Out sooner than the usual months of waiting, and with over seven pages of Genesis interaction... it feels a lot easier to write for him now :) And as a heads up, the story has been getting an upgrade for almost a month now. Over ten chapters remain that need to be edited. I've lost count of how many times I've cringed reading everything over again... it burns. It burns so much, I just want to slap my past self D:

Disclaimer: The only things I own are Mekina and my other OCs.

Brows furrowing in confusion due to the gusts of wind hitting your face, your eyes slid open to tired slits before slowly shifting over to glance at the side. Upon realizing where you were, your eyes widened. A whirl of emotions ranging from surprise, fear, and even more confusion clung to you. Numerous questions raced through your head, but once you looked down, they all seemed to vanish. With a gasp, you pressed into whatever was holding you, not caring at the moment who it was. You were far too concerned with your distance from the ground to care about anything else.

You were actually flying through the air with nothing more than a person for support. This was nearly three times the height of when you fought the bone dragon. And didn't you just think about how you had enough of falling not that far back? Shiva, if you were to fall from this height...

You trembled.

Unable to tear your eyes away from the rolling lands and trees caped in a light provided by the moon, you could only stare. Even when the sound of a chuckle drowned by wind caught your ear, you weren't able to look at the source. If you had time before all of this to calm your nerves, you were sure you wouldn't have given into the reaction you had from waking in the air. Distantly, you noted you were clinging tightly to whoever it was. When a minute or two had passed of reclaiming your wits, the one holding you spoke.

"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess. We seek it thus, and take to the sky..."

Genesis. That's right. I'm with him now. More emotions began to resurface after that thought, and you lessened your grip, but didn't relinquish hold of him completely. You didn't know how to feel about this. None of this made much sense to you.

"Why did you suddenly show up? And Angeal- where's Angeal?" You slightly stuttered, finally looking at him.

With Genesis' gaze staying ahead, he didn't answer, instead commenting. "You're up earlier than most," soon sparing you a glance, he added. "It seems you truly have been graced with a higher magic resistance than the average person."

"If that's true, then the spell shouldn't have even effected me..."

"In a way, that is correct," Genesis nodded. "The majority of people usually succumb to the effects of sleep spells immediately. However, unlike them, you were able to remain conscious for a while longer, and wake up in a shorter amount of time."

Was there a point to this? No, at least none that you could see. "What does it matter? What about Angeal? And you, why are you even here?"

The SOLDIER remained silent with a knowing look. This irritated you.

But what he did next made you lose it.

"My friend, your desire is the bringer of life. The gift of the goddess-" smashing your fist into his jaw, he shifted in direction slightly before abruptly stopping in mid air, head remained turned to the side.

"The thing I desire most are some damn answers, not this LOVELESS crap!"

Going quiet after that outburst, you continued to fume. A small amount of satisfaction was received from hitting the redhead, and focusing on this feeling, you used it to try and gain a level head before you struck him again. This was not the best place for such things to occur, after all. It can be saved for when your feet touched gaia once more. When he turned to face you, his narrowed eyes met your steady glare. Neither of you so much as blinked as your eyes continued to hold the others.

"Would you like me to drop you?" His voice came out dangerously low.

After going all this way to retrieve you, you doubted he would do it. You challenged him.

"Go ahead."

His expression was hard and his eyes were cold, but you did not back down. Genesis let his grip become somewhat slack, which brought your heart to race, though you did not show anything openly. But since he was so close, his ears did not fail in hearing the change. The ex-SOLDIER scoffed and let his eyes close. Genesis then took to familiar words that had always calmed him.

"There is no hate, only joy, for you are beloved by the Goddess. Hero of the dawn, healer of worlds. Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul, pride is lost, wings stripped away, the end is nigh..."

