Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Mekina, Rina, and Elle... Sorry if this chapter is boring.

Enjoy?

After the headhunters attacked, you and Zack had expected more to come, but so far the rest of the night was peaceful and quiet. You looked at your PHS to see what time it was. 11:34 pm. You both had been on guard for about four hours now.

"Tired..."

"You should go to sleep then. I'll keep watch," you told him, and crossed your arms.

"Nah, I'll be fine. Did you know that SOLDIERs can go days without sleeping?"

"I've heard rumors about that, but I didn't know if they were really true," curiously, you then glanced at him. "How long have you been up for?"

"About three days now." Staring at him in surprise, you gaped at him. He justified himself. "What? Just think of all the shows you can binge watch when off duty!"

"You've got to be kidding me..." you bursted out laughing. "Zack, that's genius!" When the time came to go back to HQ, you hoped you would remember this moment so you could abuse the enhancements that came with SOLDIER.

...

With it almost six in the morning, both of you had gone quiet, and your mind had taken to drifting back to the conversation you had with Zack about your past. You actually felt greatful that you listened to his advice and told him about it. Then you began to wonder what life would be like if your family was still alive. I probably wouldn't be in SOLDIER. No Zack or Angeal... no fighting. And that's actually one of the few things in life I'm somewhat good at... Opening your eyes, you now gazed up at the moonlit starry sky, and rested your arms loosely over your legs.

Hearing even breathing from your right, you tilted your head slightly to look at Zack. He had his head back against the wall with an arm draped over a leg while the other was stretched out. And then footsteps were heard, and quickly got up. Removing your sword off your back, you stepped in front of Zack.

Immediately, Zack woke up. And seeing you with your sword out had him reach for his as he got to his feet.

"Something's coming."

Once you said that, a figure came out of the brush.

"Don't worry, it's just me." Angeal approached the two of you as you returned your swords to rest.

"Hey, Angeal! What are you doing here?" Zack asked.

"I'm here to tell you we finished our mission. A few of the townspeople just finished scouting the surrounding area and came up with nothing," Angeal then added. "The helicopters should be here in ten."

When the ride arrived it swiftly took leave once the three of you were inside. Watching the nice scenery go by. About five minutes in the ride, you heard the sound of even breathing again, and looked at Zack. You then glanced at Angeal, and saw him with his eyes closed and arms crossed. He looked as if he was sleeping, but you weren't entirely sure. I probably should get some rest too. Resting an arm along with window sill, you used it as a cushion for your head as you watched the view drift by, and slowly dozed off.

...

The Captain walked into his town, cradling the baby girl in his arms. The child had fallen asleep on the ride home, and by the time they arrived, it had become dark out. The Captain soon made it to his home, and entered after shifting through a pocket for his key. He went up the stairs then down the hall to his wife and his bedroom. Quietly turning the knob and opening the door, he peeked in to see if his wife was still awake. When he saw her laying in bed asleep, he went to her bedside and kneeled down. Glancing down at the bundle in his arms, he smiled before lightly pulling the blanket over her head to hide her for the time being. The man then put his other hand on his wife's cheek, and lovingly stroked it.

"Rina, I'm home. Wake up."

"Honey? Is that really you...?" She asked, blinking a few times before rubbing her eyes and looking at him again. He only replied with a smile.

Sitting up, she turned to him. "I missed you so much!" Wrapping an arm around her, he then kissed her gently on the lips. "There was never a day when I once stopped thinking about you... not even for a second." She wrapped her arms around him.

"Rina... you know how you always wanted a baby?" The Captain asked with a warm smile.

"Yes," Rina nodded, her eyes brightening. "Does that mean we'll...?" The captain's smile only grew bigger. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I love you so much!" She kissed him on the nose. "When will we try it?"

"Theres no need to," he pushed forward the bundle into her arms, making her wide eyed. She slowly took off the blanket from the baby's face in shock. "It's a girl," he told her with a smile, and sat next to her on the bed.

"What's her name? How did you get her?" She asked curiously, never once taking her eyes off the bundle of joy. "She's adorable..."

He stayed silent for a moment before answering her. "My men and I found her in a village. It was being attacked by monsters, and she was one of the few who survived."

When he finished, she looked down at the baby, gently rocking her back and forth. "That's horrible..."

"When we saved her, we found this with her," pulling out a note from his pocket, he hesitantly handed it to her. Once she finished reading it, a few more tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked down to examine the girl's neck, then carefully moved the blankets from her without causing her to stir, and gazed at the necklace.

