DISCLAIMER: I do not own 'FFVII/AC', 'Silent Hill', 'Bleach' or 'Jigsaw Girl'. All rights belong to Square Enix, Konami, Tite Kubo and the Toadies. I only own my OC and this fanfiction. Thank you.

His expression had been flecked with concern, though not overwrought. He wasn't one for over-dramatics, just snark. He could act, but he was a good performer, not a trashy one. And he wasn't about to let out the fact that he'd been very close to tearing the complex apart just to find her, either. That probably wouldn't help. He had to be 'comforting', something he hadn't had much of any experience with. But in this case, he hadn't gotten any other option.

"What's the matter?" He'd figured that should be the first thing to ask, since he really had no clue as to how she was out here in the first place, and why. Well, other than walking. He knew that much, though he had to wonder if she may've been hiding somewhere for a bit, as well. Had she gotten scared after starting her little adventure?

Yeah-her adventure and Shinra's heart-attack. Nice way to kick off the term as a new student, right? Go missing before your first day.

Unconsciously, Yazoo had found himself reaching out to stroke Kira's long, somewhat messy locks with one hand. They weren't quite as tangled now, but they continued to hide her features. The other had now slipped from her face, with an arm wrapping around her shoulders to keep her where she was. Of course, she hadn't protested. And, after a few more moments of hiccuping and catching her breath, Kira had finally looked back up, to the dark angel looking down at her. She was smiling, even with the fresh sadness in her eyes.

But there was still relief, as she'd let out a choppy little noise, which Yazoo was later able to identify as some sort of giggle. Giggling? Kira was giggling? Or attempting to? He hadn't had the time to revel in the fresh experience, because another one was about to shove it clear out the window, taking its place. "Eheh...whoops, looks l-like-like I...went th-the wrong way...heh..."

Yazoo had continued gazing down at her, the hand on her head threading through her hair while the other was rubbing her shoulder. He knew now, that it would be a straight-up lie, to say he hadn't cared that she went missing. Back then, he'd probably known it, too. Yet, he'd continued viewing the entire night through that cracked spyglass; trying to convince himself that the responses were pre-recorded into him, as a sort of defense mechanism of adaptation. Even if he was heartless, no one had to know that fact completely, right? He was just playing the game.

But oh no, wait. He wasn't heartless. He'd had one, toxic as it was...

...it had simply been stolen.

"Where were you going?" His words had been a low murmur, as he'd brought his head down, lips parted beside her ear. He'd felt her shiver at the light puff of air, grazing the shell as the inquiry sunk in. Then another. "Did you have a bad dream?"

He'd felt her heart thud hard in her chest, and in response she'd shaken her head quickly. A little too quickly actually, seeing as she hadn't been the most balanced in that moment, for good reason. She'd nearly fallen backwards, and would have if Yazoo hadn't been holding her there steady against him. But the answer was clear.

"N-No...not a bad dream." She'd sighed then, glancing to her side briefly with that tear-stained stare, before turning to face him once more. Her expression had been in a guilty smile, that had made something flare up in his chest as he viewed it. Again, that look. What...could she possibly have to be guilty of this time? He hadn't yet figured out where it had all stemmed from. Yazoo could only tighten his grip on her slightly, his own expression a lone smile, just a tad worried.

Worried. Was that something he would've used to describe any of the emotions he'd learned to use in this mess of a world? No, not usually. But back then, he'd been able to play the part so perfectly, say those lines like his life depended on it. Nowadays, the 'worry' had actually become its own sentient set of feeling with stressors and triggers.

"What was it then, dearest Sister?" If she hadn't been suffering from a nightmare, then he'd had no further leads as to what could have set all of this into motion. Kira had been looking straight into his eyes, that sad smile still on her face. Oh, how he wanted to take it away, banish it so that it wouldn't mar her features so. This look affected him in a different way; it was nowhere near as repulsive as the lifeless mask she'd worn twice before. This one reached him in a strange manner. Why was her first response always guilt?

In that current moment, Yazoo felt his heart skip. Shit. Those feelings...they were stirring again. There was one thing now, that he could think of, the only crime she could've ever possibly committed. But it was one he'd never punish her for. In a sense, it had been the perfect crime. He hadn't even realized what was happening, until...

Another thud in the smaller girl's chest. That same plaintive stare. Those faded, chapped lips, parting to give him the reason that had floored him then, and continued to do so until this day. "I was...I g-got scared, thinking about g-going to lessons tomorrow." She'd swallowed quietly, but went on. It seemed that her willingness to communicate had opened a bit further from this, if only for the one night. "I h-haven't had a lot of experience with it, b-but what little I know...it's not fun." A strong shudder then. Had she been in an academy before, or... "I d-didn't think I could deal with it..."

