*Warning! * - Sex, language, violence, nudity, and torture possibly present.

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

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

Chapter 48 – The Manipulation

He stepped off of the elevator and looked around the apartment. The first thing he noticed was the bright sunlight streaming through the double doors. He took a deep breath and instantly detected how…calm the place felt. It was like a dark cloud was lifted.

She would have greeted him by now, he thought, as he notified her an hour or so ago that he wanted to stop by and discuss matters. The lithe man glanced outwards to the patio, seeing the sheen of ice that covered the marble. He caught the glimpse of red shimmering near the end of the pool and threw open the doors.

"Jalyne?"

He walked around the pool, leaning down at the end to inspect the red coloring within the ice. Pulling out his phone, Reno snapped a few pictures, nerves forming in his stomach. A flash from the sunlight captured his attention and he strode to the open doors, pulling the left one closed to witness the crumbling wall.

Over in the corner, lay one of Jalyne's blades – the phoenix hilted one, near her favorite chair in the corner. As he came to her chair, the crunch of glass was underneath his shoes and a book lay toppled over in front. Eyes narrowing, he glanced at the pool and saw half of the water missing.

Reno snapped more pictures for evidence and spied the other sword across the pool, laying within disheveled lounge chairs near the jacuzzi. He walked around to it, capturing evidence and filing the pictures in a folder for later. He reached for it and as his hand wrapped around the hilt, two visions flashed to him.

He saw the gravity orb heading towards her from the First SOLDIER and his anger flared. While he thought it was fireworks, Jalyne was fighting and Reno's guilt shadowed his features. The second brief image was of her above the pool wielding the water at her command.

Reno gritted his teeth in frustration. While he was wallowing in self absorbance, Sephiroth took her. While the rest of them enjoyed the holiday, the SOLDIER played the game expertly.

Reno withdrew the precious gift from Jalyne, extending it and walked through the door, every ready. The red-haired Turk knew it was a slim chance but he had to check. Reno silently stepped down the hallway and glanced in her bedroom.

Strangely, it wasn't disheveled as he thought it would be, speculating that she mostly likely never made it to bed after he left. He walked in – and saw the wall where the safe was placed, destroyed. A twinkle caught his vision and turning towards her dresser, his eyes widened.

Laying upon the dark wood was the emerald necklace he had given her, complete with the materia on its ends. Next to it was the earrings Rufus had gifted her not a couple weeks prior for the Christmas party. Grabbing the jewelry, Reno dislodged her coms and activated it, set on recording a message.

Reno walked out to the deck, frustrated, angry and guilty that this occurred and pulled his phone, sending the pictures and the message for the rest of them to get over to the apartment. As he waited for the arrival of his partners and boss, he looked to the bright sun weaving in and out of the winter clouds with her necklace and earrings clenched within his fist.

She opened her eyes to be floating within the clouds, looking downward upon civilization and waited. Jalyne recognized where this was as she had been there before. She glared at the stone castles walls and towers, her power building around her in a nebulous cloud. The awakening was upon her, something she couldn't resist.

Jalyne was angry, for she was betrayed, her father slain by assassination and she looked upon the northern landscape of Trerran Proper, the home of the Lehans with great disgust and fury. They were a proud people, and she sneered at them from above. It was time to put them in their place.

Jalyne pulled her arms outward, allowing the power to flow through her. Her eyes travelled to the heavens and the longing of freedom pulled to her as she witnessed the ebb and flow of time. To travel through the dark nothingness of the Heavens, wielding it's unknown secrets to her whim was ever the enticing proposition.

She swirled within the clouds, anger and fury building, taking over her thoughts and instinct. Jalyne called out to the darkened power around her, pulling it in. Her hands wove the magic and glowed deep blue-purple, unconsciously forming the destructive spell.

Jalyne unleashed her power to the ground below with the dangerous smirk and chuckle escaping her lips. She watched intently as the clouds of debris lifted upward and the shockwave from the earthquake spread outward. The screams of the shocked people reaching her ears.

