Disclaimer: I do not own all FF characters which I use in my fic, Square does. Thx

Update May 2009:
Going through the fic and amending errors where applicable, do keep those criticisms coming - they help me improve and the story to grow :)

A/N: I decided to try my hand at writing a longer FF7 oriented fic. Now, let's see who can guess those unnamed people in my story :D (haha, Irina & AerSeph you wld prolly know so u guys are banned from guessing) There will be interesting twists here and there so, stay tight for a roller coaster ride! And oh yes, reviews will help shape the future of this story.

Setting: This takes place before Sephiroth goes to Nibelheim to check up on the reactors.

1. Into a Dark Night

He stared at the pathethic heap lying crumpled on the forest floor. It appeared to be something living, perhaps in the remotest of chances a person? And in badly ragged, stained clothes(or was it scales?). With dirty long hair (or was it mane?), though he swore he could see a few feathers somewhere, further lending to his suspicion that whatever it was, it was certainly NOT human. And what frustrated him most was that he couldn't confirm his suspicions, not in this darkness of night. Nor did he want to actually; this stuff was far more suited to the likes of Hojo. (besides, he believed himself far more worthy and that such tasks were beneath him)

Sephiroth snorted. What a frigging waste of time. Sometimes, he really hated doing Shinra's stupid errands. What were they thinking of, sending their most accomplished young general-to-date to 'investigate' the Fallen Star Phenomenon? Oh well, at least he was General, Sephiroth kindly reminded himself, and that in itself has it's own merits which included the authority to delegate one's dirty work to another. So, he glanced behind towards his second-in-command, and gestured for him to take over.

Zack yawned. He couldn't believe that he, 1st class solder, was reduced to doing this either. He didn't sign up Soldier just to end up being Shinra's page boy. But well, it was too late for regrets now. He had already signed their bond, and besides, life in SOLDIER wasn't that bad actually. It came with prestige, and he could score easily with chicks wherever he went. So he just sighed and decided to get it on.

"The sooner we finish this, the faster we can all go home get some rest." He thought to himself.

He approached the pathethic heap cautiously. Afterall, it could be a possible threat. One could never be too sure. When he was finally near, he noticed firstly, the 'heap' was a person, and secondly whoever it was, didn't appear to be well. He turned the heap over, and shone his torchlight for a better look. He let out a gasp.

The other two soldiers, presumably of lower ranks immediately rushed over, took a look and then they too gave out a collective gasp. That was, of course before the three of them started arguing. Arguing over who would be the one to carry the heap back.

Sephiroth would have found it most amusing, were it not for the fact that it was midnight and he desperately needed to catch some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a very long day... and he was getting further annoyed by the childish behaviors of his troopers, least of all Zack. As his second-in-command, Sephiroth expected Zack to at least have some common sense above the others. So why was he arguing with them over the dirty work for?

Finally, he decided to put an end to it himself, as the arguing seemed to drag on by the minutes...

"Silence!"

Instantly, everyone quieted. It was now Sephiroth's turn to approach the 'heap' and see what the big deal was all about. He took Zack's torchlight, and shone it. And then it was Sephiroth's turn to be awed, though interestingly he didn't gasp like the others...

Author's Note

Like it? Review it and tell me who you think the mysterious person is!