A/n: Well, the people who wanted the story right away won out. So here is the possibly last chapter until around late August to September. But I will return with chapter 12, and hopefully the story will have more regular updates after I get settled in my job. (It's strange, but I look forward to working a job, with no hassle of homework, working my muscles, mind, and taking care of my people...)

Something to note about this chapter. What initially was just going to be one scene in the chapter became the whole chapter. I didn't believe the word count when I was finished say I was already the 2,000 mark. IT WAS ONE SCENE! Wow, a first for me.

Anyways, I wanted to talk about our favorite Loveless obsessed SOLDIER. I blame the banter between him and Sephiroth to, of all things, a marathon of Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis. I don't know why exactly, but watching Jack and Daniel, along with Sheppard and McKay, I sort of channeled that rival/brotherly bond into these two. It wasn't until I was reading some Inuyasha fiction that I realized 'wait, Sephiroth and Genesis…. Is acting like Inuyasha and Kouga.' Hopefully I'm not reading some wonderfully written badfic and there is some similarity between the two, er, four, here. Truthfully, I did not mean to have the two argue for that long, but the characters decided that they like witty banter. I wanted to move along but the argument kept going on and on.

Uh, yes, when I write I see the chapter in my mind like a rough cartoon, and just type what I imagine. Yes, I already know I'm crazy, thank you.

Okay, so we pick up some more Kagome and Sephiroth goodness in this chapter, and we WILL have even more in the next chapter. Also, I want your guys opinion (and no I'm not doing this to get more reviews because I'm a review hoarder! Whatever gave you ever get that idea….) There's a place in next chapter where it would be a wonderful place to use one small tiny Japanese word. Hai. Simple, I think everyone knows it means yes, even people living under boulders. Now, I tend not to like multi-language stories. And I probably won't use many more (if any ) in this story. One, I don't know Japanese, two, it sometimes puts me off. I'll be reading a wonderful story, but the constant use of Japanese and English combined will make me so confused and I'll have no clue what they're saying, I stop reading the story. One of the biggest factors as a writer and reader, for me, is the flow of the story. I don't want to have to stop to look up what they're saying. Which is hypocritical of me considering in my OC FFX story I use Al Bhed sparingly. (This fic is The Man in the Red Coat, just in case anyone wants to know… Under the pen name Boredom Queen of Insanity. That was not shameless self promotion…)

However, the scene I'm talking about has Kagome flustered and tired, and she does normally speak Japanese so… yeah. Hai or no? (sorry… I couldn't resist!)

Wow, I ranted there a bit, didn't I? Sorry! And sorry if it offended anyone, I don't mean to lecture other writers unless they transgress my unforgivable lines. That is: Improper respect of language ( Kai said."OMG u r such a lozer" Nikki cried "O No I h8 my life Ill kill myself") and blatant misuse of medical information. I can't help it, I've gotten it drilled into my mind I have to correct people. I forget that others don't know stuff like sterile procedure and such.

ANYWAYS on to the story. Really, I should just post my author notes at LJ and direct people there if they want to read them.

~(Chapter Eleven)~

Kagome plucked the deceptive purple gem off the floor, feeling a bit better as the Shikon jewel became its usual light pink color as soon as she purified it with the little strength she had remaining. The chain was covered in stuff she rather not think about and latched it around her neck anyways. She froze as she felt Sephiroth gently moving her hair out from underneath the chain, his gloved fingers brushing the nape of her neck slightly, causing a slight tingle rush through her body. There was indefinable expression in his eyes when she looked back at him, her heart pounding. Whether from the fight or from him she wasn't exactly sure.

The moment was broken as suddenly the electricity cut out; killing even the emergency lights as the whole place suddenly lurched. Kagome felt a strong arm wrap around her waist as the room tilted sharply, which held her in place instead of sliding like everything else in the room. If it was another time, she would have been more surprised at the fact Sephiroth's eyes were glowing brightly in the darkness, the only source in the room. However, at the moment she was more worried about surviving than the strange little tidbit, and filed it away as Sephiroth guided her through the darkness. She couldn't see anything but a few inches in front of her, but trusted him explicitly. After all, he worked here, right?

It wasn't a few minutes before the building rested from its movement, but something told the Miko that it would only be a temporary rest. They had to find Ifalna, and fast. Sephiroth seemed to understand that as well, as she hurried her as quickly as she could move with his arms still tightly wrapped around her waist.

He let go only when they came to a door that blocked their path. Sephiroth dug his fingers into the small edge, and forced the electronic door to slide open. He had to get both women out of their safely! He rushed into the small corridor of the specimen lab, his ear attentive to any noise. He could Kagome's light steps behind him, and the very low pitch of the building groaning, but there was nothing else in the silence. "Ifalna?" he called out, but there was no call coming from the dozen or so specimen chambers, no footfalls, or even a quiet rustle. The fingers of fear which he had fought against hard started to finally win their struggle and grip his heart as he went to each door, prying them open and scanning the bare chambers before moving on to the next.

