Now you're too close to the pain
Let all the rain go further
Come back and kiss me in vain
Mother, oh, do not bother...

----- .hack//SIGN "A Stray Child"

--*--*--

It was inhumane. It was absolutely criminal what occured daily in the labs of ShinRa. Those were my more torturous days...

--*--

A small girl sat in the corner of her bleak, gray cell, eyes swollen from tears and face red. She had been crying, yes, but she could cry no more. No matter how much she cried, she would never get to see Mama. It had been like this for most of her young life. Her childhood was spent under needles and prying eyes, while other children spent their days under the sun and the swings.

"I want my Mama..." the child whispered forlornly. Her arm hurt... it always hurt when that bad man touched her. She wanted it all to go away, she wanted them to leave her alone and bring her to her Mama.

All of her memories were spent in this lab. Except for her faintest memories, those that clung onto her mind depserately. Memories of snow, of warm blankets and a smiling face with whiskers that tickled.

Her Papa.

Papa was returned to the Planet. She knew because Planet told her. Planet said that her daddy was safe, but her mother wasn't. Planet said not to worry, that in time she would get out.

But she wanted to get out now... she wanted to see her Mama again. She didn't want any more bad men touching her or poking her with needles and making her hurt. She didn't want to have any more nightmares or be cold anymore in this sad room. She... just wanted a home.

Aerith began to sob again when she heard her door open. She winced, expecting one of those bad men to come and hurt her some more.

But, no. A little boy with short silver hair and glowing green eyes sneaked into her room. "You, come with me! Quickly!"

She was confused. "Why? Who are you?"

"I'm Sephiroth. I can get you out of here, and your mother."

"Why would you?"

"I'll explain later! Just follow me, and keep quiet, allright?"

--*--

Yes I remember when I first met Sephiroth, there in my own personal hell. He saved me from that dank prison. And he tried to save my mother as well. He got us out of the building, but the guards caught him... he... gave up his freedom for my mother and I. From then on, I was eternally grateful to him.

Mama and I had snuck onto a train. She ... had been shot twice in the chest by a ShinRa guard. By the time we got to the Sector 7 station...

--*--

"Mama?! Mama, are you ok?" Aerith yelped as her mother collapsed on the stairs. Ifalna looked up at her beloved daughter, a sad smile on her face.

"Aerith, all will be well. Don't worry about me, I'll be with you always, just as the Planet will be." She winced. "My dear, reach into my pocket and take out my Materia.

Aerith obliged and held the small orb with caution, afraid it would break. "Mama, what's this for?"

"Take care of it my dear. You'll understand. There is great power sleeping within you, and that Materia will help you to use it. Always... keep it safe." Ifalna coughed, blood spraying onto her chin and dripping on her dress.

"Mama! Mama!" Aerith began crying, "Help! Someone help my mommy!" She shook her mother desperately, when a hand touched her shoulder. She looked up and saw kind brown eyes looking down at her.

Elmyra looked at the small girl and then to what she assumed to be the girl's mother. Ifalna looked up, "Please... take care of Aerith..."

Ifalna said no more, as her head hit the pavement with a sickening crack.