AN: Sorry for the wait with this chapter. I always have my sister look over my chapters for editing purposes, and she was busy this week starting a new job so she wasen't able to get to this chapter as quickly as normal. Anyway here it is hope you enjoy and you know the drill please, please review.

Angeal sat on the couch in Sephiroth's apartment with his legs propped up on the coffee table and his arms folding behind his head.

In all, it looked like a very Zack pose, but he was tired, alone and didn't really care. After all, his puppy had rubbed off on him, just as much as he had on Zack. It just wasn't as obvious, and Angeal kept it hidden most of the time. No use in letting Zack know just how much influence he had over him, over all of them.

Even though he was Sephiroth's second and Angeal was very proud of him, he was still the puppy in Angeal's eyes.

Angeal sighed and looked over at the clock. It had been over an hour since Zack had left the apartment to meet Genesis and Cloud upon their return. It had been the first time either of them had left the apartment in over two days.

Whatever concoction Hojo had given Sephiroth had really messed with him badly. Even more than all the other times, that was saying a lot. Angeal's thoughts drifted back to that day two days ago.

Sephiroth had been completely insane after Genesis had jumped out after the cadet. It had taken both Zack and Angeal to hold him down and even then it had been a wild ride. He had lost count of how many times he had been slammed into a wall by a wing or Zack's head hit the floor as the pup tacked the General's feet to bring him down.

If anyone would have seen them they could have thought they were a bunch of hoodlums fighting not SOLIDERS. It was hard to fight someone you could not beat unless you went full out and that meant death. With Sephiroth the way he was if he went full out he probably would not still his hand from the killing blow to either Zack or himself.

So, that left them back to the basics and crude if not effect means of restraint. They had just seemed to be making progress. Seph was slowing down and seemed calmer and Angeal thought he could risk answering his phone and leave Zack on guard.

It had been Genesis of course. He had managed to find out the boy was safe and tell Genesis to stay away at least for the night, when Zack was suddenly flying across the room and into a metal cabinet head first.

He didn't get up.

The phone was then ripped from Angeal's hand and Sephiroth was growling into the phone.

Angeal used the distraction to check on Zack, who was already slowly starting to come around. To anyone else that hit would have killed them, but to a first class it was only a stunning blow and Zack being Zack would not keep him down long.

Angeal had then focused his attention back to Sephiroth. Genesis would only serve as a dictation for so long before he would become a hindrance. He always did like to antagonize Sephiroth whenever he could and judging from Sephiroth abrupt clearing his desk top with one sweep of his arm and shouting into the phone it had already gotten to that stage.

Geez Gen! Can't you even talk to the guy for thirty seconds without having him ready to rip you apart? Angeal had thought annoyed.

He had seen things were going to escalate when Sephiroth begging uttering obscure threats into the phone. He had to stop this, now!

Enough with trying to calm the General down!

Angeal could see it was getting far beyond that. If Sephiroth got out of the building in pursuit of Genesis everyone in Midgar would be in danger.

Taking a deep breath he drew a small orb from inside his uniform where he kept his other materia. Summons were not something to be used lightly, if the holder did not have complete control over whomever they summoned... things could get bad very quickly. Some of the creatures locked within the orbs were not the gentlest of creatures, which was why only first class SOLIDERs were allowed summoning materia.

Thankfully Angeal and the creature from his summons got on rather nicely so he wouldn't need to worry about her doing any excessive damage to the building or his friend. Holding the orb in his hand he closed his eyes and called the great ice queen to him.

Shiva immediately appeared in all her icy glory. The mystical blue skinned creature turned to him for a command and Angeal quickly gave it.

With a flash the creature turned to obey her master's order and Sephiroth was soon bound in prison of ice from the Ice Queen's Diamond Dust attack. The lady then turned to him and Angeal nodded to her once before she disappeared. Angeal then grabbed the phone and dealt with Genesis before hanging up.

