Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places written of here. They are all the work of Square Enix. However, the lovely yaoi here and writing is all mine. I try to stick as canon as possible here, even using many of the vague references from the game to build the scenes within.

Warning: If you don't like yaoi, this story definitely is not for you. Right now, there is none, but there will be. This is a fiction about Genesis and his relationship with Sephiroth. It will be graphic in some places. It will be violent in others. I try to stick to their characters as truly as I can. So yes, expect lots of GenxSeph. LOTS.

THE MEMORY OF FALLING

Prologue: More than Fate

The welcoming party was ready, the people of Banora gathered, gifts laid out on the large table they had put in the clearing, waiting for their giving. Practically everyone who lived in Banora was there. Genesis skirted at the edges of the crowd, the back. Secretly he wanted to see the beloved hero of Gaia as much as everyone else. He would never admit it. There was a nervous excitement emanating from the crowd, from their constant shifting and hushed chatter. Genesis could feel it, and wanted nothing to do with that hectic mix of feelings. It was like being tossed up and down again in the air, with no control, no way to stop. He could not stand being out of control.

And then, the crowd fell silent.

Genesis turned, pale blue eyes running over the tops of heads, racing for the ridge. A group was coming over it. There were people in suits, ShinRa executives no doubt. Coming to give their token of good will again? Genesis almost laughed at the thought. His predatory eyes remained on the ridge, scanning the faces as quickly as they appeared. He had already met a few of them before.

The crowd tensed, like an explosion ready to happen. The great hero, Sephiroth, had just come over the ridge, silver hair streaming in the soft breeze, leather attire gleaming in the sunlight. Genesis did not take his eyes from him. From what he knew, they were about the same age. The difference was that Genesis was not part of SOLDIER. Yes, Genesis had to deal with personnel from ShinRa almost on a daily basis. That was most of Banora. But he had not left to try his arm at SOLDIER, even with how much Angeal was talking about it.

"Go up there!" The urgent whisper sounded close to his ear, Genesis sidestepping to reach his comfortable distance again. He cast a sideways glance at Angeal, the broad teen grinning from ear to ear. "Your father is about to address him! Go!"

"Maybe I just want to watch." His voice was quiet as well, but not urgent, smooth tones hanging on the anxious air. Even though his statement lacked truth, there was not a flickering of it from him. He could see the surprise in Angeal's stance. His best friend knew him well. "But, if it would humor you…" Genesis breathed a sigh, walking forward with graceful, almost feline steps. He was light on his feet, always had been, fast and agile.

He knew Angeal was silently cheering him on as he waded through the thicket of people, careful not to touch them in his meandering. The entourage had almost reached the greeting zone, in front of the table. Genesis had to be fast. His father was the landlord over Banora, in charge of the first greeting. Refusing to jog, or show any of the urgency the press of the crowd forced upon him, Genesis emerged from the squeeze, making soft steps to stand behind his father and to the left. He waited calmly through the formalities.

"What's this?" The deep voice sounded after the stiff introductions had been made, like black velvet. Genesis found himself looking up, locking eyes with the one whom spoke. Those eyes were a soft, glowing green, pupils slits rather than the rounds of a normal person's. Mako treatments. Genesis knew the signs immediately, studying that stoic face, pale but strong with that silver hair cascading around it.

"A taste of Banora." Genesis answered before his father could, striding forward. He was surprised by his own confidence, though no one else was. "It's still warm." That did not need to be said, as there were coils of steam still rising from it. Genesis could see the hero looking at the pie, could almost see the gears turning in his head.

"I'm not hungry." With that, Sephiroth passed by, not offering the pie even a second glance. Genesis blinked in surprise, staring at the black leather of Sephiroth's back, that vainly long hair. He felt like a massive thumb had just descended from the heavens and squashed him into the ground. Genesis stepped back slowly, even when the other members of the entourage expressed interest in the pie. He had made it for Sephiroth specifically.

His gaze narrowed. If looks could kill… Genesis unclenched his hands when he felt one on his shoulder. He shook it off. Shooting a glare at his father, Genesis spun on his heel and went back through the crowd, only pausing for a moment beside Angeal. "Thanks." Genesis headed off for the cliff overlooking the mako harvesting facility, pulling a thin, cream hued book from his pocket as he walked. There was no better way to blow off steam then by reading Loveless, and that was exactly what Genesis planned to do.

"I want to join SOLDIER." With a rustle, Angeal sat down on the grass next to him, one leg pulled up with his arm balanced over it, the other arm out behind him, palm planted firmly on the ground. Angeal was always grounded. Genesis glanced over the top of his book, seeing the determination in those dark eyes, the seriousness on that face. His best friend actually meant it this time.

As much as his heart told him to feel betrayed, Genesis could not. "I'm going with you." His own words surprised him, though the desire had always been there. Ever since he found his parents' copy of Loveless in the library, Genesis had wanted to. How else would his last dream, the one which remained intact, come true?

"I plan on leaving tomorrow morning."

There was time to announce it to his own parents, then. Genesis was sure Angeal had already talked it over with his. Angeal never did something out of impulse. It was always planned, often times to the point of losing interest. Genesis was impulsive by nature, always had been, always would be. Decisions were made last minute. His parents had gotten used to it. That pie had been one of his few moments of forward planning. He did not plan to do such a thing again.

"Where should we meet?"

"Under your apple tree." Angeal smiled, finally breaking that stern mask. Genesis could not help but let his own lips turn up a little. He wondered if Angeal had ever taken from the massive Banora White outside his house. All the other kids made it a sport to try and steal dumbapples from it. Some succeeded. Genesis made it a sport of hunting and stopping them. It kept him in shape, at least.

Nodding, Genesis closed his book with a flick of his wrist, sliding it back in his hidden pocket. They would be leaving in the morning. Angeal stood, heading off before him, as always. Genesis lingered a moment longer, gaze sliding over the mako facility, all the workers buzzing around it like bees. "I want to be a hero too…" He spoke to the wind, which kicked up to swallow his soft voice. He would show Sephiroth what a hero was supposed to be like.

Soon. Very soon.