"She isn't here?" she asked quietly, looking blindingly up at him. He didn't understand, the company policy was to not to evacuate the specimens in emergencies. He knew that well from when he was a boy. But had they gone against the rules and evacuated her like everyone else? Had he led his comrades and Kagome into battle for no reason?

He looked down at the young woman by his side, who had wrapped her hand lightly around his. He realized that she wasn't like him, and couldn't see in the dark as he could thanks to the mako treatments, and he gripped her hand slightly. "Hojo must have moved her," he affirmed with a slight snarl. "… I'm sorry for leading you into this."

To his surprise, she smiled gently. "It's alright, there's no need to be sorry. At least we know now she isn't here, and focus our search on other places."

Our search. Our. The words surprised him, but only for a second as the structure started to groan more, hinting that it was about to collapse even further. He forced himself to focus on their situation and not the way the strange woman was getting past his barriers with ease, or the fear that Ifalna could be almost anywhere in the world now. He would deal with those and other thoughts such has why the building was failing (for some reason, he had a suspicion that Genesis was to blame) later. He had to find an escape route before the building went crashing down onto the plate below.

Could the plate even withstand the building collapsing on to it, or would it fail and send the unlucky sector into the slums below?

The north side had been damaged, and judging from the tilt of the floor it was unlikely that the elevators were usable, and the stairs… probably not safe, but it was their only choice. Even though that there was no question Kagome was trusting and able to endure a lot, he doubted she would last a jump from the 60th floor. Unknown to him, Kagome had fallen farther than a 60ths story floor, and had trusted Inuyasha when he jumped from heights that rivaled the Shinra building. However, the escape plan was far from her mind as she tried to remember any detail on their way up that could help them.

The building started to slowly bend even more, the grumble of stone and metal reverberating through the room. Who knew how much longer there was until it completely gave out? "Come on," Sephiroth said quietly, tugging her hand slightly as he led her back towards the stairs. Half way across the floor, a bland ringtone cut through the silence, sounding out of place as the pair paused. Kagome gave the silver haired man a strange look, which went unnoticed in darkness. "Yes?" he sniped as soon as he opened the flip phone before grabbing Kagome's hand and continuing through the dark hallway.

"Where are you?" came Genesis' lazy question, loud enough Kagome could hear.

"60th floor," Sephiroth answered shortly. "This better be important Rhapsodos."

"Just stay away from the east wall for a moment." The ginger haired SOLDIER ended the call. Having an inkling about what the other 1st class SOLDIER was planning, Sephiroth pulled Kagome into a secured office near the middle of the floor.

"Seph," Kagome started, but her question was cut off as a loud explosion rocked the place. Out of reflex Kagome ducked down, covering her head as shrapnel cut through the walls of the office. "What in the world…!" she yelled as the dust settled. Light from outside now radiated through the floor, revealing the devastation. One wall of the office had been completely blown away, along with a good portion of another, revealing everything between them and the far exterior wall of the building had been completely obliterated.

Kagome didn't believe her eyes at first. Floating outside the building was a shining golden dragon. All she could see was its head and parts of its chest, and its large, almost mechanical like wings. It held up its clawed hand, revealing Genesis leaning against one of its claws, which were by far longer than he was tall. "Need some help?"

"Angeal already lectured you, correct?" Sephiroth asked casually as they walked towards him.

Genesis sighed dramatically, as he stepped onto the floor. "Of course, he wouldn't be Angeal if he didn't." Sephiroth paused in front of him before slapping him upside the head. Genesis flinched slightly, and gave the man a death glare as he walked past. He quickly changed moods as he looked back at Kagome with a suave smile. "My lady," he bowed slightly and offered his hand, making Kagome blushed. Nevertheless, she accepted help stepping onto the dragon's claw, not missing the dark look on Sephiroth's face or the smug expression on Genesis' as he stood on the other side of her.

Great, just what she needed. Maybe this was a very elaborate dream caused by stress from med school. She pinched herself on the arm, unsurprised at the pain. Of course, she wouldn't be that lucky.

Her thoughts shifted as the dragon gave a loud cry before shooting into the smog filled sky. It was Genesis this time that wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her steady. It didn't quite feel right, and Kagome noticed it didn't send warm butterflies to flutter about her stomach like when Sephiroth touched her.

The dragon paused about a 100 feet above the Shinra building, and watched as the building increased in speed as it fell. "Your mother wasn't there?"

"No."

The rivalry between them eased for a moment as Genesis sent him a sympathetic look before a conspirator smile crossed his lips. "Well, that means we have an excuse to raise the rest of Hojo's laboratories."

Sephiroth sent him a dark look. "That wasn't part of the plan."

Genesis just smiled him, and tightened his hold on Kagome just to further goad him. "I thought your plan needed improvement."

Kagome's eye twitched, the two were only about a few steps away from the rivalry between Inuyasha and Kouga, and she was not going to be stuck in the middle of that again. "Boys, settle down." She was firm as she moved Genesis' hand off her waist, taking a step towards the edge so that when she turned, she could face both of the properly. She placed her hands on her hips, surprising the two. "We are hundreds of feet in the air, standing on a dragon's hand after destroying that," she pointed down at the devastation below them. "I don't think right now is the time to argue about plans."

