I do not own FFVII characters – though I wish I did. lol

I do own my own character – Jalyne and other originals.

Well the next few chapters are action packed and mind twisting as we lead up to a climatic event.

Hope you enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think in reviews or PM.

Chapter 47 – The Capture

The masquerade party for New Year's Eve was a very formal event thrown by the President. He did not hold back on any of the details and for the most part, everything went well. The Turks were low profile and kept a watchful eye on everything while enjoying the party.

Rufus even persuaded Adrian to bartend in the ballroom which made Jalyne just smitten since she would be able to get 'her' drinks specially made. Reno and she danced a few dances and towards the end of the night, she even danced with Adrian just so they could talk and catch up.

The clock struck midnight and they rang in the New Year with thunderous cheering and applause. Most of the guests started to leave and they said their goodbyes to their friends.

They decided to take a cab as Reno admitted he wasn't sure he should drive. He swayed lightly on his feet and his words were tumbling faster. Jalyne held on to steady him as the cab pulled up at the front of the building.

"After you, My Lady." He gestured with a florid bow, opening the cab door.

"Thank you kind sir." Jalyne retorted with a wide grin, gathering up her dress and sliding into the back.

They rode in silence and she could feel his mood shift slightly as he gazed out of the window. Something was bothering him, Jalyne could tell.

They entered her apartment and he immediately went out to the patio overlooking the city, raising his eyes to the stars. Jalyne watched him for a few minutes before approaching him.

"Reno?"

The red-head turned slowly to her and sighed.

"Tell me what's wrong?" Jalyne questioned, taking his hands in hers, looking up to him. "Please?"

"This last week was wonderful, Jalyne. Even seeing Sol and Frae, yo."

"And?"

Reno glanced away debating on what he should say. Finally he met her eyes with a saddened look. "How long will it last?"

"How long will what last?"

"Us, yo." Came the sullen statement. "How long before you would have to leave." Reno shook his head slowly.

"Where am I going?" she inquired lightly, looking passed him to the doorway.

"You'll be Empress one day, yo." Reno gazed at her with soft eyes.

Jalyne reached up to him and moved closer. "Reno, where is this coming from?"

"Just been thinking a lot lately, since we returned from Gründlia." He stepped away from her and looked outward.

Jalyne slowly outreached to behind them, sensing the black materia within her walls. She was used to it, to an extent, but what if it affected others? She reached for him again only for him to move away once more. Her stomach tightened and her chest was heavy.

"What are you saying, Reno?"

The flame-haired Turk stared at her. "Maybe 'this' shouldn't be, yo." He stated softly indicating the two of them.

Her eyes widened in shock at his words. Here, she thought they had a great night and to be blindsided with this topic took her completely off guard. Jalyne bent her head and shook it, a visage of another flashing before her eyes. Finally she raised them to him.

"I don't get it, Reno." She started to say, frustrated. "I thought we had a wonderful evening. What went wrong?"

"Believe me, Belove—"

"Don't call me that if you don't mean it!" Jalyne interrupted him turning away. "Is it because I will be Empress?"

"How can I compete with that, yo?" Reno answered truthfully. "I'm not Emperor material, yo."

"And what exactly is Emperor material?" came the snide comment. "I didn't realize we were categorized. It is a title – and shouldn't affect what we mean to each other."

"Jalyne—" Reno softly said, taking her head in his hands. "Please—"

"Is it what you want?" Jalyne cut him off, tears building in her eyes. "Or is it the alcohol talking?"

"I don't know what I want, yo." He kissed her forehead trying to calm her down.

Jalyne pulled away, hurt and trying to hide it. She looked up at the stars, singling out the two that Trerran circled. "If I am here…let me know when you figure it out." She stated coldly.

The phone rang as he was exiting the shower after the party. He wrapped his towel around him and made way to his bedroom and towards the ring of the device. Looking at who it was, crystal blue eyes widened in surprise.

"Jalyne?" Rufus answered.

I'm sorry, Sir.

"What happened?"

I'm not entirely sure, to be honest.

Rufus could hear her crying and the sniffling that she was trying to hide. He would bet Shinra Inc. that Reno did something.

"What did the slum-rat do?" Rufus guessed, not hiding his ire at the situation.

I suppose we are not together. Jalyne paused trying to hold in the tears. It didn't work and she let it out, sobbing. She never felt this way and truthfully the way her chest constricted in pain scared her. I-I don't know what to do.

"Tell me what happened for starters." The president advised. He never heard her like this. He could only surmise that Jalyne indeed loved Reno as this shook her to the core. She was heartsick.

