A/N: If you haven't read ' You Always Hurt The One You Love' it might be confusing when the Yuffie/ Vincent references come up. (Shameless attempt at getting more readers) It isn't necessary but might help to lesson questions.

Special Thanks: Cherry Blossom Dreamer- Her vivid recall of events and details of FFVII helped immeasurably. Her friendship, even more.

Special Writing Credit: Saharasfury- Her help with the new character is greatly appreciated and the kind use of her poem to open the story was freely given and humbly accepted.

Special Inspiration Credit: Katori Tsubasa

Kind words to all those who took the time to review my first fic. You know who you are. Thank you deeply.

I hope this story is as well received as my first.

" They are going to hate it I know."

Ignore him, please. That's my inner self-doubt demon Wayne.

"Don't pretend I'm not here."

I'm not pretending: I'm wishing you weren't here. Now go away before I describe your wardrobe.

" Okay: I'm leaving but I will return by chapter 2 if you get no reviews."

Disclaimer:I claim no ownership of any and all Final Fantasy characters or situations that appear in the following.

Title: Beginnings

Annihilator of mind games, destroyer of manipulators, your time draws near.
Your time has come, you will suffer a tragic fate because you've lost your sense of reality, your innocence, and love. Fate has chosen you as its slave forever.
Life has a way of taking a toll on the guilty. I am your master and you are my slave. What was once innocent can not return to its origin.
The guilty remain slaves forever.
I am what it is you see before you,
I am one of the chosen,
I am whole,
Not incomplete,never alone.
I have chosen the path that leads to happiness in the end.
I am a child innocence, kind hearted, pure, loving.
I am an adult, strong, fierce, loyal
With the heart of a child.
I belong to God and will be a part of his army until the end of time.
I know love, hate, pain, suffering, not to care, joy, happiness, despair, and love.
Life is all of this.
Break from the depths of darkness and despair. In the glory of the light mortals must realize that death is not darkness but part of the light itself and must be dealt with as a new rebirth of one who is immersed in the light of God. God calls for those who seek his light in different manners of form, and calls for us young and old. Life is precious and should be lived to the fullest for one other reason, to gain knowledge in all that one has been graced with an understanding of what is and what is not expected
The light and the ways of the light (God), enjoying life, being true.
Out of the depths of darkness the light emerged into the hearts of all that is good.

Chapter 1: A Pain Shared

Scene: Seventh Heaven Bar

Time: Post FFVII AC

Sephiroth was dead. Again. At least the physical manifestation that could be seen and heard was. The essence of Sephiroth was a different matter. The blackness within his soul was born from hate: An unending and boundless hatred of humanity. Swirling about the mists that make up the space between the underworld and the living, Sephiroth's spirit-like body floated. "How could this have happened again? Everything was planned to perfection until that night in the Forbidden City. Kadaj had disarmed Cloud Strife and was at the point of ending that interloper's life when it happened. A flash of red cape, and Cloud was pulled to safety from under his sword tip. Vincent Valentine. How could he do this to him? Valentine was one whose soul was as black as mine once. What could have happened? What could have changed the heart within the vampire like human to risk his life for another?"

"Love; my son. Love of a woman."

"Mother?"

"Yes I am here with you. I have come to guide you to the Great Leviathan. There is a place prepared for you. A place of peace."

"The treachery of Shinra goes unpunished. I hunger to make all humans pay for taking you away from me. What of my revenge?"

"I have forgiven all as you must, my son. Within the Great Leviathan there is no need of hate or revenge. That is the peace awaiting you."

"A place where I will be able to sleep?"

"Yes. Take hold of my hand son. "

"I think I am ready now, mother. I am so very tired."

Cloud was always like this after a major battle. All the other Avalanche members were always slapping each other's backs, whooping and hollering, glad that they were the victors. There was a time when Cloud was as elated in victory as everyone else, maybe more so. It was that time had taught him victory always came with a price. A price often measured in lives lost. Some deserving, some simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. This time it was an old friend from his days in Soldier. Another such loss, in his all too brief life, might push him into a madness few survive. This is the madness Vincent Valentine fought against on a daily basis. There are few souls that can remain sane once that path is taken. Vincent was saved by a small, sometimes larcenous young woman who saw beyond the pain within him to his inner light, the spark we call a soul. All these thoughts and many others were coursing through his mind as he walked among the strollers along the square in Midgar. He might have missed his destination when the light around him changed from the harsh white of the street to the softly enticing yellow of 'The Seventh Heaven Bar.' sign. The neon lights were a beacon that if only for a moment lifted his mood. He knew the one person who would never turn him away or give him a hard time when he went silent was there tonight. Tifa Lockheart.