Zack by that time had gotten his feet and looked at the ice statue of his friend, which was already starting to melt before looking at Angeal.

"Well, what now?"

Jerking back to the present Angeal abruptly got up from his place on the couch and looked at the far side of the room, which led into Sephiroth's private bedroom.

Zack and Angeal had taken advantage of Sephiroth's grogginess either due to the ice attack or far more likely whatever Hojo had given him, Sephiroth was not one to be taken down by an ice attack even from the great Shiva herself, and had taken him to his apartments.

It would be much easier to confine him in there; since Sephiroth had the core design of the apartment built pacifically for the purpose of holding him in and had given the codes and keys to operating the system to Angeal, Genesis and Zack. Once inside they had locked down the apartment and there they had remained for the last two days, three nights.

Strangely enough Genesis had refused to return the cadet to the Shinra building until today, making Angeal extremely suspicious to his friend's intentions. Genesis never held anyone's interest above his own, especially never a cadet's, something must have happened to gain his interest in the cadet. Whatever it was Angeal would have to have a long talk with him.

He again looked at the clock. Hour and half, Zack should be returning any time now. Sephiroth was still not awake yet, he could hear no movement in the other room.

Slowly over the last day, Sephiroth had returned back to his normal, cold and remote self, though he seemed even quieter than usual. Something Angeal was both glad to see and troubled.

It was always hard to figure out just how much Sephiroth remembered after one of these episodes. At times it seemed hardly anything, but Angeal knew his friend and how good he was at hiding things and he always suspected that he remembered more than he let on.

The card lock at the front door suddenly opened and Zack suddenly stormed in with a very amused looking Genesis behind him.

"Where is he?" Zack growled.

"Zack?" Angeal moved forward concerned.

Zack rarely got angry and right now he seemed furious.

"Where is Seph?"

Okay, now Angeal was really concerned. Zack was always the calm and supporting one in a situation like this. Reassuring Sephiroth that whatever he had done was not his fault and it would be okay. Never had Zack been angry about what Sephiroth had done. What was going on?

"Zack, he is still sleeping. Keep it down." Angeal tried to calm him down, getting in between him and the bedroom.

"Genesis what is going on?"

Genesis' lip tugged upward slightly, "Oh, nothing, the puppy was a little agitated when he saw the cadet is all."

"Agitated?"

"Let me see him Angeal!" Zack ordered angrily and Angeal starred. Was Zack tying to pull rank on him?

"No, Zack I don't think in your present state of mind that would be wise."

"It's all right Angeal. Let him pass." A soft voice spoke from behind.

They turned to see Sephiroth standing in the doorway, alert and looking not at all like he had just woken up and Angeal thought he was probably awake for hours.

Zack pushed roughly past Angeal and stormed up to his friend and superior.

"What the heck do you think you were doing?!" The question came out halfway between a shout and yell.

Angeal tried to put a retraining hand on his pup's should, but it was shrugged off violently.

"No Angeal, he is going to answer this. It is one thing to scare and beat the crap out of someone but to do this..." Zack's voice trailed off in anger and Angeal could feel the fear rise up within him.

What exactly had happened?

"Were you trying to molest him? Is that what you wanted?" Zack's voice was soft almost a whisper.

Angeal was horrified. Sephiroth had tried to do what to the cadet?!

Sephiroth met the angry glare and did not blink. "I did not know what I wanted Zack. I was not myself."

"Yes, we know you were not yourself Seph, but all your actions are a result of what you are feeling. The violet part I understand Seph. You have good reasons to be angry and Minerva knows you don't vent enough, if ever, but this..."

"No, Zack," Sephiroth's voice was quite, but icy, "I really was not myself, she is back."

All three men froze and the small smile on Genesis's face disappeared. Angeal was the first to find his voice.

"Are you sure, Sephiroth?"

