Chapter 1

Home at Last

The brick mansion that was Saint Ai Orphanage in the city of Kauko was a quiet place, home to no less than a hundred children, all between the ages of only a few months to seventeen years. For many, this was the only home they had ever known. The elderly headmistress, Madame Sharmila, was a strict but generous woman. It was never even heard of that she would turn a child away under any circumstance. She loved all of the children like her own, and they loved her like their mothers. She spent thousands of dollars every year on toys, clothes, and new equipment for the younger children's playground and the elder's gym. All of the children got along well, and it seemed like the perfect place for a lonely child. Except, of course, one young woman that had lived here since she was a baby. Nobody ever crossed her path on a bad day. This was one of those days that made the young children scatter upon seeing her…

NINJAMAGEGAMAJNIN

"Hee-YA!" she yelled as her foot made contact. The bag snapped from its hook on the ceiling and fell to her feet.

"OUCH! Kali, take it easy! That hurt all the way over here! The bag's not going to get any deader!"

"Sorry, Madame Sharmila," Kali sighed. She picked up the punching bag, stood on a nearby stool, and put it back up. "It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't. What's wrong, hon?" Sharmila asked from the doorway. She looked Kali over.

She wore black bicycle shorts, a grey tank top, sneakers, a silver-studded black choker, and gloves with the fingers cut off. Her shoulder-length hair was mostly silver, but her bangs were black. Sharmila glanced at her eyes, but turned away as a chill slipped down her spine. The girl would have had beautiful grey eyes, except for her pupils; they were only unlike those of a cat's by the fact that they did not grow significantly larger or smaller with a change of light intensity.

"Nothing, Madame," Kali shrugged. "Only one of those days, I suppose."

"Why don't you go outside? It's a beautiful day," Sharmila coaxed.

"Madame? It's thirty degrees out today."

"Oh?" She approached the thermometer that was hanging from the window. "Well, so it is! My eyes must not be what they used to. Why don't you go into the sunroom and read, then? Let someone with less strength have a whack at the bags."

"Yes, ma'am," Kali bowed. She left the room and went to the lockers in the back. Kali exchanged her bike shorts for a pair of black cargo pants that were far too large. She buckled the studded belt, put on a clean tank top, switched her sneakers for her steel-toed boots, slid her bracers over her arms, and covered herself with a leather trench coat. She put her other clothes into a black messenger bag and turned to find Sharmila waiting at the door.

"Kali, I would like you to dine with me tonight."

"Pardon?"

"There is something that I was asked to give you on this day. Please, come to my wing a little before five o'clock tonight."

"Madame, I don't mean to be rude, but Devin and I-"

"Kali, I was hoping you would agree to this, so I asked you. Now I am telling you. You are to join me for dinner at five o'clock this evening," Sharmila began to walk to her room. "And Kali? Happy fourteenth birthday, hon."

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Kali sat under a window in the sunroom, the classic novel Dracula lying open on her lap. She was sleeping lightly until a young man walked into the room. He took the book, marked its place, and put it on the table across the room. He then laid a hand on her shoulder and began to gently shake her when she didn't stir.

"Kali…" he whispered. "Kali, get up."

"Hmm," she sighed. She opened her eyes slowly. When she saw who woke her up, she closed them again and smiled. "Hey, Devin. 'Sup?"

"How ya doin'?" he grinned. He had long, brown hair that was always tied back in a ponytail, a small brown moustache, and a short beard. His eyes were deep blue. He wore a white, long-sleeve shirt and baggy black slacks. He was two years Kali's elder, as well as her best friend. Devin was currently one of the eldest orphans, always running around on errands and doing things for Sharmila. It was a rare occasion that he could sit with his friends like he did now. Presently, he sat down next to her, put his arm around her shoulder, and held her close to his chest. "I've been looking for you all day. I have something for you."

"What's that?" Kali whispered, eyes still shut.

"Open your eyes and you'll see," he laughed. When she did, there was a single red rose in front of her, a note tied to it that read:

Hope this is one sunny day that isn't grey.

Happy Birthday, Kali.

Love, Devin Alden.

"Thanks, Devin," she grinned. She snuggled closer to him. "You're the only one to say that to me today. Well, other then Sharmila, but that's her job, so she doesn't count."

"Glad I made you happy," he muttered, tucking back her hair and sliding the rose into it. "We're going to town to eat, right?"

