Some progress. I really should have put this under a Tifa/Hojo title, but in a few chapters his role may diminish some. I'll figure it out as I write. Thanks Phantom Sephiroth, tristar3149, HazzaTL3, and all the rest.

As usual, I own nothing and make nothing (except for kudos from readers like you)


"Y-yo-you," stammered a confused Tifa Lockheart. It had been almost three years since she had seen the outside of her cell or another living being. All she had known was the pain of Mako radiation therapy and the whir of machines. Every so often there would be a tinny voice through a machine, giving her directions. Time was something that Specimen 0128 had no concept of any longer, it had ceased to exist. Now for the first time in years, the door that had long since been locked was opened. Bright red eyes stared up into the space that had been created. A frail figured filled that void.

"Yes, my precious creature," muttered a distracted professor Hojo. His rotting teeth grinned maniacally down at her from her spot on the floor. Any who knew the professor would have said that it was a loving smile, one should have been reserved to between lovers. Hojo did love 0128, she was his first personal success. Sephiroth had come first but that was the product of Lucresia, Gast, and himself; but this creature, this creature was all his own making. He had spent the past few months making sure that she was perfect. He had given her 'toys' to train with, the unsuppressed martial arts memories had improved. "You are the only one who made it. You're ready to continue on with the program."

"S-s-s-SOLD-IE-Rrr," she stuttered. Life returned to the dull eyes, her last memory was that of wanting to become a member of SOLDIER. That dream would finally become a reality, she would join the ranks of SOLDIER. Her mouth tried to relearn a speech pattern but years of no use, had handicapped her. That could all be overcome with practice.

"Yes, little creature, yes," he muttered watching her. Years spent without seeing another human might have taken a toll on her mind. All brain activity seemed normal, but there was always that unpredictable human element that Hojo hated so much. It had what been that caused all his other specimen to fail and been a waste of time. "Come," he beckoned holding his hand out to her. Hojo abhorred physical contact with other living creatures. It was the reason he used machines to administer all of his tests. Once, some time ago, he had lab assistants but they had all been chased away. The only other specimen he had touched was Sephiroth. Now, he would lead his first success, by the hand, out into the world.

"S-s-s-SOLDIER," Tifa said again, still marveling at her dream come true. Tifa rose from her cot and moved with sure steps that did not match her voice to the mad scientist. A smile blossomed on her face to match his. A radiant flashing to teeth that showed relief and gratitude. Their smiles matched each other, lovers united at last. The door that kept them apart had been thrown open. "N-no m-m-more p-p-p-p-pain?"

"There will be more pain, it's unavoidable," Hojo chattered on. It was easy for him to speak to his test subjects, easier than speaking with real people. "You're the only one who made it, you're very important to me. Here," he reached out and grabbed a clean lab coat. It was the only clean one around, all the others held his stench. He rapped Tifa in the long coat and dragged her out of his lab. He had quarters arranged for her, but first he would walk her around, making sure she knew the way there and to his lab.

"This is my lab," he continued gesturing around them. He led her to the door and outside. Bright light assaulted her sensitive eyes as she was led through the halls of the Shin-Ra building. Tifa had seen these halls before, but that all seemed so long ago. Wide eyed stares greeted her as she followed Hojo around. He explained a few of the places they walked through, but not many, only the important ones.

"S-s-sh-shin-r-r-ra," she stammered.

"Don't worry about them, they aren't important. You have bigger and better things to be concerned with. You're the future of science and SOLDIER." At the mention of SOLDIER program Tifa's face brightened up further.

"Whoa, prof who is this beautiful woman yo," called the voice of a junior Turk as the red headed man fell in step with Hojo and Tifa. "How'd you get a babe like this?" (Of course, I couldn't just leave Reno out of this) Hojo's response was an angry hiss at the Turk, how dare the slime bother him with his prize. "Okay, okay I get it. But sharing is caring yo," Reno said while being pulled away by a tall bald man. (Can't leave Rude out of this either)

"W-who-"

"No one important," Hojo interrupted. "Now we have to go eat, you're going to meet someone who is important." A lunch had been planned in order for Hojo to introduce his creature to the higher ranking Shin-ra officials. Sephiroth would be in attendance; it was Hojo's chance to see 0128 and Sephiroth together.

"If only this one would have been one of the failures," muttered Heidegger, practically drooling over the fifteen year old Tifa.

"Specimen 0128 has been the only successful candidate in the female, Soldier Breeding program..." Hojo's voice droned on, reading from a script that he had written. Public speaking was not one of his strong suits. Every now and that his eyes would dart to Tifa, who stood before the room at his side. Her eyes were all for Sephiroth. She was mesmerized by the large, silver haired general, as anyone would have been. All she had wanted was to stand and fight at his side, to become a household icon as he had. Those desires were forgotten, but still she was fascinated by him. Sephiroth spared a few glances at her, but was busy reading Hojo's report. The sooner her had all of the information that was available, the sooner he could leave the meeting.

"You haven't started the injections of Jenova cells?" asked Sephiroth when he finished reading the report. "This specimen is hardly ready for anything yet. When do you expect to introduce it to the training program?" Tifa hung on every word that came from Sephiroth's mouth, she adjusted her posture to be like his and even set her facial features to match his.

"That will all follow according to plan, while her training is going on," Hojo answered with a sick smile.


A bit shorter than I planned, but I ran out of ideas and oreos. I'm going to try to hammer out another chapter before I go to bed.

So how do we feel about Hojo, he's almost in love with Tifa, but that's because she's his prize specimen... until he gets his grandchildren. I might continue on with the Nibelheim event, but who knows.