A/N: This is going to be a slightly serious chapter, but it ends with humor, never fear! Thank you to all of my reviewers: Riley Valentine, DreamlessRiver, Xx-Little-Miss-Strife-xX, Aeriths-Rain, and the anonymous reviewer, kasaikage. Oh, and to my twin sister and fellow Writer's Block Demon Fighter, Sno Italever.

Thank you to all my readers too! You all rock!

Same disclamers as always. Oh, and I'm offically appologizing to Shera for putting her through this hell...

How to be Human

Lesson Six: How to Answer Questions (Asked to You by a Maniac)

Turks View

"Mornin', Princess. How did you sleep?" Zel asked. The other Turks let their talk taper out to nothing, watching the little redhead with interest.

And sympathy. Lots and lots of sympathy.

"Fine, thank you," she replied.

"The Princess…" Rito stated.

"Is awake!" Tori finished.

"Guess that means she's not Sleeping Beauty," David said. He was rewarded with a giggle from the little girl, making him smile.

"That's Miss Lilith," she said timidly. David looked over at Lilith, along with every other male in the room.

"It fits," Kilick announced. Laughter came again, from everyone this time, including the little girl.

Riley watched as the girl, feeling sadness mix with rage. If Kriev hadn't of been killed by Vincent, she would have hunted him down herself and shot him. Over and over again, until he was unrecognizable to anything but DNA tests.

River, seated across the room from Riley, was feeling the exact same thing. Only she wanted to shove explosives so far up his ass he chocked on it, and then blow him to bits.

Both women thought the same thing at the same time, though:

Damn it, Vincent. How come you always kill the guys we want a piece of?

Zel watched the little girl. She seemed to be looking for something. Then it dawned on him.

"Hey, Little Princess? Looking for this?" he said, holding out her book. Her eyes went wide and she nodded.

"Y-yes sir…may I please have...it?" she asked sensitively. Zel nodded. She walked slowly over and took the book from his hands. She then waited, staring at him and clutching the book to her chest. Zel started to get uncomfortable. What did she want?

"T-thank you…" she said, timidly. She then backed up slowly until she was standing back in the doorway to the room where she'd been sleeping.

"You're welcome?" Zel replied, looking confused. What was she thanking him for? The book? It was her's in the first place.

The girl smiled at him, and any Turk who saw that smile immediately felt their hardened, ice-cold hearts melt. It was a smile of pure, untainted innocence. It was a light in the very dark world that each Turk lived in.

The moment was shattered by an obscenely loud buzzing. Every Turk spun around and looked at the intercom, buzzing loudly. They all knew who was calling, and no Turk wanted to answer.

"ROCK PAPER SCISSORS!" Riley shouted. Every Turk then began to face off against the person next to them. In the end, it was the twins, Zel, and Riley, all fighting to not answer the intercom.

Both the twins won, leaving Zel and Riley.

And Riley lost.

"DAMN!" She shouted, before quickly apologizing to the little girl and running to answer the intercom.

"Hello?" she asked, pretending not to know who would answer.

"Took you damn long enough!"

"Good morning to you too, Mr. President," Riley replied calmly, miming shooting herself in the head.

"Is the girl awake yet?" President Akito Shin-Ra barked over the intercom. All the Turks exchanged a look.

"Yes sir. She is awake at this ungodly…"

"Good, bring her up." Riley's eyes went wide.

"May I ask why, sir?"

"For questioning, Turk! What else would I possibly do with her?!" Riley rolled her eyes.

"What type of questioning, Sir?"

"It doesn't matter, does it Turk? Bring her up!" The intercom shut off, leaving the stunned Turks speechless.

Everyone but River.

"I say we take the girl and run," she vouched. And, at first, no one disagreed with her.

Shera's View

I was now really confused. Lilith was holding my hand and leading me through this strange building. I didn't know what was going on, except for the voice that came through the box (the one called President) had ordered me to come somewhere.

And if this "President" only wanted to see me, why were Vincent and Zel following us?

"Little one, listen here…" I looked up at Lilith. She'd started calling me Little One instead of my name. It made me happy, surprisingly. She kept her promise, and hadn't called me by name once. I listened.

"Don't be afraid, okay? Akito…er, President Shin-Ra, is quiet an imposing man. But don't worry, he won't hurt you. In fact, he won't touch you. If he even so much as touches you…" Lilith's voice faltered for a moment. I looked at her, worried. "If he does anything you're uncomfortable with, go to Zel or Vincent. They're here to protect you. Remember, they're on your side." I nodded. Lilith didn't look afraid. She looked angry, but not afraid.

So I told myself I wasn't afraid either.

This was a lie.

Lilith stopped at the entrance to the office: two big glass doors that led to stairs. She pulled out a little card and flashed it in front of a box. The doors clicked and swung open.

"You're going to have to go on alone, alright?" Lilith said to me. "But don't worry, Zel and Vincent will be right behind you."