"Oh, that. I'm really sorry. Sharmila wants me to dine with her tonight."

"What? Did you tell her we had plans?"

"I started to, but she cut me off. I'm really sorry, hon," Kali apologized. She looked up at him. "Tomorrow's still good, right?"

"You bet," he sighed. Devin closed his eyes. "I guess I know why she sent me to look for you."

"Huh?" Kali gasped. She sat up and stared at him. "What time is it?"

"Hmm," he glanced at his watch. "About ten 'til."

"Ten 'til what?"

"Five. Hey, what's wrong?" he exclaimed. Kali was getting up and shoving her book back into her bag.

"I'm supposed to be there by five. It's going to take me ten minutes just to get to her wing, then I have to find her dining room!"

"Hey, Kal!" Devin called. He grabbed her arm and pecked her on the cheek. "See ya later."

"Bye, Devin!" she yelled. She took off down the hall as fast as she could.

"Hey, watch it!"

"We're playing here!"

"Excuse me!"

"You almost stepped on my hand!"

"Sorry!"

And on went the cries that rang through the halls of Saint Ai Orphanage as Kali dashed through the hall towards the headmistress' wing.

"Madame Sharmila! Sorry I'm late!" Kali gasped, finally shoving open the door to the dining room. Sharmila stared at her.

"Fell asleep in the sunroom, again?" she asked. She pointed at the clock. 5:07.

"I apologize," Kali bowed. "It won't happen again."

"I'm sure it won't because you won't be here for much longer."

"What? Am I being adopted?" the girl gasped.

"Please, sit down and all will be explained. You can put your coat on the rack over there, by the way," Sharmila added. She and Kali sat at a large table, covered with food.

"Do you eat like this every night?" Kali asked, spooning a generous amount of potatoes onto her plate.

"This kind of food, yes. This much of it, no," she explained. "Now, about why I asked you here..."

"Please, I know it may sound weird, but I actually don't want to be adopted. I only have four more years until I go one my own, and I like my friends here."

"You mean Devin?" the headmistress smiled. Kali looked down at her food to hide the redness that was growing on her face. "Don't be embarrassed, dear. He is a fine young man."

"Yes, ma'am," Kali muttered.

"Now, who said anything about adoption?" Sharmila inquired. She continued without an answer. "I wanted to tell you that you're going home, darling. Your mother wants you back."

"My…" Kali dropped her fork at the words. She recovered quickly. "My mother?"

"Yes. When you were left here, your mother and a friend of hers brought a letter with you. They told me that this letter was not to be opened until your fourteenth birthday. Upon your fifteenth, you are to join her on the mountain Hotaka outside the city of Miki."

"But… Why did she bring me here? If I was going to live with her anyway, why did she abandon me?"

"I don't know the answers, my dear. I'm sure you will find out within a year. I suggest you wait until you are in your room to read the letter," Sharmila said, producing a yellowed envelope from her robe and laying it next to Kali's plate. "I think it will be more comfortable."

The headmistress began to talk of many things. She commented on the weather, the food, the other children, and anything else she could think of. Kali said nothing. She only stared at the letter and nodded now and then. Around six, Sharmila dismissed her. Kali thanked her for the meal and left the room slowly. Instead of going to her room, Kali returned to the sunroom. Devin was still sitting there.

"I hope you weren't waiting for me."

"Just got back from dinner, actually. What did Sharmila want?" he asked. Kali sat next to him and stared at the envelope. "What's that?"

"It's…" she trailed off as some straggling young children hurried to their rooms. They were left alone. "It's a letter from my mother."

"Your mom?" Devin repeated. At a nod, he asked, "but didn't she die?"

"I always assumed she did cuz no one ever told me what happened, but I didn't know for sure. I'm a little afraid to open it."

"Then I'll do it for you," Devin offered. She surrendered the envelope and watched him tear it open. He handed it back.

