AN: Hey, I had an awsome author's note for you but then I deleated it and I am too tired to re-write it. So here you go!
Yuffie couldn't believe it! She had spent practically her whole life fighting in the war, and had suffered nothing more than a few broken bones and heavily bruised pride. Yet this was a particularly low blow to her pride. She was the great ninja Yuffie, to be taken down by a man in a black suit. How embarrassing!
The suits had somehow known her temptation and had baited the trap irresistibly. It was a temptation that all her kinsmen shared; she just seemed to have a double portion of it.
She should have realized no one would leave four orbs of raw materia under a tree. By the time she realized it was a trap it was too late and she was swinging from a wire enforced steel net. Thankful she had been alone when it had happened. She didn't think she could bear to have witnesses to her humiliation.
Not that she had been taken in easily. The man in the fancy black suit had suffered a broken nose, which had gushed blood onto his pressed white shirt and she was quick certain she had heard a rib or two crack under her foot.
Unfortunately that had just seemed to make the men vicious, resulting in her current state. Tied and handcuffed to a chair in a metal room that looked like the inside of a tin can. Fortunately it didn't smell as bad as it could have.
She had been working the cuffs around her wrists and had just resorted to breaking the thumb in her left hand in order to slip through the cuffs, when then the door opened and Mr. Puffy Nose himself walked in along with another man in a black suit.
The new man's hair was long and black and Yuffie was interested. He looked like he could almost be Wutia. That fact along with his serious unreadable expression suddenly made her uneasy. She didn't know who this suit was, but she had a feeling he was not to be messed with. Unfortunately the seriousness behind his eyes only accomplished to stir one reaction in the ninja and she desperately tried to suppress a giggle.
"Oh, fancy black suit brought more suits to play. How fun!"
The man with the swollen nose narrowed his eyes angrily and this time Yuffie didn't even try and hide her giggle.
"Man for a Turk you sure do get upset easily. I thought all Turks were supposed to be like that guy over there. Stone faced killers. Why did I get stuck with the amateur suit?"
The man now actually growled at her and took a step forward only to be stopped by the other man.
"You can leave us now Rod."
The man paused to glare at Yuffie one last time and she stuck out her lip in a pouty smile.
"Aw, Roddy isn't allowed to play anymore, but he was soo fun to play with."
The man who was obviously the leader now moved forward. Yuffie turned her full attention to him, especially when he spoke, "Yuffie Kisaragi, I assume?"
Yuffie couldn't resist rolling her eyes.
"You assume too much! To even think you could capture the greatest ninja of all times!"
The man did not even blink only inclined his head politely, "It is a nice to finally meet you in person Princess."
Yuffie scowled not accepting the title, but not denying it either.
The man continued, "My name is Tseng, and as you can probably see Miss Kisaragi. You are in a rather interesting situation. As a rather important guest, it is my duty to question you personally."
"Questions?" Yuffie said incredulously, "Won't you even buy a girl a drink first?"
The man's lips twitched slightly in what might have been amusement and pulled a small bottle out of his jacket pocket. She watched in surprise as he also pulled out a small shot glass and started filling it.
She grinned, "Now this is how interrogations should be conducted, over a drink."
Again the lips twitched and he finished pouring the drink. She jiggled the cuffs against the chair, "Kind of hard to have a drink with these on, don't you think?"
An actual smile now crossed his lips and he moved forward until he was standing right before her and held the drink to her lips.
"Oh, I love men with long dark hair, but I do prefer red cloaks to black suits." She licked her lips playfully, then opened her mouth and clamped down on the glass with her teeth and jerked it up so she could down the contents in one swallow.
She smacked her lips together experimentally. The drink had an unusually sweet taste. Suddenly the lights overheard started to swirl.
She shook her head, but her eyes refused to focus, "Wow, that is some strong drink!"
The man took a step back watching her carefully, "I'm sure you will be more willing to continue our conversation?"
Yuffie squirmed in her chair suddenly uncomfortable and he further elaborated.
"It's a rather complex mixture from what I understand, stronger than the common truth serum. Enough to make even the strongest man talk, I wonder what affect it will have on a woman that already likes to talk?"
"Oh, I always thought that was despicable. Slipping something into a woman's drink! How low! " Yuffie said feigning disappointment.
This was bound to get interesting and painful, when they realized just what kind of effect those types of truth sermons had talkative woman, especially her.
