The Child By The Stream

Ok, so. Story behind this is that Loki and I got really interested in FF7... We saw Advent Children, played a little of the game and read some major spoilers and pretty much got a plot summary too.... And couldn't find time to finish the game before we just HAD to do something.

RP, of course.

This is kind of an AU, but not really - we like to think of it as a possible concideration for the series, but AU works too. There is actually a plausible explaination (at least we think plausible) but you won't get that in this little RP, so you'll be just as confused as they are. Maybe someday we'll RP some more and you guys'll get to find out.

Sephy's posts are 100% Loki, I just altered them a bit so things were less choppy. Oh, Rude is Loki too. :) I'm taking Vince and Reno... I apologize for any absurdly OOC moments with Vincent. I tried my darndest to keep him in character concidering the circumstances, but who knows? And as far as Sephy is concerned, he's supposed to be out of character, so it's ok.

Mmmmm what else? Hopefully this falls within the rules - cause a female does play a big role, a few females, in this little thingy-do.. but she's not actually 'in' it.

FEAR RENO AND THE ROLLY CHAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yet again the /// indicates a flash back and the ending of said flashback.


He had turned to walk away twice, putting his back completely to the child before freezing in place, and turning back around. He heard a voice, a clear voice in his head telling him to leave. Walk away. He didn't need this - walk away or kill the child. Kill the child before it awoke and realized what it was. He couldn't do it. He knew there were reasons why he should - weren't there also reasons why he shouldn't? This.. was a child. The striking resemblance could be nothing more than a coincidence. The bed of flowers the boy laid on, the flowers that had not been there yesterday - not a sign of the lifestream, but of a miraculous growth spurt - one that would mean a sure change of life for the near by Turk camp.

He did not owe Sephiroth anything. Their score had been settled, the numerous things that had transpired between them - yes, he owed him nothing. He had somewhat of a 'life' going on... He had a place to call, if hesitantly, home. He had people around him - people he did not shy to converse with, people that did not shy to converse with him. Dare he say family. He had smiled as well, recently, for the first time in a long time - it was this place. These people he had found, he had helped. He had known many of them since they were children.

He narrowed his eyes and turned again to leave, putting his back completely to the child before he froze in place, and slowly looked back over his shoulder. He knew why he couldn't walk away. He had seen Jenova, who -working for Shinra- hadn't? but no.... The child did not solely resemble his biological mother - his surrogate mother was there as well; especially in his smile, his soft, gently pressed lips. He looked like Lucretia.

///
"What is so fascinating about this balcony, hmm?" Vincent turned his head quickly, short hair tucked behind his ear as a curious voice broke the silence. His eyes, brown, grew wide.

"L-lucretia.. Wh-what are you doing up here?"

"Looking for you, actually." He cocked his head to one side and raised his eyebrows, trying to slow his heart.

"Me?"

"Mmm, hai. You."

"Why me?"

"I have a report to deliver to you, straight from the President himself."

"Oh." He reached out and took the offered report, taking great care to ensure their hands did not touch. Once he was sure he had a hold of it he withdrew his hand and shoved it into his pocket, leaning against the railing once more. He heard her rock back on her heels a few times before she took a breath.

"You know, you don't have to stay up here all the time. You're not the only Turk around - you don't have to hide yourself. What's so scary about the mess hall anyway? Do you not like people?" She was talking to him - starting a conversation as if she was interested in what he had to say.

"No - I'... I don't like people. I'm fine up here."

"Oh. Ok." There was another pause, during which he turned his head slightly to look at her, unable to stop his young eyes from scanning her once head to toe, a blush on his cheeks. "Well - you don't have to." She said, smiling as she turned to leave. "There'll always be a place at my table for you, Vincent-kun. Sayonara." She waved and then took off like a frightened doe - light on her feet. Vincent watched until he couldn't even hear the echo of her shoes. Did she mean that? Why would she save him a place... Unless. He sighed and leaned back against the railing, closing his eyes.
///

He didn't want to crush the flowers, but there was no way to the child but through them, and so he silently apologized before walking forward and dropping to one knee beside Sephiroth. He chose to ignore the voice running through his head, tried to focus on just acting, not thinking. He unbuckled the belts over his shoulders and gingerly swung the cape over the six year old child, securing it in such a way that the 'vital' areas were covered as he hefted the boy into his arms, tilting Sephiroth towards his chest. With another quiet apology he stepped through the flowers and back into the white washed forest.

The camp wasn't far from the small stream - obviously water was an important part of living outside the cities, away from the Mako reactors. Clean water more important and more rare than that. This stream had been perfect.

The white trees slowly melted into light sienna’s and red oaks, the bare branches seeming to show the stages of budding until, closer to the camp -so close you could hear voices- the trees burst into color, full of vibrant greens and light, hazy yellows. Vincent felt out of place - amidst the white and colorlessness he felt at home, as in the darkness, but here where color thrived he felt misplaced.

He heard giggling to his immediate left - and a few more steps sent the giggles to his right as well. They were right at the boundaries - he should tattle on them.. or at least threaten to, that would stop their chuckles.

"What are you dooooin'?"

"Whatcha got?"

"Who's that?"

"Where are you taking him, Vincent-san?"

