you decided?" I heard Sephiroth ask. I turned to look at him, "Yes I have. Lets go."

I looked at Sephiroth then moved on to the next path in my life. Cosmo Canyon... Me and Sephiroth sat by the fire at night when everyone was asleep. We went there to spend a couple of nights and to decide where to go from there. "Why did you decide to come with me?" Sephiroth asked. I thought about it for a second. "I thought it was time to begin my own life. There is nothing for me in Gongaga. Maybe one day I can go to Icicle Inn and find out more about my mother," I answered. "Your mother?" he was curious. "I never knew her. I lived with my father for as long as I could remember," I explained. "I never knew my mother either. I was told that her name was Jenova," he replied. "Then maybe it was fate that brought us together," I suggested smiling at him. "We have a special kinship that not just anyone can share." He nodded, smiling. I layed my head on his shoulder and stared into the flames. Soon I was asleep. He sighed as he watched the eternal flame dance. He glanced down at my sleeping face. He felt such an overpowering urge to protect me. And someday... when I was ready... win my heart.
When I awoke Sephiroth had his arms wrapped around me. I didn't move, not wanting to wake him up. I felt so safe there. He was so strong. I sighed. "Whats wrong?" he asked. He felt me stiffen up, startled. "I didn't know you were awake!" I giggled at my own nervousness. He chuckled and rose to help me up. "Excuse me!" I heard a voice say. I turned to look at a man about my height wearing a funny looking uniform and a black hat. "Sorry to bother you but my boss's buggy broke down and I really need to go back to the Gold Saucer!" "Gold Saucer?!" my eyes lit up. "I've always wanted to go there!" I glanced up at a man I spoke to yesterday. "Wait here," I told the guy in the black hat. I went to talk to the guy again and came back smiling. "Hes on his way to fix it now!" I told the funny dressed man. "Excellent! My name is Joe," he shook my hand. "I'm a chocobo jockey." "Sephiroth once caught me a chocobo," I smiled. "We let it go after awhile though." "Well for lending me a hand, how about accompanying me to the Gold Saucer," he offered flashing me a dazzeling smile. I got excited. "Really?! Oh Sephiroth! Can we?" I grabbed his arm and tugged on it. He looked down into my pleading eyes and smiled, "Now how could I refuse you?" I jumped up and hugged him laughing. We went with Joe in the desert buggy to the Gold Saucer. He spoke with the owner, Dio, and gave us free entry, hotel stay and 300 gp to spend how we wished. "Where are we going first?" I asked Sephiroth excited. "How about the battle arena?" he asked. I smiled, "Okay lets go!" I raced through the tunnel with Sephiroth close behind me. I ran up the long stairs into the lobby of the battle arena. I handed the lady 10GP and told her that Sephiroth was going through. She gestured for him to go on in. "Wait!" I cried. He turned to me. I tied a ribbon around his wrist. He gave me a small smile then it lifted a little more on the left. He kissed me on the cheek and then went inside. I went into Dio's showroom and looked around at all of his neat collections. "Who are you?" someone asked from behind. I turned to look at a man who was a little taller than me with short blond hair and cold blue eyes. He wore all white in contrast to my all black. "None of your business," I muttered. "Don't you know who I am?!" he looked surprised. "No," I blurted. "I am President Shinra's son!" he exclaimed. "Rufus Shinra!" "I'm not impressed," I replied. I didn't like the way he had been looking at me. "My father just put me in charge of the Turks!" he added. "Hey!" I heard Sephiroth call from the doorway and I went to him. He handed me a talisman. "I was told that it was one of a kind," he informed me. "It was created to protect its wearer from harm." I put it around my neck. "Where did you get it?" I asked curiously. "I traded my battle points for it," he admitted. I beamed. I began to lean forward to kiss him. "You would make a wonderful candidate for SOLDIER," Rufus said. "Come talk to me a little later. I will be staying in the hotel tonight." He grinned mischevously at his interuption and strode out. I'm getting tired," I told Sephiroth drowsily. "Then lets go back to our rooms," we left the battle arena and went to the hotel. Our rooms were across the hall from eachother. He said goodnight and we went inside. That night Sephiroth left his room to go talk to Rufus.... I was brushing my hair, that morning, when Sephiroth knocked and came in. "We're leaving tomarrow," he announced. "I'm going to join SOLDIER." I smiled. "Really? So I'm going to live in Midgar then?" My smile faded when he shook his head. "You wanted to learn more about your mother so I have arranged for you to do so," he explained. "How?" I wondered. "Rufus promised me that he would get you set up near the Icicle Inn. Where your mother once lived," he replied. I hugged him excitedly then it occured to me. "But what about you? I won't get to see you then!" I cried. He hugged me. "I'm going to be traveling alot. I will come to see you as often as I can!" he