"Now the one thing you have to remember when serving here is that you are going to get hit on by just about every slagger that comes across that threshold." Tifa Lockheart's raven hair and alabaster skin were in direct contrast to the attractive young lady before her. She was about seventeen but could pass for twenty. Not tall at five feet three but her posture gave the impression of greater stature. Smooth, unblemished skin with a natural sun tanned glow. She was wearing a short, but stylish jade green fitted skirt. This was nicely complimented by a bright white tee shirt and black vest jacket. The jacket was unbuttoned, to the great delight of a few of the men who were stealing glances at the very well formed young lady. Tifa continued in her instructions to her new bar waitress. "I don't want to scare you but it's going to happen."

"All I want to know is where do I draw the line?" Her voice was silky but not weak and was closer to singing than talking. Her honey brown eyes were large with long curled eyelashes that could make a man forget his name. You could look forever and see many things but never fear in them.

"Well it's different for everybody so I'll tell you what I consider over-familiar. Grabbing, pinching or slapping my ass. Squeezing, cupping, or any uninvited touching of my.." Tifa gestured to her breasts to ensure Sarah understood. "...twins. They can mouth off all they want as most of it is just the booze talking so I let it slide." This was an unwritten law in Seventh Heaven that only the most foolhardy ever chose to ignore. The stains left by their blood are sometimes pointed out to any who question the truth of Tifa's standard of conduct. No bouncer required as she deals out her own judgment and punishment on any transgressors.

"That sounds good to me." Sarah Brightstar had a relaxed easy going manner at first glance, unless you were a student of martial arts. The athletic body and controlled grace of her movements were a dead giveaway to those knowledgeable in the ancient ninja disciplines. "When do you want me to start?" As if already knowing the answer Sarah began to tie back her shoulder length auburn hair leaving only a few wisps of red highlighted bangs framing her attractive features.

"Well I could use the help tonight if it's okay with you?" Tifa asked with a growing smile as she watched Sarah, before the words were completely out of her mouth, begin clearing some of the late dinner dishes from the tables. "I knew I was going to like this girl the first time I saw her at my old instructor's school."

The Seventh Heaven had become a sort of haven for the working class of Midgar and many a young man and woman had their right of passage into adulthood celebrated here. Cloud slowly opened the worn but welcoming doors into the unofficial Avalanche watering hole. The passing of many sober patrons into and the exit of many happy, slightly tanked ones out had left their mark on the twin doors. Their wood came from a single Black Masabi tree harvested many years ago from the forests of Mideel. The wood of the Black Masabi was highly prized for its deep red hues, strength and durability. From the first day that the then stylish eatery opened until Cloud Strife walked through them tonight, they have stood as mute witness to much of the violent history of Midgar.

Tifa saw Cloud about two steps into the room and knew right away that the torture he put himself through after each confrontation with Sephiroth was again battling for the dominance of his being. "Why does he do this to himself every goddam time? I could just go up to him and give his head a shake but it wouldn't do any good. How can a brain encased in such a lovely package be so screwed up?"

"Hey Strife! You looking to get some food? I can grab the cook before he takes off if you want." Tifa tried to sound matter of fact but came off a little too bouncy and Cloud looked at her a moment before replying.

"Thanks Tifa, but I just came in for a drink and maybe some company, if you're not too busy." The last sounded lame even to Cloud.

She looked directly at him, making eye contact so that he knew she understood where his head was. "I have a few chores to finish up before the rush from the evening shift at the power plant rolls in. Tell you what though, I just started a new girl tonight and she could use the practice." Turning to the bar she asked. "Sarah, when you finish dumping that tray of dishes, see Cloud and take his order please."

Sarah had been behind the bar getting the dishes into the washer when Tifa called to her. Finishing up quickly she grabbed a clean tray and went over to the booth at the far end of the room. Sarah didn't need to be directed to Cloud's booth as very few people in Midgar didn't recognize him. The wild dusty blond hair, the boyish good looks and deep blue eyes.As he was walking past the bar to his booth she was surprised that he wasn't taller. He was settling in to the rear seat facing the street entrance when the front doors swung open with a loud slam.