Judging by how his hold on you eventually returned, not to mention all the more firmer, it worked. But then you realized something else. Him quoting LOVELESS to soothe himself was no different than the thoughts you had of bringing him and Angeal back. Those thoughts of reassurance had become sort of like a mantra, in a way, when things were troubling. It went without question that LOVELESS brought those feelings of reassurance to the fiery warrior. The memory of him referring to himself as a hero in the training room briefly played in your minds eye. It then switched to when you were in Banora, and he called not only himself a monster, but Angeal as well. Glare softening at this, you inwardly cursed.

You regretted lashing out like that.

At some point, while these things went through your head, Genesis went back into motion.

When Genesis would speak of the poem before the incident with his shoulder, it was out of his pleasure and love for it, but after receiving the injury, the tone he used took a slight change. There was a certain solemness to it. His earlier feelings the book brought weren't gone, you knew that, but... whatever he was experiencing in the aftermath appeared to overtake the former at times. And Kunsel did come up with the idea of going to see LOVELESS to get some kind of thought as to how Genesis might be thinking, so in that regard, some answers actually did lie in the story. If only you took some more time to think before snapping, you may have remembered that sooner.

With a guilty frown, you slightly shook your head, and turned to the scenery. Having obtained a small amount of calmness, you were able to look at the view with not as much fear as you had from waking. And with one of the people you were searching for finally within reach, you decided to speak as much as you could while you had the chance.

"You know... you guys seem pretty human to me."

Genesis raised a brow. "It's a wonder how you can say that, even after seeing this grotesque appendage," a hint of bitterness and disgust was in his tone.

"So you got a bit more assets than other people. I'm actually kind of jealous..." Genesis gave you an incredulous look. Ignoring this, your eyes trailed to the wing beating occasionally after long seconds passed. "I mean, if I had a wing like either of you, I would be so happy."

"If it was possible to give it to you with none of the strings that came with it attached, I would gladly do so."

"...Sorry. I know that was something you would have preferred not hearing," turning away again, you continued in a serious tone. "I take it Hollander's still trying to help you get rid of it."

Genesis grimaced. "Numerous methods have been done, but all results have bared no fruit. He claims he needs more time to search, yet he is unable to realize time is not exactly of me. Although..." Wing beating powerfully, he added. "Hollander believes he may have found something, and is looking further into it as we speak." This had you instantly remember when you were with him at the fountain. And then it hit you. You finally understood why Genesis left.

It was so he could find a cure for the injury that refused to heal.

The longer you pondered about it, the more the reason for leaving seemed badly thought out. If Hollander wasn't able to find a cure while with Shinra, why would the results be any different away from them? You considered that they decided to leave so they could look outside the company for other resources of the rarer kind. But leaving the most powerful organization on gaia to do it...? What was stopping them from searching while still with Shinra? And if finding a cure was the main reason this happened, why even make the Genesis copies? Then an epiphany came to you.

If they really were looking for resources on their own, they could have come across some that had a risk of being extremely detrimental to the healing process. That might have been one of the reasons for their existence. But with hundreds of SOLDIERs that left in the desertion, there was no way all of them were going to be used for that potential reason you came up with. Why would they be so willing to give up their bodies anyway? Did they even know what was going to happen...? Before you thought more deeply about the matter, you took the chance to obtain more info about why he did something so unforgivable just a few days back. Just how horrible was this betrayal his parents did that costed them their lives?

Coldly, you inquired. "If this is all about finding a cure, was the stuff that happened at Banora really necessary?"

"Of course it was necessary," recalling the memory had his expression go hard. "Those people were in with Shinra. And my parents," he spat the word. "Raised me with only the company's interest in highest regard, all at my own expense in the end. My life was of no concern to them, just as theirs holds no meaning to me. They did their duty, and I repaid them for it."

Even so, they were still his parents. They didn't deserve the ultimate price from their son. It surprised you when several tears began to gather at the corners of your eyes. Thankfully for you, blinking against the wind helped keep them at bay.

"You're cruel..."

"My friend, the fates are cruel. There are no dreams, no honor remains..."

