A/N: I had to edit this chapter due to fear of a misunderstanding. My apologies to everyone who've received the alert for this chapter twice.

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Chapter 3

"Angeal?"

When he had said he would keep Genesis out of trouble, Angeal had not realized what it would cost him.

"I'm listening, Genesis," he said patiently.

Satisfied, Genesis turned the page and continued reading the Third act of LOVELESS. Angeal quickly found his mind starting to wander again. Unlike Genesis, he had little interest in the play. Especially after being forced to watch it in the theater three times. Sephiroth had fallen asleep the third time. Genesis had bashed him over the head to wake him, hard enough to leave bruises on a normal person. Sephiroth had since then shown marginally more interest in LOVELESS, claiming it had been 'beaten into his head'.

"...nothing shall forestall my return." Genesis finished and laid the book to one side. "Thoughts?"

Luckily, Angeal had this verse memorized. "I suppose... you have to admire his persistence." Unfortunately, he did not have the whole act memorized, and so he sought a way to change the subject. "I'm going to get you something to eat."

Genesis pulled a face. "Not the blood-replenishing draught again?"

"No," Angeal assured him. "I'm going to make something out of the leftovers you have."

Genesis opened his book again. Angeal strode off towards the kitchen.

"What were you thinking?"

Sephiroth watched the saline flow through the IV line connected to his hand with a distant air. "I had to. You wouldn't understand."

Hojo snorted. "I suppose you think sentiment excuses this sort of foolhardy act? I would expect this type of idiocy from the other two Firsts, but I didn't expect it from you."

"I don't make it a point to live my life based on your expectations, professor. Now, project G."

Hojo brushed by him with a half-filled test tube. "What of it?"

"What was it?"

"Hollander's experiment," the scientist pushed his glasses up his nose with one hand. "On Hewley and Rhapsodos."

When Hojo didn't say anything further, Sephiroth pressed, "What kind?"

"Before their birth, there was an attempt to boost their abilities by changing some genetic factors. But they were born normal, so they were counted as failures."(1)

Then... Angeal and Genesis were not normal humans? But... "So, why was it called project G?"

"Project Gillian. Hewley's mother."

"And the degradation?"

"If Rhapsodos had started to degrade, I suspect Hewley would not be far behind. Hardly surprising. They were imperfect to begin with."

Sephiroth tuned out the last words. "So, will Genesis die? Or is he healed now?"

Hojo gave an irritable wave of his hand, indicating his indifference. "I suppose he is."

"Something cured him, then. My blood? How?"

A small sneer curled the lips of the scientist. "Why don't you ask Hollander?"

"And about that," Sephiroth frowned, puzzled, "Why would Hollander refuse to take my blood for Genesis if he knows it would have healed him?"

"Did he now?" Hojo outright laughed this time. "Oh, this is glorious! Too proud and stubborn to acknowledge his experiment's inferiority. I wonder how he will react when the news reaches him?"

Sephiroth narrowed his eyes in a glare that had sent many enemies beating - or at least trying to beat - a hasty retreat. Unfortunately for him, Hojo hardly seemed fazed. "I will not let my friends' lives be placed in jeopardy because of your little squabbles, professor. Answer the question."

"Pride, my boy! He didn't want to acknowledge that his experiments were faulty."

For some reason, Sephiroth couldn't help but feel that was not the full answer. However, despite Hojo's many faults, he had never outright lied to Sephiroth.

That he knew about, at least, he added to himself.

"Why did my blood heal Genesis?"

Hojo stiffened noticeably. "Your genes do not possess the imperfections theirs do," he said. "Your cells are healthy. Theirs... aren't."

"So, anyone not a product of project G would have sufficed?" That felt off, somehow.

"Sephiroth..." Hojo trailed off for a moment. "A normal human cannot donate to SOLDIERs without weakening them. You know that. It dilutes the Mako."

"But any SOLDIER could have healed them?" Sephiroth pressed.

"For the love of... Sephiroth, you cannot possibly think you were not enhanced in some way besides Mako! Why do you think we ran regular tests on you when you were younger?"

"Yes, I know..." the First paused. "Then, am I like Angeal and Genesis?"

"No," and Hojo was smiling widely. "You're better. Far better." He frowned suddenly. "Don't ever compare yourself to those weaklings."

"They aren't weaklings," Sephiroth hissed. "They're Firsts. And don't change the subject. Were my genes modified?"

"For maximum power, yes." the scientist rolled his eyes. "Are you done now?"

Quite frankly, Sephiroth didn't understand much about genetic engineering. But he did have to know... "Did the modifications involve monsters in any way?"

"No," the answer was firm.

Satisfied for now, Sephiroth lay back and closed his eyes. He would not drift off in Hojo's presence - but he did feel tired enough to warrant some rest.

Angeal stared at the lock on Sephiroth's door.

Genesis was asleep, finally, and he had taken the time to check up on his other friend. What he had found was surprising, to say the least. It was almost unheard of for Sephiroth to be out of his apartment after 9 in the evening.

Unless, of course, they were going sparring, or Lazard had sent him out on a mission.

Sephiroth never practiced alone, and he never sparred with Seconds or Thirds. So only the second option was viable.

He flipped open his PHS and called the Director.

"Hello, Angeal," Lazard's voice was harassed. "What can I do for you?"

The dark-haired SOLDIER immediately felt guilty. "If this is a bad time..."

"No, it's fine," said Lazard. "What is it?"

"Sephiroth. Have you sent him on a mission?"

There was a moment's pause. "No, despite Heidegger's insistence," Lazard's tone was dry. "I understand the definition of a leave."

"He's on leave?" That was, yet again, almost unheard of.

"Angeal," Lazard sounded surprised, "You know Sephiroth is in no condition to go on missions after the blood loss he has sustained."

Angeal's heartbeat quickened. So the shaky voice on the line hadn't just been his imagination... "During the donation?"

"Ah. So you didn't know." Lazard was silent for a moment. "Yes, due to the donation. Genesis was losing blood almost faster than they could fill him up. Sephiroth had to give about half of the amount in his body."

Genesis had been wrong about Sephiroth not caring, after all. Angeal couldn't help but feel a little pleased that his best friend had another person who cared just as much for him. The First knew that sentiment was selfish. If Lazard was right, Sephiroth had nearly destroyed himself saving Genesis.

But then... where was he? Angeal was under no illusion that Lazard might know of Sephiroth's whereabouts, so he thanked the director and hung up.

He was just about to dial Sephiroth's number when the elevator at the end of the hall opened and the man in question stepped out.

So, I lost interest for some time. Also, I couldn't exactly figure out where to take this story. All I have are vague ideas.

1: That is what Hojo thinks. Angeal was only considered to be successful because he could absorb others' traits and did not degrade, something that Hojo cannot know about at this point in time.

Reply to unsigned review:

Guest: Thank you. I put a lot of effort into making them in-character.

Please review! And if you have any ideas about where the plot should go from here, I'd love to hear it!