Ok, chapter 3 is done! I kept worrying over how much to reveal and such, and finally I thought, what the heck, why not. First things first, thank you to my first reviewer! You made my day! Here, have a cookie! No wait, have two: ) I still haven't come down from my cloud as you can see. Anyways, keep the reviews coming! Ok second thing, I told myself I wasn't going to put part of a song in every chapter, and yet here it is. "Katagoshi ni Kinsei (Venus Over my Shoulder)" again, I don't own it. I just thought it fit nicely with what I wanted to go with here. I gave away a number of things in this chapter, but if I did my job right, you won't get it yet. Oh yeah, I should mention the song once again is from PGSM. Don't kill or sue me for using it laywer peoples, cuz i will bite you. I kid thee not. (No seriously, I will) On that note, I STLL don't own anything from FF7. Never had, never will. Do I really have to keep saying this? I do? Why do you torment me...sigh ok ok I'll say it anyways. Last thing, I will warn you that something bad does happen towards the end of the chapter, but considering this is only chapter 3 I tried to make sure it wasn't that graphic. I wished this chapter was longer, but I have been uber tired lately and I wanted to make the 'flashback' a chapter of its own. phew now that I've got all that off my chest, go read the chapter! Then go review! I have plenty of cookies : )

Chapter Three-

Cloud and I spun around to see Sephiroth.

"Twice in two days Seph." I said. "One might think you were stalking me."

"And where would you get that idea?" his voice rang out with a false innocence.

"I swear I killed you, at LEAST twice by now…" Cloud reeked of annoyance. I couldn't blame him; Sephiroth has that effect on people.

"Oh he's just stubborn…" I told Cloud but my eyes stayed locked with the other man.

"Hold on, how do YOU know Sephiroth? And someone wanna explain how he's alive?"

They always act surprised to hear I know him…is it THAT unbelievable? That's just the tip of the iceberg…

I contemplated answering these questions, but instead I just rolled my eyes. This is why I lived alone, I hate explaining everything. "Can we not do this right now?"

"Aw, I like it better when you're all meek and afraid." Sephiroth was doing his best to piss me off. That's not hard to do. I'm sure in some perverted way, what he said is true.

I would be lying if I said that he didn't scare me. He does. But I can hold my own.

"You're a sadist, you know that! A sick, twisted bastard!" My anger only seemed to please him.

I set my bags down and slid my new Dragon Blade into my grasp, all while keeping my eyes on my enemy. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through me already, in anticipation of the fight to come.

At least I have someone on my side this time. Not that it will help a whole lot…

I heard Cloud unsheathe his First Tsurugi. I had to admit, it was an impressive sword.

"Oh, did I strike a nerve? I'll have to make it up to you." He flashed me that smile of his again.

"Go to hell."

"Only if you join me."

That's it, it's hurt time. I stood with my feet apart and leaned to one side, sitting in my hip. I closed my eyes and raised my first two fingers to my temple, tapping it twice. My eyes shot open as I swung my hand towards Sephiroth's direction. White energy surged through my fingers and shot out creating an explosion.

The magic dissipated and revealed Sephiroth, unscathed.

"That's cheating!" I yelled as I stomped my foot. "You used a shield! Cheater!" I HATE when he does that.

"I'm evil! What do you expect?" he gave me one of those 'duh' looks. It seemed strange coming from him. "Not to mention you're perfectly capable of doing it too. Exactly how is that cheating?"

"You can!" I had almost forgotten Cloud was there.

"Sorta, and don't give me that look! And you!" I pointed to Sephiroth. "Don't question me! I'm saying it's cheating and that's that!" I knew it wasn't really, but I wasn't going to admit that to him. My brain was starting to turn to mush just being around him.

"It really was convenient that you ended up in the same town where I had business. Saves me time, not having to traipse after you." It was his turn to draw his sword. His long Masamune glinted in the sun. I hated that sword with a passion.

"Yeah and it would be a lot easier if you left me the hell alone."

"What? And spoil my fun? I think not."

He sprung towards me, sword in hand. I pushed off the ground and into the air, flipped around, and landed behind him. Not a second later, our blades met with a clank. Following that was several swift and furious swings.

My grip had loosened and my sword flew out of my hand. Crap. I started flipping backwards, dodging Sephiorth's Masamune. I was still traveling back when I heard Cloud join in on the fight. I landed on my feet down low to the ground, with my left leg stretched out. Sephiroth noticed this and sent Cloud flying in the air, changing his focus back to me.

