Chapter 11: Not This Time

Disclaimer: ……ZZZZZzzzzzz… …oh yeah… …I dun own nothin…

To my extremely awesome reviewers: It's so unbelievable you might just be imagining it…I have updated! Say it isn't so! Lol, yikes. I think I'm going blind, blasted computer screen. So, how's everyone? For some reason I feel like asking today. Here is another chapter, by the way - incase you didn't notice (har har har), I hope you noticed because I'd be forced to think there was something seriously wrong with you if not. Anyways, read, review and ENJOY! (Note the bold lettering, that's an order, got it?)

I awoke to an early morning chill that sent shivers up my spine. Then I realized that the blanket I'd once been curled up beneath was gone. I scowled and searched blindly for the familiar folds of cloth with my hand, refusing to open my eyes just yet in hopes that maybe I could reclaim sleep for a while longer. Unfortunately the blanket was nowhere to be found.

My eyes opened lazily and I sat up, sparing a glance at Sephiroth. So that's where the blanket ended up! He lay beside me hogging every last piece of the wretched thing, with half of it lying on the floor! I took hold of a loose edge and attempted to yank it from his grasp. A groan of frustration escaped my chapped lips, as the blanket didn't budge more than a few inches. He was wrapped in it like a butterfly in a cocoon making it impossible to get it away from him.

This would just have to be settled in some other way I decided as my gaze trailed about in search of something, though I wasn't sure what. Then I set my eyes on the pillow I'd been sleeping on. A mischievous grin etched itself onto my face as I grabbed the corner of the pillow. I bit my lip in hesitation as I looked upon Sephiroth's peaceful face. Should I? He looked so comfortable, but then again he'd stolen my blanket and if we were ever to live together that little aspect would have to be dealt with.

"Screw it." I said out loud and smacked him right across the face.

His eyes shot open in alarm as I pulled the weapon away and grinned down at him. He frowned. "What the hell was that for?" He demanded. "

I crossed my arms in defiance. "Don't even try to blame it on me. You're the one who stole all the blankets. It's cooold!" I whined and tried to acquire a little bit of warmth from hugging myself.

He looked down at the blanket noticing that it indeed was all on his side, and blushed. "Oh."

"Uh huh! See? I had every reason in the world to hit you with a pillow." I stated.

"I suppose you want the blanket back then?" He asked.

My teeth clenched together in agitation. "No, I hit you over the head with a pillow just because…of course I want it back! I'm gonna freeze like this!"

He rolled his eyes and settled back down into the pillows in attempt to go back to sleep. "You whine too much. At least you've got a shirt on unlike me."

"You---Errgh!" I flushed an angry red and hit him in the head with the pillow again. "Take that!" I cried.

In an instant he'd brought his own pillow around and struck me right across the face sending me over backwards and off the bed. The moment my skin touched the ice-cold floor I levitated into the air, temporarily overcome with shock.

Sephiroth burst into laughter as I frantically scrambled onto the bed and wrapped myself into a protective ball. Tiny goose bumps formed on the surface of my legs and arms.

"That wasn't funny!" I shouted angrily.

"I didn't mean to knock you onto the floor." He managed to say.

My eyes were set firmly on the wall and I refused to even look in his vicinity. "Jerk." I muttered while fingering the pillow sitting at my feet. He was not going to go unpunished for that little maneuver.

Sephiroth sat up, his gaze melting holes in my skin. He never looked away and continued to stare without faltering. "Would you stop doing that?" He exclaimed in annoyance.

I slowly turned my head around to look at him. "Why should I?"

He scowled. "Because it's irritating."

"Don't make it so easy." I mumbled in response. Why is it everything seemed to irritate him? Oh wait, because he's Sephiroth. I forgot.

His hands dropped into his lap as his head slumped forward. "Does this mean I have to apologize?" He asked.

My face burned with rage and I swung the pillow around to land a solid blow square on his face sending him back into the wall with a loud thump. "Yes." I answered. "It does."

"Has it ever occurred to you to pull your blasted punches?" He groaned and sat back up. "What ever came over me to fall in love with a woman capable of such strength?"

A giggle escaped my lips. "Would you have preferred a man?"

His eyes widened in horror and then narrowed into a look of hostility. "I'm going to kick your sorry ass for that."

