Welcome to Gaia! ::

The Imperfect Monster

Intro: Hojo believes in creating the perfect superbeing—that means it can’t be a girl! As he follows through with his monstrous idea he begins to find out that perfect things should never be altered. (Sephiroth!)

Professor Hojo was a man of stupendous ideals that created highly efficient things for Shinra. Yes, things. They normally didn’t have fancy names, he waited for some other underdog to walk up and accidentally spat out something creative for his experiments.

At the moment they were looking at what was known as ‘JENOVA’. Wasn’t that such a beautiful name? Of course, he hadn’t thought of it. He would have named it ‘alien abomination’ but that would probably set others off in a bad mood when doing his power point. Yes, a power point, he had to create those dumb slide shows and have those ridiculous noises go off whenever an action happened. You see, Hojo had to convince the higher ups about his new plan of inserting Jenova cells into a fetus in hopes that it would create something interesting. Something useful to Shinra.

Or perhaps give them a mutated baby that only had three fingers, but in this point in time he couldn’t look back and give up on his ideals. It’d show that he was losing touch, and besides…maybe someone wanted a three fingered baby?

“As can be seen from these charts tested on lab mice, the insertion of Jenova cells has created something more than just a mouse.”

He clicked the button and up came a picture of a unique mouse that seemed to look larger than the others, “It may appear that it just grew larger, but this furry critter has shown that it has more power and brain activity than ten mice put together.”

A slide showed the mouse going through a maze and other such dumb things that scientists did to lab mice when they were bored and ran out of real jobs to do.

“With this in mind I have concluded that inserting Jenova cells into a human fetus should show incredible signs of superior abilities.”

The big shots stared at him like he was a buzzard gone stark mad. Perhaps if Hojo stood there composed with a serious face they wouldn’t see through his mad intentions?

“Who are you planning on for the test subject,” the President finally asked.

Success! The President was interested which meant his plans would follow through perfectly!

“Considering Lucrecia and I are finally wedded, I believe that using her for this experiment would be best! She’s in our work environment and is completely loyal to her work.”

A few of the people gave a somewhat displeased look. Just thinking of Hojo in action with the young woman seemed so odd.

“Fine, I hope this experiment turns out as well as the SOLDIERS did.”

“You will be clearly satisfied, I promise.”

Oops, never promise anything you cannot exactly keep. Not that the President would keep tabs on his white lies.

And now to carry out that faithful little deal. Heheh.

“Lucrecia! Darling…”

His voice rang out in its oddly creepy way and she came over to him curiously.

“I’ve just become the favorite scientist, now let’s make children.”

She frowned, “Does this have something to do with a highly secretive experiment that will probably end up causing severe catastrophic problems in the future?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, woman, we’re going to create a superhuman child, not a meteor.”

She sighed, “If you say so.”

And off they went.

Several months later after a nice dosage of painkillers and staying up all night with a woman screaming her lungs off about wishing the damn child would finally come out already, Hojo heard the screaming of a rather distraught baby.

“Success!! I will have the perfect creation! I will be known throughout the entire universe for this experiment!!”

“Congratulations, it’s a girl!”

Hojo stopped his wheezing maniacal laughter and stared down at the abomination wrapped in pink. A girl?

“Are you certain?”

“Yes…we’re certain.”

No! This went against the code! It was supposed to be a boy! An all powerful boy!! One that could make all men bow to his feet! A stupid girl would only cause him to be a total laughing stock. She’d be…oddly manly and awkwardly tall! It wouldn’t fit into the plot correctly!!

“I have a brilliant and ingenious plan!”

Lucrecia looked at him, covered in sweat and looking completely ratty, “Now what?”

“I will make this girl into a boy.”

“Why??”

“It’s for the name of SCIENCE! This child cannot be a girl what with Jenova cells soaking its core. Can’t you see that it’d be a gangly creature that could lift buildings and yet not want to hurt a fly? It’d make me a laughing stock! I shall take her under the knife and make her into something…that would be more acceptable!”

“But I wanted a girl!”

“Hush, woman!”

“Fine, you can make it a boy….but I’ll raise it and name him and everything, and you will NOT interfere with my parenting skills.”

Oh goodie, he got two birds with one stone, “Excellent, my dear.”

Of course, if only Hojo had known what this really meant. He was messing with Mother Nature. This child was SUPPOSED to be a girl! And now what had he done? He was going in to slap Mother Nature silly and make himself a cute little boy.

Sure, he’d have to take pills every so often to make sure things stayed the way they were supposed to…but it wasn’t like the thing would object!

Ah, but if only he had seen the imperfections…and the problems…that were soon to be caused.

If he had kept it as a girl…it would have been perfect. But because of Hojo’s sexist attitude and lack of self confidence he had turned something perfect to imperfect. It was, of course, too late for him to reverse anything when he finally noticed his mistake.

~$~$~$~$~$~

In the young years of the baby Sephiroth—yes, Lucrecia had come up with that rather intriguing name—the child seemed to look cutesy and girly, hard to tell that it was a boy.

Everyone nicknamed him Sophie, because half of the time the damn company couldn’t print out a flyer without having terrible spelling errors on it and because the child looked THAT girly.

Hojo was starting to wonder if he had done something wrong in his switching of the child’s gender. It gave him a scare for the first few years that Sephiroth was a baby, it really showed no improvements. It also didn’t help that Lucrecia was influencing girly things on him.

There was one particular day that Hojo was working on some Uranium reactors when Lucrecia stepped in with Sephiroth in her arms. Yes, they decided to waltz in while he was in deep concentration.

“I’m taking Sephiroth to ballet practice and then piano lessons, we’ll probably be home late.”

“Ballet? Piano? You’re turning this child into a freak! And why is he wearing a sundress? That’s going to scar him for life and cause him to have low self dignity!!”

“Hey, you promised not to b***h about how I raised the kid, didn’t you? Should have thought twice, hubby. Now wave goodbye to daddy, Sephiroth!”

Sephiroth waved somewhat confused.

“Lucrecia! That’s a top secret experiment you’re walking off with! We mustn’t let him get too influenced by the outside world! And it shouldn’t know we’re its parents, woman! I can see that he’ll come back to kill us because of this.”

“Oh stop getting your labcoat in a bunch, he’ll adore us for how much we cared for him!”

Now Hojo thought that this was the worst part of having Lucrecia as his wife, but things got much worse. It was later that night when Hojo had come home from work ready to take a nice long nap when he saw that Lucrecia was home. She had on her coat, a hat, and a suitcase was next to her.

“My, where are you going, Lucrecia? I didn’t know piano lesson meant taking all of Sephiroth’s toys…”

“He’s not even 4, he can’t play or do ballet. It’s terrible, Hojo…we’ve created…some…monster.”

“What now? What do you mean by that?”

She started to cry.

“At ballet lesson…he picked up the balance beam and chucked it at the other kids when I wasn’t looking! He’s terrible! And I put him in time out, but all he did was cry for the whole hour!”

She stood up, “I can’t handle this! I’m leaving!”

“All because he squished a few brats with a balance beam?”

She had issues…

“You just wouldn’t understand! Goodbye, Hojo! FOREVER!”

She then walked out. He wondered if that was a sly ploy to run off with that black-haired goth turk that he ‘accidentally’ killed and suited up with odd abominations and other such things.

Hmm…possibly. Though, what did Vincent have that he didn’t? Exactly, his mad scientist personality was a total turn on to every woman at the work force.

“Soph—er…Sephiroth?”

Damn, he was started to call the kid that stupid nickname, too!

The kid was in his room smashing Barbie dolls on the ground. At least his boyish exterior was finally showing through.

“No more ballet or piano lessons. Lucrecia has left and we’re going to start a new life, hmm?”

The kid stared at him before bawling.

Damn.

It hadn’t even lasted a day before Hojo brought the brat to Shinra and dropped him off at the Daycare there. Yes, they had a Daycare. Why? Because Mr. President had a kid of his own. One even younger than Sephiroth.

“What happened to Lucrecia?” one caretaker asked as she picked up Sephiroth like he couldn’t walk.

“Oh she went insane because Sephiroth beat a few children with a balance beam, something stupid like that. Anyway, the kid is going to live here now, I don’t have the energy or patience to deal with him at my own home. Oh, and if he ever learns how to comprehend a word we’re saying, do not refer to me as is father.”

She nodded somewhat confused but decided not to question it.

And as years progressed Sephiroth became more of a boy and less of a Sophie. Er. Girl.

Well…until Sephiroth became a TEENAGER. It caused Hojo and the others great pains to ever have to run into him because the boy was such a conniving brat at times.

And he did it with manners, too!

He had slowly eased his way into getting permission to do things…most boys wouldn’t. Gymnastics was one thing. And ballroom dancing. And don’t forget etiquette class, because he obviously needed to be a snob.

And the hair? He had easily refused getting a haircut and said he wanted to grow it out. Of course, Hojo wanted to slap him silly and tell him he was getting it cut…but the thing was Hojo had pretty long hair himself. Talk about hypocritical. Not to mention Sephiroth backed it up with things like ‘I might donate it to Locks of Love!’ and other such things.

It was on a particular Tuesday that he saw Sephiroth sneaking about the labs, except he wasn’t actually sneaking, he was walking around with that High Almighty strut he learned from that etiquette master. Oh, and get this, that teacher was beyond gay. He had never seen someone puff their chest so much in his life. He would have refused Sephiroth ever going back, but he knew that he couldn’t blow his cover. He was just an old scientist to the kid, not his father.

And he liked it that way.

“What are you doing in here, Sephiroth? Shouldn’t you be bothering someone your own size?”

Yes, for a teenager Sephiroth was still short. Hojo was certain he’d explode in length soon enough.

“Professor Hojo, I was wondering if you had any super glue that I may use.”

Hmm…how cute when he used manners at him.

“It’s over there in that cabinet. Be careful with it and return it as soon as you’re done.”

“Yes, sir.”

Sephiroth walked off and found the glue before walking off with it.

Perhaps Hojo was wrong, maybe the kid wasn’t actually that bad?

~$~$~$~$~$~

Sephiroth tossed the glue bottle up and down in the air with a smirk on his face, “Now Rufus…we’re going to play a little game, and if you don’t comply the way you’re supposed to…”

He smiled, “Your blanket will forever be glued to the roof of this building.”

Rufus pouted, “Why are you so mean to me?”

“Someone has to have the guts enough to shove you around a bit.”

“When I’m President I’ll make you pay for this!!”

“If that ever happens.”

Rufus pouted at how Sephiroth shot him down. In fact, every time that Rufus was ever showing the slightest bit of hope Sephiroth would rain on his parade. Except it wasn’t normal rain. It was more like boulders.

“Fine…what is it that you want to play?”

“Truth or Dare.”

“Awww…you always make me do really embarrassing things!”

“I know, it’s part of the game, Rufus. Now are you in or shall I finish off your blanket?”

“I’ll play…”

“Good.”

Sephiroth set the glue down on the table and pointed for Rufus to sit on the bed.

“You’ll go first since I’ve got something in mind for you. Truth or Dare?”

Rufus sat there wondering what could be worse. Dare…or truth? Sephiroth always delved in deeply to these types of things.

“Truth.”

“Taking the easy route. All right, I can deal with that. Is it true that you still sleep with that blanket of yours?”

“…Yes.”

“Ahaha! You’re such a wimp.”

“I am not. It’s soft and calms me.”

“Ha, you make it sound like a woman.”

“Like you’d know what a girl is like. Hmm…Truth or Dare?”

Sephiroth glared at Rufus’ remark, “Truth.”

“Is it true that you really don’t know who your parents are?”

“Yes, I don’t see how I could lie about that.”

“Hmm…there are ways.”

“Truth or Dare?”

“Dare…”

Sephiroth smiled and motioned for Rufus to get closer. The boy did warily wondering what exactly Sephiroth had in mind for him.

“I dare you to kiss me.”

He smiled as Rufus frowned. He did NOT want to do that.

“What are you, gay?”

“No, have you never kissed a guy before?”

“Well..no…”

“I’m in the same boat, so if we kiss each other then it wouldn’t really matter.”

“What? That’s just…weird!”

“It’s a dare, so you have to do it.”

Rufus paused in thinking of his dear old blanket being permanently stuck to the rooftop of Shinra Company building.

“Fine…but this better not get out to everyone.”

“I’d be in the same situation as you, so why would I rat?”

Rufus looked at him and sighed before leaning in to kiss him. As soon as they got close, though, they heard the doorknob turn. Both pulled away quickly and watched as a guard entered.

“Rufus, your father wants to speak with you.”

Rufus nodded and got up from his spot leaving Sephiroth to himself in the room.

He was so close, too.

~$~$~$~$~$~

That specific incident was never leaked to anyone. Rufus and Sephiroth had kept it quiet through the years and never once brought it up even if it was on their minds.

It wasn’t very long that Genesis and Angeal joined their group, while Rufus easily dwindled far from them because of his priority to become the next President.

Their first time meeting was an awkward one. It was a late night course dealing with a new experimentation on the mutating of hybrid animals and how they could try to change the process so that hybrids were animals that could actually breed. Sephiroth sat in the back by himself taking a few notes wondering if humans could be crossed with another animal. The door opened and the lecturer glared over at who had entered. Genesis and Angeal. Both had been terribly late because they had just returned from a training course. They were hoping to become 1st class SOLDIERS soon. Even Sephiroth knew it was hard to become 1st class, but he had a feeling he was better off than most. He excelled in everything that was ever handed to him, he was bound to become 1st class soon.

“Glad you could make it, next time be here when the class starts.”

They both bowed their heads a bit to him before going to the back where the empty table was at, sitting down on both sides of Sephiroth.

Sephiroth sat up a bit and moved his chair outward so they could have leg room. He had grown so quickly it was practically impossible to get him clothes without having to return them for a longer pair.

And without even wincing, Genesis had rammed his legs into Sephiroth’s. He apologized and moved his legs off more to the side. Of course, Sephiroth would have done the same, but he had no place to put all of his legs. There was just too much.

Not that he really was complaining, being tall made him feel superior to others.

