Disclaimer: I do not now or before and most likely not in the future, own Final Fantasy, Square Enix or any of the characters.

A/N: There is a scene with Hojo's lab creation, Destiny, in this chapter and I wrote that scene especially for her biggest fan, Ryma! Destiny thanks your dedication!

Reviews, critiques, and flames are welcome. I absolutely love all reviews about the story as it gives me motivation, I use good constructive criticism to help my writing improve and I feed the flames to the fires of my imagination.

Thanks to my before posting beta Queen of Jokers and my after posting beta SubZeroChimera!

"Heaven never helps the man who will not act." -Sophocles

Chapter 30

In the morning Sephiroth headed back to Aerith's church and as he walked, he had the feeling of being watched. There wasn't a feeling of urgency to hide, instead, he felt somewhat comforted by the gaze. Looking around and out of the corner of his eye, he saw what he thought was a Turk with black hair and a black suit, Tseng. Even though there was no feelings to flee, he cautiously walked and found a way to lose his pursuer, though he knew it did no good, they would find him if they wanted to. After seeing their reactions on the cliff, Sephiroth let himself relax, but only a small amount, this was Tseng after all and the Turk leader had, on more than one occasion, proved as dangerous as he could be ruthless.

A week later, Sephiroth invited Aerith to go to watch a play up on the plate and she was happy to go; she said that she'd never been to a play before. When he showed up at her door, she was wearing a light green and white blouse with pink, yellow and blue flowers that went around the neck and up her shoulders. Her skirt went down to her knees and a sheer cover draped over her delicate shoulders and arms. Taken aback at her beauty, he released the breath he didn't know he was holding. With a playful bow and a grand gesture of his arm, he said with smile and in his signature deep voice, he addressed her, "My lady."

With a blushing giggle, she pinched a corner of her skirt with two of her fingers and curtsied. With every smile, she seemed to devour his power. She was a princess who he wanted to make her his queen, he wanted to give her every part of himself, including his once cold heart.

Offering his arm to her, he escorted her to the plate and to the theater. During the play, he watched her as she watched the play. If someone asked him what the play was about, he wouldn't be able to tell them, but he could tell them how she'd laughed at humorous parts and scowled at the serious parts. After the play, they went for a walk and enjoyed the pleasant company of one another.

As they got closer to her house, Sephiroth unconsciously slowed his pace, not wanting to end the night yet. Unfortunately, they did reach the door and she took his hands in hers. Her face beamed and it blinded him to any other women and then she spoke, "Would you like to come in, I have some cake left over that I baked yesterday." Sephiroth warmed at the idea of getting to spend more time with her, so a simple nod and a smile assured his entrance to her living room. Sitting down on the couch, she asked him, "What would you like to drink?"

"Water would be fine, thank you," He was left alone for a short time and when she appeared again, he smiled at her gracious beauty. Taking his piece of cake and glass of water, he ate his cake but couldn't take his eyes off of her as he watched her eat hers, in her dainty way. Her eyes sparkled and her lips parted in small smiles that lit the room. She raised feelings in him he thought had long been buried.

Putting his plate on the coffee table, he said softly, "Come here, please." When she looked over at him, he put two of his fingers under her chin, "You have a little icing on your lips." Lightly brushing her lips with his own, her eyes fell closed and she breathed in deeply. Without looking, she slid her plate on the table and her small delicate fingers caressed his jaw line, his neck and stroked up to his wig, pulling it off, letting his long silver waterfall of hair cascade to his waist.

His eyes closed and rolled back in a feeling of ecstasy, an image of her laying under him, a look of utter bliss on her features as she reached up to pull him down to her waiting lips. The image was intense, real, almost like it had happened, a memory that rose from the ashes of what was once a happy life, but he didn't know of this girl, this woman who held his heart in her own.

Feeling her light touches, he muffled a moan in her soft skin as he nibbled at her neck. He wanted this, wanted her, totally and completely. His heart hadn't beat like this in so long, it was taking every bit of self-control to keep from ravishing her right then. When she slipped her blouse over her head and then started to unbutton his shirt, his self-control got tested yet again and he asked, wanting to make sure that this is what she wanted, "Are you sure?"

Her thoughts went to her first love, he'd been the only one she had ever been with, but he was gone now, for years. The thought of him leaving her for someone else brought up those old feelings of abandonment again. She just wanted happiness with someone again and Sephiroth made her feel happy, feel loved once again. A glint in her eyes caused him to roll his head back when she removed his shirt and she left tiny kisses on his neck. As her hands lightly caressed his chest down to his belt, his hips involuntarily jerked forward a little, his body responding to every one of her touches.