I doubled over with laughter. "I'm sorry!" I forced out between giggles. "I couldn't resist."

"Sorry?" He echoed hysterically. "Sorry! Don't make me laugh! I think I deserve a tad bit more than a simple apology after that comment."

I rolled off the bed and snatched my boots off the floor, slipping them on quickly. "You are rather touchy on the subject though." I noted and grinned. What had come over me? Talk about fighting words. He'd never forgive me now.

In an instant there was a pillow hurling towards my head. I evaded the attack by a hairs length and watched in relief as the pillow crashed into the wall behind me.

"You missed!" I shouted gleefully and spun around to face him. A cry of surprise escaped my lips as my eyes caught sight of a second incoming pillow. I flinched as it slammed into my face and snapped my head back with great force.

"Not that time." Sephiroth answered smugly.

I glared at him as the pillow dropped to the floor. "And you tell me to pull my punches!"

"You deserved it." He replied and flipped over the bed with blinding speed.

Before I had time to even breath he had my hands bound tightly behind me with his lean body pressed against my back in a most alluring way. Damn this arrogant man and his needless teasing! His lips hovered near my ear letting his steady breath tickle my neck and melt me into his arms. "You win." I sighed and relaxed.

"As always."

"Can you let me go now?"

"Not till you apologize."

"I'm soooorry." I drawled and stomped at the floor impatiently. My boots were completely unlaced and wobbled around on my feet. "You better let me go now or I'll be forced to…to…" I really should just keep my mouth shut I think. He was too strong and far too intelligent for me to pull any simple tricks on him. It seemed that he controlled my future from here and that infuriated me beyond belief.

"You'd be forced to what?" He asked amusedly and tightened his grip.

"Nothing." I sighed in agitation.

"That's what I thought." He said and released me. "It's nearing 8 a.m. We should go see if the others are awake."

I nodded and bent down to tie my shoes. Almost immediately afterwards his hand slapped me in the ass taking me by complete surprise and triggering a weakness in the knees that caused me to collapse to the floor.

He swept passed me, a genuine smile on his face and sat down on the bed to put on his boots.

Never once did my gaping eyes leave his back, but no matter how hard I tried to speak I couldn't seem to come up with any words that would some how preserve some of my decency. I fumed angrily and got to my feet, picking up the pillows that were sprawled on the floor. He was expertly ignoring me, even as I roughly threw the pillows onto the bed. I probably should have hit him again, but he'd only get me back.

Instead I just somersaulted over the bed and landed next to him. "What was that for?"

"What?" He asked and finally looked me strait in the eyes.

Everything that surrounded me froze still. Why was it every time I looked into those endless depths of aqua I found myself lost and entranced? Was that the feeling that sprang through my body and rapidly consumed me with happiness? The world around me disappeared and what I was going to say vanished, never to return. "I can't remember." I said softly letting my lips relax into a frown.

The same expression dwelt on his face as we delved further into each other's soul. In a moment of desperation our emotions got the better of us and I found myself beneath him as he kissed me fiercely. My hands slid down his back, stroking his warm skin and begging for more. For a split second it occurred to me that now was not the time to be doing this, but my heart was currently beating my brain over the head with a stick in order to silence it and it was working.

This overwhelming thirst to touch and feel was much too powerful as well as dangerous. My will crumbled and I gave in to temptation, accepting his gentle caress heedlessly. His lips brushed against my cheek as he pulled away, groaning inwardly and straitening up.

I bit my lip and pushed myself to a sitting position, spying him in the corner of my eyes.

"That was close." He exhaled sharply and snatched his trench coat off the bedpost.

"I'm sorry." I said quietly and pulled me knees to my chest.

"It isn't your fault I can't seem to keep my hands off you." He responded while lacing the leather straps of his coat. "It's maddening the way your presence effects me yet invigorating at the same time."

My cheeks burned furiously with embarrassment and developed a rosy tint as I ruffled the edge of my shorts shyly. I lifted my gaze tentatively and observed Sephiroth while he pulled on his shoulder armor.

I tiled my head curiously. "Do you ever wear anything else?"

He glanced over at me. "No."

"Oh." I answered blankly and smiled to myself. "Why not?'