“Now, when we got to the hard facts based on hybridization we realize through the crossing of genes, often time the alleles cannot switch due to—“

The lecturer rambled on while Genesis looked at Sephiroth’s notes curiously. He didn’t exactly ask, he just pulled them over and began to read through them. Sephiroth watched as the man skimmed it before looking at his name on the paper. His eyes widen a bit before looking at Sephiroth.

“You’re Sephiroth?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you…I’m Genesis…and that’s Angeal.”

“You’re 2nd class, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve seen you out training before.”

Genesis smiled and nodded, “Best way to become a 1st.”

The lecturer glared at their table as he paused for them to fall silent, “Perhaps one of you would like to teach about gene combination?”

Sephiroth smiled, “If you’re tired I could.”

The class laughed a bit but the lecturer could only grimace back, “Please, be my guest, Sephiroth.”

He stood up and went up front, grabbing the marker from the lecturer and started to draw out a few things.

“Here are two sets of genes that are going to bring together one set in their combination of alleles. Here you see on the first gene that the allele doesn’t match up with the second’s sets, which can cause mutations and odd breaks.”

He drew an example.

“It makes this gene twice the size while leaving the other lacking in length.”

He circled the problems, “This is often the cause in crossbreeding and hybridization of animals that are not alike in DNA structure. In all causes that this happens the animal cannot give offspring, therefore meaning it is not a real species. There are a few ways that are being looked at in making hybridization a perfection so animals made can breed and make a new species, mostly for human benefit.”

He picked up a different marker and made a new set of genes, “One experiment is based on creating mock genes, ones that have no alleles on them. When this is inserted into the process, there’s hope that the two original sets will combine in a correct manner to make a set of genes that is not mutated.”

The lecturer nodded, “That’s absolutely correct. You can sit back down.”

Sephiroth handed the marker over and returned to his seat. Genesis was smiling at him while Angeal showed no emotion.

“If you already knew that why are you in here?”

“It’s better than working with the lower ranked men. And besides, the more classes I take the more the President is interested in me. He thinks most fighters are empty-headed.”

“I never thought of it like that.”

As soon as the lecture was done and they were released, Genesis was back to talking again.

“Are you trying to get into 1st class?”

Sephiroth pushed his chair in gently and picked up his things neatly, “I do not have to try. I know I will.”

Genesis smiled, “Of course, I heard that you’re quite the creation around here.”

Sephiroth paused and looked at Genesis, “Creation?”

“Yeah, a lot of the workers say that you’re not exactly ‘human’.”

He stared at Angeal and Genesis before smiling slightly, “I suppose it depends on who you talk to.”

Genesis shrugged before looking at the time, “You doing anything right now?”

“Not particularly.”

“Why don’t you come with us? We’re going out to eat.”

“I don’t have any gil.”

“That’s all right! I’ll pay for you.”

“I suppose I’ll go.”

He opened the door to his room and dropped his stuff on the floor. The place was a complete mess and he was probably never going to pick it up.

They then headed out of Shinra building and down the streets. Sephiroth wasn’t out that often and looked around curiously as a few things had changed since he was out last.

“I can’t believe it’s dark already,” Genesis sighed.

Angeal shook his head, “Perhaps you forgot that we were training for a good part of the day?”

“Yeah, definitely going to be sore tomorrow.”

Angeal smiled, “Your own fault for trying to pull off stunts you can’t do.”

Genesis and Angeal stared at each other before laughing, Sephiroth stayed silent as he followed them. He wasn’t exactly sure why he even accepted going with these two. Perhaps he was just bored and needed something to do?

“How long have you two been with Shinra?”

“Oh…a few years, not very long. I heard you’ve been here all your life!”

“Correct.”

“I think that’d be weird…staying in that building for THAT long. It’s a nice place but sometimes there are way too many people.”

“You need a lot of people to run a good business,” Angeal commented as he opened the door and headed in.

It was a small place, nothing fancy, and looked like it had a rather affordable price for good food. Sephiroth skimmed over the faces and people that were sitting about eating. Many looked at him as if he were a new face. Then again, he was practically.

They took a seat and a waitress came up, stopping what she was about to say when she saw who it was, “Oh, Genesis and Angeal, glad you’re back. Who’s the tall, dark, and handsome man you brought with ya?”

Genesis looked at Sephiroth and smiled before looking back at her, “Sephiroth.”

“Hmm…name that fits the looks,” she winked, “How may I help you?”

Her eyes were on Sephiroth, though he hadn’t really noticed. Genesis turned to him thinking he’d be sitting there pondering what he wanted to eat but found Sephiroth staring back at him, “Have you ever been here before?”

“No.”

The waitress got the biggest smile on her face, “Why don’t I fix you up something special? I’m sure you’ll want to come back more often!”

“That sounds fine.”

“And I’m assuming the usual for you two,” the boys nodded and she flashed another smile, “then I’ll be right back!”

“How often do you get out? I thought everyone ate here,” Genesis asked.

“Not often.”

Angeal nodded, “You look like you haven’t seen the sun for awhile.”

“I’m normally busy.”

“Too busy to have fun? That’s a shame,” Genesis sighed and then got another smile on his face, “You should train with us, it’d be interesting to see a threeway.”

He paused.

“Fight.”

In case anyone was thinking differently. Angeal shook his head at Genesis’ slip up before looking at Sephiroth, “Do you train often?”

Sephiroth thought it over, “At least once a day.”

“At least?”

“Shinra has plenty of tests for me.”

“Oh yeah, because you’re not really normal.”

“You could put it that way.”

A group of girls came walking in and sat down at the table beside them. A few of them giggled and started to talk all giddy like. Sephiroth looked over at them and they fell silent, smiles on their faces. When he looked away they started to giggle again.

“You’re quite the fan with the ladies,” Genesis said lowly and almost with a hint of jealousy.

“I hadn’t noticed.”

“Don’t be so modest!”

“My sincerest apologies.”

Angeal raised an eyebrow and gave a small chuckle, “Where did you learn your manners?”

“In a class based on etiquette.”

They both cracked up laughing while Sephiroth sat there silently watching them.

“You took a class on that?”

“Perhaps you shall see what manners can do for you.”

When the waitress came back and set down their plates he thanked her and she smiled before going off to get the table of girls something. They ate and talked finding out that most of their opinions on things were rather close to the same. Genesis was definitely one of the yuppies who had a hard time NOT talking. Angeal was more conservative about things but had personality underneath his hard exterior.

“So what else do you do on your spare time?”

“When I’m not training I’m normally at a lesson.”

“A lesson? What kind?”

“All kinds.”

“Like dancing?”

“Ballroom dancing.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, it isn’t that bad.”

“Everyone made it sound like you were a monster…but…getting to know you…you’re definitely not what they say you are!”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

“No, this makes it easier to like you.”

“Understandable.”

Genesis smiled, “Ever think about quitting your lessons?”

“I’ve never had a good reason to do that.”

“What if Angeal and I were your reason?”

“What do you mean?”

“If we started to hang out with you and train together, wouldn’t that be better than dancing?”

“It would all depend on how much of a challenge you are.”

“I happen to be really good with a sword.”

Genesis paused, “Um..in…battle, you know.”

Angeal shook his head again. Genesis always slipped up.

“We shall test that theory.”

The waitress came back and smiled at them, “Did you boys enjoy your meal?”

“It was very satisfying; thank you for the wonderful meal.”

She smiled and blushed slightly at Sephiroth’s subtle moves, “Glad to be of service.”

She then pulled something out of her pocket, “Oh, and the girls over at that table wanted you to have this.”

Sephiroth took it and looked at it. A paper coaster. But on the one side it had a bunch of names and phone numbers.

Genesis stared at it and frowned, why was Sephiroth hogging all the glory??

They walked out, Genesis rather bitter and downfallen, Angeal feeling normal as usual, and Sephiroth somewhat bored with the whole flirt thing.

“So…are you going to call those girls?”

“Most likely not, you can have their phone numbers if you like.”

Genesis smiled, “Really?” He then caught himself and shook his head, “I mean…no thanks, I’ve already got plenty of girls to call.”

Angeal laughed, “Like your mom?”

“Shut up!”

“I don’t seem to remember the last time you ever got a phone number from a girl.”

“It’s happened...a few times!”

“Really? I’d like to hear those stories.”

Genesis fell silent trying to think of a good cover up, “Well…there’s been so many I can’t remember them all!”

“Not even one?”

“I remember…ONE.”

“Go ahead, tell us.”

Sephiroth’s eyes landed on Genesis as he started to make up a story. It was almost comical how he waved his hands at times and would give himself a satisfactory smile as if he was a good liar.

“One time I was in church—“

“Oooh, this’ll be good.”

“And…that black-haired girl Renita gave her phone number to me after the service was done!”

“Ahaha! That scary wench? Did you call her?”

“Y-yeah…but that was because my mom forced me to. And she also set us up on a date…which went beyond terrible.”

“Was that the one where you got so nervous you ended up spilling your drink all down your front? And then you stood up too quickly and knocked the table over causing the food to fling all over her dress?”

“Yeah…”

“I think I remember that now…you rushed over to my place and told me you’d explain later, but you never really did. I didn’t know you went with Renita. I always wondered why she scowled at you after that.”

“Like I could help the fact that I’m clumsy.”

“You’re not clumsy…you’re just stupid in general.”

“Oh thanks.”

Sephiroth smiled at their bickering and continued to walk between them. He had never been on a date before so he wouldn’t know if he was a nervous person. Normally when it came to anything, though, he was never nervous.

“Man…I’m tired.”

“You hardly did anything today besides get your a** kicked.”

“Did not! I was totally winning against you!”

“If that’s what you think, Genesis.”

Genesis snorted before looking up at Sephiroth, “Hey, Sephiroth, do you room with anyone in Shinra?”

“No.”

“Seriously? Jeez, our room has five other guys besides us…it’s ridiculous.”

“That must be uncomfortable.”

“Only when you’re trying to find a place to sleep.”

Sephiroth smiled, “Oh, that does sound like it would be interesting.”

Angeal nodded, “Genesis moves around too much.”

“The floor is uncomfortable! Not to mention everyone’s stuff is all over.”

“That gives you no reason to start cuddling.”

“Hey! I can’t control what I do in my sleep!”

“WERE you sleeping?”

Sephiroth smiled as Genesis tried to defend himself, “Perhaps you two would like to move in to my room? It might help not only you but the five others you’ve been rooming with.”

Genesis smiled, “Hey…that’d be great!”

Angeal nodded, “Better than what we’re used to.”

They soon returned to the building and Sephiroth had to somewhat clean his room. Of course, it only meant shoving things to one side, he wasn’t about to pick it all up for two people.

Once the two entered Genesis gapped at how roomy it was. How unfair! Did Sephiroth always get spoiled or something? HE should be getting spoiled, he was so much better than Sephiroth! Wasn’t he? Everyone always told him he was rather amazing with his marks and everything! How ridiculous…

Perhaps Sephiroth really was something beyond human?

“You even have a bed! That’s so unfair…we had those dumb sleeping bags…”

He dropped his stuff down and plopped on the bed almost becoming gleeful at the feel of it.

“Genesis, don’t be so selfish,” Angeal lectured him but the man only rolled his eyes and laid back.

“It’s quite all right, I used to share a room when I was younger.”

Angeal looked at him to continue, “It wasn’t terrible, though half the time some kid was crying about missing their parents or something as equally annoying. I convinced several of the higher ups to get my own room—and it worked.”

“I’ve only seen the President a few times.”

“I’ve seen him quite a lot, I used to be friends with his son.”

“Rufus, right? I think I saw him a few times studying here and there with all of his body guards.”

“Yes, that would be him. He used to be rather spineless, I’m not exactly sure if he’s changed at all or not. Our schedules clash.”

“Genesis and I decided to work on the same schedule; at least he was too afraid to do anything by himself so he made sure that he did everything I signed up for.”

“How interesting.”

“He’s pretty hopeless at times.”

Their eyes went to Genesis who had passed out on Sephiroth’s bed.

“I’ll move him—“

“No, he’s fine, I have to go to a lesson soon.”

“Do you ever sleep?”

“When I have time.”

Angeal shook his head before smiling, “I see. Then I hope you have fun at your lesson. Which one is it?”

“Gymnastics.”

“Gymnastics? Hah, Genesis used to do that when we were kids. He quit because he was afraid of the balance beam.”

Sephiroth smiled as he remembered hearing stories of when he attacked a few kids with a balance beam. How nice he was when he was a child.

“I’ll be back within an hour.”

Once he got there he watched as the coach helped out some of the younger kids keep their balance. It was interesting to see how young they were. Sephiroth could hardly remember when he was that small, let alone still in this class.

“Ah, Sephiroth, glad to see you here.”

“Did you expect me to not come?”

“Well, it’s not like I can teach you anything new! You’ve mastered the entire class plus extra.”

“Oh, I hadn’t realized.”

“That’s all right. You could always look for another lesson to do, we’ve got plenty of them.”

“I think I’ve done them all…”

“Really? I wouldn’t be surprised, though, you learn quickly.”

“I suppose I’ll see if they have anything left for me to do.”

“Have a wonderful night, Sephiroth.”

Sephiroth left the room and checked through the lesson books. Yes, he did all of them…well besides choir, but that’s because he didn’t want to sing. Perhaps he could adjust it so that he could make his own chorus? It’d be interesting…

He went off to check up on his other coaches and noticed that all of them said the same thing. He was a star student and that he finished things way before he should have. With that he quit all of them and went into the choir room slowly. There was a whole entire class in there doing dramatic singing in a different language.

Oooh, how interesting.

The teacher had been instructing when his head turned to the person that came in, “Ah, Sephiroth!”

Of course, as he said this the entire class sang, “Ah!! Sephiroth!!”

The instructor waved his hands and the choir fell silent, “Sorry about that, we’ve been practicing. I haven’t seen you in here before, are you curious in the lessons? We could always use a nice, deep voice such as your own!”

“I don’t sing…though I was rather interested in seeing how you instruct them.”

“Ah, yes, instructing students could be rather useful to you!”

“Do they just sing?”

“Oh no, many of them know how to play instruments, too.”