The two men paused before looking at each other, surprise on both their faces. "I like her," Genesis finally commented with a grin.

"No," Sephiroth said flatly.

"But you said she wasn't your girlfriend."

"The answer is still no."

"I don't believe you have a say in the manner."

"Are you that eager to die?"

Kagome rubbed the bridge of her nose, trying hard not to give into the urge of bashing their heads together. They weren't ones step from Inuyasha and Kouga; they were there. It was obvious the two were just like the wolf yokai and hanyou, just without throwing names around and fighting tooth and nail over her. Yet. And again, her feelings hadn't been considered. "Can we at least get to solid ground first?" she asked wearily.

The argument stopped, and the boys surveyed the damage below them. The Shinra building was little more than rubble now, spread across several sectors. "It destroyed the Loveless Avenue!" Genesis practically cried, earning a small smirk from Sephiroth. "Where can I watch Loveless? And Loveless Café was the only place that served proper Banora white pie!"

"We are enemies of Shinra," Sephiroth reminded him dryly. "And therefore, enemies of virtually the entire planet. I think your priorities are a little skewered."

Genesis glared at the general as if he had said the most offensive comment ever. For the Loveless obsessed SOLDIER, it was rather close to the truth. "'My friend, the fates are cruel. There are no dreams, no honor remains. The arrow has left the bow of the goddess.' There is nothing more important or valued than Loveless, Sephiroth. Nothing."

Kagome sighed and placed a hand on the dragon's thumb to steady herself. They were paying absolutely no attention to her, which was very familiar to the Miko. However, their argument was soon lost to her ears as a tingle started in her fingers, slowly crawling up her arm. She looked from her hand, then up to the dragon's head. One electric green eye was staring down at her, and a feeling of understanding passed between them. Kagome quickly let go of the appendage, but the feeling was still there.

It waited for orders. She didn't exactly know how she knew that, but still she felt it was waiting for her to give the command. "D-down," she whispered. Instantly the dragon gave another roar before flying down towards the plate of Midgar, away from destruction.

Both Sephiroth and Genesis were shocked, and Genesis reached for his sword, and the summon stone placed in its hilt. He was shocked when he couldn't connect with the summon. He knew he still had plenty of energy to control the summon, but it was as if the Materia did not belong to the summon anymore. Bahamut Fury was no longer under his control.

The few people still in the far part of Sector 4 scrambled as the dragon landed in the street, its form brushing against the sides of the buildings. It knelt down and placed its claw near the street, allowing the three humans to jump onto the street. Genesis tried to mentally dismiss the beast, but it stayed. "Sephiroth, he's not under my control," Genesis said quietly.

Sephiroth frowned, "What do you mean?"

Genesis looked back to his friend, dispelling any ideas this was a trick by the serious look on his face. "I cannot control him. He's no longer responding to the Materia."

Kagome bit her lip, "I think that's my fault." She didn't like the disbelieving looks on their faces, but continued. "It-he… When I touched him, something… happened. I asked him to go down, and he did."

"Dismiss him then," Genesis challenged. How could control switch when the Materia was still in his possession? It was impossible!

Yet Kagome looked back up at Bahamut, and said quietly, "You're dismissed." With one last stretch Bahamut burst into a thousand lights that shot back to the Materia in the sword. Genesis touched the glowing Materia, and felt the power under his command again.

How? How had she done that?

( )

The fate of the Shinra Building was evident in all of Midgar, including the Sector 5 slums. It sounded like a metallic howl, tremors that racked the plate above sent dust and debris falling in the slum, forcing everyone inside. Aerith stood in the kitchen of Elmyra's, trying her hardest not to cry. Seeing her flowers being ruined as junk rained down from above just made the worst day ever worse.

Zack was panting for breath, but not one MP or Turk had gotten past the young man or the Materia-wielding flower girl behind him. Most of the MPs had retreated, but the two Turks known as Rude and Shuriken (also known as Cissnei to her friends) were stubbornly holding out, even when they were the ones worst for wear.

Shuriken was crouched low to the ground, her signature weapon stuck in the ground in front of her. "So, where is he?" she finally asked between breaths.

Zack frowned, shouldering his sword for the moment. "Where's who?"

"Sephiroth," Rude finished.

The two teens shared a look, wary about answering the question. "He's rescuing mom," Aerith finally answered quietly. "He's probably in the Science department as we speak."

The two Turks looked at each other. While they were adamant about doing their job, this was one side of their career they did not enjoy. "He won't find her there," Rude stated quietly, almost under his breath as he straightened his martial arts gloves.

"Hojo took her to Nibelheim as soon as she was captured," Cissnei supplied. "He won't find anything in the science labs."

So now, not only had she lost her mother, but also her brother had risked-and possibly lost- his life for no reason. The Turks would probably be back whenever the commotion died down, and she had no way to leave Midgar and find peace and security.

And her flower garden was ruined. Her lip quivered as tears finally fell. "Please, Planet, help us!"