His hand seized the hilt of his sword and brought it swiftly around to rest in a simple leather strap at his waist. He peered at me through disdainful eyes. "I like what I'm wearing." He said. "You don't approve?"

I shook my head vigorously. "No! I was just wondering. I think you look extremely dashing and…handsome." I blushed and grinned widely feeling somewhat stupid. I was only speaking the truth though!

"Exactly." He answered and spun around letting his remarkably untangled hair whirl about him in a swirl of silver. The door swung open with the flick of his hand and he twisted around to look at me again. "Coming?"

I nodded and bounded pass, giving him an elated smile on my way. The happiness that had ensnared me was more wonderful than I ever imagined it would be. Perhaps it was because it'd been so long since I'd been truly happy I sort of forgot what it felt like. This was far better that I remembered though. Loved by the most wonderful man in the world, at least that's what I believed. No more long nights mourning over the love I never had, but somehow felt I lost. There was a time when I was sure that I had loved Cloud, but now that I think about it, I don't really know. Maybe I was just holding onto what I had left, like Nanaki had said.

Speaking of Nanaki, he was coming inside from upstairs just as we exited Sephiroth's room. "Oh good, you two are awake." He said, his shoulders visibly relaxing letting his ruffled fur fall back into place.

My eyes narrowed on the hint of amusement in his eyes. Now that I think about it my hair was probably an absolute mess. I didn't even want to know what he was speculating right now because I had a suspicion that it was crude and indecent. And I used to think that Nanaki was so well mannered. No matter how long you know your friends, they're always surprising you.

"Yes." Sephiroth replied, eyeing Nanaki with a particular enmity that was only encouraging Nanaki's thoughts.

I clasped my hands behind my back and took a step forward before. "Where's everyone else?" I asked.

"Sleeping." Nanaki sighed. "I don't suppose you two would be willing to drag them out of bed, would you?"

"Oh I'd love to." Sephiroth answered dryly. "Leave it to me."

Nanaki nodded. "Good, it's about time someone whipped them into shape. I'll be up in the Library when everyone is up and ready to start thinking logically. Don't be too long."

"Ok, we'll handle it." I said and waved as Nanaki disappeared outside. I whirled around abruptly to find Sephiroth grinning down at me mischievously. "You'd 'love to'?" I questioned distrustfully.

"General instincts kicking in." He explained. "I've got work to do."

"Just remember we aren't SOLDIER." I reminded him quickly. "And I'll wake up Shera. She doesn't need you banging down her door and threatening hard work if she doesn't come out under the time limit you'll no doubt give."

He frowned. "How is it you know me so well?"

I smiled. "I may not be able to read minds, but I can see just as well as anyone else that you're strict and expect obedience form your men. Maybe I a little too much."

"I was strict, but most of the time it depended on my mood. I can be down right nasty some days and fine company other days." He responded and approached Cid and Barret's door. His fist slammed down loudly, splintering the wood. "Be up and ready in no more than 5 minutes!" He shouted sternly.

"What the &#?" Came Barret's muffled voice.

I suppressed a giggle and started for Shera's door.

Right then a very disgruntled Yuffie burst out of her room. "And what if I come out in 6 minutes!" She retorted, her eyes ablaze and aimed right at Sephiroth.

Sephiroth's eyes narrowed. "Than you'll spend the next three hours running laps around Cosmo canyon." He replied coldly. "Don't make me come in there and drag you out."

Her face paled and she scurried back into the room with a slam of the door.

"This'll take some getting used to I think." I mused.

"Well, since you and Nanaki have so kindly appointed me leader of this disheveled group I have to take some steps to straiten you people out." He grumbled and crossed his arms while taking a seat in an empty chair. "And this is one hell of a mess. We should have been ready hours ago!"

"I might point out that you weren't awake till I smacked you with a pillow." I growled. "You might not have woken up for another hour or even longer than that!"

"……" Sephiroth winced in realization. "Blasted woman, why is it you have to do that?"

I smiled. "To keep your head from getting too big." I answered and knocked gently on Shera's door.

"Who is it?" Came a soft, groggy voice.

"It's Tifa!" I called and waited, my ears picking up her tired footsteps approaching.

The door opened slowly revealing her not so lovely morning face. She yawned. "Good morning Tifa." She said and rubbed the side of her face in attempt to wake up a little. "Did the others get back ok?"

