Rain beat across the small, dark window above Tifa's head, slowly waking her from her slumber. As her eyes lifted, she couldn't help but smile at how peaceful her sleep had been. For three consecutive nights, she had found her dreams soothing, her slumber undisturbed. It was a small push of hope, making her slightly more optimistic that the pain she had undergone the last week could only keep withdrawing.

She shifted, stretching her stiff muscles and allowing the small blanket that had replaced Sephiroth's coat to fall away. As always, her eyes were greeted with the same familiar surroundings; the rustic, worn out furniture, now giving an almost comforting expression than when she had first laid eyes on it. Without thought, Tifa's gaze slid to the couch where her captor usually resumed his position and was surprised at the sudden pang of loneliness that came over her at his absence. Wait, that couldn't be right. Perhaps it was just the longing for another's company, not the man himself she wished for. Either that or she really must be going insane!

And yet, she couldn't help but notice how her hate, so deep and violent towards her captor, had diminished so incredulously. The thought would keep her busy for hours, in fact it was all she had thought about for the last few days.

The way he stared at her with those distant, mako eyes. How he made her feel acknowledged just by greeting her everytime he entered the room. The way he carried himself around her, as if she was something worth impressing. Everything, even how he made her give something in return for another, whether it be a reply to a question or a simple "thanks" for giving her food, it all confused and yet fascinated the young woman at how she seemed to respond to such treatment. It made her feel…like she some how needed him. For food, for warmth…for everything.

Tifa sucked restlessly on her lower lip, a habit she'd developed whenever she thought too hard over something. Too preoccupied with her thoughts, she barely flinched when the door pushed inwards and Sephiroth moved into sight, the bronze tray balanced perfectly on one hand. Kicking the door shut behind him, Sephiroth turned towards the young woman and grinned.

"How are we this morning Miss Lockhart, as glum as it may be." His luminous eyes shimmered to the window where rain streamed in rivers down the glass, before returning his gaze to her. Tifa inclined her head slightly and for the first time since her abduction, returned his smile. He noticed. His eyes seemed to flash in response as he kneeled in front of her, laying the tray to one side, just out of arms reach. He had done this every morning as part of his "give and be given" system, requiring her to show gratitude before she could receive the food. Tifa shifted into a more comfortable position and thanked him routinely, waiting for the tray to come closer, but no one moved. Had he not heard her? She opened her mouth to repeat the words but not before Sephiroth's hand caught her chin, forcing her to meet his stare.

"I don't think that will be enough anymore, my dear," he almost seemed to whisper.

Tifa stared in confusion, anxiety rippling across her pale face.

"I want something more." Sephiroth leaned in closer, so close that Tifa could feel his breath along her throat. His right hand came up to the nape of her neck and squeezed, gently but with enough force to pull her tighter. His face tilted slightly and he moved his lips forward but they only reached within an inch of hers before realization suddenly slammed into Tifa and she rammed her hands into his chest. Sephiroth unbalanced and released her neck as his hands flew down to steady himself. His eyes flared dangerously but instead of the blow Tifa had expected, Sephiroth merely smirked and rose, but not before pushing the tray a further few metres out of reach. "Think on it."

Tifa's expression changed from anger to disbelief in a matter of seconds. Had he really just tried to kiss her? She watched him glide across the room to his couch as if he'd just asked her to make a relatively easy decision.

Tifa's stomach growled and she wrapped her arms around her waist, hoping it would muffle the sound. Hatred, fear, anger, they all began to trickle back. This was blackmail. Fresh blood began to seep from her wrists as her wounds rubbed painfully against the rusted metal. And the pain mixed with fury caused the irrepressible tears to stream down her face once more.

Hours had passed and the noises erupting from her insides only grew. She felt sick, nauseous and the anger had begun to subside to a desperate plea. She couldn't bare this confusion anymore. Eventually Tifa gave up trying to hide it; she was starving.

As if he could hear her thoughts, Sephiroth turned in his seat and flashed his usual predatory grin. Casually he stood, stretching as he walked over to his captive. Tifa felt the breath catch in her throat. What was there left for her to do? Even if she didn't want him to kiss her, it was unlikely she had the strength to stop him if he tried. Her nose scrunched up in disgust as she realized how weak she was becoming. Tifa cursed herself then flinched, not realizing how close Sephiroth had got until his hand brushed her cheek. She cast her eyes up to his face and could only wait as he took hold of her neck, pulling her closer until his breath swept across her skin.

