AUTHOR'S NOTE: Don't own anything from Bayonetta or Sephiroth name. They belong to someone else who is in fact not me.

- If anyone is wondering, yes, Sephiroth is only Sephiroth in name and image only. Everything else is my own creation, I hope

Exiting the portal, the Umbran Witch gestured to the man behind her. "Come, this way."

"Where exactly are we going?" Sephiroth asked, frowning at the direction she was walking. They had spent the last half hour in the Gates, Bayonetta restocking on various items and Sephiroth trying to learn more about himself, since he now had the opportunity to without constant interruptions from angels, and the people who took care of him. He had not got very far with either; he knew he was somewhat telekinetic, telepathic and had basic control over some elements, such as fire, ice and lightning, whereas Rodin and Bayonetta were unwilling to share any information about themselves that could have been helpful. So now they were in Purgatorio, trying to figure out the way through and out of Vigrid.

"To be honest? I'm not really sure." Bayonetta walked up to a town map. "There is supposed to be some transport out of here, and through the Umbran Mountains. I'm not seeing it, although."

"This map is not useful in that regard." He agreed with her as her frown deepened at the unhelpful object. "Maybe we could ask around?"

She laughed at his question. "Ohh, you are sooo naïve. You're going to be hard to tease."

Walking away, she left a dumbstruck Sephiroth behind. "But it's a legitimately good suggestion…"

"Mortals these days are very unwilling to part with knowledge to strangers. Twenty years ago, where I assume you are from, you would be very unlucky to find people who wouldn't be willing to part with anything. Nowadays, everybody kisses, but doesn't tell." She glanced back to him, then returned her gaze to the street. "We would be better off doing our own investigative work."

Shaking her head slightly, she wandered into a plaza followed closely by him. Mortals were milling about, doing their own business. Some were drinking coffee, others were resting and admiring the trees and architecture and others were playing in the square. She felt Sephiroth stand beside her, and she placed her hands on her hips as she surveyed them.

"You know, once you get past all the cranky puritans, this place isn't actually that bad." She said to herself, feeling a pang of jealously aimed at the mortal's flicker inside of her. This was something she would never get to experience, and probably never will; the ability to just sit back and relax for once. She could sense his sorrow and jealousy, probably for the same reasons as herself; but also his confusion, to her own.

"That one there is acting strange." Sephiroth pointed out one that was staring intently at a window.

"Everybody stares at a window every now and then." Bayonetta dismissed it, beginning to walk onwards. "Window shopping, perving on someone, planning a burglary…"

"There is nothing behind that window. Just an empty room." He frowned, staying put. "There is no reason for them to be looking there."

Bayonetta frowned as well and stopped. "That is most peculiar indeed. Let's go and see what they are up to then."

The pair walked up to the mortal and scrutinised them. It was an attractive male with long brown hair tied back into a ponytail, a 5 o'clock shadow, brown eyes and a light frame. The face was handsome, and Bayonetta had to agree that it was an extremely good-looking face. It would've face she'd commit to memory and fuck later on in the night, but this was an inappropriate time to even think that, let alone do. There was many more important matters before sex. Like why this good-looking mortal was peering at a window like he had seen a ghost.

"Are there any special properties to windows?" Sephiroth asked, looking intently at the object in question. "Or to this window in particular?"

"There shouldn't be, they reflect everything, regardless…" Bayonetta realised what was going on. "He can see us. Bloody hell."

"Rosemary and daffodils. An odd combination, don't you think?" The man said aloud. "In the language of flowers, rosemary equates to remembrance, whilst daffodils signify loss. It's kind of ironic that those are the main scents in your perfume, Bayonetta."

Her companion gave her a questioning look. She ignored it and focused on the man. Why did he know her, but she didn't know him? That was really itching at her.

"I don't know what monster you are travelling with, but it certainly fits your soul." He continued, smirking slightly as Sephiroth looked away in shame. "Twisted and heartless, you murderer."

Her blood ran cold, but she didn't show it. She really wanted to kick this asshole's ass through the window, but her curiosity was beating her vengeance on this day. Instead, she opened a portal to the mortal realm and stepped through. Placing a hand on her hip, she answered him with as much confidence as she could muster. "So, who did I kill?"