"Let's read it together," Kali whispered. Inside was a typed letter. It said:

Dear Kali,

I suppose you've been alone for quite sometime. I guess you're all grownup now, too. There's no easy way to say this, but… I never wanted to give you up, my daughter. Vincent, however, thought it might be best to do so. I guess you're old enough to know that widows generally do not give birth after her husband's death and raise the child alone, especially if they were wed for only a week and in secret. People assume the child is illegitimate, which is unacceptable, and the mother has little proof otherwise, if any at all. You see, your father died long before you were born. Come to think of it, I didn't even know you were coming until about a week, perhaps two weeks after he passed on. You're probably thinking, "If my father's dead, who's this Vincent?" Am I right? He's an old friend of your dad's and mine, and, oh, Kali, there is so much I want to tell you of your heritage! Your father was strong and infamous. I wish I could explain all of it here. If I did, you would be sitting here until well into next week. Kali, listen to me. I want you to come to my home. I want you here on your fifteenth birthday. I don't want you to come one day later, not one day earlier. Kali, I want to tell you who you are and what power you hold inside yourself. I love you, my child, and I know your father would, too, if he was alive. I want you to know him. He was a wonderful man. His death was unfortunate, and not at all deserved. There are many who would say otherwise, but I pray that you will not have the… pleasure… of meeting them.

Enclosed are two hundred Jins. I am hoping that when you open this letter, it will be enough to buy a train ticket to Miki. The prices have been going up as of late. Either the day of your fourteenth birthday or the day before you leave to come here, Vincent will be calling for you. I do not remember which, and I don't wish to disturb him, as he is currently taking a nap as I write. Kali, I hope you will accept this offer. I love you, and I regret putting you through this. Please, come meet me. I would love to see you at least once before my own life ends.

With love,

Michiko Yori

P.S. Dress warm. I am in the mountains, and I am sure our winter is far colder than out there in Kauko.

"So she wants me to live with her…" Kali muttered. She glanced at Devin. "Do you think it's an imposter?"

"No way. Look at the tear stains on the paper," he said. The name scrawled at the bottom was smeared and the paper was grayed. "If it was an imposter, I doubt she would have been crying."

"Yeah," she whispered. She read the letter again. When she was finished, Kali stood. "I should get to bed. I have some thinking to do."

"You gonna be okay?" Devin asked as he wrapped his arms around her. At her nod of confirmation, he walked with her to the hallway. "Good night, Kal."

"See you tomorrow," Kali muttered. They walked down opposite ends of the corridor.

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Kali turned out the lights, but she was unable to sleep. Thoughts of her mother filled her head. When Kali finally drifted off, she was woken right back up by a noise in her room. Upon waking, she realized that it was her phone.

"Kali, here, Madame Sharmila," she muttered groggily as she picked up the receiver.

"Good, you're still up."

"Barely."

"I have a phone call for you. He says his name is Vincent. Is he someone you know?"

"Yes, please put him on," she said quickly. Kali was suddenly wide-awake, sitting straight up in bed. There was a beep, and the next voice she heard was that of a man.

"Kali Yori?" said the voice. It was deep and smooth, but soft and a bit quiet.

"Yes, this is she. Are you Vincent?" she inquired. The man hesitated before answering.

"My name is Vincent Valentine, yes. I suppose you've read your mother's letter, then?"

"I just finished it. Are you truly a friend of my parents?"

"Indeed. Your mother's been very worried about you. She'll be happy to know that you're doing well."

"She's worried? Maybe I should come out sooner rather than later."

"No, Kali. It was your father's last wish that you not see her until you turn fifteen if you were put up for adoption. Your mother and I have done what we could to fill that wish."

"But why would my father want me put up for adoption?" she exclaimed.

"Kali," Vincent began. He sighed before he finished. "I wish I could tell you myself. Your mother can explain it far better than I."

"May I speak with her?" Kali begged.

"She's asleep. I'm not supposed to call until just before you come to meet her, but I think you could use the birthday wishes. That is, if what your father told me last night is true. Hardly anyone has remembered it, have they?"

"My father told… but he's dead! You just said so!"

"Yes. I assure you, you'll understand when you speak with your mother in one year," he said quickly. The line became silent.

"Vincent? Are you still there?"

"Kali, I have to go. Keep the money tucked away until the week before your birthday next year. Use it to buy a one-way train ticket to the station in Miki. When you get there, catch a cab or bus to the base of the Hotaka Mountain. Get off at the first stop and get a carriage to the Yori house by Douglas Lake. I'll be waiting outside her cabin. Can you remember all that?"

"Yea, just wrote it down," Kali answered, scrambling for a pen. "How will I know it's you?"

"Trust me," Vincent said quietly. Kali didn't see it, but he was looking down at his left arm. "You'll know."