Rufus listened patiently all the while wanting to go to her but knew that would be a horrible idea. He advised her to get some rest and look at it more objectively in the morning. Rufus even offered to swing by if she wanted.

He hung up the phone and walked on the balcony from his bedroom, looking at the star with eyes narrowing. This wasn't like Reno. Something had gotten into his head and the president thought the alcohol played a big role in those thoughts.

Reno took a cab from Jalyne's place to his, silently musing if he made the right decision. The alcoholic buzz was wearing off and his mind was slowly clearing. Throwing his keys on the table, Reno paused, feeling a pulse from the red materia he had acquired. He grabbed it from the hidden safe and walked out into the cold winter night to stare at the stars.

He wondered about a great many things, twirling the red materia within his grasp. He could feel the pull from it. Why was he so afraid of committing to Jalyne. Outside of the fact that she could go anywhere she chose with the Gate, she always returned.

Reno slipped the materia in his pocket and withdrew the box that carried her feather. And what did this mean? He wondered to himself. He opened the box and his eyes narrowed. The blue-black swirls covered half of the feather. Reno sighed and closed it, his heart torn in two.

Could they truly be together? She would soon have an Empire to manage. True, Reno didn't know their laws or customs fully, but was he fit to rule with her?

Anyone would jump at the chance to rule as that was the nature of people. He was an enforcer, a lackey – what did he know about ruling or governing over people. Rufus would be better than he at that.

The role of Emperor has many definitions.

Reno's eyes widened at the voice he heard. He must be more drunk than he thought. Faterian?

A chuckle emanated from the hidden person. Do you think that Jalyne cares whether you are an enforcer or a poet or a carpenter?

I am not fit for that type of role. I never wanted anything of that nature, yo.

Are you not? In truth, you would fulfill that role perfectly. Does an Emperor not need to uphold the laws and values of its people? The understanding of people and what is just and not? Is that not the definition of an enforcer? Jalyne never wanted any of this either, yet she was born into it.

Still, she would have to leave and then where does that leave us…or me, yo?

Would she? With all that she has done thus far and the possibilities of what she could do in the future, would she really have to return to Trerran? Faterian paused a heartbeat before continuing. Ask yourself this, Reno- is it better to have experienced the love, joy or affection for her– or is it better to never have felt it at all? Are you stronger because of it, or weaker?

I –

The time is upon us, Reno Sinclair.

Reno felt his presence leave and stared outward towards the city and all of its bustling on this holiday night. He thought hard on his words and memories of all the times he shared with Jalyne filtered through his mind. The smiles she always gave him, the light touches and the warmth towards him she seemed to always have.

He thought of how she risked everything to get him out of the Mythril Mine and never thought once of her own wellbeing. The battle against the Midgarsorm played within his mind and the look of love, determination and protection that she held for him.

She made me a better person. Reno thought looking across the city. I don't deserve it. She changed all of us, subtly. Jalyne made me stronger, showed and taught me so many different things.

Reno caught a dark flash in his peripheral vision in the direction of her apartment, assuming it was celebrators using fireworks. His heart constricted and he felt something he never did and raising his eyes to the heavens he answered Faterian's question.

I need her. This pull to her…I can't be without her. He sighed. I…love her.

She called Rufus out of blindness to her own emotions, not knowing what to do or how to resolve the issue. Jalyne's heart ached, more so than she ever thought possible. After ending the conversation with the president, she showered, trying to allow the hot water to soothe her soul.

The princess felt like she was ripped in two down to her soul. She was unsure of everything at this moment, what to do, how to act and what the future held for her here on Gaia.

Jalyne walked to the kitchen, opening a cabinet and finding the hidden bottle of liquor she kept for just such an occasion. Dragon's Fire. One of the hardest liquors the Empire was known to make. She poured herself a glass and headed to the balcony, grabbing her swords along the way.

Jalyne didn't wear much, only her fur trimmed cloak and she slipped on her high boots to keep warm in the winter cold. She grabbed a the text from Sybyrk and nestled in her butterfly chair, content to take her mind off of the current events.

She was on her third drink when she started feeling it's effects and the Gründlian words started running together. Jalyne read a few interesting aspects of lore and her mind slowly started assess the information. She found it strange that part of this was written in Gründlian and not in the common language. She closed her eyes, imagining what they meant and the different scenarios that could happen.

