AN: Hey, so I finally managed to get something up without making you wait too long. Once again I would like to thank everyone who reviewed! I loved reading every one, please keep it up! Again I would like to thank my beta reader, Obsidian Skye, you are the Queen of the commas and I should really start using them on a more regular basis, make your job a whole lot easier. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

"Rain? Rain, it's okay. I won't let anything happen to you." The whisper in Rain's ear crooned. Jenova was now a permanent source in Rain's mind and Rain for the first time allowed it, welcomed it even. Anything was better than that exasperating Weapon's voice, with its endless preaching about purpose and destiny.

Now, at least thanks to Chaos, Rain would cease trying to argue with it. Chaos had made it very clear how useless that would be. Citadel would never be swayed from her purpose, and Rain was not ready to give in and die just yet or anytime in the near future. And why should she?

The planet was safe, there was no danger anymore, and no chance of a future like the one already lived. At first, all those years ago when she first learned of her fate, Rain had accepted it, though somewhat begrudgingly, and made plans and proper arrangements. But all that was before him, before she had meant Sephiroth and realized how little she had truly lived. She had been places, seen and done things those twice her age could not even dream of. Of course, it could be argued that she was in a way twice her age. Yet, Rain had never felt as many feelings as she had in her short time with him.

Pain, sorrow, and despair she was intimately familiar with. She had been there at the world's end, had watched as the planet burned around and death take all those on it. Calmness, laughter, joy she was less familiar with, but had tasted it at moments on board this ship with everyone still alive and around her.

Yet Sephiroth…what had been those feelings she had felt when she had been around him? Fear? Sometimes, but it had changed and became something else entirely. The nearest emotion she could use to describe it was when she was on the battle field. It was exhilaration, a thrill whenever she met his eyes. What was this emotion? Love maybe? That gave Rain pause, but what was love? She loved Cloud, loved Yuffie, Aerith, Tifa and the rest the same way, but it was not the same as what she felt now.

Thinking back on Cloud's past, feeling the emotions he had felt then. The emotions he had felt for Tifa. It had been a gentle emotion, which had formed a hold that kept bringing him back time and again no matter how hard Cloud had tried to stay away. It was close, but not quite the same.

"Everyone feels love differently," Jenova's voice floated gently in her head, "Don't try and compare a man's love for a woman with how a woman loves a man. They call it the same thing but it is felt and expressed quite differently."

Rain shook her head vigorously, earning her a couple of stares from crew members that were passing her in the hall. Rain regained her composure.

What does it matter anyway? She thought ruefully; I can never return to him and if I ever see him again I will probably be facing the end of Masamune.

"My child, whatever makes you think that?"

Rain let out a breath, right when Jenova was starting to make sense. Why would she think that? Oh, let's see should she list them alphabetically or in order of significance? First, she had lied to him, about… oh almost everything: her name, gender, mako levels, skill. Then she had rescued the most valuable political prisoner Shinra had been able capture during the war. In the process, revealing that not only was she a Wutai sympathizer, a traitor in Shinra's eyes, but she was a part of the most elite combat unit Wutai had. The sister of the Wutai General himself! And Jenova wondered why she would think he would draw a sword on her.

"Where there is a will there will always be a way. All you need is a gift."

"A gift?"

"Yes child, a gift. A show of loyalty usually helps when one is defecting."

Defecting? That brought Rain up sharply. Was that what her wanting to return to Sephiroth meant? Returning to Shinra? She detested the idea of belonging to Shinra the way Sephiroth did, yet it was clear that staying with Cloud would only led yet down the path that Citadel had chosen. Why else would the Weapon be so insistent they return and Rain had already make it clear she was going to have no part in it.

"What kind of a gift?" Rain was still suspicious of the suggestion.

"A certain red-head might warrant the General's forgiveness."

Genesis!

