-About 16 years later.-

Hojo…lied to me.

I was his experiment, and though I had always know, I did not like being lied to.

So… I was injected with the cells of Jenova. A 'gift' Hojo had called it. It would keep me his lovely diamond forever, and Sephiroth would forever notice me. Something I… had deeply desired.

I had… replaced Vincent, I suppose. I loved him still, for he had shown me what the world was like, outside of the mansions basement lab. But… there was something about Sephiroth…

"You look marvelous."

He beamed at me, continuing to comb his platinum hair. I watched his face from his stand up mirror.

"You think so?" he asked, nervously. "I am fine when it comes to missions and the war and such but… a ball?"

My laugher filled his small room. "Sephiroth, come on. I have taught you how to dance! Its simple!"

"Its not that!" His hand fell to his side. I longed to go pick it up. To hold it in my own… But I kept my feelings hidden under my skin.

"They want me to give a speech! I have no idea what to say!"

Smirking I stood, walking over to him. "Well… What is the speech supposed to be about? Did you ask the Professor for help?"

He gave me a wide eyed stare, and I realized I had said something incorrect.

"P-professor Hojo?! No. No I couldn't do that." He shook his head, his wonderful silk hair falling into his face. "He wouldn't understand. I'm supposed to be flawless after all, Diamond."

I sighed, running my fingers through my own black, choppy locks. "Well, so am I."

He understood me… Perhaps that was why I loved him so. Admired him. We were equal, you see. Equal in every field. It was if… Sephiroth was my clone. We were both marvelous fighters( though SOLDIER would never accept me, and my dear Professor would never let me go), we both were assisting Hojo when we could, we both shared so many interests… and… We were both the same age…

At least… in appearance…

Hojo would not let me out pass his son. And Sephiroth could not think of me as anything but an equal, even if I was an experiment.

"I-…Diamond I didn't mean to bring that up."

He suddenly looked very sorrowful. I forced a smile, shrugging my thin shoulders.

"Oh, its fine. Nothing to worry yourself about." I stood on my tip toes to push his hair from his eyes, and he leaned over to help. Smiling I asked, " So… what is this speech have to be about anyways?"

He frowned, shaking his head a little. "I am not quite sure. About the war, I guess."

"Of course. About its importance? Its affects?"

"Probably."

"Hm… Well, what did the war mean to you?"

Sephiroth stood back to his full 6 feet of height. "Well… It meant that I showed how much I knew…"

I placed my hands on my hips. "They wont be impressed with that."

Sephiroth nodded. "Yes, I know. Perhaps if I can come up with a tear jerking speech they would be impressed?"

Nodding I say myself down again. A speech for Sephiroth. What could we come up with…

"How about…" He moved to the empty chair, pushing his SOLDIER uniform from the seat and closing his eyes, " Something about what we lost?"

"The war was about our victory, and our survival, and many lives were lost. Loved ones were slain and friends were shot."

Sephiroth beamed at me again, blue eyes alight. "yes! Like that!"

I smiled. "Alright. We should be able to come up with something then."

You see, Sephiroth had practically won that war. He lead a platoon of Soldier's (after their commanding officer had been shot it seems) to the tower of Godo, slaying many of the men and capturing Godo himself. Sephiroth was a wonder on the battle field. He was cool, casual, and very intelligent compared to most of the men.

But here with me… He was otherwise.

He never feared to show his emotion when I was around. I liked that. It made me feel… Like I was worth something. Like someone cared for me, as a person.

Soon the clock struck the late hour, and Sephiroth rushed to dress in his uniform. When he came out, he was breath taking.

I whistled, and it made him blush a little. "Please don't." He muttered, ducking his head.

Giggling I nodded. "alright. Fine. Who are you taking with you to the ball?"

He blinked, looking slightly confused. "Who else?"

Now was my turn for confusion. "I… don't rightly understand…"

He came over to me, taking my hands and pulling me from his bed. "ah, Diamond, will you come with me tonight? If I crush your feet you'll only slap me once we are alone. Those other women… They might just kill me there. Or… giggle."

I laughed. "What a bizarre way to think Sephiroth. Ah, alas I have plans tonight."

He dropped my hands and raised an eyebrow, his fist on his hip. "Do you plan to dissect frogs or some such thing?"

In confusion, I blinked. "No…"

"Well, what are you doing?"

In truth, nothing that I couldn't get out of… but…

"Hojo has given us the evening off because he to is attending this ball. I have tracked Scarlet down and she has lent me one of her dresses. You two are about the same size!"

"She's got bigger-"

"Ugh! Shush!" He covered his ears, looking annoyed. "Don't even start. I don't care. Please Diamond, please! You wanted me to make a nice first impression, and I need you to do it!"

His looked at me, giving me the sweetest face I had ever seen before. No one could deny the look of a puppy dog faced Sephiroth.

Sighing curtly, I nodded. "Fine. Where is this gown?"

I had had no idea what madness I was getting into. Sephiroth had presented me with one of Starlet's wonderful dresses. A navy blue color, that emphasized the wonderful look of Sephiroths eyes. It had a wide U shaped neck, and no sleeves what so ever. It was form fitting and, it appears, to small for Scarlet for it fit me perfectly. Once you reached the knees, there was an upside down U shape. From there down was a semi- transparent blue material that was very lose. The back was almost not there at all, for it again had a U shape. I had stood, mouth wide and so to my eyes, staring at it.

"I'm to wear This?!"

"Please…?For me?"