The Airship made its way upwards before starting off in the direction of the Coral Mountains. Tifa couldn't believe what was happening to her. Her beloved father had died and now she had been kidnapped by two men who claimed to have her best interests at heart. Sephiroth had already gone back inside taking his cold manner with him. Vincent stood about an arm's length from her, making sure she didn't try anything foolish like jump from the ship.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

Tifa's voice was thick, as if she was about to cry, but Vincent remained untouched by her display of emotions.

"Why are we saving you? Because your father cared very deeply for my brother and I and it was the last thing he asked Sephiroth to do before he..."

"Vincent, that's quite enough information for now."

Again Sephiroth was just there, like he had appeared from thin air. Tifa felt her blood boil as she looked at the man who had taken her from her home. He beckoned her to come to him with his index finger.

Tifa was about to shout no when she felt Vincent put pressure on her lower back. Reluctantly she walked forward towards Sephiroth, keeping her gaze downward as she went. Vincent walked inside of the ship, casting a glance back at his brother as he went.

Sephiroth and Tifa were now completely alone on the deck. Tifa started walking towards the door as if she were going to follow Vincent when Sephiroth laid a hand on her shoulder. Tifa glared at him sharply but he was a like a wall. There was something about him that hadn't been there before; something that seemed familiar. In very deliberate and slow movements Sephiroth reached up with his free hand and took off his concealing hat.

Tifa gasped as the sun hit his upper face. It was the man from the beach. His hair glinted like spun silver and his green eyes seemed to pierce through her. She felt a blush creeping over her as she realized that she had been staring, but she couldn't pull her eyes away. Sephiroth's lips curved into a cruel grin as he watched the shock play over her face.

"Recognize me?"

Tifa's mouth went slightly slack and her eyes widened. Flashbacks of her encounter with him on the beach raced through her mind. She remembered the gentle way he held her and the way he blocked her father from view. How could this be the same caring man? The Sephiroth she knew, though very briefly, was a cold and cruel kidnapper who cared nothing for her feelings.

"You...you are the man on the beach..."

Sephiroth gave a nod and widened his grin as the color drained from her face.

"Yes, that would be me."

"But...he was kind and caring, not some unkind and uncaring person like you!"

Sephiroth's grin vanished at the insult. Grabbing her by her collar, he shoved her against the door and held her so that she was eye level with him.

"That's no way to speak to your protector."

Tifa's face had turned porcelain white as his emerald eyes bore into her own angrily. A tear streamed down her face and landed on Sephiroth's glove, he never softened. His gaze drilled into her soul, turning her very blood to ice while his iron grip held more than just her body captive. There was something so frightening, so unknown about this man. Tifa really didn't know what to think of him, but she knew that he was not someone to 'cross swords with.'

He let go of her collar and walked away while she collapsed in a heap. Tears streamed unchecked down her checks and silent sobs racked her thin body. She knew without a doubt that she was held prisoner by the cruelest of men.

About an hour later Vincent came out onto the deck and picked her up. She had lost weight since her father's death three weeks ago causing her to weigh very little. Vincent was almost concerned about her weight and made a mental note to tell Sephiroth. His twin would probably stare at him stonily and then proceed to force her to eat huge amounts of food. It was blatantly obvious how much Sephiroth cared for the girl, even if his temper had snapped earlier.

Vincent laid her down on Sephiroth's bed and walked out to the cockpit. The workers were milling around cleaning and checking control panels while his brother stood at the wheel. Sephiroth had always had a love of flying. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he controlled something that huge or perhaps he felt better when he had something to do, Vincent knew better than to ask. Instead he stood at the railing and watched as Neiblehiem came into view.

Tifa stirred on the soft bed and waited for the ocean breeze to caress her face and drag her from her world of dreams. Instead she felt the rough shake of Sephiroth jolt her body. She had completely forgotten about her kidnapping but the memories came flooding back in colorful detail. She was immediately on her feet, even if she was swaying slightly from sleep. Sephiroth looked her over, shrugged, and walked out the door.

Tifa was furious. She already hated the man beyond words and now he had the audacity to treat her like a pile of mud. It was as if he saw her as a burden. She would love to point out that she was kidnapped and that she would have gladly stayed home, mutant stalker or not. She doubted he would even listen to her.