Sephiroth looked out over them as if buying one from a market. They all looked like robots ready to do as they were commanded. How…interesting.

“Do you make your own songs?”

“Not often, but we can! Is there something that you’re particularly interested in hearing?”

“Hmm…not really.”

He saw the piano and walked over to look at the music that was on it, the teacher pointed at the choir to take a break when he walked up to Sephiroth. He was a short, balding man with a mustache and a cheerful smile.

“I have hours set up on when each choir meets, and there’s also the band mixed in, too. You can come in any time that you want and see what you like!”

He handed Sephiroth a schedule, “Do you play any instruments?”

“I played piano a couple of times.”

“Ah! Splendid. I’m sure you can learn other instruments, too, if you want!”

“Perhaps I shall?”

The teacher nodded before going back to the chorus and starting them up again. He walked off happily, he had actually killed an hour quitting classes. And who knows…maybe he’d like this choir thing? He really liked it when they shouted his name. Oooh, it made his mind wonder what else he could do with them…

He made it back into his room and saw that Genesis was all over his bed, half of the blankets and pillows were everywhere, and he hadn’t even taken off his shoes. Angeal was asleep on the floor peacefully in one place, blankets and pillow still with him. Slowly he went over to the bed and saw how rested Genesis looked. His heart jumped slightly.

Was he somewhat attracted to this man? How odd, he had never really found particular interest in people. That one time he tried to kiss Rufus, but that was just curiosity…nothing serious. But here he was second guessing himself.

He sat down on the bed and watched Genesis breathe. So calm…so silent.

He awoke with a start and sat up, “Where am I??”

Sephiroth watched him, “In my bed.”

“Huh??”

“Genesis?”

The boy fell silent and processed this, “Oh…am I hogging your bed?”

“You’re quite all right, I just arrived.”

“Oh..yeah? I’ll move over.”

Yeah, move over, not get off the bed. This thing was way too comfortable to actually give up.

“Are you going to sleep in your clothes all night?” Sephiroth asked as he started to take off his own; he didn’t need to get up early tomorrow, it’d be great to sleep in tonight.

Genesis watched him and slowly looked down practically forgetting he had been wearing his clothes, “Wow…I must have been tired…”

They both finally prepared for bed and laid to rest, Sephiroth easily fell asleep. The only thing was he often woke up quickly whenever anything moved or made a noise, so each time Genesis moved it woke him up.

It had to have been around 3 a.m. when Sephiroth was awakened again, but this time it wasn’t because Genesis had just moved…his hand was clearly on his hip. He would have turned to push him back but then felt him sliding closer, and soon felt Genesis’ front against his back.

H’o my God!

Wait, did he just…heavens, those girls must have influenced his mind or something…He’d never go out ever again!

Hot breath hit his neck and he almost tensed up, though he didn’t want Genesis to know that he was WIDE awake. Besides, he wanted to see where the hell Genesis was going with this…did he think he could just take advantage of Sephiroth? Or maybe the guy was having a REALLY interesting dream. Perhaps the guy…moved in his sleep a lot? It was pretty obvious since he kicked the blankets and pillows everywhere when he came in.

“Sephiroth?”

He didn’t answer.

Genesis paused before moving in closer and began to pull Sephiroth onto his back.

Okay…this was getting a bit…weird. What was he doing? He could tell Genesis was awake by now and he obviously was up to something.

He felt Genesis straddle him and kiss him on the lips.

WHAT THE FRICK??

Frick?

Seriously…he needed to stop this panicky thing. Just…wake up and shove him off or something…do something! Anything!! Why was he just lying there taking it?? Why can’t he move and react?

Whoa, was he…embarrassed?

Emotions started to concave on him like no other. For some reason he wondered if he looked really hot while he was asleep.

WHAT? He was ******** insane!!!

And WHY was he still lying there ‘asleep’???

Genesis kissed Sephiroth’s neck, “God…you’re so…hot..”

Well that answered one of his questions. Wait, ugh, forget the damn questions and wake up already. But he couldn’t, it was like his body locked down as if this was stage fright or something.

Thankfully Genesis stopped his whole love mood and laid down, of course it was on top of him…

He put his head on Sephiroth’s shoulder and cuddled into him like he was some stuffed bear.

Did he stop breathing??

He slowly started to breathe again afraid that Genesis might figure out his ruse, but the man practically knocked out as soon as he got settled. That was sooooo…soooo wrong…in so many ways.

Though…he…found it somewhat attractive.

No no, no he didn’t. He’d only find that attractive if it was some girl on him…or if Sephiroth himself was a girl. But both of those were impossible, now weren’t they?

He then remembered what he had forgotten to do last night. Take his damn pills. Hojo had made them for him so that he could…do something. Or stop something. Hell he forgot, he had been taking them for so long. Maybe they kept him sane? Or perhaps stopped him from being influenced by girls that screamed in text talk?

His eyes went back over to the clock. 3:30 a.m. So…he had a nice half hour of being utterly confused and shocked at the same time…

He needed to go talk to someone…but then again he never talked to anyone.

Maybe he could talk to Hojo about those pills? He had forgotten that he was running low on them, too…

Wait…what if he just…skipped out on taking them? If he had survived a whole day without them…maybe he could survive a whole week?

He fell back to sleep with all of his thinking…

And soon awoke with Angeal shaking him. No, he was shaking Genesis..who was still somehow on top of him.

“Useless creature,” came out of Sephiroth’s mouth before he registered what exactly was going on. His eyes went down to Genesis who was clinging to him in his dead sleep.

“Well…at least you’re awake. I told you he got friendly at night.”

Sephiroth nodded, hell yes he did, practically raped him.

“I wondered why it was so hard to breathe…”

Angeal smiled and helped Sephiroth pull Genesis off of him, “He’s like a sack of bricks; just about as smart as them, too.”

Sephiroth stood up and felt terrible pain on his hips. Ugh, did Genesis squish him or something? Talk about agony.

“Are you two training today?”

“Whenever he wakes up, it’s our off day.”

“Hmm…I’m not doing anything today, I don’t have anymore lessons.”

“You don’t? I thought your schedule was packed.”

“Last night I was told by my couches that I passed with flying colors. The only thing I have to do is choir, and I’m not a singer…but..” Sephiroth pushed things around to find some clean clothes, “I do happen to think instructing people with a wave of my hand would be rather entertaining, so I’m going in whenever I feel like it. The teacher is a yuppie.”

“That makes it easier on you, probably could train all day and take long breaks. Wish I could do that, though I can’t exactly pass all of my lessons and late night lectures that well. Half the things here aren’t that interesting to me.”

“Oh, I just learn it…I don’t know when I’ll ever use it.”

“Hopefully never!”

Sephiroth moved to the bathroom, “I’m taking a shower, have fun waiting for Sleeping Beauty to wake up.”

“If he needs a kiss he’s going to be asleep for eternity.”

Sephiroth chuckled and closed the door before shuddering. Eugh, kiss! It was WAY too rough for him.

WHAT??

Eugh, just…take a shower, you’ll wash off those feelings…

What was going on with him anyway? He had never thought like that before…so odd.

He turned the shower on and noticed how dirty his bathroom was. How…odd. He felt like cleaning it and making sure that all the germs were forever scrubbed away…

Sephiroth sighed and entered into the shower only to bite his lip in agony, it was WAY too hot!! But…jeez, he always kept it at this temperature…

Maybe his skin turned sensitive once he was violated?

STOP thinking about it!!

Great…if he didn’t get this off of his chest he’d be acting weird for the rest of the week…

Whoa…his hair was long…he’d need to take some time washing these locks!!

And his hips still ached. In fact…it was more like his whole body ached and he hadn’t really noticed it until now. Did dead weight really cause that much agony? Hell, if he ever dated someone he’d never let them cuddle with him ever again…

Why did he even think anyone wanted him?

Wait, did he doubt his performance or something? He could totally pick up a bunch of girls…he got so many phone numbers last night.

But that didn’t meant they were really interested in his feelings.

AUGH what was this FEELING thing and why was it taking over?!?!?

He needed to talk to Hojo…that would fix this whole thing! That’s it! Once he was done taking a shower he’d run on over and ask him what the hell was going on!

Of course, once he finished showering he checked himself out in the mirror and frowned. Did…this coat make his a** look big? No, of course not. In fact, he had a nice a**.

Ahem.

He finally left the bathroom and grabbed his brush to detangle his messy hair and found Genesis awake.

H’o my God!!

AUGH! STOP! Now!!

Genesis stared at Sephiroth and gave him a questioning face, “Did your face just spasm?”

“Perhaps??”

Why did he have two question marks at the end of his one word sentence?

“Are you going to train with us? It’d be fun to see how well you fight!”

“Right…now?”

“Yeah! What, are you busy or something?”

It was a challenge, he couldn’t back down! But…Hojo…

Ah hell, Hojo could wait, the man never did anything anyway.

“Of course not, I’m always ready to fight.”

“Well once you’re done making yourself pretty then we can go.”

Brushing his hair made him…pretty?

He finished after awhile and followed them out the room. It was hard having emotions now, he wasn’t used to this panicky excited feeling he kept getting. Not to mention his heart leapt each time he looked at Genesis as if he was attracted to the boy. Hell, he was kind of hot…but was a bit girly for him. It was just something about his face…

Stop thinking like that!

This was bad, he was arguing in his own mind…

They went into one of the training areas and watched it switch into its own cute little graphics. Outside, it was rather nice and looked realistic.

“I hope you’re prepared!”

Angeal sighed, “Don’t take Sephiroth so lightly, Genesis…”

Genesis snorted, “He’s hardly even paying attention.”

They jumped in for an attack and Sephiroth blocked it. The fighting was well, the two always were moving while Sephiroth looked like he was doing some easy ballroom dance in his spot blocking all of their shots.

By the time he put effort into it both were getting tired.

Of course he won after awhile, it was practically given that they’d wear themselves out so quickly.

“That was entertaining, we should do that more often,” Sephiroth said as the place turned back to normal and the two boys groaned in agony.

“I have to go see someone for awhile, I won’t take very long.”

Genesis snarled a bit and stood up, “Okay…we’ll be in the room…wiping up some blood.”

Sephiroth smiled and moved on out. Now to figure out what was happening with his beautiful body.

Beautiful? Oh god. Shoot him.

~$~$~$~$~$~
~$~$~$~$~$~

((Two poster, if you are confused look above!))

Genesis glared and sat up a bit, “You forced me to say it!”

Angeal raised his hand, “Actually I did, just because it’s fun seeing you cry.”

Genesis changed his scowl over to him, “Angeal!”

Sephiroth nodded, “It is, I didn’t think anyone could be that pouty.”

Genesis glared, “I hate both of you.”

Angeal shook his head, “That isn’t what you told Sephiroth last night.”

Genesis looked at Angeal like he wanted to slap him and then sighed as he laid back down, “Whatever.”

Sephiroth stared at Genesis’ shirtless body and let his eyes loom over his tanned skin before becoming aware that Genesis was watching him.

“What are you thinking?” Genesis asked curiously.

“If you had a n****e ring, how much would you scream if I ripped it out?”

Genesis’s eyes widened and his brow creased a bit, “What the hell??”

“I’m curious to know, I think it’d be interesting to find out.”

“You’re insane.”

“Why thank you.”

Genesis rolled his eyes and looked over at the time, “Man…we wasted a whole day sleeping…”

Angeal nodded, “And an hour or two of cleaning.”

Sephiroth stretched out his legs over Genesis and beside Angeal, “It was wonderful, though I advise everyone here to go easier on the drinking. If anyone saw how the two of you were last night I believe it would have caused some serious problems for all of us.”

Genesis frowned and put his hand on Sephiroth’s leg, “What about you? Weren’t you the one who drank as much as both of us combined?”

“I hold my liquor very well.”

“You’re not even hungover! It’s…insane.”

Angeal sighed and got up, “I forgot! I was going to pick up my mail today. I’ll be back soon.”

Sephiroth never got mail, though that was probably a good thing. The door closed and Genesis squirmed to a better position so that he was sitting next to Sephiroth.

Suddenly Sephiroth became aware that Genesis was acting extremely different now. He wasn’t stupid and snobbish, nor was he oblivious. He was…normal. It was rather odd.

“Sephiroth,” he whispered as he looked over at him. Sephiroth raised an eyebrow wondering what he wanted. “I have something really serious to ask you.”

Okay, Genesis, what now? He practically raped him two nights ago, and now he was trying to be serious about something….

“Would you consider…dating me?”

“What?”

“Would you date me.”

“Is this a rhetorical question?”

“No, I want to know…”

“What do you mean…as in…you’re asking me to go out with you or if I was desperate enough would I find you datable?”

Genesis thought it over, “The first one.”

“You’re asking me out?”

“Yes?”

“We hardly even know each other.”

“I really like you.”

“I think you’re rushing things—“

“Why don’t we go on a date and just see how it goes from there?”

“To where?”

“A restaurant or something nice. I don’t know; we could go to the beach. Whatever you would like to try.”

Sephiroth noticed that Genesis was inching closer. Okay, it was more like he was getting close so subtly that no human being would notice it, but because of his lovely dose of drugs he was noticing and he wanted to slap him away. Yes, slap him.

“I don’t want to be seen in public,” with the likes of you.

“Okay…we can go at night, really late.”

So in case he killed Genesis he could leave his body somewhere and no one would know! Wonderful planning on his part. He should do this whole…date and kill thing more often, maybe he’d become infamous for it?

Genesis put his hand on Sephiroth’s thigh. OKAY not comfortable anymore.

“We should go tonight, when Angeal is asleep or something.”

“Do you really think he’s going to just fall asleep and not notice we’re gone?”

Genesis slipped closer to Sephiroth, “He might do something tonight, he normally does when he’s tired of doing nothing.”

“He’d offer for us to follow.”

“No, we’ll say we’re not up for anything. Got it?”

Sephiroth felt Genesis’ hand slip farther up his thigh. Um. No?

“If you remove your hand from me I might think about obliging.”

Genesis slowly moved his hand away, “So?”