"Let's try this again." His voice had dropped to a whisper; even as he pulled her tighter Tifa could still hear the words echo in her mind. She shut her eyes, hoping that her revolt wouldn't give way to a physical rejection.

His breathing was so even; right up until it seemed to disappear. It was then that his lips met hers. It was so light, the young woman barely noticed until a little more pressure was added. Tifa could feel her arms lifting to resist and yet she couldn't bring herself to do it.

His mouth was warm and soft against hers, the exact opposite of what she'd imagined.

Releasing her neck, Sephiroth slid his hand around to her throat and brushed his thumb soothingly across her pulse. It relaxed her. Her mind became hazy; the thought of his lips against hers, how surprisingly good it felt filling every possible space. Curiosity replaced disgust. She felt his lips mould to hers, almost needy in the way they moved over her own and she almost moaned aloud as he pulled away. When she finally brought herself to open her eyes, she could see he was smiling contentedly at her.

"Good girl." The tray slid silently forward, but she didn't notice. She was watching him leave, her wine-red eyes deep and intent. Good girl. Who had said that before? Was it Cloud? She tried to remember his face, his bright blue eyes, his chocobo hair but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't see him. It was always another. Sephiroth with his flowing silver mane, the smouldering mako-green orbs, his perfect mouth. No, Cloud had the perfect mouth…didn't he?

What was Cloud to her anyway? Wait, what was she thinking, Cloud was everything to her…wasn't he? God, what was happening?

Tifa glanced distastefully at the tray of food beside her, her appetite completely demolished. That single kiss had changed it all. So…what would happen if he did it again? More importantly, did she want him to do it again? It wasn't just her body betraying her now; it was her mind as well. She was loosing everything to him.

A hand drifted down to pull the blanket back around her shoulders, her body suddenly shivering with cold but it only made her think of how warm she had felt with Sephiroth. Cringing, Tifa buried her head into the crook of her arm and allowed the wailing wind to drown out the turmoil taking over her thoughts.

Moonlight glimmered brokenly through the rain-battered window; the heavy storm clouds shrouding it frequently. Sephiroth was still, his luminous eyes fixed to Tifa's quaking figure. Every now and then another cry would escape her throat only to be engulfed in the wind's howl. He wanted to smile at her misery, but he also knew what it was like to have his mind so broken, his thoughts so torn that nothing seemed sane and so he simply watched.

A flash of lightening ripped through the night sky and a gasp of shock burst from the young woman. Sephiroth laughed into himself and casually lit the candle sitting to his left. "Are you always so tense?" He glanced back at her, a look of amusement curling his mouth to one side.

Tifa looked up at him in surprise, her eyes red and swollen in the dim light. He made no comment. Dark stains covered the blanket around the young woman's wrists, the blood from the deep gashes still trickling freely. Tifa watched, curiosity spreading across her face as Sephiroth moved toward her and reached into a pocket inside his coat. Her eyes glimmered with interest as his hand emerged with a small key and, without hesitating, inserted it into the shackle on each wrist and twisted. There was a low click as each lock came undone. Gently, Sephiroth took hold of each wrist and lifted the heavy metal away while Tifa made small gasps of pain as the objects brushed against the raw flesh. Immediately a renewed flow of blood streamed down her skin. Once more, Sephiroth reached into another pocket and produced a small orb, the colour matching his eyes perfectly. Tifa recognized it instantly as materia. She watched, bewildered as Sephiroth touched each wrist with the luminous ball, the wounds healing on impact.

He returned the orb to his pocket then took each arm and gently massaged the tender area until the red flush had disappeared. "Better?"

Tifa stared, unmoving as he worked; the candle's light flickering hypnotically against the luminous green of his eyes. Without breaking contact, Sephiroth suddenly lifted each wrist to his mouth and, in long drawn out motions, kissed the underside of each. "How about now?"

The young woman could only nod in response, her wine red eyes glistening.

"And what, Miss Lockhart, do you think you could give me in return?" With each word, Sephiroth pulled closer. Tifa could only sit and tremble, unmoving even as his lips met hers in a passionate caress. But it wasn't like it had been earlier. There was more demand, more urgency in the way his mouth moved against hers. His arms wrapped securely around her, pulling her away from the restricting corner into the warmth of his lap

Tifa could feel the panic rising within her. Something about this seemed so wrong yet she didn't want it to end. She could feel her own mouth respond to his touch, she complied when his tongue suddenly demanded entrance. The panic was almost like an adrenaline rush pushing her forward, not pulling her away. The feel of his lips crushing hers, his saliva coating her mouth, it should have revolted her, but in actual fact, she soon realized she craved it.