Reno and Rude made their usual dramatic entrance into the place. An odd arrangement of circumstances had made these very capable Turks allies with Avalanche during the recent encounter with Sephiroth and his followers. These two were rarely seen apart and this had led to some rather tasteless jokes whispered behind their backs. No one in their right mind would ever get caught saying this stuff to their faces as the beating would be ugly. Reno's shock of red hair always preceded him into any room as eyes naturally clamped onto the spiked mass. Rude was a vision of coolness in his dark glasses and impeccable suit but the fabric couldn't conceal a broad chest and massive forearms.

"Hey! Tifa. Your two favorite customers are here." Reno was more than a little taken with Tifa but for all his bravura had never asked her out.

When she heard her name Tifa turned from the kitchen door where she had been heading and looked directly at Reno. "Well, if you get out of the way Reno I might be able to see them." A few titters could be heard but as Rude looked around all eyes were suddenly re-focused on their drinks.

"You have got to stop this hard-to-get act Tifa. People might think you don't like me." Reno tried to put on a swagger as he continued further into the bar.

"Well we should clear that misconception up right now." Tifa smiled sweetly at Reno and in a hard as nails tone added. "There is no might about it. I don't like you" She then turned back to the kitchen but once her face was away from the bar she smiled to herself. There was something about that Reno that made Tifa enjoy their verbal sparring.

"Another lesson on how to sweep women off their feet." Rude was eating this up. "When will you learn you don't have what it takes?"

"Oh. And I suppose you do?"

"I've forgotten more about capturing a lovely lady's heart than you'll ever know."

Just as Reno was about to give a reply, Rude spotted Cloud in his booth. Sarah had just arrived there and was about to take his order. "Hey Strife! Nice work last week. You do have a way with that thing you call a sword." In his own way this was as nice a compliment as anyone ever got out of him. Cloud looked up as if to acknowledge but instead just stared ahead.

"Come on partner. Looks like we are not welcome here tonight." Reno interjected. They moved toward another area of the bar and took seats with a view of the room and settled in.

Sarah was standing at the edge of Cloud's booth and waited until Rude and Reno had moved to one of their own before trying to get his attention. He didn't seem to notice her standing beside him so she decided to make the first move. "Hi my name is Sarah and I will be your waitress tonight. Can I take your order?" Her delivery was so natural you would have thought she had been doing this for years. She leaned a few inches toward Cloud as if awaiting his order.

Cloud had vaguely heard Rude say something to him but was lost in another place and time and didn't want to be pulled back to the now, so didn't answer. He couldn't ignore the next voice as it was so melodic. "Oh. Sorry I was day dreaming."

"That part was obvious." Sarah thought to herself. She then noticed his eyes. To say they were sad was an understatement. The vibrant blue was there but contained no spark of life.

"You're Sarah the new girl."

"Yes. But if you like you can call me Sahara. It's kind of a nickname my friends gave me." Her smooth voice brought Cloud even farther back from the shadows clouding his mind.

"That's more like a mispronunciation that a nickname. How did that come about?" Cloud genuinely wanted to know.

Sarah was a little startled by his obvious interest. This after all was the great Cloud Strife. "Well if you're sure you want to hear it."

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't." And he meant it.

She began slowly. "When I was quite young, around six I think, my mother would allow us to play on the sidewalk in front of my friend's house just around the corner. We lived in Sector Five. It wasn't until I was older did I realize how poor the neighbourhood was. It was just home when I was there." She was becoming more animated as her story unfolded. Clearly she was enjoying the reminiscences. "I was always told to be back home for dinner but I guess at six I didn't tell time too well. So when I was late my mom would stand on our front stoop and yell down the street for me to come home. Because of the buildings being so close the sound echoed back and forth until reaching my friend's place. By then it was overlapping and it sounded like Sahara. My friends just started using it and there you have it...my very boring and long-winded story." Her voice had trailed off until it was only a whisper and she looked a little embarrassed about going on and on.

"No. Please I really enjoyed hearing that. Besides, I asked didn't I." For the briefest of moments this young girl was able to lift the shroud of his depression and he was truly grateful. As he finished the last sentence his hand very naturally and without any warning clasped hers.

Very few people in Sarah's life knew of the secret within her. One she carried since she was five but only understood its full extent until she reached her twelfth year. Sarah was a very strong empath.