I smiled at her and nodded. (Wow, look how fast I put my masks back on!)

I'm not afraid…I'm not afraid… I took two steps forward. When nothing jumped out and ate me, I proceeded to go up the stairs. I forced myself to stare straight ahead, though my instinct was to stop and wait for Vincent or Zel and hide behind one of them.

Never present yourself alone unless specifically requested as such.

I straightened and walked faster. How could I be so stupid? I was ordered to be here, alone. I shouldn't be waiting for anyone. In fact, I should have told Lilith not to bother with sending the two Turks after me.

It was then that I reached a solid oak door. Looking at the door made me feel like I'd been here before, doing something with the man inside.

I pushed the thought from my head. No, I'd never been here. I know that. I knocked.

Always knock. Never walk into somewhere unannounced.

"Come in," barked the voice behind the door. I recognized it as the same voice from the box. As ordered, I came in quietly, opening the door only wide enough for me to get through and shutting it behind me once I was in.

Sorry, Vincent. Sorry Zel.

The President's back was to me. Well, the back of his chair was. I could only see the top of his hair (blonde) from where I stood. He sat behind a very large desk, facing a huge wall of windows. I could see some kind of city laid out under his gaze.

And it was huge! I knew cities were big, but not that big!

"Sit," he ordered, his hand appearing and gesturing to a chair placed directly in front of the desk. He still didn't turn around as I took a seat.

"How did you sleep?" he asked. I was surprised, but maybe because it seemed like such a casual question coming from someone whom I guessed was very important. His voice also wasn't as harsh as it had been over the box thing. I relaxed. Maybe he was okay after all. I wonder why Lilith said to not be afraid. He seemed nice enough.

"Fine, Sir…Thank you for asking…" I replied quietly. The President chuckled.

"So the Turks didn't keep you awake with their senseless ramblings, it seems."

"No Sir, not at all."

"Good, good…" The chair squeaked as he turned around to face me, resting his elbows on the desk and leaning his chin on his clasped hands.

I went ridged, staring back into ice cold blue eyes. He stared, no examined me with those eyes, cruel smile set on his lips. It was like he could see right through me, through every action, every word. Just like Master…

Face the fact that you're a slave. You will never be free.

"No…" I whispered, barely audible to even myself. The President didn't seem to hear. He continued to stare at me.

"I'm going to need you to answer some questions, understand?" he said, voice still calm but the whole effect was ruined by his stare.

"Yes Sir." Yes Master.

"Good. First question, then. How old are you?"

"…" But…you already know, Master.

"I repeat, how old are you?" he said, harsher now.

"Nine, sir." I replied quickly, my voice quivering. "I-I just turned nine."

"When is your birthday?" he asked, squinting at me. Was he trying to see if I looked nine or something?

"Um…I-I d-don't know, sir…"

"How can you not know?!"

"Master always told me when I was a year older, sir!" I cried, shaking. The President leaned back in his chair, sighing.

"Ah, yes…Kriev would do something like that, wouldn't he…" he murmured to himself. "What's your name, girl?"

"…"

Always answer the questions asked to you, and do not speak otherwise.

"Answer me, girl."

"…"

I know your name, Shera. I know everything about you, every inch of you. I own you. You have no freedom.

"Fine. Don't tell me. Do you have any family? Well?"

"…"

"Silence will get you no where, girl! Do you not understand what's going to happen to you? You have no family, you're not old enough to save yourself, and, by the sound of it, you don't even have a name! You're doomed to be a Slum Rat, understand me? A prostitute, probably, seeing where you came from. You'll die within a year, from starvation or some kind of disease. Do you understand me?"

"…"

"Insolent little brat, you should have been killed when that gun was held to your…"

KA-POW! I jumped at the sound of a gunshot. Shaking violently, I waited.

"TURK! What the hell is wrong with you?!" the President screamed. He had jumped to his feet and was giving a death glare to the wall behind me.

Wait, not the wall…to Vincent and Zel.

When did they come in?!

"Missed shot!" Zel called. Vincent looked at the smoking gun in his hand, smiling crookedly.

"Didn't think it was loaded…" he stated, shrugging and putting the gun back into its holster.

"What do the two of you want?" the President barked. I sunk down in my seat. Please forget me, please forget me…

"Nothing, we're just watchin'," Zel said.

"Why the hell did you shoot at me?!"

"Why the hell did you call a nine year old molestation victim a prostitute?" Vincent retorted, crossing his arms.

What does "molestation" and "prostitute" mean?

"I was making a point!"

"To scare the crap out of her? 'Cause you did a good job at that…" Zel said.

"Shut up, Turk! You're not even supposed to be in here right now! I'm in a private meeting."

"I see. So you were going to scare her into submission and then rape her?" Zel squinted at him, looking slightly sick. "So that's what you meant by private."

"I was going to nothing of the sort," the President spit out, looking horrified.

"We never know with you," Vincent muttered.

"Leave!" the President shouted. I jumped up and started for the door. "Not you!" he ordered, so I hurried to sit down again.

