"Get out of my way!"

"No, I will not let you move."

"If you do not move, I will kill you!"

"I do not fear your idle threats."

"You think they are idle? We will see how idle they are when you are dead on the floor!"

"I am forbidding you to move."

"You are forbidding me? Let me see, damn you!"

Loren didn't budge.

"I will only move as long as you do not freak out."

Sephiroth growled menacingly at her.

"If you do not move right now, I will 'freak out' as you call it! What is it that you have done to my hair to make you not want me to see it? Move, damn it!"

"I will only let you see the mirror if you do not go into a rage."

Sephiroth growled.

"Fine, whatever, just let me see!"

Loren narrowed her eyes and stepped to the side. Sephiroth quickly stepped up to the mirror and observed himself. His expression remained impassive. His hair didn't seem so different from above the shoulders, but it seemed so strange to see his hair so short again (in his terms). The shorter parts were only less than half a foot below his shoulder and the longer rested in the middle of his back (observe a picture of Yazoo for reference). A strange smile found its way to Sephiroth's lips. Loren took another step backwards.

"I have not seen my hair this short since I was around the age of 17. When I became General."

Loren remained silent.

"………I need him dead."

"…"

"I need Hojo dead."

Loren stared at the ground.

"He is still in Midgar."

Sephiroth turned to face her. Loren tensed.

"He is?"

"Yes. Later on in the game, he fires the Sister Ray at the Crater. The barrier wears off, so Cloud and the others can enter your domain."

"Is that so? Fa…Hojo must die. He created my miserable existence. He ruined my only chance of ever being a normal child."

Loren continued to gaze at the floor, occasionally looking up to glance at Sephiroth. Her thoughts were going wild. 'Why do I pity him?' she screamed, 'he ruined me! He made Vincent fear me! I hate him! If anything, I should kill him to end his…endless…suffering…I would kill him out of pity. Everything I would do for him or to him would be out of pity. Is he just that much a wreck of a man? Maybe I should just lighten up…just a lit—what the hell am I saying? Is he still manipulating me even while I stand near him? What a horrible creature! What a distraught, horrid thing! I only pity him because he is a monster of a man! People like him are only meant to die! …As am I…'

"Argh!"

Loren fell to the floor and punched it. Sephiroth looked down at her in slight confusion and annoyance.

"What…are…you…? Why are you still screwing with my mind? Can you not just leave me alone?"

"I have done nothing of the sort. If you are having trouble keeping your thoughts together, that is your fault, not mine."

"No, I know it is you! You have got to be behind this! Why then would I degrade myself to your level by saying I should die like you?"

Sephiroth reached down and grabbed her by the throat. She looked up at him in fury.

"Degrade yourself by dying like me? I am going to be a god! I cannot die! If I were to die, I would die as a god! What is this that you are telling me? Do you pity me? You should not do so, for there is no reason to. I am everything that is and everything that will be. You would do well to remember that."

He promptly released her and she remained on the ground. Loren simply sat and thought of everything she had and how she lost it…again. In her childhood she had a nice family, house, and a fair amount of money. She had lost it all. Now she had had wonderful friends, someone she could love, and a reason to live. She had lost it all again. She grew dismal and withered before Sephiroth's eyes. He turned and left her to herself while he thought of another place to go. She straightened the collar on her new black outfit (slightly resembles the ones Kadaj and the others wear, just not so tight and not made of leather or whatever that stuff is) and sighed. The Rocket Town inn's lobby was oblivious to her as she stood and dragged herself to her room. She shut the door behind her and collapsed on the bed. She finally let herself go and cried. After a good time, she fell asleep and was soon awakened by Sephiroth's deep, smooth, melodic voice. The voice would have sounded better on anyone else, but she opened her eyes and she saw his glowing green eyes above her. His voice painfully reminded her of Cloud, but immediately noted that Sephiroth's voice had a cold, emotionless tinge thrown in, whilst Cloud's had more of a healthy, somewhat aloof note in it.

"Get up, we are going to Nibelheim."

"Why?"

"Do not question me, woman. We must leave."

"What happened? What is in Nibelheim?"

"I told you not to question me! Get up!"

Sephiroth grabbed her arm and heaved her over his shoulder. Loren remained silent as Sephiroth continued to carry her out of the inn and out of Rocket Town. He then tossed her on the ground and went on walking. Loren wordlessly rose, brushed herself off, and strode quickly to catch up to him. Later on, though, he answered her question.

"Your friends are over in Nibelheim."

Loren looked up quickly and paused for a second before continuing to walk.

"Why are you taking me over there?"

"I need you to befriend them again and lead them to me. From then on, you can do what you wish because your purpose will have been served. You can seek your revenge or fight me, it matters not."

"I see. I will do as I must."