"Well since you despise Shinra so much, why look for me then?" You glared at him.

Genesis didn't respond right away, and you were beginning to wonder if he ever would. While waiting for an answer, you mulled over what the Director told you. It really did seem like things wouldn't turn out any better. Whatever the company did had left far too deep of an imprint on Genesis for him to return. And even if he did come back, what had already taken place was inexcusable. Although, you had to wonder if him being a 1st class had anything to do with why he wasn't yet listed with an order to kill on sight. Strong SOLDIERs with a huge influence like Angeal and Genesis had were hard to come by, and dealt a heavy blow to the company upon leaving.

From what you heard about the President, it wasn't difficult for you to imagine him taking them back in. It was no secret that the man only cared about money and power, so with two of the most powerful SOLDIERs to grace the company at his beck and call, his iron fist would be unbreakable once again. It really wouldn't be too surprising. But as of now, that iron was becoming molten, and slipping right between his fingers, going further out of reach... What if that actually turned out to be a good thing? Ruin never seemed far behind when someone had too much power... Before you could continue further contemplation, Genesis spoke, pulling you back to reality.

"There are some things I've been wanting to confirm. It would be hard to find the answers if the person in question went missing in action."

Confirm? Person in question? MIA? Oh the irony... "And that question would be?"

He merely shook his head. "You aren't able to answer it as you are now. But you need to be more cautious."

If you weren't already confused enough as it was, this just made things worse.

With a strong flap from his feathered limb, you both swooped down to the trees. Not expecting this, your arms instinctively wrapped around his neck. In response, he seemed to hold you tighter. Closer. Almost as if to let you know that he wouldn't let you fall. Hair flowing back with the wind, you watched ahead as you now slipped between trees, and continued the descent. Slowing down, Genesis' wing strongly beat against the air as he made to land. Once your feet touched the ground, you carefully eyed him, half expecting him to just up and leave. When nothing of the sort occurred, and he remained at your side with a hand placed on your shoulder to steady you, you became puzzled. He did not miss the expression, but misunderstood the reason for it.

"You're beginning to sway. I imagine it would be for the best if you didn't collapse, especially since you still have yet to fully recover."

Hearing this caused a warmth to form. Quickly looking away from him, the beginnings of a smile started to show, but you were able to contain it for the most part. "It's weird seeing you care about that since you're the one that did the summon."

Appearing unphased, Genesis regarded you with a cool look. "I admit, I was curious about how you both would fair in the situation."

With a mutual expression, you turned to face him. "Don't tell me you did it to try confirming whatever it is you were wondering about earlier." He only smirked in response, bringing a sigh out of you. "Careful, Genesis, or you might just go down the path to becoming Hojo," you teased, lightly batting his hand away.

Scoffing, he looked to his wing and stretched it wide. "The odds of that happening are unlikely. That greasy haired loon is on a path only accessible to the most vile." Watching as some feathers drifted gently to the ground, he sniffed in distaste before turning back ahead. "And he is the only one set on it."

This had you think back to when you were with Adelle. It made you uneasy, thinking about having to go to his lab when this was finished. Now moving through the trees, you decided to change the subject, though to what, you did not know. You said the first thing that came to mind.

"...Angeal and you are missed."

"How touching. But I wonder... Are monsters such as ourselves truly worthy of garnering such sentiments?"

These words made you flinch. "Why are you doing this to yourself? You have friends back at HQ worried about you, don't just disregard us like that! Why is it so hard for you to see that?"

With Sephiroth and Zack in mind, the uneasiness turned into guilt. Despite being with the man, you were unable to do anything to get to him. Maybe the best way of getting through to Genesis really was through Angeal... The red warrior was too stubborn to listen, whereas Angeal could still be reasonable. You knew this when you shared that look with him just before Banora was laid to waste by the missile attack. In that moment, he looked so conflicted... You hated seeing him like that, and hearing Genesis speak like this.

"Hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey. In my own salvation..." His feet slowed to a stop, and for a brief period, he looked to the sky. "...The arrow has left the bow of the goddess." Remaining like that a while longer, his head soon went back down. Carefully, he regarded you. "It would do you well to know that my hatred for Shinra will not waver, nor do I plan on returning. You would do best to remember that." Once that was said, he made move again.

After some time had gone by, you eventually followed hesitantly behind him. His words and tone he used made you feel as though you were grasping at straws, and you may as well have been. But you didn't want to give up just yet. Zack and Sephiroth wouldn't have been deterred by his words. It took a moment of thought, but you decided to try a different approach.

Quietly, you spoke. "Can we pretend you found a cure for a sec?"

"I've never been one to play childish games, Mekina."

"Can you humor me, then?" Your soft tone had him spare a slight glance at you. When a couple long seconds had passed, he seemed to slow down a bit. You had his attention. "So you're finally better now. After you burned most of your bridges, what do you plan to do?"

"Legend shall speak of sacrifice at world's end. The wind sails over the water's surface, quietly, but surely..." he went quiet in thought. "There are numerous ways to answer that, though I have yet to decide on what I would do. Only time can tell."

In response, you gave a low hum before continuing after some seconds. "Do you still think you have the role of the hero?"

Genesis raised a brow at you. "Asking something that has to do with LOVELESS? I thought you didn't want answers concerning it?"

Frowning at him, you folded your arms. "Since you like being difficult and seem to think it holds the answers to everything, I don't really have much of a choice but to resort to it, now do I?"

In this moment, you were really beginning to resemble a stubborn child to him. Oddly enough, this managed to bring a soft change to his expression ever so slightly, and a small smirk took to him. You thought it was because, in your own way, you had agreed that LOVELESS was the key to some topics. How begrudgingly you went about doing so didn't seem to effect him in the slightest.

"Didn't I humor you earlier?" After seeing his expression, it would seem that you weren't too off in the assumption. He looked far too pleased. "And you may be surprised with what you can discover."

"Doesn't mean you answered much," you murmured. Why did it have to be so hard for him to be the one to answer you? Silence fell on the two of you as you journeyed through the trees, left to your thoughts. After a time had passed with only the light crunching of dirt reaching your ears, Genesis spoke under his breath. The cold tone that came with his words wasn't completely unexpected. But the hint of loneliness to them was.

"All you need to know is that I am a monster, Mekina. Remember that."

"...I don't believe you."

"May I incline as to why?"

This had you slow in pace a bit and cast your eyes to the earth. When the smile that threatened to show from earlier attempted to come back, you didn't hide it this time. "Even if you only did it just to get answers later on, you still came for me," with arms wrapped around yourself, you continued. "It didn't take long for you to show up. Not even half a day had gone by... and you told me to be more cautious," raising your head, you looked to him. "Would a monster say that? You could have just put me back to sleep instead."

He had considered doing just that, but seeing the kind, gentle expression had Genesis' features take to masked guilt. He didn't deserve to be at the receiving end of such a look. Not after what he had done. Not after finding out what he was. The ex-SOLDIER turned away. "You shouldn't be so at ease around me. Or have you already forgotten who gave you those injuries?"

With a shake of the head, you replied. "A big angry summon. Not you," your smile still remained, but lessened the tiniest bit as you spoke. Regardless of Genesis' warnings, you were onto how he was feeling. At least for this moment, you were. "Since that was the second one I fought, it's kind of expected that I'd get hurt from it." Despite saying this, it didn't mean that you would stop beating yourself up about it so easily. But he didn't have to know about that part, now did he? And despite how you truly felt, you tried to take it as a growing experience. That was all it was, really. "Next time I face one, I'll probably handle it a lot better then last time. I've been getting stronger, you know," you winked when you caught his eye again.