"Did you bring us back more stuff from the cities?"

"I practiced fightin', Vincent-san! I'm almost as good as you!"

"Are not!"

Vincent almost cracked a smile, but settled to shake his head and continue on, scanning the faces of the children for one in particular.

"He's just a child - probably abandoned. I'm taking him to the elder to be treated."

"Aaaand then what?" There he was. Vincent stopped and cocked his head to the side as a brunette boy stepped into his path, putting his hands on his hips. "You gonna raise him? Mum says you can't keep bringin' in strays. She says you've got a big heart but no sense... We're running low on food, she says. You need to smarten up, Vincent nii-san."

"Do I now?" Vincent said, smiling this time as he started walking again, the boy by his side.

"Yes, you do. That's what she says. She says if you don't smarten up she's gonna beat some sense into you."

"She is?"

"Yes. I've seen her beat up the other men around camp. She could beat you up too, Vincent nii-san."

"I'm sure she could." The camp was... modest but cozy. Those were the only words Vincent could think of to describe it - modest but cozy. There were tents thrown up near the meadows, right in the dim sunlight, for the sick and elderly. Further in were the sleeping tents for the majority of the camp, followed by a few storage tents, a few tents serving as kitchens, mess halls, and a few scout tents around the edges of the whole thing. It was miraculous, really, to accomplish something like this in so short a period of time.

"Ka-san!"

"Vincent-san's back!"

"Are too!"

"Are not!"

"Are too!"

"Are not!"

"The elder is in the middle of the meadow.. he's been there all day - says something's about to happen." Vincent paused again, walking through the rows of tents to look at the boy.

"Something? Something good or bad?"

"He doesn't say. Ka-san says it will be a matter of opinion, if it's good or bad. She's weird like that, you know."

"Mmm, hai." Sephiroth weighed so little, draped over his arms, that he almost forgot what he was doing - until he walked into the sunlight, the children at his heels - until he walked into the light and into the gaze of half the village elders, and Lira.

"You didn't." She was angry - but aside from that, she knew. Vincent narrowed his eyes.

"Take the other children to the tents..." The elder was always so stiff, so stern - Vincent could not read an emotion from him. He stood still as the other elders brushed past, shooing the kids away. Lira walked directly up to him, she was tall for a woman.

"How-"

"Don't ask stupid questions, bakaro."

"Ka-san.."

"Hush, Khirma. Vincent - the scouts noticed him this morning, well after you had gotten up to do, whatever the hell it is you do. They've been whispering about it all day." Vincent looked away. That's why Lira was with the elders - they were discussing what to do with the child - the child Vincent carried.

"Did you forget what life was like when he was around? He tried to annihilate everyone the first time - and the second time he brought back a disease that nearly cost hundreds of children their lives. Why would you risk a third coming? What the hell do you think this will accomplish?" She reached down and picked up Khirma, he struggled for a moment before calming down and trying to get a look at Sephiroth from his mother's arms. "Caring for the child she carried won't bring her back, bakaro." Her words echoed in Vincent's head... much, much longer than they should have.

He stood still for a long while after she passed, well aware of the stare of the elder as he gently laid the boy on the grass, and knelt in front of the old man.

"You.... always act.... with your... heart,... don't you? .... Do you..... ever think.... of the .... consequences.... of your... .actions?" Vincent remained silent, poised like an obedient servant, head down. "We are.... tightly pressed.... as it is.... to provide... food and.... shelter for.... the refugees.... Normally.... your charity..... would not .... be questioned... child.... but this..... is a mistake.... I believe - .... a big mistake..... You do... not act your.... age - for..... we all know.... you are.... well older... than I - than..... any of.... the elders here.... you - bring us.... rations whenever..... whenever you can.... and thus I.... cannot give.... ruling over you.... I cannot.... pass judgment over.... you or.... the things you.... do - I cannot.... tell you what to do...." Vincent looked up slowly as the old man looked to Sephiroth. "But this -..... this will..... not end well.... for the Turks liv..... living here." Vincent knitted his eyebrows together as the man looked at him, directly at him. "We-.... will not dismiss you f-..... from this place.... Y-you are Turk.. like we are.... Turk. But .... we will not... .ass-assist you with... with this child's ..... care..... He will - ... not take of our.... rations... You will.... need to find him.... food separately.... He will not.... take of our.... medical care... .you will... see to this yourself... or take.... him in to the .... city for care.... We are.... done here." Vincent nodded and bowed low for a long moment before standing and retrieving the child. He made his way slowly back to his own tent, well out of the way of the rest of the camp - in case enemies of his came looking for them... they would not hear the children in the camp. They would not know the camp was there.

He pushed aside the small flap with one arm and gently laid the boy on his small sleeping mat, folding the pillow beneath the white locks. He stepped back and stared down at the child.

Why was he risking so much?

He turned away and sat down, crossing his legs after removing his boots, and pulling off his head band. When the child woke - he would know... He hoped. He hoped that whatever the child had to say would.. somehow tell him what he needed to do. He stared, seemingly in to nothingness, seemingly unaware of the child behind him.