"Yes, Cid stayed in Barret's room on the extra bed last night since the girls were in your room." I replied. "Are you coming to the meeting?"

Shera squinted her eyes in contemplation. "No, that isn't necessary. Cid can fill me in and beside someone needs to watch over Melony and Marlene. I'll wake them up and get them something to eat while you guys make plans for today. I'm most likely going to stay here anyways."

"Alright." I answered and turned away as the door closed.

Barret and Cid burst out of their room wearing gruff expressions of extreme annoyance. They both glowered in Sephiroth's direction while muttering incoherent words beneath their breath.

Cid walked over to me and eyed me grumpily. "Five minutes my ass!" He bellowed, tossing his hands into the air and returning his attention to Sephiroth. "I'll tell ya where you can stick yer damn 5 minutes!" He snarled.

I just barely caught what he muttered afterwards and it sounded a lot like 'asshole'. He received a stern elbow in the ribs for that as he passed by.

"Ahem, excuse me, Tif. Didn't mean to insult yer man there." Cid grinned and barely dodged the punch that I threw. "Hey there, simmer down!" He laughed raising his hands in surrender. "Nothin meant by it!"

I scowled. "Yeah right."

Barret's deep-throated laughter seemed to make the walls shudder. "Yo Tif, you sure are touchy today!"

"Oh just shut up!" I shouted, my nostrils flaring. I spun around at the creaking of another door.

Yuffie swaggered out looking half asleep. Probably was too, although she seemed pretty lively just a minute go. "Damn you guys are friggin loud!" She moaned and rubbed her eyes lazily. Her gaze landed on me and she frowned. "So like, where were you last night anyways? Stay up in the Library again or something?"

I felt my entire body go rigid. "Yuffie!" I groaned, feeling several pairs of eyes land on me. My gaze shifted to the floor where it stayed for some time.

"Sooooo!" Cid drawled looking at me with a mischievous smile. "Yer hair's kinda matted."

I looked up at the rustling of Sephiroth's clothing as he shifted nervously in his chair, a blush rising in his pale cheeks. How he was managing to keep his cool I don't know, but I can't imagine he was enjoying this scene all that much. Neither was I for a matter of fact and I'd already made a note to pay my friends back dearly for this.

Yuffie grinned as she spotted Sephiroth's flushed cheeks. A high-pitched cry of excitement emitted her lips. "Holy crap! Seph's blushing!"

Everybody whirled around to stare at him, eyes wide and jaws dropped in amazement.

His eyes hardened into an icy glare, it was the only way to hide his embarrassment. "I hate to break your fun, but we do have something important at hand if you hadn't noticed!" He snapped and stood up. "Nanaki is waiting in the library. I suggest we make haste." With that he stormed out of the room leaving me behind, the bastard.

"Err, yeah." Cid nodded to himself. "Forgot about that."

"What about Marlene?" Barret asked.

"Shera's taking care of the girls till we're finished." I replied dryly.

"Ok." Barret responded. "We better get goin then."

"Yeah." Cid said in agreement and the two headed after Sephiroth leaving just Yuffie and myself in the room.

I sighed. "Yuffie?"

"What?" She asked innocently.

"Do you have a hair brush handy?" I asked hopefully. At least I could fix my hair and maybe look a little more decorous.

"Sure, just a sec." She answered and scuttled back into her room. Thirty seconds later she reappeared holding a small brush in her hand. "Here. It's probably kinda lame for hair that long, but it's all I've got."

I took it eagerly. "Thanks Yuffie. It will do fine."

She smiled. "No problem. Let's go."

I nodded and followed her up the outside stairs.

It was a long hard battle between the brush and my hair, but I didn't give in, although I felt like screaming out in agony a few times. Sometimes you just had to yank the brush through and that's when the pain usually came. By the time we reached the library I was looking much better, or at least Yuffie said so.

Everyone was waiting for us when we arrived. Cid leaned against a bookcase, his eyes closed in what looked like sleep. Barret punched him in the arm causing Cid to yelp in surprise and jump away from his resting place.

"Stupid & #&! What the hell was that for?" Cid roared.

"You dumbass, the meeting is startin!" Barret hollered back.

"Both of you could hold down the volume." Nanaki noted irritably and motioned for Yuffie and I to sit down on two empty chairs. "Now, we've got a lot of work to do."