Tifa was coming through the kitchen doors with two heavy buckets of ice to dump in the bar chest when she saw Sarah and Cloud. It appeared that they were having a two way conversation and Tifa was mildly, or more accurately, pleasantly surprised to see Cloud actually looking interested in what Sarah was saying. "That girl is going to get a raise if she keeps this up." Just as she was lifting one of the ice buckets:" "DoRaMiTiLaDoRaMiTiLa". Her phone went off causing her to dump the last few chunks of ice on the floor.

"Dam!" She fumbled around in the rear pocket of her black slacks and pulled out her cell. "Hello"

"Hi Tifa"

"Marlene?"

"Yes it's me on my dad's phone." She sounded excited but whether it was from talking on a cell phone or because she was with her dad was a toss up. "My Dad says I had to call you."

"Why is he not calling me?" An obvious question: Silence, followed by slightly muffled voices.

"She wants to talk with you Dad."

"No... Ah ...Say I'm busy in ..in.." Barret's bass voice was tinged with panic.

"My Dad says he's busy." The reply was so honest Tifa had to chuckle to herself.

"Okay Marlene can you tell me what's going on?" Her question was softly asked.

"We are going for ice cream."

"Marlene! I thought we talked about late night snacks and besides I told your Dad your bedtime was a half hour ago."

"Yes I know but I.. I..."

"Did you cry when your Dad said you couldn't go?" Barret was like so much jello when Marlene turned on the water works.

"Yes. A little. My Dad wanted me to tell you so you wouldn't worry." The voice was very small now.

"Oh I almost forgot. Miss Kisaragi came by looking for you and I told her you were working."

"Okaytthatsallgottagobye.I love you."

The phone went silent.

"Oh great that's all I need. Yuffie's coming to see me."

There had been many changes after the defeat of Sephiroth: The eradication of Geostigma, the gradual rebuilding of Neo Midgar and the lifting of the spirits of the general population. Two changes, however, had happened six months earlier. The awakening of Vincent Valentine from a coma and the growing love between him and Yuffie Kisaragi. Their relationship had progressed slowly at first, as Vincent was still not one hundred percent. But as time moved ahead so did the intensity of their love until one day about four months ago, Yuffie came into Seventh Heaven before opening.

"Tifa! Tifa! I have to talk to you!" Yuffie was almost shouting and looked flushed with exertion. Tifa wouldn't have long to wait for the real reason for the rosy colour in her cheeks..

"Yuffie. I'm not deaf and I am not all the way in Mutai, so you don't have to yell." Sometimes Tifa could sound a little condescending to Yuffie but her tone wasn't noticed today.

"I have to tell someone or I will explode." Yuffie was bouncing up and down in place looking truly like she might just do that.

"Okay but let me get you a glass of water so you can catch your breath." Tifa was moving around to the back of the bar and drew a glass fom the clean rack and poured Yuffie some water from the iced bar pitcher. "Here. Drink it slowly." She felt the warning necessary as Yuffie started to gulp it down, almost choking on the first mouthful. "Alright, now tell me what is so dammed urgent."

"Okay, but first you have to promise not to tell anyone what I am going to say. Agreed?" The pleading tone and the whole situation made it impossible for Tifa to refuse. Her curiosity demanded it.

"Last night." Yuffie began in a hushed, almost whisper. "Vincent and I went out for dinner to the Midgar Inn."

"Big deal, you two have been out every night for a month straight." Which was true; and hardly a secret.

"We had a very romantic dinner with candles and wine and even danced."

"Vincent Valentine dances?"

She was beginning to lean closer to Tifa across the bar as she spoke. "It was wonderful. After dinner and dancing we were leaving through the lobby when Vincent turned and asked if I would like to spend the night, as he had booked a room for us."

Tifa's interest was amplified ten fold upon hearing this development. "Oh. What did you say?" She tried not to sound eager but was unsuccessful, not that Yuffie noticed.

In a voice that was barely audible but unmistakably on the point of rapture she said. "I said yes. Yes!"

Tifa didn't speak, perhaps couldn't speak. This was big and Yuffie came to her first. She was more than a little flattered.

