Well I got off of schedual, and these two just go together, you guys get two chapters. ^_^ Shout outs to: ZakuReno and Enyara.

Chapter 11: The Beginning of Madness

Kira glanced around at the small town in the mountains, it was…quaint really. She turned her attention back to Sephiroth as he stopped and said "So, how does it feel? To be home after all this time? I have no hometown. I wouldn't know." Kira's eyes narrowed slightly as she walked up next to the silver haired man and she watched him.

She glanced back at Zack as he asked hesitantly "Uh…what about family?"

Sephy turned around as he answered Zack's question "My mother's name is Jenova. She died shortly after I was born. My father…" He paused and Kira glanced up at him in concern as he started laughing. He put a hand to his forehead and said, in an amused yet confused tone of voice "Why am I talking about this?" He shrugged slightly before turning around saying over his shoulder to the others, in a harsher tone "Come on, let's go."

Kira watched as he walked past before turning to Zack as he remained where he was asking quietly to himself "Sephiroth's mother's name is Jenova?" He crossed his arms and went "Hmm…"

Kira sighed after a moment before saying "Zack. Let's go." He looked over at his partner and nodded before walking further into town with her. Kira smiled slightly as he went off to talk to some of the locals and Kira walked over to Sephy just watching as Zack talked to one particular kid for a moment before heading their way.

Kira glanced over at Sephy as he started to walk into the inn and turned around to join him, but paused when someone asked "Are you one of the SOLDIER people who've come to investigate?" Sephy paused in front of the doors and Kira turned around to see Zack walk over to a girl in a cowboy hat as well as the cowgirl outfit, which caused Kira to raise an eyebrow.

She listened as Zack said "Hey my name is Zack, and I'm with SOLDIER. 1st Class, mind you, 1st Class!" Kira rolled her eyes at her partner before glancing back at Sephy for a moment. She shrugged and he tilted his head slightly at her as he stood in front of the inn as Zack continued to talk to the girl. Kira turned back to see that Zack and the girl were both looking back at them and raised an eyebrow at the two. Zack shook his head "No there's three of us, me, Kira, and Sephiroth."

The girl turned around with a "Uh-huh…" She walked away as Zack shrugged but paused and turned around. Kira tilted her head curiously as the girl looked like she wanted to ask a question before running off.

Kira scratched her cheek as Zack crossed his arms muttering "Weird girl…"

Kira rolled her eyes thinking 'Zack she isn't as weird as you are sometimes.' Kira moved over to Sephy as he stood in front of the doors to the inn and looked up at him with a raised eyebrow in silent question. The older man shook his head slightly before turning to Zack who had just run up to the two of them.

Sephy looked over the group of people with him and said "We depart for the Mako reactor at dawn. Make sure to get plenty of sleep. Only one of you needs to keep watch. Make sure you sleep as well." Kira tilted her head as Sephy paused in front of the door, turning back to them and saying "Ah, that's right…You have permission to go visit family and friends, if you so wish." Kira blinked and glanced around, spotting a wannabe photographer standing nearby. She rolled her eyes at the ever annoying presences that seemed to follow her "brother" and headed into the inn, glancing back at Zack as he followed her. Heading up the stairs she spotted Sephy staring out a window and headed towards him.

Leaning her shoulder against the wall as Zack came up and asked "What are you looking at?"

Sephiroth didn't even glance at Zack as he answered "This landscape…I could swear I've seen it before…" Zack nodded and let it go before running back out into town.

Once he was outside, Kira looked up at Sephy and asked "You okay?"

The silver haired man sighed and nodded. Kira frowned but didn't push him to explain his odd behavior thinking 'If he wants to tell me what's going on…he'll tell me.' They had gotten in late and the sun was already setting.

Sephy glanced over at Kira and said "You should get some sleep."

