Copyright infringement not intended. T for language and violence.

Chapter twoo. (: Let's hope I get this done before school starts tomorrow (blegh). Anyways, hope you enjoy! XD

Two; Family.

xlx

I can show you pain,
And make you say my name.

xlx

It was hell.

No.

It was more than hell. It was incredibly worse.

The helicopter had landed a few miles from Gongaga due to mechnichal failure, but she knew it was not so.

It was life. Getting back at her.

She groaned for the hundredth time since she had been practically dragged into the helicopter, shooting a murderous, but pleading, look at Genesis.

The Third that was accompanying them hadn't stopped talking since he had arrived, had literally been bouncing in his seat. He was too excited for someone as grouchy and moody as she was at the moment.

Then, there was the damned book. Genesis had brought LOVELESS with him and was reading it out loud numerous times, then telling Kat and the hyper Third the intrepration of the act. Each act.

And reread the act afterwards.

She almost pitied the young boy beside her, he was far too young to be subjected to such things. If he had sat still for ten minutes at a time, maybe she could have felt bad. But, he didn't, so neither did she.

"I can't believe I get to go back to Gongaga! Home! Isn't your home, too, Ms. Harmon?"

"Legend shall speak of sacrifice at world's end. The wind sails over the water's surface, quietly but surely. It's supposed to mean-"

"I joined SOLDIER when I was thirteen. How old were you when you joined, Ms. Harmon? I bet you were thirteen, too."

"-The wanderer knows that in order to end it one of them must die, and so he initiates the a fight to the death. The prisoner is unable to kill his-"

"My parents will be so happy to see me! Will your parents be happy to see you, Ms. Harmon?"

As if someone hit the mute button, the talking ceased.

Kat was tensed, not looking at anyone, not hearing another word. Would her parents be happy to see...her? No, most likely not. Her father would be enraged and her brother would be moody and distant.

She did not want to think about the others.

It was still too much.

It had only been a year.

Why was Lazard doing this to her? Didn't he understand what she was going through?

"No," she murmured, aware of the two pairs of blue eyes on her, one curious and one wary. He was waiting for her explode on the kid. She wouldn't, she couldn't.

He had to only be fifteen. Kat could remember clearly when she was his age, and she would've been thrilled to be going home after two years of being away.

But, she was older and so much in her life had changed since she was fifteen.

There was a reason why she didn't want to go to Gongaga and she wouldn't admit it to this boy. Kat refused to think about it any longer than neccesary. She was a masochist.

"This was my home, but it isn't anymore. Midgar is."

She looked to the quiet boy. "Be happy. It's doubtless that anyone in 3rd Class is allowed to go on an assignment in their hometown. I didn't and neither did he," she jerked her head without looking away from the violet-blue eyed boy at Genesis. "I think."

Solemnly, the fifteen year old nodded, seeming much older than he was.

This was why she hated ShinRa at times.

He, this innocent, sweet and overly-excited boy, could have done anything in life. He could have had a life. But, if he was in SOLDIER, he couldn't.

It would control him. He would see things that people his age should never have to see.

It was the perfect life for someone that had nothing to lose.

"We're here," Genesis' voice announced, tearing her from her thoughts. Kat looked up from the ground, meeting his eyes.

The aqua-green irises were bright with something, the same mysterious emotion that had lingered on his features before they left. She could see it clearly now, the sun shining into them eerily.

Pity.

He felt sorry for her.

Her heart twinged at it, though she could feel her face contort into a scowl. As much as she loved to know he cared enough about her to feel bad for her, she hated the fact he did. Kat didn't want pity.

She wanted answers.

xlx

Katelyn Harmon hated her father with a passion.

He was not the typical widowed man, no. He was buff and tall and all the part of the retired SOLDIER 1st Class. Hell, he still had the blazing Mako eyes.

All in all, he was a handsome man still. It was no wonder why her mother had married him, back when he had the personality to match hers. Soft-spoken, warm and gentle.

Or, at least, he had been once.

Damien Harmon had changed as much as his children. None of the family hadn't been affected.

Her sister, Lyndsay, had became wary and promicious, sleeping around with everyone. Her eyes hadn't left Genesis from the moment they arrived at Kat's former home.

Where as her sister was unguarded and open, her brother was the exact opposite. He was moody and distant, though it seemed to lift with her arrival.

