Lucrecia put the photo inside of her lab coat as she went over to the luxurous bathroom, where she overheard
Tifa on a cell, giggling. " Oh yeah, I got a contract with Shinra now, Ume is going to...", Lucrecia heard the sound of
bath water drain, and roar in again as the tub filled more. Lucrecia frowned a bit as she decided that Sephiroth was an
adult who managed his own affairs. " I don't want to meddle in his life," Lucrecia put more thought into her son's
choices. Tifa was just 18 while he was would be 25. Some in the sector's tabloids had devisive opinions that he groomed her
and others swore she was a golddigger. He knew of mako addiction, and was a recovering addict. Sephiroth certainly had his
emotions stunted by Hojo from his research that she fleshed out. Lucrecia had done her thesis on the Crystal Cave's finds.
She contended that the Chaos gene's origin was in it, the Omega Lifestream concluded in the Crystal Cave, and in the black
mako, the Oblivion Lifestream left traces. All of this, Hojo surmised was proof positive as a possible Promised Land. She
had been exposed prior to Sephiroth's birth and possibly infected. Hojo isolated the Chaos gene only to use it on Vincent.
Lucrecia and Hojo knew a being of pure esscence was employed to be a human host to a Weapon as Gaia's lifestreams had to be
pure. Not corrupted by Jenova cells which ate at the human soul. Sephiroth if kept in a childlike state, theoritcally,
could attune to his Chaos gene or Oblivion Lifestream to achieve universal destruction. Lucrecia shuddered and glance at
her son. He was asleep with his knees drawn up, arms folded over them as Tifa scrubbed his back, and washed his hair. Tifa
splashed the water about, as bubbles foamed around Sephiroth, and Lucrecia smelt sandalwood.
" Oh sorry Lucrecia, he's weaning off Mako which could really affect his mind and moods. The Director's manuels suggested
a bath could ease him, and I would say so too," Tifa's eyes glinted with mischief as she reached over to pinch her man's
backside.
" Oh, sorry Mother!" Sephiroth arose halfway as he foam covered his body, and bathwater spilt onto the tiles. Tifa laughed
girlishly as she winked at him," hey you want to drown her? Let me dry you off so you can talk."
Sephiroth protested he didn't know how time was alloted to Lucrecia's visit and she could leave soon. Emerging, in a
black silk bath kimono, Sephiroth went over to lightly hug Lucrecia as to not dampen her. Sephiroth whispered in a
controlled tone to Lucrecia, " Please visit any way you can whenever, your heart has a home here too."
Lucrecia returned, " Actually, I will." She held Sephiroth as she let him go to follow Tifa back downstairs to Ume. Tifa
returned with hot chocolates to all of them. " Ok, let's enjoy our first visit with Ume's grandmother." Tifa saluted
Lucrecia and her son as Ume snuggled into Tifa, and Sephiroth closed his eyes as he leaned into the sofa. Tifa checked Ume
to lay her in her crib, and she watched Lucrecia study his features. Lucrecia said sadly, " He looks so worn, pallid skin,
wrathful eyes, and dark circles."
They both heard him snore, and press gently into Tifa, as if he sought her even in his unconscious.
" He is a real sweetheart and a work in progress. Director Lazard said he may suffer from war trauma, and Hojo was a
control freak. Sephiroth doesn't talk much about it. Usually, he speaks to Zach or Lazard or Reeve if he needs more than he
admits."
Lucrecia nodded as she sipped the hot chocolate." Actually Tifa, I was curious about your mother, I might have known
her. I had a bright intern who checked for alternate energy sources. She was striking, not much older than you when she
applied to the program, is this her? "
Lucrecia laid the photograph in Tifa's lap, and she muttered under her breath, " Yes, that was my mom. Later, she met
my dad since he was interested in using alternate energy on his ranch. She was a devoted student. We used to go on hikes
for materia on Mt. Nibel. She really encouraged my interest in science and nature." Tifa's hand dried an escaping tear.
" Sephiroth thinks she died from Mako poisoning. We both looked for research so did Dad. Zilch. Why I watch Seph so close,
I don't want to lose him. Oh, Claudia, yeah they were best pals." Tifa put the photo back to Lucrecia who tucked it in her
lab coat.