"Taking advantage of a nine year old…" Zel said, making the "tsk tsk" sound with his tongue. "Sick, just sick."

"Get…OUT!"

"Happy to oblige," Vincent said. Suddenly I felt two strong arms grab me and lift me from the chair. I then noticed I was being clutched to the chest of Zel.

He's like an angel…why is it that he's always saving me when I need him to?

"Where are you going with her?!"

"We're leaving. Just like you ordered, sir," Zel said, walking towards the door with me in his arms.

"And what are you going to do with her, huh? Here you are, giving me a lecture on morals when you're just as bad." Zel stopped, his whole body going ridged. He swung around, still clutching me, and glared at the man who he worked for.

"You want to know something, sir?! I bet you anything that I can give this girl a better life than you or any other pervert in this building can. And you know what? I bet I can make her happy and make her forget all she's been through. And you know what? I bet there is nothing you can do to stop me!" My blonde angel was screaming, clutching me to his chest and snarling at his boss.

To my surprise, the President laughed.

"You're on, Turk." Zel's eyes went wide. "And I bet, in two years, you can't change the way this girl is. I bet you won't even know her name by the end of the time span."

"Wha…"

"In two years time, Zel of the Turks, if you haven't made that girl 'normal' by society's standard, she is mine. Understand?"

Zel and Vincent stood motionless around me. The stared at the President, mouths open slightly.

"If you succeed, that brat is yours, and you're free to do whatever you want with her. Got it?" I looked up at Zel. He didn't move for a moment, and then looked down at me. His eyes were full of a strange look. I remember the name only because one of my good friends from back at the cells told me what it was.

Compassion.

He looked up again, a smile playing on his lips slightly.

"Prepare to loose, Shin-Ra."

With that, he whisked me out of the office, leaving Vincent running to keep up.

Turk's View: Zel

I walked quickly down the hallway, sure that the little girl in my arms would be happy the farther we got away from President Shin-Ra.

That sick, perverted son of a bitch!

I finally stopped walking (or was I running?) when we were close to Vincent's office. I set the girl down on the ground, smoothing her dress slightly. She stared at me, making me uncomfortable again. She'd stared at me like I was some kind of innocent person, someone who saved lives instead of took them.

She stared into the depths of my soul, making me feel extremely exposed.

What a minute, what am I saying? I don't have a soul!

Get a hold of yourself, Zel. It's just a bet. You'll be fine. Plus, Vincent can help… and so will River and Miss Lilith and all the others…She's only nine, how hard will she be to influence?

WHAT AM I SAYING?! I'm a TURK! I wouldn't know normal if it bit me in the ass! In fact, I'm probably the most abnormal of the Turks! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!

I swung away from the girl, not wanting her to see me panic…

And slammed right into a door.

"HOW LONG HAS THAT BEEN THERE?!" I shouted, not expecting an answer. I got one.

"The whole time, sir…" the girl replied, blinking a few times at me as I slid the floor, holding my head.

"Zel, did you run into that door again?" Vincent asked, chuckling. I glared up at him, laying down on the floor so I blocked the hallway. There, now people would have to step over me (or on me…let's hope they're courteous) to get through.

Then I noticed the girl was staring at me again.

Could she stop doing that? Would it kill her to look at something else? Oh well, might as well blow off some steam.

"Okay, little Princess," I said to her. I kinda liked the thought of her as a Princess. It fits, doesn't it?

Wait, does that make me a knight in shining armor?

Hardly. I must be a fluke in this fairytale.

"Are you hungry? Why don't we go out to get you something to eat?" I offered, hoping I didn't sound like I was ordering her around. She smiled timidly at me. Yeah! I got a smile! I feel special!

"Is that what you wish to do, Master?" she asked. I choked on air. Vincent looked from me to her to me again. I looked at him, coughing.

"Vincent…"

"Yes, Zel?"

"I have my work cut out for me, don't I?"

"Zel?"

"Yes, Vincent?"

"You're fucked."

"Not while the kid's around!" I yelled, jumping to my feet and smacking Vincent upside the head. I was just now realizing how much of my lifestyle was going to change. The little girl just stared at us, obviously very confused.

"Master, are you okay?" I went ridged. First things first, I've got to get her to stop calling me Master.

"Zel," I corrected, looking at her.

"Master," she agreed, nodding.

"No, my name is Zel."

"Master's name is Zel," she repeated.

"Please call me Zel," I begged. This would not be good. If the other Turks heard this…AH! How am I going to explain this to River?!

"Master Zel?" Vincent snickered next to me. Oh, how I wished to sock him right about now.

"Close enough," I muttered. "Come on; let's go get some food..." She smiled again (I guess she's hungry?) and took my hand. I couldn't help but smile back.

Because, despite all she's been through, that little girl could still smile.

People could learn a lot from her.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Please review if you get a chance. It's Reviewers like YOU that keep this story rolling. :-)