All was blackness. There were no discernable light sources...no shadows...not anything. He couldn't even see himself, but he knew he was there...he could still feel somehow...feel air, sometimes moving, sometimes still. Reaching out with one hand, he touched nothing...the other was unhindered in it's groping as well...no walls, not even ground to stand on. Something was wrong....this was not what he had....what....this was not what he..... wh-what was it he had been trying to do..? Trying to...become...? Trying to exact...revenge....yes? No.... it wasn't nearly just that...was it?

It was like trying to grasp something just beyond the tips of your fingers. No matter how hard he pulled and strained...he could not clutch onto one thought, could not pull his mind into focus.....the confusion slowly built inside his prison of nothingness and finally found a breaking point, like an exploding pressure. Without reason or logic, the nameless, shapeless entity lashed out at everything and nothing...frustration, confusion, and fear his only guiding forces.

The blackness suddenly lit as if from lightning bolts in all directions at once and the being was able to see himself. He seemed to materialize arms and legs, a body. His own power had brought it back to him...yes, he had had one before...before....

He found himself slashing at the air and kicking, suspended somehow in an endless blackness. No...this was not right! He opened his mouth wide to shout, but nothing issued from between his lips. The silence was deafening and seemed to drown out what thoughts he could manage to form.

Drifting...drifting....in...nothing... Dead...was he dead?

For the first time, he looked down at himself, the only tangible thing inhabiting the abyss. His skin....pale skin...like snow....ivory....his hands were....tiny....too small. He moved his fingers as if to make sure they were really his. They twisted and turned when he commanded them to. This only fueled the fury building within him.

A scream issued forth once again...this time there was a sound, but it seemed far away, like something muffled from behind a wall, or from a great distance....it was....the sound of his own voice...it had to be, he was the only thing in existence! But it was not him! It was thin and strained and desperate, like the cry of an abandoned child...

A flood of emotions seemed to bubble forth, just as before...assaulting him from within and without....it was impossible to think! His screams got louder and louder, he felt the foreign sensation of tears on his cheeks, his chest burned...this was not right....this was not how it was supposed to be! Where was he?! Who was he!? No...the one thing he knew...the one thing he remembered...a name....but it had no meaning....it carried no memories, no real feeling with it....all he knew, the small boy with silver hair....all he knew was that his name was....Sephiroth...........

The blanket was warm against his skin and something soft was underneath him. He stirred in his sleep, lips working drowsily, though no sound came out and his brows knitted together in unconscious concentration. He curled himself into a little ball, folding his legs against his narrow chest and his arms in-between his thighs and torso, fists resting under his chin. His white/silver hair lay around his head, locks haphazardly in his eyes. At intervals, he made small muttering noises, but nothing intelligible. He shifted in his sleep, the hair that had covered his eyes slipping away to reveal his face, soft and pale, eyes shut tight.

Vincent tilted his head back slightly, causing ebony black strands to slip between his shoulder blades, almost reaching the floor in some places. His red eyes were closed softly, his eyebrows knitted together.

The child was making noises - moving now.. he would be regaining consciousness then. Vincent almost hadn't been sure - the boy had been so still. Now he knew - the boy would wake up soon. What was he to expect? What was he to prepare himself for? He slid his hand over the surface of the tent floor until it touched the handle of his small gun - just in case.

The blackness was fading....it was fading into white, pure, blinding white. His naked body seemed to shine, to glow in the new brightness. And suddenly, he was no longer floating. His stomach lurched with the sensation of falling. It only lasted a few seconds before he landed on his feet, then rolling to his back, a strange sensation beneath his skin.

He seemed to suddenly be aware of himself much more acutely now. Testing his arms and legs gingerly, he tilting his head to look down. Flowers? He looked up...as far as the eye could see...so many flowers, all different colors. He laid his palm down, in between the stems and pushed himself to his feet slowly. This....this place.....was THIS what he'd been trying to do...was this his....goal? Just looking around at the flowers made his heart feel lighter....he reached down to touch them, glad just to have something he could feel. He laid his palm on the ground, kneeling, pressing to make sure it was real. Leaning in farther, he breathed in deep over the nearest flower....the smell was-.........!

The ground...the flowers....the support beneath his feet was suddenly gone. But this time, he was not floating...he was falling! He could feel this time, feel the air whipping around his, his hair flying out from behind, the sensation pelting his exposed skin. And then...it was as if everything became clear within the space of a split second. He could see the ground...see it clear as day....he was hurtling toward it and couldn't stop himself, he reached out for something, anything! The ground sped closer. Nothing could stop him! No, this couldn't happen! Not when he had found it, finally! It hit him just as he was about to hit the ground....he didn't want to die.

“AAAAAHHHHHHH!” The boy shot upright, back arched, mouth wide and screaming. It was a scream of one in agony, such a shout not normally heard from a child, a child who hasn't seen nearly enough to be able to muster such a cry. His whole body shook as he screamed long and loud. And then, all of a sudden, it was as if all his fire was gone and he froze in place before collapsing back onto the mat, eyes wide and staring, body stiff and shaking violently.

Vincent's eyes flashed open at the sudden scream and he whipped around, gun aimed as the child froze and fell to the bed. What- what was that? The cry.. it had come from Sephiroth, hadn't it?

Vincent remained in place for a few moments before relaxing a bit, gun still at the ready. Was the child dreaming? What was he dreaming? Vincent frowned - recalling the first time he'd seen Sephiroth scream... he was, around the same age... It was - because of Vincent the boy screamed... What was he dreaming...