She'd been able to feel Zack's energy from time to time, and not knowing whether he still wanted her anymore made it that much harder. Shinra, more importantly, Tseng, hadn't ever told her anything of what happened with Zack. She'd purposely blocked any feelings from Zack, hoping to get past the pain of losing him, then she met Sephiroth, like a knight saving the princess and then all she could feel was him, like the planet wanted her near him, to save him before it was too late.

He closed his eyes again and worked on regaining control of himself again, but she was making it difficult. His arms found their way to her back and he breathed in deeply and leaned closer to her as she lay back on the couch. Being entangled with her, he let himself get lost in her arms.

As she relished in Sephiroth's touches, she let him have his way with her, let herself be free again and in the end, she lay there on the floor of the living room, watching the impressive, beautiful, yet dangerous former General of Shinra sleep as soundly as a baby, like he hadn't slept well in years.

Taking a few strands of loose silver hair in her fingers, she wondered if he remembered Zack. She wanted to ask, but she didn't know how to even bring it up. Zack had talked fondly about him a few times, but that was about it. She didn't know if she even wanted to know what happened to Zack anymore, because if it turned out that he had met someone else, she didn't want her heart-broken again. She might get the courage to ask him sometime, but not now. Right now, she just wanted to feel loved again, by someone who she enjoyed being with again.

Flapping her wings in a flurry, timing her landing just right to keep from making noise on the rooftops, the chill in the air kept her awake and gave her strange comfort, the colder it got the better she felt. The pull to go north was overwhelming, like a tight leash around her. Although she had the desire to get her father, she had the needling sensation to make a home, a safe place to bring him.

The blood that pumped through her veins was boiling, she needed the cold to stave off her body breaking down and she needed the closeness to the planet's life blood, the nourishment it gave. The moonlight above kept the creatures in the housing structures sleeping, but the night life was hardly boring.

A soft and gentle animal approached with its young, grazing on the small patches of grass that stuck up through the snow. Closing her brightly glowing eyes, she tried to reach out with her emotions, to feel the animal, but her father held on to what she needed most, what she would need to become whole.

Opening her eyes again, she allowed herself to listen to the breeze, lightly blowing through her thick hair, ruffling her feathers on her folded wings. Sniffing the air, she smelled the animal and the pheromones it emitted, having given birth to its young barely a week before, it already was ready to mate again, but the alert animal kept all at bay.

With a tilt of her head, the light rustle of her white dress caught in the breeze got the attention of the deer and the fawn. Staring down the other, it was a battle and the winged one wanted to win this one, she wasn't created to lose.

Concentrating on her target, she sent what little power allowed to her until she and father could unite, dropping the deer where it stood, writhing in silent agony. Backing away one step… then two, the young deer watched its mother die, slowly and painfully. Taking flight, the unnamed winged girl landed, her bare feet on the snow-covered ground. Holding out her hand toward the fawn, who seemed paralyzed with fear, she spoke to the young animal, "Take heed young one, the time of my mother will come and all shall die, but not as peaceful as your own mother."

Reaching out, she laid her hand on the head of the light brown fawn, running her hand gently down the sleek neck, to its back. Bringing her hand back to its head and putting her hand underneath, she slowly pulled the animal's eyes up to look at hers, "Go now. Go and warn those of your kind to flee." Releasing the animal, it jumped over the dead deer into the forest as the beautiful young woman spoke after it, wearing a small content smile, "Make haste, father will be ready soon and you will make a fine hunt."

Cloud and Sephiroth had spent some time together off and on during the last month, but the older man still refused to tell him some of the things that happened, but he was going to get it out of him sometime.

Over the last few weeks, however, the blond still couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him and it was finally revealed to him on his way to work, "Hey Strife. How's it hanging -you adorable little bundle of blond hair?" Cloud turned around and behind him stood a man with bright red hair. Holding one hand up, he spoke before the younger man could say anything, "Oh, no need to say anything, being in my presence leaves many speechless," A sly smile crept on to the red-head's face.

Being taken by surprise never turned out well for the blond and he fumbled through his words, "I d-don't know what you're talking about. I, uh… I don't know anyone by that name," Cloud turned and continued to walk away.

"I know your story. I know Sephiroth and I knew Zack too," Cloud stopped when Zack's name was mentioned, but he didn't turn around, "Listen, I don't want anything from you. Zack was an awesome guy, but Shinra still thinks that it has business with you."

A well of emotion clenched his gut, turning him around, he pleaded, "Why don't they just leave us alone?"

"Hey, I'm not the one who makes up the rules and shit. I'm just here to tell you that the creepy bastard, Hojo, still wants something from both of you," He threw his hands up in surrender and walked off.

Left to his thoughts, Cloud needed to find out what it was that Hojo still wanted and Sephiroth had to know something; it was just a matter of getting him to talk. Once he made it to the bar he made up his mind, "Tifa, I had something come up. I need to go talk to Seph."