Rain was abashed to admit but she had forgotten about the man. Where would Cloud keep him on the ship? Secure and in an out-of-the-way location and, knowing her brother, a place to wound Genesis's pride, which he must have been flaunting around to make Cloud take him down. So engrossed in her pondering, Rain missed the surge of delight that coursed through Jenova.

"Yes, yes my daughter, go find Genesis. Let's all be together again."

Sephiroth sat in the co-pilot seat and watched Zack with a worried frown on his face. He had not been surprised when he had seen the helicopter come into his sight after he had made the call to Rufus. He had been expecting Zack and Angeal to follow; what he had not expected was to see Zack at the controls. Apparently, Zack had not been patient enough to go through the proper channels to warrant the use of a Shinra chopper. So he had, in his words, 'commandeered the vessel', saying he had watched Rufus and Tseng a thousand times and how hard could it be to fly a piece of metal?

Zack must have had some skill, as he had gotten himself and Angeal to Sephiroth in one piece, but Angeal had been quick to volunteer outside patrol around the craft while insisting that Sephiroth conserve his strength, for whatever lay ahead. Sephiroth had been about to argue, then he remembered the feeling of unease he had experiences around that man Cloud, and he had climbed into the chopper silently, much to the two men's surprise.

Now that they were airborne Sephiroth wasn't sure if Angeal simply wanted to be in a more suitable position to catch Zack if they both had to eject from a crashing aircraft. Zack could keep the chopper in the air and on course, but Sephiroth had been in plane crashes that did not bump and jolt as much as this.

"Hey Seph," Zack's voice came over the intercom, "can I ask you a personal question?"

Sephiroth glanced at him, not sure if it was a good idea for Zack to be flying and talking at the same time. He knew, however, that Zack would keep talking despite his answer, which was what Zack did after a moment of silence.

"What are your feelings for Rain? Why are we doing this?"

Sephiroth didn't actually want to answer that. Not because he didn't' have an answer, but because he was afraid of the answer that had immediately jumped into his head. Mine! Because she is mine!

Even now he was disturbed by how strongly he felt that one emotion. "I don't know Zack and whatever I am…feeling it is not healthy. So let us not continue this conversation."

Zack scoffed, "No offense Sephiroth, but how would you know? I mean, you did not grow up in the most ideal of circumstances for emotional growth. Until Angeal and Genesis came along did you even allow yourself any emotional attachments?"

Sephiroth stared and Zack sighed, "What I am trying to say, Seph, is that you might not be the best judge on whether what you're feeling is normal. So talk to me, I'm your friend."

The stone-faced General mask slipped into place before Sephiroth even realized it, his automatic defense when dealing with anything emotional. Then with an internal sigh, Sephiroth relented. Zack was right, what did he know about this kind of thing?

"I feel unnaturally possessive of her." Sephiroth paused then continued, "That she belongs to me and no one else. She is mine."

Zack nodded thoughtfully, not looking the least bit disturbed. He did not say anything for a moment and Sephiroth, not a talkative person to begin with, waited in silence. Not offering any excuse or justification for the blunt admission. Surprisingly it was Zack that did that.

"It makes sense."

At Sephiroth's look, Zack shrugged, "Well think about it Seph, you were raised by a psycho in a lab. You were never allowed to want or desire anything. Gaia, you were not even supposed to feel anything. But despite what Hojo might have told you, your thoughts, your feelings are just as human as the rest of us. I know for a fact that when you allow yourself, you feel more strongly than anyone I know." Zack smiled, "You're just not used to being allowed to desire something, and it being okay. Your first instinct is that you will not be allowed to keep it and someone will take it from you, which is why your feelings of attachment might seem a little extreme. So…"

Zack trailed off and Sephiroth finished the trailing sentence, "So you're saying its okay? That is it normal?"

Zack smiled widened into a grin, "Normal for you, you never do things half ways, General." At Sephiroth's worried look, the pup sighed, "Okay, let me ask you this instead: what do you feel when you are around her?"