The energy building between them had been a wonder to behold, but Yazoo was pretty certain that, at the time, he'd been the only one aware of it. Kira, innocent Kira, she was completely oblivious as to what she'd been doing here. The spell she had been casting.

Finally, the end of the explanation. "A-And I-I-I...I didn't wanna think about-about not being able to-to see...all of you." Another pound of the heart, though that time Yazoo hadn't been sure if had been just hers alone. Not just "all of you". There was something more. He'd waited with bated breath, paused while appearing completely interactive. Everything in his being was resting on this answer.

And boy, was he in for one helluva sucker punch. "Not being able to s-see you...my Onii-chan." At hearing this part, the male's heart actually had jolted in response, for once. This was a big development here. What...what had she just admitted?

And what had she just called him?

"I left my room...because I wanted to see you...one m-more time. But I...I got lost, and scared...and then I got stuck h-here..." Her stuttering was seeming to calm, the more words she managed to get out. The comfort levels were growing between them, even as his nerves and desires had continued to twist up into a spring of tightly coiled madness. Yazoo had been drinking them in, analyzing everything behind that facade of simple inquiry and brotherly concern. Oh, his mask was slipping.

"Rrgh-!" Back in the present, Yazoo's emotions were starting to get the better of him once more. He hadn't been expecting the reaction to be that strong, at remembering the first time she'd addressed him that way. Since then, that name had been reserved for him and him alone, no matter if she considered the others as her siblings, too. It was yet another special bond between them, one of the many that had formed during their time together.

Just like when she called him "Zo-kun". Another precious nickname, a sweet and gentle method of acknowledgement that he'd never thought possible to apply to someone like him. That had come later, and he hadn't complained. This one...had introduced him just as much to her own world, as he had her to his. And now, they were starting to blur.

"Kira..." It had taken a few moments for Yazoo to fully formulate a reply. She had said, in plain terms, that the reason why she'd left her room was because she had been scared of going to classes, and being away from him. So she'd set out to find him. Him, and no one else. Even when she'd had no idea where the hell she'd been going. It had been a whole new section to the puzzle that he'd patiently pieced together, and it had excited him.

He hadn't let that excitement show until he'd returned to his own room, however.

Leaning down, he'd finally begun his response, with a kiss to the forehead. He'd felt her warm slightly, but as usual she hadn't pushed him away. His hold on her had not lessened; the only thing that changed was that he'd now been using both arms to do so, keeping her as close to him as possible while he took in her scent. Allowed it to wash over him like a light, pleasant breeze.

Then, more pretty words. "Dearest Kira...while I am flattered that you care for me so..." His eyes had softened just a tad, a look that had been, and always would be, reserved for her and her alone. "I don't want you putting yourself into harm's way just to find me." He'd started rubbing her shoulder unconsciously, as he'd continued on. "I'm sorry you were frightened."

Another kiss, this time to the top of her head. Again, no brush off. Maybe she had even grown to expect...and enjoy his touches?

Oh crap, the boner was coming back. And the memories weren't about to stop now. Not after today's events. "I know it seems like such a scary concept, going to a new place." Well, he'd assumed it was anyway, based off of what Kyra, then eventually both girls, had mentioned to him. As stated before, all his learning had been inside the labs.

But he hadn't been about to push her aside, not after such a stunning display of devotion that had managed to, figuratively, knock him flat on his ass. Looking back down at her, he'd noted that her head was lowered once more. Reaching, he'd taken a hold of her chin, like so many times before, tilting it up until he could see her face. The face that had currently become a small obsession.

"However, you are a strong girl, and you deserve an education just as much as anyone else." Although he still didn't understand why the Sisters couldn't simply be taught while at Shinra-he'd never understand that spiel about "Getting more familiar with their adoring public, while having the typical schooling experience"-he'd come to accept that it was yet another obstacle, like his tests, that his Sisters were stuck dealing with. Or medication regiments, like in Kira's case.

And now, he was really dealing with it, too.

"Besides..." And at this, he had lowered his face closer, so very close to hers, while just managing to keep that sliver of distance between them. "A Princess needs to know what to expect in her life upon the throne, yes? That extends beyond the company's walls. It's important to be prepared." His stare had been focused on none other than her, the words spilling forth fluidly and without hesitation, like a fallen bottle of wine.

Dark, rich wine...and the effect had been quite the intoxicating one. Kira had continued to watch him, hanging on his every word as if he were the King of the world. Heh, that was actually a nice thought, there...