"Ahhhh!" The man fell forwards in surprise and landed on his face. She smirked as he rushed ungracefully to turn around. His eyes widened as he saw her. "It's you! It's really you!"

"You know, you shouldn't be poking your nose into other people's business." She scolded. "They do say curiosity killed the cat, Cheshire. You should do your best to believe it."

"That's not my name!" He yelled, clearly offended.

"And, some people are very self-conscious. You might want to keep your mouth shut about their appearances." She shook her head. "You've been a very naughty boy, Cheshire."

"My name is Luka Redgrave, dammit." He snarled as he climbed to his feet and stared Bayonetta down. "Not Cheshire, or Garfield, or whatever you decide to come up with!"

She regarded him evenly. "You know, I've met a plethora of people who acted just like you; thinking that because of their cock, they get to be the rulers of the world and me." She gave him an evil smile. "And those people aren't around anymore, for reasons most definitely unrelated to me. So, I'll ask once more, Cheshire, who did I kill?"

"It's Luka, and you'd best remember it!" Luka ground his teeth together in frustration. "And you killed my father when you awoke from your little nap time twenty years ago!"

Bayonetta was stunned. Not only did someone witness it, but believed she had? The theory that she did kill that man was rising faster and faster to highly likely. Wincing in pain, she touched her forehead as the memory rushed through her…

What she saw when she opened her eyes was darkness. She was inside some kind of box, and it was starting to glow purple. It opened, and a large volume of water poured onto her. Kicking off the bottom, she launched herself out of the water to get to the air as primal instinct's kicked in.

Flopping onto the bank, she sat up and observed her surroundings. A small lake surrounded by mountains with a town in the background. She did not recognise any of it. Letting air draw into her lungs, she realised that she did not remember her name, or anything about her. Frowning and gasping, she pressed fingers to her temples as she tried to remember anything. Something that might help her.

Nothing.

Screaming in frustration, she slammed her fist into the ground. As that happened, a man rose into the air behind her, spread like an eagle, screaming in pain. Whipping her head around, she found someone wearing a mask looking at her in desperation. Staring at him with wide eyes, she watched helplessly as he was torn asunder, limb pulled from limb.

She raised her hands to her face and looked at them. Did she cause this? Had she killed a man in frustration? She had powers? She had no control over them?

A strange sense overflowed her. It felt… heavenly. Instinctual actions kicked in, and she splayed a hand out. A strange purple symbol appeared in front of her, about th esixe of her body, if not slightly bigger. Something drew her to step through it, so she did.

Immediately, she was beset by strange, angelic creatures. Each was snarling in a language she could recognise, and they were saying something about the Left Eye.

Then they swooped, and she was into the fight of her life.

"I take it by your silence that you are trying to think of some sort of argument, some sort of reason to convince me otherwise that you didn't kill my father." Luka shook his head. "You'd be talking to deaf ears, I'm afraid."

Bayonetta finally noticed that a crowd had formed both around her and this Luka. They were murmuring about her, about him and about what he said.

"Cheshire, is this really the place to do this?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips. "I am quite a busy person."

"It is, Bayonetta." Luka answered with hatred. "You will face justice for this crime, and I will be the one to give it out! The world will know!"

Bayonetta, can you hear me? Sephiroth's voice echoed in her head. She blinked in surprise but continued her conversation with Luka, realising she could do a different approach altogether.

"You would love to spank this ass for my punishment, wouldn't you?" She replied, smiling a little. "Is that why you've tried this method?"

Luka doubled back in bluster. "No! I would never want to bed a murderer! And besides, I have enough people in my life already!"

There is a flock of Affinities coming towards here. They have a Beloved with them. His tone was one of urgency. A quick tap of her glasses confirmed his words, and she rolled her eyes slightly.

Couldn't they leave her in peace for once?

Unlikely. They are looking for me. He answered. She blinked, but then smiled. Of course he heard her.

