Chapter 1 – Trust me

He swiftly ran through the rain-drenched streets of Midgar, escaping a hoard of Shinra Soldiers. The air in his lungs was almost gone and he couldn't take the pain in his legs much longer. He had to find a place to hide.

Though the heavy rain slapped his face and his vision became nothing but a blur, he continued to search for somewhere to hide from them. Time and time again, he found himself reaching dead ends, hoping that all this was just a nightmare and that it would end soon. But it was reality. And he couldn't awaken from reality.

'Over there!'

He heard the voices and running of the Shinra Soldiers and forced himself to run faster. Eventually, he found a place to keep himself hidden. It was a tiny space and he had no choice but to practically curl up, holding his legs in and watching the men with guns run passed him.

He was safe...for now.

This definitely wasn't the safest place to be, after Professor Hojo discovered his body and brought him back for evil. But...he didn't have the same ambitions as the mad scientist. He wanted to know who he really was and why he was placed on this planet. There had to be a purpose...he had to have a purpose. But what? There could be only one person who might know his purpose, but it was much too risky. Especially for him.

But it seemed like the Planet didn't want him to live. Like he deserved to die and never meant to be brought back. He didn't want to do die again...even though it might be better, if Hojo's plans become an influence to him.

'I will not be made a fool out of by another creature. I will no longer be a puppet of evil...I have to find him'.

He crawled out of the small space, being cautious of anymore Shinra Soldiers. There was no one around and was safe to stand. The rain was a little bit lighter now, but he was still completely drenched. The rain made his hair seem crystal and see-through, his eyes stood out from the dull weather, glowing emerald with a tiny glint of silver.

'I have to find you, Cloud Strife. You must tell me why I am here to live...' he said, looking up at the sky.

'I need to know who I am. No longer the killer...but...Sephiroth the human. I am no creature...'

It took him a while without his legendary Masamune, but he managed to break through the gates of Sector Seven. He stared at the bare fields around him trying to identify a road to Kalm or any other place close to Midgar...or where Cloud could be. The rain finally stopped and the fields were golden and shining under the real sun. It was so bright he was forced to shield his eyes with his arm while he walked.

After half an hour of walking and almost entering Kalm, he heard a familiar voice. He sharply turned around to see who talked. It was a male voice, asking someone walking towards Kalm as well.

'Is this where you can sell Materia? Cloud's asked for another three Thunder's'.

'Sure, I'll go get you some!'

He stared at the male in amazement...but also fear.

That familiar, shining black hair now down to his waist, piercing crimson eyes and the gold claw on his right arm. But he was wearing a short black, leather top, just covering his chest and a small red, sleeveless jacket. Red trousers lying on his hips with a thick black belt, with the right trouser leg rolled all the way up. He had a black fingerless glove on his left hand with wrist armlets. He wore steel-toed black boots, with purple flames on the side. And around his neck was a thick black choker.

He certainly was familiar...

'...Vincent...'

Sephiroth had the urge to ask him to take him to Cloud, but then what would the gothic, ex-Turk be like if he saw him?

He had to try and get his attention...

He found a small place behind a house and hid there, till Vincent was ready to answer Kalm. He found a large enough rock on the ground and picked it up, smirking.

'Where the hell is he? I need that Materia...' Vincent said, impatiently.

Clack, clack.

Vincent sharply turned his head towards the sound of something being thrown, growing curious. He decided to follow the sounds of rocks and stones being thrown. He swiftly turned into the small alleyway between the two houses...finding nothing. He peered closer into the dark alley...

'Vincent...'

'Whoa!!'

Vincent was almost thrown back with shock, holding his chest and breathing heavily, like he really was shocked.

'Listen to me. And don't go out of control because I'm here...' it was Sephiroth. And he was reduced to a whisper. Vincent was just about to shout his name, but Sephiroth grabbed him by his mouth and waist, pulling him further into the alley.

'I told you not to go out of control!' Sephiroth hissed.

'How can I not go out of control?! You're Sephiroth! You are feared killer! Get over it!!' Vincent hissed back.

'I don't want you to tell anyone. Please, Vincent...I'm not evil. I swear on my own life that I no longer follow Jenova or Hojo', Sephiroth whispered. Vincent hesitated, staring into those desperate, emerald orbs, tempted to let him go to Nibelheim to find Cloud.

'Get out of here, Sephiroth. You're not welcome...' Vincent said, beginning to walk out of the alley...but he was stopped. Sephiroth grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.

'Please, Vincent. I need help. I'm not asking for you to be a friend or anything else...just to let me find Cloud'.

'What for?' Vincent asked, crossing his arms.

'...Everyone has a purpose in life...I need to find mine...I just figured that Cloud might know why I was placed on this Planet. I know it wasn't harm people. Hell, I never even wanted to! Just...Jenova...she was pure evil, filled with rage and madness. She took control of me and forced me to create such a massacre...' Sephiroth hesitated and Vincent was actually listening.

'...I need help, Vincent...I don't want to die again...and I don't think anyone else would either, if they were me...' Vincent closed his eyes to think about this. Sephiroth's words were so convincing, he couldn't help but think about it. He still didn't answer.

'Please, trust me...'

Vincent opened his eyes and looked at the Sephiroth that had never been seen before. He looked weak and upset, almost desperate for help. He couldn't help but actually feel sorry for him.

'...Fine...but it's only because you sound convincing! Alright...let's go before anybody notices you...'