A/N1: The soundtrack for this is 'Starlight' by Unlike Pluto for the first part. The rest is 'Carry You' by Ruelle ft. Fleurie.

Chapter 22 – Taking My Starlight

It was only a moment later that Fuhito spoke again. "Ah, I see you have noticed my newest addition."

Sephiroth's shock turned to a glare, but Genesis stepped forward with a snarl. Although he ignored the man and turned to the woman by his side. Clarissa was staring straight ahead as though she didn't see them. His eyes traveled over her from head to foot to make sure she was unharmed. He barely noted the unfamiliar armor as he finally spoke. "Clarissa? Can you hear me?"

When there was no reaction from her at all, Fuhito chuckled again. He put a hand on her shoulder as he answered for her. "Of course she can hear you. Though that doesn't mean she will respond. We have had plenty of time to come to terms, and she is now one of mine." He paused long enough to shoot the small group a smile that never reached his eyes. His voice was sugary-sweet when he continued. "I would hate to think that the best the planet has to offer would be destroyed today. You could join me as well so that we can create a brighter future for Gaia."

Genesis took a threatening step forward and snarled out his answer. "What have you done to my wife?"

Sephiroth stepped forward and put a calming hand on his friend's arm. They needed to figure out what was happening before they jumped into battle. Though his voice was just as hard when he added his own input. "We have already told you that Shinra has laid out a new directive to not only help the people but also the planet. We are not on opposing sides. Though your treatment of Clarissa voids any chance you had to become an ally."

Fuhito's smile fell, but it was quickly back as he continued. "Are you certain? Look around. Is this a battle you are prepared to fight?" He then pointedly looked at the boys behind the General before he continued. "Especially since you are not alone."

He didn't give them a chance to respond before he finally looked at Shears. "And you. While I am not surprised to see you have run like an ignorant coward, I would hope you understand the gravity of this situation. Surely if you could not watch me try to convince my Dove to help, then you could not stand to see anything happen to these people."

That was the last straw for Genesis. He lunged forward as he growled. "Your Dove?" His voice had been full of fire, which also licked up along his blade as he tried to reach the smug scientist. Unfortunately, the Ravens closed rank.

Genesis could barely see Fuhito turn to Clarissa, though he heard him well enough, even over the sound of his blade clashing with those of the Ravens. "Dove."

Clarissa's head snapped to attention and over to Fuhito when he spoke. She didn't say anything as he gave her his instructions. "Kill all the intruders, except for the children. Bring them to me."

She gave him a sharp nod, but he stopped her before she could move. "Oh, and start with the red-head first."

As soon as he let go of her arm, she lunged forward. The Ravens jumped out of her way and instead focused on Sephiroth, as he and Shears were working to keep them away from the boys.

Clarissa had both of her kōdachi in hand, and they clanged loudly with Rapier as Genesis blocked her first blow. His eyes looked desperate as he called out to her. "Clarissa, stop. It's me, your husband."

There was not even a blink of her eyes to indicate she acknowledged him. Genesis grimaced when he heard Fuhito call out again. "My voice is the only one she will respond to. If you don't want to be killed or injure her, then it would be best if you left."

Genesis snarled at the man, but he didn't respond. At least not to Fuhito. He turned back to Clarissa with a pleading look. "Please, snap out of this."

He was so concentrated on trying to get through to his wife that he was taken by surprise when she slid beneath his guard and stabbed upward. He barely managed to deflect the blow, and it still sliced across his thigh. He ignored the pain as he stepped back and tried to get Clarissa to focus on his eyes. "Look at me. See me."

He wanted to yell when he heard Sephiroth call out above the din. "Genesis, you can't underestimate her. Like this, she is dangerous. She won't hold back. Knock her out if you have to, and we can leave."

Genesis didn't take his eyes off his wife as she stalked around him, though he did grimace at Sephiroth's suggestion. Unfortunately, he had been correct. They could deal with whatever had happened to her after they were safely away from this place. With that thought in mind, he lunged forward with a spell at his fingertips.

He waited until he was almost upon her before he flung out the sleep spell. To his shock, she ducked backward and managed to evade it. She then flipped back and shocked him by summoning Shiva. Genesis was torn at that point. He was proud of the advancements she had achieved. Now that she wasn't worried about hurting him, he could easily see that she was an amazing warrior. Unfortunately, that also meant he might not be able to capture her without one of them getting severely injured.

After her next feint, Genesis somehow managed to knock both her swords away. He knew he only had a split second to try and disable her before either she regained her footing, or the summon would be there to fight in her stead. He swallowed the bile that was coming up as he aimed for her shoulder.

