A/N: Well, I had this chapter kicking around, so I thought I'd update. I'm actually really worried if the chapters are long enough - I always see other stories that are so darned long _; Anyway, I won't keep you, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Anything related to Genesis Rhapsodos or Final Fantasy VII belongs to Square Enix and not to me :D

Reminiscent Deception - Chapter 3 - Monstrosity
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Stress.

It was the only word that described her state of mind as she hurriedly stepped into the elevator.

Her 'son', that boy - or was he even that?

What on Gaia was he thinking?

It was enough for her to take on the task of watching the boy.

Genesis Rhapsodos, the first result of a series of experiments aimed at recreating the ancient race that once inhabited the Planet - the Cetra. Jenova, a being discovered in a stratum decades ago to this time was used for the research in that vain hope, yet the ShinRa company had little success. It was only her job to observe the child, watch him grow and expect the unexpected.

After all, it was unknown of what would become of him, whether he would survive or what physical prowess he would show. So far the journey experienced by her and her adopted son had been without hurdles, but this was something the carer of Genesis Rhapsodos had failed to consider in all her life's work as a ShinRa executive.

The woman shook her head in irritation as she felt the whirring of the lift slowing down.

She supposed it was worth it.

Especially for the money.

Was it really that, however?

She had never felt like a true mother before…but, despite this, her 'son' was growing on her. That little spark he had about him, that flare of individuality that set him apart. Even at such a young age it was showing through, no matter what activity Genesis was performing.

Despite the seriousness of this situation, Cassandra Rhapsodos felt herself feel a little proud of her adopted son.

Genesis.

He was her boy.

Even though she had no actual children of her own, Cassandra felt the responsibility that it was her duty to care for him, show him some kind of love. With that, also came discipline and teaching.

Feelings of affection subsided slightly as she watched with worried eyes the doors of the elevator glided open, revealing the polished floors that paved the corridors leading to the heart of ShinRa's science department.

That's where they had taken her son.

As his mother figure it was her duty to provide comfort and support, but she doubted they would even let her close. She was under the impression that most of the laboratory's key areas were under restriction to the scientists and professors only, leaving her the duty of waiting outside.

She wondered how on Gaia they were going to treat him.

Never before had Cassandra seen something so…abnormal on a human being before.

That wing.

She had tried her best to revive her son, wake him from his state of unconsciousness, just to see him alert.

Tentatively, she had spread the slightly damp wing out from her son's back, seeing an unnatural bend contorting the limb in a sickening manner.

She came to the conclusion that he had broken it, assuming he fell from the top of that tree.

Why…why did he even try a stunt like that?

Cassandra was unaware of her distant behaviour towards her son. Having a high position in the ranks of the ShinRa Electric Power Company kept her busy in her personal office at home, and more often than not she and her husband were sent off to business trips to the heart of the company in Midgar. That was how it was.

It had never occurred to her that maybe, perhaps all he had been seeking was a bit of attention.

Did she really not take that much notice? Or was it he, her son, Genesis, who failed to see that she cared for him?

Cassandra frowned in her thoughts as she arrived at a reinforced door with a card reader installed next to it on the wall. I have absolutely no idea if my ID card even works this far…

Carefully, she retrieved her ID card from her small handbag and swiped it through the machine, expecting to hear a loud beep in rejection. Instead, all the device asked for was a confirmation of her identification number, much to her surprise. A smile of satisfaction graced her lips as she quickly keyed in the number, watching the door glide open in acceptance.

Perhaps now she could prove her point that she was going to watch out for him.

Quickly stepping through the doorway, the sound of her high heels clicked through the metal framed walls, resounding off the structures and echoing around the small corridor. Taking a right, the foster mother of Genesis Rhapsodos came into a wider area that consisted of many state-of-the-art scientific and hospital equipment. Taking a step back, she hesitantly tapped her knuckle against the wall in hopes of not barging in.

"Am I permitted entry?" She asked coolly, seeing a stout scientist hurriedly writing down recordings onto a clipboard. The Professor jolted his head up, surprised to see a business woman of ShinRa entering such a private facility.

"Who might you be?" He said roughly, pulling a makeshift curtain across a bed stationed further into the room.

"Cassandra Rhapsodos, ShinRa Executive. I believe you are looking after my son." She said clearly, aware that she needed to be careful with her choice of words lest her 'son' be conscious now.

"Professor Hollander," the scientist replied with a slight sneer, stepping forward. "Your son is in good hands. I'd appreciate it if you'd leave. This area is restricted to members of the Science Department."

"Funny. My ID was accepted through here. Since I am his mother," Cassandra replied tersely, taking a step forward herself, "I would expect I have rights to see him."