Sephiroth smirked, "Quit. She is back and again whispering thoughts of blood, and possession. She urged me to look deep in the cadet's mind, find the answers about the boy we have been looking for."

"By the Goddess Seph, you went into the cadet's head?"

It was Genesis now who spoke everyone's thoughts. They all knew how damaging that could be.

There was a moment of silence as everyone took it in. Then Genesis spoke again, "Did you find anything?"

Angeal and Zack looked at him angrily, but his attention was only on Sephiroth, who shook his head, almost confused.

"No, I didn't find anything, but he...he knew about Jenova."

"What!" The three men almost spoke together.

Sephiroth looked far away in thought, "He knew about Jenova, talked with her. I think... he is like me. He has her cells."

"How do you know Sephiroth," Angeal asked both dreading the answer and curious.

"She said it. Told him as long as her cells flowed in both our bodies she was never truly dead. What else could that mean?"

"She could be trying to trick you again Seph." Zack said trying to defend the cadet, "You know how she can be."

"I don't think so Zack. The boy could hear her, but Jenova couldn't reach him. He forced her voice back. Why would Jenova create an illusion like that?"

There were all quite as this new aspect of the cadet unfolded, but Angeal noticed Genesis looking practically thoughtful.

"Did you find anything out Genesis?"

"What? Why would you think I found anything?" Genesis voice was amused, but Angeal caught something underneath it all.

"You spent two whole days with the cadet and you didn't notice anything about him."

Genesis smirked, "You three are the ones that have the interest in the cadet. I could care less. Why would I notice anything? I just made sure the cadet didn't kill himself and that was it."

Angeal's eyes narrow. He could tell his friend was lying, but he would work on him later, right now he had bigger issues.

"So what are we going to do now?"

Surprisingly it was Zack that answered, "We are going to do nothing. Seph you are the one who is going to have to fix this. You are going to talk to him and work this out. This time without laying a hand on him and if you're nice you might even get some answers, but I wouldn't push it if I were you. The kid looked pretty scared though he hid it well. You don't want him to drop out of the program and run before you have your answers do you?"

Sephiroth nodded and Angeal felt a small measure of amusement as he wondered just who was giving the orders now.

Deep in the heart of Wutia Cloud stood by himself breathing in the fresh night air. Night in Wutia was always different than any other place on the planet.

Where night was a time of rest, of slumber, the Wutia did not cease their activities just because the darkness came. They were equally comfortable in both day and night, which was one reason Wutia ninja's were practically lethal in the dark.

Though the darkness did bring a peace that was absent in the light of day. This particular village Cloud had retreated to deep within Wutia, far away from the war, was particularly fond of the night. Nothing had ceased in the village though it had taken a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere.

That was one of the many things he loved about the Wutia. They were not confined to the structure and times of the rest of the world. They were one of the last places that were still free of it, and was one reason why they fought so hard to keep Shinra out.

He now thought back to the last couple of days since he had taken Rude and Reno from the peace negotiations.

They had not said anything of course. Rude being his ever silent self and Reno ever the pain in the butt, who just threw jib after jib at him. It was a lucky thing for Reno that Cloud himself had chosen to interrogate them. Any other person would have cut his tongue out by now.

Cloud smirked ruefully. In a small way he had missed Reno's crass behaviour. Not that he had taken to liking the Turks in those last few years of his formal life, but they had been a large part of it. Despite their differences they had fought on the same side more times than Cloud liked to remember. Not always fighting for the same thing, but on the same side none the less.

Cloud knew Tseng had sent them and that thought alone unsettled him. The Turk leader had obviously taken an interest in him and that would not bode well.

He had know his charade would fall eventually, and the identity of the Wutia General be revealed. In a way he had been surprised it had lasted as long as it did. Tseng was not an easy man to fool.

Things would be begging to unravel soon, and when it did, it would happen very fast. It might be useful to have two Turks in his possession when that happened.

On the other side of the village Vincent too stood out in the night brooding, though for an entirely different reason.