Tifa's smile was small, "Sure, do what you need to do. If you need anything-"

"Yeah, I know, give you a call," Cloud smiled back at her as he opened the door to leave, "Thanks Tifa."

Since it was early evening, Sephiroth would be off work by now. Cloud wasn't sure exactly where he was going and having gotten the directions days ago, he'd meant to visit him at his place sooner, but he never got around to it, besides the fact that he apparently met someone who he wanted the blond to meet.

It was a cute and homey little two-story house in a secluded area of Sector 5 and Cloud wondered how such a wholesome looking house still stood without any look of corruption. When he knocked at the door, there was no answer, and curiosity got the better of him so he looked around the house and found an impressive garden. Among the variety of flowers, was a very pretty woman, maybe he had gotten his directions wrong, "I'm sorry. I think I might be in the wrong place. I'm looking for someone."

She rose and dusted her hands off on her pants, smearing dirt on the front of them, "No, you're in the right place," Cloud tilted his head slightly in curiosity, "Your Cloud right?" Cloud nodded his head slowly. She took his hand and shook it with enthusiasm, "I've heard so much about you! Sorry that I never got the chance to meet you before."

Cloud studied her face intently with furrowed eyebrows, "Who are you?"

Her smile widened, "Oh, I'm Aerith."

Cloud literally dropped his jaw and couldn't speak at first, "You're… you're Aerith? … As in Zack's Aerith?"

Her smile dropped and her words came out in a slow and sad tone, "Used to be. I hope you understand." She put her hand on his forearm, "Sephiroth does not know about Zack and I being together so long ago, he's hurting enough now," Changing her tone, "Seph is inside in the shower. Come on in," She took him by the hand and pulled him into the house, "It is really nice to finally meet you."

Entering the house, he wanted to shake her and tell her how much Zack had loved her; that he was on his way back here for her, that she was the biggest anchor that kept him going through his time in the labs. Words failed him though, and what did she mean that Sephiroth didn't know about her and Zack? Were they dating now? If Sephiroth knew about her and Zack, would he continue seeing her? Maybe that's why she chose not to tell him. Cloud's thoughts broke at the sight of Sephiroth coming down the stairs in a fluffy bathrobe while drying his hair. Cloud had the sudden urge to poke fun at his older friend, "Nice bathrobe. Do you have the matching slippers?"

Sephiroth jerked and missed a step, but didn't lose his footing, forever graceful, "Oh, uh… just a minute, I will be right back."

Seeing Sephiroth disappear back upstairs, Cloud looked back at Aerith, growing in frustration at his sudden predicament, "What is going on?"

She lowered her eyes, "Cloud, I don't know what happened, Zack was here one day and gone the next. I held on to him for years," Grabbing at her chest, above her heart, she saddened, "I just can't let him break my heart anymore," Sephiroth appeared on the stairs again and he had changed into some jeans and a button up shirt. Growing up, he'd always seen posters of the man as a god among men, powerful and untouchable, but to see him in civilian clothes was comforting in a humorous way and the amusement never ceased to amaze Cloud.

"Cloud, it is good to see you. I see that you met Aerith," Cloud hadn't seen Sephiroth smile so big before and he directed the large grin toward her when she winked at him. It was nice to see him happy when for so long he'd always worn a scowl of concentration and authority.

Cloud looked at her and his voice was flat, "Yes, we've met."

"What brings you here?" Sephiroth went into the living room and gestured to a chair for Cloud.

"Well, I got a visitor earlier," Aerith came in with some coffee and handed one to Cloud and one for Sephiroth, leaning down and happily kissing him before she left the room. Cloud's eyes followed her out of the room and then he looked back at Sephiroth and continued in almost a whisper, "From a Turk."

Sephiroth put his coffee down, leaning forward with great interest and sudden anxiety, "Did he say his name?"

"No, but he said he knew you and Zack," Cloud paused, "He also said that Hojo still wanted something from us. If you know what he is talking about, tell me!"

Sephiroth lowered his voice, "There is something that happened after Zack… was killed. When I got there, you had already left and some Turks showed up and took his body. They seemed upset, especially Tseng and Reno, they'd all had known Zack back when we were Soldiers."

"What about Hojo?" Cloud was growing impatient.

Sephiroth held up his hand, "Hojo implanted some things in you. They were supposed to bond you with Jenova. He was no longer interested in only me, he seemed that he wanted you to complete his project with me," The General paused and waited for the questions to come, but Cloud sat there waiting for him to finish, "There was some sort of connection between you and me and he studied that," He paused, sighed and swallowed at the painful memory, "to great lengths."

"Bond with Jenova? What sort of connection?" His face searched for the answers on Sephiroth's face.

"I was able to feel some of the feelings you had, able to see some things that you saw. So when he hurt you, he questioned me about what I felt," Sephiroth fidgeted in his seat.