Sephiroth's hands glided encouragingly up her skin, caressing her sore muscles. After so long sitting still in her icy corner, the touch was welcome. They glided higher, his fingers catching on her shirt. Impulsively, Sephiroth took hold of the fabric and began to pull. Instantly Tifa's mouth parted his own and her eyes became shocked and wary as she pulled his hands away.

There was silence between them, broken by a sudden laugh of bemusement from Sephiroth. "Are you afraid of me Tifa?"

"…No." Her reply was whispered, almost breathless. It amused him.

Gradually his hand began to return to her waist. "Then why do you resis-…"

He was cut off as Tifa's hand halted his own from progressing and his mouth turned down into a smirk.

"Please…don't." Tifa's eyes cast downward away from his. There was fear in her voice, apprehensive yet more a warning than a plea. It was a warning to herself. She knew what he was doing to her and she knew she wanted it but the thought seemed to hit something deep inside. Something telling her this wasn't right, like a sin but to what, she could no longer remember.

In her moment of thought, Sephiroth drew close again and laid his mouth to her neck.

Simultaneously Tifa stiffened then melted, yet her hands unconsciously pushed at his shoulders. "No…stop…"

"Tifa," Sephiroth grasped her hands, pulling them away easily until he held them firmly behind her back. "Let me give you everything that pathetic fool cannot. All you have to do is cooperate." Swiftly, his mouth fastened over hers silencing her protest.

He waited for her body to relax against his before he returned to her waist, again moving to lift her shirt. But this time, Tifa didn't fight; willingly lifting her arms for him as he fully removed the garment. Silently, Sephiroth shrugged his leather coat away from his shoulders while his fingers nimbly got to work undoing Tifa's belt.

The young woman complied, using the moment to examine the marbled perfection that was Sephiroth's chest. It distracted her fear, turned her anxiety into awe. Her fingers traced across his skin in a cool caress, exploring the muscles of his abdomen with gentle precision.

Then there was a sharp tug at her hip before Sephiroth's arm curled around her slim body and swung her from his lap to the floor beneath him. He removed her shorts and underwear in one quick sweep completely exposing her lower half. She gasped in shock, her mind quickly becoming engulfed with his seduction.

Sephiroth towered over her small figure, his silver hair tumbling down to rest across her porcelain breasts.

Suddenly Tifa's breath caught in her throat, a wave of terror washing through her. Sephiroth was so powerful, he was in complete control and she was lying there practically offering herself to him. She could hear the buckles of his trousers being undone and a lump built in her throat. How could she get out of this?

There was an unexpected stillness and the young woman looked up only to be caught in Sephiroth's penetrating gaze. He could read everything just by the look on her face. The fear in her eyes, the regret. Smoothly he bent his head and laid an intimate kiss on her lips waiting for a response.

As quickly as it had come, the fear seemed to melt away with his touch. Lifting her chin to meet the kiss, Tifa wrapped her arms delicately around Sephiroth's neck and crushed her lips to his. She obliged when his tongue probed for entry and shivered as his cool fingers splayed across her lower stomach. They drifted lower until they came to rest between the young woman's legs and she trembled as his coolness hit moist heat making her mouth more insistent than ever.

Sephiroth's tongue was battling with hers, dancing in a rhythm that matched the motion of his fingers causing her to shake in delight. He played with her, ravenous to advance but patient, waiting for just the right moment.

Tifa's tongue faltered and he took his chance. As his own tongue dove deeper into her mouth, his fingers intruded, forcing a squeal of shock from the young woman's throat. Her back arched, pushing her breasts higher, almost in offering to him. She crooned softly as Sephiroth's warm lips engulfed each, tender and teasing, his mere touch turning the nipple to an erect peak.

He was indulging himself, relishing in the small gasps he pulled from her lungs, how wet she was becoming beneath him as he toyed with her sweet spot.

Slowly, Sephiroth retracted his fingers and in one swift movement, positioned his body between her legs.

Tifa lay in bliss, unaware of the man's new intention. Her petite form lay extended beneath the solid muscle of his, crooning and impatient. She turned her gaze to him, her eyes glistening as his grip caught her chin. His eyes seemed to burn above her, like smouldering embers glowing with a dangerous lust. His expression was something terrifying yet seductive, causing an unknown heat to pool in the pit of her stomach.

