Most characters don't belong to me but to "SquareEnix",-whom I worship for having created them and the universe of Final Fantasy-. I don't owe anything in relation to the setting and characters of FF7. I just gratefully borrow them and let them live through good and less good times and may even rewrite their past and future. Jae is mine though :-) Enjoy^^

With heart and mind

So there they stood. Like every year since it had finally all been over. Mankind was cured from geostigma, the mad general defeated - officially - the young president Shinra had quit walking in his fathers footsteps at all costs. No more mako infused SOLDIER's, no more robbing the planets lifestream. He seemed to have acknowledged there was no way dominating an entire planet even whilst being the most powerful and influential person on it.

It was the most peaceful time they had all known in their lives.

But to what cost?

Jae knelt closest to the monument. Just behind her stood Vincent, arms crossed in his usual manner, seemingly closed to everyone but in truth trying to keep his inner demons at bay while Chaos was resting in this mind. Next to her was Cloud. He had just lost his battle fighting back tears and cried silently. Tifa's left hand was gently resting on his shoulder, the right one keeping Marlene from running after Denzel, who again didn't want to attend the memorial of those who were to his believe responsible for the death of his parents. He was young, to young to see things in the larger picture.

Tifa's sad look crossed Nanaki's, who bowed his head apprehensively and followed the boy out of the great hall.

Reno and Cid still stood outside the huge iron gate smoking but otherwise silent, increasing the uneasy feeling the whole situation carried.

Tseng stood to the left side of the hall with a focused, serious look directed at the balcony. He could make out Rufus's shape and that of Elena right next to their superior. No one else was up there with them and he had made sure in their preparations no one else would be able to get any closer to them than this.

The president stood behind triple protection glass with his most loyal bodyguard by his side. Elena had served him for many years, though not as long as Tseng. However, he felt a lot more comfortable in her presence than in that of the capable but cold leader of the TURKS. She was trained to be professional and serious but had a warmer way handling his occasional emotional outbursts. She was kind and understanding when there was no one around witnessing his weakness. He thought of her as a friend, the only friend he might ever have. But tight was the feeling in his chest, thinking about such things, as he knew deep inside it was her love for the job and her honour who kept her by his side at all times, not friendship.

More people were entering now. The rhythmic noise of several pairs of heels on the marble floor was echoing through the building. Shalua - recently named head of the medical department - and her sister Shelke walked the long way to the front of the hall, closely followed by Reeve who was looking protective in his long dark robes.

A mighty sound emerged from above the ceiling. The bell rang once... announcing the unofficial start of the ceremony.

Reno an Cid tossed away their cigarette stubs and hurried inside. Rudo and Barret pulled on both wings of the iron gate. It closed with a loud thump.

Everyone stared at the huge dark grey marble cube. Hundreds of light grey words were engraved in it. On the top, in bold letters, words, beacons of bravery, courage, honour and pride. Followed by words of respect, tribute and comfort. The bottom of the cube was marked by a five meter tall thick steel base covered by thousands of names, neatly arranged.

They all knew where the names of their beloved, friends and colleagues -who did not live to see some peace returning to the planet they tried to safe - were engraved.

Jae did not have the heart to grieve over loved ones who's names were ornamenting the monument, her thoughts belonged to four who were not listed amongst the heroes of the war. Four who had become her closest friends, her family. Four with whom she had shared only seven years of her life but whose friendship, teachings and love had an impact on her and will accompany her for the rest of her life.

The first was a brother to her, always cheering her up, protecting her and comforting her as good as he could. He loved her truly and with all his heart. He was always honest and caring.

The second was a father to her, guiding her, giving her a last name she never had, a home and teaching her about dreams and honour.

The third was a friend, introducing her to a cultural live she had never known, someone to spent time with playing games and sharing the passions for good books and stories.

The forth was her closest friend, one who always had to be strong for everyone, a myth, a legend. She was the only one who really knew the person behind the mask. He was very vulnerable, often insecure and sad. He only showed his weakness in the intimacy of their private home. He was angry at the world for what it had made him become but hid it well... to some point.

Tears were now running down her cheeks. She felt her face turn hot and covered it in shame.

She was ashamed of crying,

ashamed of not having been able to save them,

ashamed of not having further insisted on their names being engraved on that silly monument,

ashamed of not being the one avenging their deaths,

ashamed for being alive while they were not!

Her shoulders were shaking as she fought the urge to scream. She bit her fist and whispered the four names that should have been enlisted in the first row:

Zack,

Angeal,

Genesis,

Sephiroth!

Tbc...

This is just a small introduction to what is yet to come. It's a first for me so please be gentle ;-)

English is not my native language as you might have figured by now. I hope you've still enjoyed reading the beginning of my story though without to much headache due to descriptive linguistics acrobatics^^

Please review :-)