Glancing up at him she smiled slightly as she retorted "I will, if you will." Sephiroth sighed and nodded after a moment before heading into his room. Kira gave a sad smile at the now closed door and turned back to the window, staring at it. It wasn't long after that that Zack came back up and looked over at his partner who had taken Sephiroth's place at the window, stroking the black feather on her necklace.

Walking over he asked "You okay?"

Kira smiled slightly as she replied "Yeah. Just thinking." Zack blinked at her for a moment before she turned to him and smiled saying "Get some rest Zack." He nodded and watched as she headed into her own room for the night.

Kira rubbed her eyes slightly as they stood in front of the old Shinra manor. She glanced up with a yawn as Zack walked over. She blinked as he exclaimed "Tifa! You're our guide?"

The girl in the cowboy hat smiled and nodded saying "At your service."

Kira sighed and leaned against Sephy slightly for a moment making the older man glance down at her before everyone turned their attention to the man with the camera as he said "Okay… Say cheese!" Kira straightened up slightly and smirked as he took the photo. As they walked up to the reactor Kira tuned out the others' antics, as well as the photographer who had insisted on following them. Sephy glanced down at her as she walked next to him and gave a faint smile at the one friend who hadn't left his side. He tapped her shoulder when the mako reactor came into view and watched as she refocused on the world around them. Blinking up at the reactor her eyes narrowed slightly as she sensed a familiar presence inside of it.

She and Sephy started to go up the stairs but paused and looked back down as they heard Tifa say "I want to go inside and look, too!"

Kira sighed as Sephy shook his head and said "This is a top-secret facility. Non-Shinra personnel are not permitted inside."

Kira turned as the girl protested "But…!"

Kira's mouth twitched slightly as Sephiroth told the infantryman, Cloud, who had come with them "Keep the young lady safe."

Sephy turned around and started to head up the stairs again and Kira called down to her partner "Come on Zack." He nodded and followed the two older SOLDIERs into the reactor as Cloud stopped Tifa from following them. Zack passed the two other SOLDIERs and headed straight up the stairs to a door with a sign saying Jenova over it. Kira's eyes narrowed as she read the sign and glanced at Sephiroth out of the corner of her eye.

She looked back up at Zack when he said "Jenova…interesting. The door is…sealed, of course." Kira glanced over at Sephy before turning and following him back down the stairs.

She watched him go to one of the pods in the room, next to the stairs and she leaned against the railing looking down at him as he said "This is the cause of the malfunction. This section is broken." Kira glanced behind her as she heard Zack coming down the metal stairs his footsteps loud. He paused for a moment behind his partner as Sephiroth ordered "Zack, go seal the valve." Kira nodded over to her partner as he went over to the valve and listened to Sephiroth as he asked more to himself "Why did it break?" Kira sat on the stairs with her head propped against a fist, her elbow resting on her knee, as Sephy walked around looking inside the other pods. She watched as Zack walked over and Sephy moved to allow the younger SOLDIER to see what was inside of it.

As Zack looked Kira stood up and moved forward down the stairs and watched as Zack jerk back after a moment asking "What is that…?"

Sephy glanced over at him explaining to him "You average SOLDIER members are mako-infused humans. You're enhanced, but you're still human. But the, what are those things? Their mako energy levels are exponentially higher than yours."

Zack leaned forward as he peered inside, Kira's eyes narrowing as she pushed the glasses up so that they rested on top of her head, Zack asking "Are they…monsters?"

Kira turned as Sephy walked past her before he paused in front of the stairs and answered his back to them "Yes. The Shinra scientist Hojo was the one who created them." He paused for a moment before turning around to face the two of them as he continued "Abominations spawned by the mako energy…That's what monsters are."

Kira blinked as Zack asked "You said 'average' member. What about you?" Kira's eyes widened as Sephy jerked around a hand to his head.

She moved forward quickly and rested a hand on his shoulder in concern as Zack asked from his other side "Hey, Sephiroth!" Kira moved forward with Sephy as he stumbled for a moment before gasping as he swiped at both her and Zack forcing them to back off. Kira ended with her back against one of the pods and Zack went over the ledge of the platform to land on the ground about two feet below him.

