By the end of what could only be considered a suicidal charge through the town protecting as many children as possible, Vincent felt he had learned a great deal about his daughter. He also felt pity for anyone who ever even jokingly threatened her future children. Red-headed idiot spawn though they would be.

It was unfortunate that while the children were safe, they were now being encircled by a large group of the organization that was endangering them. Sanura's rage now spent, and the children long hidden away by their families, Vincent found he was beginning to worry just a bit.

"...This is convenient." The man leading the group laughed slightly, shaking his head. "Both our main targets in the same place, just waiting for us. Though, if you'd prefer to run, you can just hand over the girl there."

"Don't count on it." Vincent growled, moving to shield his daughter as he realized just what they were after. "Why do you need her? She's just another citizen. There were plenty of others for you to try and grab."

"As much as I would love for that to be the case, the Tainted One demands her, and no one else – being her personal squad, we have no problem with you getting away. But we won't be letting her go so easily."

"...really..." Vincent murmured, thankful his cloak hid his hand as he readied his weapon – which he had not needed to use for some time, thanks to Sanura's killing spree. "How unfortunate for you that I am not in the mood to run."

As he spoke the last word, he lifted his gun and began to fire, while his free arm wrapped around Sanura and he jumped up and back, landing on the roof behind them. It was at this point that the men below opened fire, ignoring the shouts of their commander to stop lest they damage their objective. Vincent dropped to the roof with Sanura under him, thankful that a small ledge on the roof's edge was taking the majority of the more accurate gunfire, while the rest flew overhead – when suddenly the attack stopped.

"M...my lady!" The voice of the commander, but it was cut off by a mass of garbled groans and thuds, though not for long. "My lady, forgive me! They would not listen-"

"...I have no use for you if you cannot even control your own men." The female voice was soft, and the tone she used would have sent ice through the veins of most listeners. Vincent, however, got to his feet to run, only to blink as Sanura stared down at the figure below.

"We're running now." Vincent hissed to her, grabbing her by the elbow to drag her away – but not before they heard the pleading scream of the man below, and a rather disconcerting squelch of flesh and crunch of bone. Though Sanura seemed out of it, Vincent gave it no thought as long as she kept running alongside him.

"Where do you think you are going?" They both froze as the woman simply appeared in front of them, a fair sight to see if not for the knowledge that she had just murdered twenty men who were under her command.

It was only as he actually took in the full sight of her – long platinum hair that was flowing around her black-clothed form, brilliant makou hued eyes, and a face that was a perfect mirror to the girl who was now squeezing his hand to the point of pain – that he realized just who this woman was.

"...Seraphina." The low murmur shocked even Vincent himself, not expecting it to come out quite as torn as it did – emotion was not something his voice showed often. "Seraphina, what are you doing? Why are you working with them, much less sending them out to attack your sister?!"

"Because it is a necessity to complete my goals...why else would I do it? I suppose she has already told you who we are. Unfortunate that none of you will survive long enough for much of a reunion." She smirked slightly, her hand extending to them. "Just come with me. It will be much easier for you."

"Seraphina, stop this!" Sanura cried, moving as though to rush forward, only to have Vincent drag her back and shield her with his own body. "What's wrong with you?!"

"Seraphina, this is not who you are...I've learned enough to know this for certain. Abandon this path you have found yourself on! It will only lead you to pain!"

"How sweet, telling childhood stories, Sanura?" The laugh had her twin shaking in horror – something was not right here, not at all! "...as much as I would love to go frolicking through a meadow and making daisy-chains – well, that is a lie, I wouldn't. But you get my meaning. I am not one to be moved by such simple human whims. I am a monster...and as such, I can be fueled only by power – by hatred."

I was a monster... The words echoed in Sanura's mind, a distant link to her memories of Angeal...and a reminder of the madness that Tseng had finally admitted had at one point consumed him. Genesis had been like this...as had Sephiroth.

"You can't convince her, Father!" Terrified now of what this change in her sister truly meant, Sanura was trying to drag him away. "You will only end up killing her! Please, we have to get out of here!"

"Hmph..." Seraphina shook her head slightly, tapping her jaw for a moment. "I see you understand how it works – you agitate me, we fight, one of us dies. ...for the time being...I will leave you to your pitiful misery. But this is not over, Vincent. I will be taking my sister...and you will come along in due course, I know..."

With that, the woman simply disappeared, leaving not even a hint that she had ever been there in the first place – and Vincent was left holding a daughter now in tears.