She sighed softly, closing her deep crimson eyes as she leaned back in one of the chairs of the bar. She ran a hand through her tangled brown hair slowly opening her eyes again to stare at the flickering candle that sat before her. The flames dancing happily it's light casting shadows around the empty bar. She gently brushed a lock of her hair out of her face.

Two years...

She shut her tired eyes again leaning back in the old rickety chair.

Alone for two years, now.

Melted wax slowly slid down onto the table. The candle flame jumped greedily, devouring the wick.

So many dreams consumed by those flames. So many people... my home. I still can't believe that... everyone is gone. Just like that, in one single night.

She opened her eyes staring with a haunted gaze at the fire light before her.

The great and mighty General Sephiroth, I will never forgive them for this. I won't rest till Shinra has been destroyed. I swear it to you father that I'll avenge you and everyone.

Her hands tightened into fists, her knuckles going white. She gritted her teeth the reflection of the flame in her eyes.

I'll find Cloud; he has to be here. We'll show Shinra; we'll make them pay. I just have to be patient, I know I'll run into him soon, I just know it.

She slowly exhaled, her gaze flouting to the window staring up at the black underside of the metropolis that sat above them.

I wonder... where he is right now. I haven't seen him in four years. Four oh so long years. He'll be in SOLDIER by now Shinra's probably keeping him very busy. It's ironic...

A bitter smile crept onto her face as she rested her chin against a hand.

Because he joined SOLDIER he wasn't there when our home... he's still alive. Tucked up safely above my head, right now. Not even knowing that our home, everyone, even his mother have been gone for two years. Destroyed forever in those delicate flames.

She shifted staring down at the shrinking candle before her.

It's been exactly two years, today, since Sephiroth flowed through his own hell fire with ease. Completely oblivious to what he had done. I'll never forget those demon eyes of his. How they burrowed into me with contempt, no compassion, remorse or anything in them, all shred of humanity gone leaving only the desire to kill.

She bit her lower lip gently raising her hand watching the way the candlelight cast shadows upon her fingers.

It's the last thing I remember of that night. Racing up the stairs his sword in my hands crying out all my anguish. Then he turned those eyes, cold as ice, glaring at me, hatred etched on every line of his face, Shinra's murder in all his glory.

She slammed her hand into the tabletop causing the candle to jump skittering a few inches across the wooden surface.

He's the reason I'm here, right now. He's the reason my entire life is like this! I'll make Shinra pay, I will make them pay ten times for every life that was taken. I swear not to rest till Shinra has been utterly destroyed. Not till the last person has been killed and the last reactor demolished, only then will I, or anyone be able to rest in peace. It's only a matter of time before we've crushed them.

She smiled coldly the candle flame jumping casting deep shadows below her face. She slowly reached a hand out to the small fire feeling the searing heat against her skin.

Cloud and me will be the only survivors from our town. I'm the only one who was there that night who lived. We'll make Shinra pay, I promise that to you Cloud. We have to make them suffer for everything they've done to us. Only then... only then...

Tears had started to well up in her eyes. She tried to push them back but they began to flow freely down her face.

Only then... can I be forgiven.

She stared down at her frail hands. Her sorrow filled tears falling down her cheeks crashing against her palms.

Forgiven for being a weak girl who couldn't stop her home from being burned.

She took a deep breath brushing the tears from her eyes.

Only when Shinra burns to ashes in the fires of their own making can any of us rest in peace and then, and only then...

"Can I be... forgiven," she whispered to the candle flame, it flickered one last time before going out completely.

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Tada! Thought I'd try going with a different approach with this one. What do you guys think? It's so much fun boring into character heads hearing their inner thoughts. Hee hee (demonic grin) Big thanks to Goon-Du-the-newbie, I hope you enjoyed reading this newest addition.