Growling slightly, the old scientist submitted and stepped aside, allowing her to approach where Genesis was concealed. I suppose that woman's in on the secrets surrounding that boy, anyway…

Stepping over quietly, Cassandra whisked the curtain away to see Genesis in a terrible state. Wires, leads and medical devices surrounded the bed on which he lay, connected to the boy from head to toe. The sight caused a gasp from his foster mother, even with her composed attitude she was maintaining.

"Before I was interrupted," Hollander said irritably, "I was about to set his extra limb. The wing."

You'd better get a move on, geezer.

Cassandra narrowed her eyes at the pathetic state of her son, seeing his wing hanging loosely over the bed's edge. Genesis' young face was serene, showing so signs of awareness of where he was or what had happened to him. She was thankful for that, at least.

Storming past her, Professor Hollander wheeled over a small table then set it next to the bed on Genesis' left side. Stepping back, a slightly disturbed Cassandra watched with a grimace at the rough, careless actions of the scientist before her. Grasping the feathered limb with a hand, Hollander forced the wing onto the table adjacent. Pulling at the primary feathers, he extended the wing of Genesis to it's full length at about a metre and a half, the silken feathers brushing out on the pristine bench top. Loosening his grip, the pudgy Professor reached for some gauze tape on a shelf above and proceeded to quickly strap the wing into a permanently unfurled position.

What's he doing that for?Cassandra wondered, normally seeing broken limbs set in a cast to heal.

Hollander took the liberty of at least giving her some explanation into his odd motives.

"I've already performed an x-ray on his wing, so stop looking so dumbfounded." He said snidely, sick of gaining no respect. "Strapping it this way will keep the bones in position long enough for a decent heal, so in the event that this ever happens again, the boy won't be showing up with a broken wing."

"But broken bones take weeks to heal!" She exclaimed, shock on her face. "How can you expect to keep him confined to that bed for so long? He's just a child."

"For me to know," Hollander said, smirking, "and you to not find out, Ms. Rhapsodos."

He stirred.

All he could hear was steady beeping.

One quite beep, followed by another.

It was peaceful. Calming.

Where was he, anyway?

His mind began to ponder the hazy thought, trying to make sense of the feelings he was perceiving.

He felt warm.

But he felt confined.

Panic started rising inside of him. The beeps decreased in their intervals, happening faster and faster. His heart was thumping in his ears, corresponding with the frantic beeps that pulsed through the air.

Beeps. Heart. Heart beeps?

No, heart beats.

He smiled in his mind. He felt smart to have figured that out.

Curiosity poked at him. More, find out more, his conscience mumbled, provoking him enough to try and move his eyelids.

Light streamed into his retinas, burning them with searing energy that forced him to squeeze them shut almost instantly. That was a bad idea…

Air.

He could feel it flowing through his nostrils.

Was he breathing on his own?

Why should he need help?

Questioned spurred his mind into life, the gears grinding away to try and awaken his body.

Boldly, Genesis Rhapsodos flitted his eyes open again, forcing them to absorb the harsh lighting pouring from the roof.

Pain. Oh, he felt pain.

All over, his body throbbed, a stiffening ache flowing from muscle to muscle and collecting around his left shoulder.

As Genesis regained consciousness, everything started making sense.

The beeping. It was a heart rate machine. The warmth. He was in a bed. The restrictions. He was strapped down.

The pain? That was his shoulder.

Did I…break it?

Slightly lulling his head to his left, the young Genesis hazily looked over at his shoulder. Something wasn't quite right.

For a start, what was on that table next to him?

It was black. Kind of shiny. Looked soft.

And it was big.

His mind went into thinking mode as he tried to make sense of what it was. Was it a dog?

Dogs could be black. They looked soft, and they had shiny coats.

No, this was flatter.

Maybe it's 'cause my shoulder hurts so much…

He studied it harder, trying to make his eyes gain a better focus on what lay spread out beside him. Was it…attached to him?

Was this thing part of himself? Like an arm, or a leg?

On that simple thought, he concentrated on his aching shoulder, moving it the slightest bit.

Biting his lip and squeezing his eyes closed at the pain, he felt movement correspond with his shoulder…and with what was on the table.

So it was attached to him.

His curiosity was rampaging now. Forcing his light blue eyes open again, Genesis looked forcefully at his shoulder and identified…feathers?

Feathers.

Feathers, feathers, feathers…

It was a wing.

A wing.

That wing was attached to his shoulder. It was a part of him. He was a part of it.

He had a wing.

His eyes widened like saucers, the fog beginning to finally clear from his mind. Panic started to flutter in his child heart, washing over him as the realisation that he was different infested his mind. It wasn't a good different.

It was a bad different. A freak different.

Was he some kind of alien?

Was he…like those things out in the wilderness?

Was he…

…was he a monster?
A/N: Aww, even as a little kid poor Gen's still thinking 'monsters'. Anyway, I have no more to comment, I only hope I'll gain more readers! -sob-

- Lioneh the cheetion