"You're unlucky today, Cheshire, for I have business that needs attending." She gave him a wave. "Taa!"

And with that she returned to Purgatorio, leaving a dumbfounded crowd and a stunned Luka.

"Dammit!" He swore. Kicking a rock into the wall nearby, he stormed off into the crowd, cursing the ever elusive witch.

…

"Since when were you telepathic?" Bayonetta asked as she weaved through the Beloved's legs. Sephiroth was currently punching and kicking his way through the Affinities, occasionally letting loose with some magic that she recognised as basic elemental attacks. Shooting its ankles, she jumped up onto the Beloved's back and began to spank it with the help of Madama Butterfly.

"Since then." He replied, summoning a bolt of lightning to shock a trumpet-wielding Affinity who was standing outside of his reach. "I was thinking about my abilities whilst you were talking with that man, and it honestly seemed easy in concept."

"So, you can get inside my head properly now?" She asked, smirking as the Beloved tried to swat her, but Madama had other ideas and pinned the arm down with a leg. "You probably don't want to see what's in there, darling, unless you're into that sort of stuff."

He had the grace to look embarrassed, but the sensibility to understand the tease. Tossing the last Affinity into the wall, and watching it explode into blood and halos, he turned to watch her.

"I could try…" He finally said, as she stepped down from the angel. "But I don't think its morally right to mess with someone's head."

"That, my dear, is correct." She began to do her dance and chanting, and soon enough her hair retreated from her body to form into a giant demonic dog. Sephiroth gasped, went bright red and turned around, drawing a laugh from her. The demon began to feast on the Beloved, as it screamed in anguish as it was devoured alive.

Seconds later, it was over. Her hair returned to her body, and she tapped on Sephiroth's shoulder. "You can turn around now."

"What the hell was that?" He asked, and then frowned at his choice of words.

"That was an Infernal, or a demon, one of many I've made a contract with. Its name is Gammorah, the devourer of the divine." She explained briefly.

"I know that! Not the name part, but I know witches can summon Internals. But what the hell was all that? She never did that." He gestured to her body. His face still was tinted red.

Bayonetta giggled. "An umbra witch's power normally manifests with her hair, and since I'm the best umbra witch alive, I don't need to wear any clothing."

Sephiroth pinched the bridge of his nose. "Right, you're permanently naked. No big deal…"

They continued through the town for a little longer, trying to find anything that looked like transport, or the path out.

"With your technique." She began as they walked. "You're very heavy on your punches and kicks, like you are over-committing."

"Is it not good enough to commit to power?" He asked. "It's all I really have, I've never been formally trained with any style, or anything that's instinctual from before all of this."

"I was trained in the Umbran style, and they respected proficiency and accurateness." Bayonetta explained. "One small tap to the right bone will do the same damage as a roundhouse kick to the head."

"Power isn't necessarily everything?" He caught on quick.

"Right! You might think that it's best to punch everything like it's an annoying sibling, and it's not too shabby of a strategy, but, all you need to do is find the weak spot and take that out." She summoned her journal and opened to the page on Beloved. "For instance, you can go toe to toe with this angel, and take ten minutes beating the shit out of it, or you can aim for this little spot on his back and be done in seconds. All you must do is find the weak spot and exploit it. Always keep that in mind."

"That makes sense…" He frowned. "What about my magic?"

"Your magic looks fine, dear." She replied. "I don't recognise a lot of it, but the only warning I can give is to not over extend yourself unless you think you can win."

He nodded, then grew serious as he appraised her. "Are you alright?"

She frowned and gave him a look. "I'm not supposed to be?"

"That man back there accused you of a lot of stuff." Sephiroth stopped and folded his arms. "That's got to affect anybody."

"I think you are mistaken, darling." She faked a smile. "He didn't affect me at all."

He let it drop but didn't look like he believed her at all.

…

She was waiting for them in the second plaza overseeing the cliff and the church. Her arms were folded, her eyes glared, and her body rested on a very expensive and ornate bike behind her.

"You again?" Bayonetta asked in surprise. "You do look awfully happy to be here."