promised. I hugged him tightly, upset that he was going to leave me. We spent the entire day together. Joe let me ride his black chocobo, Teiho, in a race and I won. With a chocobo like that who wouldn't?! I ran off the track to Sephiroth who lifted me off my feet and hugged me so hard! "Come on!" he laughed. He grabbed my hand and raced to the tunnels. He took me to the gondola the woman the GP for the tickets then drug me inside. I looked out the window at the Gold Saucer at night. It was beautiful! "Oh wow! Look at the chocobos!" I cried as they ran by. He smiled at me. "You know the we'll be going to Midgar by ship. It'll be a year before we even get there," he told me. "We still have to travel to Costa Del Sol then from Junon to Midgar which is a pretty long way. Rufus even told me that we could stop by Gongaga first so you can see your brother and tell him where you are going." "Thats wonderful!" I cried. "I want to make this time we have last!" "Don't worry. I'll be totally devoted to you this year," he smiled. I looked into his eyes. They were the innocent eyes of a boy of fifteen, nearly sixteen. "I wish that we didn't ever have to be apart," I whispered as a tear slipped from my eye. I turned to the window and looked out at all the lights.
I stood behind a tree watching for Zack to come out of the house. When he finally did I pulled the dagger from its sheath and threw it. It stuck into the ground at his feet. I peeked at him and waved. He picked the dagger up and ran to me. I gave him a bug hug. "Where have you been?!" he demanded. I told him what had happened since he left. "I'm finally going to find out more about my mother!" I told him. Not once though did I ever mention Sephiroth's name. "I'm planning on joining SOLDIER soon," he told me. "I'll come to see you someday." I hugged him again. "I have to go now. They're all waiting for me! I love you Zack," I ran back into the forest. Zack watched me until I was no longer in sight then he went back home.
We entered the Shinra building and were taken to a place where we could rest. The trip was long and hard and nerve racking. It seemed that no matter where I had gone Rufus was there. He had a habit of popping up unexpected. But I was free from him for the momment. And alone with Sephiroth for awhile. He sat next to me and looked at me sorrowfully. "We'll be staying the night here and tomarrow you'll be going to the Icile Inn on an airship. It won't be but a couple of hours until you get there. Rufus is giving me a half a years wages now and I am giving it to you to live on until I can come get you," he explained. I stared at the floor. "Come on. We'll get some rest now," he said standing up. We walked down the hallway to our rooms. I didn't say a word and he took it that I was angry at him. He opened my door and we walked inside. "Well goodnight..." he turned to leave. "Sephiroth!" I stopped him. "Stay with me tonight. Like in Cosmo Canyon two years ago." He gave a weak smile and nodded. He shut the door and we both went straight to sleep, me locked tightly in his arms.
Rufus opened the door to Sephiroth's room. "What the..?!" he was surprised to find it empty. Then he turned and glared at my door. He walked towards it and pounded on it. Sephiroth's eyes snapped open. He glanced down at me. I was still sleeping peacefully with my fingers curled in his hair, snuggled up against his chest. He wasn't about to wake me up. He wanted just a little more time... "The airship will be ready to leave in a few hours so be ready!" Rufus yelled through the door. Sephiroth heard his footsteps down the hall and sighed. He closed his eyes and listened to my steady breathing. "I'm going to miss you," he whispered. "I'm going to miss you too," I breathed in my sleep. He held me tighter wishing that he never had to let me go. Later that day we were standing in front of the airship. He looked at me sadly. I felt my sholders begin to tremble and a tear streaked down my cheek. He wiped it away and pulled me into his arms to comfort me. "I'll come and see you," he promised again. "And one day it will be for good!" I pulled away slowly wiping my face dry. Sephiroth lifted the talisman off my chest and memorized it. "Whenever I look at it I'll think of you," I whispered. I leaned forward and kissed him softly before turning to board the airship. I stood there watching him as the door slowly closed. Sephiroth stood on that platform until the door closed.
I stood on the deck and watched the sun set as the wind whipped my hair around my face. "We're almost there," Rufus announced. I didn't say anything or even glance at him. I had no idea that he would be on the airship. He hadn't left me alone since we took off. I sighed as the small villiage came into view. It was completely surrounded by snow. It was dark so the only thing you could really see was the lights on the houses. We landed and Rufus accompanied me into the Inn. I walked to the counter to talk to the guy. I asked him if he knew my mother. "Yeah, I knew her once. Her and her husband lived in the house across the way there. Its empty now so you are welcome to it," he answered. I thanked him and went into the house he was talking about.