"Indeed we do." Sephiroth spoke up from his lonely spot by the window in the back. "And not enough men to do it."

"I called Reeve earlier and we had a long conversation. He's sending Cait Sith over to help us out if we need him and 3 squads of Soldiers are on their way to the crater to investigate as we speak. That puts that out of the way at least." Nanaki took a moment to catch his breath before continuing.

"Now, according to Reeve the remainders of Lorse's followers are still at large, save for the thieves who have returned to the mountains. Scarlet and Evan are rumored to be searching for the other half of the black materia. As for Chaos, he is absolutely everywhere wrecking havoc wherever he can. Floods have been reported all across the world with descriptions of the purple winged demon being in the premises. There have also been several astounding earth quakes near Nibelheim and North Corel." Nanaki explained, his voice starting to break up from talking too much at once. "Then there's Vincent. There's no telling where he is or if he's alive leaving us with minimal options."

"So, what's that mean?" Yuffie asked.

"It means that we have to find the black materia and also Vincent if we can." Nanaki replied. "We can't do much about Chaos except keep an eye out for him and even then it's hard to say what we'd do. It seems to me his just out getting a few kicks while he's in control and not bounded by his keeper's will. The only thing we can do is search around and wait for reports on the crater."

Sephiroth took a step forward. "I have to go see my mother before I do anything else." He announced and turned his back to us again.

Curious eyes rested on his back.

"That might be a good idea. Lucrecia may have some information as to Vincent's whereabouts if he did survive. Although her she cannot communicate with us very well if at all." Nanaki answered. "But it's worth a try. Cloud's gold chocobo is down in the stables. I'm guessing you will be going with him, right Tifa?"

"If it's ok with him. I have to show him where the cave is anyway." I responded, spying Sephiroth out of the corner of my eyes. The side of his face that I could see was oddly pale. His eyes closed in an almost painful manner and his expression hardened in determination. Something about the way he stood there with out even a twitch worried me. He'd told me that he would go see Lucrecia after this was over. Why the sudden need to go there now?

I stirred in my chair and averted my attention back to Nanaki who'd been speaking the whole while I was lost in thought.

"That means Yuffie's hitchin a ride on the highwind?" Cid asked.

Nanaki nodded. "You two and possibly Cait Sith will head over to Rocket Town. From Reeve's last report it looks to me like Scarlet and Evan were heading there, though we're not sure why. Reeve issued an order that they be captured alive unless you are forced to fight to the death."

Cid gave a snort of disgust. "I can tell ya right now its gonna be a fight to the death. That shit head Evan ain't getting away this time."

"Works for me." Yuffie yawned. "As long as I don't have to fly in a helicopter."

"Barret and I will head down to Mideel to see if the black materia may have appeared there or maybe even Vincent. Make sure you have your PHS so that we can contact each other." Nanaki added.

"PHS?" I echoed. "Uh… I don't have mine. I suppose I could pick it up though. Nibelheim is just South/West from the cave." Of all the things to forget, a PHS was not one of it and I had the nagging feeling I'd probably end up needing one.

"That's fine. You might want to check the mako fountain while you're at it. There might be a chance that the black materia surfaced there too." Nanaki said. "That's about it I guess unless anyone else has something to say. We'll all meet back here tonight unless there is a change of plan and we discover some new information."

"So, is dat it?" Barret grumbled. "I'm hungry. We aven't eaten breakfast yet."

"Yes." Nanaki replied.

"I think I'll have a pancake." Cid announced and preceded out the door with Barret trailing right on his heels.

Yuffie sat up and rest her head on the table. "I think I'll take a short nap."

"Get up Yuffie." I smiled and nudged her in the thigh with my foot.

She moaned in response and shifted her position. "I don't want to."
I stood up and stretched my arms into the air feeling a few bones pop here and there.

"When will you two be leaving?" Nanaki asked.

Sephiroth turned swiftly from the window. "Now." He answered and whispered something into Nanaki's ear.

Nanaki visibly stiffened and his head snapped up immediately. "Alright then, we'll see you tonight." He answered simply, but it was clear that a tension had risen resulting from whatever Sephiroth had said.

Sephiroth nodded and brushed passed me.