She waited for the dust clouds to settle and zipped downward to hover above the destruction surveying with contentment the ruins and chaos. Her eyes glowed with black fire and she turned her eyes once again to the Heavens.

I am free.

Remember that feeling.

The snow was falling lightly at Icicle Inn and Cloud looked outward in disgust. Barret and Tifa where discussing non important matters while Nanaki dozed on the wooden floor, his flamed tail swishing back and forth. Yuffie and Cid where fighting back and forth on who was more apt to take the First SOLDIER down while Vincent kept an ever watchful eye out of the window. Aerith and Zack silent, watching the snow fall.

"Ugghh!" Yuffie exclaimed. "We're never going to get out of here with the snow falling like this!"

"Pipe down!." Cid admonished sternly. "No need to get loud."

"Why do you care!" she shot back to him.

"Both of you quit yammering." Barret stated. "We have to wait until the snow stops. The cliffs are not something to take lightly."

Aerith suddenly rose and walked out into the snow covered streets in front of the Inn with Zach following behind. Cloud straightened up, as did Vincent and curiously looked after the two.

Aerith took a deep breath and closed her eyes, outreaching lightly to the Lifestream. What she received did not bode well for their objective. Zack laid a hand on her shoulder in questioning, but she turned to gaze towards the cave. With a sigh, she shook her head as the others gathered around her in the street.

"What's wrong?" Cloud asked shrewdly, narrowing his eyes.

"It won't be long." She cryptically stated, shaking her head lightly.

"What won't?" Zack questioned.

Aerith shook her head not answering as Tifa came in front of her. "Aerith?"

With a sigh and sadness, Aerith looked at each of them before finally answering the question in a barely audible tone.

"He took her."

The group followed her into the lodge and back to her room. Aerith settled upon the bed and bowed her head, closing her eyes and started to pray.

"What do you think?" Cloud quietly asked Zack while he gazed out of the window. He nodded towards the direction of the crater.

"Jalyne held the black materia." He started as the others came around him. "I would think she meant Sephiroth took it."

"He was after it." Barret commented in agreement.

"He will summon it." Vincent stated looking out the window also. "Meteor."

Jalyne? -

She was bound, chained and gagged. The force of the thrusts bringing her out of the darkness and into consciousness. Jalyne wanted to scream but her resolve and determination wouldn't allow her. No one has ever broken her and it would stay that way.

The pain was excruciating and she felt the blood dripping down her back from the carving of her wings by the sorcerer. That didn't stop the revenge and anger that bubbled within her from coming to the surface.

Each thrust caused malice to surface and Jalyne clamped down upon the ball gag that Jurvien placed. She leaned her head back onto his shoulder, taking great care to not utter a sound. The sorcerer thrust back into her, murmuring how wonderful and tight she felt to him and Jalyne snapped her eyes open to see nothing but darkness.

Jurvien nipped roughly at her marks, inciting her body to tighten and provide resistance. He reached around her, grabbing her breasts and nipples, twisting and tugging harshly as he forcibly fucked her.

Trayvor had her by the hips, pushing wildly into her. Jalyne willed her body to relax, trying to lessen the rips and tears to her genitalia. The grunts that came from the Traitor irritated her though she could do nothing in prevention, her rage increased ten fold.

Wake up!

I'll kill him.

You would, would you?

Just so I could bring him back and do it again.

You contain the power?

I'll rip his soul out. Jalyne seethed deadly. And put it back, just so I could devise greater and more painful ways to kill him, over and over.

Such power.

I can do anything my mind wills.

And the other one?

He will have a different death.

Why?

He is not behind this.

Jalyne felt the chains rustle after they both had orgasmed, each leading her to a soft surface. One grabbed her by the throat, forcing her head upward. She heard the rustling of instruments and a crack as she knelt upon the bed, wrists bound in front of her.

One strike fell and Jalyne could feel the tearing of her skin. She bristled but never made a sound and opened her eyes to nothing. She could only imagine the defiant look that graced her face when the traitor spoke, striking her hard.

"Don't look at me like that, whore."