"Thank you."

"Goodbye, Kali," he whispered. The next noise was a click as the mysterious Vincent Valentine hung up the phone.

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It was nearly a year before Kali heard from Vincent or her mother again. She spent the time planning and setting her affairs at the orphanage in order. By the time her birth month rolled around again, she was anxious to be on her way. There was still one problem that she didn't notice until the night before she was to leave.

"Kali, do you really have to go?" Devin inquired. He and Kali were strolling the grounds one last time. He held her hand tighter than he ever had before.

"Unfortunately, yes. I want to stay with you and Madame Sharmila, but I have to know who my parents are."

"I guess it's for the best. It's just," Devin sighed. He leaned against a tree and hugged her. "We've known each other for fourteen years. I always figured I'd be the one to get out of here first. I didn't really think about what may happen if you were adopted or went home."

"Devin? Thank you," Kali whispered into his chest.

"For what?"

"You've always been like a brother to me. You're the only one I feel I can talk to around here, so… thanks."

"You keep in touch, hear?" Devin commanded. Kali smiled.

"Of course. And good luck when you get out. Only, what, a year?"

"Yeah. Who knows? Maybe I'll move out to Miki. Maybe… get some land on Hotaka Mountain," he whispered.

"I'm really going to miss you, Devin," Kali sighed shakily. A few tears slipped down her cheeks. "Actually, there's been something I've wanted to tell you lately."

"What's that, Kal?" he asked. He held her tighter.

"Devin, I-" Kali was cut off by the loudspeaker from the building.

"Kali Yori, you have a phone call. Please return to the building. Kali Yori, return to the your room for a phone call."

"Oh, I better go."

"What were you going to tell me?"

"Never mind. It wasn't important," Kali shook her head. "I better go get that call. I'll see you later."

"I'll be in in a few minutes. Bye," Devin said quietly. When she was out of earshot, he sat on the ground, looked at the sky, and whispered, "I love you, Kal."

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"Vincent?" Kali exclaimed when he picked up the phone.

"Yes. How are you, Kali?" said the faceless voice. He sounded different. Kali was unable to decide whether he was happy or sad. "You're leaving tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, sir," she answered. "How's mom?"

"Okay, I suppose," he said gravely.

"You suppose? What does that mean?" Kali gasped.

"You will see. Now, you remember how I told you to get here, right?"

"Yes, now please, is my mother okay?" Kali begged. Vincent took a deep breath, sighed, and took another.

"Your mother… is very ill. I'm not sure what she has, but she hasn't left her bed in about two or three days. With luck, it's only a bad flu. Kali, I hope your journey here is safe."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"I'll talk to you in a few days, okay?" Vincent said, ignoring the question. "Goodbye, child of Sephiroth."

"Child of what?" Kali questioned. She only got a dial tone in reply.

"Kal?" Devin called into her room. She hung up the phone and looked at him.

"Devin, do you know who or what Sephiroth is?"

"Huh?" he shrugged. "No clue."

"It's just… Vincent called."

"The one from the letter?" Devin asked, sitting next to his friend on the bed. She nodded.

"He called on my birthday last year, too. Just before he hung up, he called me the child of Sephiroth."

"Maybe that's your dad's name," Devin suggested.

"But what kind of name is that? Sephiroth," she repeated, shaking her head. They sat for ten minutes without saying anything. "I should get some sleep. I leave at eight tomorrow."

"Okay. Kal?" Devin said as he stood to leave. "If you ever need anything, give me a call anytime, day or night. Got it?"

"Thanks," Kali replied, forcing a smile.

"Good luck out there."

"Yeah," Kali nodded. When Devin was gone, she changed for bed, but didn't sleep. Instead, she laid in bed and cried for the next hour.

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"Goodbye, Kali. We'll miss you," Madame Sharmila whispered, wrapping the girl into a hug. She and Devin had gone to the train station with Kali to wish her good luck, and were now regretting letting her go.

"I'll keep in touch. Thanks for everything," Kali muttered. She and Devin said little to each other, but they did hug tightly. "I better go before the train leaves without me."

"Take care of yourself," Devin told her.