It was obvious that being near Zack had helped open you up. This was apparent long before Angeal and he had left. It was something the puppy seemed to be gifted at doing, even with the quietest of people. That, along with all your time at SOLDIER coming into play, did wonders when it came to comparing how you were now to when Genesis first met you.

"...You've been hanging around the puppy a little too much, haven't you?"

Hearing this actually brought up your mood. You slightly laughed. "Do I really seem that more optimistic?" It was a relief to hear, seeing as the thoughts you've been pondering over lately haven't exactly been of the most happy kind. "The last time I saw him was in Banora..." the memory of the now destroyed town had almost killed your attempt to lighten things up, but you persisted. "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you come back and spend more time with Zack so it can rub off on you, too?"

He deadpanned. "Have you already forgotten what I told you?"

"That you're a pyro?"

"..."

"...I'm sorry."

Hearing you apologize over something so pointless had him almost chuckle. It was ridiculous... but endearing. You were growing out of that shy little SOLDIER he first laid eyes on.

Closing his eyes, Genesis waved your words away with a hand. "Save the apologies. When you return, just be sure to watch yourself." What he said made you feel like your attempts at improving the mood had worked. Well, at least you felt that way until he said the last part. "...Don't trust the company of others so easily. Myself included." Even though he wasn't completely facing you, you didn't need to see his expression to catch the vibe he was giving off.

You obtained a somber feeling from him.

With a suspicious look sent his way, before you could question him, his wing extended and he suddenly took to the sky, taking you by surprise. A trail of dark feathers was all that remained, falling over your head as you watched his figure disappear. As the feathers sunk to the dirt, the sinking feeling in your chest became more apparent. Moving to run through the last couple of trees when he slipped from view, you came to the opening of the brush, and let your eyes continue following after the ex-SOLDIER.

Just what are you keeping to yourself, Genesis?

When your gaze finally lowered, your hues landed on the Bone Village.

...

Shifting a feather you managed to catch between your gloved fingers in thought, you went closer to the town.

Don't trust others? It's not like I was really trusting of people to begin with... only a few people, but I don't think they'll do anything bad... Zack, Kunsel, Takamo, and Sephiroth came to mind with Adelle lingering for a moment. You just met her, but after what she told you in the infirmary, you doubted she would do anything to hurt you. Why would any of them do something to you anyway? You groaned as realization filled you. When you got some answers to questions, again- again you had received new ones to take the place of the old. And these ones of questioning your allies could cause paranoia if you actually let it get to you. I don't think it'll get to that point though.

With the labs suddenly in your thoughts, you wondered if staying on this mission for another day or two would be for the best. Besides, you doubted there were only two bone dragons causing havoc around here. Whatever else you found would be dealt with swiftly to assure the village's safety. And next time hopefully won't end up with me lost... At those words, a distant part of you wondered if Genesis would come back to get you if it happened again.

By the time you got to the Bone Village, it was still dark, but not too late. Most of the people had yet to go to sleep, and were relaxing in their homes with their lights on. It looked nearly untouched from when you last saw the town. The only things that earned a double take were several burn marks on the side of a few buildings. Walking past the structures, you eyed the charred bone with a wary look as you made way to the Chief. Did another attack happen when you were away? After stepping in the skull building looking surprisingly hale and whole, the residents inside jumped to their feet, taking you aback. Seeing their concern once again nestled a rather sweet feeling within, and you told them of what transpired, mentioning all but Genesis.

"That had to be one of the most insane things I ever saw! Never thought I'd see a damn person on top of one of 'em, let alone..." Joe quickly shook his head before grinning and gave your shoulder a pat. "You have our thanks."

"Yes, that was quite the sight to behold!" Darius chimed in as he examined you. "And you say two of them are no more? That's very good news, but... are you sure you're alright?"

Nodding, you offered a faint smile. "Yeah, I'm okay. I didn't get hurt by them."

"But you did fall into the sleeping forest," Joe said, giving you a look. "Did that weird tug you mentioned get you the whole time?"