What did he feel when around her? Besides when he was not analyzing her, trying to figure out what she was hiding? It was hard, those moments had been rare. There had always seemed to be…situations going on, and yet even in the midst of all that there had always been something, something he had not realized. It had been there especially when Sephiroth had taken her into his apartment, and cared for her during the night when she had mako poisoning. Feelings of peace, of satisfaction watching her sleep in his bed, pride and happiness beneath that wary suspicion, when she promised so fervently in the midst of one of her delusions during the night that she would protect him no matter what.

"What do I feel?" Sephiroth contemplated his response so it would be short, simple and to the point, "I feel content."

A short snort slipped past Zack's lips in his attempt not to laugh, but Sephiroth still frowned.

"Only you Sephiroth," Zack shook his head, "only you would ever try to define a man's love to one word, while men have wasted paper and breathe in countless poems and songs on the subject."

Sephiroth eyes suddenly narrowed and his voice was sharp, "Zack!"

"Oh, come one Seph, I was just teasing; no need to get angry." Zack whined.

"Zackary!" Sephiroth barked in a voice that in the past had even made the president stiffen to attention, "Zack, watch where you are flying. We are here."

Zack uttered a curse; looming far ahead at a distance only a SOLDIER's eyes could see, was the chaos of an air battle. The ship under fire was moving to hide in the dense clouds, but Sephiroth could see it was only in an attempt to mount a counter attack and not to flee.

It seemed Rufus had kept his end of the bargain and well, too. The number of crafts and firepower was impressive for the exiled heir to be able to muster in such a short time from Junon.

"Great," Zack muttered, voicing Sephiroth's thoughts, "Now what?"

Genesis smirked as he watched the chestnut-haired woman across from him. By his internal time, he figured he had been imprisoned for two days aboard this ship and he had never had so much fun. True, his living quarters could be improved. Genesis never did enjoy chocobos, much less their stables, but he had to remind himself for appearance purposes he was considered a prisoner and prisoners could not be picky. Not that Genesis would ever consider himself a prisoner, but at least the stables were clean…for a chocobo stable. And the food, well it was definitely not the finest cuisine he was used to but it was edible and the service all but made up for whatever was lacking in culinary skills.

She came like clockwork, making sure he was not deprived of any meals. She would place his plate near his feet and then sit on a crate across from him while he ate. His hands were bound in front of him so he could still feed himself, a fact he mourned. Genesis would have loved to be fed by the girl, but she was smart and kept her distance, never nearing within an arm's reach. He had not even been able to learn her name. She had simply smiled at him every time he asked, and so he had started calling her flower girl because of the single flower that was always a part of his food tray.

He finished his food, which he always took a great deal of time to do, and he liked to keep the little flower around for as long as possible and set down the plate by his side.

"Another wonderful meal, my little flower."

She smiled but did not move and Genesis sighed dramatically. "I wish you would not sit so far away my dear, a flower like you deserves to be caressed and loved, not locked away in a garden where no one can praise her beauty."

She actually laughed, much to Genesis's delight, "Oh you haven't changed a bit, and you are exactly as he described you five years ago."

Genesis's smile did not falter, but inside he was suddenly cautious. People knew him of course, how could they not he was almost as famous as Sephiroth, but few people knew him on the level to which she was referring.

"Oh?" he remarked casually, "And just who is this person who has revealed all my charming attributes?"

Her face seemed to brighten at the mere thought of this person, "My boyfriend," the smile faltered, "or he used to be, I don't really know I haven't seen him in… a very long time." A shaky laugh, "He has probably forgotten me by now."

Suddenly Genesis was on his feet, ankles and hands still bound. He appeared behind where she sat, his lips so close they almost brushed her ear. "My poor flower, anyone who would forget you is not worth remembering, especially when there are other, more deserving men who crave for your attention."

She did not move and Genesis gave her credit for that; she was not afraid of him even at this range.

Suddenly a voice came from the doorway, "Back off, Genesis. Zack would flay you alive if he found you touching his girl."