I swung my legs around, tripping him. I grabbed my Dragon Blade quickly and jumped back preparing myself. We began battling again, but he was getting stronger. No, I was getting weaker. My head felt high and dizzy.

I crashed to the ground. Everything seemed to spin and turn funny colors. I barely even noticed it when Sephiroth sat on top of me and started to wring my neck. Oxygen was becoming an issue now, and all I could do about it was let my eyes roll into the back of my head as the world turned to black.

"Wake up Missy."

"Hm? Who is it?" Whose voice is that? It's so sweet and pure. Where am I? Everything's so white.

"Don't be afraid sweetie. When it comes you'll be ready."

"Who are you! What's going on!"

"You need to wake up now."

It finally dawned on me. "…Mom?" No one answered. "Mom!" Still nothing. I didn't know how it could be, but I was almost sure of it. "Answer me!"

"Missy, wake up." The voice seemed to change.

"Missy, wake up!"

My eyes opened, and the world returned to normal. "Cloud?"

"There you are. I was starting to get worried."

I sat up slightly. I was back in the apartment, in the room Cloud let me use. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure. After you passed out, something freaked out Sephiroth. He just disappeared. Are you ok?"

"I'm going to start hurting you every time you ask me that." I moaned weakly. "I'm ok, I just feel a little strange."

"Okay, then how about you tell me how you know Sephiroth?"

I was dreading this question. It's not that I didn't think he would believe me; I just really didn't want to share that story with him. Or with anyone for that matter.

"Do I hafta?" I gave my best attempt at the puppy dog pout.

"Missy this is serious." He gave me one of those determined looks, and I knew I wasn't getting off that easy.

"I've known him for about 6 years, since I was 16."

"That means…you knew him before he went on a killing spree. When he was a soldier."

I had to look down to hide the pain on my face. "Yeah, I knew him when he was good." When he took care of me…

"That still doesn't answer the how part."

"If you want to make a long story short, he was my teacher. He trained me. I already knew how to fight, but he helped awaken skills within me."

"Well that explains it…"

"What?"

"You were wicked fast out there!"

I started to laugh. "Thanks. I think." I tucked my hair behind my ears in an attempt to keep my long side-swept bangs out of my eyes. "I know you want more answers, but I just can't tonight."

"It's okay." I could see he was disappointed that I couldn't tell him more, but I also saw a look of genuine concern. "I should call my friends and tell them I can't come tonight. We were all gonna go out and have some dinner because Reno and Rude had some new information, but I don't want to leave you alone."

"No, I'll be fine. You should go out with your friends." I secretly wished I could go with. It had been so long since I went out with friends. Wait a minute…Reno and Rude? Aren't they Turks?

"You're friends with the Turks?" I blurted out.

"I'm not sure that would be the word I'd use, but yeah. How'd you know they work for Shinra?" His eyebrows raised in question.

"I hear about a lot of things. How do you know them?"

"I used to want to make SOLDIER, but never did. Although Shinra had its fun with me." His voice trailed off. "Anyways, I've had my run-ins with the Turks." He saw the look on my face and quickly added, "I don't work for them."

Thank you God… I finally realized what I had sense in him. Mako. "When you say 'Shinra had its fun with you' that must mean you're a 'Mako Man' then?" I tried so hard not to laugh at this.

"Ha ha…very funny! Yeah, I guess you know more about Shinra than I give you credit for. Normally I would ask how, but I'll let it slide for now…" he replied with that cute smile again. "But if you ever call me that again, I will have to kill you."

"No 'Mako Man', check." Though I'd like to see him try… "But um, yeah. You should go out with your friends, have a good time and all that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, go on! Get outta here!" I gave him a playful shove.

He nodded with a grin and left. I was alone again, but I didn't mind. I liked the quiet time to think to myself and reflect on things.

I "reflected" for ten minutes before I had started snoring. Well not actually snoring, it was more of a breathing sound. Women don't snore, we're dainty and all that. Oh stop laughing…

White feathers…they're soft. Caressing my skin, floating about, calling me.

Yoake mae no – (In the clouds)
Kumo ni kinsei – (Before daybreak)
Anata to futari – (The two of us)
Mitsuketa ne – (Found Venus)

Himitsu no koi – (Will our secret love)
Dare ni mo iezu – (Vanish softly into the sky)
Sotto sora ni – (Without us being able to)
Kieteku ka na – (Tell anyone about it?)

