Time is not a constant thing. Sometimes, when something terrible is happening, it ticks by ever so slowly. Inconsiderate of those that it torments. And, of course, to those that time blesses with happiness, it moves all together too fast.

And as always, happiness ends far too abruptly.

*

General Raithe Kale sneered at the man in front of him. The scientist Hojo glared right back at him. It had been ten years since Hojo had done his work on Kale. Kale grimaced as the memories of the infusions came back to him. The pain still coursed through his body.

Kale couldn't fathom how Hojo had managed to get him pulled from the front at a time like this. The war on Wutai should take priority over some idiot's inspection.

"You will submit to my will, General." Hojo said, a snake-like smile across his face.

General Kale had had enough. Enough of those prattling Shinra idiots. Enough of the scientist's interference with his work. And enough of Hojo.

"No."

Hojo blinked, "I'm sorry, what?"

Kale's sneer faded, leaving a look of absolute ice. "I said no. Shinra knows what I am. Thanks to you. Frankly, I am sick of being your dog."

"Then I will have to force you."

Kale look quite surprised when the guards walked in. "General Kale, we don't have to hurt you."

Kale had to suppress a smile. It was time to flex his wings. Literally.

Two bat-like wings tore out of Kale's back. His eyes turned a dark red and glowed with Mako's fury. A dark purple mist flowed from his eyes and transformed his SOLDIER uniform into one seamless black garment. The only color on it appeared to be bloody spots. Two long blades graced his belt now, as he was disarmed beforehand. They were the same color as the mist.

His face seemed to get paler, accentuating the sharp features that made him famous as a handsome general. His long black hair was tied back as well. The change seemed to make it look like the ends of his hair for about an inch was dipped in blood.

After the mist dissipated, Kale looked at Hojo and smiled, "Surprised?"

Hojo fell back, "That is impossible! I would have known about this!"

Kale laughed darkly, "The Voice taught me how to conceal my power." He glanced at the guards. Amazingly enough they drew their weapons on him. A black energy surrounded Kale's hand, as he appeared to slash at them with it. An invisible blade tore across them, severing their torsos from their legs.

Hojo turned to look as the blood poured out from the wounds. "How is this possible?"

Kale performed a mock bow, "Magic, Hojo. And you said it didn't exist. Now if you'll excuse me." Kale flexed his wings and drew them about him like a cloak.

"What of me?" Hojo honestly feared for his life at this moment. All of this was unexpected.

"Do what you were going to do, Hojo," Kale said, disdain in his words, "The Voice demands it of you."

As Kale left, the guards outside jumped in surprise. "General Kale...what happened to you?" Kale could smell the fear dripping off of them.

"President Shinra has awoken the Angel of Death. I am going to the front. I have some business that I have to attend to."

Hojo watched the devil leave, "How did I not know?"

*

Sephiroth watched as more wounded came through the main gates of Wutai. Ten years had passed since he and Vincent had walked through those very same gates. It had also been seven years since the war had started.

It came gradually, as Sephiroth perceived it. Although he normally was at the dojo, he came to central Wutai often enough to get the feel of things. The war had come quite gradually.

He felt a hand grasp his, entwining it's owners delicate fingers with his own, "You're thinking about the war again."

Sephiroth sighed, "It's all I can seem to think about anymore, Kairi."
He turned and looked at his dearest friend.

She had let her reddish-brown hair grow to shoulder length. Occasionally she'd bug Sephiroth about the abnormally long amount of hair he had. Her blue eyes generally shone with an inner light, happiness. Now they had concern in them. The expression of worry on her delicate face was quite strange, as it was accustomed to smiles and laughter. "You don't need to worry about me, Kairi. I'm not going to do something stupid."

Kairi looked up at Sephiroth with a small pout, "Promise?"

Sephiroth took the hand that she held and brought it to his chest, pressing hers to his heart, "I promise."

Kairi smiled at him, staring into his Mako green eyes. "I just don't want to lose anyone. All the boys want to go to the war. And with Vincent out scouting for Wutai..." Kairi wrapped her arms around Sephiroth's muscular form, "I just thought you'd go."

Sephiroth held her close for a few moments. "Damn, I wish I had a girl that nice looking pressed against me!"

They separated and glared simultaneously at the speaker. A battle weary Wutai soldier. "Hey, no need to glare. Just saying is all."

Sephiroth just spun about and started walking away. Kairi glared at the solider for a few extra seconds before catching up.

Sephiroth simply shook his head. Boys had always been trying to get Kairi's attention. Not only was she a very athletic girl, but also she was blossoming into a beautiful woman. Even their two other best friends vied continually for her affections.

Riku and Sora continually competed to see whom Kairi would share her affections with. Kairi thought it was fun, of course. Sephiroth thought it was stupid.

