Note: Damn, last chapter will probably be re-written. It was there to drop hints for you, and give you an idea of how Blade can fight, how Rif will fight, and the person he can become. Not really meant to be a good read. Just there of course. Like the last couple chapters, I'm still saying go read Riene-Strife's stuff.

"Blade?"

"I'm right here. I'm right here."

"Wh-what…"

"Sh. You need to rest. What the hell did you think you were doing, standing in front of a bullet? You realize that could have killed you, right?"

"I-"

"I mean, come on, you play with guns all the time, and yet you don't comprehend that a bullets lethal. In other words, not good for ones health. Am I getting through that skull of yours?"

"Bab-"

"I'm not done-"

"Darl-"

"Shh…Dammit Rif, go. You made me forget what I was going to say now. Its going to drive me mad all day long."

"…to late for that baby…"

"Oh shut up and say what you were going to say."

"D-doll…"

"Ugh. Rif, I know it made no sense. Just talk!"

"I like it when your angry. It makes me smile. You look so funny."

"If you weren't in pain, I'd smack you for that."

"Blade…I did it because I love you. I just want you to-to know that."

"Yeah, and I love you to Rif. Love you enough that next time, I'll push in in front of the bullet, because you want it so much."

"…Thanks love, I'm pleased to know you care."

"Yeah, you should be."

The straps on his boots clicked as they came undone and snapped, one by one, off the floor. Breathing heavily, she managed to turn her head to look at him, brown eyes dull. She had been happy to see him so many times before, but now more then ever. This thought disturbed her. She was becoming reliant on his sudden outbursts of rage.

She would change that. She had to, for his sake.

Bullets began to go off at a frightening rate, racing over the top of her. Her hand reached over to grip Glory, her other still clenched the dagger in its grasp. Closing her eyes, for the light began to burn them, she blindly placed the dagger back in its holding. Glory to went back to its sheath this way.

Things began to drop and scream, one by one falling with sickening thuds to the ground. Swallowing, Blade forced herself into an upright position. The world took a sudden tip and spin as she again opened her eyes, and the woman was forced to lie back. Her shoulder burned with pain, and tears were forming on her eyes from it. The dirt and grim on the floor was making its way into the bleeding gash on her back.

She had been through worse. She knew she had, but it had not been for a long while. With her mind set, she jammed her elbows into the floor and shoved herself upward, more careful and slow this time. With a deep breath, and some difficulty, she shoved the red, lion like, monster off her body the rest of the way. Its blood trailed across her clothing.

Rif was at her side as she suddenly swayed, black dots clouding her vision. Her kneeled next to her, done with his made fire, and placed a hand on her back. Flinching a little caused him to move it to a better position. His eyes were fixed on something, or someone, towards her left.

"So, thought this would be amusing, didn't you? You've had your fun." Rif said, voice surprisingly calm. His words would freeze anyone at this moment, and Blade knew these men were ice now.

The eyes did it.

"G-general Sephiroth!" One man said, breathless.

Rif smirked, falling all the way to his knees and drawing Blade to him. He knew her to well, and knew what she was feeling. It was an odd bond, to say the least, for she could feel his rage and hate and pain as it rolled off him. She allowed herself to rest her head on his chest, closing her eyes as she wished for the pain to dull.

She could feel the wound on her shoulder was deeper then she though, and the gashes on her back not so deep thanks to her layers. During the dark struggle, something had slashed at her stomach, for parts of her shirt were torn. Luckily it was a small something, for only small, shallow, gashes could be felt on her stomach. Blood trickled into the corner of her mouth. It was her own or not, she could not tell.

"You would have killed me, and her, wouldn't you? Ignorant bastard, always were."

"I-I-I didn't know. I didn't realize it was you. Please. Please, I didn't mean- I didn't know sir! I want thin-"

The voice had gone from harsh, full of amusement at her suffering, to soft and pleading. Fright filled this man now. General Sephiroth had returned from the dead it seemed. What an unlikely person to save her from this mess.

"That just it, Galleon. You didn't think."

'Galleon…'

"I should kill you for that."

'No…Rif…'

"Don't…" Blade whispered, her hands gripping his shirt. He glanced down at her, shook his head, and again looked at the two men.

The second merely shook in fear. Blade turned her head enough to see them, though her vision was blurred and she couldn't be bothered for many details of them.

"We were sent to kill the leader of Hope. Told to meet someone here for our money, and climb a later up into the better part of this city. Were you to give us the rest of our cash?"

"Y-y-y-"

"Were you also to play this little trick on us?"

"Y-yes. Yes, Sir. Sir, it was a job. I didn- I didn't know, Sir. Please, please spare me…"

Tears were rolling down the mans face. Rif shook his head in disgust.

"Fool. Whip the tears, weakling." As they escaped his lips, the sound of his words rang with his distaste and disappointment in these men. "I wont kill you, but I should."

She felt his hand slink about her, clutching her tight as he slowly stood. Finding her feet, she slowly allowed herself to be pulled into a standing position. An act. She could have stood on her own. She would let Rif play this one.

Though she pitied Galleon at the moment. And his partner. Neither would see the dawn. When forced to reveal himself, or his eyes, he slipped into Sephiroth. The silver hair of the man could have been died to a much darker color, and Rif happened to have light hair to begin with. His face was the exact same, but seemed softer then the General Sephiroth's. People would get suspicious if they heard or saw this dead man walking among the living, walking with her.

She's play along. Play weak and weary and completely under his spell and control. His blind and ignorant lover, as she had done a few times, on occasions like these. Even the occasions she saved him, she was put across as fragile and weak and in need of his help. This gave him the anger and rage to pull off the Sephiroth move.

"Y-you we-were killed by Cloud. By Cloud Strife. He-he told us. He-he has proof!"

"Evidence can be created. Look at the world we live in. It shows evidence of human life every day. It is possible we don't exist at all. Cloud Strife merely created up lies. Made this evidence-"

"He had the masumane. He had your materia-"

"The masumane? Then what is it that Iris has."

"I-Iris? I- I thought it was Iv-"

"Iris Blade, if you must know."

"H-her swo-sword isn't…isn't long enough to be yours."

"In the final battle with Cloud Strife, the Buster sword he once carried broke Masumane. What was left of it was melted down and re-forged into Glory, the weapon Iris wields. Any more statements? I am ready to ask some questions."

"I-I-"

"I'll take that as-"

Suddenly the second man made a bolt for the door. Rif never even though of what he was doing. His arm was up and a bullet flying. Galleon yanked his head around as the form of his partner fell onto the floor. As usual, Rif's aim was perfect.

"Stupid." Rif said coldly, a smile playing on his face. His attention went back to Galleon.

"Now, if you please, I want some things dealt with. Or do you want to join your friend?"