He had to look away when it hit, as he was already physically ill at the thought of injuring the woman he loved, but he wasn't given time to dwell on it. Shiva had thrown a block of ice that made him jump back.

His eyes widened in shock when the next thing he saw was Clarissa lunging at him again with both blades up. She didn't even seem to be bothered by the blood running down her arm. Genesis barely had time to block. Though, fire flickered across his fingers when he heard Fuhito call out. "Isn't she a grand specimen. With my help, she is even able to shrug off her injuries. Imagine what we could accomplish." He then chuckled before he continued. "I will warn you that unless you are willing to permanently disable her, you would be better off leaving her behind. She won't stop until she can no longer move."

Genesis growled under his breath, but only for a moment. He suddenly came to a conclusion. If he could not speak to her and snap her out of this, or stop her without hurting her permanently, then perhaps he could get her to come back on her own. He knew that her heart was resilient.

With that thought in mind, he jumped back until he was near the wall. He then let Rapier disappear as he held open his arms. "Come and get me. I know you are in there somewhere. Fight it, and come to me. My Starlight."

He ignored Fuhito's mad cackle. He ignored Sephiroth's yell. He ignored everything else in the room except for his wife as she lunged toward him. He wasn't sure if she would follow through with the blow, but he had faith that even if she did, it would not be a killing blow. He also believed it would finally bring her back to him. Though he was not expecting what happened next.

Clarissa was only a few feet away when he heard Sephiroth cry out again, louder this time. He planned to ignore it still, but his attention was snagged when Loz jumped in front of him with his hands up. The boy was focused on Clarissa as he called out to her. "Sister, stop!"

Time seemed to stand still as her lunging blade closed the last few inches before she froze. It almost seemed like everyone else in the room froze as well as they all saw a drop of blood hit the ground, followed by another. The sound of her blades clattering to the floor as she dropped to her knees seemed to echo through everyone watching.

For the first time since they saw her, Clarissa's eyes no longer looked empty. They were filled with tears as she reached a hand out to Loz, where he had also fallen to his knees. He had one hand over a dripping wound on his shoulder. Her voice was shaky when she finally spoke. "What have I done?"

Despite his pain, Loz only smiled at her. "Sister, you're back."

Genesis had already jumped forward and grabbed the boy to heal him, but he was also looking at his crying wife. "Starlight? Are you back?"

Her teary eyes lifted to look into his, but before she could answer, her head was thrown back, and a scream ripped from her core. Every muscle in her body seemed to be convulsing at the same time as she fell over and started shaking. Her screams continued to echo as Genesis raced to her side.

He was barely able to keep ahold of her as he lifted her into his lap. His eyes instantly looked up to find Fuhito. He was shocked to see fewer Ravens, but even more so when he noticed the rest of the Soldiers had finally arrived. Despite the predicament, Fuhito still looked nonplussed.

Genesis pinned the man with a glare as he tried to soothe his wife's screams with a healing spell. He could tell it was doing no good, so he growled out a demand. "What have you done to her? Make it stop! Now!"

Fuhito took a few steps forward as he ignored the troops that were nullifying his advantage. His eyes were still on Clarissa as she had finally stopped screaming, but she was still convulsing. "Nothing that will harm her permanently, though unless you want that to change, you will let me go. She comes with me."

Genesis gently laid Clarissa down, and Loz shot forward to take his place as the Commander stood and glared at Fuhito. Genesis took a step forward but stopped when he heard Sephiroth yell out. "You will not take her. Nor will you leave here alive. Stop this immediately."

Fuhito only chuckled as he was still focused on Genesis. "I can make her feel whatever I want her to feel—from nothing to everything. You will let me go, or this will continue."

Sephiroth called out once more, and for the first time, Fuhito glanced his direction. Unfortunately, that was his final mistake. Before anyone else could move, a massive red sword was flying through the air and hit the man directly in the chest. There was so much force behind the blow that he was carried to the far wall where the sword embedded and kept him pinned a few feet off the ground. He was dead before the first drop of blood hit the floor.

Genesis had dropped to check on his wife as soon as the sword left his hands. Unfortunately, she was still convulsing. He looked up and pinned Shears with a glare. "What is going on!?"

The former Avalanche member ignored the question as he shot forward to where Fuhito was pinned. Sephiroth held up a hand to stop the Soldiers that tried to apprehend him. He dug frantically through the man's pockets and ignored the giant blade until he found what he had been looking for. He immediately turned and pressed a button on the remote. When he did, Clarissa finally stopped shaking, though she fell limp and unconscious.

Genesis immediately had her up in his arms. He turned to Sephiroth and tried to keep his voice even. "We need to get back." Sephiroth gave him a nod, but the Commander didn't wait before he turned to Shears. "What is the fastest way out of here?"