I gave Aeris a heartfelt look and moved on to the fourth path. I ran inside the house... but it was empty. Just like the Inn Keeper said. "You can go now," I told Rufus. He grinned mischeviously. "I'll be seeing you again," he announced before walking out the door. I looked around the room. I spotted a video system and approached it. I turned it on and watched the first episode that had mine and my mothers name on it. It showed my mother telling her husband that she was pregnant and she lifted me in her arms. "Pregnant?!" Does that mean someone out there is my brother or sister? I watched the other videos featuring mother's interviews about the ancients and Aeris. Then there was the last interview with mine and Aeris's name. My mother explained the significance of my sister and I. Who was of the light and of darkness, that our being together in the temple of the ancients would be dangerous, etc. I erased both videos that featured me. I didn't want anyone to find it. I layed down and went to sleep. The next morning I cleaned up the house to make it a little more livable. After I finished I went outside to meet the town's people. There were some kids snowboarding down a big hill. "Wanna try it?" one of them asked me. "Sure!" I exclaimed. He handed me the board and I went down. When I came back up his eyes were wide. "Wow! You must be a natural!" he exclaimed. I smiled, "Maybe!" I spent all my time from then asking the town's people about my mother and snowboarding. One day I even decided to travel across the Great Glacier and climb the mountains to the crater. The crater was enormous and extremely dangerous. When I returned home I found Rufus waiting for me. "What do YOU want?" I asked. "I haven't seen you in almost two years. I thought now would be a good time," he grinned. "I'm busy," I replied. "Doing what? Snowboarding? The local kids told me that you were the snowboarding champion and no one in the whole worls could beat you!" he gestured making a show of it. "Yeah. Maybe," I muttered. "I see that you've made yourself very popular here," he stated laying back in his chair and putting his feet up. "Everyone speaks so highly of you!" I sighed and sat down next to the fireplace. I had been outside for a very long time and was chilled to the bone. If it were any other time I would have changed into some dry clothes and curled up in a blanket but I didn't want to with Rufus watching my every move. "Has Sephiroth come yet?" Rufus asked smiling. I shook my head. "Maybe he forgot about you," he suggested wickedly. I shot hima a dark look, "What do you want?!" "Nothing!" he defended. "I came to see you, thats all." "Why?" I asked. "I wanted to know how you faired here," he replied. I stood up and grabbed my snowboard. "As you can see, I'm doing fine!" I walked outside and slid to the edge of the cliff. "Can I try it?" Rufus asked. I laughed and nodded at one of my friends. He threw Rufus the board. "This should be interesting," he muttered to the guy next to him. I shoved off and I was surprised that he kept up with me. I had been doing it for so long. Then he went down the wrong path. "Rufus! Thats the wrong way!" I shouted. I moved in that direction even though it was too late. I jumped the hill dividing the paths and landed right behind him. "Stop!" I shouted but the strong wind carried my voice away. I seen the edge of the cliff coming up fast...
I sat up and shook my head. "Are you alright?" Rufus asked pulling me up. "No thanks to you," I muttered. "Damnit! Now we have to walk five miles in this bad weather!" "Where are we?" he asked. "The Great Glacier," I told him. "I just got back from here today." "Sorry I didn't know," he grinned. I rolled my eyes. "Where did you learn to do that?" I asked. "What?" "Snowboard." "Theres a virtual snowboard game at the Gold Saucer." I couldn't help but laugh. I picked up my board and started walking south by my compass. He followed me with the board tucked under his arm. He kept talking continuously while I said as little as possible. It wasn't really a good think to talk so much in this cold weather. Finally, after several hours, we made it back to town. Rufus returned the snow board to an angry kid and ran to catch up with me. I went inside and walked downstairs to change my clothes. When I walked back up I noticed that Rufus had changed too. I sat by the fire and tried to pretend that he wasn't there. He had propped up in the same position and looked horribly tired. "I haven't walked that long in ages!" he breathed. I layed down and fell asleep. When I awoke I felt someone laying next to me. Still half asleep, I smiled and mumbled Sephiroth's name. When I turned my head my eyes widened. "Rufus!" I screeched. He jerked awake. I pushed his arm off me and stood up. "And just what do you think you were doing?" I asked angrily, my eyes flaring. "Keeping warm?" he said grinning. I groaned and grabbed my jacket. He followed me outside. "Don't you EVER give up?" I asked. "No," still that same smile. "Fine then," I said stopping in front of a tree. "What?" he asked. "Giving up?" I smiled. "Nope!" I grabbed a branch and climbed to the top of the tree. "Now go home," I told him. "I'm not going anywhere until you give in!" he yelled up at me. I sat there for a good three hours watching the snowboarders go down the hill. You could see all the way to the end from where I was sitting. Still Rufus sat in the snow occasionally looking up at me. Finally I sighed and climed down. "You're a stubborn ass!" I cried. "You're pretty when you're angry," he grinned. I went home and went inside to find something to do. It was like that for two weeks until one day...