"Now Miss Kisaragi shall we begin? What is your full name?"
"I am the champion of the earth and the sky. The conqueror of evil! The single white rose of Wutai and the greatest ninja of all times, Yuffie Kisaragi! That is Yuffie with a 'Y' in case you want to write it down."
There was a prolonged silence and Yuffie giggled as the men frowned.
Years ago she had decided to build an immunity to every type of drug and poison she could find or steal. She had found out an interesting surprise. Though not an immunity she developed abnormal reactions, causing most drugs to have inconsistent effects.
"Where is she?"
Everyone in the room glanced uncomfortably at each other. The dark haired man in the corner uncrossed his arms and glided into the middle of the room, his crimson eyes taking in every face.
Cloud stepped forward to intercept the man before things got really dangerous. He had never seen Vincent with this riled up and was uneasy of what he would do.
"We are still searching Vincent. The Crescent Unit lost sight of her in the confusion and she has not been sighted since then. I have men searching the forest. She might just have been delayed in making her way back."
Cloud didn't believe what he said for a minute, and he knew Vincent didn't either. There was no way that girl would take this long in contacting them, even if she was injured. Yuffie was either dead or had been captured by Shinra; neither seemed like a good idea to mention to Vincent at the moment.
Any emotion Vincent had been displaying suddenly disappeared and Vincent and started to walk from the room.
"Where are you going?" Cloud ventured to ask.
Vincent didn't even stop, "I'm going to find her. I'll be able to search areas your men are not capable off. I'll contact you if I find anything."
With that the black haired man was gone and as much as Cloud wanted to stop him, Vincent was right. Vincent was always the best at gathering intel, a talent from his past life as a Turk. He would either find Yuffie himself or find out what had happened to her. Cloud seriously doubted Vincent would phone in the verdict. It didn't matter, he could take care of himself.
The important part was if Vincent went, then so did Chaos. The two had rarely been far from his side since Rain had left months ago. The only reason he had managed to get so close to Rain that day was because he hid his intentions behind an attack on Shinra, which Cloud knew neither Vincent nor Chaos would be able to resist.
This was a perfect opportunity to find Rain, but somehow Cloud knew it would not be that easy. He had a feeling that wherever Yuffie was Rain would be too. But he also knew Chaos would not be far away.
Sephiroth stormed through the building that served as the command center in the military camp. It was also where the commanders and SOLDIERS slept. His makeshift office had been transferred from Midgar. No matter where he went the paperwork always seemed to follow.
Right now though he couldn't care less, his only concern was that a black haired Turk better be standing in that room! He didn't have much time. Thankfully, Tseng was waiting for him.
Sephiroth eyes narrowed as soon as they met Tseng's gaze. The man knew; or suspected, which was all the same. But how much the Turk knew remained to be seen. Sephiroth could not afford time for subtle digging. Cloud wasn't likely to sit around for long if Sephiroth was right.
Tseng spoke before Sephiroth could, "Things did not go as planned, I take it?"
Sephiroth just stared, "You know how things went and they wouldn't have gone that way if the intel was even remotely correct."
Tseng caught the subtle accusation and shook his head slightly, "It would have made little difference if I was here. The attack was planned extensively with the sole purpose of remaining hidden from my people. They have inside knowledge of the workings of both Turks and SOLIDERS. It is as we have suspected for years."
Sephiroth raised a brow, "You now seem very certain of that fact."
Tseng leaned forward resting his chin on folded fingers, "Let me ask you. How do you think that is possible? We have done extensive searches throughout every department in Shinra and no leak was found. How do you suppose this is possible?"
Sephiroth was silent; he suspected Tseng did not really want an answer. After a moment of silence Tseng spoke again, "I did a little research on your new Third."
Tseng paused, but still Sephiroth did not respond. Now the interesting part, did Tseng learn that Sephiroth himself had not uncovered yet?
"His hometown had a lot to say about them."
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, "Them?"
Tseng gave what was his equivalent of a smile, "That caught my interest too. Apparently there were two of them, a brother and younger sister."
Sephiroth was surprised and yet it made sense. Cloud had a brother.
His mind went back to the fight he had witnessed between Cloud and the Wutia General.
Was it possible?
Why is she here and why would her brother let her?
Tseng continued, "By everyone's account they were strange children."
"Strange?"