Lucrecia gently slid the photo back into her coat to explain, " I know a friend who can help. Vincent Valentine
remembers better I am sure. He was a young Turk and he cared about Sephiroth more than Hojo. The night of the pageant, he
was with Ilfana and I. Did Claudia ever mention about the reseach? "
Tifa tucked a stray hair from her bangs back as she began to knead Sephiroth's back so he slept deeper. Tifa declared
" Oh she said how my dad robbed her of my mom, and my mom said no time for schoolwork once she had me. She still was close
to her. I think she missed her after Mr. Strife left with the Shinra Army. Seph checked up on that since Cloud was on his
security detail. No word on at all. If anyone could have found him, it was Seph."
Lucrecia had her face sideways, as Sephiroth growled in his sleep, which triggered soft laughter from Tifa and
herself. " He does have a Tifa, I think Sephiroth feels guilty about Cloud's current state."
Tifa swallowed the last of her hot chocolate as she set the mug on the table. She continued, "That was on Cloud.
Whenever, I saw him, he would carry this burden about my coma. His mom blamed me for that for every day I was in
Nibelhheim. She said I ruined his life and his happy nature. Whenever I saw him, I'd see her face, just echoing his unsure
feelings to me, and her angry words. Once when I was with Mei and Tess, we were checking out our summer plans. I was going
to work as a guide for spending money since Dad had to cover costs for our ranch and cafe. The drought made it hard, so I
wanted to help out. I tried on a hat for my trail tours, and she followed me into the store where Tess worked. She stalked
me to confront me that Cloud left for Soldier. He did that since I admired Sephiroth which tens of thousands do too.
Claudia said now I sealed Cloud's future since he could die in battle, and she lost his father too. She had no one, and I
was why mom died from the shame. I wanted to just flee back to Midgar once she said that, and I ran into an alley, where I
bumped into Zach. Claudia had said I would probably die from mako poisoning since I dug the natural orbs up for side cash.
Zach said I wouldn't and if I was afraid of Mako to ask Sephiroth who was nearby. Zach said they needed a guide, and would
I like to try for the job. That's where I met him, and he was just an angel in every sense."
Lucrecia nodded as she took in the girl's account as she looked her over carefully, she entreated," Do you think your
age gap or his condition could affect your futures adversely? "
Tifa rocked back and forth with some anxiety as she knew that Soldier was the first major cornerstone of Sephiroth's
life. " I had some rough times growing up, losing Mom. My dad didn't like Claudia too much, and she resented him so it was
very tense in this village sometimes with our mutual friends. I knew he was always away on duty, so that was very tough on
him. I just befriended him so he was himself, not the media icon carved for him by Shinra. I knew he was very shy, and
very introverted. That was ok, my mom was too. She was smart, helpful, but she knew what mattered like Sephiroh. I knew
what people said, how I was using him, and how some said he robbed the cradle with me. He's my hero, and Ume's too."
Tifa ducked her head shyly as she confessed," He was my first and I was his too."
Lucrecia leaned closer to hug Tifa tightly, she whispered, " Please love and protect my son. I can tell he adores
you and Ume. I need to leave now, I owe Ilfana some advice. "
True to her insight, Ilfana appeared to haul Lucrecia into the Lifesteam as Tifa stood to hug her briefly." You
are my mom too now. Please return to us soon."
Ilfana glanced over to Lucrecia, " Did you manage to ask about Johny, too? " Lucrecia shook her head as she
added, " I lost track of time. My son is suffering from Mako addiction, and she is very young, just 18. He's nearly 25. I
hope they can overcome this together. Ume brings out the best in both of them. "
Lucrecia cleared her throat, missing her son's new family with a deep sorrow. Ilfana drifted to her nearby as
she raised her head to Sephiroth's mother. She held out her hand as Lucrecia palmed the photo to Ilfana, and she stated, "
This should help Aeris with Cloud's cause."