Zack walked into the Inn and asked someone if they had seen me. "Sure did," the kid said. "Shes at the end of the villiage snowboarding. You can't miss her." "Thanks," Zack said heading for the door. "Good luck getting her away from her shadow!" the kid called. "Shadow?" Zack was confused. "You'll see," the kid muttered. Zack shrugged and headed across town. He spotted a dark haired girl arguing with some blond haired guy. Then I turned away from him and seen Zack. My green eyes grew wide with surprize. "Zack!!" I screeched happily. I raced into his arms and he lifted me, twirling me around. I laughed as he set me down. I kissed him on the cheek. Rufus walked over with his arms crossed and jealousy written all over his face. "Who are YOU?" he demanded. "I'm her brother," Zack gave him a mean look. "Oh. In that case, hug away!" Rufus gave his concent with a wave of his hand. "Who IS this guy?" Zack asked me. "Rufus Shinra," I whispered in his ear. His eyes widened. "The president's son?" he asked. "none other," Rufus said immodestly. "He has an ego the size of Midgar," I muttered. "So he must be the person that kid called your shadow," Zack laughed. "What?!" Rufus raged. "Shadow? What kid?" I giggled. "Hey Zack, how about racing me on the snowboard?" I asked. He smiled, "I can never turn down a challenge!" I smiled and turned to the kid who loaned Rufus the board last time. "I promise he won't go off the cliff!" I giggled. He laughed and handed me his board which I handed to Zack. "The path splits in a couple of places. Don't go to the right and you'll be fine!" I smiled. I slid down and raced Zack to the bottom... and won easily! Zack actually crashed at the bottom which was kind of funny. When we returned to the top Rufus was clearly annoyed. "Come on," I told Zack. "Lets go change and warm up." After we settled in, me and Zack by the fire, Rufus propped in his usual chair me and Zack got to catch up on the years. He told me that he had joined SOLDIER and even had a girlfriend! "Whats her name?" I asked smiling. "Its.." "Whats the difference?" Rufus interupted Zack. "Most women are the same anyways!" I glared at him. "I said MOST! You're an exception," he added quickly. "How can you put up with him?" Zack asked me. "He doesn't give me a choice," I muttered. "You mean he's not the guy you ran away with?" Zack looked confused. I laughed, "No! He joined SOLDIER. He promised to come back for me." "When?" he asked. "I don't know," I said quietly, sadly. "I don't think that he'll come. He hasn't even visited her since he dumped her here two years ago," Rufus replied. "He'll come!" I growled. "Don't try to tell me otherwise!" Rufus sighed, aggravated. No matter what he said he couldn't seem to turn me away from Sephiroth. There was a knock at the door. Rufus answered it. "Rufus your father wants you to return immediately," Tseng replied. "Sure. I'll be there soon," Rufus told him. "You'd better because Sephiroth is planning a visit within the next couple of months," Tseng whispered. "What?! I'll take care of that!" Rufus growled. "We'll just have to find another big mission for him to keep him busy." Tseng cleared his throat and gestured with his head for Rufus to check behind him. I stepped outside. "You sure have alot of nerve!" I accused. "Damnit!" Rufus cursed. "It was because of YOU he never came to see me! You're so damn selfish!" I shouted. "I did it FOR you!" Rufus lied. "He'll just hurt you! He's a bad guy, not at all right for you!" "I'll decide who is or isn't right for me! And you're not!" I hissed. "If you'll just listen...." "I think you should go," Zack interupted him, stepping behind me. Rage hardened Rufus's features. He turned and stalked off. "Come on," Zack said guiding me into the house. "Why me?" I muttered dropping down in front of the fireplace. "Well he's gone now," Zack replied. I nodded. "Thanks for coming Zackm" I whispered looking up at him. Then a tear slipped down my cheek.
It was nearly a year since Zack came to visit. It was actually my 18th birthday. I went to the inn. Everyone had gotten together and bought me a new black cloak. It was night-time before I thanked everyone and stepped outside. I stood on the front steps of my house for a few minuites looking at the stars. It was those same stars that we slept under in Cosmo Canyon, I thought. I wanted to cry but held back. A few tears escaped and slid down the sides of my face. I walked inside trying to wipe my face dry. I stopped when I noticed the fireplace was lit. I pulled out a dagger and searched the shadows for the intruder. I sensed a presence in a corner and stared at it until the silhouette appeared. "I know you're there!" I spat. "Come out!!" The shadow slowly moved closer into the light.