She hurried onto the car with her bags and waved as the train began to push forward. No sooner were they out of sight than Kali began feeling sick. She wrapped up tighter in her coat and tried to sleep. When the woman with the cart of food came later, Kali ate only a muffin. By the time she reached Miki two days later, she found herself longing for the Saint Ai Orphanage more than she ever would have thought possible. She smiled to herself, though, as she got off and ran to catch her bus. Vincent had been wrong; she got to the town without trouble. When she got to the mountain, however, disaster struck.

"What do you mean I can't get up?" Kali nearly screamed.

"I'm sorry, miss, but it's like I said. There's three feet of snow on that mountain, and our only driver that can make it through is out with the flu," the carriage manager said.

"Please, I have to get up the mountain! My mother is sick, this may be the only chance I get to see her!"

"I'm sorry to hear that, but-"

"Excuse me!" came a female voice from the crowd. Kali turned to see a woman walking towards her. This woman had long, brown hair, and glasses covering her deep brown eyes. She looked to be in her late thirties or early forties. "I couldn't help overhearing. Did you say your mother is sick and lives on the mountain?"

"Yes! Do you know her?" Kali exclaimed.

"If her name if Michiko Yori, yes. You must be Kali," she smiled. "I'm Anima, a close friend of your mother's. I was just going up to my house. I don't live too far from her, if you want a ride."

"Thank you, ma'am," Kali bowed. She followed Anima into the snow-covered streets. They stopped in front of a military hummer.

"It will only take a few minutes. She doesn't live too far up," Anima explained. She helped Kali put her bags into the hummer before they took off towards the snow-capped peaks. "I can't get up her driveway, though. My car's too big. You'll have to walk a little ways."

"That's okay," Kali grinned. Anima gazed at her.

"You look a lot like him. Especially your eyes."

"Like who?"

"Your father."

"You knew my father?" Kali gasped. Anima nodded.

"Of course. Your mother and I have been close friends since we were probably a bit younger than you are now. I was the first person to meet your father after he and your mom got together. But then, she can explain it better than I."

"So does that mean you and Vincent are married or what?"

"Pardon?"

"I saw your ring on your finger. I know that Vincent's an old friend, so I thought…" Kali didn't finish the sentence.

"You misunderstand. Vincent lives with your mother. They're only friends, I assure you," Anima said quickly at the look of shock on the girl's face. "He has been looking out for her since the day you were born. He isn't married at all. Michiko and I asked him once if he had any interest in marriage. He said that because he will outlive any woman he falls for, he doesn't want to suffer heartache again. He's had too much of that already."

"What do you mean?"

"I really should let him explain it. It's not my place. No, he and I are not wed. He's twice my age, anyway. My husband's name is Luben. He and I got married just before you were born, I guess. You'll meet him tomorrow when we come over."

"Vincent's twice your age? He doesn't sound like it over the phone."

"You wouldn't think it to look at him," Anima whispered. Kali only gave her a sideways glance. "You'll see when you meet him. This is it."

Kali looked out the window to see a small cabin, smoke billowing out of the chimney. The curtains were drawn, and there was something red on the roof, although neither woman noticed it much.

"Thank you, ma'am," Kali bowed. She pulled her bags from the back and began to walk up to the house.

"It's Anima! And no problem!" she replied. Kali watched as Anima backed up and began driving away, the snow under the tires turning to slush. When the hummer was gone, Kali turned towards the house, took a deep breath, and began the approach.

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NM: This is, obviously, the not-so-long-awaited-sequel to my For the Love of an Angel story. The story takes place immediately after the last chapter of the prequel with the exception of this chapter and the beginning of the next. For anyone who is reading this and didn't read the other one, I advise reading at least a little of it, because I'm not going to waste eleven chapters explaining what happened fifteen years ago from this fic's time. Angel's Child is more of a horror story than anything else. At least, I'm hoping it will be after the first two chapters. There will be a hint of romance at first (Yuffentine, specifically, until… never mind, you'll see. Crap, I spoiled part of it saying that pairing… readers of both stories will know what I mean…), but not nearly like the story before it. There'll be lots of monsters, mostly zombies, ghouls, vampires, werewolves, demons/devils, ghosts, gargoyles, goblins, skeletons, the classic Final Fantasy fiends, and maybe a doppelganger or two. Also, there will be a change in the rating from 'PG-13' to 'R' after the third or fourth chapter due to language, scary/gory moments, some drug use, and some sexuality that will occur later on. You've been warned. Anyway, enough rambling.

Review the chapter! Please?

NINJA MAGE