It was as if a switch had been thrown. The boy on the mat suddenly sprang to life, still shaking all over. He jumped to his feet, Vincent's cloak falling to the floor. The boy paid it no mind.

He swung his head from side to side frantically, taking in the entire inside of the tent quickly. He felt so dizzy and his vision was so strangely blurred that he wasn't sure of what he was seeing. He backed up as much as he could, but he was near the back of the tent, so he didn't get far before his bare back brushed against the rough canvas. He jumped and spun around as if the tent wall had physically attacked him.

His breathing was erratic and his hair fell into his face, adding to his wild appearance, the panicked look in his gold/aqua eyes. And then, finally, his wide eyes locked onto Vincent. He was overcome, like a wave of nausea, with longing as he stared, eyes going unfocused for a moment. It was one thought, but it was something....it was the only thing he was quite suddenly sure of. Kasan....he wanted....wanted her....wanted to see her.....needed to!

“Kasan!” He hissed, as if suddenly realizing something very important. “Kasan, where is kasan?!” He shouted, locking onto Vincent again.

Vincent remained silent, ready this time for the boy's outburst. He simply watched him, eyes locked on to the boy as if he were prey - Vincent the predator. He seemed - unaware of who Vincent was. Either that or he was playing a trick, and was very quick on his feet. He made sure that his gun was out of sight, but ready should a scuffle occur. He shook his head, his only answer to the boy.*


“N-NO!” Sephiroth shouted. “Where...where is Kasan?! You...you know....d-don't you?” He cocked his head to one side, face contorting in something like pain and he reached up, clutching at his temple with one hand, fingers curled. His other hand remained by his side, twisted muscles tense and shuddering. He shifted nervously, stepping back, but running into the back of the tent once again.

“Tell me! Tell me where Kasan is!” He continued. “Y-you're keeping me from her!”

“I do not know where your mother is.” Vincent said. His voice stoic but clear and loud. He stood slowly and crossed his arms over his chest, looking across the rather spacious tent at the boy curiously. “Do not shout. You do not want to draw attention to us, do you?”

“Uh...Ah!” Sephiroth brought his other hand to his head and shut his eyes tight, bending over nearly double whining in pain. His knees shook and looked for a moment like they would give out. Sephiroth managed to collect himself again enough to stand straight once more, lowering his hands slowly.

He stared at Vincent with a strange look in his eyes. Not recognition...not hate...but something...it disappeared, however, and was replaced with the frantic need once more. He looked at Vincent once more before glancing past him. A glance was all it took. He had to find Kasan! He dashed forward, making a break for the tent's door flap.


Vincent moved in a fraction of a second. He whipped out his arm and thrust it forward to hit the boy horizontally across the torso, effectively throwing him back into the tent. The Turk moved to stand in front of the door, crossing his arms over his chest. He would try and remain as stoic and intimidating as he could until he knew for sure what Sephiroth knew and what he didn't.

“In your state I do not think you want to leave.”

Sephiroth fell backwards onto his rear before he knew what was happening. He stared up at Vincent with a wild hatred in his eyes. He WAS keeping him from Kasan!

He climbed to his feet again and rushed the door once more, attempting to put all his power into knocking the other man over and escaping through the door.

“Let me go!” He cried, eyes shining.

Vincent remained like a statue, only moving the amount necessary to keep the boy in the tent. It really did seem as if the boy didn't recognize him - his only thoughts on his mother, but Vincent wasn't about to let his guard down yet - this was Sephiroth. He was capable of heinous acts - Vincent needed to be sure before he did anything.... What, exactly, though did he plan on doing? In either situation?

He pulled his lips into a slight sneer - suddenly pining for his cape as he spun the boy around and pushed him gently.

“I cannot let you go - unless you are sure you wish to die for that is exactly what will happen if you step through that flap.”

Sephiroth was again caught off-guard by the quickness of Vincent's movements and before he knew what was going on, he had spun around and was falling forward back into the tent. He crashed to his knees on the tent floor. The push hadn't been that hard...but the young boy suddenly felt very weak...drained of energy.

He remained there, on the ground for what seemed like forever, his torso wavering slightly. Finally, he brought his hands to his head and doubled over. He couldn't get out...the man was too fast....he was so fast. But he needed her! He needed Kasan so badly his stomach turned and he felt sick.

His head pounded. He felt something foreign, a sinking, paralyzing emotion. Despair seeped into his limbs and he felt a single tear escape from under his eyelid. It was followed by several more silent drops before he could hold onto his confusion of emotions no longer. His shoulders shook and he began to sob. The sounds of his crying grew until he was wailing uncontrollably, palms on the ground in front of him, hair hanging in front of his face. He gasped for breath.

“K-Ka-san!” He whined. “W-what do I do?! Kasan! I...just want...Kasan.…”

Vincent watched, speechless for a new reason, as the boy cried. No- now he knew, this was not a conscious Sephiroth. This boy did not - remember who he was...

Vincent took a few steps forward and picked up his cape, holding it out for the boy.