“Fine, but don’t think this means anything,” because in Sephiroth’s eyes it only meant Genesis was prey and he got to stab him as many times as he wanted.

It was at that point in time that Hojo, who was sitting in his lab rather delicately balancing plutonium atoms with a uranium drop when he suddenly realized that what he had given Sephiroth was not going to help him stop his emotional acts nor decrease his womanly-ness.

“Oh crap.”

The thing in front of him dropped and exploded sending a shockwave throughout the entire building. Birds flew off outside and smoke escaped from one window.

Hojo coughed and gagged a bit as he wiped away at his glasses, “Holy Jenova, what the hell happened? What have I done??”

He then ran around a bit trying to start up potions for Sephiroth’s issue…when the fumes got to him and he passed out.

Sephiroth, who was sitting there with Genesis, wondered what the hell was going on that made the entire building shake. He watched the lights go apeshit above him and soon it was completely dark.

That was, of course, when Genesis attacked him.

He thought at first he was trying to get over him to check the lights, but then he realized that he was stupid and that Genesis was actually getting on top of him to take advantage of this moment.

Sephiroth freaked out and had taken the apron he was wearing and tried to suffocate Genesis in it. Yes, that stupid frilly thing had a use, and that was to strangle.

Genesis struggled with him, and by the time the lights came back on they both were on the floor completely entangled in sheets and limbs.

“You two look to be having fun,” Angeal said as he had opened the door and saw them.

Genesis looked to see where he was at, since he was on his back, and smiled slightly, “Just messing around.”

He paused.

“Uh..as in wrestling.”

He paused again.

“I mean like fighting wrestling.”

Sephiroth and Angeal both sighed, yeah okay…we get it.

Angeal looked at the clock as he threw his mail down onto his stuff, “Man, it’s dark out but I’m not ready to go to bed yet. I’m going to go see what’s happened that caused the lights to go out.”

Genesis stood up, “I’m thinking of taking Sephiroth out to see our normal hang out.”

Sephiroth perked up, so…was that how Genesis was going to slip them out?

Angeal nodded, “All right, have fun, kids.”

Hmmph, made it sound like he was old or something. Sephiroth rose and brushed himself off, “We should probably get dressed first.”

Genesis looked at himself and sighed, “Oh…yeah…”

After they had dressed in silence, which mind you made it almost awkward to even get their shirts on, Genesis gave him a glorious smile and said, “Follow me.”

Sephiroth followed the leader as if the monkey in front of him would actually take him to a place worth going to. He feared the worst, like some sleaze bar that would probably give him some disease to something like a Victoria’s Secret shop where Genesis wanted to try on all the new lingerie.

Eck, bad thought right there.

Genesis walked them outside into the chilled night and broke off the path and down into a more gloom-filled area. The place looked like a cave.

“This way.”

Genesis went in and Sephiroth continued hesitantly. Of course, he hadn’t expected a low ceiling, so he hit his head as the cave had dipped randomly. Ugh, damn caves.

“Watch your head,” Genesis called back.

“Thanks,” for being slow in telling me that.

They made it in and Sephiroth looked around. Sooo, they made this cave into a hangout? Well, at least it wasn’t dorky.

“It isn’t much, but it’s easier to hide in here away from the outside world,” Genesis flicked a light on and sat down on a couch they had situated in there.

Heavens they must have thought of everything.

“Why were you trying to pull moves on me back there?”

“The lights were out, why wouldn’t I?”

“Possibly because I’m Sephiroth and can kill you.”

“You wouldn’t really kill me, would you?”

“Oh, I think I would.”

Genesis smiled and pointed at the seat next to him for Sephiroth to sit down. That was when Sephiroth’s body suddenly got that ‘I have fluffy emotions!’ feeling. Oh crap, not right now.

He sat down pretending that he wasn’t getting that really scared feeling that Genesis was going to try and get all over him again.

“Do you always sit like that?”

Sephiroth looked at him, “Sit like what?”

“Up straight! You don’t look like you’re relaxing at all, just always attentive and I don’t know…like you’re a schoolboy or something.”

“I feel relaxed,” no he didn’t, he felt like Genesis was too close to him.

“I guess you’re just used to having a ruler down your back.”

“There is nothing wrong with sitting straight.”

“I guess not, it just looks uncomfortable.”

“Hmm.”

Genesis put his hand on Sephiroth’s leg, “We should do something.”

“If it includes you and me doing things to each other I will have to decline.”

“Aw come on, how’s about a kiss?”

“A kiss?” ******** no. “You’ve already had one.”

“Have I?”

“Don’t think that I was asleep the first night you joined me. I sleep lightly in case of people like you are around.”

Genesis frowned slightly and moved closer, “Is that why you’re so edgy around me? Are you embarrassed that I’m making moves on you?” He got closer, enough that he was whispering in Sephiroth’s ear, “Is it because you’re attracted to me?”

Sephiroth was quite surprised that Genesis had figured that out. Well, it wasn’t Sephiroth’s fault he had suddenly become attracted, it was a glitch in the Matrix or something. Yes, he was making stupid movie jokes right now.

That was, of course, when Genesis pulled probably the scariest move that could ever happen to anyone in Sephiroth’s situation. He had pulled out something and tried to gag Sephiroth with it.

Oh no, not actually gag him, he was covering his mouth with a cloth.

And that normally signaled ‘you’re going to get date raped!’ to anyone who had brains about them.

So his initial reaction was to not breathe in, but of course he had accidentally inhaled so much of it before he thought of that. Talk about getting screwed. Sephiroth threw Genesis onto the ground and felt his mind get a bit fuzzy. That’s right, he was Sephiroth, he could last out the dizzy spell. In fact, maybe he was just imagining he inhaled any of it!

Genesis snarled and got up, ready to force Sephiroth down right there, but Sephiroth rose, too, and pushed him back a few feet.

“Isn’t that a bit low of you?”

Whoa, look at how the room is twirling!

Genesis shrugged and smiled at Sephiroth, “You’re just playing hard to get, so I wanted to make things easier for the both of us.”

“Easier? Raping is illegal, you moron.”

“You won’t even give me a chance! What am I supposed to do?”

“Find someone else!”

Sephiroth tumbled a bit backwards and was sitting back on the couch, halfway dazed as his entire system was going for a shutdown. Genesis came over and got on top of him, hands grabbing onto Sephiroth’s biceps tightly.

“I will have you whether you want it or not.”

When Sephiroth thought he was dazing out, that was when he heard someone calling him.

He opened his eyes and noticed he had been DREAMING it all. Thank the freaking heavens or else he’d have to personally lay some smack down on someone.

“Ow…” he had a terrible headache.

“Are you all right? You hit your head pretty hard, I forgot to say something.”

“What?”

“When you were coming in, you hit your head on the low ceiling.”

Sephiroth glanced around and noticed that the place was REALLY dorky. Ah, who would have thought that his dreams had tricked him? His eyes glared over at the low ceiling. If he had laser vision he’d explode that thing. Slowly he sat up more and rubbed his temple before noticing that the only thing he had gotten right in his dream was the couch, and even it looked worse now than in his mind.

“I hope you’re not going to pull anything on me.”

“What?”

“Date rape wise.”

Genesis gave him a horrified expression, “Um..no? I don’t even think I’d be able to do that because I know you’d wake up and kill ******** yes I would.”

“What even made you think of that?”

“Uh…” Think of something, quick! “Nothing.” Okay that wasn’t what he was going for.

“Did you have a dream or something when you were passed out?”

“How long was I out?”

“Um…for at least a few minutes now.”

“Hmm…”

He sighed a little bit as his body was starting to ache again. Hojo’s injection wasn’t working as well as it did yesterday….then again this one wasn’t even the same thing! Talk about inconsistent. In fact, he wondered if it was Hojo who had caused that odd tremor throughout the building? The scientist was ******** nuts.

He then remembered that he had dreamed of asking Genesis why he had jumped him, would his answer be the same? He could get his own show and become a psychic! Of course he’d have to bash his head into something before he could actually use his ability…

Eh, wasn’t worth the loss of brain cells.

“Why did you pull something on me back there?”

“What?”

“You jumped me when the lights turned off.”

“Oh, yeah sorry I get excited sometimes when the lights go out. I have a tendency to just cling to the nearest person in hopes that the lights might come back on.”

Ugh, so much for psychic ability.

Sephiroth stood up and made sure his head made clearance of any rocks before moving to sit down on the couch. Genesis joined him, though gave him space. Ah, it was like the opposite of what he was expecting! Then he should expect all things he didn’t like. Such as an untied bootlace.

He looked down and noticed their shoes were tied. Okay, so that was a bit ridiculous, but he was trying to build up some confidence in Genesis since his nightmare had caused him to be extremely freaked out about the guy.

“Um…yeah okay I have to say I’m really nervous on dates, and even though this isn’t much of one I think I might do something stupid, so uh…I apologize in advance?”

Oh god, Genesis WAS a mess. He thought when he asked him out the guy had confidence. Was he bi-polar or something?

“You’re perfectly fine, I already knew you’d do something stupid before I ever accepted this excursion.”

“Thanks…wait…hey!”

Sephiroth smirked and then let it slide off of his face as his hips screamed ‘oh my freaking god I’m in terrible pain! Pay attention to me!’

Genesis saw the wince and bit his lip before asking, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m in terrible agony.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“It isn’t you,” well it might be, “it’s my hips.”

“Um…your hips?”

“Yes?”

“That’s weird, what were you doing that could make your hips hurt?”

Extremely bad question to be asking Sephiroth, Genesis.

“I…didn’t do anything,” including not taking his medicine in which he should have just done in the first place. He wondered if Hojo was about done making more so he could quit pretending that he had ran out. The man would be furious if he found out Sephiroth was just lying.

“Where does it generally hurt?”

“Um…the hip area.”

“Well I meant specifically, does all of it hurt?”

Why the hell was Genesis caring about his hips??

Oh great, there goes the two question marks again.

“Right…here…” Sephiroth put his hands on his hips while Genesis watched with interest.

“Oh, hmm, that’s weird. Maybe you strained something when we were fighting?”

“How do you strain your hips?”

“Uh…well…I don’t really know!”

Sephiroth rolled his eyes and rubbed at his chest. It was this really odd sensation, as if his chest cavity was trying to murder itself and shrink or something.

Genesis continued to watch him, “Your chest hurt, too?”

“Yeah.”

“Maybe you’ve got some kind of cold or something?”

“My head doesn’t hurt and I feel perfectly fine besides the soreness.”

Genesis shrugged a bit, “Sooo..umm..I could..give you a massage.”

“You want to massage my body?”

“Uh…well—“

“Rhetorical question. I know you want to, Genesis, you’ve been staring at my body for the past ten minutes.”

Genesis turned his eyes away somewhat embarrassed, “I’m nervous!”

“Nervous about what? We haven’t even discussed anything besides my body, and even that wasn’t in depth enough to make you squirm.”

“I’m terrible at first dates!” Genesis turned to face Sephiroth more, “This one time I was just walking this girl home, and I got so nervous I forgot her name, and then I called her ‘Joe’ because it was the first name that came to mind, and her real name was Miranda! Well then she was like ‘oh, that’s all right’ but right after that I said something really stupid about her eyes, and she thought I was saying she looked dumb because she was cross-eyed! And that was when she knocked everything out of my hands and told me to go ******** myself.”

Sephiroth smiled, “Have anymore stories?”

“I had one girl actually go out with me on a few dates, even though I almost set her hair on fire the first time we met,” Genesis sighed, “I hate candles. Anyway, she only stuck around so that she could figure out what kind of cologne I was wearing so she could get it for her girlfriend. I didn’t even know she was a lesbian.”

Wow, this guy was ridiculous! How did he have so much bad luck? He looked like he could score with everyone and yet listening to him made Sephiroth think of Hojo or some other desperate nerdy person that would try to tap anything that came their way.

“Have there been other guys besides myself?”

Genesis sat back and nodded, “Yeah, but they always wounded up realllly bad.”

“I’m listening.”

“Once I was with some guy who had taken me out to this nice restaurant, and things were actually going good for once! I was entirely surprised, but then he offered to take me to his place, which wrecked all of my nerves so much. I said yes, but from there things just went downhill so fast. He went to move in to kiss me and I ended up puking all over him. Oh god…I was so embarrassed I just RAN out of there.”

“That’s terrible, but at least he didn’t come after you.”

“Yeah…I never saw him again.”

“Have you ever…gone farther than just a kiss?”

Genesis glanced at Sephiroth and nodded, “Yeah, but never the whole way.”

“With who?”

Say Angeal and he’d have to rethink this room situation.

“He was an apple thief.”

Well that was a relief. Wait, a thief?

“He was gorgeous. Shaggy hair, slight stubble, bronze body…to die for.”

“Sounds too good to be true.”

“At the time he was coming into my father’s apple farm and stealing them, but one time I caught him off guard and tackled him to the ground thinking that I should probably figure out who he was. And I saw his face and I couldn’t even say anything. So I…let him go. But he came back a few more times, and we kept running into each other. After awhile I was skipping chores and pretending to do work for my father when really I was just hiding in the trees with him. We were practically inseparable, but no one even knew about us.”

This was juicy.

Was Sephiroth getting interested? Heavens.

“And?”

“I was in the shed with him once…we were thinking about…going all the way…right there…I was just so excited and everything I wasn’t even thinking about consequences or regrets…Just the two of us in the moment! His shirt was completely off, mine was undone, we were ripping at each other’s pants ready to go—“

Holy crap he didn’t need that much detail.

“And that was when Angeal AND my father walked in. I felt so ashamed of myself. I couldn’t even look either of them in the eye. My father called up the authorities and the apple thief was put away and I never saw him again. I didn’t have the heart to go visit…it’d look suspicious to the public. It never got out to anyone, but my family…”

He shook his head and tugged at the zipper on his coat, “Mom thought that I was just going through a phase or that I had been duped or drugged, and dad would hardly speak to me unless he was telling me to do something with my life to make up for my sins. So I decided I’d come here…get away from it all, hope to start something new.”

“What about Angeal?”