None of her family would look away from Genesis, though, and it embarrassed Kat to no end. Her father and brother were glaring openly, not even trying to disguise their hatred, and Lyndsay eyed him like he was a piece of meat.

She couldn't remember why she hadn't killed herself at the thought of going home, though it was most likely because everyone thought she would attempt to.

"Should I be surprised he's here, Katelyn?" Damien growled, eyes flickering to her for a brief moment. She glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

It was hard to remember the man before the accident, the only memory being him blaming her for all of it.

For her mother, for Joey, for leaving when they needed her most.

For protection, though, and that was all. They didn't need her to be with them for familal reasons or because they worried about her.

Damien wanted her there in Gongaga to ensure his and his other childrens safety. It was selfish and disgusting and she couldn't have left sooner.

"Should I be surprised you're still an ass?" Kat retorted.

The Third, who was with them for mere convience, sucked in his breath. She didn't spare him a glance. Genesis wouldn't say anything, neither would her elder siblings. They knew the relationship between the two.

"Katelyn." Damien snapped, sounding as if he was her father. Not just a man who shared her name. "If he or this kid here, or any of those damned SOLDIERs tried anything-"

Lyndsay and Kat's gasp of shock and outrage cut him off. The younger of the two's face was nearly the exact same colour as a tomato and she refused to meet anyones eyes beside her father's, who she was glaring at.

"Nothing is going on! No one tried anything and I'd kill them if they tried!" She snapped, eyes unconsciously flickering to Genesis. His cheeks were glowing a faint red, but, other than that, he didn't seem as affected by Damien's remark.

Damien continued to glare at the redheaded SOLDIER, disregarding completely what Kat had said.

Her brother moved to her side, making the Third slid backward, to Genesis, and rested an arm on her shoulders in a territorial manner.

She scowled, shrugging off the arm. She was not in the mood for possessiveness, not now, not ever. She wasn't anyones.

"I had to meet with you, Damien. What the hell is it that you need?" Kat hissed, taking a threatening step toward her father, brows furrowed together and a scowl denting her face. She didn't want to be here.

It was all Lazard's fault.

The memories nagged at her, attempting to drag her down and pull her under.

She wouldn't let that happen. She had to be strong. She wasn't going to break because of this damn man.

"Monsters." Her brother stated from her side, having not left when she forced his hold off. "Attacking at night, hiding during the days. We've lost a lot of men to them already."

Kat glanced over to him, side-stepping in order to meet his eyes. She frowned at this, noticing how the Third stiffened, watching more closely. "Any survivors?" She asked curiously.

Her brother nodded. "Two."

She looked over to Genesis, pulling at her lower lip with a tooth, brows furrowing in thought. If they could get to at least one of those survivors, they could find out what these monsters looked like and then sort out what they would do..

It seemed like the smartest thing to do.

"Who was it?" The older First questioned, earning glares from her brother and Damien, though he didn't seem to care.

"Me."

Kat's jaw dropped.

She couldn't help it.

Her sister was one of the survivors? Her sister, the innocent and weak girl who couldn't even open a bottle of soda by herself?

How the hell did she survive?

Genesis glanced to Kat, as if he was asking permission to approach Lyndsay.

She shrugged. It wasn't up to her to decide what he did. "What did they look like, Ms. Harmon?" He asked smoothly as if there hadn't been a moment of hesitation between the youngest girl and himself.

Lyndsay batted her lashes at him, clasping her hands innocently behind her back. Kat made a soft noise of disgust, exchanging a look with the Third.

Of course, she had to act like a .. like a ... tramp. Slut. Hooker. Prostitute.

Each one fit her perfectly.

"Well," her sister pouted up at the redhead, trying to be innocent. It made Kat want to throw up. "It was real dark outside, see. And I was so scared and alone."

She laughed.

She couldn't help it. It was hilarious to see her sister try to pull the innocent charade on Genesis. Kat could the number of times she had told her superior about her sister's ways all the way to fifty.

There was no swaying him.

But, that didn't mean he wouldn't play back.

Which he did.

And she had wondered why the male members of her family hated him..

She couldn't watch this, she decided. It was embarrassing. Leaning toward her brother, she tapped his shoulder. "Who was the other survivor?" Kat mumbled, voice nearly inaudible. He wouldn't have heard if she had been an inch or so shorter.