“You want kasan?” He said, his voice quiet. He could not believe he was about to do this. He didn't know what would come of it - good, bad... He wasn't sure why he was so eager to go either, it was really the last place he wanted to be when he felt so oddly vulnerable - but it was the first idea that had struck him.. and perhaps seeing it would calm the boy down enough to talk to Vincent.. tell the Turk what he did and did not remember.

“Then put this around your waist. I will take you to see her.”

Sephiroth's sobbing slowed gradually and finally, it stopped altogether. He sat back on his feet and wiped his eyes with the back of his fist. His heart leapt with hope, but he remained wary. He hadn't let him leave to go and find her after all....AND he said he didn't know where she was the first time. But the blind hope of just getting to be near her seemed to quickly overcome any doubts that he had.

He got to his feet shakily and looked at Vincent for a long moment, as if trying to tell if he was telling the truth or not. He finally reached out and took the cloak from the black-haired man and put it over his shoulders awkwardly, clutching it in the front. He took a step toward the tall man with the strange gold-armored arm.

“You will really take me to Kasan?” He asked, trying to hide the hope in his voice.

Vincent let out a slight sigh and leaned forward, pulling the cape down until the buckles were over the boy's hips, giving him a skirt-like article that reminded the Turk of Tifa's. He stood back up and nodded, starting towards the flap.

“If you promise to stay with me, if you promise not to run off - then yes. I shall take you to ... Kasan.”

Sephiroth did not speak, but merely nodded and took a few steps to be just behind Vincent, ready to follow wherever he may lead. He rubbed at his eyes to clear his vision and pushed the silver hair from his face. He watched the other man closely and fingered the tattered edge of the cloak.

Vincent led Sephiroth slowly through the forest, mind lost in thought. After her death, shortly after the birth of Sephiroth, Vincent had taken her body from Hojo before he could do anything unnatural to her.. try and bring her back, try to infuse her DNA, whatever else he might try. He had searched through records, classified records on her from the Shinra libraries - but found no next of kin. So he had taken it upon himself to bury her. To hold her a magnificent funeral and honor her memory. Merely weeks after she had been laid to rest, flowers came to life in the meadow - a few wild animals had even made appearances during the days Vincent stayed by the tombstone, unwilling to move.

The trek seemed almost absurdly short - certainly it was further away than this? Vincent walked into the meadow and up to the tombstone, he rested his hand on it.

“This - is your kasan. Her name was Lucretia. She was an incredibly intelligent scientist working for Shinra. She was kind and generous, and brought beauty to this place even after she passed.”

Sephiroth followed Vincent silently, walking quickly to keep up with the longer strides of the gold-armed man. He felt his heart pounding in his chest. An emptiness he somehow knew he'd always had was about to be filled! He was going to get to meet his kasan.

As they stopped, Sephiroth felt weirdly confused. This was not what he expected to feel when they reached their destination. He stopped beside Vincent, looking down at the grave, his face impassive. The hole that he felt inside was still there even as he gazed upon the wild flowerbed.

“A...scientist?” Sephiroth repeated, more to himself than to his older companion. “She is...dead?” He asked, voice almost monotone. He didn't know what to think at first....he didn't have the knowledge that this was or wasn't his mother...this man did. But somehow, he knew that she was not the one. Not the one he longed for.

“She is. Yes. She was - murdered.” Vincent elaborated, narrowing his eyes slightly as he looked down at Sephiroth. “I was - a close friend of hers. That is why I took you to my tent. That is why - if you wish - I will take care of you.” He looked away, up almost, still seeming rather stoic. He couldn't explain why he was doing this - he just seemed to spill out the words before he knew what he was doing... Had he honestly just offered to take care of Sephiroth?


Sephiroth knitted his eyebrows together. Did he need...someone to take care of him? He looked down at his tiny hands, flexing them experimentally. Somehow, it seemed entirely natural for him to look the way he did and yet, something screamed out that this was wrong, that he was so much more than just a little child. he lowered his hands and looked up at Vincent.

“That is not Kasan…” He said, calm at first, but growing angrier. He just KNEW it wasn't her. The man had lied after all. he curled his hands into fists. “No! That's not her!” He clutched his head again.

Was that a...voice? Was it a memory...or was someone really...no...not her.....

“No!” Sephiroth fell to his knees and began to tear like an animal at the flowers, trying to rip them from the ground. They were...like the flowers in that place...they had fallen from beneath him.... Leaves and wildly colored petals flew everywhere, floating whimsically, oblivious to the fury that led to their little dance.

Vincent seemed unphased by this outburst. He slowly moved to one knee, laying his left arm over it as he reached out with his right - and slapped the child.

Sephiroth was momentarily stunned as he seemed to hear first, rather than feel, Vincent's skin connecting with the skin of his cheek. The red mark pulsed there, but Sephiroth did not cry out.

Vincent reached out then with his left arm and took the boy's upper arm, not painfully hard, but hard enough to keep the child in place.

Sephiroth fought a bit as he was grabbed by the arm, but his attention was once again on Vincent as the man opened his mouth to speak.

“That is your kasan. I saw her give birth to you. I saw her carry you for nine months. You look like her... You, who seem to know nothing about who you really are, do not have the right or knowledge to correct me.” He reached into his pocket with his free right arm and pulled out a picture, holding it out for the boy. “This, is Lucretia. Your kasan.” He let go of Sephiroth's arm and pulled out a small gun, tilting it so that the clean side shown forward, acting like a mirror. “She - is your mother.”