Yuffie looked at Nanaki in confusion. "What was that?"

"I'll tell you when everyone is together." Nanaki replied.

Yuffie gave a disapproving grunt and looked over at Sephiroth. "Bye Seph!" Yuffie exclaimed exuberantly and waved frantically at him.

He stopped and twisted his head around to glare at her. "Tifa, let's go." He said through gritted teeth and disappeared out the door.

"What a stiff." Yuffie muttered. "Oh well, by Tifa!" She said, her eyes lighting up again.

"Bye, Yuffie, bye Nanaki." I called and hurried after Sephiroth. Thousands of discouraging thoughts raided my mind and slowly began to tear me apart as I tried to catch up. Something was definitely wrong and he wasn't telling me. He'd have to soon enough though.

"Yo Tif, you goin already?" Barret spoke up as I was running pass.

"Yeah, bye guys!" I said quickly and kept on my way. A faint goodbye sounded out from behind me as I left.

Sephiroth was saddling the chocobo when I finally got there and was nearly finished by the looks of it. How the man is so fast I'll never know. He was a god.

Not a sound came out while his hands worked with a determined urgency as I waited patiently. He grabbed the reins having finished saddling the animal and led the gold-feathered bird out of the stable.

We walked in silence down the steps of Cosmo Canyon and onto the dry lands that surrounded it. Sephiroth came to a stop and gazed at me, worry apparent in his eyes.

"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" I asked while rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet.

"I heard Jenova's voice. She's indeed alive and fully recovered I believe or else she'd not waste her energy trying to speak to me." He said quietly. With one strong leap he was in the saddle, his hand extended to me.

For a moment I just stared feeling only the horror and fear of what his words meant. Not this time though, I thought. He was mine and would stay mine! I grasped his hand and let him swing me up into his lap. His strength never ceased to amaze me like so many other things about him. I felt small suddenly thinking about it. He was so talented and amazing, and I…I was just Tifa. Nothing special. What did he see in me?

Shut up… Sephiroth's voice pounded in my head painfully.

"Why is it you're always reading my mind when you shouldn't be?" I asked, chewing my lip shamefully.

"It was a good thing I did." He muttered angrily and kicked the chocobo in the flanks. The bird lurched forward jerking me violently back against Sephiroth's chest. "Do you honestly think that you're not gorgeous, talented and absolutely irresistible?"

I leaned back and sighed. "Well, I wouldn't say that…"

"Then you'd be wrong." Sephiroth stated. "You are all of those things and much more so quit it before I have I'm forced to stop and prove it to you in brood daylight."

I giggled. "I wouldn't mind that."

"Neither would I, but unfortunately we do have a task at hand and a rather important one too if I'm to keep from coming under Jenova's control." He replied.

"I know." I whispered softly. "I won't let her though."

"Where to then?"

"North."

The ride lasted a good 3 hours on the chocobo, which I ended up naming Blade (Sephiroth insisted) because I couldn't remember its original name. The mountains gave us hell, but we managed. On the other side lay the waterfall and the shimmering waters of the lake it fell into.

When we made it to the trail that led into the cave, Sephiroth dismounted and sat down having been overcome with another confrontation between he and Jenova. His head rested in his hands as he struggled against her will.

I wrapped my arms around him giving all the love I could and waited for it to pass. He wouldn't give in to her, not now and I was not about to let it happen either.

His eyes opened finally and he let out a short gasp of pain. He embraced me hard and whispered his thanks into my ear before standing up. His eyes drifted to the cave.

"Do you want me to stay here?" I asked.

"No." He answered quickly. "I want you to come with me."

I nodded and walked up beside him. "Ok, I'm ready. How about you?"

"As I'll ever be." He mumbled and started for the entrance.

My hand slipped into his as we walked. He trembled beside me and his eyes darted about uncertainly as we entered the dim cavern. The room was empty and would probably have been completely quiet if not for the thundering waterfall outside.

"She isn't here." Sephiroth stated nervously.

"Wait." I assured him and he did.

Time passed and I was getting worried when something in the atmosphere seemed to change alerting the presence of an unseen being.

A gust of cold air drifted between us and suddenly formed the transparent figure of Lucrecia in white folds of ghostly silk. She looked at me and smiled in recognition. Her empty eyes then drifted to Sephiroth where they halted sharply. She shuddered in disbelief and came closer, looking deeper into his eyes. As she searched him over, reality began to settle in.