"Good. Walk faster."

Loren increased her speed and caught up to him. He didn't even glance at her. In a matter of a couple of hours, they arrived in Nibelheim.

"Go to the inn and observe them before approaching them."

"…"

"Hurry up."

"…"

Loren strode purposefully to the inn and looked in through the window. Surprisingly, at this time of night, everybody was still awake. She quickly went to the door and placed her ear against it. She began to listen in on their conversation. It was about her. Her heartbeat accelerated. She recognized Cloud's voice.

"Alright, so do you think that's what we're supposed to do? Just keep looking?"

Barret's voice broke through the silence easily.

"Of course, you damn foo'! We can't jus' let someone like her go free!"

Loren's eyebrows furrowed together. What was so different about her? 'Oh, right,' she thought, 'Sephiroth.' Her heart almost stopped altogether when she heard Vincent's voice pierce the room.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Wallace? Are you saying she's different from the rest of us? It was an accident! She was just defending herself from me!"

Yuffie's voice quickly countered.

"With that scary glow in her eyes, I don't think it was just her! I know she's my sister, but I still hold a measure of fear of her."

A pounding noise, probably from Vincent or someone else was heard.

"But it still wasn't her fault! It was Sephiroth's fault, then! I was delusional at the time, so I naturally freaked out. I never liked Sephiroth's eyes, so when I saw them right near me, I jumped away!"

Tifa's voice backed him up.

"You know, he's right. I was frightened, but now that I think about it, it really wasn't her fault. We should just look for her and bring her back to us."

Cait Sith's voice wavered out to be heard.

"I don't know about you guys, but I don't really trust her all that much, especially now that Sephiroth has controlled her and all."

Cloud's voice turned angry.

"Hey, I've been controlled by Sephiroth on several occasions, so don't distrust her for that!"

Cait Sith countered.

"Okay, but what about how she quickly got used to us being here? That seemed kinda strange to me, considering we're from another world."

Silence met Loren's ears. Her heart sank. Now there was more than enough reason to doubt her. Vincent's voice met her again.

"I guess that's how she could be different from the rest of her world. She can react to any situation to the point that it doesn't negatively affect her."

Cait Sith persistently argued.

"So you see? She isn't one to be trusted!"

Red XIII finally spoke up.

"No, that isn't technically so. She could just know how to harness her inner emotions so that they won't go flying out of control and make her weakness obvious."

Cait gave no rebuttal this time. Cloud broke through the silence.

"Let's just turn in, sleep on it, and make a final decision in the morning. Does that sound good?"

Tifa consented on that and bid everyone goodnight. Chairs scraped against the floor and footsteps were heard going down a hall. Loren ran to the side of the building, lest Cid discover her if he decides to smoke a cigarette, or anybody else for that matter. Loren sat on the side of the building for about twenty minutes and proceeded to enter the building quietly. The innkeeper greeted her, but she silenced him by placing a finger to her lips. She silently stepped up to him and whispered, "I do not want to disturb the silence." The man nodded his accord and she gave him a few gil to keep silent. She crept silently along the hall and listened at the doors. Most were silent and a couple rooms were empty with open doors. She heard a door handle being turned and quickly stepped into one. When she peered out the door, she saw the small form of Yuffie making its way to a different room. She carefully closed the door behind her and Loren emerged from her hiding spot. She stepped into the fortunately empty room next to the one Yuffie entered and placed her ear against the wall. She heard the voices coming from the inside. One was Yuffie's. The other's…was Vincent's. Loren pressed her ear closer to the wall.

"What do you want, Yuffie?"

"Nothing much, I just wanted to see what you were up to. This is weird."

"What?"

"I've never seen you without your cape, headband, and that glove on your shooting hand before."

Loren almost choked on herself. 'Well, is this interesting, or what?' her inner voice mused. She paid very close attention to their conversation now.

"Vinnie?"

"What, Yuffie?"

A pause.

"I know this may sound rude, and I know I consider her my sister, but what did you see in her?"

A longer pause.

"She reminds me of myself. Her eyes and attitude remind me of myself. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, nothing, I was just curious."

The pause seemed endless now. Loren took the opportunity to go and listen at the door instead. The voices continued.

"Do you miss her?"

"…"

"Vinnie?"

"You will never know how much. It feels like losing Lucrecia all over again."

"Oh…"

Loren heard a slight shuffling and heard the springs of a bed being weighed down.

"Can I ask you one more thing?"

"What? I'm getting tired of your constant questioning."

"Can I kiss you? Or you kiss me? Just once? I've always wanted to know what you feel like."

"Yuffie…that isn't a good idea."

"Please? Just once? I'll never ask anything of you again."

"…"

Silence met her ears. A slight rustle of the sheets told her that Yuffie had gone in for the prize. She rose, opened the door and found Yuffie's lips locked with Vincent's. Her heart ceased beating.