"Oh! Tifa. He was the most romantic I have ever seen him. He opened the door to the room and the first thing I noticed was the aroma of hundreds of wild Saphron flowers. He had them brought in from Mutai and they were everywhere in the room. He then scooped me up into his arms, carried me across the threshold and closed the door behind us. The room was lit by candles of every size and colour and the lights of Midgar could be seen through the windows. It was so beautiful. He walked to the bed and laid me down. He told me how much he had grown to love me and that I was the most beautiful woman in the world. Tifa I know I am not beautiful. I am short and a little mousy. I cannot go more than a couple of minutes without talking or moving and I don't have a body like you."

"No argument from me" As soon as the thought registered in Tifa's mind she felt petty.

"Then he kissed me and slowly removed my clothes.He didn't move and looked at me so long I was embarrased. He then undressed himself." Yuffie paused a moment to catch her breath.

Tifa was barely able to stop herself from saying. " Give me inch by inch descriptions! "

"He never rushed even when I was filled with the need to give myself to him."

By now Tifa was leaning closer to Yuffie who had a far away look in her eyes. Tifa thought to herself. "Great Leviathan she's reliving it all right here." "Well. Tell me what happened after that." No hiding the interest in her now.

"We made love for hours. He was tender and gentle but also demanding; if that's possible, and well I can't go into more detail because …you know." Yuffie's blush was returning in a rush up her cheeks.

Tifa almost shouted to never mind propriety; she wanted all the details but could only manage. "I understand. I am happy for you both. You do make a wonderful couple." Truthfully she was envious of them and the love they had found together. This, in spite of all the death and destruction around them. Maybe one day she would find it too.

"That's not all." Yuffie was still a bundle of energy.

"Oh crap. If she starts telling me how many orgasms she had I am going to go jump some poor slog and rape him on the spot." She couldn't deny the feelings Yuffie's story had stirred within her, long suppressed due to her involement in one crisis after another. She was spared that particular fate as Yuffie continued to a more startling conclusion.

"Vincent said we should find a place and move in together." The beaming smile could have lit the entire bar. "So this morning we found a small apartment just two streets over."

"Two streets over. Two streets….Oh no it can't be" Tifa's cheeks began to drain of colour.

"It's in your building. Isn't that just the best news yet?" Yuffie bubbled.

Tifa slowly walked around from behind the bar. She needed to sit at this moment and the stools in front of the bar were the only ones she could reach and hope to maintain her balance.

Yuffie thought Tifa was coming to congratulate her and jumped up from her stool and hugged her tightly for what seemed an eternity. "Oh that is good news. When do you move in?" Tifa squeeked out. She was dreading the answer but couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Tomorrow: We are just one floor up from you." Such a simple statement was to have an impact on Tifa out of all proportion to the innocent words comprising it.

Luckily her late night shifts would save her from the constant creaking of the bed above her own. Or so she thought. During the next months the nightly, unmistakable sounds of them making love had become a constant reminder of what wasn't in Tifa's life right now. Two, three and sometimes four times a night they would be celebrating their new found happiness, and vigorously too. There was no escaping it. And the positively glowing aura coming off Yuffie when they would meet in the stairwell didn't help her growing frustration with self imposed celibacy.

"Hey! Tifa." Yuffie's sing song call roused her from the day dreaming. "I wanted to ask you something, but Marlene said you were working early tonight so I came here."

Tifa had been so absorbed in her thoughts she hadn't noticed the Ninja Princess enter. "Yes Yuffie I heard. As you can see I am busy so could you get to the point?" If Yuffie was hurt by her tone she didn't show it and carried on with her question.

"Would you and Cloud, oh and Marlene of course, come over to our place tomorrow night for dinner with Vincent and I? You would be our first official dinner guests."

"Well at least it would be one night I won't have to listen to those dam bed springs." Tifa almost blurted out a hasty no but said. "Well...I was going to take Marlene out…"

"Oh please it would mean so much to Vincent if you would come. Please."

If only to stop Yuffie using the word please, Tifa said yes.

"Great. We'll see you around seven. Don't bring a thing we have it all planned out. It will be such fun."

"Like a smack on the back of the head with a rock." Tifa thought, but all she managed to say was. "Yes. I'm sure it will be."

"Okay. Well I have to go and meet Vincent. We are going out dancing again. Bye. Don't forget about tomorrow night." And she was out the door in a blur of giggles and skips.