"That is what the townspeople said, but it was more than that. The people were scared of them, though they would not come out and say it. Everyone was very relieved when they suddenly disappeared. Interestingly enough, the mayor's daughter disappeared with them."
So they disappeared did they, Sephiroth thought.
"When did the children disappear?"
"That is the interesting part." Tseng leaned back in his chair, "Ten years ago, the exact day the Shinra Mansion burned to the ground and the rector was broken into."
Ten years! So there was a ten year gap where they knew absolutely nothing of where she had been or what she had been doing. How had the background check missed that?
"So the question is which one is Cloud? The boy or the girl?"
Sephiroth glanced sharply at the Turk who smirked, "You already know don't you. Now the question is why did you let a female into SOLDIER and why haven't you confronted her yet?"
Sephiroth had wondered that as well. He had permitted her into SOLDIER to hide her from Hojo. She was skilled enough after all. As for why he had not confronted her yet? It was because she was too much like him.
"She would not talk, no matter what I would do to her."
Tseng was surprised. For Sephiroth to say that meant the girl really was something. Tseng had not met anyone yet who could be able to stand against the General. For Sephiroth to think that even he could not break her...what exactly was she?
"The only way to find out who she is and what she is doing her is to let her tell us herself, even if she doesn't mean to. No disguise is perfect; everyone makes mistakes if you watch closely enough. She has been slipping a lot lately and I think we can make her take the finale slip."
Tseng raised an eyebrow in question.
"The new prisoner," Sephiroth continued, "I can't help but think there is a strong connection between those two girls and if we play it right we might just find out why."
The guard passed the holding compound on his nightly rounds unaware of the pair of glowing mako eyes watching him from a rooftop. Rain smirked, the trooper was obviously new; an experienced trooper would know not to make his movements and patterns so routine and predicable.
It took him three minutes to walk to one end of the building from the door, before he turned around and walked back. Plenty of time for her to jump down, pick the lock, and slip inside.
One... two... three... Jump!
Jumping down from the rooftop she was inside the door in less than a minute. For a brief moment there was uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach.
No time to think about that now, she had to stay focused. If she did this right she could find Yuffie and get her out without blowing her cover, but she had to stay focused.
Now to find Yuffie! Why did the holding building have to be so big? They were in enemy territory for Minerva's sake; this wasn't Shinra's main prison block.
Suddenly she stopped!
Was that singing?
Yes, that was defiantly singing and there was no way she wouldn't recognize that high pitched, off key voice.
It was coming from the end of the hall. Rain ran all the while keeping a careful watch. There was a door at the end. It was locked and there were no guards; strange. Before she could think about it further, the sharp distinct smell of blood filled her nostrils, causing her to forget caution and shatter the door with her shoulder.
She froze, in horror and relief.
A swollen, bloody mess lay crumpled in the middle of the steel room, looking like she had just gone through a fight with a couple mountain monsters and lost. The ninja in question did not, however, seem in the least concerned of her present state.
She was laying on her back, arms spread wide, a smile from ear to ear and singing at the top of her lungs. Some sappy song that Yuffie made up herself and commonly frequented the ninja's tongue when she had too much to drink.
At Rain's sudden explosion through the door the ninja turned her head and narrow her eyes like she was seeing two of everything, which she probable was, then smile grew even bigger.
"Cloud? Why did you come to rescue me," she accused.
She tried to get up only just then noticing the many injuries which prevented her from moving. She frowned annoyed and Rain quickly moved to her side, placing a hand on her shoulders to keep her from moving.
Yuffie stilled and Rain took in the extent of her injuries. The wounds didn't look too severe, except for the ankle which was obviously broken. The rest of the injuries well... there was just a lot of them and it didn't create a pretty picture combined.
"Oh Yuff," Rain muttered, "What have you gotten yourself into. You act like you got into a drinking match with Reno and lost."
Yuffie suddenly frowned, "Wait a minute you're not Cloud!"
Yuffie managed to lift a hand and get it behind Rain's head and bring their faces so close together they were almost touching.
The ninja suddenly grinned and shrieked, "Rain! Are you visiting too?"
Rain signed only Yuffie would describe being captured as visiting.
Yuffie's serious face now deepened further into a frown, "You look different Rain."