Somehow, when he was with her, there was a growing need in his soul, to get closer, know more, influence further. She was like a blank canvas, just full of possibilities. And he was the painter, gradually bringing to life his masterpiece. Kira had started to progress from more than just 'entertainment' or 'a fun toy'. She was steadily, inch by slow inch, making a niche for herself in his existence, more than just a Sister he wanted to indulge.

Was he truly indulging her...or indulging in her?

By then, Yazoo had already broken the hold between them, instead keeping Kira by his right side as he'd led her back down the hall. "Now, in order for a Princess to learn as much as she can, she first needs a good night's rest." He'd looked at her, a bit pointed but mostly teasing. "Have you already taken your medications for the evening?"

One of the many things he'd wound up memorizing for himself: her pill schedules. Two pills in the morning, for two separate substances, an anti-depressant and mood stabilizer. Then, three pills in the evening for sleep, anxiety control, and dream management. Yes, even her dreaming had to be kept in line, because of how prone to nightmares she'd turned out to be. All psychiatric, just like the earlier ones. Formulated to hopefully balance out, and not clash with nasty side effects. But even then, they weren't perfect.

Yazoo couldn't imagine having to stick to such a routine daily; the checkups every month with Hojo were bad enough. To be forced into taking treatments every day, and twice a day at that, just to function? No thank you very fucking much. His sympathy towards Kira and her situation had begun to stir further, though he'd known that ultimately, the only thing he could offer was his brand of companionship and a watchful eye.

Huh. He'd never have dreamed of categorizing himself in such a role. It seemed so very...beneath him, at first glance. However, in this case...

His 'companionship' with Kira was what had led them to this point in the first place. Even if she was doing the work to move forwards, it was all thanks to him that she'd started taking those shaky steps to begin with. In that sense, while he may've been her confidant, there was a sort of symbiosis going on here-she couldn't function without him. It had been made clear this night. She needed him.

And...he had begun to need her too, in his own way.

Kira had looked up at him sheepishly, the red in her expression gradually fading as the shed tears were becoming nothing more than a fleeting memory in time. "No..." She'd admitted it with that same guilty tone, though this time the prior sadness wasn't quite so wrapped around it like a choking, poised snake. He'd moved on, simply letting out a playful tutting sound.

"Well, if you're going to get some shuteye, the first thing we need to do is remedy that. Let's go back to your room, and I'll help you settle in." For just that briefest moment, Yazoo had had an image flash through his mind, of spending the night in dearest Sister's room, watching her as she slept so peacefully, beside him.

Beside him...

Kira had made no protest at his spoken plans, appearing more than content to have her acid-tongued iceberg of an older brother-no, an "Onii-chan", as she'd referred to him as, he'd had to find out exactly what it meant later-lead her away, to tuck her in for the night. She'd been pressed so closely into his side, and Yazoo recalled that first sensation of prickling heat beginning to build under his heavy getup. They had come so very far from where they were four months ago.

Doing his best not to dwell on this point too much, since it had only served to raise the temperature under his suit, Yazoo had turned his thoughts to just how stupid those guards were going to look, once he'd gone to deliver the news. It had taken him a little time, but in the end, he'd found her. He'd found her, no one else. He had saved her.

And it had all been because of him that this had happened to begin with.

The shivers coursing through his body upon the sheets were both startling and delicious. His arousal was beginning to rise once more, remembering just how...twisted and proud he'd felt back then, at having been the trigger to this sudden jump forwards. Because of him, Kira was becoming more of a person, in her own right. It had all been under his expert hand.

Not his other siblings, not the rest of Kira's family, not even the doctors who were treating her. It had all been his doing. He had started this experiment, and now the results were...starting to get a little too 'real' here. His logical mind had told him to use his brakes, but his heart, his hungering curiosity and now gradually realized longing...were driving him to slam on the gas instead.

Did he like the speed? Did he care if he crashed? How far would this journey take him? No-them. He wasn't alone here, not in this setup. He had a passenger by his side.

The incidents of the night before had faded into the past, as school began to take up Kira's focus. It was a truly turbulent experience for her-she never said much about it, but Yazoo had been able to guess to himself, multiple times, that Kira was hiding more than she let on. Why she'd felt the need to do so, he hadn't understood, but as long as it didn't hinder her progress, he didn't care. Perhaps it was out of compassion towards her fellow students, ha. Somehow, she'd managed to stay afloat, by a miracle or two.

It had probably helped that at least she'd had Kyra by her side, no matter if it was just them against the majority of the student body. Still, there was that reluctance and hesitation on her part. He had many further layers to progress through, before she as a person would be fully revealed.