The appearance of the two Turks disturbed him greatly. He used to be one of them and he knew how they thought and that they did not act on their own. Someone higher above had ordered them to follow Cloud.

Which was not unexpected, Vincent knew Cloud would be noticed eventually with his close contact with Godo, but he couldn't help but wonder what that would hold for Rain.

Cloud and Rain looked so similar that if that person noticed Rain in Midgar...

Than another person too shall become snared in the net.

Chaos's voice rumbled softly and then seemed to chuckle.

Vincent raised any eyebrow in surprise.

She is not as wild and impulsive as you and the others believe Vincent Valentine. She is casting a wide net over a large group of people. Urging them in a direction they think they are freely swimming too. Snaring them in a game they do not realize they are playing. Brining them to a point in time that they will not wish to be, but by then it will be too late and the net will tighten then close. What difference does it make if there is one more fish in the net; it will just mean she will have to make the net stronger, so none will escape.

For the second time in little less than a week Rain rode the elevator to the General's office.

Rush had been reluctant in even letting her leave when the orders had come in the middle of their sparring match in Zack's class. Rush had become, despite her assurances, downright protective since their chance meeting in the showers that night.

It had become even worse when Rain had returned with Genesis, not exactly looking her best physically or emotionally after three nights with the SOLIDER.

Her injuries on top of that had not healed in the short time, much to Rain's annoyance. She could only assume injuries caused by Sephiroth while flooded with mako somehow hampered her own mako's ability to heal as fast as it normally would.

If eyes could kill the moment Rush's gaze fell across Rain, Genesis would have been dead. Rush had pulled her roughly to him, putting himself in between her and Genesis.

A gusty thing to do since all cadets had been warned of Genesis's legendary temper. Genesis however only looked amused and said nothing about the cadet's bold behaviour.

Rain had grown uneasy at that look like he knew something. He couldn't have found out, could he? No, she had not allowed him to touch her in their time together, but she knew he didn't necessarily have to.

Rain after all knew better than most how observant a SOLIDER's eyesight could be. It had been rare that she had ever been able to hide from Cloud's observant eyes. Still he couldn't know! He would have said something.

Things had not gotten any better when Zack had showed up. She had tried to disappear behind Rush's larger body, and had been partly successful as Rush didn't let Zack near at first, but Zack's gentle persuasion and the personal friendship the two had developed during Rush's training made it so Rush's resolve didn't last for long and he gave in to his friend and commander.

Zack's eyes had darkened the moment he laid eyes on her.

She didn't know what had happened after the two had left them. Rain had tried to assure Zack she was all right, but had also refused to give details of what had happened. She knew though he guessed.

Rain had received no new orders, though her detention with the General had been changed to working with Zack and Rush, but other than that things had returned back to normal, until today when the orders had come to report to the General's office.

The door opened and Rain walked into the outer office. She was relieved to see at least the secretary was back on duty. Hint for future use, if the secretary was gone, hightail it out of there as fast as you could.

The lady behind the desk smiled sweetly at her and motioned her through the doors. Rain moved to the door, raised a fist pausing briefly then knocked softly.

The familiar monotone, "Come" sounded and she opened the door and stepped through.

He was situated behind his desk, head bent going over papers on his desk and she found the seemly inattentive attentions of the General comforting from what she had received last time.

Her presence though did not go unnoticed.

Sephiroth purposely pretended to busy himself in an attempt to make the cadet more at ease, but even with his head bent, he was aware of ever movement of the boy in front of him. Every clenched muscle the wary stance, the way he did not move into the room, but waited in the doorway.

"Come in and close the door." He ordered absently.

He had been putting this off, not quite sure how to handle it. His memories of their last meeting were still vague and fuzzy except for a couple of details, which stood out in his mind.

He knew he had attacked the kid, invaded his mind, but everything else was fuzzy. He didn't remember how he had attacked the cadet, but given Zack's shock and accusations he assumed he hadn't just tried to tear him apart with his hands. Zack wouldn't have been so upset if he had.

