Chapter 2

"Poor little thing. I feel so bad for her" Professor Amanda thought as she walked quickly and quietly through the hallways of Shinra Incorporated, carrying infant Stephanie in her arms. Eventually, she came to the top executives' hospital wing (which looked more like a science lab than anything else) where she found fifteen-year-old Sephiroth receiving his monthly mako treatment.

"Hello Sephiroth. Could I have a word with you?" "Certainly. Was there something you needed me for? Delivering a package? Collecting money from someone? Just say the word and I'm the guy for the job" Sephiroth said, howling with laughter. "Shhh! You'll wake her up!" Professor Amanda said, trying to quiet Sephiroth before he woke little Stephanie up.

At that moment, Sephiroth noticed Baby Stephanie with a sort of confused look on his face. "It's a baby girl. Cute." "Well, to cut to the chase, I was wondering if you could take her in" Professor Amanda stated matter-of-factly. "First of all, why exactly should I? Secondly I don't really have time for kids. Thirdly, just who in the world is she, and fourthly, where in the world are her parents?"

Just then, Stephanie opened her eyes and smiled. Sephiroth blinked rapidly and had to do a double take to make sure he wasn't seeing things. "Impossible! She looks identical to-"Professor Gast?" Professor Amanda finished. "Yes! How In Gaia's name is that possible?" "Apparently he's still very much alive, but in hiding. How his wife had the courage to approach Shinra or even Midgar for that matter is a mystery to me." "What makes you say that?" "Because that's who brought her here." "Why? What mother in their right mind would do that?" "Well, her mother was muttering something about a "new sample for Hojo". So I took matters into my own hands and brought the little one here so I could talk to you."

"What makes you think I can take her in?" Sephiroth asked impatiently. "You just seem like you could protect her from Hojo better that I could." "Professor, with all due respect, I am a SOLDIER not a babysitter." "You know General, sometimes you disappoint me." "This meeting is over. Goodbye Professor" Sephiroth snapped. With that, the Professor stormed out of the room and down the hall to the "less prestigious" hospital wing where she worked. "Not even Big Brother wants me!" little Stephanie thought, silently crying.

Three years passed. Physically, Stephanie Faremis grew much the same as other children her age. Mentally however, she far surpassed any of them. In fact, by the time she was three, she could make sense out of even the most complex scientific and mathematic formulas. However, her favorite pastime was reading. Her favorite book was "The LOVELESS Collection" (which contained both versions of the poem, Original & Interpreted).

"The infinite mystery
the gift of the goddess is what the three men seek
but their fates are scattered by war

One is taken captured, one flies away
and the last becomes a hero

But the three are still bound by a solemn oath
to seek the answer together, once again

Though the prisoner escapes, he is gravely wounded
His life is saved, however
by a woman of the opposing nation

He begins a life of seclusion with her
which seems to hold the promise of eternal bliss

But as happiness grows, so does guilt
of not fulfilling the oath to his friends"

"Quoting Loveless again?" professor Amanda said to Stephanie, shaking her head. You need to-"expand my horizons?" Stephanie said laughing. "Yes! Don't you have that memorized by now?" "But Acts 1 & 2 interpreted is my favorite!" "Why?" "Because they tell my future." "Huh? What are you talking about?" "This: Though the prisoner escapes, he is gravely wounded. His life is saved, however, by a woman of the opposing nation." "What exactly does that have to do with you, Stephanie?" Stephanie slapped her forehead and sighed. "I'm the "woman of the opposing nation".

"Did you have too much sugar today dear?" "No. you want more proof?" "Sure, why not" Professor Amanda said chuckling. "Okay, you know I sometimes see the future right?" "Yes that's how you found out about Aerith." "Right. So now I'm having all these visions and dreams about this guy with chestnut hair and blue mako eyes." "Well you just keep having your visions. I have to go do some field work today." With that, Professor Amanda left.

A few hours later Stephanie heard footsteps behind her. However, she saw that it was Hojo before she heard him. Hojo however, didn't know of her intellect. "Hello, little girl. Do you want some candy?" even though Stephanie was book smart; she didn't have much common sense. All she had been told of Hojo was his name. She trusted him immediately. From there, she was taken to his lab where she was beaten, bruised and raped.

This pattern continued for two years until just before her fifth birthday. On that day, Genesis Rhapsodos went to ask Hojo a question and ended up taking Stephanie back to his quarters with him. "Oh not again! Please no!" Stephanie sobbed into Genesis' shirt. "Stephanie, can you tell me what happened?" Gen asked gently, folding his wing around her. "NO! STAY AWAY FROM ME! LET ME GO!" "I'm not gonna hurt you" Genesis said quietly. "Hojo said that too. Why should you be any different!?" Stephanie said angrily. "I can't talk to you right now Genesis". "Hey buddy! What's all the noise?" Angeal asked as he walked in. "Angeal, could you go get the General please?" "Sure Gen. whatever you say".

Sephiroth came in a few minutes later, followed by Angeal "is she okay?" "Why the concern all of a sudden, General?" Genesis asked "she's my sister" Unbeknownst to either Angeal or Genesis, Sephiroth, being an Ancient, saw Stephanie in trouble and had a change of heart and decided that he would take care of her. "Big Brother!" Stephanie said happily, tackling him as hard as was possible. "We're a bit enthusiastic today, aren't we?" Sephiroth said laughing.

(Later that night)

"Don't you worry Sissy. I'll buy you lots of pretty new stuff" Sephiroth said as he tucked Stephanie in on the couch in his quarters, truly smiling for the first time. Stephanie yawned & smiled "Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return".