However, even with all the new coursework involved, Kira managed to spend time among the rest of the family, which Yazoo was grateful for. Even if he wasn't seeing her as often as he would've liked, a little time was better than none. For the moment, he'd take what he could get. Oh, how he'd done his best to stick to that mantra, and at first, it had worked. Nowadays, though...

The urges were getting worse.

As the first few months of school passed by for Kira, that family setting that Yazoo had been imagining from day one had finally formed. With all of them-yes, even grouchy Kadaj, surprise surprise. Kira had been trying to get out of her room more, aside from the academy trips, and Yazoo had been more than willing to help in that endeavor, by leading her to his side for little excursions beyond her comfort zone.

She'd been a bit timid at first, but had eventually gotten settled in. In the present time, he could bring her to his room without question, and she wouldn't fret a bit. She seemed to like his room, in fact. After all, it was just hanging out with "Onii-chan", Older Brother, right?

That devious grin, reflected in his eyes, as once more his hand began to drift lower. Over the taut, pale skin of his abdomen. Right.

He hadn't been the only one who'd been showing Kira around, however...it seemed that Kadaj too, was introducing her to new places, i.e his room. A place Yazoo would've rather she stayed away from. Like fifty feet or so. How he'd suddenly gotten over his issues with the girl, he'd had no clue. But the reminder of Kadaj's brazen actions caused his gaze to darken briefly, before he shoved the memories aside. He had nothing to kill right now, so it wasn't good to dwell on.

But, it was around that time...when he'd finally taken notice of just how far his relationship with dearest Kira had gotten...and how deeply it ran.

The soft skin. The delicate touches. The beat of her heart. The way her hair caught in the light at times, with a momentary auburn sheen. When she hit about fifteen, she'd gotten it cut short-both of the girls had, actually. The lighter styles suited them more in the later years. Kyra's was a bit more spiky, springing out away from her face in front while up in layers on the back. Kira's had been fuller, with thick bangs that fell to her right and a few sparse cowlicks up top. They were kind of cute actually, like little antennae.

Her skinny, gangly figure gradually grew into a petite proportioned, slender form as the years slowly passed by. Decent height, too-she always had been, and always would be, taller than Kyra. But Kyra had more to her figure, and some impressive assets, if he did say so himself. The two forms fit the girls well, as far as they themselves went. It suited their personalities. This fact never changed.

More observations, like how Kira's throat was exposed every time he'd titled her head back, and how he could feel the pulse racing beneath. He was always so tempted to take off his gloves, just to grasp it for himself against his fingertips. Her thin, slender neck...held between his hands. Playing with her air supply.

Or his breath, hot and trembling against her collar, as he'd proceed to trail his tongue along the scars, sinking his teeth into the tender skin. Maybe breaking, maybe bruising. Maybe both.

Those long legs that seemed to always stand out, no matter what she wore. Even if it was mostly nightgowns and PJs, thin and loose pieces. They couldn't hide them fully, once 'puberty' had kicked into effect. It was so easy to see, based on the developing curve of her hips-exactly where they started from, and how far they went. Legs that went on for miles, isn't that how they'd describe it? Her figure had height with smaller womanly touches, and her mannerisms were gentle, though she herself wasn't necessarily 'tiny'.

Her voice. That sweet tone, that had gone from jittery whispers and too much stuttering, to a far calmer pitch, only peppered with the occasional stray hiccup. She had gotten so much better at explaining herself, and what was going on inside her head. Or at least, when he'd asked her. Though she still hadn't been telling him everything...but fine. Progress was progress. They'd burn that bridge when they came to it, make sure it would never come back to bother them again. He didn't want Kira to live a half-life, in the silence. He wanted to hear her. Hear more of her.

He'd heard her sing a few times since then, as well-completely unexpectedly, of course. He'd just happened to be outside her door for a visit when he'd caught the sounds through the barrier. He'd had no idea where she'd picked the songs up from; a couple he was able to identify as Wutaian, the others just seemed to be the same lines, over and over.

It seemed like she hadn't memorized the whole tunes, and it had made sense, considering her history. She could read, but hadn't been taught how to use those words. If she had heard the songs without seeing their lyrics, it was entirely possible that only certain parts had stuck. He wasn't yet sure as to how things like her memory worked.

He'd had to admit though, as the goosebumps began to prickle on his flesh in the shadows of his room, desire rising...it was such a lovely sound. Her voice, in general. He'd often wished she hadn't gotten so startled every time he'd interrupted her. From that first time, he'd begun wondering to himself...

...what other sounds could she make, under his touch?