"It's beautiful. Just like her..." She rocked her new daughter back and forth once again.

...

Rina smiled to herself as she watched her daughter play in the meadows near the town.

"Mommy, can we play tag?" Mekina asked, looking at her mother.

"Only if you say the P word," Rina told her, smiling.

"Please!"

"Alright, since you said it so adorably, I'm it," Rina said, laughing and running towards her. The little girl giggled as she ran away.

They played games until the sun started setting. Rina swept her daughter off her feet, and cradled her body close as she sat down on the grass. She gently stroked her daughter's hair as she sat up in her lap to watch the sunset. "I wish daddy was here watching the sunset too."

"Me too, sweety..." Rina said as Mekina rested her head on her mother's chest. Still running her fingers through her hair, she commented. "You're growing up so fast."

"I don't wanna grow up," the girl pouted making her mother laugh.

"Some kids think like that, but you'll have to someday," Rina moved hair out of the girl's face as the wind began to pick up slightly.

Once the sunset was down Rina carried her daughter back to the house and tucked her in bed. About half an hour later, she heard a knock on the door. Who would be knocking at an hour like this? It was too late for visitors. When she opened the door, she saw a man in SOLDIER uniform holding a sword in his hands.

"Miss Rina?"

"Yes, it's me..." she eyed the sword for a moment before looking up at the man on her doorstep. "Did something happen to my husband?" The man remained silent for a few seconds before nodding his head, and handing her the sword.

"This was his. He died while on a mission. You have my and Shinra's condolences, Miss Rina."

When he left she gently closed the door, and looked down at the sword in silence. Moving to sit in a chair before her legs gave out on her, she shakily held on to his sword, beginning sobbing.

"Mommy? What's wrong?" Mekina asked going down the stairs, hanging onto the railing for balance.

Rina wiped her face and tried to compose herself before she faced the girl. Getting up after a few long seconds, she walked over to her daughter, and held her tightly. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?"

"No, I woke up cause I had a bad dream again..." Mekina hugged her mom back. "Why are you crying? And why do you have a sword?"

Rina picked her up and sat on the couch with her after she put the sword on the table. "...Did something happen to daddy?" She instantly looked down at her in shock, then hugged her.

"Your father will be gone for some time, so we wont be able to see him for a while." Mekina reached out to her mother wiping away her tears.

"Don't cry mommy. He'll be back soon." Rina couldn't bring herself to reply. She only held her child tighter.

...

At the moment, you were standing by your mother's bedside, holding her hand. "Mommy, how are you feeling?"

She reassuringly gave your hand a little squeeze. "Perfect as long as you're here, Mekina," she smiled weakly at you. Your mother had been really pale for a few months now, and the color to her auburn hair lost it's shine and was now dull. "I'm sorry that you have to stay in the house... why don't you go play outside for a bit?" She asked, barely above a whisper.

"But I don't wanna leave you."

"Don't worry, honey. It'll only for a few minutes, okay?" She let a gentle smile cross her face.

"Bu-"

"No buts, young lady!" She laughing weakly which made you frown. Placing her hand on your cheek, she continued. "I'll be alright. I'll just go to sleep for a while..."

Hesitantly, you nodded to her. "Okay. I'll be back in a bit," you then climbed on the bed to kiss her forehead.

"I love you, Mekina..." she gave you a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"I love you, too, mommy," returning the hug, you smiled before dropping down from the bed, and running out of the room. Rina watched you leave with knowing eyes which soon closed to rest.

...

"Mommy?" Laying your head on her chest again, you waited. Still nothing. "Mommy? Can you wake up... please?" Tapping her shoulder a few times, she still didn't wake up. You put your little hands on her shoulders and began to shake her. Soon leaving the room you ran down the stairs and to your neighbors house knocking on their door. You knocked a few more times until someone finally opened the door.

Mekina? What are you doing all alone out here?" Elle asked you.

"Can you help wake my mommy?"

She gave you a questioning look before concern flashed through her eyes. Once she nodded, you quickly ran back to your house with her following closely behind, and led her to the bedroom. The moment Elle laid eyes on your mother, she froze in the doorway for a couple of seconds before running over to her. Grabbing her hand, she searched for a pulse as you ran on the other side of the bed and climbed up. Crawling next to your mom, you placed a hand on her head. Elle then laid her head against her chest for a long moment before slowly getting back up. Everything seemed to still when she finally looked at you with tears in her eyes.

"Mekina... your mother has returned to the planet."