Sephiroth stared at the man hatefully until he was presented with a picture and his arm set free from the other man's grasp. He paused before taking the picture in one hand and looking at it hard for a few moments, sitting on his knees amidst a graveyard of dead and maimed flowers.

He looked up then, into the shining gun's broad side, at his own reflection. Bakc down at the picture...then his reflection again. The connection in his mind was made...he did look like the woman...a great deal....but something was still wrong.

“If she is kasan....why do I…” He paused, unsure of how to describe the horrible empty feeling that ate away at him. “Why do I feel...like this...?” He dropped his hands into his lap dejectedly, lowering his head. Kasan....his real kasan....who was she....? Where could she be? Where was this place he'd been dropped into....?

Vincent sighed again.

“I am not sure how much of this you will believe, or even how much you will understand - but I have no choice. You are not a child. I believe, but have no proof that you are the reincarnation of a man who walked this planet before - and was killed twice. Both times previous you have... 'known' your kasan. The first time you met her face to face, the second time you were reborn thanks to a piece of her, this time - this time you did not even get to see her body. I believe that is why you feel, empty. Correct? You feel empty? It is a feeling that will either diminish, or you will learn to ignore. It is a hard pain - something many people now a days understand.” He paused, wondering why his heart sped up until it hurt. He wasn't really lying, was he? Why did it matter anyway - telling Sephiroth the truth would probably only recreate the evil in his heart which he seemed now to be unaware of. If Vincent could... could raise Sephiroth the way Lucretia would have wanted him raised -..

Sephiroth took a moment to digest what was being told to him. If it was true, it would explain...many things. Somehow, the explanation just seemed right.

“Hai....e-empty.” He answered. It was a perfect word to describe how he felt, like there was nothing inside where his heart should be. He laid a hand there, over his heart, and made a small fist against his chest. In his other hand he still held the picture, gripping it tightly and leaving a small finger print on it's edge.

He looked back up. He was unsure of what to say about all the things the man told him.

“My real kasan....she is d-dead too?” He spoke softly, taking his hand from his heart and reaching down to brush a decapitated flower bud with a fingertip.

“Lucreita is your real kasan.” Vincent said sharply, standing and putting his back to the child, crossing his arms over his chest. “That is the first thing I want you to learn from me. The woman in the picture - that is your mother. She carried you, gave birth to you, and, had circumstances been different -she would have raised you... She would have cared for you and loved you no matter what. She still loves you.”

Sephiroth's face twisted in anger, but he did not move.

“Then who...who is the one I feel!? The one I feel in my heart!? Why can't I see her?!” He cried desperately. He hung his head and let the hand holding Lucreia's picture fall over his knee, though he still clutched the photo. He sniffed and wiped his eyes free of impending tears, calming a bit.

“How can....how can she still l-lo-ove me if she is dead…” He said 'love' like it was hard to speak...and 'dead' in a disturbingly matter-of-fact way.

Vincent turned to look at the boy, face uncharacteristically soft.

“Even when people die - we feel them, child. My parents have been dead for many, many years, and I still feel my kasan tucking me in. My father training with me. It is the bond of family. Love is eternal - when a person dies they are absorbed into the lifestream, and thus spread their love and soul over the earth, continuously touching those they left behind. You - have not met your kasan, even once, in this life. The empty feeling is, I believe, because you simultaneously became aware of the existence of your kasan, and then the immediate absence of.”

Sephiroth remained where he was, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. Lifestream..yes....he knew the Lifestream.....it was the same energy that made his eyes shine...they had said.....who had said? He couldn't remember any more.

He hung his head once more. Vincent's explanation made sense...it made perfect sense....but....it was not at all comforting. He felt his throat constrict and a burning sensation in the corners of his eyes. He made a conscious effort to hold back this time, to hold in the threatening flood. He hiccupped and swallowed hard. All the reasoning the older man had gone through...he thought he understood most of it.....but the overwhelming need was still there.

“I just....just...want kasan.…” He said, no louder than a whisper, still trying desperately to hold back a flood of tears. He pulled some of the slack of Vincent’s cloak up to his shoulders and held it there, over his chest in a desperate search for comfort.

Vincent crouched down by Sephiroth, hesitating for a moment before wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulders and pulling him in a light embrace.

“I- miss her as well, Sephiroth..”

Sephiroth didn't even think of correcting Vincent this time. The woman his companion thought was his mother....he knew was not his real mother, she couldn't have been. He could feel it.

Vincent's arm felt so....good around him...so utterly foreign....he almost pulled away. He pushed at Vincent’s chest for a few seconds before giving in and ceasing all resistance. Something about the way it made him feel warmer...he couldn't hold back when faced with such a strangely comforting gesture and began to cry anew.

After a few moments, he threw his arms around Vincent's neck and held him very tightly, burying his face into the other man's shoulder. A voice in his head screamed at him to pull away...no contact...no emotion...drive to succeed....then rebellion....they hurt you....they hurt Kasan.... But this feeling, this embrace pressed all those other thoughts to the back of his mind.