"You cut your hair!" the girl exclaimed excitedly,
That's Yuffie, always the observant insightful one, Rain thought, amused as she starting to work on healing Yuffie's various injuries with healing materia. Yuffie, oblivious to all this, kept right on talking.
"I don't like it! You don't look like a girl anymore. You look like Cloud, and though he is good looking guy, not really my type, you're a girl."
Yuffie suddenly looked thoughtful, "Though you might have a point Rain we really don't look like one them most of the time. I mean you would never see either one of us in a dress. Well, actually there was that one time in Juno."
Yuffie winched, "Boy did you get into so much trouble. I thought Cloud was going to throw you off the ship, but I guess that really won't look good. Having the Avalanche leader throwing members off the airship, would really damage morale."
Yuffie suddenly motioned with her hand for Rain to lean closer like she had a secret to share, "Can I tell you something Rain?"
Rain nodded and leaned closer.
"I know you wouldn't have noticed, but I feel kinda funny. This guy in a suit gave me a glass of something to drink and boy did it have a kick like a Chocobo!"
Yuffie now cupped her hand around her mouth like she was whispering, but her voice came out an octave higher. "I think they honestly expected that stuff would make me talk and even...tell the truth!"
The ninja collapsed into helpless fits of giggles as if that was the funniest thing ever. Everyone knew that Yuffie Kisaragi never told the truth unless she wanted to and no amount of drugs and alcohol could make her otherwise.
Rain sighed again; okay Yuffie time to come back to reality. Jerking her hand sharply she interrupted the girl's laughter when she set the ankle.
Sephiroth stared intently at the window as did everyone else in the room with him. Zack, Genesis, Angeal and Tseng were all in the little observation room next to the prison cell with him.
They had been waiting there for hours, Zack complaining the entire time, which was understandable. After all, he had no inclination of what was going on. After a day of trudging through dead bodies, staying cooped up in a small room with four other men would make anyone restless. Sephiroth was thankful that he did not have Zack's inability to sit still for any period of time.
Everything had immediately gone eerily still and silent, when the door to the holding cell below them suddenly exploded in a mess of twisted metal. The only one who seemed surprised with who walked in the door was Zack.
Sephiroth watched intently, knowing the girls shouldn't physically be able to see them behind the camouflaged wall, but knew from experience that didn't mean anything to Cloud. She had been able to see past such devises before.
The ninja's greeting had caught him by surprise. Not that it should, he remembered thinking back when the recruit had first caught his attention that the name somehow it quite fit. Rain...it was just as odd a name as Cloud but somehow seemed to suit her. Yes, it defiantly fit the girl before him.
Sephiroth felt Tseng stiffen when Reno was mentioned and glanced over at him. The black haired Turk's eyes were riveted to the girl's form and Sephiroth knew he wished he would rush in there and pry what knowledge the girl had containing his Turks from her. Sephiroth had often felt the same way on numerous occasions, but they both knew it would not work, which was why there were here.
Right now Zack had Sephiroth's attention; his Second was suddenly frozen where he stood. The sudden revelation of Cloud's true nature, or Rain, as was apparently her true name seemed to shock Zack.
For a couple of seconds Zack didn't speak, when he finally did, it was sharp and accusing, "I see by your expression this does not come as a surprise to any of you. Why was I the last to find out?"
"Because pup, we thought you already figured it out." Genesis sarcastic voice came from the corner, "After all, wasn't she your pupil, surely you noticed."
"Shut it Gen." Angeal quite voice came from where he had now moved to be by Zack's side. "We didn't tell you Zack because we needed her to trust you and we didn't want you to treat her differently."
"So," Zack continued slowly. Angeal glanced at Sephiroth; Zack's unusual calmness was making them uneasy.
"So Cloud is a girl." Zack seemed to contemplate this for a moment before suddenly grabbing his hair with both hands excitedly.
"THIS IS AWESOME!" He shouted, "Seph got smacked by a girl."
Sephiroth starred at his Second. He would never understand Zack. Never!
Yuffie had gone silent when Rain had set her leg, but only for a second. The sudden burst of pain seemed to have sobered her up a bit, for when she turned to look at Rain again they were now filled with tears and she reached a shaky hand towards her.
"Rain?"
The voice was hoarse and with a level of severity that Rain knew Yuffie could posses.
Rain glanced up, smiled gently and took the hand, "Hey Yuff, You back?"
Yuffie's eyes clouded as she looked her up and down, "What are you doing here Rain? Why are you dressed..."