My eyes grew round with surprise. "Sephiroth?" He was so tall, his hair so long, his shoulders more broad. When he smiled I knew it was him. I ran and leaped into his arms. "Its really you!" I began to cry as he held me tighter. We stayed like that for a few minuites before he finally set me down and held me back enough to look at me. He studied my features for a moment. "Why are you crying?" he asked quietly. "Because I'm so happy to see you," I answered. He wiped the tears away with his gloved hands. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner," he said smoothing my hair back. "I don't care about that," I told him. "You're here now." I pulled him down and kissed him. Then I layed my head against his chest and let him hold me....
That morning I woke up with his arm around me. It was amazing how much people can change in three years. I could almost feel the intense strength that seemed to radiate from him. He was so different on the outside but his heart was still the same. I touched his face. His jaw was much firmer than before. I heard a soft knock at the door and slowly pulled away from Sephiroth to answer it. "Hey you wanna go snowboarding?" one of the kids asked. I smiled, "Not today. I have company." "Don't they snowboard? Who is it this time? Your brother? I like your brother! But I didn't like that other guy. He was too mean to everyone! Well if you change your mind then come out!" he ran off to join the others and I shut the door. I turned around and bumped right into Sephiroth. He grabbed my arms to steady me. "What other guy?" he asked. I sighed, knowing that I had to tell him. I told him the entire story of how Rufus barged in on me and followed me around for two weeks. Then he grew angry, which is why I didn't want to tell him. He looked so mean when he was mad. "I'm going to kill him," Sephiroth growled. "You can't! He's your boss's son! You'd be a fugitive and wouldn't stand a chance against an entire army," I pleaded. "I don't care!" he roared. I backed up until I hit the door. I had never seen him this angry before and it was kind of scary. I felt myself begin to shake and wrapped my arms around myself trying to control my emotions. I didn't want to cry, not now. Why did I suddenly feel like he was angry at me? I bit my bottom lip to stop it from trembling and looked at the floor. Sephiroth's features softened as he began to realise what he had done. He reached out and pulled me into his arms. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I lost my temper again, I'm sorry." I didn't even know he had a temper. "I'm jealous," he admitted. "Theres no need to be jealous," I told him. "I have no place for him in my heart. I don't even like him even a little bit. Hes arrogent and selfish and hateful, everything you're not!" He smiled down at me. "Then you forgive me?" he asked. I nodded. I took his hand and lead him to my favorite place by the fire. "I have some good news and some bad news," he told me. "Which do you want to hear first?" "The bad news. That way you can cheer me up with the good news!" I laughed. He smiled, "I have to leave tomarrow. I have to go on a mission in Nibelheim," he told me. "When?" I asked. "The day after tomarrown... the good news is that I'm coming for you afterwards. I'm going to quit SOLDIER," he answered. My face lit up and I hugged him. "This is great! I was starting to think I would go crazy here!" I told him. "Tell me what you've found out about your mother," he requested. So I told him everything that I learned then I told him everything I had done for the last three years, and he did the same. I finally layed down on my right side and looked into the fire. I loved to watch the flames and hear the popping of the burning wood. Sephiroth layed behind me with his head resting on his hand, his arm propped up. I rolled onto my back and looked up at him. "I missed you so much," I told him. "And I you," he replied. "I've thought of nothing else." I grinned, "Good!" I rolled to my side and he started laughing. He grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back. "Don't think you can escape the great Sephiroth so easily!" he yelled. I giggled. I leaped up and ran downstairs. He followed me but when he got down the steps I was nowhere to be seen. He stood next to a table and when he turned his back to it I crawled out from underneath and climbed on top. I threw my arms around his next and jumped on his back, wrapping my legs aroung his waist. He laughed and grabbed my legs underneath my knees to hold me up. It was like a piggyback ride. He laughed as soon as he got over his shock. I leaned forward to look at him. "Gotcha!" I giggled. "Whos got who?" he grinned as he tightened his grip on my legs. He walked up the stairs and outside. I tightened my grip around his neck. "No! Sephiroth! I'm not wearing a jacket!" I cried. "Don't put me down!" "Are you sure?" he asked. "That looks like a good place to toss you in!" "NO!" I laughed tightening my hold even more. He grinned, "Okay I'll spare you this time!" He carried me back inside and let me down. I pulled my cloak on and walked back to the door. "Hey Sephiroth!" I yelled. He turned around and I winged a snowball at him. "Now I'm really going to throw you in!" he yelled. I ran out the door with him at my heals. he tackled me and we rolled down a small hill. I sat on my knees and threw more snow at him, laughing. He grinned at me and leaped at me knocking me back in the snow. "Oh its cold!" I screeched. I smiled at him and put my arms around his neck. "I guess since we were apart so long we're acting like children again!" I laughed. "Chasing eachother and carrying you around on my back, I'd say so too," he smiled. "I remember when we used to do that. Not a care in the world." "Not once did I ever imagine that it would be like this," I said quietly. "Like what?" he asked curiously. "Being in your arms. Never wanting to be apart from you," I answered. He looked into my eyes then leaned forward to kiss me gently...
"I don't want you to go," I said the following night. "I'll be back in a few days," he promised. I hugged him one last time and he left. Why did I have such a bad feeling? I went to bed that night and I dreamed that Sephiroth was killed. When I awoke that morning I was in a panic. I threw my stuff in a black bag and raced out the door.
"What now?" Aeris asked. "I think that its time to go down the fifth path," Cloud replied. The trio head down the final path. "Its Nibelheim!" Cloud exclaimed when they approached the burning town. "There she is!" Aeris cried. I ran into the flaming town in time to see Sephiroth walking through the blaze.