Shears point to one of the other exits, and Genesis immediately started moving. The rest were right behind him. The only pause was when Sephiroth moved to grab Rapier out of the wall. He barely spared a glance for the fallen body before he slung the blood from the blade and followed the rest of the group. They would send another team to investigate. After they had Clarissa to safety.

Clarissa knew she was having a nightmare. It was similar to many that she had been having since she was first captured by Fuhito. Though this one had a new element. She hurt all over and wanted nothing more than to curl into a ball and scream. Despite that, her limbs still moved to the strings of some invisible puppetmaster. The new part came in the form of the three boys. Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo were all standing in front of her. She could see their mouths moving, as though they were screaming at her, but she could hear none of it. When she realized what the puppet strings were about to make her do, she fought through the pain and tried to stop it. When her vision was filled with red, she finally screamed and shot up.

She looked around the dark room frantically. None of it looked familiar. Though she did see the machine next to her and the lines that ran from it to her arm. She snarled as she ripped the tubes from her arm and then fumbled to get out of the bed she was laid in. She nearly fell as her feet tangled, but was up immediately and looking for an exit. She wasn't bound, and she wasn't going to lose the opportunity.

She screamed when she felt an arm around her waist and started trying to pummel whoever had her. She froze when she finally heard the voice by her ear. "Starlight, it's me. Stop."

Her tears had immediately started pouring down at the familiar voice she thought she would never hear again. She almost didn't want to turn and see this was still part of her nightmare. Her voice was choked when she responded. "G-genesis? Is that you?"

He gently turned her to face him, and she was shocked by how thin he looked. His eyes held pain, and yet she could still see the love he had for her as he cupped her cheek. She immediately threw herself against him and started bawling. "I thought I would never see you again."

He brushed his hand down her hair as he tried to soothe her. "Hush, I'm here, and you are safe. I give my word that you will always be safe." Despite his tone, she only cried harder.

Unfortunately, he was not given a chance to do more before the door was flung open, and Sephiroth raced in, followed closely by the three boys. They only froze for a moment before the boys rushed forward and grabbed Clarissa as well. Sephiroth kept his voice low when he finally spoke. "We felt her fear. The boys wanted to come as soon as they realized she was awake."

Genesis only sighed as he made room for the others. He should have expected this to happen. He looked down to see Clarissa was hesitant to reach out to the boys. He frowned and almost asked why, but she spoke before he could.

Clarissa reached out a hand to cup Loz's face but pulled it back before she made contact. She shook her head as fresh tears fell. "I'm so sorry. I promised to keep you safe, and then I- I failed. I know I can't ask for forgiveness, but I promise it won't happen again."

Yazoo rolled his eyes before he grabbed her hand and put it on Loz's shoulder. His voice was just shy of full-on snark when he spoke. "We are aware of what has happened. Do not feel like you have wronged us, as that wasn't you. You are our Sister, and we must stick together. That is what you promised, correct?"

Clarissa was caught between crying and laughing as she pulled them all closer, despite Yazoo's complaints. She kissed each of the boys and closed her eyes. She was still not convinced that it was over, but even if this was a dream, she wanted to hold on as long as she could.

Everyone's attention was drawn to Sephiroth as he knelt beside them and placed a hand on Clarissa's shoulder. His eyes were warm, even if his voice was stilted. "He is correct. We are all family, and no matter how difficult something may be, we will always be there for one another."

Clarissa cried harder at his reassurance, but it wasn't long until she finally relaxed. It still felt like a dream, but she was just exhausted enough that she wasn't going to try and prove it wasn't. She needed the comfort.

Even after Clarissa finally woke, it was decided that it would be best if she stayed in the infirmary for at least another week. They wanted to ensure that she didn't have any lapses or complications from the implants that had been removed as soon as she was back in Midgar. Not that Genesis didn't still insist on sleeping in her hospital bed. That was an argument that had been won before she ever woke. He refused to sleep away from her.

That didn't mean all was well. Every night she woke up screaming, and several times she got sick. It killed Genesis to see her that way, but the doctors tried to reassure him that it was a common response to trauma. They would eventually fade with time and treatment. Though, it would have been easier on them both if she had opened up about what happened. She still refused to tell anyone.

It was nearly a month after they had gotten her back when she was finally released to go back to regular duty. Not that Sephiroth planned on putting her back in the field anytime soon. For now, it was enough that she was able to get back to a normal routine. He hoped it would help, as he knew that was often his own way to drown out the things he had once been through.