"There is more that you're not telling me, isn't there?" Cloud stood up, "Dammit, Seph tell me!"

Sephiroth glanced to the side, away from Cloud's gaze, "I can't, I just don't know."

Cloud could tell that he was lying about not knowing any more and he tried to keep from yelling at him so he decided to change the conversation's direction, "So what about these Turks, are we in danger from them?"

"I don't really know. I would be careful around them though," Sephiroth looked back at Cloud, "What did he look like?"

"He had bright red hair, about my height-"

"-That is Reno. He can be very dangerous, so be careful. He and Zack had been friends a long time ago," Sephiroth fidgeted again.

Cloud paused and took another sip then Aerith walked in, "Cloud would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Well I don't want to intrude-"

"Oh don't be silly! Ever since my mother passed, I haven't really had a lot of company, well until I met Seph. The more the merrier I say," Aerith's smile brightened the room and he then understood why Zack was in love with her.

"Well then I guess I will stay," Sephiroth put his hand on Cloud's shoulder and they walked to the table that was already set for three. Cloud thought about Zack and how he really couldn't blame her, in her mind, he'd just disappeared. Telling her the truth might hurt her more and that was one thing that he didn't want to do. He watched them and they seemed really happy together and Zack would have wanted both of them nothing but happiness, he knew that above all things and all evening Cloud steered clear of any subject that Zack's name might come up.

Sephiroth offered him a room because it was so late, but he wanted to walk and get some fresh air. The thought of Turks and Hojo made him nervous and he just wanted to find out more about this unfinished business with Hojo.

Watching the blond leave the house, he followed him at a distance. At times, he thought that the kid had seen him, but his walk continued at a steady pace. Once he reached his apartment, he went inside without the hesitation he'd observed before.

Standing across the street, he kept watch from the darkened shadows of the alley. Thinking to himself that this was such a crap job, however, he had heard some stories of what Hojo had done to them in that dungeon. Just the thought of anyone going through that, he wanted to kill Hojo himself. He'd decided that if he could kill the scientist, he would, he just was waiting for the opportunity to arise.

Until chance to kill Hojo rose, his thoughts went to Zack's funeral; it was just Rude, Tseng and himself with just a couple of other Turks who attended. Some of them had almost lost it, and Reno would never admit to it when the Soldier-turned-rogue's body was placed in the cremation chamber, the door closed and the flames turned on, that the tear he shed in private meant so much more.

It was sad that no one other than the small group even knew that Zack was there. Who else would know to mourn for him?

For the time being though, Reno thought that for Zack to put his life out there for this little blond guy, he must be one hell of a person. Zack always was a good judge of character and he guessed that is why after he had done that one job for the Turks that Zack stopped talking to him. The large brunette didn't know that the red-head was capable of doing anything like that. Hell, he didn't even know himself. Reno hated that job, but an order is an order, that's what he told himself just before he downed another drink.

The Turks hadn't told Hojo they knew where his test subjects were and he certainly wasn't going to tell him. So he was going to watch and keep tabs on this blond kid for as long as he got orders. Then again he might watch out for the kid even longer, but only because of Zack. However, it was almost time for his shift to be over, he had been up for almost two days now. Tseng told him that everything would be okay in the long run, to leave Hojo to the Turk leader, so Reno just waited for his replacement for the night.

A week or so later, it was late, but he walked toward the house that was under surveillance. As he got closer, the front door opened and out of habit, he ducked out of sight and then he saw the silver-haired man leaving. Before he got too far away, the former General leaned in and kissed the exquisite ancient. As he watched them kiss, the thought of how he'd always had a thing for her and it clouded his judgment for a moment.

His Turk suit jacket got tighter when he sighed deeply as she smiled and said something to him, making him smile back. As the man walked away, he put the brown wig on and then was out of sight.

The black-haired man snapped into action, and followed him all the way to Sector 7, to a bar aptly named, "7th Heaven." The silver-haired man went inside the closed bar, staying for just a few minutes and when the door opened, he came back out with the blond kid, who had a good-looking girl on his arm. Looking at her petite form, her long dark blond hair and bright smile, he could understand why the blond was holding on to her as though she was his.

Shutting the door and locking it behind her, a statuesque brunette girl joined them by running to catch up. She had curves that would break your neck just trying to get another look at her and they walked together and laughed while they talked, all the way to the apartment, disappearing inside.

Standing there, just looking at the door, he debated on when he should make his presence known and he supposed that this was as good a time as any. The information wasn't going to get to them any other way so he slowly walked up the stairs to the door, took a deep breath and knocked.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reads, favorites, subscribes and/or reviews, I appreciate your time and I dedicate all of this to you. To quote another author, "Getting reviews makes me feel all warm and squishy."

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