"NO!" I cried. I ran through, not at all effected by the searing heat. I raced through the mountains until I reached the Mako reactor.

"Sephiroth!" I screamed running inside. I seen Sephiroth shove his sword at Cloud and then Cloud lifted up the sword, fueled by his anger, and threw Sephiroth over the side. Cloud ran back inside the reactor. "NO!!!" I screamed dropping to my knees. I looked up, my green eyes glowing with power. I glared at the reactor. "Send him into the crater! He WILL live!" I screamed throwing up my arms. A bright light illuminated from my body. The ancient magick doing my bidding.

Everyone watched as I used Cloud as my "puppet" to retreive the black materia that was needed to revive Sephiroth. How I mourned my brother's death with so much pain. They watched as I provided Sephiroth with the energy to use his spirit to travel the world and retrieve the materia from Cloud. I wanted Cloud to destroy Jenova. I knew that it had poisoned Sephiroth's mind. It had fed him hatred and evil energy. Sephiroth did as he said that he would do. He sent Diamond weapon to Midgar. He killed Rufus. The man who ordered Zack to be taken dead or alive; the man who wished him dead from the beginning; the man who was killing the planet; the man who tried to take me away from him. He killed my sister, I couldn't stop him in time. I didn't want Aeris dead. Maybe in my heart I knew that I would be able to bring her back like I did Sephiroth. I wanted Cloud to destroy Jenova and free Sephiroth and when he did I went in to stop him from destroying Sephiroth as well. Everything then turned to darkness. I was left standing alone in the pitch black. "Is this my punishment? For being evil? So bad that my own mother didn't want me?" I called out. "It wasn't that I didn't want you," my mother stepped into view. "I sent you to your father so you would be safe, and be close to family at the same time." "How would that make me any safer than being with you and my sister?" I asked. "I didn't want anyone to know about the first of my ancient daughters. If they knew that you and Aeris both existed then they could use you to acheive the promised land. You would be destroied in the process," she explained. "I love you. I did it FOR you. I don't think that you are evil! I just knew that it would be safer for the both of you if you were apart." "Momma I thought you wanted to get rid of me... because I was evil," I whispered. "You aren't evil," Zack said appearing. "No one I have ever known has a bigger heart." "Zack!: my eyes shown with tears. "You risked your life for me!" Aeris replied coming into view. "You proved to everyone that you are not evil," Cloud appeared. "You even showed us something that we all thought was impossible... that Sephiroth has a heart." "A heart that loves you," Aeris said. "Come back to me," Sephiroth said, his voice seeming to come from everywhere. I turned around. Cloud and Aeris were gone but Momma and Zack still remained. "I love you momma," I whispered. She hugged me, "And I love you." Then she walked away and it was just me and Zack. "I miss you so much," I told him. He gave me a hug. "I'm so glad that you avenged my death," he told me. "I wish so much that I could be with you!" I said. "I do too," he replied. "But you have someone who loves you even more than I. And hes waiting for you." He looked over my shoulder and I turned around. There was a bright light and at the source was a dark figure that I knew was Sephiroth. "Go to him," Zack urged me. "Keep me in your heart." "I will Zack. Always...." I walk away to Sephiroth. He took me in his arms and the light engulfed us.

"There they are!" Ellena shouted. She ordered a couple of SOLDIERS to drag me and Sephiroth to the airship they had taken control of. The crew had been locked in the chocobo stables, Cid, Tifa, Aeris and Cloud were put in the conference room and me and Sephiroth in the cargo hold, the strongest place on the ship. Sephiroth woke up first. He checked me and found that I was freezing. He tore open the boxes until he found a thick blanket which he wrapped me up in and held me. I finally woke up and I smiled. "Sephiroth," I said quietly. "My mother didn't desert me." He smiled warmly.

"All those memories of yours was good to see," he told me, looking faraway. "They helped me to understand myself as well. To know exactly how much I truely care for you. I've loved you since that first day in the woods." I pulled him down and kissed him. "Isn't that sweet?" Me and Sephiroth both turned to Reno. I climbed out of Sephiroth's lap to face him. Sephiroth also stood up. "Do you know what I am going to do with you?" Reno asked looking at me. I shook my head and scowled at him. "I'm going to take you to the Mako reactor in Nibelheim and instead of draining Mako from the planet... I'm going to drain it from YOU!" he laughed. My eyes widened, Sephiroth clenched his fists and took a step towards Reno. I gasped when Reno pulled out a tranqulizer gun and shot Sephiroth. Sephiroth colapsed, I tried to catch him but he was so heavy that the best I could do was slow down his fall. "Sephiroth!" I cried. I pulled the large dart out and threw it and tried desperately to wake him up. He was breathing so I knew that the tranquilizer wasn't too strong. I felt someone's hands on me and Reno pulled me back. "Nooo! Sephiroth!!" I screeched.
Reno chained my hands behind my back and was leading me through Mt. Nibel. Ellena shoved me and I fell forward. I groaned when my face hit the hard stone. Reno pulled me to my feet and pushed me forward. It took awhile but we approached the reactor. I was shoved into the Jenova room and I looked up at the huge machine that used to drain Jenova. Images of Jenova flashed through my head and I began to scream. Reno slapped me hard across the face to silence me and had two SOLDIERS drag me to the machine.

