Disclaimer: I do not own Genesis, Aeris or anything associated with Final Fantasy.

Aeris didn't know what to think. Her mind had stopped working. Her thoughts were whirling around her brain, her mind filled with unanswered questions. Was that really happening to her? What were the stranger's intentions? What was he planning to do with her?

She didn't have to ponder too long for answers though as she had a pretty good idea by now what his plans were. It was quite obvious, wasn't it, she thought. "And to think I found him attractive as he was standing under that damn streetlight... "What was I thinking talking to him?" she mentally slapped herself.

"I...umm..." Aeris began. What could she possibly say to get herself out of this impossible situation? Absolutely nothing, she thought, feeling unrelenting waves of panic swarming and drowning her. Maybe she could scream, but she knew that nobody in this godforsaken place would come to her rescue.

As if on autopilot she raised her hands and placed her open palms on the man's chest. With all the courage she could muster, she wore the bravest look on her eyes and forcibly tried to push him away.

To no avail; that man was strong, she should have realised this by now, she thought, feeling even more stupid. He was obviously a SOLDIER, she had no doubt about that now, maybe 1st class too! She felt more and more correct at her assumptions as, even though she was pushing against him with all the strength her small figure could gather, the tall man barely moved an inch.

Aeris decided to try another approach – begging. Even though she was highly unsure this would yield any results either.

"Please, sir, you have to let me go, I'm just a flower girl, I don't think I'll be of great use to you!" she pleaded in a desperate voice.

She dared another look upwards and saw him looking back at her, a smile still spread on his face.

"I will be the judge of that...my little flower girl..." he replied, giving her the creepiest smile Aeris had ever seen in her entire life in the slums.

"Damn him! He must be really enjoying this" she thought with rising fear. Indeed, Genesis found the whole display of defiance quite amusing. She was a brave little girl, he would at least give her that.

"Hmph! So weak..." he scoffed. "You know what I think? I think someone's not been eating her breakfast" he said lowering his face even closer to hers. "What do you think? Huh?" he said in a hauntingly sweet voice.

As soon as he said that she felt her anger swelling up inside her. How dare he? she wanted to scream... how dare he play with me like I'm some kind of toy? but still no audible words formed in her mouth. She only managed a half-hearted growl.

"What was that?" Genesis asked. "Sorry, I didn't catch that! Could you repeat that please?" Genesis continued his teasing.

Aeris' instinct kicked in and she felt her right fist curl into a ball. She had to act. Without further thinking she raised her fist in the air and forcefully punched him on the face. Genesis was stunned feeling the sudden impact as her fist met his nose, shock registering in his eyes. But only momentarily; he still didn't budge away from his position, not even the slightest. Her victory was short-lived, Aeris cursed.

"Ooh, feisty..." Genesis smirked. "I think... I think I like that!" And with that he grabbed her wrists and pushed her back to the wall, his tall body tightly pressed against her small frame. Aeris flinched at the force of the impact making her gasp for air, an expression of pain visible on her beautiful face. No, no... This can't be happening, she muttered to herself again and again. It was as if her soul had abandoned her body and she was floating in space, a simple watcher of her empty shell. No, no... she was convinced... This wasn't happening to her, this was happening to someone else. She was careful... she had always been careful in the slums. This was just... impossible...

Aeris was instantly brought back to reality as she watched Genesis bring his injured hand in front of his mouth clasping his gloved middle finger between perfectly white teeth. With a slow but deliberate movement he removed the leather fabric revealing a hand, a blood-stained hand. Aeris gasped at the sight. She watched him as he moved his fingers closer to her face, grabbing hold of a loose chestnut-coloured strand. Genesis slowly curled his fingers around it gazing it through it as if in a trance. Moments that seemed like centuries passed like that, and Aeris wondered what the red-haired demon with the angelic face was thinking. Her puzzled thoughts were suddenly interrupted when Genesis let go of her hair and shifted his attention back to her face again. Aeris breathing became faster as his blue eyes locked into her emerald ones.

"Infinite in Mystery, is the gift of Goddess..." Genesis started reciting leaving Aeris with a thousand and one questions.

Was this night ever going to end?, she helplessly wondered as his lips came closer and closer to hover over hers.

Genesis is such a tease! An evil one... lol

I hope you like it as I'm making it up as I go! Reviews always welcome!