“I thought he was going to be upset with me, but he wasn’t. He told me that I should pick a better spot and to at least tell him what I’m planning or if I’m busy ahead of time so he wouldn’t walk in on me again. Made it sound like he didn’t care that I was messing around but he also marked his boundaries, too. So when I told him it’d be nice to come here he said he was thinking the same, said he wanted to make a living instead of being poor all the time.”

“At least you kept your friend.”

“Yeah…though I still miss that apple thief. We never really talked that much. I guess I was too giddy and he was the silent type. And…my mom still sends me apples, and every time I bite into one I can taste his kiss.”

“Sounds like a tragic romance,” Sephiroth mumbled before someone else had entered into the cave.

“Of course, it’s Genesis, it has to be tragic if it involves romance.”

Genesis jumped and looked over at Angeal, “Holy cow, announce yourself!”

“You were in the middle of a story, why ruin the moment?”

Genesis glared and looked down at the ground, “Because maybe I don’t want you to listen?”

“You don’t want me to hear the part where you and the apple thief were in the shed, ripping at each other’s clothes ready to have at it like animals?”

“ANGEAL!”

Genesis was turning a bit red at the thought of Angeal saying it so openly like that. Both Angeal and Sephiroth smiled at how quickly Genesis had began to freak out.

“No one is around, stop freaking out.”

“It’s still a sensitive subject!”

“Sensitive like your feelings?”

“Angeal!”

“I’m just messing with your head, you know I’m not trying to hurt you.”

“You should keep your jokes to yourself…”

“But Sephiroth might want to hear them.”

Sephiroth smiled, “Of course, anything that Angeal says is always worth hearing, especially if it’s aimed at you.”

Genesis glared and then crossed his arms over his chest, “So what happened anyway?” He was changing the subject. He was starting to open up to Sephiroth before Angeal had ruined his date time with the guy. Even though this wasn’t much of a date.

“Hojo was mixing some highly reactive materials together when it exploded. He’s all right, thankfully, but he was rushing around in his lab that he inhaled too many fumes and passed out. Currently he’s unconscious, we’re not sure when he’ll wake up, but I doubt it’ll be over a week.”

Sephiroth’s smile slid from his face. Oh boy. It was a good thing he had pills left over…or else he’d be in quite a lot of pain with Hojo out.

“That is rather misfortunate of Professor Hojo to befall such an incident, though to tell the truth I am not surprised it happened.”

Genesis nodded, “Yeah he always seemed like an odd duck to me.”

“Odd duck? He’s a mad scientist, Genesis, he could probably turn you into a woman and slap you naked without even touching you,” Angeal commented.

Sephiroth had to butt in, “Turn him into a woman? Isn’t Genesis already a woman?”

“You’re right! My mistake.”

Genesis glared at both of them, “That isn’t funny.”

Sephiroth frowned, “Oh, did I hurt your feelings? Would you like a hug for that one?”

Genesis hesitated, “What kind of a sick joke is this?”

Angeal sat down, “It isn’t one. We know that you’re a LOVELESS child! Those kinds of kids need hugs before their tears drown them.”

Genesis sighed, “I hate both of you.”

A small silence went between them before Genesis kicked his legs up on Angeal and used Sephiroth as a pillow, “I’m tired.”

“We didn’t do anything today,” Angeal commented remembering that they had cleaned a room and that was it.

“The laundry work was tiring.”

“Heavens, you must have folded too fast.”

“Shut up. Plus I’m still a bit sore from yesterday. It feels like I twisted my ankle…either that or someone chopped it off.”

All three of them looked to see if his foot was still there. Were all of them really that gullible? Even Genesis fell for his own trick!

“Looks attached.”

“Well it still hurts.”

“So does my chest, but I’m not complaining,” Sephiroth commented.

“You were earlier! You said ‘oh I’m in such agony’ in that haughty tone of yours.”

“You find my tone haughty?”

Angeal stared at Genesis’ ankles as they were across his lap, “If I know Genesis he actually means hot and not haughty.”

“Oh, why thank you Genesis, I’m glad you find my tone hot.”

“What? I didn’t even say that!”

“Is there something else you find hot about me?”

Genesis glared before smiling, “Your hips, don’t mind if I touch them?”

It was like taking a laxative to pass a kidney stone. When Genesis jabbed his elbow into Sephiroth’s sore hip it made him want to write a theme song, conduct his choir boys, and slaughter everything that got into his path. He actually SNARLED at Genesis like he was a rabid dog that had a squeaky toy beamed at his face.

Genesis gave a weak smile at him, “I bet that didn’t feel good.”

Angeal snorted, “Didn’t sound good, either.”

“Do that again and I’ll make sure your apple thief memory is permanently wiped from your mind.”

“Oooh, snarky aren’t we? Just because you’re a bit tender around your handles?”

This time Angeal laughed, he actually laughed and pointed at Genesis, “Don’t ever say that again,” of course, he continued to laugh and shake his head.

“What? Is there something wrong with calling them handles?”

“Yes, there is, especially if you’re talking to SEPHIROTH that way.”

Sephiroth thought it over. Yeah, he was way too elegant to have his hips be called that. Genesis had no class. And since HE was with an apple thief it’d probably suit the princess more than him.

That’s right, he just mentally whip lashed Genesis.

And now to speaking.

“He’s only saying it that way because he wants to have his hands all over them.”

Genesis gave a small smirk, “Oh you know I do.”

“I’m surprised I haven’t been violated yet.”

“Perhaps you have and you just haven’t noticed?”

Sephiroth thought it over before glaring, “So you were messing with me when I passed out?”

Genesis laughed, “No, I was joking!”

Angeal smiled, “Let me guess…he hit his head on the low ceiling.”

“Yeah.”

“Wouldn’t be surprised by someone as tall as you.”

They all sighed and relaxed more into the couch, Genesis completely covering them with his limbs, “We should sleep.”

Angeal patted Genesis’ leg, “Then why not fold out the couch?”

Sephiroth gave them a questioning look, “Fold…out the couch?”

“Yes, it turns into a bed.”

They got up and Sephiroth watched the two pull off the cushions and pull out the thing. It really did have a bed inside. He had never seen a couch that did this before, so he was relatively surprised about it.

Genesis opened up the box that was resting in the corner. He pulled out blankets and threw them on the bed, Angeal helped him make it. Sephiroth began to smirk as they worked together, “You two would be wonderful maids.”

They both glared over at him as if he was being really worthless at this point. And he was; it wasn’t like HE was going to make the bed. Whoever thought he had to do such small chores needed to have their minds checked.

The three of them finally rested on the bed together, Genesis in the middle, and stared up at the rocky ceiling. They hadn’t even been friends for that long, and yet they were getting along great. It was interesting to Sephiroth…why hadn’t he tried to become friends with anyone else before? Perhaps it was just because of…who he was. No one really treated him like he was normal. As if…at some point in time he was someone else, or that he really was just some ******** up experiment. Of course all SOLDIERS were a bit quirky…

He noticed both had fallen asleep really quickly and wondered why he couldn’t. It was the pain mostly. Like his whole body had just gone through a blender…

He closed his eyes and sighed softly.

Just sleep, it’ll go away. Tomorrow he’d go visit Hojo to see how he was before retrieving some medicine in his room…
~$~$~$~$~$~

“I’d turn it into a spaceship and ride the galaxies, then I’d go to Mars and get candy bars.”

XDD

There are so many great lines in this. What an awesome backstory.

Sephiroth turned before smiling, “I’ll be sure to let the President know how ‘helpful’ you are…”

Hollander laughed, “You? I hardly doubt the President has any time for some silly—“

“Then I suppose you’ll find out soon enough.”

Sephiroth left and the two others followed him.

“Sephiroth, shouldn’t you rethink this? He’s just playing hard to get—“

“I don’t have time for games.”

“Are you really able to talk to the President about this?”

Sephiroth continued through the house and stopped on the stairs, “Of course, I know Rufus enough I could talk to his father easily.”

“Just because you know the President’s son doesn’t guarantee anything!”

Sephiroth continued and came out of the house, “Genesis, you obviously don’t know how I’ll treat Rufus if he doesn’t obey what I say.”

Angeal smiled, “Hollander will be rather impressed if you can pull this off.”

“I don’t need to impress a low life like him.”

Genesis grabbed Sephiroth’s arm, “So…these pills—“

“It’s none of your business—“

“You said it was part of some experiment, though…”

“Of course, when don’t scientists use people for experimentation?”

“Yes but you’re more than just a person!”

Sephiroth kept walking and finally slowed down, Genesis practically ran into him, “What does that even mean?”

Genesis gapped like a fish out of water and Angeal decided to speak up for him, “He means we’re SOLDIERS, that we shouldn’t be used as lab rats.”

Genesis nodded, though that really wasn’t what he meant. Sephiroth stared at both of them before continuing onward. Were they hiding something from him? Whatever…it wasn’t THAT important, was it?

Once they reached Shinra building Sephiroth looked at them, “I’m going to see Rufus, I don’t know when I’ll be done.”

Genesis nodded, “We’ll be training, and then probably back in the room.”

Sephiroth walked off and Angeal sighed before slapping the back of Genesis’ head.

“Ow!”

“You idiot, you can’t spill the beans.”

“What?”

“You were going to tell him he’s more than just a SOLDIER…more than a human…”

“I don’t see why it has to be such a huge secret…”

“Yeah, I know what you mean but I could see him taking it the wrong way. He seemed rather angry at Hollander today and the man was only testing the waters on the subject.”

“It’s kind of hard…seeing Sephiroth as some freak child from Jenova, though.”

“How so?”

“He acts and looks normal…”

“No one looks normal here. And besides, I’m sure that’s what the pills are for.”

“Like he’s some scaly monster with giant teeth and horns? Whoa! What if he grew wings and such?”

Angeal gave Genesis a rather long look before turning away, “Let’s just train for now.”

Sephiroth, on the other hand, was having the wonderful time in going to see cute little Rufus. He had forgotten when the last time he had actually talked to the dork. He was probably busy reading a book about how to calculate momentum and new ways to fold his blanket into cute animal designs.

Sephiroth wondered if Rufus still slept with that thing.

An image of a small blonde boy with a blanket came into his mind.

Awww, how adorable!

WHOA no. Brain, stop it!

And he was doing so well for the past 20 minutes. It was probably because he was so furious by that stupid Hollander. Whoever slept with his mom needed to commit suicide.

Ahem.

Sephiroth finally found the place where Rufus was at, and to no surprise he was surrounded by several guards that looked like they weren’t being paid enough to do this job. The best part was as soon as they saw him they moved aside as if he wasn’t a threat to the kid. Seriously, look at him. Towering man with muscles and probably a malicious attitude toward snobby rich boys and they stepped aside so Rufus could face him. That was great.

“Rufus.”

Rufus snapped his attention up almost surprised that the guards didn’t keep in his way. Oh crap, he would have to face Sephiroth!

“Oh…Sephiroth! I haven’t talked to you in quite a long time.”

Sephiroth smiled slightly, “Of course, we’ve both been rather busy,” he sat down across from him and glared at the guards who stood there. Talk about no privacy.

Rufus saw the look and coughed a bit before waving his hand for them to leave. The guards reluctantly moved off to do something else, whatever guards did when they weren’t busy standing around trying to look tough.

“Uh…so…you came to see me for a reason?”

“Why else would I come to see you? Listen, I need to get in a meeting with your father—“

“Sephiroth, I can’t just get you in just because I’m his son—“

“Really? Do you remember when we were younger and we were playing Truth or Dare?”

“Oh boy…”

“I haven’t gotten that kiss, Rufus.”

“I can’t believe you remember that stuff…”

“I’ll make you do it right now—“

“Sephiroth, people are watching—“

“I know, seems to put you in quite the spot, doesn’t it?”

“What about you?”

“Oh no, I said you were giving me a kiss, it would obviously be your fault the whole thing happened.”

“Ugh…whatever. Why do you need to see my dad anyway?”

“Because Hojo is invalid, Hollander isn’t any help, and I also need to see about getting bumped up in class.”

“W-what? You think talking to my dad is going to get you into 1st class? You’ll just get sent into an impossible mission—“

“Then I will pass this mission with flying colors.”

Rufus shook his head, “If that is what you think. What was this about Hollander, anyway?”

“Hojo sent me to him to wrap up some loose ends on an experiment. The pills for it were misplaced so we believed Hollander could just make us some new ones. Unfortunately he isn’t very cooperative.”

“So you’re threatening him via my dad?”

“Absolutely.”

Rufus sighed and rubbed at his head, “You definitely have everything to your advantage…”

“Only a smart man would do such.”

Rufus thought it over before closing his book and standing up, “I’ll have a talk with him…but don’t expect anything.”

“If you don’t pull through I have other means of torturing your poor soul,” Sephiroth stood up also, “such as that blanket of yours.”

Rufus looked away, “I’ll do my best, okay?”

Sephiroth laughed as he walked away from Rufus, “You haven’t changed at all.”

Rufus watched as he was gone after that. Great…

Sephiroth soon came into Hojo’s destroyed lab area and watched as some lackeys were cleaning it up as best as they could. He went around curiously poking around the place looking for any type of information he could get on his pills, or perhaps even his past. Even if Hollander offered to tell him he would not want to listen to that crazed fool…no, definitely not him.

There was absolutely nothing useful to him…just old notebooks filled with scribbles of items that never worked. He even found a copy of Loveless in there, but he didn’t bother picking it up to look at it. There were better things to do than get stuck reading something Genesis liked.

After another ten minutes of useless searching he decided to give up. He would have checked archives on the computer but he knew it was protected by a number of combinations that he didn’t know. With an even worse attitude than he had before he left the place to see Hojo again just to b***h at how stupid he was for even trusting Hollander. He found the man laughing his wheezy, maniacal cackle as he watched some idiotic show about trailer trash babies and drunken siblings. Sephiroth turned it off and glared down at Hojo.

“What is wrong with you, my gloomy kitten?”

“Hojo, Hollander was of no help to me!”

“No surprise there, I’m surprised you went to him.”

“You told me to go to him!”

“Did I? Oh yes, I told you to go to him if you NEEDED him.”

“Hojo, I need those pills! I don’t want to change over to some monster.”