Toiki de kaze ga kawaru – (With a sigh, the winds change)
Kimochi wo hoshi ni tobasu – (I cast me feelings to the stars)

Tsutanaku hakanage na – (Awkwardly, these fleeting)
Konna omoi mo – (Emotions will also)
Mirai de umarekawaru – (Be reborn in the future)

Asa no hodou itsu made mo – (Along the morning footpath, we always)
Te wo tsunaida yo ne – (Held hands together)
Wasurenai kara ne – (I won't forget that, so)
Itsuka wa dakishimete ne – (Someday hold me close to you)
Zutto zutto suki da kara – (Because I'll love you forever and ever)
Namida wa misenai – (I won't show you my tears)
Atarashii koi dekiru ka na – (Perhaps I can find a new love)
Kinsei mitete – (Looking at Venus)

"Why am I here!" I cried.

"Because I want you here. I need you here."

"But what about what I want!"

"It's not your choice, this is your destiny. It's not a gift you can return…"

A single black feather appeared in the sea of white. Soon all the other feathers morphed into black ones, engulfing me.

"Please." One feather stroked my cheek. I was sinking in. I was drowning.

I gasped as I shot up. "What the hell was that…" I murmured to myself as I breathed deeply.

I stood up to try and shake myself out of that weird dream. I stretched my arms and paced around my room a bit. I was about to go out to the other room when something caught my eye. A rose.

I cautiously walked over to my dresser and picked it up. It was coral, with a black ribbon tied around it. Coral…I remember reading this. In a rose it means desire… My eyes widened, and I looked over at the window. "I didn't leave it open." Oh crap. Oh shit. Oh shit…

I dropped the rose like a hot potato and ran for the door, only I ran into the arms of Sephiroth instead. I looked up in horror to see his face showing delight.

"How'd you get in!" I yelled.

"How did YOU not notice?" he thrust me back so that I hit the dresser.

I tried to run again, but he grabbed me by the back of my head and threw me onto the bed. "Let me go!" I felt tears starting to form. I knew what was about to happen. It wasn't the first time. It wasn't even the second.

Sephiroth sat on top of me and started to unlace my shirt. "No!" I clawed at him furiously, but it was all in vain. "Stop! God, Stop!" I cried through sobs as I felt his lips touch my neck.

"Your soul…" he whispered in my ear "still belongs to me."

It was hours later and I still sat there staring at the door. He left me like this, just to torment me. I had only been able to get up and put my clothes back on. My brain wouldn't function. The stain of the several hours of tears remained on my face. I had passed the point of crying now. I just felt numb and hollow inside. I am many things, but the only thing I was right now, was a scared little girl. He took everything else from me.

I finally allowed myself to close my eyes for a minute. I feared that if I did, he would be standing there when I opened them. But I did, and he didn't.

I took in a deep breath, and a gulp. I got up, grabbed the phone, and dialed the number Cloud left.

"Hello?" he said.

"Please help me…" my voice was monotone and void of feeling.

"Missy what's wrong? Are you hurt?"

I didn't reply. I don't think I could've. I let the phone fall to the floor and myself to my knees. I don't want to fight alone anymore.

It wasn't long before I heard the door bust open.

"MISSY!" Cloud yelled. He busted through my door too, to find me still sitting on the floor staring into space. "What happened?" he grabbed me by my shoulders to face him, but my eyes stayed put.

I was finally able to avert my gaze at look into his pure, blue eyes. I opened my mouth to speak but the tears started to flow again.

He met with me in an embrace, allowing me to cry into his chest. It was several minutes before I could compose myself, and notice that he didn't come alone.

"Who are you?" I sniffled as I pulled back.

"I'm Tifa." A woman with long, dark brown hair and a sweet voice kneeled down near Cloud and me.

"I'm Yuffie."

"Vincent."

"Nanaki, but you may call me Red XIII."

"These were the friends I was hanging out with. I brought them back just in case there was trouble. Can you tell me what happened?" he gently led me back to the bed.

"It was Sephiroth. He came and h-he…" I couldn't even say the words. It seemed like such a vile word that should never be said.

"Did he hurt you?"

I nodded. I watched as Cloud looked at me in the moonlight, and then turned the lamp on to see the marks on my skin. He let out his breath as he came to realize what happened.

"He did more than that, didn't he?" he almost whispered it.

I bit my lip to prevent yet more tears. Slowly I nodded again.

"Why? What's his fascination with you?" he lifted my chin to raise my eyes to look into his again.

"If you really want to know," I began "then I will have to tell you a story. Starting back when I was 16…"