Despite her being released, it was still decided that the boys would remain with Sephiroth during the nights. It was hard enough on them when they could feel her continued fear and pain. None of them wanted the boys to see it as well. Even Clarissa was behind the idea.

None of her interactions with them were like they had been, though she tried. She spent hours of each day playing with them, or reading to them, sometimes just spending time watching movies with them. Even so, more than once, one of the boys would look over to see her giving them a haunted look. They didn't need to ask why. They could feel her fear of hurting them again.

It was hard for them, but surprisingly, it helped them shed the last of their distrust. They could see their earliest reactions to her in the way she looked at them. Not distrust of them, but of herself, and they were able to ease that fear. Even if it would take time.

As for Clarissa and Genesis, their relationship was strained, but not impossible. Genesis was finding that he missed his wife's infinite patience. He hadn't realized how much he relied on it until it became harder to find. She often had outbursts over the smallest of things, but he learned quickly that it wasn't because she was angry at him. She simply needed an outlet. It was an epiphany for him to come to the conclusion that where she was concerned, he could have patience. If only to help her find hers once more.

Clarissa had been back to her duties for a little more than a week when she dropped into their shared bed after her shower and gave Genesis an exhausted smile. She had been working harder than usual to try and stave off the nightmares, but for the moment, she didn't want to think about that.

Her husband had been reading Loveless once again, and she grinned as she reached over and pulled the book down with one finger. "I think it's time for the lights to go out."

Genesis didn't speak right away. Instead, he looked into his wife's eyes and was relieved to see none of the underlying issues he usually did. He smirked at her as he laid the book down and pulled her closer as they laid down together. He reached one hand up to turn off the light before he pulled her into a heated kiss.

It wasn't the first kiss they shared since her return, but it was the first time he laid her back to take it further. Given her unsteadiness, he hadn't wanted to push her. He was pleased when she responded by wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulling him closer.

It was not long before his hands found their way under her shirt and his heated kisses moved down her neck and to her collar bone. She gasped as he nipped her there before he pulled her shirt off and out of the way. He was so invested in pleasing his wife that he didn't notice at first when she started to still.

It wasn't until his mouth traveled further down that she reacted. She pushed against him urgently as she cried out. "Stop! Don't do that!"

Genesis sat back with a start to see tears running down her face. His eyes widened as he felt like he had been doused in ice water. His mind was already going a mile a minute about why she would react like that, and none of it was good. Still, he swallowed his fear, anger, and questions for the moment as he pulled her gently against himself. "Shh, it's alright. I promise, no one is going to hurt you."

She clung to him as she started to sob. He could barely make out her words as she tried to explain. "I'm so sorry, Genesis. I just need time."

He hushed her again and held her like that until her tears started to subside. No matter how hard he tried not to, he was still frowning when she finally pulled back. Not at her, but he could well guess why she was crying and was having to fight not to go set someone on fire. Somehow he managed to keep his voice calm as he stroked her cheek. "There is no rush. We have a lifetime."

He paused long enough to try and wipe away her tears before he continued hesitantly. "Can you tell me-"

He couldn't finish his sentence. Part of him wanted to know for sure. He wanted to know so he could help, but there was also a small part that couldn't bear to learn the truth. He was already devastated to think that she had been tortured, and he hadn't been able to stop it. This would be too much. Still, he didn't move when she finally looked up.

Clarissa's eyes were haunted when she finally looked at her husband. She wasn't shocked to see a flash of relief in his eyes when she shook her head. She didn't blame him for not wanting to know. Though she knew it would have to come out someday. Though today wasn't that day. She cupped his cheek and swallowed so she could speak clearly. "You know I love you, and I always will, but I can't right now. Someday."

Genesis sighed as he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. He then laid back and pulled her down to rest on his chest before he finally answered. "I am aware that patience is not what I am known for, but for you, I have all the time in the world."

Clarissa chuckled wetly as she snuggled closer. Her heart rate still hadn't slowed entirely, but at least she wasn't blinded by terrifying memories any longer. She wanted to tell him, to reassure him that it wasn't as bad as it seemed, but she couldn't. To her, it was. It had been a reoccurring part of that neverending nightmare while she had been held captive. She knew one day things would get better, but not yet. For now, it was enough that her husband was there to hold her. Even when the nightmares got the better of her.

A/N: I hope that helped mend everyone's broken heart. I know mine had been. Things aren't perfect, but they are making their way there. It'll be a long battle, but they are all strong. Things will get better. Speaking of getting better, there is just one chapter left. I will be working on the epilogue and hope to have it up in the next day or two. I hope you are all looking forward to it as much as I am. Even if I don't want to say goodbye 😊 Thank you all for reading, and cheers!