Sephiroth went rigid as he too, recognised her. "You…"

"Yes, it's me." She snapped, looking Bayonetta in the eyes. "Does the name Jeanne mean anything to you?"

So that's what her name was., she assumed. "Should it?"

Jeanne's eyes fell into despair, and then the fury doubled. "It bloody well should. He said your memories were restored. He said you would remember!"

"Who said what?" Bayonetta was getting a feeling something wasn't quite right with this woman.

"You remember him! So, remember!" She snarled.

Then all hell broke loose. Sephiroth lunged at the woman, and she dodged his initial onslaught of punches and kicks, all aimed at her abdomen. Landing atop a street light, she grinned.

"At least one of you remembers me." She shook her head. "The Father's missing experiment. Maybe it would be worth bringing you back."

"I am not your experiment!" Sephiroth took the bait, hook, line and sinker. "I'd rather die than go back!"

"You will find that it would take a lot for me to try to kill you. The Father really wants his prize back." Jeanne said. "And he is-" A huge crack broke the silence as a massive lightning bolt burnt through the light post she was standing on, with its target flipping off it and landing beside her bike. As Jeanne dusted herself off, she pretended to think, stroking her chin.

"Impressive, most impressive. Even if I don't get you today, new information on your powers is always welcome." She winked at him. "But you'll have to try better."

Growling, Sephiroth made to charge forward when Bayonetta grabbed him and pulled him back to her. As he struggled, she held him to her. "Rule number three: Never fight while emotionally compromised." She growled into his ear. "Especially when they want you to be!"

"That's right, Bayonetta." Jeanne smirked. "Just be weak. Never allow your strength to shown, always hide behind something, especially a weak reflection of what you think you are!"

This made Bayonetta flinch, and almost release Sephiroth. "You know, for someone with such a big mouth, you barely do anything to back up your little words." She replied, managing to keep her exterior from cracking. Grabbing one of her guns, she pointed it and fired at it at her. Jeanne dodged it with ease and landed back on her bike.

"You obviously don't remember a thing." She shook her head in shame. "We will meet again, and maybe he will be right!"

Revving the engine, she drove off into the streets and out of sight.

…

"So, it was her that did this to you?" Bayonetta awkwardly asked. Sephiroth had been quiet for the last half hour, and she could feel the rage emanating from him. He had remained in Purgatorio as she asked around for directions, finally giving into his initial suggestion, mostly getting glares and silence from the locals, exactly as she thought she would.

"Yes." He answered quietly. His tone was one of pain and anger, but she knew it wasn't directed at her.

"What did she do?" She tried to get him to talk, try to get him to share his story. She knew it wasn't going to be a fun experience with him like this for the rest of the Vigrid journey. And it was something that she had learnt from other mortal interactions that talking about their feelings helped in the short term, and sometimes the long term.

She was wrong, however.

"You want me to tell you about the torture I suffered from her alone?" Sephiroth faced her and hissed. "You are quite mistaken, I can tell you that. She holds nothing but pain for me!"

"If you're not going to share, then snap out of this little funk you are in or shove a stick up your ass so you have an excuse to be." She shook her head. "You know that she was trying to get under your skin, right?"

"I know! It's just that-" He paused, as if he recognised something. "Did you sense that?"

Bayonetta frowned as a very familiar presence pulled at her. "Why do I know this?"

"The church. Back where she was." He turned on his heel and ran, Bayonetta following hot on his heels. The presence was tantalising and frustrating. She knew in her head that she knew for certain what this was. She just couldn't place it or tell what it was supposed to be.

They arrived within minutes. Kicking open the door, she burst in and scanned the room.

A small girl was sitting in the centre of the room, playing with a doll.

Both adults blinked in surprise, and then looked at each other in confusion.

"She is the one?" Bayonetta asked in uncertainty. She glanced at the walls of the bare church, then settled back onto the girl.

"That's what I'm sensing." He answered uncertainly. The two of them stared at her for a while, completely unsure of what to make of the situation.

"Well, darling, I think I'm going to have a chat with the little one." She announced. "Try not to run off now!"

