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I embrace my desire to swing on a spiral and still be a human.

Lateralus - Tool

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He should leave her here.

Standing near the entrance of the cave, sword once again across his back, Sephiroth regarded the peacefully slumbering form of the girl.

The Cetra.

Aerith.

Long hours had passed, and he had spent them beside the girl, arms wrapped securely around her. He had done something unheard of, unthinkable; he had pushed aside all thoughts, all knowledge that this should not be, and surrendered to the moment. Allowing himself just once, to feel protective and affectionate.

Allowing himself, just once, to be human

. Too soon, he had been pulled from this pleasant escape; Mother, angry and impatient, called for him, and he had no choice but to answer. -WHERE IS THE CETRA?- Mother wanted to know. And Sephiroth, without hesitating, told Mother the truth. They had been delayed, but soon would be reunited. Mother was hardly placated, but accepted his words. And Sephiroth then realized that there was nothing he could do, that this impertinent slip of a girl was accompanying him to her death.

For an unprecedented moment, he felt regret.

He bowed his head then, fighting against the unfamiliar remorse that was spreading throughout him. He could leave her here, and head for Junon on his own. She would survive; the poison had passed, and though she was weak she would soon recover. Mother never need know what had happened; he could claim they had been attacked and she had died ...

No.

He could not. He would not. He was not fettered by the same chains that held mortals. He had ascended, and he would do as he must. The girl must be brought to Mother - she was a threat to them both. Yet, even as he watched her slight form rise and fall with the rhythm of her gentle breathing, he wondered how she could be a menace. She was everything that was innocence and light; surely she could not stand against the unimaginable power that was Mother and Son. He closed his eyes, his decision made. He could not betray Mother.

The girl shifted in her sleep, and his gaze was upon her in an instant. Still asleep; how enchanting the thick, tangled mass of her shining hair, as it splayed across her brow and onto the ground. Almost instinctively he strode to where she lay and knelt. Her face, partially turned his way, was peaceful in repose. He recalled the way she had felt in his embrace and once again was flooded in regret. He knew then that she affected him as no other had, or would again.

He would miss her.

How strange, he mused, reaching out a finger to trace it lightly over the smooth lines of her brow. How strange that he hardly knew her, that she was his captive; despite these reasons he knew that he would remember her long after she was gone. There was no way to explain it, and he didn't care to. There was no need, not any longer. The girl's eyes fluttered, long lashes feathery soft against his hand, before opening slowly. He withdrew his hand and made it a fist to stop from touching her again. Recognition filled her eyes, followed instantaneously by apprehension, curiosity. She moved a little, testing her body for pain. He watched as a small grimace of pain clouded her face, quickly gone. He sat back on his heels as she arranged herself in a sitting position. Color flooded her face abruptly, and he could only guess that memories of her earlier awakenings had returned. He did not bother to hide the barest of smiles that curved his lips. She noticed, and her color deepened, but she said nothing and instead handed him his coat. He accepted with one hand.

"Are you still in pain?" He asked her.

"Some." She replied quietly, studiously avoiding his gaze.

"The poison has passed. Your strength will return in time."

She nodded, but still would not look at him. He continued, "We must leave now. We still have a long distance to cover."

Her eyes turned to him then, sharply. "Where are we going?"

"Junon. From there we shall cross the ocean, to the other continent."

"And then?" There was no mistaking her rising fear.

Inwardly, he sighed. To her he said, "And then we go to Mother."

She glanced away quickly so he could not see how utterly terrified she was. Her hands betrayed her, grasping the hem of her tattered dress so tightly her knuckles turned white. His remorse was seeping back, and this time would not be ignored. Because he could think of nothing else to do, he said, "Before we leave, there is something I must know."

Frowning, she returned her gaze to his own. "And what is that?"

He could not have stopped himself had he wanted to. This was something he yearned to understand, longed to experience with a part of his soul not completely overshadowed by dark ambition. Unable to help himself, he caught her face in his hands. She stiffened with alarm at his touch, eyes flaring. She could not escape his grasp as he drew inevitably closer; as his mouth closed over hers a shudder of utter confusion ran through her. His kiss was firm, soft, and her brain was screaming at her a million commands. Stupefied, she watched as he pulled away, and in wonder observed as a myriad of different emotions swirled through the brilliant depths of his eyes. He smiled again. "I wanted," he said, pulling away and standing, "to know how that feels."

He trailed his fingers through her hair, regarding her a moment longer. "I will be waiting outside," he told her. "Do not take too long."

Footfalls echoing slightly, he walked to the exit of the cave and manoeuvred through.

Aerith, bewildered, could do no more than stare after him.