Just thinking about it brought him confusion. He had never been attracted to men before, nor woman for that matter. He had no use for sexual or relationship activities, they were frivolous and he had no need or time for it. So it confused him greatly that in a moment of weakness his body should want such a thing and from this cadet none the less!

Sephiroth finally looked up and watched the boy intently as he closed the door and walked across the room, his movements suddenly stiff and hesitant when he noticed the General's gaze on him.

The boy, by what standards Sephiroth had been able find on how people judged due to appearances was appealing enough. His body was small and lithe with a grace that showed when he walked. His face was small and there was an innocence about him that he could find appealing, but what interested him far more was those eyes. Those brilliant blue eyes that looked far from innocent. They looked old, mature with hints of pain and sadness only experience brings. He had seen it on many people, but never had he seen it so strong in one so young who was yet still able to function. It was that which Sephiroth found truly appealing, strength in the midst of pain. Just like him.

"Stop starring at me!"

The kid's voice startled him for he had not been expected to kid to speak no less lash out at him. He blinked.

"You find my gaze suddenly unsettling now, why?"

His voice was not accusing or commanding, simply curious. Strife's eyes widen in amazement.

"Why? Why do you think?"

The cadet's sudden frankness was a complete turnaround from the quite, frightened image the kid had put on until now and Sephiroth was guessing this was more the true him. Daring and ready to confront and challenge. Though it was insolent to speak to a commanding officer no less a general that way, Sephiroth let it slid. In fact he further encouraged it.

"I'm assuming you are referring to the last time you were here."

The cadet snorted and his expression was the equivalence of ya dua.

"I do not recall much of what happened that day." He stood suddenly and quickly realized his mistake when Strife practically vaulted over backwards in his hasty retreat.

Sephiroth raised his hands in what was supposed to be a peaceful gesture, but it seemed to have little effect on the cadet who was still backing away from him. Sephiroth quickly put himself between the cadet and the door, halting any escape. Keeping in mind that the window was not out of the question, the cadet had used that means of escape once already.

He knew that this course of action would do little to reassure the cadet, but Sephiroth didn't claim putting people at ease was his strong suit. Getting his way though was and right now he wanted to find out exactly what had happened that day.

"I'm not going to hurt you, but I need to know what happened that day."

The cadet suddenly stopped his face a mixture of sudden confusion and was that hope?

"You don't remember anything?"

Sephiroth could practically see the wheels spinning in the boy's mind and he decided to go along with it.

"Nothing."

Strife looked relieved, then met Sephiroth's inquiring gaze

"I came to report like the end of the week as ordered, you...you didn't seem yourself sir. Your eyes..."

Sephiroth nodded motioned for him to continue. He could only imagine what his eyes had looked like filled with mako.

The boy continued, "I tried to run."

Strife smirked, "You can imagine how well that went."

The smirk disappeared when Sephiroth did not respond.

"Anyway you attacked me. I managed to get away when you were distracted by Commander Zack, Angeal and Genesis pounding at the door and jumped out the window. That's it."

Nice try. He thought, but you're not getting off that easily.

"Attacked you how? No offense cadet, but if I attacked you, you would not be standing here."

The boy flushed, his cheeks going a bright red.

So that is how it had been. Still he wanted details so he waited for the cadet to respond.

"You bit me."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, "I bit you?"

He nodded raising a hand pulling back the uniform collar he had raised unusually high around his neck. As he pulled it down, Sephiroth saw freshly healed bite marks around the cadet's throat.

His eyes narrowed as he saw the nature of the bite. If he had meant to bite, the cadet's throat would be gone, these were nips. Love nips as some would call them. Of course his nips would be equivalent to bits in most people's books, so it was easy to see the confusion.

"Is that all?" His stare was hard.

Strife looked down now starring at his feet.