"We have been over this already Yuff." Rain gently interrupted.
Yuffie's gaze once again returned to Rain's face, "Why did you leave us?"
The ninja's voice now rose in anger, "Do you know worried everyone's been? Cloud's nearly ready to take on Chaos in order to come after you! Do you know how often he has been appearing Rain! What it is like seeing him like that?"
Rain winced knowing what she meant. How it must be hurting her to see Chaos take control of Vincent like that.
"And Tifa! By the Centra, Rain! Do you know how this is affecting her? I think the only way she remains so calm is because Arieth constantly assures her you are all right, though lately even she seems to be worried!"
The ninja's hands were suddenly gripping fistfuls of Rain's shirt pulling her down so their faces were close together.
"Centra, RAIN! Why did you leave?"
Rain blinked in shock as Yuffie practically shouted in her face. Yuffie was irrational, hyperactive and emotionally all over the place, but rarely was she ever angry. She and Barret shouted at each other all the time, but that was just part of their relationship. Rarely was Yuffie ever angry.
She sighed and rested her forehead against Yuffie's tiredly, "I'm sorry...I'm soo sorry, but this is something I have to do Yuffie."
Yuffie pulled back and started to sit up, "Why? What do you have to do that would make you one of them? What would make you do that?"
Rain sat back resting her back against the wall, her answer was soft and simple, "Cloud. I have to save Cloud and someone else this time. This has to end and I'm going to be the one that does it. So try and understand."
Yuffie starred at her, "No, I don't understand. Rain ever since we were kids you have always been different...distant. That is one reason why I like you so much, but Rain you need to come back. Are you just going to abandon everything, everyone? Wutia, Avalanche, your Unit? What about the Cresc...."
Rain suddenly interrupted, raising a hand cutting Yuffie off and looked up. Something was wrong she had been feeling something ever since she had entered the room.
It was him! He was in this room watching; hearing everything.
She closed her eyes. It was over. They were caught!
Now to get Yuffie out alive! Her hand moved to her wrist, this time she was going to need help.
Sephiroth's hand tightened around Zack's arm as he tried to jerk it free.
"Stop it Zack!" His tone was sharp, but even that did not reach his frantic Commander.
"Let go Seph, she knows Arieth! They both do, let me go!"
"Zack think!" Angeal's voice now rose above Zack's, "She is a member of Avalanche, they both are. You need to be patient right now. There are more important things to deal with. Don't worry they aren't going anywhere you'll get your turn."
Zack calmed down enough that the conversation on the other side of the wall could once again be heard. It was Genesis that now muttered for his chair in a corner, "She knows we are here."
He was right, Rain was now staring at the wall and at them. Sephiroth saw the brief look of panic and fear in her eyes before they glazed over in a look of defeat. For some reason it made Sephiroth uncomfortable and was relieved when a calm mask locked down over her features.
"It's over Yuffie."
Even her voice was calm, "They are here, try not to reveal all my secrets."
The ninja was now looking in their direction too, her voice despondent, "They are going to kill us aren't they?"
"If we are lucky," Was the reply and Sephiroth saw Zack physically wince at the harshness of those words and even Sephiroth blinked, because it was true. By their own admission, they were Wutia, one a prisoner of war the other a traitor and spy. Which warranted a swift and harsh execution by Sephiroth's own hand, but never had it sounded as harsh as right now looking at the two small figures that accepted it so calmly.
Sephiroth then saw the look in the Rain's eyes suddenly change to determination and she abruptly got up and walked into the middle of the room.
"Rain what are you doing?" the ninja asked.
Rain was silent for a moment, when she answered her voice was very low, "You will die if you stay here. You are right, but you are not going to die. I already failed to save one friend that is not going to happen again. You are leaving!"
Sephiroth suddenly felt a small tingle run through his entire body and he knew his eyes were glowing as the mako in his body suddenly came to life. Glancing around quickly he saw the same had happened to Zack, Angeal and Genesis. Something was stirring the mako in their blood.
Rain deliberately shot out one arm, palm facing forward, her other hand grasping the wrist tightly. So softly it could almost barley be heard she whispered a name and an invisible wind seemed to carry the sound around the room.
There was suddenly an eruption of bright green light which then started to swirl around to make a patterned on the ceiling that Sephiroth recognized as a summoning circle. The creature that seemed to slide through the roof and circle was one he had never seen before.