"Hello, Vincent."

Yuffie placed a small hand on Vincent's face and slowly placed her lips on his. Vincent felt like pulling away, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings. A strange feeling crept inside of him and in a split second he heard a voice that cut into his heart.

"Hello, Vincent."

Vincent pulled away and locked his shocked ruby orbs on her passive gray ones.

"Loren…"

"I see it did not take long for you to move on. You may have missed me and loved me, but your lips on Yuffie's tell me otherwise."

Vincent stood.

"No, you don't understand…"

"I understand perfectly. I was listening at the door. Some sister you are, Yuffie."

"Sis, I'm really sorry! I just wanted to know what Vin was like."

"You mean his lips. I have no need for you apologies. I am just back to be around what has kept me alive for all these months."

Silence rang in Loren's ears.

"You should know that I am talking about you, Vincent."

"Yes, I know. But…what kept you away for so long?"

"I was learning to control the part of me that was not really part of me to begin with."

"Sephiroth?"

Loren nodded.

"Of course. I would not want to frighten you again like I did last time."

"I was delusional. I was thinking you would know that."

"Of course I do. I was listening to your debate in the lobby a while ago. Yes, I have been here for quite some time. I happened to come across you all in the inn. I was coming to observe the Valentine mansion for myself, but I was delayed by your appearance."

Vincent strode over to her and took her in a hug.

"I thought you were gone from me forever. I am so sorry I didn't find you sooner."

Loren kept her arms to her sides as she gazed at his raven hair in petulance.

"I am sorry I kept you waiting, Vincent. I was busy trying to get rid of the monster I had inside of me. I thought killing you once was enough."

Vincent let go of her and looked into her eyes.

"You're back to the way you once were. Why?"

"Time changes people. Being around different people can change me. Being around no one at all can change me…Yuffie, what are you still doing here?"

Yuffie quickly rose.

"I'm sorry, I'll be leaving now!"

"Good. Run while you are at it, or I will speed your exit myself."

Yuffie quickly took off running into the hall and into the room she originally came out of. Loren strode over to the bed and sat on it. Vincent closed the door and joined her. Vincent stared at her while she stared at the floor.

"Your clothes, your attitude, the weapon you carry at your side…it's all different."

"I have already told you. Being away from the people I love…loved…changed me. I have no need for anyone, as I will only end up getting hurt again."

"I didn't want to hurt Yuffie's feelings. I was delirious. Those reasons apply to the two situations that made it seem like you were nothing to me. You should know that those were only temporary."

"Am I temporary as well?"

Vincent grabbed her hand and held it in his.

"No, you are my life!"

Loren felt her defenses beginning to fail.

"Are you sure? Does your love for me resemble the land of the north: never changing, or does it resemble the seasons of the west?"

Vincent's hold on her hand tightened.

"I love you with my soul. Nothing could change that."

"I see. I really am sorry I took so long to come back. I thought that you all would not want me to return after what I did to you."

"No. We were going to keep looking for you."

"For different reasons, but looking all the same, I suppose?"

"Yes."

Her defenses completely wore away.

"Vincent!"

She held on to him as she had held on to him all that time ago. Vincent couldn't comprehend how he felt at that minute. He felt like laughing, crying, and doing nothing at the same time.

"I love you, Loren."

"…Vincent…"

"It's okay, you don't have to say anything."

The next few minutes were spent in silence and were utterly ruined when the whole group burst through the door. Cloud stood in confounded silence, Tifa bound to Loren and took her in a huge hug, Barret crossed his arms, Cait Sith shifted uneasily at the sight of her, and everyone else was just pouring into the room to see the bizarre sudden appearance of the woman they had sought to find. Loren remained impassive as everyone gazed upon her. A small grin graced her lips.

"What, are you afraid that I will go berserk on you again? Well, watch and behold what has transpired in the past few months!"

She willed the power in her to come forth and as before everyone stepped back upon seeing the green glow in her eyes. She smiled and laughed to herself.

"What a shame that you all fear me over a little color in my eyes. I know how to control this power that Sephiroth left in me. I am still here. He has not taken control over me. You see, after he left my body, a residue of him was left in me that took over when my emotions reached extremes. When this would happen, I would black out and usually wake up in a puddle of blood. In all the time that I have been away from you all, I have been training my body and harnessing this little bit of residue to add to the power already growing in me naturally. In short, I can make myself about as powerful as Sephiroth himself."

Shocked silence met her as it now usually did. Cloud stepped forward slowly and looked her straight in the eye, though he winced at first.

"Loren…is that really you? Are you not being controlled by Sephiroth?"

"Sephiroth must die for almost taking you all away from me permanently."