Kira watched Sephy, her eyes wide, as he muttered "Could it be…that I…was created the same way? Am I the same as these monsters?" Kira pushed herself away from the pod and walked the few feet between herself and Sephy. Placing a hand on his shoulder she moved in front of him as he didn't even twitch.

She looked up trying to catch his eye but he refused to make contact "Sephy…"

It took a few moments but he finally came out of his stupor saying quietly "I knew, ever since I was a child…I was not like the others. I knew mine was a special existence. But this…This was not what I meant." Kira watched him quietly as he held up his hands to look at them and asked "Am I…a human being?"

Kira's head whipped up at the familiar voice as it said "No such luck. You are a monster." He lowered his hands and composed himself slightly as Gen launched an attack that knocked Zack off his feet and past the other two. Sephy held up a hand casting protect, blocking the two fireballs that had been coming after him and Kira. Kira's hands clenched into fists as Genesis landed on the stairs saying "Sephiroth…You were the greatest monster created by the Jenova Project."

Everyone glanced over at Zack as he growled "Genesis…So you are alive!"

Gen smiled slightly as he responded "I suppose I am, if you can call this living."

Sephiroth cut in asking "What is the Jenova Project?"

Gen turned back to Sephiroth explaining "The Jenova Project…was the term used for all experiments…relating to the use of Jenova's cells."

Kira's eyes remained on Gen as Sephy turned away saying "My mother's…cells?"

Gen spread his arms as he said "Poor little Sephiroth…You've never actually met your mother. You've only been told her name, no?" He paused for a moment as he sat on the stairs, Kira's jaw clenching as she glared at her closest friend, before continuing "I don't know what images you've conjured up in your head, but…"

Kira growled out "Genesis that's enough!" as Zack yelled from the floor "Genesis, no!"

Gen didn't listen and continued quickly "Jenova was excavated from a 2000 year old rock layer. She's a monster." Sephiroth gasped slightly and backed up before turning away as Genesis said "Sephiroth…I need your help. My body is continuing to degrade. SOLDIER 1st Class Sephiroth!" Sephy straightened slightly at the title and Gen stood up from the stairs walking down as he said "Jenova Project G gave birth to Angeal…and monsters like myself. Jenova Project S…used the remains of countless failed experiments to create a perfect monster."

Sephy shook his head slightly as he asked tiredly "What do you want of me?"

Genesis explained as he watched the silver haired man stand where he was "Your traits cannot be copied unto others. Your genes can't be diffused. Therefore, your body cannot degrade. Share your cells with me. My friend, your desire is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess."

Sephy turned towards Gen as he held out a Dumbapple before looking up at the Jenova room and wincing slightly before saying "Whether your words…are lies created to deceive me…or the truth, that I have sought all my life…it makes no difference." Sephy knocked the Dumbapple away from Gen's hand and said angrily before starting to walk out "You will rot."

Gen turned away from where Sephy was walking and said "I see…perfect monster, indeed. When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end. The goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar she guides us to bliss …her gift everlasting." Kira ran past him, completely ignoring the man that was her closest friend and chased after Sephiroth. Ignoring the confused looks that she was getting from Tifa and Cloud she moved quickly until she spotted the silver haired man walking ahead of her.

As soon as she saw him she yelled "Sephy!" The man flinched slightly but kept moving causing Kira to growl under her breath and speed up until she caught up to him. She stopped in front of the man and forced him to stop. He still wouldn't make eye contact with her though and she began to feel anger welling up inside of her making her order "Look at me. Look at me!"

When he still refused she reached up and grabbed two handfuls of his long bangs and pulled his head so that he made eye contact with her and he said "I'm a monster, you shouldn't touch me."

Kira sighed and released his hair but touched his cheek instead saying "Does it matter? You are you, no matter what and you will always be my 'brother'."

