I do not own Final Fantasy VII. Ok peeps, I don't know where this is going to go, or even if this is going to be good, so just bear with me please. I just woke up this morning and thought of this idea. I hope you like it.

Too Much to Ask

Prologue: The Favor

Sephiroth wasn't the kind of man to grant favors. If one of his grunts asked for such a thing, he'd cast them off and tell them to solve their own problems; more often than not, Sephiroth had bigger troubles.

However it was different with women. If a woman asked for Sephiroth's assistance he never turned her down. It could be anything as simple as a suicide mission or anything as troublesome as helping her chose what purse to go with her shoes – something which he'd once been asked by Scarlet.

Sephiroth could never fathom why he felt the need to reply to every little coo of a woman. Women made his heart warm as war often froze it solid. He'd go away for weeks, sometimes months, on end and be constantly surrounded by stupid, idiotic young boys that have no better business than to pester him. There would be no women around for miles and this drove him batty as well as the rest of his troop. This very fact is what drove many men into homosexual relations with one another…many a SOLDIER were very pretty and effeminate, so when a man's lustful urges took over and raged inside of him just enough, he could very easily and readily pretend his brother in arms was his mate. But Sephiroth tried not fall prey to such a thing; he never saw a problem with it, as long as both men were consenting, but he himself dared not even try. When it came to needing release, his own hands did the trick just fine. On those long trips, he'd become colder than he was at home, often unleashing his temper on any unsuspecting victim. But when the day came that he finally returned home, Sephiroth's harsh demeanor often melted away at the touch of a woman in his arms.

This was something he kept secret. Most of the world – aside from the countless ladies he'd bedded – thought him to be bitter, unfeeling, ruthless, and so many other unpleasant things. And that was how he liked it. How could he strike fear into the hearts of his enemies if they knew he'd just kneel to the request of a woman…?

Request. Yes…I have digressed. Someone had asked Sephiroth a favor. And as of yet, he hadn't yet said whether or not he'd grant it. It wasn't a ridiculous request, nor was it something he didn't want to do. Sephiroth desperately wanted to oblige her, however doing so could damage not only his relationship with the woman, but also with his friend.

Sephiroth paced around his apartment, gingerly toying with the idea in his mind. He knew they'd all be better off not speaking about this anymore, but the woman was persistent. He remained silent as he came to stand in front of her again.

The woman – well, a girl just barely old enough to drink – sat quietly on the couch, her hands on her knees and her back straight, as if her entire body was tense with anxiety. She gazed up at him with her shining golden eyes, knowing that he would not fail her.

Sephiroth crossed his arms and bowed his head.

"This is not a good idea…you know that."

"Yes…but I need to know how to do it right." She bit her lip.

"Shouldn't he teach you?" Sephiroth was at a loss.

"I don't know where to begin with even asking him."

"So you came to me."

"Please help me."

Sephiroth sighed heavily and dropped his arms, pulling off one of his gloves and placing his bare hand on her head. He caressed her curly auburn hair and rubbed it between his fingers. It was so soft!

"You're absolutely certain it's me you want to do this?"

"I trust you."

"That's all I needed to hear."