Second strike – this time was harder though it didn't have the shards at the end to rip skin. Jurvien switched to a lighter whip, but continued. Third strike and Jalyne could feel her smirk coming to her lips. They would not win. Jurvien grabbed her hair and pulled backwards, wrenching her neck.

"Scream, Jalyne." He cooed. "Beg us to stop."

If she could have, she would have spit in his face. Jalyne felt the chains guide her arms to around her back and being secured tightly. Her legs were forced apart and she was yanked to bend over. Thick hands removed the gag – only to be replaced by a hard and erect phallus. Hands twisted within her hair, guiding her head in the rough motion and pushing the cock down her throat. Oh, how she wanted to bite down.

Jalyne felt him slide into her from behind and passingly thought of how different he was from the one in front of her. He was taking it easier on her as he fucked her. Her mind idly thought of a different time period with a much different outcome.

You loved him?

I did. Jalyne conceded. I was young, foolish and infatuated.

Love does not exist.

The guards interrupted a long while into the night, babbling something about they found an artifact. The two barbarians disengaged from her, lying her on the bed. She barely remembered rolling over onto her back, chains rustling lightly. Jalyne could feel her power returning and the spread of her black aura covering her body.

Oh, how beautiful you are when hate and chaos reigns.

"Definitely blood." Tseng quietly stated, standing up with a hand held device scanning the area around the pool. "She was injured."

Elena was inspecting the chair and the broken glass. "What is this?" she inquired, lifting the bottle up to inspect it further.

"Alcohol of some sort, yo." Reno guessed looking outward towards the city. "It's my fault, yo."

Rude placed a hand on his shoulders. "No, it isn't."

"To hell it ain't, yo!" Reno shook his head. "I stupidly broke it off."

"I don't think it was anyone's fault." Tseng interjected. Reno looked at him incredulously so he elaborated. "Did you know she was struggling with the black materia?"

"She mentioned it, yo." The red-head conceded. "What are you getting at?"

"That perhaps it reached out to you instead." The Director finished. "Maybe she found a way to resist it."

"Lighter." Rude stated.

"What does that mean?" Elena questioned shooting him a brief look.

"Feels different here." Rude elaborated. "Lighter."

"I think clearer, yo. Even last night after I left, I started thinking clearer, yo." Reno reached into his pocket and withdrew her necklace and earrings. "She left this or he did."

Elena's eye's widened. "I've never know Jalyne to not wear it."

"Exactly, yo." He paused. "Sephiroth has always been after the black materia."

"What are you getting at?" Tseng asked.

"Why did he take her, yo?"

All of them thought hard on that statement but none could come up with an answer.

"I've sent out word to our informants to keep eyes and ears open for any news. We'll figure this out and find her." Tseng laid a comforting hand on his shoulder then turned to leave, Elena with him.

Reno turned once more to the city, lifting his eyes to the clouds streaming overhead. Rude came up to stand beside him. Nerves and a sickly feeling began to form within his stomach as he continued to play scenario after scenario within his mind.

Something didn't add up and Reno got the feeling that something – detrimental was going to happen and happen soon. Glancing at the sky, his heart ached and the feeling of being lost began to take hold. He sighed, grabbing her necklace and earrings and twirling them lightly in his hand.

Beloved. Where are you?

"Come on, yo!" he shouted, grabbing her hand and running towards the coastline.

She giggled and laughed, sprinting after him enthusiastically. They were enjoying a trip to the beach, Costa Del Sol to be exact. Reno had persuaded her to get into the water after a fear of the ocean gripped her. They were on vacation from the Turks and were enjoying each other's company.

The sun was beautiful and warmed the sand beneath them as they laid across the towels to dry off. Jalyne leaned back on her elbows and watched the clouds stream by in the sky. She never noticed him looking at someone else.

They went out to eat for dinner and were due to return to Midgar the following day. The two of them laughed and flirted and finally returned to the hotel.

"Did you enjoy it, yo?" Reno asked her as they walked through the door to their room.

"I did." Jalyne whispered to him and reaching up to kiss him.

"Good, yo." He backed away suddenly. "Because this is the end of it, love."

Shocked, Jalyne mind tried to comprehend what had happened. "What do you mean? The end of what?"