" Thank you, Lucrecia." Ilfana held up her palm as an orb played back a memory from Sephiroth and Tifa. They lounged about
in a dojo watching snow drift down as Tifa unpacked a bento box for both. Sephiroth held up a small bottle as he read, "
sweet plum wine? Aren't you a bit young for this? "
Tifa narrowed her eyes as she unscrewed the cap, and poured a small amount in a cup. " Not for me for you." Sephiroth
nodded as he sipped the small amount down quickly, as his cheeks burned so his eyes closed as he coughed. Tifa giggled as
she watched him remove his trenchcoat to lie down beside her. She knew he was shy, and perhaps it was beneath him for her
to entice him with drink. Tifa didn't want to see him drunk, just a bit more lax. She still had to get him down Mt. Nibel.
Tifa sat beside him as she spread rice, salmon, and orange slices in small bowls so they could lunch. Tifa said, " Do you
like the taste? " Sephiroth nodded a bit reserved, and he said quietly. " How apt. Your eyes are like plum blossoms as are
your lips... Forgive me I was too forward Tifa. "
" You are too hard on yourself. You saved thousands, fight monsters, and are so kind. What makes you think you are so
unwelcome at the least to undesirable? " Tifa leaned in closer so she gently kissed his cheek as she nuzzled his chin so he
turned his jaw up,breaking the kiss. Sephiroth wrapped his arm about her as he gently pressed his lips to hers as she lay
down beside him.
" Now, I am going to be forward, if you were mine. I'd wear ume on my kimono for you. You are so romantic."
" Your kisses are sweet plum bossom wine, Tifa. "
Tifa giggled as if she were a school girl rather than an assisant aide in a dojo. She eyed the striking General
as he lay beside her, simply stroking her hair as they both watched snowflakes drift down outside. Sephiroth blinked a few
times as he mused on possible outcomes as he savored the moment, " Hey Tifa, if we have a daughter, let's call her Ume. "
" Ume huh? Well, you better make sure you sire her and be around, " Tifa laughed softly as she sat upwards, massaging his
bare shoulders so he grunted with pleasure. Sephiroth, curiously asked," What are you doing?"
Tifa broke into a flirty grin as she announced, " Well, we learned therapeutic massage this semester at
Zangan's. You are my first student to practice on, and do you find it helps? "
" Yes, it does, it feels very soothing. I admit you helped me overcome my inhibitions, Tifa. It does feel good, can you do
this more?"
Tifa nodded shyly, as she rubbed his sculpted torso deeply, feeling the hard rock muscles easen under her
tender touch. She kissed his shoulder as she replied softly, "Sleep some, we can go down in a few hours when the snow is
lighter."
Sephiroth nodded as he turned on his side to nap, while Tifa kept rubbing along his ribs to easen his slumber.
Ilfana concluded, " This was before they consummated their love, but over a few years she knew he hadn't socialized much.
Zach and her tried in their best way, to broaden his experience for his better being. I hope he doesn't despair to repeat
what was his inexcusable past, Lucrecia."
Lucrecia let a shaky sign escape as she felt a warmth spread throughtout her body, a feeling she hadn't
enountered since she had conceived Sephiroth. Lucrecia opened her eyes as she saw the memory fade into the Lifestream. She
appeared to Vincent as he rose in his bed, watching news, with his hand clicking a few channels. Vincent heard Lucrecia
arrive as she met his eyes with understanding, " I know you tried to shield me from the truth of Sephiroth. He's a married
father, and he really is doing well. You understand this more than most, Vincent. "
The former Turk wrapped his cloak around himself as he wondered how Sephiroth could be so passive when
Soldier was losing scores of young men. Lucrecia said quietly," He's weaning off Hojo's Mako, why he isn't fixing the
situation with Soldier. You don't need to visit him Vincent. Ilfana and I ask you please help her daughter Aeris to obtain
the Lifestream's Guardianship from Sephiroth. Cloud, her friend, needs help a missing young man, Johny from his
village."
Vincent blinked as he turned his head to hold an intense stare to Lucrecia. " Well, you and I know he fought
his way back to Gaia from his previous fate, disrupted a path of a town, not that was bad, Aeris is the destined keeper of
the Lifestream. I will help her to straighten this course Lucrecia. I don't mind trying to find her friend, Johny. I will
call Reeve for what he can enlighten on this. I may have to visit him myself, Lucrecia just to gauge this." Lucrecia agreed
as she held Vincent's hands, so she stared at him with infinite gratitude. He rose to grab his cell phone as he called
Reeve. " Hello old friend, need a WRO unit to bypass Shinra Manor's security for a missing local. "