Her figure was still a shadow in the doorway but Genesis recognized the voice. "Rain!" The flower girl, or Aerith if she was who Rain referred to, stood with relief evident in her voice. Only then did Aerith freeze abruptly mid step toward the door.

"Aerith?" Rain's voice droned almost sickeningly sweet, "What's the matter?"

And that is when Genesis felt it, that presence. He had felt it before when Sephiroth would sometimes lose control and she would appear briefly before Sephiroth would force her back down.

Rain took a step into the light and Aerith flinched, taking a step back and to Genesis's surprise gripped his arm. Almost without thinking Genesis put himself between Aerith and Rain.

Rain's expression was now one of hurt, "Aerith, what is wrong? Are you…frightened of me?"

Aerith spoke but did not step around from behind Genesis, "You are not yourself, Rain."

It was then that Genesis noticed Rain's eyes. They were flickering, one moment they were blue with mako around the irises, the next they narrowed into familiar green cat eyes. But after a moment they changed back, it was if neither could stay in control.

Rain's face clouded, "You're right, I'm not myself! I am not allowed to be myself or have what I want, but that will soon change. As soon as I have him!" She pointed to Genesis, which surprised him, "I'm afraid I'll have to kidnap your prisoner there, Aerith."

Those changing eyes fixed on him, her voice intense, "I need him. If I return him then Sephiroth will take me back. I know he will!"

Take her back? Now Genesis was confused; she had not wanted to leave? That made no sense, but nevertheless he did not intend to be bounced around like balls in a juggler's hand. He had enough of playing the defeated, captured SOLDIER.

Ripping through the chains that bound him, Genesis had hidden a freeze materia. He had been weakening the chains that normally could hold even a SOLDIER by freezing and thawing the chains until they weakened enough that he knew he could break them.

Genesis sprang at Rain intending to subdue her, until Rain could fight her way back into control. It was at that moment that Genesis realized just how much Rain had been holding back around them. With speed impressive for even enhanced SOLDIERs, the massive blade Rain had strapped to her back was out and she sliced an arch in front of her.

Genesis just had time enough to jump back, but the tip still opened him across the chest. The red-haired man stumbled to his knees in shock.

Rain must have acted automatically, for she appeared just as shocked as he did. She dropped her blade and landed on her knees in front of him, "Genesis! Oh, Gaia, Genesis, I'm so sorry!"

Reaching out with her hands, Rain pressed down on Genesis's chest trying to stop the bleeding. Genesis jerked, it felt like a million insects had suddenly come alive inside his body, all crawling and itching to get out of him. Throwing back his head Genesis screamed and withered as the feeling congregated to his chest where those blasted hands pressed against him.

Just as suddenly as it had started it was over, leaving him exhausted and gasping like a fish out of water. He then realized he had somehow ended up flat on his back, his head resting in Aerith's lap. Normally, he would make a crude comment at moments like these, but she was looking at Rain and Genesis's eyes quickly followed.

Rain had her head tilted back, eyes closed, and her expression was like someone who had just experienced a moment of intense pleasure. When she tilted her head back down to look at them again Aerith gasped. There was no flickering now, solid green cat eyes.

"Oh, my!" the voice was strange, still Rain's but the manner and tone were completely different. "That was delightful wasn't it, my son? A small reunion between a mother and her forgotten son, how special! Oh, but I seemed to have taken everything, there was so few of my cells in your body I needed them all too even create this small reunion."

The…creature pursed Rain's lips together mockingly, "I guess that means you're no longer my son. That is good; it means I can use you without worrying about harming my own child."

Reaching out, she grasped Genesis by the throat lifting him off his feet, "You will be useful in drawing my other children to me and you…" her gaze fell on Aerith, "will be useful in punishing my most rebellious son. You could call him the black sheep of my happy family."

Dimly Genesis remembered hearing explosions and alarms sounding throughout the ship.

Rain's lips pulled into an unnatural smile, "It seems my sons are finally here."

AN: Remember please review and let me know your thoughts.