"Us."

"What?" she exclaimed. "What happened, Reno?" Jalyne tried to rush to him of which he swatted her hands away. "I don't understand."

"We're through, yo." He stated walking to the door non-chalantly. "Done. Fini. Nada." The red-haired Turk slammed the door behind him, causing her to jump.

Jalyne's eyes watered and she let out a scream of frustration and anger. She felt devastated as the pain in her heart strengthened. Grabbing her belongings, she headed back down to the hotel bar.

Reno and Jalyne had been dating for around two years and everything was going well. Or so she thought. She had her job as an actress and he was a Turk and worked for Shinra. True, she didn't hide the fact that she wanted to make it permanent, but it never seemed to bother him when they discussed the issue.

As Jalyne walked to the door of the restaurant and bar, she saw him – sitting with a pretty little blonde. Jalyne's eyes widened in shock and then narrowed dangerously, rage filling her. She glanced down at her hair falling over her shoulders. So, Reno prefers blondes. She mused taking a lock of black hair in her hands. Jalyne growled and walked out of the door.

Wake up! You must wake up.

She was dating a new gentlemen a few months later, the red-headed prick forgotten. He was tall and sported long silver hair. He was of slim but muscular build and waited with the car door open for Jalyne to get in. She smiled at him lovingly, sliding comfortably.

"Where are we going, Sephiroth?" she asked as he climbed into the driver's seat.

"Somewhere special." His deep voice replied. He turned with a smile at her. "It's a surprise."

"I hope I brought the right clothing, then." Jalyne pouted and then laughed. "I can't wait."

They drove in silence for a while and true Sephiroth didn't waste words most of the time, but Jalyne was content with that versus the constant chatter of her previous relationship.

She watched the scenery go by observing strange trees with white blossoms and a strange fruit growing on them. It was beautiful and she observed the landscape with interest. They finally reached their destination and Sephiroth opened her door to her look of wonderment.

"What is this place?" she asked looking at the solitary cabin they stopped at.

"Banora."

Jalyne's eyes widened. "I've never been!" she exclaimed.

Sephiroth wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "As an actress, you would have think that you've been everywhere." He chuckled, starting to show her around the cabin, complete with it's own hot spring and scenic view of the surrounding area.

They spent a week there just simply enjoying each other's company. Night had fallen on the last evening of their vacation and they found themselves idly drinking and enjoying the hot spring.

Sephiroth glided up to her, lightly brushing his hands up her arms, pleased she unconsciously shuddered at his touch. He leaned in, kissing her small tattoo behind her left ear, pushing her dark tresses away from the shoulder. Jalyne reciprocated, winding her hand through his hair and lightly pulling it, eliciting a grumble from him.

"You want to play that way?" Sephiroth stated sultrily, reaching around her waist and lightly grazing her sides, causing her to giggle.

Jalyne tugged harder on his hair, twisting within his grasp to look at him. "No, I want to play this way." She smirked and tugged his hair, rapping him lightly on the ass with her other hand before breaking away and diving into the deeper water.

Sephiroth chuckled at her playfulness and scanned the water for her, the steam making it harder to see exactly where she was at. He moved to the other end, obscuring his body from most of the visible areas and waited for her to surface. She loved to play hide and seek.

Jalyne surfaced, the warm water easing her tense muscles from all of the sightseeing they have been doing. She scanned the springs and didn't see her tall and silver-haired beau anywhere. Perhaps he decided to leave her also and her mood greatly shifted for a second.

He grabbed her around the waist, spinning her around and pushed her up against the stone wall. Her surprise gave him an opening of which he captured her lips forcibly. Instinctively, Jalyne reached for him but he took both of her hands within his.

Sephiroth broke from her to stare into her eyes that were only half opened and she lightly struggled in his grasp. He chuckled lightly, giving in to her as she tilted her head. He knew what she wanted, but resisted giving it to her right away.

"Please?" her sultry voice reached his ears.

"I love to hear you beg." He responded lightly kissing her neck and jawline. "Such music to my ears."