"Not really, but I know I got enchanted at some point. Everything looked the same, no matter where I went..."

Joe nodded. "Aye, that's how it confuses people."

"It's a relief to know that hostile man found you," Darius said, bringing you to still.

"Hostile man...?" When it occurred to you who they were talking about, you could only wonder what he did to earn being called hostile. But then you remembered the burn marks. Somehow, you found the strength to refrain from facepalming. "...Was he wearing a red jacket by any chance?"

"That's the guy," Joe grimaced at the memory. "You remember that harp I told you about? He threatened to burn the diggers if they didn't find it fast enough."

"He wanted to go in the forest, but when we warned him of the dangers it presented, he started showing how impatient he really was..." a new face, Malik told you. "If it wasn't for you being in there, we wouldn't have minded him going in without the harp."

Well clearly, Genesis had pissed these people off. And you didn't blame them.

Threatening innocent people, just to find me? Your eye twitched. I know he wants to confirm whatever it is he was thinking, but that's too far! No longer did you regret punching him earlier. Hell, you were starting to imagine yourself punching him in the face again. However, even with this daydream in mind, you couldn't completely ignore the feelings hiding behind the newly found aggression. After learning that someone would go to such lengths to find you, you couldn't help but to ponder more deeply about what Genesis wanted to confirm. What could make someone act so violently? You didn't want it to happen, but the tingly feeling inside increased. And it was only reinforced upon hearing what the Chief said next.

"You have quite the protector, don't you, Mekina?" Darius' eyes seemed to twinkle.

Protector?

This was when you realized it actually could have looked like some kind of weird romantic situation. A man going into an enchanted forest to rescue a girl... But it wasn't. There was no way it was anywhere near what they could be implying. That was what you told yourself, face gradually taking color all the while.

But I didn't need rescuing, I already figured out the way before he showed up. I was just taking a break, and...

The stubbornness was showing again, but only because you didn't want to come across as weak. You knew that you wouldn't have been able to find out how to get back if it wasn't for Genesis, or the people looking for the harp. Briefly letting the time recently spent with Genesis run through your head, you were done when you remembered how touched you felt when he had your injuries in mind, and kept you steady with a firm hand. And knowing that he was trying to hide his guilt? The light blush gathering at your cheeks became too visible to ignore. This reaction enhanced the mens amusement. They couldn't resist poking a little fun at you.

"The last time someone willingly went in there was on the behalf of a person they really cared for, and now it's happened again," Malik smirked.

"Maybe you really were destined to go in there, what with that magical tugging stuff going on," Joe added, smiling as he crossed his arms.

"Oh ho, when you put it like that, it reminds me of the red string of fate..." It was Darius that time.

"W-Wait, red string of fate? It's not like that at all! And I don't need a protector!" Defensively, you held your hands up. Your feelings for the warrior were mixed, and never failed to confuse you when thought about in that way. Just thinking about it and the time spent at the Golden Saucer and fountain brought you to a fierce shade of red, which only worsened the oncoming, lighthearted teases.

I think this interaction will help Mekina come to terms with her feelings more... she could use the push.

If you're wondering why Mekina teased Genesis about becoming like Hojo, it was because the memory of Hojo observing SOLDIERs fight against his monsters in the VR came to mind while writing that part. Genesis not only used the summon to stop you and Zack from going after Angeal, but to also partially get an inkling into... :D Not the greatest comparison, I know, but it works.

And this is some years late to mention... but the title 'Genesis Rhapsodos Love Story'? That was kind of like a substitute title. When this story first started, I was unable to come up with a good name. I've always planned on changing it at some point, but over the years, it just sort of... stuck in place. Even after five years, I still have no idea what to call this... xD

As you already know with how Crisis Core ends, this story won't have the happiest of endings... and the events will not be altered. Numerous ways of having Mekina deal with situations has been pondered over continuously, the hard part is choosing which one is the best way to further things along...

I hope you enjoyed this chapter :)