Cloud smiled and nodded.

"That's the spirit."

She willed the power to rest and her eyes gained back their normal grey hue. She then tried not to flinch as a voice pierced her thoughts. 'Do not forget,' it admonished, 'to lead them to me. If you do, I will come after you instead. Then, once you are dead, I will go after your friends.' Loren inwardly grimaced and shot back, 'I shall not forget you fool. I am in the middle of their presence right now!' The voice roared in her head. She tried her hardest not to flinch. 'Do not talk to me in such a manner! I will hold you to your word and should you go back on it, I will make sure that Vincent dies first. I never liked him anyway.' Loren inwardly sighed. 'Do not worry. How could I forget when it is coming from you? You are about the most well known villain in RPG history. Now leave me to my business and I shall bring you the group tomorrow.' The voice no longer spoke to her and she snapped back to reality. Everyone was looking at her strangely. She waved her hand in dismissal.

"It is nothing. I was only thinking about home. About how I do not miss it, about how I wish I could stay here…what is everyone still doing here? You all must sleep and wake up fresh and rejuvenated! Tifa, I want to visit your home and Cloud, I would like to visit yours as well. Vincent, I would especially like to visit your home. I happen to have a high interest in old mansions."

Everyone nodded stupidly and walked off to their corresponding rooms. Loren remained in Vincent's. Vincent looked at her curiously.

"I will sleep on the floor. I have nowhere else to go, unless you have a suggestion, of course."

"No. I wouldn't have you anywhere else, but you should sleep on the bed instead. I am more accustomed to the hard floors."

"Vincent, I have been sleeping outside in grassy, rocky rural land for quite some time now. I think I am more situated to the ground than even you."

"Loren, I insist."

"If you want to be so persistent about it, how about we both sleep on the bed or floor?"

Vincent strode over to her, lifted her over his shoulder, and carried her over to the bed. He gently placed her on it and he reclined against the wall. Loren gave in after a few more minutes of arguing and fell asleep. She was discontent with the comfort of the bed and joined Vincent on the floor. She rested her head on his shoulder and fell asleep there. Vincent smiled to himself and grasped her smaller, warm hand in his larger cool one. He then assented himself to sleep.

A/N: I think it was a little too mushy after a while, but at least they're together again. I was wondering though…what did you (SephirothValentine) mean in your last review? It's been driving me nuts ever since I read it and I…MUST…KNOW! Okay, yeah, please tell. Please. Yayness, I love all my reviewers! I believe my fic is bound to get bloodier, so don't drop out on me now! Please. I say that too often. Sorry. Thank you all for sticking with me this long. I never thought I would actually get this far. You see, I have a stupid tendency to stop writing stories after a while and never finish them. I am determined to finish this one! I mean, honestly, ten chapters is a hell of a lot for me. In all my writing life, I've only written one chapter stories that go on forever or stories with a few chapters, but only a few (around 3). Yay, Strings (violin, viola, etc., etc.) classes are fun! Thanks again, and please review! Oh, and Sephiroth, you're being a complete asshole. Meanie!

Seph: And? What's your point?

Loren: She's saying for you to shove it and die.

Seph: I wasn't talking to you.

Loren: And? Your point is?

ES: Loren, you really should stay out of our arguments.

L: Why? I want to kill Sephiroth!

S: Take your best-shot woman!

L: Fiend Inferno!

Giant flame tornado engulfs Sephiroth

S: Nice shot… (feeling crispy effects very badly)

ES: Wow, Loren, that was pretty cool! Do it again!

S: You're kidding me…

L: uses Fiend Inferno again

Sephiroth lay twitching on the ground

Cloud: Nice Limit Break, Loren.

Loren: Oh, that wasn't a Limit Break. It was just a special attack of mine. Do you like it?

C: Uh, yeah, that would be why I said, 'nice Limit Break, Loren'.

Sephiroth rises behind Loren with sword poised horizontally at her throat

C: (sweatdrop) Loren, run away. Now.

L: Huh?

SLICE

ES: Oy vey, okay, while I sew Loren's head back on, please review. Thankies!

S: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Stupid little #$&.

ES: Sephiroth, shut up, or I'll use MY Limit Break on you, and believe you me, it's not pretty.

S: (whimper) What exactly would it be?

ES: Your worst nightmare made a reality.

S: Aah! Hojo in a thong!

C: (turns green and barfs)

ES: Well that was highly disturbing…

(Seph starts banging his head on a wall trying to shake the image of Hojo doing the thong song out of his mind)

ES: Err, right…I believe this has gone on long enough. Review. Please. Level 1 Limit Break: Disappear! (poof) (Sephiroth runs away still trying to erase image) (Cloud gets up)

C: Hey, where is everyone? (tear) (tear) (bawls like baby)