He leaned forward, placing a soft kiss to her swollen lips and her hands bunched in the silken lengths of his hair, pulling him closer. When they broke apart, Sephiroth's eyes seemed to have burst into flame. "Tifa," his voice had taken on a husky edge, adding to the seduction he was weaving around her, "I want you to do something for me."

Tifa stared innocently up at him, her willingness to obey emanating from her wine-red eyes without him even giving command.

"My name, Tifa. I want you to cry my name when I take you."

The young woman's eyes changed from a look of obedience to fear in an instant. She could suddenly feel how hard his arousal had become against her skin, how large he felt along her inner thigh.

Before she could object, Sephiroth's hips drove forward, burying his member hard within her. A piercing cry ripped from Tifa's throat, a mixture of pain and pleasure exulting from her lungs as she managed to mouth his name. A tear welled up and streamed down the young woman's cheek, trickling to a corner of her mouth where Sephiroth lapped it away before re-assaulting her mouth. She held her eyes shut, refusing to let him see the emotion building inside her. His hand cupped her face, brushing any remaining tears from her skin. He didn't want this to be painful for her and the sooner she adjusted, the sooner she could see what ecstasy he could truly instill.

He felt her muscles tighten around him, straining to accommodate his size.

Gently, Sephiroth slid out of her before returning in a slow, languid stroke. Tifa's body shook beneath him as his hips collided with hers, pain still so prominent that she had bitten down on her own lip, sharp enough to draw blood. The man could taste it in his own mouth, the metallic flavour somehow sweet on his tongue.

It encouraged him. He listened intently to the small gasps and moans as he entered her again and again, his pace gradually starting to increase as her body loosened, finally starting to adjust to him. He knew she was ready to go further when her lips eventually began returning his kisses, her hands grasping and pulling at his hair until it was painful. The girl's mind seemed to spin with the unfamiliar sensations now sweeping through her. The once stabbing pain was currently being replaced with blissful pleasure, something new and unbeknownst to her until now

After several minutes, her hips had begun to lift to meet his thrusts, encouraging him onwards. Tifa's moans grew in duration as she called for him to move faster, grasping his waist in an attempt to impale herself further onto him.

A sweat broke across their bodies, glistening in the candle's faint glimmer. It made her hair plaster itself to her forehead. Even when Sephiroth's fingers trailed across the slick strands, they still managed to end up as a covering to her face.

Her body seemed to scream in worship to this man. He was changing her life, the very way her mind worked. She couldn't get enough; she had to have more of him.

By now Sephiroth had lost all restraint. He was slamming into her, driving at such a speed that he didn't see how far they'd gone until a tremor unexpectedly racked through his body and he realized how close he was to coming.

Tifa's legs wrapped securely around his waist forcing him to drive harder. Like himself, he could sense she was near to her climax.

With one final thrust, Tifa exulted her release and fell into ecstasy, Sephiroth following shortly after. The man collapsed onto her, panting with such ferocity that Tifa was compelled to entwine her limbs around him, to hold him in her embrace.

They lay motionless; the sound of their breathing all that proved they were still alive.

Minutes seemed to drag by; the candle still burning strong long after midnight. Sephiroth listened, unmoving, to the hurtling speed of Tifa's heart, waiting for it to subside to a steady beat before he lifted his head and placed a kiss to the young woman's chin. Tifa's sight was blurred, speckled with dancing green lights. Even when Sephiroth wordlessly rose and lifted her tenderly from the floor, she could still barely see more than a few inches before her.

Her body touched something soft, sank into the confines of a cushioned surface and after blinking rapidly for a few seconds, the young woman realized she was lying across the blue couch. Sephiroth's warm body slid in behind her, sending elated shivers down her form. She could feel the heavy pull of a blanket drape up her figure until it lay securely over them both.

The heat of his body was greatly welcomed, soothing her tired muscles. His arm slid subtly beneath hers, wrapping tightly around her waist to pull her close. Tifa's eyes shut instantly.

It somehow felt right, the feel of her legs, slick with their juices, the musky aroma of Sephiroth's body mixing with hers. It didn't matter anymore whether this was wrong or not, but it was unmistakeable how her own feelings had changed erratically. Tifa depended on him now, and she enjoyed it.

Allowing her mind to rest, Tifa slipped into a peaceful sleep, the candle's light burning long into the dawn before the flame flickered into nothingness.