It was not huge or intimidating, like Odin or Hades, nor was it cold in presence like Shiva. It looked to be a woman with long flowing golden hair, and curved body draped in a flowing almost transparent robe of white and gold cloth. The creature was tall, almost ten feet. Its face was seemed too strong and hard to be a woman's.
Sephiroth's hand was resting on Masamune's hilt ready to draw it when Tseng's voice beside him gave him pause.
"The Sender."
The Turk's voice was filled with awe, which caused Sephiroth to glance at him.
"You know what that is."
Despite being said to be the strongest man on earth Sephiroth liked to know who his enemy was before engaging in battle, especially when it came to summons.
Tseng nodded, "I know much regarding the myths surrounding the Ancient Centra. The Sender is said to be the daughter of Minerva and was sent as a gift from the planet to the Centra thousands of years ago. It is a summon only able to be called upon by an Ancient. Its sole purpose is to protect that Ancient who summoned it."
"Are you saying that girl is an Ancient?" The question came from Angeal.
Tseng brow furrowed in confusion, "No, I was assigned to guard the last remaining Ancient and she disappeared seven years ago."
Eyes glanced at Zack who looked startled. His voice was shaky, "You mean Arieth?"
Tseng nodded.
Genesis now spoke as moved forward to have a closer look into the room, "So if pup's girlfriend is the only Ancient left, then who or what is our little SOLDIER girl?"
"It looks like the Sender would like to know as well."
Everyone turned back to the scene below at Angeal's words. The creature seemed to float above the floor. She was right in front of Rain who bowed her head slightly. The creature appeared confused and angry. Her hands were raised and abruptly they grabbed Rain's face between her white hands and suddenly Rain entire frame seemed to glow and sparkle with strange green and white light starting to fall from her skin like sweat.
Rain could feel the angry creature enter her mind searching for the reason why she had been summoned and how.
The creature suddenly stilled as the answer became clear and the Sender's voice spoke inside her mind, sounding so familiar like the planet itself.
"I see. Someone like you should not exist, that is why you were able to summon me. I would not have guessed the truth."
"It is not one I have chosen." Rain could feel her body change as part of it began to reveal itself.
The woman like creature nodded her head and waved her hand.
"Do not fear young one. Your form is once again hidden, none can see it."
"Thank-you."
Rain could now feel the summon's heavy gaze upon her. She had never permitted anyone to see her completely, not even Chaos. It felt good to have another know, even though it would do nothing to save her. The Sender after all was bound to the planet, to its maker and would no nothing to interfere with its plans.
"I do not envy your fate. It is rare for the planet to condemn such a fate on one so young, but then again it has never been forced to change the balance of time."
Rain didn't answer; she knew not to expect any sympathy from one so closely connected to the planet, but to hear her fate so coldly put stirred that old anger inside her.
The creature cocked her head to the side and the voice suddenly grew softer, "Do not think I am without sympathy young one. What is your desire? How do you wish me to serve you?"
Rain turned to where Yuffie had managed to drag herself to her knees, eyes wide and locked on the creature behind her.
"Save her. Bring her to the place of your birth that is all I ask. Please!"
The summon paused, "You know that by asking that..."
"Yes, yes that I will be left behind. I know that is all right."
Rain moved to Yuffie's side and with ease picked her up.
Yuffie yelped, "Rain what are you doing?"
"Getting you home, that's what."
Rain passed the ninja into the summon's waiting arms, but Yuffie held onto her arm refusing to let go.
"Rain, no! I'm not leaving without you."
Rain laid her hand over top of the girl's and gave it a gently squeeze before forcefully prying it off.
"You have too. Like I said I already lost one friend I'm not losing another."
Yuffie starting to panic, "What about Cloud? I can't let you be left behind. Cloud would kill me."
Rain smiled sadly and pulled on the ring that had never been absent from her figure since Cloud have given it to her six years ago, "Give him this and tell him I choose my death a long time ago and I will not give it up to anything or anyone else. It will be all right; you know I don't die that easily."
The creatures eyes suddenly narrowed at something behind Rain and then whirred around clenching Yuffie to her chest protectively and a wall that looked like cascading water suddenly surrounded the creature and her charge.
Rain simultaneously spun around and brought her blade down in front of her. She heard a crack like thunder and something hit her chest with enough force to drive her back a step.