Sephiroth guided both her arms above her head, taking her wrists within one hand and snaking the other around her waist, lifting her up higher. He settled in between her legs as she wrapped them around him.

"Please, Sephiroth." Jalyne pleaded. "It's our last night here. Give me what I want." She pouted, raising her eyes to his and biting her lip.

He growled lightly as she ground her hips to his, the erection teasing her and her folds teasing him. Jalyne just had a way about her that was irresistable. He moaned softly as kept it up, finally biting down on her neck forcibly. Jalyne let out scream, wanting her hands to thread within his hair but Sephiroth held steady and wouldn't let them go.

He pushed into her quickly burying her to the hilt…and stopped. Jalyne let out a moan of frustration, bucking her hips, wanting more. Sephiroth pulled out to his head…and thrust back into her, enjoying the sounds that came from her.

Sephiroth slid out and turned her to face the wall, keeping her wrists secured. Jalyne mewed in anticipation and frustration as he had a way of plying her to do his will. She pushed backwards, wanting more as he caressed her hip lightly, inciting shudders.

"I love the manipulation of your mind and body." He seductively growled to her. "Let me hear you beg."

"Please, Sephiroth, please!" Jalyne gave in to him as he moved her black hair away and thrust back into her. "Don't hold back – please!"

Sephiroth rammed into her, filling her to the core while steadying them. Every pump and thrust elicited her scream and building it in crescendo. Louder and louder, her moans and screams of pleasure filled the hot springs. He kept up the pace, feeling her body and muscles tighten around him.

"Cum for me, love."

At the sound of his erotic voice and words, Jalyne let go, pounding the stone structure lightly with her hands. She edged her head to his shoulder and screamed one last time as he came also, feeling her tightened walls take everything from him.

Jalyne – wake up!

Jalyne stared at the fires lighting the hot springs for a long few minutes before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath after the orgasm. In her minds' eye she saw flames. She took a deep, shuddering breath and concentrated on them, but surmised it was just reflected from the fires within the hot springs, since she stared at them.

Sephiroth slipped out, turning her to face him and kissed her passionately of which she returned lovingly. He gently lifted her up and cradled her around his waist as she leaned in to rest on his shoulder, lightly tracing circles upon his chest.

He carried her to the blankets and laid them down. Jalyne instantly curled into him as a light glow reflected off of her hand blindly continuing making circles.

"Sleep." He calmly stated to her, pulling her closer. "Tomorrow, we return to reality."

He reached up and cupped her cheek, lightly tracing underneath her left eye. He tilted her head back, watching her eyes dart back and forth underneath her eyelids. The binding spells circled around her, swirling with a glittery purple and black pulse and he brushed the silver engraved wristlets lightly.

He unclipped the cuffs that kept her secured and adjusted the shredded cloak to keep her warmer. Her breathing was calm as he lifted her up into his arms and carried her over to the bed. He laid her down gently, next to a new set of clothes.

Why he was taking great care, Sephiroth didn't know, nor did he care. He bent down, studying her intently and traced her diamond mark lightly with a gloved hand. Jalyne's eyes slowly stopped darting and he knew she was sleeping peacefully.

He observed her, wondering if the feelings he projected would be real if he truly fucked her. The feel of her resonated in his mind and he slowly ran a hand down her chest to her hips, noting the contour and shape of her body. She was different than any other – a power to be tapped, but Sephiroth still mused about how arousing she was to him. It was an unexpected reaction.

"You are mine." Sephiroth leaned down and whispered to her sleeping form. "Together, we will rule the universe. We will take mother's power and mold the stars as we wish."

He stood to leave and when he reached the door, paused to look at the sleeping princess, idly wondering why the president didn't use this gem he acquired. He smirked at the thought of this woman doing his bidding, unknowing that she left a gift within him. Sephiroth quietly shut the door to the cavern room to attend to other matters, confident that he would be there when Jalyne awoke.

Her eyes opened slowly as the click of the door closing resonated around the room. The green eyes dangerously glinted in the light of the fire across the room and her lips crested upward slightly in a smirk, power flowing outward and within her eyes.

So…he wishes to play a game.