AN: Hey everyone I am soo sorry it has taken me so long to update. I know some of you have written wondering if I was going to continue the story and I assured you I would have something up in a week. Well I finished the chapter on time, but then decided to re-write it. So it is taking a bit more time than I thought, but I decided to at least give you a little something. So here is the first half of the chapter and I will try and get the rest up as soon as possible. And thanks so much for all the reviews!

Genesis was bored and angry. Sephiroth and Angeal had gone off on an unsanctioned mission on their own; undoubtedly to find the pup and the little SOLIDER girl. It wasn't that he didn't care, he would receive no peace from Angeal with the pup gone and the girl; well she was just too much fun. He had never seen anyone get so many riles out of Sephiroth. That alone demanded respect.

Genesis wasn't really concerned, Sephiroth and Angeal were more than capable of dealing with anyone foolish enough to kidnap two SOLIDERS. They'd come back eventually. Sephiroth had a hard time keeping a low profile and with Zack at his side those chances of stealth would decrease dramatically. What really made him angry was that he was expected him to stick around in Wutai while they went on their private mission. The only reason he stuck around this long was because of Angeal. Besides Tseng was in Wutai, and Director Lazard could pick up the slack so there was really no need for him to stay.

Genesis went to Kalm, a town that could barely be considered civilization. He couldn't very well go to Midgar. He was too recognizable and technically he was AWOL. So that left him in a bar in Kalm to drink away his misery. Not that he could actually get drunk. Curse mako's neutralizing effect on alcohol!

Maybe he could sneak into Midgar later tonight and catch one of the new theatrical releases of Loveless. His fans had demanded that at a theater perform Genesis's version of the missing scene of Loveless. They hadn't gotten it right, but it was always amusing to see what people came up. These "fans" treated every word from his mouth to have significant literary meaning, when most of the time he was just baiting them.

A spiky blonde head of hair caught the corner of his eye. What was that little SOLDIER girl doing here in Kalm? She did not seem aware of his presence, or more frustratingly, she was just ignoring him. Genesis always hated being ignored, but he waited until the figure stood at the other end of the bar before making his presence known.

Without looking up from his drink Genesis spoke loud enough to be heard across the entire bar, "Well, well, if it isn't our missing SOLIDER girl."

The blond head turned to him and their eyes met. Genesis realized he had been mistaken. There was no way this was that girl, though the similarities were enough to make him tilt his head and smile.

Though Genesis had not realized Rain's true gender at first, now he was wondering how he had not seen the differences sooner. The hair was exactly the same, and their eyes the same icy blue, but there was an edge to this one in the way he held himself, a sharpness that Rain did not have.

Turning on his stool Genesis now faced the man directly. He could tell the man recognized him, feeling at a disadvantage Genesis let the smile turn to a leer as he spoke, "Hmm, are you the brother? Or sister? It's difficult to tell with your family. I never can tell at first glance."

"Brother…", Cloud started automatically but was cut off by Genesis.

"Brother is it? Elder brother Cloud and younger sister Rain," Genesis mused, "How… appropriate."

Genesis could tell his jibe had caught the man off guard. Cloud seemed to be trying to come up with a response, when small dark head poked through the entrance of the bar.

Yuffie's voice rang in the small space, "Yo Cloud, Cid finished the re-fueling. Let's go!"

As quickly as she had appeared the girl vanished.

"Yuffie, you have the worst timing, "Cloud cursed under his breath.

Genesis turned back to Cloud, a dangerous smile on his face at the new information. "Harboring Wutai prisoner and a brother of an apparent Shinra infiltrator. And I thought this was a boring town."

A tall black haired woman appeared at the door.

"Cloud let's go," Tifa called, "Yuffie is getting impatient."

"Where are you going is such a rush," Genesis called, "At least stay and have a drink with me before you go."

Tifa glanced at Genesis and smiled diplomatically, "I'm sorry, not interested."

Not allowing himself to be ignored Genesis stood up, blocking Tifa's path. "Permit me to introduce myself, I am Genesis Rhapsodos, Shinra SOLDIER First Class, genius playwright and scholar, and connoisseur of rare beauty."

Genesis gently took Tifa's hand and pressed it to his lips.

Tifa gazed warily at the man in red leather and withdrew her hand, then nimbly stepped around Genesis and put her hand on Cloud's shoulder. "C'mon Cloud, let's get out of here."