“Oh, my poor pitiful merboy, don’t be so snippy! It’ll take more than a few weeks for a REAL change to start happening.”

“I’d rather be safe than sorry…”

Hojo grumbled, “Of course you would, princess, everything has to be safe and nice for you. Now listen to me Sephiroth and stop with that blubbering and glaring! You’re only feeling pain right now, correct?”

“…yes…”

“Good, if anything else happens I want you to tell me as soon as possible. Once that happens I believe I can determine how long you have before you are no longer who you are.”

Sephiroth sighed and rubbed at his temple feeling the bruise there, “Why can’t Hollander just help out?”

“Oh, what did he say to you anyway?”

“He wanted to spew stories of my past as if that was going to help me!”

Hojo glared, “The rotten cheat of a scientist! I see what he’s trying to do…no, don’t worry, Sephiroth, I’ll get you fixed. Give me a few days to have the blood cleared, hmm?”

Sephiroth looked down at him, “Fine.”

“Then I suppose I’ll see you later my sugar muffin.”

“WHY do you keep saying those things?”

It was creepy. No, it was worse than creepy, it was as if someone was trying to mind rape him with words and it was clearly working.

“I have to pretend I’m completely out of it or else I won’t get a nice sponge bath by that new nurse.”

Sephiroth turned and looked out the door to see a practically half naked nurse that was fake baked and extremely blonde, “I didn’t know you were into…those types of girls.”

“No no, not that idiotic bimbo you worthless puppy, the older one!”

Sephiroth’s eyes went over to the old woman with crazy purple hair and an eyepatch, “Whoa.”

“Yeah, she’s a keeper.”

“Uh...huh.”

“Now, my pumpkin, run along and play with your cute little friends why don’t you?”

Sephiroth walked out of the room wondering if Hojo was even injured or not. The slacker, he was pretending so much it was almost disgusting to look at.

“Sephiroth!”

He turned and saw some Turk standing there waving at him to come over. Hmm…he had never seen this guy before…

He came over and looked down at the man before him.

“Mr. President would like to see you.”

Sephiroth smiled and followed the guy to see where the man was hiding, and was soon taken into one of those darkened rooms. The chair was turned facing the other way so he couldn’t see him. Typical evil genius crap, right?

“Mr. President.”

“Sephiroth, my kid says you’ve in need of some assistance.”

“Yes, since Hojo is currently out of order I need to find someone reliable enough to make something for me.”

“You tried Hollander?”

“Yes, and he was of no help, I don’t see why he’s even alive—“

“Don’t be so snappy. Hojo will recover quickly, what’s your problem?”

“Something that Hojo and I have been experimenting on, is all, and we need more pills.”

“I see. I doubt he’ll be in the hospital for long, so it can stay on hold.”

“But Hollander—“

“Is of no concern to you now. What else have you come to complain about?”

Sephiroth tightened up a bit and sighed, “I was wondering about when I would be upgraded to 1st class.”

“You sound confident in yourself.”

“Is there something wrong with confidence?”

“No, there isn’t, but sometimes too much of it can get you killed. I’ll have a talk with Lazard, but I won’t promise you anything. I’ve seen you fighting with Genesis and Angeal in one of the training rooms. You’re not bad, especially against those two.”

“They’re good, too.”

“You’re rather humble.”

“I’m not going to brag about myself—“

“Good, I don’t want to hear it. Now get out.”

Sephiroth turned and the President turned his chair, “Oh, and stop using Rufus’ card for your own personal benefits. It bothers him that he doesn’t know who is abusing his identity.”

Sephiroth smiled, “He practically gave it to me, if he didn’t want me to use it he wouldn’t have handed it over so easily.”

“Be good or else.”

Sephiroth finally walked out. Wow, did everyone just start talking to him like he was a little kid? Hojo, the President…

He began to walk to his room knowing that Angeal and Genesis were probably still training. For now he wanted to rest his aching body and pretend that he didn’t exist. It sounded like fun.

Slowly he laid down on the bed and closed his eyes, covering them with one wrist as if he had done some dramatic swooning faint onto the bed. Amazingly enough he passed out in that exact position and didn’t move from it….

Yes…didn’t move from it even when Genesis and Angeal had come back into the room after training.

“Hey, Sephiroth,” Genesis said as he propped his sword against the wall.

Angeal stared at the slumbering figure and smiled, “I think he’s tired.”

Genesis looked over and noticed that Sephiroth didn’t even move from his spot, “Huh…”

Angeal chuckled a bit, “You know…I should leave you two alone for awhile.”

Genesis blushed slightly, “Hey, just because I told you I was interested doesn’t mean I want to whore all over him. I doubt he’d enjoy that…”

“You would, though.”

“Yeah well…”

Genesis shrugged, he didn’t know how to respond, “I’d rather not ruin anything.”

“Ruin what? You don’t have much—“

Genesis sighed and shed his coat, “Better than nothing!”

Angeal shrugged and went to the door, “I’m going to check up on a few things, I’ll be back soon.”

Genesis watched him go and heard the door shut before he let his eyes slide on Sephiroth. Why shouldn’t he do something? It wasn’t like Sephiroth told him to stop before…

Slowly he moved over to the bed and lifted Sephiroth’s wrist noticing that he really was out of it. He could probably shake his hand and it’d just lay limp. Oh God…he was getting ideas!

Gently he set Sephiroth’s hand to his side and got on top of him almost squealing at how successful he was in not waking the guy up. Yes, he was going to SQUEAL. It was…the new fad…

Ahem.

Genesis snuggled into him and breathed in Sephiroth’s scent. Oh heavens it was erotic. He kissed his neck softly and took it all in for a bit. He couldn’t believe he was…this close to Sephiroth. Maybe he really was awake and was just letting Genesis mess around a bit? Oho…that was too kind of him.

Slowly he moved his lips against Sephiroth’s jawline before brushing his lips against his.

“I almost wish that you were awake…”

Sephiroth finally came out of zombie mode and heard what Genesis said. His eyes opened and he was face to face with the man.

HI RAPE ME SOME MORE PLEASE.

“What….are…you…doing?”

Be calm, be calm, and don’t freak out.

Genesis stared at Sephiroth before smiling a bit, “I-I…I..uh…was…um…”

“Taking advantage of me while I was sleeping for once in my freaking life??”

“Whoa, don’t flip out! I…I just wanted to snuggle a bit, you know…nothing dirty!”

“Your lips were practically all over MINE, Genesis—“

Genesis clung to him, “Oh don’t be mad at me!! I can’t help myself! It’s just…it…it was…so good…”

“W-what?”

“Sephiroth, being with you is something I enjoy a lot. I was hoping that even if I pulled a few moves on you that you wouldn’t get upset—“

“Very funny,” he was clearly upset beyond recognition.

“I’m serious…you know I like you a lot—“

“Yeah, enough to try and get your hands down my pants when I’m not looking.”

Genesis sighed and sat up, now straddling Sephiroth, “That isn’t what I was trying to do…”

Sephiroth and Genesis both fell silent as they looked at each other for a bit. He was stuck in…well a rather vulnerable position, but he could easily flip Genesis off of him. And…Genesis just looked like he was pathetic and wanted to have his head pet.

Do NOT think that the wrong way.

Auuuuugh….god….thought of it the wrong way.

“Sephiroth, kiss me.”

Uh…what?

“Kiss you?”

“Yes, kiss me and you’ll see I’m sooo much more than just some guy trying to get on you.”

“I’ll find out that you’re a hormonal boy trying to get on me?”

Genesis smiled a bit, “Oh it’ll be a bit more than that.”

Genesis leaned in to kiss him, his eyes already closed and ready for some action. Sephiroth wasn’t sure how to react. Kiss him and then pretend it never happened or reject him and make Genesis feel really dumb for trying this on him?

Eeeh…he really liked option two, but his hormones were saying something different.

Ack! When did his hormones agree with Genesis’ feelings?!?!

He grabbed Genesis and pulled him in, deciding that a kiss was probably worth it. It was actually rather good, he thought Genesis was probably horrible considering all of his bad luck with dates and such. After awhile he decided he should be the one on top. Seriously, he was Sephiroth, he wasn’t a bottom feeder.

Now that he was on top of Genesis he wondered what all sorts of things he could do to the kid. He looked vulnerable and yet sultry at the same time.

Softly Sephiroth kissed Genesis and let his hands slide up his shirt, ready to pull it off—

And Angeal opened the door. He was really starting to get good at this game.

“Should have seen this one coming.”

Sephiroth stopped and glared over at him. Augh, what was with him? He shouldn’t have done anything with Genesis!

Genesis straightened his clothes and coughed, “Uh…hi…Angeal.”

“Oh don’t give me that shameful or angry look. So I caught you two in the act, who cares? Just make sure it isn’t anyone else.”

Genesis sighed, “Yeah…sure…”

Sephiroth rubbed his temple a bit as he got up to leave. Maybe he just needed to get away from them a bit and calm himself down? It wasn’t like this whole ‘I’ve lost my pills’ crisis had turned him gay.

Or had it?

No! It hadn’t!

“Where are you going?”

“I need to talk to Lazard—“

That’s right, he was good at randomly changing the subject as if he really hadn’t been screwing around with Genesis.

“Why?”

“I talked to the President to see if I could get bumped to 1st class soon.”

Angeal smiled slightly, “So you actually got to talk to the President. No surprise.”

Sephiroth smiled, “Told you I could force Rufus into helping me. Now I’ll be back sooner or later.”

Mostly likely later.

He walked to Lazard’s and found the man sitting at his desk behind his computer almost deep in thought. Sephiroth entered and saw that his record was actually up on the screen.

Lazard turned to look at Sephiroth and fixed his glasses on his nose slightly before smiling, “Sephiroth, I was expecting you’d show up.”

Sephiroth looked at the room slightly before returning his eyes to Lazard, “Is that a bad thing?”

“No, it’s good to see that you want to be here…to make sure that I say you’re allowed to be in 1st class. If you didn’t come I was going to say you weren’t ready.”

Sephiroth blinked, “Really, just because of that?”

“Yes, it shows you’re either too scared to support yourself or too conceited for your own good. A 1st class SOLDIER is much more than a title…”

“Makes sense.”

“So what do you have to say about yourself that will make me bump you up?”

Sephiroth thought it over, “I don’t have anything to say.”

“Nothing?”

“No, I wasn’t thinking about how good I am, mostly about the missions.”

“Understandable, you must be bored these days since you’ve finished all of your classes. Though I noticed you only visited the choir teacher once.”

“I haven’t had the time to visit him again.”

“Really…”

“I’ve been with Angeal and Genesis for most of the time.”

“Oh, those two.”

Sephiroth gave a curious look, “Is there something wrong with them?”

“Oh, no. Angeal is a hard worker, he’ll be in 1st class before he knows it.”

“And of Genesis?”

“I haven’t decided. I’m afraid it might get to his head too much.”

Sephiroth looked from the screen to Lazard again, “You mean you think he’s power hungry?”

“Yes, he seems a bit full of himself.”

“He really isn’t. He probably couldn’t tie his own shoes to save his life.”

Lazard laughed, “So he’s the clueless type?”

“Correct.”

“That wouldn’t make a good 1st class SOLDIER, we need smart people such as yourself.”

“Please…”

Lazard smiled, “At least you didn’t take the compliment the wrong way. Now I think I’ve decided…I’ll let you in, but you have a mission of your own to decide whether you’re really up to being 1st class or not.”

Sephiroth looked at Lazard curiously.

“But you’ll have to take one of the lower class kids with you.”

Oh boy…

“Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to pick the worst one for you.”

“Good, I like a challenge.”

Lazard smiled, “Your mission will start tomorrow morning. Be ready.”

Sephiroth nodded and finally left, going back to the room. As soon as he entered he was bombarded by Genesis and his undying questions that never ended from his lips.

“Are you 1st class now? Did you say anything about us? Did they reject you? They couldn’t, could they? You’re perfect! Too perfect!”

“Calm down, Genesis, and let the man speak,” Angeal muttered at the overexcited boy.

“I’m to leave tomorrow on a mission to make sure I’m prepared for 1st class. And he did mention your names, but nothing else.”

Genesis brightened up, “Oh….nothing else? He didn’t mention if we’re close or anything?”

“Perhaps he did? I shouldn’t say, though.”

Angeal smirked, “Yeah, he probably said that you’re not ready, Genesis.”

Genesis blinked, “Hey! That’s not nice!”

Oh, damn, Angeal hit the nail right on the head. Wow, what a terrible analogy. He hated those typical ones that always came into his mind. If only he was creative enough to make up his own. But that didn’t matter right now. Why was he so easily distracted?

“Once I return I’ll let you know if I passed or not.”

Genesis laughed, “Yeah whatever, you’ll be too good for us to even say anything. I already know you’ll pass—“

“You don’t actually know—“

“Of course I do, you’re the PERFECT—“

Angeal hit Genesis in the back of the head, “Stop talking before you say something you shouldn’t.”

Sephiroth stared at them curiously. What…were they hiding from him?

“Ow, um..I was just going to say perfect SOLDIER….”

Sephiroth’s frown increased, that wasn’t what he was going to say. Whatever, they didn’t need to tell him.

“Perhaps while I’m gone you two can train harder to catch up?”

Genesis laughed, “Yeah right, we’ll never be the same as you. You’ll always be a step ahead. Man, I wish I was you—“

Sephiroth glared, “What are you saying?”

“You’re the top dog practically, you’ve gotten into 1st class so easily—“

“You hardly know what you’re talking about.”

“They give it out to you as if it were a gift! If you had actually worked for it—“

Sephiroth’s eyes turned icy as he let them land on Genesis, “You’re assuming I begged for a title without any work, as if I needed hand-outs. Maybe if you weren’t so busy wishing you were me you would have already been in 1st class?”

Genesis returned the look, “I think I’ve worked harder than you have! You’re just some experimental toy that turned out perfect is all, and you hardly even know it!”

Angeal grabbed Genesis’ arm, “Stop it, you just need some air.”

Sephiroth thought that over. An experiment? He smiled slightly as he moved for the door, “You know, Genesis, Lazard had nothing good to say about you. I wasn’t going to say anything, but I think you need to know that if you want to get up top you’re going to have to change your attitude.”