Eventually her mind turned to the red-headed Turk that captured her essence and love. Myak Lovkta. She idly thought. What happened to bring us to this point? Do you really believe that you are unworthy of me? Jalyne slowly dozed but never fully fell asleep, keeping as alert as she dared to be.

He intently watched her from afar, gauging her emotions. He could see the darkness flowing within her. It was raw, uncontrollable and such a beautiful sight to him. He could also see the orb within her walls calling her to use it and mold it.

She was beautiful to him and unlike any other being he had come to know within his travels and life, it peaked his curiousity. She was also a mystery and possibly a sign from the heavens that he would triumphant in his personal endeavors.

But what if she was there with him? Oh how wonderful that could be if he could manage to persuade her to abandon the light that he saw slowly fading from her being. Both of them ruling the Heavens together with no one to stop them or interfere.

He was serious when he initially made the offer to Jalyne. She already ruled from the information he gathered and peering at the runes and markings upon her, she was not of this world. The man's eyes narrowed as he watched her start to doze lightly, her aura starting to darken but calm.

Jalyne could see him – the red hair, the lithe build and the flames that captured her heart. She ached for him and wanted nothing but him. Why did love have to hurt? She remembered the battle at Mythril Mine – the innuendos, the smirks and true, they were battling for their lives but…it was an adventure. An exilarating and trying adventure and she honestly thought they would have a lot more.

Her mind shifted within her dozing to her darker and persuasive side. The chaos that ever loomed within her. She remember the first time she cast Midnight's Kiss and how it ebbed and flowed. The destruction she could wield, the creation of starts and the clashing of energy that could create and destroy entire civilizations. Most importantly of that memory was the freedom she felt.

Jalyne felt the flux of power as she pulled out of subconsciousness. Slowly opening her eyes, she stared down the long blade of a sword and at it's end, the smirk of triumph from the Man in Black.

"Sephiroth." She breathed slowly and not making any sudden moves. Her swords were propped up against the chair. Slowly, Jalyne brought her glass to her lips. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" she sneered lightly but calmly.

"I found you." He silkily stated, a devious smirk playing upon his lips.

"That you have." She returned. "Though now may not be the greatest timing for the capture."

"I beg to differ."

Jalyne grabbed one sword, swatting Masamune aside and lunged forward. The book dropped to the ground and the sound of shattering glass almost drowned out the clashing of swords. She was unsteady due to being drunk and he knew it.

Sephiroth smirked even more, amused that she would even think of putting up a fight. He blocked expertly and calmly, quickly disarming her, but not before she could get a jab in on him. He grabbed her by the arm, swinging her lightly around and into a group of lounge chairs.

Jalyne growled at him lightly, upset that she would allow herself to be in this condition with so much at stake. She straightened up after stumbling within the chairs and narrowed her eyes at him.

He dug Masamune in the concrete by the door as in this close combat it wasn't necessary and he was confident he would be able to succeed without it. He took a step forward and crouched, awaiting her move.

Jalyne darted towards him using speed and what agility she could muster. Sephiroth blocked the first punch easily, but she pulled her arm downward and spun on him, swinging the other in rapid succession. He blocked effortless and remained in control, guiding her to the wall by the doors.

She realized too late that he was backing her into a corner and as his attack started, Jalyne weakly tried to outmaneuver him. He punched and crumbled the wall by her head. Her eyes widened and looked into slitted mako ones.

Jalyne moved to duck underneath his outstretched arm and take out his legs in a sweep, but was stopped by his speed as he pushed her shoulder upward, slamming her against the wall.

Sephiroth smirked at her as her eyes met his. Oh how beautiful the darkened irises were on her. He edged his free hand to Jalyne's throat to keep her steady and closed the gap between them even more.

"Quit resisting me." He quietly stated.

"No." came the haggard reply. Jalyne was breathing hard and losing this battle quickly. She was exhausted over the night's events and drunk.

Sephiroth nudged her chin upward to maintain eye contact as she tried to close them. Gazing at her, he smirked, sliding his left hand under her cloak to grab and lift her to him. His expression changed slightly at the contact he felt and a light humph escaped his lips.

Jalyne sneered at his light groan and the realization that he didn't expect her to not be wearing anything underneath her fur lined and belted cloak in the winter's cold. Her hands grappled with the hand at her throat and it relaxed some, allowing her to take a breath.

"Submit to me." He whispered. "What we could do together."

"No."

Sephiroth pulled one of her hands behind her, entwining it with his firm grip around her waist and wrapped her hair with the other, pulling her head back. He lifted her up just enough to keep her from touching the ground and Jalyne could only wrap her legs around him to take the strain off of her. Sephiroth pulled her closer.