"What? Bayonetta!? Wait!" He called out as she entered the mortal realm. And proceeded to point a gun at the child.

"Hello there, little one." She asked coolly, as the girl looked up unperturbed by the weapon in her face. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi!" The girl smiled widely. "I don't know why I'm here."

Bayonetta blinked. "Are your parents around?" She lowered the gun.

"Mummy is sick, and Daddy is busy with work." The child answered. "The other witches left me here."

"Other witches?" Bayonetta asked. Wasn't she the only one left? Aside from that Jeanne figure, but something told her that she wasn't the motherly type.

"They don't like me very much." The girl pouted. "They call me nasty names and tell me I'm not wanted."

If Bayonetta was anyone else, her heart would've melted for the child. "That's not very nice of them. Come, I'll take you back to Mummy and Daddy, ok?"

She reached out to the child. As their hands touched, a spark moved from one to another, and she felt a huge wave of magic rush out. Pulling her hand back, she frowned at the girl, who was giggling.

"Wow!" The girl smiled. "That was awesome!"

"What did you just do?" She asked, now uncertain of her.

A crack sounded behind her as a tear between the dimensions opened, and Sephiroth stepped through. "What the hell just happened?"

"I'm not sure." She turned back to look at him, rising from her lean. "What did you see in Purgatorio?"

He looked at her grimly. "A big beacon of magical energy."

Bayonetta's eyes widened in surprise and she turned back to face the child, only to find it missing.

"Little one?" She asked, not expecting an answer. A huge tremor interrupted her brief search. Both diving back into Purgatorio, they started to sense something massive.

"An Auditio…" Sephiroth whispered, almost trance-like. "An Auditio comes…"

"Darling?" Bayonetta turned. "Darling?! Sephiroth?!"

He collapsed, holding his head. A massive explosion came from the right as a massive draconian head crashed into and through the church, growling and screaming. Gripping her guns tightly, she turned and faced the beast.

It was surprising easy. Because it had stupidly stuck its head into a small space, the only thing it could do was watch as she pummelled the side of its head with punches, kicks, bullets and wicked weaves. It ineffectually snapped at her, but she could see the attack from a mile off.

It grew tired of her kicking its ass back to kingdom come and pulled out of the church. Sensing that it wasn't finished with them yet, she turned and ran outside and away from the church, grabbing Sephiroth into her arms. His face was contorting in pain, obviously fighting something inside of him. Not a moment too soon, a massive explosion wiped the church clean from existence. Glancing back, Bayonetta saw the attacker.

It had two angelic wings, two draconian heads, two claws and one massive upside-down face on its chest. It was breathing fire, lasers of fire and fireballs everywhere, and it seemed intent on destroying the town. A memory flashed into her mind;

Umbra Witches shooting at the same angel from a bridge, several more rushing passed her, urging for her to join in on the fight.

She watched nearly helplessly as it slaughtered them one by one.

Eventually, the witches had annoyed it sufficiently, and it growled and retreated.

So this angel was in her past. That was something that could be helpful. It was a former memory of hers, and that was new. Letting her feet run, she saw an entrance way high on one the small mountains, just past a courtyard and building. Launching herself, she jumped straight in as the fountain exploded into fire. Lava spewed out of the ground as the power of the Auditio began to destroy the town.

…

His body felt like it was trying to tear itself apart. His angelic and Lumen side was praising and worshipping the Auditio and was trying to influence him to meet it. His demonic and Umbran side was hissing and snarling and demanded that he kill it for them. Both sides were at war, trying to direct him and take the reins to their respective pathways.

He felt grateful for Bayonetta. She had helped in to safety for a second time, and his life in the process as well. Opening his eyes, he saw her running and leaping throughout a cave system filled with old architecture. She glanced down at him, and she looked like she had seen something bad.

"Wakey wakey." She said, trying to keep her normal tease in her voice. "What happened back there?"

"My body hurts…" He croaked. "Trying…to…do… two separate… things…"

"Ah." She didn't understand but didn't press the issue. She ran until she finally saw the end of the tunnel. Sephiroth closed his eyes and hoped for the pain to subside, or the Auditio to leave.