Genesis watched the door close behind Sephiroth. He went pale slightly and opened his mouth to say something but closed it before letting his eyes land on the floor, “They…didn’t say anything good about me? But…”

Angeal sighed, “Don’t take it so literally, he probably just said it to irk you.”

Genesis nodded but didn’t believe what Angeal said…

Sephiroth was most likely telling the truth….
OoOoOoO
OoOoOOo

That was really special. Sephiroth worrying about turning into a mermaid is the most crackiest thing.

“Of course, I’ve never lost a battle in my life.”

“Must be part of the terms to be accepted into 1st class. How are things going with the reconstruction?”

“Fine. I expect things to be done soon what with how many men are here.”

“That’s good to hear!” She turned to the camera and said her own spiel before they finished. She turned to him and smiled before shaking his hand.

“I was surprised to hear that you’re a 1st class SOLDIER.”

“Because it’s hardly heard of?”

“That and your appearance threw me off, slightly. I’m used to the lower classes, those that hardly make it into the actual classes.”

“We only accept the best men.”

“So when did you join?”

“I’ve been in for all of my life.”

“I didn’t know ShinRa company rose children specifically for these purposes.”

“They don’t, I’m just a special case.”

“An experiment?”

Sephiroth hesitated. Genesis…said something about him…in fact a few people kept referring to him as that…

“I can’t go around telling all of our secrets.”

“I see.”

They had a bit more small talk before photographers showed up and other publicists. At first Sephiroth thought it was a bit much just for a small place like this. Wouldn’t they have better things to talk about? But it seemed it was their main topic of interest, and surprisingly a lot of it was about him. Why he was a SOLDIER or how he got into 1st class. It was rather easy for him to not tell all of his personal information and give simple answers that still answered the question fully.

After an hour or so they finally moved off and left. He returned to camp and Zack was there with a gleeful smile on his face, “Did you have fun?”

“Being blinded as I was interrogated? Of course.”

“Still have that migraine?”

“No, but it keeps coming back every time I speak to you…so strange.”

Zack glared, “Har har. Hey, maybe you’ll be all over the news and the papers and such? I bet if we found a TV we could watch you!”

“You make it sound like I posed for a porno.”

Zack’s face contorted into confusion and slight disgust, “Whoa.”

“Oh calm down, you’re reacting as if you’ve never heard of a joke. Why do you want to see it, anyway?”

“Because it’s you? I mean, you’re 1st class! They have to be bragging about that all over because it’s—“

“Unheard of. Hmm. Maybe we’ll watch it. Maybe.”

Zack brightened up before laughing, “I knew you’d want to see it.”

“As if I’m interested in seeing myself talk. If I wanted to look at myself so badly I’d get a mirror.”

A few others that overheard him laughed. Later that night they did actually see it with the TV provided for them. Sephiroth wasn’t the least bit impressed, but the others were giving catcalls and bragging that he was made for the camera. As if these men needed to be vulgar.

And way back home Genesis was flipping through channels in a bored manner when he paused as he saw Sephiroth. His heart practically leapt out of his chest.

“ANGEAL!! Look!!”

Angeal looked up from his book and snorted, “So?”

“Shhh shh!! Listen!”

He turned it up and listened to the conversation they had before it went to a picture of Sephiroth and started to babble about a few things. Genesis stared with his mouth wide open.

“You all right over there?” Angeal asked not actually caring.

“H-he’s…all over the news! I knew he’d get to the top and just…rub it all over us!”

“Rub..it all over us?”

“Yes! That…whore!”

“Okay?”

“He’s enjoying this glory and he’s showing us that he’s better than us by getting interviews!”

“I doubt that, he was probably standing too close when they parked and they decided to use him.”

“Oh yeah right, I bet he marched over there and demanded their attention.”

“I can’t even imagine Sephiroth marching.”

Genesis opened his mouth and closed it. He was speechless.

There was an awkward silence before he spoke up again, “I hope he comes home soon.”

“You’re obsessed.”

“I am not…”

“If it wasn’t for this morning I would almost believe you.”

Genesis sighed as Angeal had caught him this morning sniffing Sephiroth’s clothes that he had left. He couldn’t help that he liked the way Sephiroth smelled…

“There is nothing wrong with…sniffing clothes…”

“From someone else’s dresser?”

“Shut up.”

“I’m afraid to leave you alone in here…you might make love to his pillows.”

Genesis thought that over. He already kind of did last night when Angeal was asleep.

Angeal noticed the silence, “Okay, I’ll be sure to tell him to wash his sheets before he falls asleep in here.”

“Shut up.”

There was more silence before Angeal got up and stretched, “Are you done watching him?”

“No.”

“Let me guess, as soon as I leave to check up on a few things you’re going to pull down your pants and—“

“Angeal! I’m not that obsessed!”

“Yeeeaaah. Apple Thief.”

“HE WAS DIFFERENT.”

“I am not seeing the difference. I have never seen anyone eat an apple like the way you do before.”

“It just….reminds me of him…”

“You make it look like you’ve never made out with someone in your life.”

“Hush…”

Angeal laughed as Genesis was starting to pity himself, “Look, I’ve got a few errands to do, so you can be alone with the tv and all of Sephiroth’s things, all right?”

“You make it sound like I’m doing things to them.”

“You probably will.”

Angeal slipped out and Genesis waited for a few minutes before turning the television off and heading into the bathroom. He played around with his hair a bit in boredom when he saw all the shampoo bottles on the shelf behind him. Slowly Genesis turned around to face them and saw 12 bottles sitting neatly. You know…he never did even smell any of them while he was cleaning up in here…

There was probably one for every month and Sephiroth would change them on the 1st….

He wondered…what they smelled like…

He looked back over at the door as if it’d bust open to reveal Angeal watching him. His eyes loomed back over at the set and he grabbed the first one, unscrewing the lid and taking a whiff.

Mmm…it was like peppermint, but not overpowering.

He set it back and grabbed the next.

Lilacs. Oh, he loved lilacs.

And this was like morning rain.

Cherry blossoms!

And this one reminded him of autumn spices.

Ah, this was the manly smell. The one that reminded him of some winter blast or something.

Oh gosh…butterscotch….he loved butterscotch…

Another manly one, like old spice.

Mixed berry, ooh.

Ah….orange kiss. What a great smell, it wasn’t overpowering, either.

And a lemony one!

He grabbed the last one, getting insanely light headed as he had literally inhaled the fumes of all the shampoo. Who knew he’d get practically high off of the scents? Slowly he unscrewed the lid and sniffed it.

He almost dropped the bottle as the scent was so insanely familiar.

It…it…was…

Like apples…

The apples…that the apple thief…

He took another long breath of the scent and felt his eyes dilate as his skin crawled slightly. It was so erotic…

Why couldn’t Sephiroth just be here so he could just rape the hell out of him or something?

Oh, right, because Genesis would be on bottom and the guy was too busy being the hero…

But still.

He liked them apples.

He bit his lip slightly and looked at the bottle before over at the shower. Why not just take one?

He decided a bath could be rather relaxing, and Angeal wouldn’t question him on it. He started one up with steaming hot water and undressed, getting in.

Aaah! Burning!

Oooh.

Ah.

He relaxed and let the water just encase him. How…delightful.

Not as delightful as Sephiroth…but this would pass the time without him.

Of course Genesis never actually knew what Angeal meant when he said ‘I’ll be back later’. He did say a few errands…

And Genesis had a tendency to just go into La La Land when he was…ahem…doing…things.

And so after awhile Angeal came back and found the room dark and empty. His eyes went to the bathroom noticing the light was on. Slowly he opened it to reveal Genesis’ clothes on the floor…

He entered slowly and moved the curtain to see Genesis…

Yeah.

Ahem.

“Genesis, I’m going to have to tell Sephiroth you’re mast—“

Genesis jumped as he heard Angeal’s voice and hissed at him, face getting red, “Angeal! Don’t walk in on me while I’m in the bathroom! That’s embarrassing!!”

“If only you were bathing!”

“Shut up! Get out of here!”

“You really are a mess.”

Angeal flicked the water on to freezing cold and watched the shower spray cold water onto Genesis.

“Ah! Urrgh, Angeal!!”

Angeal laughed and moved out of the bathroom, “You should get to bed.”

As he had prepared for the night he watched Genesis finally come out dry and in a towel.

“Don’t tell me you’re sleeping in his bed bare assed.”

Genesis smiled and showed Angeal what he was wearing underneath. Some lovely girly underwear.

“That’s just as bad.”

Genesis stuck his tongue at Angeal before getting into bed and wrapping up in the covers that gave off Sephiroth’s scent. Mmmm…

And back at the camp…

Sephiroth received a call in the morning. Eaaarly morning. He was glad no one else was awake to HEAR the conversation, though.

“Angeal? Why are you calling me?”

Sephiroth was out in the forest when he had gotten the call.

“Last night Genesis saw you on the news.”

“Something wrong with that?”

“Later on I found him in the bathtub messing with a tool, and this particular one is attached to his body.”

Sephiroth wasn’t sure how to reply to that, “Um…”

“And he slept in his underwear in your bed.”

“The…frilly kind?”

“Yeah.”

Sephiroth frowned, “Why are you telling me this?”

“I just like hearing your voice waiver whenever I say these things.”

“Oho.”

“Nah, I just thought you should know that Genesis is…”

“Going insane without me there?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t do anything about that…”

“I know. This is a warning for when you come back.”

“What will happen when I come back?”

“….Do you really need to be told?”

Sephiroth tried to imagine Genesis as he was now…except much worse, “Oh.”

“Exactly. Well I hope you enjoy your life.”

“How optimistic of you.”

“You’ll understand why I say that once you come back.”

Their phone conversation ended and Sephiroth sighed as he put his phone away. So…Genesis was thinking about him after all. A bit TOO much for his liking, but it did make him feel a bit better…

That someone liked him…

He looked around and sighed noticing his breath rise into the air. Was it really getting that close to winter already? What a let down…

Not that he ever was outside…

In fact, this was probably the longest he had ever been outside without hiding back indoors. It was odd that he was even out here in the first place…you’d think he would try and get out of doing this. He was 1st class! Well…only because he decided to actually go on this mission.

As he returned back to camp Zack was outside doing some exercises. Ugh, he was even energetic in the morning, what a pain.

Was he really starting to get snippy because all the kid did was exercise?

Hell yes he was, he deserved to be angry! His entire body was in a constant pain that gnawed at his bones.

And…well he could swear that his hips were doing weird things…but maybe that was just in his imagination.

And his face looked a bit different to him…less manly. Maybe he was just imagining these things…it wasn’t like turning into a merperson was actually going to change his overall being….

Wait, would it?

A slight panic was sent through him but was easily pushed away when Zack stepped in his way.

“Good morning!”

“Hmm.”

“You look angered, are you not much of a morning person?”

“You’ve asked me that every single day, Zack, and for the last time I am not angry.”

“Ha, I only say it because it gets under your skin.”

Sephiroth glared and started to walk away but the mutt followed.

Heavens, the dog thing was really starting to rub off on him, wasn’t it?

“Would you like something to drink? It’s going to get really cold today, I heard.”

“The news is a very handy thing, hmm…and no, I don’t want anything.”

“Are you—“

“I am absolutely certain that my body does not need anymore liquid in it, but thank you for offering your services.”

Zack laughed and continued to follow him, “So what do you plan on doing today?”

“The same as I do everyday?”

Try to take over the world!! Ahem. Not really. Pinky and the Brain moment. Dear lord, how did he even know that? He never even watched cartoons when he was little!

“Would that involve calling your girlfriend?”

“What girlfriend?”

“Oh please, I saw you talking to someone privately over there—“

“I went to go take a piss and someone called me. And why were you watching? Do you really enjoy me that much?”

Zack gave a surprised face, “Whoa, no no, that wasn’t what happened—“

“It wasn’t? It seems that you were clearly intent on seeing something.”

“H-hey! I don’t swing that way. Wait. Why am I getting worked up? You were the one on the phone with a certain someone! Who was it? Oh! Maybe you’re secretly gay and I just didn’t see it before?”

How the hell… “Keep speaking, I almost enjoy it.”

“Are you avoiding my questions?”

“There was hardly a question in that entire paragraph of exclamations and self responding concerns.”

“I asked who was on the phone!”

“Angeal.”

“Oh, I think I’ve heard of him before. I was told I was supposed to work under him instead of you but you jumped on the opportunity of becoming 1st class before him.”

Sephiroth didn’t seem surprised, Angeal did deserve to be 1st class way before him.

“I’m sure you’ll work with him sooner or later.”

“Why’d he call?”

“To tell me that my Playboy magazines came in and he wanted to borrow them.”

Zack stopped in his tracks and Sephiroth kept walking, smile spreading across his face. God, this boy was entertaining him too much. He almost felt like he was…dare he say it? Flirting. Flirting with this…gosh…12-year-old. Okay, he wasn’t THAT young, but heavens he was such a child compared to him. Right? Exactly.

Finally Zack caught up to him and glared, “No seriously, why did he call?”

“To tell me that Genesis was spazzing s**t about me being on the news.”

Zack blinked before a smile started to creep onto his face, “Oho, I get it now…God why didn’t I see it before?”

“See what before?”

“That Genesis likes you!”

Sephiroth looked around and noticed how dead it was outside. Hopefully no one could hear them.

“Everyone has to have their oddball stalkers. Don’t you have a fanclub?”

“No? That’s so…well…how to describe how awkward this is…”

“What? That Genesis likes me? He likes anything that moves, don’t get worked up about it.”

“Oh really? He didn’t send me a letter!”

“If you want a letter so badly I’ll tell him about you. I’m sure he’ll fall in love instantly, I hear he likes the dark-haired type.”

Apple Thief anyone?

Zack laughed, “Oooh no, he’s all yours.”

“I don’t want him.”

“But he wants yooou.”

“What would you know, that was on my agenda of things to achieve before I die.”