He pulled away from her and straightened up saying quietly "I have to know the truth." Kira opened her mouth to protest but let out a sad sigh instead.

She nodded after a moment saying "You go get your answers…just remember that I'll be here if you need me." He nodded and turned slightly to leave but stopped when he felt Kira hug him, her head buried in his chest. He blinked for a moment before patting her gently on the head with a small smile. She let him go and watched as he walked off heading towards the Shinra manor before heading back to Niebelheim. As soon as she was heading back to the town she spotted Zack, Tifa, and Cloud heading into it. Her eyes widened as she saw Cloud leaning on Tifa as they limped along following Zack.

Entering after them she heard Zack ask "Where did Sephiroth go…?"

Tifa leaned Cloud against a wall and Kira moved next to him as Tifa asked "Something the matter?"

He turned to answer the girl but spotted Kira standing behind her and exclaimed "Kira! Announce your presence when you get somewhere will ya!" Kira gave a small smirk with a slight wave as she leaned against the house next to Cloud. Tifa's previous question went unanswered and she let it go.

Walking forward she turned towards Zack and said "I'll ask around town about Sephiroth."

Kira sighed as Tifa ran off before saying "Zack, Sephy's in the Shinra manor."

He turned around quickly and exclaimed "Really?!" The girl nodded before gripping one of Cloud's arms gently and letting him lean on her as they headed back to the inn. She paused for a moment by Zack as he looked between the two of them and the direction that the Shinra manor lay and said "Zack…give him some time alone for now." The other SOLDIER opened his mouth to protest but shut it when Kira shook her head and started to head to the inn again.

Once they got inside the building they headed in the room that was being used by Cloud and Zack. Kira set Cloud on the bed and turned removing her sword from her back and took a seat in one of the chairs at the table, Zack leaning his sword against it. He moved over to the bed next to Cloud's and sat down. The two SOLDIERs now just waiting for the young man to wake up.

Kira had moved to stand by the window her arms crossed and a frown evident on her face. Her blue eyes staring outside until she heard Cloud groan slightly and looked over at him. As he pushed himself up Zack said "Tifa's safe, don't worry."

Kira leaned against the wall as Cloud said "If only I were SOLDIER…" He paused for a moment before glancing over at Zack and asked "Zack?"

Zack didn't look up at the blond as he said "SOLDIER is like a den of monsters. Don't go inside."

Confused about this new attitude Cloud leaned forward and asked "What happened?"

Zack looked away as he answered "I don't know man… I thought I knew, but…" Zack lay back in the bed with a frustrated sound which caused Kira to give a slight smile and shake of the head. There was a silent moment before Zack asked "By the way, do you know Tifa?"

Cloud looked away staring at his knees as he gave an embarrassed answer "Sort of…"

The blond glanced over at Zack as he asked "Talk to her?"

Kira slid down the wall as Cloud answered "No…"

Kira raised an eyebrow and Zack leaned on his elbow saying "I'm sensing some issues here…shouldn't you do something? I'm one to talk…" Kira watched as Zack got up and moved towards his sword saying "I'm with SOLDIER, so…fighting's all I do. Sorting things out is someone else's job. What's going on? Who's the enemy? It makes no difference to me!" They watched as he swung his sword up before stopping and holding it in front of his face.

Kira watched him silently before Cloud cut in "Hey, Zack? You know, I've never seen you use that." Kira smiled slightly as he remembered asking that question to Angeal.

Staring at the sword Zack said "This is a symbol of my dreams and honor. No…It's more…That's right….I had almost forgotten. Thank you, Cloud."

Confused Cloud sat up and went "Huh?"

He glanced down at Kira who chuckled and said "Don't worry; you're not the only one confused." Cloud smiled slightly before looking back over at Zack.

The SOLDIER walked back over to the beds, as Kira stood up and headed for the door, Zack saying "I'm gonna crash, night!" Laughing she left the room and headed to her own room for the night.