"Tifa, he knows something about Rain," said Cloud.

"Yes, cute little Rain, all by herself in the barracks without her big brother to protect her. She must get very lonely," Genesis mused, seeing the growing anger on Cloud's face. "I myself could hardly be interested in such unripe fruit. My standards insist that a woman be as the elusive Banora White, a succulent blend of sweet taste, firm flesh and perfect shape."

Tifa blushed scarlet and Cloud gave Genesis a glare strong enough to rival even Sephiroth's. Genesis's bemusement faded into SOLDIER instinct as Cloud sprang to his feet, kicking the stool he was sitting on across the room.

Genesis felt danger, but not from the source he expected. Genesis dodged backward, but Tifa's fist grazed his jaw. Genesis allowed the momentum carry him backwards and quickly flipped to his feet a couple steps away.

Genesis brought his hand to his jaw and he turned to Tifa. If he had thought Cloud's glare was impressive it was nothing compared to this dark haired woman. Her fists were raised into a stance that clearly implied she was ready to strike at any moment.

The bar patrons scrambled for the exit as the three combatants slowly began to circle each other.

Tifa took a threatening step forward, "It seems, Mr. SOLDIER First Class Genesis Rhapsodos, that you need a lesson in respect."

Genesis raised an eyebrow in response, "My dear, you misunderstand if you believe that I do not hold women of your caliber in the highest regard."

Genesis stepped forward so suddenly that he was behind Tifa before she could react. Genesis took a lock of her hair and ran it between his fingers. "Tifa, my dear, you are among the most elusive creatures of all, the perfect blend of strength and beauty."

Tifa's hand grabbed Genesis' wrist and would have broken it had Genesis not been expecting her move. He twisted free, narrowly avoiding the blade that was descending upon him at the same time.

Jumping back Genesis quickly drew his blade. Cloud recovered remarkably fast from his missed strike and came at him again. Sparks flew as the two blades locked. Genesis was slightly surprised at the strength behind the strike. Never the less he smirked, "Just when I thought that you let your women do all your fighting for you."

With an angry yell Cloud threw himself at Genesis disengaging their blades by applying even more strength. Genesis was pushed backwards a step before counterattacking with a series of thrusts and slashes that had Cloud scrambling to keep up. The man's speed and strength was remarkable and Genesis realized why Rain's skill was at so high a level. With this man as her teacher anything less would have been disappointing.

Cloud parried another slash forcing Genesis to dodge a swing that would have cut him in half had it landed. Genesis's initial amusement was quickly turning into annoyance. Cloud was meeting him blow for blow and Genesis didn't like not having the upper hand. It was something that never happened to him except when sparring with either Angeal or Sephiroth.

Before Genesis could finish his thought he was forced to step back again as Tifa suddenly stepped back into the fight. The ease at which she lifted one of the heavy tables and hurled it at him surprised Genesis. Genesis instinctively raised his left hand and released a burst flame from his fire materia, disintegrating it instantly.

The sight of Cloud coming at him through the flames did not surprise Genesis. He had been expecting such a maneuver and met the attack head on. Cloud quickly locked their blades. Genesis was forced to switch to a one handed grip on the blade so he could catch Tifa's attack coming at his throat, but was not quick enough to stop her fist from connecting solidly with his head.

Normally a SOLDIER did not go down from a simple punch, especially a SOLDIER of Genesis level, but this was not a normal strike. Tifa's fist connected first with his temple and then again below his ear, causing his head to ring. In an attack of perfect coordination, Cloud simultaneously applied more strength against Genesis's blade. A disoriented Genesis stumbled to his knees, not believing he had been taken down by a mere woman. It was embarrassing but at the same time thrilling to have found a woman of such skill and power. Genesis smiled as he was forced onto his stomach. Tifa pinned his arms and dug her knee into his back. Cloud held his sword a few inches away from Genesis's head.

Abruptly Cloud's cell phone rang and he answered it without taking his sword off of Genesis.

Genesis sharp ears could easily pick up the voice on the other line. It sounded shaky and frightened, "Cloud I need you please."

"Rain?"

AN: Ya, like I said this is just the first half of the chapter so sorry it's so short, but I thought you guys would appreciate it rather than making you wait another week or so. Please keep reviewing! It is so much easier to write when I know people are interested in what is going on.