"Cadet," His voice lashed like a whip causing the cadet to jump. He softened it as the boy raised his head to meet his gaze again. "Is that all?"

Strife shook his head, "No, you...you kissed me sir."

Sephiroth didn't move didn't blink, only accepted the revelation calmly, it really didn't surprise him.

"Is that all?"

The cadet nodded.

Interesting, the cadet mentioned nothing about his invasion of the boy's mind and that was one thing Sephiroth remembered clearly. He let it slide for now. He moved back to his desk and picked up a folder.

"This is a mission report, your squadron's first mission."

The cadet's eyes widen whether from the sudden changing of topics or the news he had just received Sephiroth did not know.

"It's in one of the towns on the eastern end of this continent, couple hour by helicopter." Sephiroth went on to explain, "They have been having trouble with bandits and robbers in the area for months, but Shinra has been so busy with the war in Wutia that we haven't been able to lend troops to deal with necessary issues here on our home front. Now with the temporary peace, we do."

Plus Sephiroth thought Shinra wants to get back in the good graces of the people. They had been losing a lot of support with the war, but the President had taken the war as a personal challenge to the company and refused to back down despite public opinion. So he had ordered the military to go on as many public missions as possible in the time allotted.

"You will be taken by helicopter first thing in the morning. You are to investigate and deal with what you find according. Your officer in charge will inform you of further details later on. I just thought I would inform you myself."

The cadet was silent as he digested the information and Sephiroth for the first time could not read what was on the boy's face.

"Permission to speak freely, sir?"

Sephiroth smirked. Hadn't he been doing that the whole time, never the less he dipped his head.

"Squadron 99 is not ready for active duty."

Sephiroth leaned back and interlacing his fingers on the desk in front of him in interest, "It is an easy recon mission, and the action should be minimal. They are robbers not Wutia fighters and Squadron 99 is the best squadron of new troopers we have."

The cadet shook his head and went on, "It is one thing to face bullets in a simulation and fight hand to hand with someone who is your teammate. It is another thing entirely to face someone who is actually trying to kill you. They are not ready!"

Sephiroth was quite for a moment, "You said they. You are you not including yourself in that category?"

Strife looked away uncomfortable, and Sephiroth pressed, "Judging from your ability, I've take it you're not new to the prospect of facing people who are trying to kill you?"

The cadet's voice was unusually soft, "I've killed before yes and that is how I know those boys are not ready."

Boys? There he went again with referring to his peers as boys.

"And where might I ask have you used this skill? As I recall your file said you are from Nibelheim. A small mountain village far from any war, and seems like a relative quite town. "

The cadet was quite.

"Did you forget to mention something important in your personal file cadet?"

Strife looked up but refused to meet him in the eye, instead fixing his gaze on a point of the wall behind him.

"I neglected to say that I travelled around for a couple of years before I joined Shinra. I curiously went to the front to see what it was like, big mistake."

"And yet you joined a profession that would send you right back there."

"I never said I was sane."

They starred at each other neither one backing down. Finally Sephiroth spoke his voice once again harsh, the voice of a General.

"You will leave at eighteen hundred tomorrow cadet. I will be accompanying you so warn you comrades not to be late. That is all cadet dismissed."

The cadet saluted sharply and turned to walk out the door.

"Oh, and one more thing."

The cadet stopped, but didn't turn around.

"I'm curious, have you ever heard the name Jenova?"

The cadet's shoulders stiffened, though his voice was calm.

"No sir, I never heard the name before. Who is she?"

"No one cadet, never mind."

As the door clicked shut behind the boy, Sephiroth thought it interesting that the Cloud had never heard the name before, but yet knew it was a woman.

Then again not so interesting, he didn't need to see the cadet to know when he was lying and he had been lying since the first day he had walked into his office and Sephiroth was getting tired of it.

AN: Thanks so much to all the people who have been reviewing and please keep it up!