Vincent was a little shocked and unnerved by this - by he didn't show it, not even in a gasp or a raised eyebrow. He slipped his golden arm under the boy's knees and lifted him off the ground, starting back towards the tent. Silent.

Something about this was unnervingly easy. Was he ready to do this? Did he really think he could? Who was he kidding.. he couldn't measure up to Lucretia, he couldn't even begin. But -he had to try. To repair the damage he'd caused. He still felt responsible for the way Sephiroth had turned out - if he hadn't.. taken it out... on him then... He shook his head slightly.

Sephiroth cried into Vincent's shoulder. His mind was in such a confused whirlwind that his physical 6-year-old body knew only a few ways to respond. He allowed himself to be picked up, the sensation of being touched both disconcerting and comforting at the same time.

The boy's stomach made a strange gurgling noise against the other man's chest, but he ignored it. His silver hair, coming to a little past his shoulders, hung straight behind him, the locks nearest his hairline in the front slightly uplifted and to the sides. He did not move them when they fell into his eyes.

Vincent made quick time back to the tent, taking to a nice jog as he heard the boy's stomach rumble. He hadn't ever felt like this before - no, no he took that back. He had. When he was with Marlene. The few times she had been under his protection, he had felt like this.

The child was hungry - it was Vincent's job to feed him. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he walked through the flap and set Sephiroth gently on the mat, turning to completely close the door - it was becoming cold now, time for dinner and then sleep.

He moved to crouch near his bags in the corner and flipped through them for a long while before sitting up with a couple of cans in his hand. He walked over and sat Indian style next to the mattress, holding out a now open can and a spoon for the boy.

“Here. Eat.”

Sephiroth's sobs had become a series of small hiccups by the time they had reached the tent. He rubbed at his eyes some more as he was set down on the mat, feeling suddenly...a little embarrassed for his outbursts.

He shifted the huge cloak around him before a can of...something was presented to him. He took it in one hand and slowly placed Lucretia's picture down next to him before taking the spoon between the fingers of his other hand. He looked down at the contents of the can and up at Vincent. He poked at it.

“Wh-what is it?” He asked, trying not to show ingratitude.

“It is a mix of vegetables and meat, sort of preserved in the can. Shinra technology in the only way it really helps human kind. Eat.” Vincent answered, his voice showing a bit less of it's stoic nature, though it was still rather informal and sharp. He started slowly on his food, but stopped about half way and stood again, returning with two small bottles of water. He placed once near to Sephiroth and set his own down at his feet, starting again on his dinner.

The silver-haired child took a shallow scoop of the can's contents and a tentative bite. He chewed slowly, testing the flavor on his tongue. It was actually rather bland...but when the first bite hit his stomach, he realized just how hungry he was. Digging in like it was going to be his last meal instead of his first, Sephiroth inhaled spoonful after spoonful, barely stopping to breathe.

Vincent looked up just once to watch the boy, then returned to his own meal, mulling things over. What was he going to do, really? Whom could he trust? Cloud? Cloud had - a definite grudge against Sephiroth. He'd killed the man twice and both times nearly lost people precious to him because of the man. Was he kind enough to trust this child? No - no Vincent didn't want to risk it. Tifa - Tifa might... But then again, she had been close with Aeris as well.. they all had in one way or another. Tifa was out. So was Red -or was he? He was experimented on, just as Sephiroth was.. Vincent would test him. Barret - no. Marlene had come to close to death for him to give in. Cid - well, Vincent wasn't sure. He never put too much thought into the blond captain... despite their occasional - meetings. Yuffie was out as well - as ditzy as she was she would probably spill the wrong information to the wrong - Then it hit him. Reno. Rude. Yes - them he could trust. Of course they worked in Shinra, right under Rufus - but they owed Vincent. He had rescued them as children and taken them to a home.. he had saved their lives. They were related - at least, he and Rude were related. They owed him and they knew it. Yes... Yes he would trust the duo - and threaten to kill them if they told.

Sephiroth finished in record time and set the can roughly on the ground, grabbing the bottle of water instead, unscrewing the top and taking several long pulls before coughing and pulling the bottle away.

Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he set the water down again. He looked over at Vincent and cocked his head to one side in thought.

“I don't even know...uh..who you are…”

Vincent slowly looked over at the boy, still working on his dinner. He lowered the fork and regarded the boy for a moment before picking up the utensil again.

“I- I am Vincent.”

Sephiroth didn't show any signs of recognition at the name, but tilted his head to one side.

“I knew you...before, didn't I?” He asked, not suspicious, just curious. “That's how you know...know who I am, right?” He took another pull from the bottle and held it front of him with both hands when he was done.

Vincent paused, showing a bit of expression at this. For some reason he had not expected that - but he should have. He swallowed and looked up.

“Yes. I knew you.” He answered simply, moving back to his food. He figured the best way to continue talking to the child about things that might give away too much was to answer the questions posed - and no more.

Sephiroth nodded, looking down at the bottle in his hands, not really staring at it, but through it to the mat in front of him. He paused for a long time before speaking again. Something like intuition told him he should say no more, but curiosity overcame it.

“How did...you know me?” He asked softly, playing idly with a strand of hair that had fallen over his shoulder and hung down his chest.