A trooper stood just within the doorway rifle raised. She was able to block the next round of bullets that he sent at her, but before she could charge, the trooper was suddenly grabbed from behind and yanked back through the door, by who she could not see nor did she care.
Things were suddenly becoming very blurred and a strange pounding was filling her ears. She turned around at the sound of Yuffie screaming her name. The ninja was struggling frantically in the summon's arms, yelling something that for some reason Rain's mind could not comprehend. Everything suddenly seemed to be getting quieter and quieter.
It was when Rain's eyes followed Yuffie's eyes down that she saw the hole ripped through her uniform in her chest and the crimson liquid that was slowly seeping into her uniform. She began to understood what had happened to her.
Opening her mouth she tried to scream, "GO NOW!"
Whether the words actually left her mouth she did not know, but the creature seemed to understand her and with a suddenly flash of green light both she and Yuffie disappeared leaving Rain alone.
Rain tried to breathe a sigh of relief, but it was getting harder and harder to breath. She took a step back gasping for breath and lost her footing.
Instead of collapsing to the floor she fell against something hard, but warm. Strong arms were around her lowering her gently to the floor. She just glimpsed flowing long silver hair before everything went black.
For a moment Sephiroth thought the girl had slipped away when she slumped against him and her eyes closed; then his ears picked up the gentle rhythm of her heart. It was too slow, but still strong. He knew there was a chance if he hurried. Laying her on the floor Sephiroth placed the heel of his hand against the gushing wound and pressed as hard as he dared.
He wasn't sure how much time had passed when he felt a hand on her shoulder and recognized Zack's presence at his side. Glancing up he noticed the medial unit hurrying through the doorway. He did not remove his hands from the wound, but moved a little to let them have better access.
They immediately went to work stabilizing the girl. One of the medics lifted a closed eyelid and pulled back sharply at the green glow that came from underneath the eyelid.
"She's already starting to heal," Sephiroth muttered partly to himself partly to the others.
One of the medics glanced up at him, "Still his best chance is at Midgar. We only have limited facilities and mako here sir."
Sephiroth knew what the man was asking, was the girl worth sending back to Midgar for treatment. Though Sephiroth suspected the girl could make it here under current care, he did not want to risk it with an injury of this severity.
He gave a nod, "Order the transportation. I want my SOLDIER out of here was soon as possible."
The medic nodded and Sephiroth was forced to give up his position as they prepared the unconscious SOLDIER for transport.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over at Zack whose face was pale.
"I'll accompany her back to Midgar, you come when you have dealt with the situation here."
Sephiroth nodded. Zack was right. He could not leave now and Zack was the best choice for accompanying the girl back to Midgar. He had the authority and position to deal with any complications that might arise.
Sephiroth kept his voice low so only Zack could hear, "Don't let the girl out of your sight."
Zack entered the medic chopper behind the stretcher and sat down on the bench lining one wall of the copper. His gaze not leaving the pale face on the stretcher.
Cloud was a girl and not only that she knew Areith!
It all made sense now at least some of it. Why the kid always seemed to jump at every one of Zack's little touches. Why the kid was always on edge. Minerva! It must have been a nightmare living with all those guys in the barracks for so long.
The chopper suddenly lurched to one side and he braced himself with his feet.
"Hey, learn how to fly! We have wounded back here." He yelled.
"Sorry sir." Came the automatic response.
Zack grunted and stood up bracing himself with one hand on the roof of the chopper and leaned over Cloud, no Rain. Even her name was not the same.
Zack felt movement behind him and was just about to tell the medic to be watch it, that the pilot didn't know how to fly in a straight line and he didn't want the man dive bombing into him, when he felt a sharp prick on his neck. He immediately flung his arm back knocking the medic to the other side of the chopper. Reaching up he pulled the syringe out of his neck eyes widening in anger as he did so.
"What did you do?" He growled angrily moving forward suddenly on shaky feet.
Zack didn't even make it two steps before his limbs grew heavily and he collapse on the floor. Everything was swirling before his eyes, but he heard the medic get up from the other side, and start talking to someone Zack could not see.
"Tell the Professor that we have the SOLDIER he wanted and another bonus for him to enjoy."
Professor? Was Zack's last thought before everything went black.
AN: So there you are hope you enjoyed and remember please, please review!