It was obvious, to anyone with eyes and a brain: the Shinra Princesses were growing up, in more ways than one. By this point they had already finished 'Middle Academy', and begun their learning at the next level, that place called 'High Academy'. Three years is what they'd said, before they could graduate and move on for good. To the position and status they so rightfully deserved. It was during their second year that the new observations had started.

The best part about this, however? While Kyra may've been taking to her changes like any eager teenager, having fun with experimenting on her looks, for an 'older' feel or appearance, Kira...Kira hadn't seemed to realize that she'd grown some, since the day she'd first arrived there.

The years were passing by slowly, and more were set to follow. But even with all the evidence, Kira just...didn't seem to register it. She was blithely oblivious to her hormones, or the majority of them. As if she were still a little girl, playing make-believe in her head.

Yazoo had finally noticed them as well, the rest of them, once Kira had started going out and about more often, dressed at last in things other than sleepwear and sweaters-like academy uniforms, for one. They were scattered about her legs and arms, from what he had seen, though he wouldn't have been surprised if their range extended to the parts that all the pretty clothes covered. They reminded him instantly of the ones he'd found on her face and throat.

Scars. So. Many. Scars.

Long ones, short ones. Some were even just spots altogether-circular, sometimes hard looking masses. Thick and thin, a few completely flat. A couple were in straight, dotted lines. Some were so faded, nearly a shade of milk-while. Others were a mixture of pink, while the last bunch were a deeper rosy red-sometimes flecked with a spot of brown-violet. Like a bruise beneath the skin, that would never go away. It had bothered and baffled Yazoo then, and continued to until this day.

Where could she have accumulated so many injuries from?

She hadn't been taught any sort of survival skills, like Kyra. She'd just been handed off from one family to another, each apparently looking to make a quick buck while passing around one of the new Shinra heirs, causing their own trouble to the company and its bloodline. And he knew she wasn't combative, which meant she wouldn't have gotten those marks from general fighting, like between siblings or front yard scuffles. Which only left two options, in his mind:

Either this girl had been one clumsy Princess-to-be before arriving, or...someone else had inflicted those old wounds upon her flesh. Since he hadn't seen much of that while she'd been living here, he'd been stuck considering the other option.

A fist then, slammed hard against the mattress. Long fingers uncurled and clenched tightly, around the sheets that continued to stick to him, one of the only real sensations that was clear in his mind at this moment. The strike to the bed, another jarring tactic. And the beats of his heart, one by one in steady rhythmic fashion, pounding through his hearing and his chest-he could see it moving just slightly from the force beneath.

Rage. More pure, unbridled hatred. Just like his jealousy towards his Brother, and his detest towards the majority of the human race. He still didn't have anything to kill here.

And that was one of the points of Kira's past that hadn't yet been solved: she never talked about them, even if asked. The silence that would descend upon the current conversation in progress was astonishing. An uncomfortable, prickly quiet. Add to that the look on Kira's face...it was enough to get most to simply go "Whatever", and check out for the day. She had a decent patent on the scary-sad little girl look, Yazoo had admitted this, seeing the event happen a couple of times while they'd been exploring some of the lower levels of Shinra.

The only ones she hadn't done that to were her closest family. She would never give them such treatment. When they had inquired-and a couple had-she'd simply given them her best smile, and changed the subject. Her voice had been shaky, but the intent was clear. It was a topic she did not care to discuss. Having thought back to when she'd first arrived at Shinra, he wondered if all those markings had been taken note of, along with her mental and physical health.

They must've been. How could anybody not notice a battered Princess? They weren't serious wounds, but they'd require a whole lot of editing when they did close-up photos with her, a sad but ultimately true fact to admit. The public was fickle like that. Ungrateful halfwits. If those doctors had figured it all out, he didn't know. No one else had said anything, certainly.

But still...he could not deny, all these thoughts and images running through his mind, of dearest Sister Kira. It wasn't physical appearance that had drawn him to her, not by a long shot. It was merely by this point an added bonus, seeing how he'd gotten to see her bloom into the person she was today. Even trying to focus merely on his enthusiasm towards her progress, however, did not cease to quell the ruckus in his head. It was a completely different reason why he was having some trouble focusing at times...and sleeping at others.

Then, the dreams. The dreams had started.

A/N: So ends another Chapter in this steady tale of confusion and desire. Time is passing in Shinra, and w/time comes change, and growth. In various ways, too. Seems as though the relationship between Yazoo and Kira is beginning to extend, beyond that of siblings. What are these new feelings and sensations that our middle child is now privy to? Does he even want them to begin with?

As always, feedback is welcomed, encouraged and appreciated. This story is nearly over, but we still have a few things to reveal before the book is closed.

Final Chapter: climax. What else is there to say here? Until then, take care everyone.