Vincent knocked the SOLDIER out and pulled open the door to the cargo chamber. Sephiroth was holding his head, apparently just having woken up. "Come on!" Vincent shouted. "They took her into Nibelheim!" Vincent ran off as Sephiroth leaped up. He spotted his masamune in the hall and grabbed it. Vincent shot the chain off the door to the conference room. "Lets go!" Vincent yelled. "Wheres my sister?" Aeris asked panicy when she seen everyone except me. The mako reactor in Mt. Nibel," Sephiroth told her then ran up the steps leading to the deck.
"NO!" I struggled to get out of their grasp as Reno lowered the electronic devise, that was once on Jenova, over my head. "I'm not like Jenova!" I screamed. "I'm an ancient!" Reno pinched my chin and leaned in close. "You have a special, very valuable, very powerful materia inside of you. I seen it when you used it on me," he explained. "But I didn't..." "Thats how you used the darkness! Its the shadow materia!" he laughed, interupting me. "Then after I drain all the Mako from you I will use you to breed other ancients of MY blood! I will get the promised land!" He was crazy! He moved and let them close the door over me. "NO!!!" I screamed as the darkness closed over me.
"Sir! I spotted Sephiroth approaching!!" a SOLDIER exclaimed. "What?! Damnit!" Reno shouted. "Bar the doors!" "How did he get here?" Ellena asked. "Why didn't you just kill him while you had the chance?" Rude muttered. "Because I want him to suffer!!!" Reno roared.
"Is there any other way to get in?" Cloud asked. Sephiroth nodded and walked to a grate on the side of the building. He grabbed it with both hands and ripped it off. "I'm much too big for that," Sephiroth observed. "Let me try," Cloud suggested. He tried to squeeze in but found that he was just barely too big to fit. "Damnit!" he exclaimed. "I know that I'm definately too @#$&$*% big!" Cid said. "Me too," Vincent muttered. "I'm not," Tifa said. "Oh no, you can't go in there," Cloud said. "And why not? I'm going inside and thats final!" Tifa scooted into the grate and flipped out at the other end. She peeked over the edge of the catwalk like thing she was on. There was no one near the main door so she raced to unlock it before anyone decided to go check it. "There she is!" Aeris exclaimed, running inside. Sephiroth followed her. He raced up the steps to the Jenova room with his masamune ready. "You're too late!" Reno exclaimed. He pulled open the heavy metal door and I slumped out landing facedown on the floor. My hair fell around me like a shroud. Reno laughed and then he held out a smoke colored materia. "You would not believe the power in this one little materia. The power of shadow magic and shadow bahamut summon!" Reno laughed crazily. "And this poor creature gave it to me... but not without a fight!" Sephiroth lunged at Reno but Reno disappeared into thin air. He appeared across the room. Sephiroth turned to face him. "If she would have only learned to use it..." Reno grinned devilishly. Sephiroth lunged again and Reno disappeared again. He appeared sitting next to me. He picked up a strand of hair and rubbed it between his fingers. "Its so soft, don't you think? I think I might keep HER too! She is still and ancient, you know!" Reno grinned. Sephiroth roared and attacked again.