Sephiroth's eyes never left her face as an inner turmoil surfaced. What does one feel when they finally meet their true mother after many years of believing her to be someone else? The amount of emotion that was etched in his face and eyes surprised me. An inner yearning revealed it self as he looked upon the ghost of his mother, so lifeless and cold.

The story of her life as well as Vincent and their son was terribly tragic. After all she'd suffered here she was drifting in a world between life and death with no escape. Would she ever find peace? I would have done anything to give it to her right then. She was a flawless picture of melancholy beauty floating silently before us and it wrenched at the heart of whoever witnessed her silent, pleading eyes.

I never thought it was possible for a ghost to cry, but I'll admit I really don't know that many ghosts. It was a first for me when the crystal tears rolled down her pale, transparent cheeks and shattered onto the stone floor. It was the only sound she could make and Sephiroth winced at the barely audible splash.

She lifted her spectral hand hesitantly and reached out to him with every piece of her broken heart, and he returned the gesture. A bright smile framed her face and she laced her fingers through his, though they actually passed through his hand. 'I love you' she mouthed.

My eyes widened as flecks of green light materialized out of nowhere and orbited Lucrecia's phantom figure. Very slowly the light closed around her and disappeared into the folds of her gown. Her eyes closed as the strange energy consumed her.

I stared in wonder as her skin became a creamy peach color and her eyes as well as her loosely done hair acquired a vibrant brown color. Her bare feet touched the ground and were then concealed by the cascading folds of her gown.

Sephiroth swallowed hard and took a hesitant step forward. "Mother?"

Lucrecia beamed a bright smile and threw her eager arms around her son. "The curse has been broken." She exclaimed happily feeling the vibration of her vocal cords for the first time in many years.

He returned the embrace, though hesitant at first.

"Sephiroth my son, you've grown into man!" She breathed. "I only wish I could have been there." Her voice was sad as she uttered the last words and she pulled away reluctantly. "I'm not deserving of your affection, it's more than I could ever ask just to see you here now."

Sephiroth gently took hold of her hand and lifted it to his lips for a simple kiss. "It's not for me to say now whether you are deserving of it or not yet. I know so little about you or my father for that matter, but it is more important to me than you may think. Give me time."
Lucrecia smiled. "You've changed." She said softly. "Only 5 years ago Vincent was here speaking of the battle he would have to fight against you. But Jenova has returned once more."

He nodded. "She has, making me an immediate threat."

"Anyone who carries active cells of Jenova are potential threats, but we must live with it and overcome her will." Lucrecia replied. "It's not easy by any means, but love and determination will prevail in the end."

Sephiroth shot me a quick smile.

Lucrecia's eyes fell on me for the first time then. "Hello Tifa, I seem to recall you coming here once with Vincent and Cloud, correct?"

"Yes." I answered.

Her gaze went back and forth between the two of us curiously as she detected the strong bond we shared, but she went no further than that. She only smiled and gave me a quick hug. "I must thank you for bringing my son here. If not for this I would never have escaped my imprisonment of mourning and I intend to repay you for your kindness."

I shook my head diligently. "That isn't necessary. I was happy to do it."

"I will repay you just the same in some way." She said, a hint of approval in her eyes. "Now, you two must be looking for Vincent."

"Yes." I answered.

"He's in Mideel right now where the lifestream left him. His body must go through a very long process of rejuvenation before he will awaken again, but he will live. There may be a way to quicken the healing as well." Lucrecia replied.

I let out a sigh of relief. "That's wonderful news! We'll need to tell the others as soon as possible, but we have to get to Nibelheim first."

"That's fine. You two should probably go on and I will wait here." Lucrecia said giving us both a little push out.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Completely." She smiled. "Just as long as someone comes to pick me up later."

"Oh we will!" I assured her.

"You'll be arlight here?" Sephiroth questioned.

"Perfect." She said. "Now get going, time is of the essence!"

Author's Notes: AAAHHHHHHHH! Lol, something is seriously wrong with me. Sigh, I feel good today, how about all of you? Actually, I'm half dead and barely conscious. These nights always end up being so long.

Thank you everyone for staying with me!