"Michael Welsh."

She nodded, slipping out of sight behind the taller man and tapped the Third's arm. "Hey, let's go. Let my sister fool around with her new play thing," she offered, arching a brow. Both teenagers glanced to where the brunette was praising Genesis' appearance.

He already knew he was good looking. He didn't need her to tell him.

The boy turned back to her, grinning greatfully. "Sounds good."

xlx

Tea was placed in front of her, the expensive cup rattling on the saucer.

She looked up to the man, Michael Welsh, who had placed it there, a sweet and innocent smile on her lips. The plan was in place. She was a visiting daughter of ShinRa - who, truthfully, only had a son - and was looking for good camping spots to spend with her boyfriend, the fifteen year old boy, Zack.

It was plausible.

Kat was short for her age and short for being in SOLDIER, also refusing to wear the uniform for her personal reasons.

"So, Miss Shinra, how can I help ya?"

"Well, Zack and I are looking for some good campin' spots up in the mountains, see. He says we shouldn't go because there was reports of monsters around, but I say it's fine. He's strong enough to protect us," she answered, taking the younger boy's hand and digging her nails into his palm.

The elderly man shook his head, aghast. "No, ma'am. You're boy here is right. Too dangerous up dere. I got attacked by a monster up dere a few weeks ago," he shook his head, bringing his own cup to his lips. "Not fun."

Kat frowned, glancing to Zack suspiciously. He leaned forward and for a moment she forgot he was only fifteen. The way he moved and talked was much older.

"What did they look like, sir?" He asked, eagerness slipping into his tone. She bit her lip to keep from groaning. He seemed older and higher ranked than Third, but he didn't have the acting abilities that most Seconds did.

Michael put his cup on the saucer, the china clanging as it met. "Big. Huge things, really. Like a wolf, but.. Different. Has a horn thing comin' from it's shoulders." He shook himself with a noise. "Scared the shit outta me."

She sucked in her breath, contorting her features into a mask of concern. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Welsh! I'll have to go tell my father, perhaps he can get some SOLDIERs here," she cried, getting to her feet quickly.

Almost too quickly.

It was difficult to pace herself, familiar with the speed and grace of SOLDIER rather than the dulled and slower reflexes of civillians.

Nonetheless, Michael nodded. "Good idea, Miss Shinra. I think there's a better-"

He didn't finish.

Zack and Kat were already gone, the younger struggling to keep up with her fast steps.

"You know what it is."

It wasn't a question but she answered it anyway.

She was positive it was what she thought.

"I know what it is."

"We're going to it."

She stopped when she heard the anxiety in his voice, crossing her arms when he turned back to her. She could remember her first mission with Genesis and Angeal. She had been terrified and had thrown up numerous times.

After that, it had gotten easier. A lot easier, to the point where she looked forward to going on a mission alone.

"Y'know, I was about your age when I went on my first solo assignment," she told him. "I was so scared I'd screw up and never get pass 2nd Class. But, I didn't. My mentor told me that I had to grow up and stop being such a baby." Kat chuckled and shook her head. "He was an ass to me that day, but, I did it, didn't I? I made it to First."

He stared at her, some of the apprehension gone, but the majority of it still lingered on his face and in the way he stood. "It gets easier, Zack," she said softly. "You just have to remember I'll be there. This is your home just as much as it was mine."

He straightened, a full-blown grin on his face now. Kat grinned back and nodded, trying hard not to like the kid. He reminded her so much of herself when she was fifteen. Eager to please and excited to be out on the field.

She prayed nothing would happen to him, nothing would stop him if he did continue on in SOLDIER.

"To answer your question, yes. We are going to it and we're going to kick ass before Genesis does." Kat winked at him.

"What do you have against him?"

She chuckled, continuing on down the road, eyes dead set on where the road ended and the forest began. "I've known him for a while. Once you know someone like him for over two years.. It's more of a competition than a relationship. That, and he's obsessed with LOVELESS."

Zack laughed heartily and Kat couldn't help but giggle along.

It felt good to be young again.

Even if they were going to what was most likely certain death.

xlx

Feel the magic rise,
We're plotting our demise.

xlx

So...?
How did you think? (:
It seems really long on Word, but Iunno...
Anyways, I hope you enjoyedd!
Reviews are love. (:
Until next time,

xWhiteRainx