Vincent had been expecting this, actually. It was in a child's nature to be curious. He finished his dinner and leaned back against the tent wall - a tree just behind him on the outside.

“Through Lucretia mostly - I knew her before she became pregnant with you. I knew you as a child, and as an adult.”

Sephiroth did not answer. He looked as though he was about to speak again, but, when he opened his mouth, a huge yawn passed his lips. He covered his mouth quickly, immediately afraid that he would not be able to ask any more questions if he were to reveal that he was tired.

“We should sleep. You've only been awake for a few hours, but it's been long for you. You can ask me all the questions you want tomorrow. I have nothing to do but answer questions.” Vincent said with another deep sigh, standing and removing his shirt. “You can have the mattress. I prefer sleeping on the ground anyway.” He said, matter-of-fact.

Sephiroth was about to protest when another yawn interrupted him. He was pretty tired after all. He paused, however, and flushed reddish in the cheeks. He looked down and away.

“Well...I...I have to use the bathroom first.…” He said. Something told him he hadn't been used to saying things like that 'before'. He got to his feet and took a few steps toward the tent flap.

Vincent cocked his head to the side.

“Alright. Don't go far. Not-.. Just - stay close.” He said, finishing weakly. 'Not everyone who knows you will be kind?' what kind of thing is that to tell a child?! Vincent grumbled something to himself. He was acting... strange.

Sephiroth turned on his heel and walked outside. It was alarmingly dark outside the tent. He found he could see very well, however. Though, whether that helped the creepiness of the atmosphere, or lessened it, he wasn't sure.

He looked all around before making his way to a clump of bushes and trees about 30 feet or so from Vincent's tent. Looking around him again, he stood in front of a bush and pushed aside the tattered red cloak that was much too large from him and attempted a couple times to sling them over his shoulder. He then relieved himself, feeling quite exposed, even in the dark.

Vincent leaned completely back against the tree, now dressed only in baggy pants, his left arm seemingly limp and lifeless beside him. He tilted his head against the tent wall, feeling the bark on the other side of the material.

He was starting to feel maternal, that was what it was. He'd done it before - and saving children always proved to be a great gift, and a mistake. He blamed himself for the mistakes his 'children' made.. It only added to his quota. He shook his head and closed his eyes. Sleep would do him good as well.

The silver-haired boy finished up and closed the cloak around him again, fighting with the material as it enveloped him completely. He made his way back to the tent, pushing the flap aside and stepping back in. He said nothing to Vincent, but went over to sit on the mat.

“Can I get…” He paused a yawn breaking his speech. “S-some real clothes tomorrow?” He asked, laying on his side on the cushion.

“Of course.” Vincent answered, not missing a beat. “I'll find you some clothes that are more appropriate. Clothes that fit. Do you have a favorite color?”

Sephiroth was taken off guard by this question and looked at him confused for a moment.

“Um, I don't think so.…” He replied, his voice was soft and confused. Though Sephiroth didn't know it...he didn't really know how to be a child.

“Alright then. I will try to find something that would have suited the you I knew, how about that?” Vincent answered simply, turning to look at Sephiroth.

“Uh, hai.” He said. “A-arigato.” He answered, laying down, resting his head on his folded arm. He curled up under Vincent's cloak and, for a few minutes fought the urge to sleep, though he felt very tired.*

He'd... always gotten dizzy... doing this as a kid. He remembered the room being full of them - the black, official looking spinny chairs. He could do it for hours now - when business was slow, when Rufus wasn't around.

Reno snickered and kicked off from the wall again, tucking his legs in to his chest as the chair spun quickly, giving him a clear view of everything in the room. Suddenly he was jolted from his blissful spinning by a loud noise against the desk. Ah! His phone! He moved to leap out of the chair and did so - slamming himself into the floor.

“Ow ow ow ow wowowowwoow.” He muttered, sitting to his knees. He gripped his nose with one hand, squeezing his eyes closed while he searched blindly on the desk for his phone with the other. He hoped that Rude, sleeping in the corner, wouldn't have gotten up to see his marvelous grace.

He picked up the phone and flipped the top, letting out at sigh.

“Uh.” He said simply - knowing only a few choice people would know his number. “AHhh, oneechan. What's wrong?” He muttered, moving to lean against the desk, scratching his head. “You sound upset... calm down…” He frowned, moving away from the desk to sort of pace the room.

Rude tipped his sunglasses from his nose as several loud noises awoke him from and sort of semi cat-nap. He was about to pretend he was still asleep in a vain attempt to ignore his sometimes quite inept partner's antics, the phone call, however, on Reno's cell caught his attention. He listened intently to the one-sided conversation.

“Oy, Reno, what's going on?” He asked, tipping his glasses up once more and sitting up straight in his own high-backed rolly chair, adjusting his tie.

Reno gave Rude a rather rushed 'hang on a minute!' wave and continued to shout things to his sister, becoming more and more frustrated - until he stopped dead in his tracks.

“H-he what? H-he wouldn't.... How?! How?!” He paused again, eyes scanning the floor quickly. “R-right.. Uh.. Keep.. um.. keep me posted.. No - I promise. Just Rude. Hai. G-good night.” He paused and closed his cell phone, looking over at his partner. “Lira called. We've got a problem."