Sora and Riku both were so similar in their physical ability, but so incredibly different in their personalities. Over the last few years they had caught up to Sephiroth's physical prowess. Riku's skill with a blade was amazing. He and Sephiroth had battles that would last hours. Sora's ability with a blade was good as well, but he lacked the cool head that was required at times.

Hand to hand was another story all together, however. They all seemed to fall to Kairi. As they walked together in silence, Sephiroth looked at her. She dressed like a girl. All in pink. But she fought like a demon.

Physically, they could all overpower her. However, speed and skill were her attributes. She even said it herself once, "You boys like toys. You focus all of your effort into your sword skills. What I have can't be taken away from me."

So to counter this, Sephiroth had proposed a deal. He'd go and beat up all the boys that came after her if she taught him to fight like her. She really hated all of them intruding on her time with her friends. So Sephiroth went and did her bidding. Now he could almost beat her. It was only a matter of time.

Kairi laughed a little, "Thinking about fighting me again?"

"I hate it when you do that, and yes. Soon I will be able to beat you."

"Does it bother you that you can be beaten by a girl in a fight?"

Sephiroth shrugged, "A bit I guess. However, I know that you wouldn't beat me in a sword fight so it balances out."

"Yeah, you just keep justifying it like that. Every time you hit the ground or tap out, okay?" Kairi flashed him a grin.

Sephiroth sighed. "Yes, yes."

Kairi put her hands behind her back and skipped about a bit. "So when is Vincent going to be back this time? We all miss him."

Sephiroth put his hands to the back of his head, "Three or four days."

"Well, at least we still have Master Kai."

"Indeed. I think, even though he tells us not to do it, he likes it when we call him 'Grandpa'."

Kairi nodded, "I think so, too." Kairi took a look at the setting sun across the sea. "It's getting late, we should hurry." She started running, "Try to keep up, Seph!"

Sephiroth took off, silently cursing about Kai's choice to have his dojo so far up the peninsula.

*

Regardless of how fast they ran, they still arrived at the dojo a half an hour after dark.

"I beat ya, Seph!" Kairi said, catching her breath.

"I didn't know it was a race."

Kairi laughed and ran into the dojo, leaving Sephiroth to catch his breath. He started when he heard Kairi scream. "Kairi!"

Sephiroth ran into the dojo and saw Kairi, a large bruise on her face, near Riku and Sora who were both bruised and looking fearfully toward a thing that could only be called a demon.

Sephiroth quickly fell into a battle stance. The stranger laughed, "Is that any way to great me, brother?"

"You are no brother of mine!" Sephiroth snarled.

"Au contraire, dear brother. I am created as you are. My name is Raithe Kale."

All of them knew that name. The name of the General that was attacking Wutai. "And by the way, sorry for attacking your little peach, there. She came in quite quickly."

Sephiroth moved about trying to find a weakness in Kale. He was standing with his wings out and his arms crossed. His hands were close to his weapons. Sephiroth stopped when Kale started laughing.

"Sorry, but is that it? I mean the way Hojo talked, you were supposed to be some sort of god." Kale raised his arm and pointed it at Sephiroth. As he opened his hand, Sephiroth was flung back against a wall.

"Sephiroth!" Kairi yelled. The three others stood up and charged at Kale. His wings snapped up and an energy wave hit them hard, slamming them against the same wall.

"Has Master Kai taught you nothing?" Kale laughed as they attempted to get up. "You're all so terribly weak. I am disappointed in my late master."

Kale whistled. Two SOLDIERs came in with a barrel of explosives. "Return to the main group, I will join you shortly." The SOLDIERs saluted.

"Master...Kai...is gonna kick...your ass." Sora hissed as he tried again to stand up. Riku and Sephiroth just glared at the General.

"I think not." Kale reached down into a bag attached to his belt as his other hand set the timer. He pulled out Master Kai's head and set it atop the timer. "As he is of the deceased nature, he won't be kicking anyone's ass."

They stared in horror as Kale set off the timer. He laughed as he walked out.

Riku and Sora struggled to get up, but Kale's attacks and rendered them far too weak. Kairi fell back next to Sephiroth, who was still out. "Sephiroth...help..."

Kairi looked at the timer as it reached five seconds. She closed her eyes and waited as Riku and Sora yelled for help. If she didn't see it, it wouldn't hurt as much.

A/N: sorry bout the wait on this one, a buddy of mine got in a car accident and needed a hand with some things. I wasn't sure about this chapter, but I figured what the hell anyway? As long as I keep writing and all.

Hope the cliffhanger doesn't anger anyone (snicker)

And of course thanks to Dee-whY-Cee-aRe for being the hella loyal reader so far. Thanks also to my new readers The Highwaywoman (sorry bout the no Vincent in this chap) and Solei Lizebeth Alice Grinaldi (I was using smirk a bit too much :) )

Hope you all decide to stay tuned for the next exciting chapter! (Could that sound any lamer?)

Also seems I'm still lacking the descriptive nature...please bear with me.