Chapter II

Ramifications

Disclaimer - Not. Mine. K?

A/N: It came with the Hojo muse. Its rather ugly, but its...there...

Growing up Hojo's son was not easy. The strange dichotomy of love and hate, control and dependence would have warped the strongest psyche. Yes, his father loved him but his father also hated him. Hojo demanded his son need only him, but Hojo needed the complete dependence in his own way.

Never let it be said Hojo did not show Sephiroth his love. Neither let it be said such love was not abuse.

It was at Hojo's knee Sephiroth learned of 'love' and of 'betrayal'. While the good Professor could not bear to slander the name of Lucrecia, he would never let his prize specimen out into the harsh world unwarned.

Unable to bear the thought of Lucrecia, Hojo created for his son the perfect mother. One who was completely at Hojo's mercy, dependant wholly on him. Unable to leave. JENOVA. Sephiroth would hear only of his loving mother.

Hojo's form of 'love' suited ShinRa well. It meant one as dangerous as Sephiroth could be isolated and not resentful. To Sephiroth it wa affection – the only kind he had ever known.

It was during the Wutai War Sephiroth experienced the other side of Hojo's twisted equation. For many to depend upon him alone.

The power was intoxicating for one who had never had it before, but the brew was even more potent for the simple reason it was the only way Sephiroth knew to show he cared. ShinRa would never realize their Ice General loved his army. His troops who depended on him alone.

Who idolized him alone.

But he too would learn of 'betrayal' as Hojo had warned.

The mission to Nibelheim should have been another reinforcement of Sephiroth's devotion. The fierce, young, handsome, and oh-so-helpless blond trooper was of particular interest as he was the type of human who could easily become the defenceless thing for those like Sephiroth and Hojo to 'dote' on. To 'protect'. Someone without a place.

Instead he discovered the unthinkable. The isolation hadn't been a symbol of ShinRa's care but their fear. His helpless, devoted mother was still alive – she needed him as ShinRa never would.

It came as a shock when the helpless trooper he had been so 'fond' of proved his undoing. The traitor.

He would not forget. But still he let the child live until it tried again.

But as Hojo before him, Sephiroth would remain fond of the helpless one. He would make the trooper pay – would leave him unprotected. Then with force he would remove everything else. Things the boy valued.

The others had no right. The boy was his, belonged to him. Sephiroth would ensure he was the blond's everything in the end.

He was angry, but he was still fond.

Just as Hojo had been.

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Hopefully the Hojo!Muse won't visit again, he's rather disturbing. Hope it "strikes" you, but I don't think it'll ever be likable. Review?