"Submit."

"No."

Sephiroth pulled on her hair enough to make Jalyne gasp. She wrestled with her other hand to push him away and gritted and clenched her jaw. She closed her eyes and heard his light rumble in chuckle. Jalyne opened and met his eyes once more and the dawning of understanding crossed her feature to his smirk.

"Sephiroth…don't."

The SOLDIER First Class did what she never thought he could. He pulled down on her hair and wrist just enough to elicit a response from Jalyne and brought his lips to hers in a searing and dominant kiss. Sephiroth figured out her weakness.

Jalyne's mind went blank, the calming effects of pleasure overriding her anger momentarily. The clarity of what he did made sense to her then – he needed her calm. He came here to retrieve the Black Materia and to make her give in to him easily and offer no resistance.

He let go of her hair and wrist, pulling the white-haired woman closer to him and taking a few steps backwards, away from the wall. Jalyne hooked her arms around his neck, relaxing and returning the kiss. Sephiroth broke the kiss and gazed at her slitted eyes with his narrowing just a hair.

His mistake was that he let go of her wrist. Jalyne pulled her hands to his shoulders and snapped her eyes open. Sephiroth saw the dangerous glint of her green eyes and the slight upturn of her lips. She unlatched her legs, swinging them back towards the wall.

It was a fluid motion as her legs swung and she kicked off of the wall bringing one knee to his abdomen forcibly. Jalyne pushed him with her hands, extending her arms to break his grip and swatting them outward.

Sephiroth angled enough out of the way to grab the nape of her cloak, not allowing her to roll forward as she wanted. He pulled her around him and – flung her into the pool. He watched her as she sank to the bottom.

The cold water rushed over Jalyne and her eyes snapped open to look at the reflective image of her adversary. It disappeared for a moment and then appeared, the reflective light gleaming off of the metal. Her anger flared and even under water she snarled at him.

Sephiroth watched as her aura sprang to life and swirled underneath the waves. He took a step back, brandishing Masamune and watched the dark blue rise from bottom of the pool. Water crashed against its side and parted. Jalyne twirled through the waves and shot skyward to hover above it, white wings outstretched, glowing and water dripping and splashing around her.

"Will you men stop throwing me in the pool!" she screamed and lifted her arms with hands glowing dark blue-black and commanding the water.

Sephiroth didn't outwardly show his surprise, but inward and on some level, admired her tenacity and resistance. He remained calmed as the water at her command engulfed and lifted him into the air. He snapped her watery bonds easily, causing her to be pushed back.

Sephiroth unleashed a gravity orb with a great dark purple flash towards her of which she deflected easily with an arch of her arm. She folded her wings into back and glared at him. He outstretched a gloved hand once more to her and was met with steely eyes.

Jalyne could feel him trying to break her barriers. However, the last of the Dragon's Fire was affecting her and she was losing control.

Sephiroth lunged for Jalyne, of which she barely dodged and glided out of the way. He kept up the barrage and after a few minutes of dodging and weaving, he detected her slowing down and giving him the opportunity that he was patiently waiting for.

He swiftly glided behind her and as she spun around, Sephiroth pushed off her, slicing her cloak and chest as she fell to the marble deck below.

Jalyne crashed with scream of pain and shook her head to clear the fog, only to see Sephiroth land before and dig Masamune in the ground above her head. Her eyes widened as he dropped to his knees, one landing on her left thigh and the other allowing, for the moment, her right leg to remain free.

She looked at her shredded cloak front and the blood coming from her chest and gritted her teeth, taking a deep breath. Jalyne moved to touch her wound only to have both arms pulled above her and grasped tightly. Sephiroth edged his other down her chest, inspecting his swordsmanship and kept on trailing down to her hips.

Jalyne watched him intently as he caressed her cut and trailed down to her hips. It was almost in admiration, the slow movement and when he reached her side, she let out a groan of frustration. His eyes flickered to hers and he leaned closer to her.

Sephiroth pulled her upwards, keeping a tight grasp on her wrists but switching them to behind her back as he allowed her to come to a more sitting position. She was breathing heavy and he steadily looked at her eyes, studying them and watching her power swirl within.

He leaned and kissed her again and she lightly struggled against him. Opening her eyes to him again she spoke softly as he reached up and lightly touched her mark.

"Take what you came for."

"Oh, I am." He whispered back.

She felt his will clash against hers and taking a shuddering breath, she closed her eyes to darkness.