Reno disappeared and stayed gone. All of a sudden Sephiroth was was thrown back and slammed into a wall. Cloud's eyes widened as he watched Sephiroth get back to his feet. He held his masamune clutched in both hands in front of him. His eyes were blazing with fury. I opened my eyes slowly and lifted my head. I seen Sephiroth through my hair and struggled to get up. I slowly got to my knees and then to my feet. I staggered and grabbed onto the wall for support. I tried to walk towards Sephiroth. I just wanted to be near him. I walked so slowly, no one even noticed me at first. Reno appeared before me. Fear enveloped me like a blanket. The way he looked at me. "No..." I gave a small cry and backed up. "You're going to kill Sephiroth for me," Reno said staring me down. "No!" I screamed. The darkness took over and I fell to my hands and knees. Shock was all over everyone's faces as I disappeared and in my place was Shadow Bahamut. I was the enormous black dragon once again. "I can't do this again," Sephiroth muttered. "What if its for good this time?" The long sword clattered to the ground. "Magic," Aeris said. "Use magic!" The dragon singled out Sephiroth. "Seal evil," Aeris cast the limit break on bahamut, stunning and silencing it temporarily. "Reno..." Sephiroth muttered. If he could get his hands on Reno and get the materia then he could change me back! He spotted Reno across the room and cast a seal spell on him so he couldn't use the shadow materia. Then while everyone was occupied with Bahamut he went after Reno. Without the use of the materia Reno lost easily to Sephiroth, who threw the protesting turk into the Mako Machine and closed the door. Then he used the materia to de-summon Shadow Bahamut. The creature froze and the darkness evaporated until only I remained resting on my knees with my head bowed in exauhstion. "Are you alright?" Tifa asked me. I looked up at them and nodded. "I think so," I said weakly. I stood up and stumbled backwards. Sephiroth caught me. I turned to look at him and we just held eachother tightly. Aeris shooed everyone out of the room so we could have some time alone.
They left to gather up the rest of the turks. Their revenge was over. For good. I closed my eyes and my mother appeared in my mind. "I did it FOR you," she said. "You're not evil... I love you." She faded away and Zack appeared in her place. "You have someone who loves you even more than I," he said smiling. "...and he's waiting for you!" I opened my eyes and looked up at Sephiroth. "I'm here," I whispered. And he smiled, understanding completely.

*************

We were in the airship heading towards bone villiage. We were finally going home. Aeris was sitting across from me and Sephiroth when something came to her. "What did you do with that talsiman from the Gold Saucer?" she asked. Sephiroth looked at me, having forgotten about it. He had the question in his eyes too. I reached inside my shirt and pulled the chain out. On the end rested the green, very beautiful talisman. "You held onto that for ten years?!" she asked. "Eleven," I corrected smiling sweetly. I looked at Sephiroth, "I've never once taken it off. I've always kept it close to my heart." Aeris smiled. "Its so pretty!" she said. "You won something like THAT at Gold Saucer?" "No," Sephiroth said. I looked at him quickly, surprised by that remark. "You told me you traded your battle points for it," I was confused. "I did," he explained. "I gave the battle points to some older guy for it. He wanted the Gold Saucer prizes and I wanted something for you." "So it worked out perfectly!" Aeris smiled. "Hey Cloud?" I looked at him. "What?" he replied. "Do you think maybe...err..could you tell Cid to take us to Icicle Inn?" I asked. "I'd like to visit." He smiled, "Sure!" He got up and went to give the message to Cid. "I'll be back in a minute," Sephiroth said getting up. I watched him leave and turned to Aeris. "So you ARE okay with Sephiroth?" I asked her. She smiled, "Of course! I know what happened. Besides I'm here now. The past is past." "I'm so lucky to have a sister like you..." I replied. "And I you," she pointed out. "I just wish that Zack were here," I muttered. "I uh... have something to tell you," Aeris said quietly. "Whats wrong?" I asked worridly. "No, nothings wrong. Its just something I wanted to tell you," Aeris answered. I looked at her, confused. "Do you remember when Zack told you that he had a girlfriend? When he came to visit you at mom's house?" She asked. "Yes. I remeber," I replied. "But he never told me her name." "It was me," she blurted out. My eyes widened. And then I smiled. "He was so excited about you," I told her. "I'm really glad that you made eachother happy even if it was for only a brief time. Don't feel ashamed over it." Her eyes misted over with tears and I hugged her. "Besides," I whispered. "I think that Cloud is perfect for you!" She giggled.
Sephiroth stepped onto the deck and the wind caught his hair immediately. "Thank you," he said.

Vincent turned to face him kind of surprised to hear him speak those words to him. "I told you that I would help you," he reminded Sephiroth. "If it weren't for you then I may not have reached her in time," Sephiroth said. "I owe you one." "No. Its something that I wanted to do," Vincent replied. "It was no less than you did for me at the Shinra building." "You saved her life then too. I never had the chance to thank you for that," Sephiroth sighed. "Lets not argue over it. You did a good thing for me. Only one other person has done as much for me." "You are alot like your mother," Vincent turned to watch the setting sun. "I wish you could have known her..." Sephiroth turned and walked away. He went inside and leaned against the crate. He felt arms wrap around him and I climbed onto his back. I leaned my head over his shoulder and smiled at him. He laughed. "We had so much fun when we were kids, didn't we?" I kissed him on the cheek. "Yes we did," he grinned. "I was so happy when I found you. I was all alone until you made all the saddness and lonliness melt away." "I love you Sephiroth!" I announced. "...but I bet mean looking you looks really silly with sweet little me on your back!" He laughed, "I don't care." I giggled as he carried me away.
We all went to Icicle Inn together. CLoud and his friends and Aeris decided it was time they took a break....

~TO BE CONTINUED...~

Lady of Sephiroth

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