The thought of Yuffie and Vincent's romance and the physical bliss they were enjoying was causing some unexpected feelings to bubble to the surface. Primarily, a heat long suppressed that was making its way from her loins across her abdoman and spreading a warm blush to her breasts. Just as fate would have it Rude picked that precise moment to call out for some service. Tifa turned and approached the booth he and Reno were sitting in. She was moving slowly and when at the edge of the table Reno turned to give his order the words caught in his throat. He looked up and saw a much more radiant Tifa than earlier. Her face was glistening with fine beads of moisture. The recalling of that night when Yuffie confided in her caused an unusually intense arousal: one she wasn't very successful suppressing.

Reno was trying to look relaxed but it was obvious to even the least skilled in interpreting body language that he was far from it. Tifa began to notice the fine bone structure and gray/green eyes of Reno in a different light. His red hair was strangely hypnotic and she found herself wondering how it felt between her fingers. This was not helping her to control her increasing urge for intimacy. "Yes. What can I get you gentlemen?" Her breathy voice was mesmerizing Reno.

Rude looked from Tifa to Reno and back. Where were the usual smart remarks and insults? Finally realizing if he wanted a drink he was going to have to order it himself he said. "Can we have two bourbons on the rocks:" Adding "please" at the last moment.

"Absolutely: I'll get them right after I clean up this table. It's a bit cluttered." She began doing just that. Reaching past Reno to retrieve some extra salt and pepper containers. The most unexpected impulse overtook Tifa at that moment. One that she was to look back on with embarassment but not regret.

As she began drawing back, her right breast brushed against Reno's arms as they lay across the table. He wanted to move his arms "those oh so lucky arms" but was so stunned by this delightful accident he was immobilized. Tifa turned to look at Reno before completely breaking the contact and smiled.

Suddenly Reno seemed to awaken from his trance and summoning all his courage spoke up; albeit in a less than awe inspiring voice. "Tifa I would consider it an honour if you would allow me to take you out to dinner sometime." Rude was looking on with his mouth gaping as this wildly unexpected scenario played out.

"Why Reno, I would love to. Let me know where and when." As she took a step towards the bar she paused and turning her head said to Reno. "Was that so difficult?" She then continued on her way thinking she was glad that she wore the very flattering black, form fitting slacks tonight and the silver half shirt that was barely able to contain her ample bosom.

Rude finally managed to blurt out. "What the fuck just happened?"

Reno, reluctantly turning away from Tifa's retreating rear said. "I have no idea." The smile spreading on his face said he didn't care how or why but just that it did.

Tifa had reached the bar and had placed the items from Reno's table down when she heard Cloud's slightly raised voice ask. "Sarah. Are you okay?"

The clatter of a tray hitting the worn tile flooring followed by the unmistakable sound of a body a second later, made her spin quickly around. Cloud was just exiting his booth and nearby, on the floor laid the crumpled form of Sarah. She wasn't moving as Cloud first lifted her hand and then pressed his ear to her chest. Tifa approached at a run.

"What happened? Did you see what caused this?" She was looking in the faces of several patrons who had begun to gather. Some, out of concern, some, out of curiosity.

Cloud answered first. "We were just talking about nick names and I was going to give her my order when I saw her eyes roll into her head and she began to tremble. Before I could catch her she just collapsed. She's breathing fine so I think she's just fainted."

Tifa calmly took control. "Cloud, pick her up and bring her into the office. The boss has a couch in there. I'll grab the first aid kit and some smelling salts."

The flood of emotions, memories, pain and loss that the unexpected contact with Cloud generated was more than Sarah had ever experienced in all her life. In a split second Cloud's life was laid out within her mind. Many tragedies and deaths, but she was able to contain it until one scene played out. A young woman was kneeling in an ancient temple when a silver haired man in flowing robes approached from behind. Without a word spoken the man came to stand directly behind her still form. (Sephiroth, yes it was Sephiroth. She could see it clearly now.) He raised his arms over his head and plunged the silver blade of his sword into her back until it exited just below her heart. She knew who the kneeling woman was when Cloud's inner voice screamed "Aeris." The rage that overflowed from this memory overwhelmed her. Her brain, in self defense, not being able to comprehend this level of hatred, shut down. No one could have imagined the hammer-like blow someone elses emotions had on a person with Sarah's abilities.. The question was, could she ever return from the safety of this self imposed oblivion.

End of Chapter 1

A/N: I didn't start out to write a long chapter but as usual I am not in control and things just happen when the words begin to flow. Hope you enjoyed.

KADavid