Her shoulders still hurt from being slammed up against a metal wall but she managed to hide it. However, she got the feeling that Sephiroth knew because as they were walking off the air ship he turned around and picked her up. She lay still as a mouse and stared at him. Already a good size group of people had gathered to welcome their Lords home and shower them with compliments and gifts.

Tifa didn't know what to make of the whole scene. How could anyone like much less follow these two men? Vincent she could understand, at least he was kind to some extent but Sephiroth was the most arrogant, selfish, cruel man that she had ever known. It was then that she noticed all of the people were staring at her and smiling shyly. Tifa gave a small confused smile back until one of the little girls ran up to her and said,

"May I be your flower girl at the wedding?"

Tifa's jaw dropped open and she felt Sephiroth chuckle. Glaring up at him she crossed her arms in front of her chest and spat between closed teeth,

"You would think it amusing that your people are under the impression we're engaged. Little do they know you're nothing more than a heartless..."

Sephiroth rolled his eyes and crushed his firm lips against her own. Tifa stiffened immediately but Sephiroth continued with his action. About a minute later he broke away and smiled evilly at her. Leaning down so that he was no more than half an inch from her lips he whispered,

"Innocent little Tifa, we are getting married. Inside the globe was your father's last wish; for me to marry his only daughter should the creature kill him."

Tifa's mouth hung open in shock. She was going to marry him? The urge to laugh constricted her chest momentarily before anger set in. How dare he just presume that she would marry him? He had kidnapped her from her home, treated her roughly, and was now telling her that she had to marry him. This was ridiculous.

"Ha! Me? Marry you? The thought is enough to make me vomit. I'd rather marry a pig!"

Once again Sephiroth's features hardened with anger. Tifa gulped as the color drained from her face. In a cold but very forceful voice Sephiroth said,

"You will marry me whether you want it or not."

Tifa's mouth opened in protest but Sephiroth took the opportunity to press his unforgiving lips against hers once again. She writhed and bucked beneath him but Sephiroth was too strong. After about a minuet he broke the kiss and smirked into her flushed face.

"You don't seem to realize, my dearest Tifa that I will stop at nothing to make sure your father's wishes are fulfilled."

Tifa began struggling even more to escape his iron grip but the only reward she got was a low chuckle from her captor. She struggled with him and yelled until they reached the front steps of the manor.

Tifa's jaw hung open as she stared in total awe at the huge building before her. Large black iron gates swung open to reveal a beautiful limestone slab walkway that twisted and meandered lazily through a slightly overgrown rose garden. Statues of angels and fairies were scattered decoratively throughout the many sub paths and alcoves branching off the main path. Upon reaching the door Tifa took in a sharp breath partially from the sheer beauty and partially from the realization that she was being carried into her new home.

The two massive oak doors swung open silently and revealed a dimly lit entrance hall. Sephiroth lowered Tifa to the ground gently, pleased that she had stopped her annoying screams and complaints. Vincent stepped in behind his brother, smiled at Tifa's face, and called in a loud voice,

"Ms Jessie! We're home!"

A clatter of dishes along with a shout of surprise could be heard coming from the left side of the house. A small door to the left side flung open and a tall youngish woman with red hair and blue eyes came scurrying out. She was dressed in a long and faded blue dress with a starched white apron tied around her waist. She was smiling from ear to ear and was about run to Sephiroth when she saw Tifa. Immediately her face turned to a glare. It was then that a large black woman in similar dress came out of the same door waving a wooden spoon and yelling orders,

"Lenne! Get your ass back in 'dat kitchen and clean up that mess you made 'o the masters' tea!"

Lenne, still glaring at Tifa, flounced back through the door. Vincent could barely contain his mirth while Sephiroth just looked mildly bored. Tifa seemed to have snapped out of her trance like state and slowly backed up. At that moment she would have preferred Sephiroth to these strangers that were either glaring at her or waving wooden spoons around.

After connecting with Sephiroth's rock like chest, Tifa squeaked and blushed while trying to move away. Sephiroth however had different ideas and laid his hands on her shoulders to keep her pressed against him. In his normal low and cold voice he said,

"I expect Lenne to have tea for Tifa and me in my room within an hour. My love is tired and needs her rest."

Sephiroth, not wanting to give Tifa a chance to protest, scooped her up again and made his way upstairs.