Zack continued to laugh at Sephiroth before finally stopping, “Doesn’t that weird you out that he WANTS you? Like…he could freaking stalk you around and watch you undress or something! That would make me feel uncomfortable!”

Sephiroth hadn’t really thought about it. He happened to like Genesis in a way, so it wasn’t that uncomfortable…Until the guy tried to rape him in his sleep. Like…WHAT THE HELL get your hand in your pants and do something away from him. Like in his bathtub—

Augh God, he needed to clean that tub now!

“I can’t help that there is something to envy about me.”

Wait, did he just pull a cocky remark as if he was Genesis? Oh heavens.

“Not really, I just don’t see the point in getting worked up over the manner. First time someone’s ever seemed this dramatically interested in me. It’s somewhat entertaining.”

Zack thought it over as they stopped since the camp ended, “He’s really the first person? Wow…”

“Oh please, you make it sound like I’m some rich celebrity.”

“Well you don’t look bad. Maybe it’s just because you’ve never been outside for all that long to catch someone’s eye? How many times HAVE you been outside in your life?”

Sephiroth thought it over, “…At least once a year.”

“See? Hardly anyone knows you exist besides those that raised you inside ShinRa building. Maybe if you went outside more often—“

“I only go outside when I have missions to do, Zack.”

“You could enjoy life a little bit more than that, you know.”

“Oh heavens, I better go to a strip club and watch half naked women on poles that I will never get a chance at in my life. Just what I’ve always wanted to do to bring down my self-esteem.”

“I didn’t mean that exactly…but why not go on a road trip or something with your friends?”

“What friends?”

Sephiroth looked at Zack harshly before looking away, “I’m not like you, I cannot leave freely without a care in the world.”

“Just because you were raised in ShinRa doesn’t mean you have to stay there forever…”

“You don’t even know what you’re talking about, so lest you find out I suggest you drop your end of the argument.”

Zack gapped and shut his mouth. He wasn’t expecting him to snap like that. Maybe there was something about Sephiroth that he didn’t know about?

The boy finally spoke after awhile, “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, “Upset me? I’m hardly caring.”

“You must always sound bitter, then.”

“Hmmph.”

“Still have that migraine from yesterday?”

“When don’t I have it?”

“Maybe it’s the weather that’s getting to you…”

“Don’t be silly, it has nothing to do with that. I know what the problem is and it is none of your concern.”

Zack nodded slightly before noticing that workers were finally awake and preparing to work. He did a few bouncing moves and kicked his legs.

“What are you doing?”

“Keeping warm and staying in shape. Need to keep the blood flowing correctly when its cold out! Hey, maybe you should move around more, too?”

“Nonsense.”

“If your teeth start chattering I’m not going to hug you to keep you warm!”

“Heavens, my plan has been foiled once again. Why must you crush my dreams?”

Zack laughed, “You sarcastic whore.”

Did he really just call him a whore? He’d almost take offense if Zack didn’t mean it jokingly.

“I cannot help myself.”

They moved back to the town to help set up the church. And of course, as the weathermen guessed it, the place turned into a practical iceberg that made Sephiroth feel a bit too cold for comfort. He didn’t try to act affected, though, just continued to work with the others even if his body was becoming slightly numb.

It was around nighttime when the sun began to disappear and their light source ran thin that Sephiroth got a bloody nose.

Oh joys of joy!

He had never really had one before besides when he smashed his face into a balance beam once. Oh yes, great memories with those damn things.

He grabbed a cloth from Zack as the kid had noticed him stop working for some reason.

“Hey, maybe you should go sit inside?”

“Because my nose is bleeding?”

“We’re almost done here anyway, you don’t need to aggravate yourself with our presence. Besides, who wants your blood all over their church?”

“Point taken.”

Sephiroth went to the SOLDIERs tent as several in there were sipping at warm cups of cocoa or wrapped in blankets watching the news.

“Get in a fight, Sephiroth?” someone commented at his bloody rag he was holding to his nose.

“Of course not, not in front of the church. I’d feel terrible if I did that.”

The others chuckled and Sephiroth sat down and waited for his nose to stop bleeding.

Of course, 10 minutes later it was still bleeding.

And when Zack came in it was another five minutes.

“Still bleeding? Here,” Zack got him another rag as the other was covered in blood.

Sephiroth moved to throw the other away but Zack kept him down, “Don’t move, you’ll make it worse!”

“I’m throwing this away—“

“Let me take it—“

“It has my blood all over it—“

“Well I doubt you have any diseases that would somehow befall my life.”

Sephiroth watched him take it and throw it away before coming back to him. A man that was sitting at the table with Sephiroth finally turned to face them.

“You know…you’re acting like a mother hen to him.”

Zack shrugged, “Sorry for helping?”

“Don’t you think it’s a bit inappropriate? The guy is 1st class, he can handle himself.”

“Unless he passes out from blood loss.”

“There you go again, mothering him.”

“That’s not mothering! That’s…just…common sense. If you were dying I’d help you.”

“I’m not dying and neither is he.”

“He’s bleeding all over the place!”

“He’s not even wounded!”

Sephiroth hissed, “Sit down, Zack. You, shut up unless I order you to speak.”

He was head honcho…and besides…he wouldn’t even know what mothering was like. Maybe that was why it seemed so weird that Zack wanted to help him so much. It was like a parent thing, something he never got to experience before. That might be why he disliked it so much…

And yet liked it at the same time…

Hmmph. He was so wishy-washy on his stupid feelings.

Another five minutes passed and Sephiroth was starting to feel really light-headed and shaky. At first he was trying to not show any type of problem, but by now he was way too worried about passing out that he could hardly care less about reputations or class. His breathing pattern changed and he paled a lot.

A few of the others noticed and kept their eye on him wondering if he’d survive the bloody nose or not. What a great way to die.

One of the workers came in and shivered slightly before noticing what was wrong. He went over to Sephiroth and frowned, “Man, are you all right?”

Sephiroth looked over at him, “Uhh…”

He couldn’t remember how to respond to that question. Damn, that wasn’t good.

The man stared for a bit before walking over to the cooler they had and dipped his own rag into the cold water and went back over to Sephiroth.

“This might work better.”

He went to hold his hand out for the rag and felt the entire place black out. It was really weird, as if the lights went out or something. Except it was him being amazing and passing out. Go him for scoring the best bloody nose ever.

Zack and the others all jumped up as Sephiroth had fallen out of his chair.

“Damn. Should we move him to his tent?”

“No, there are still villagers out there. Do we really want them getting involved? Let’s just set him up in here someplace nice and see what we can do about his problem.”

A few began to gather up some pillows and blankets in a place relatively warm while the others helped move him and clean up as much blood as possible.

After several minutes they finally had him fixed and all sighed in relief, that could have turned out terrible.

A cell phone suddenly rang.

They all looked at each other before noticing it was Sephiroth’s.

Zack reached out and grabbed it, looking at the number before answering, “Hello?”

There was a slight pause before the other replied, “Is…Sephiroth there?”

“He’s kind of passed out at the moment,” a few others laughed around him.

“Passed out?”

“Yeah…all that manual labor got the better of him,” more laughter.

“Can’t you wake him up?”

“I’d love to wake him up…but he’s really out of it.”

“Are you sure?”

Zack nudged Sephiroth slightly, “Hey, are you going to wake up?”

Sephiroth’s body didn’t move.

He placed the phone back to his ear, “I’m pretty sure he’s not waking up for awhile.”

“Could you tell him Genesis called?”

Zack smiled, “Genesis? Yeah! I’ll tell him. You know, he sure talks a lot about you.”

The others shook their head at him but he continued his conversation.

“Does he?”

Zack could hear the surprised and happiness in his tone, “Every day, really. If he isn’t ordering everyone around he’s saying something about you.”

“Good or bad?”

“Good of course. Would Sephiroth stoop so low to bad mouth someone behind their back?”

“I don’t think so….who is this anyway?”

“Zack, you gave me that letter to deliver to him.”

“Oh…yes I remember you. He did get it, correct?”

“Yeah, he seemed ecstatic to get your letter.”

The others snickered again, Sephiroth was going to murder him.

“Really? He didn’t share it with you I hope.”

Zack thought it over and poked around Sephiroth’s pockets, “No, he kept to himself. Why would I be interested in personal things anyway?”

He moved for the chest when Sephiroth grabbed his hand and blinked slightly before moving his hand for his phone.

Zack practically had a panic attack when he was grabbed which made Genesis fall silent wondering what was going on.

“Whoa! Uh. Okay, he’s awake now.”

Genesis waited momentarily before he heard Sephiroth’s familiar low voice, “Dear God why were you touching me?” It wasn’t directed at him, but he listened to the others.

“I was…making sure you were still alive.”

“Well don’t. Why were you messing with my phone?”

“It rang, Genesis is on the line.”

“Oho.”

“Are you sure you have enough energy to talk to him?”

“Go ******** yourself somewhere else, eh…”

Zack stared at Sephiroth like he was insane and watched as a few others moved off a little bit to do a few things but still listen in on the conversation.

“Genesis?”

“Yes?”

“Speak.”

“Are they away from you?”

Sephiroth fanned his hand slightly for them to move off a bit more, “Yeah.”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes? Slightly? Actually we amputated my leg off, so I’m feeling pretty terrible.”

The group tried not to laugh at the joke as they could hear Genesis’ reaction, “Holy crap! Seriously??”

“No, you tard. I just got a bloody nose and passed out because only heroes do that.”

“That wasn’t funny—“

“No? You’re the one obsessed with the hero thing—“

“Not that—“

“Maybe you should hang out with Hollander. Urgh. If I could express emotions right now they’d be raging with anger and an infatuation to set comic books on fire.”

“God, you sound like you’re on LSD.”

“I feel like I shot myself up with heroine.”

“Maybe you did?”

“If it got rid of this migraine that’d be great. I’d do it every Sunday right before church time. We could see the goddess together.”

“You really must have had a bad bloody nose… Did you really pass out?”

“Noooo, I just fell asleep and woke up covered in blood.”

“You don’t have to get snarky with me.”

Sephiroth pointed at Zack, “Scratch my leg, I don’t have enough energy to do it.”

Zack stared at him, “Which one?”

“The one that itches. You’ll just have to guess, I forgot my left and right…”

Genesis frowned, “Maybe you should get some sleep, we can always talk later.”

“No no, if you had something to say go ahead and say it or else you’ll bother Angeal about it and I’m sure he does not want your obscure questions aimed at him.”

Genesis paused a few seconds before sighing, “I just wanted to let you know I missed you…”

“Oh.”

“And that…I really want to see you soon. Don’t say anything, I know the others are listening. But…when you get home, whenever that may be, I want us to…have some alone time together. The two of us could possibly do something fun?”

“Pertaining to…?”

“Something intimate…something romantic. Maybe…go a bit farther than we’ve ever gone before.”

Sephiroth thought that over. Whoa. What a way to really wake up, “Sounds risky.”

“I’ll get everything set up, okay? We won’t get interrupted or anything. How’s that?”

“I…suppose.”

“You can’t back down on me now.”

“I never said no.”

“Good. Now I’ll let you get some sleep.”

“Bye.”

He hung the phone up and slipped it back in his pocket, “You’re itching the wrong leg, stupid.”

Zack shrugged, “You never specified!”

“It’s the…that…yeah that one.”

Zack smiled, “So why’d he call?”

“To tell me he’s going to set ShinRa building on fire and storm about in spandex pretending to be a superhero.”

Zack stared.

“He’s talking about a way to get into 1st class, actually. Just some idea he got. Whatever.”

Zack nodded, “Well you should get some sleep.”

Sephiroth would have moved if he could have, “Yeah, just don’t answer my phone or touch my chest. I don’t need you pulling moves on me right now.”

Zack snorted, “That wasn’t what I was doing!”

“Pah. Now go do something useful…”

“It’s dark out!”

“Go to bed, moron.”

Sephiroth moved his head into a better position to sleep and noticed Zack did move off. Good, he was really starting to break these kids in. Tiredly he let his eyes close and he heard a few of the others start to move off, preparing for bed themselves. Tomorrow would be another work day, and so on and so on.

Hopefully he’d get home soon…

OoOoOoO
OoOoOoO

OoOoOoO
OoOoOoO

Once again Sephiroth was having some insanely demonic dreams that made him laugh maniacally. No really, he woke up at some point laughing like he had just set a meteor into the world.

Not that heroes would think like that, but whatever.

The dream was about Genesis in a ballerina costume, actually, and him reciting poetry while searching for some type of ‘gift of the goddess’. Hell, Sephiroth didn’t even know where the thoughts came from considering Genesis had yet to act like that around him. It was probably from all the blood loss, and the fact that Genesis said something like ‘romantic’ to him last night. Romance always made him think of tutus. Why? He wasn’t completely sure, maybe it was the Nutcracker getting to his head.

But enough digression.

His laugh had made several people turn to his general direction wondering what else had happened to the hero besides a bloody nose. Zack, who was conveniently—

Conveniently? Pah. More like annoyingly obsessing over him and happened to be in the vicinity because he was a ******** stalker…

Came over to him like a little puppy glad to see his master awake.

Stop. Dog. References.

But at this moment in time Sephiroth was way too lightheaded and high on life to even care that he was thinking of Zack as a furry critter.

“Sephiroth? Feeling any better?”

Sephiroth felt like he was hallucinating. He thought he saw Zack with dog ears. Oh god. Someone had to have shot him up with drugs.

And he reacted the way most drug addicted fools would have.

“Whoa, hello thar.”

Thar? His mind had turned to mush.

Zack blinked, “Sephiroth??”

“Yes, that is my name.”

“Uh…do you feel like you can sit up?”

Sephiroth sat up and felt like the entire world started to spin, “Hold the hell still, dammit.”

Zack moved and came back with some food, “Here, you should eat. You’ve been out of it for quite a long time.”

Sephiroth was holding his head, “How long?”

“Two days.”

“TWO??”

The entire room fell silent as Sephiroth’s voice boomed out in anger.

“Oh that isn’t that bad…” Sephiroth quickly changed moods and took the food, “Though someone could have fluffed my pillow. My neck hurts.”

A few of the men snorted at his joke while Zack sat next to him and watched his every move like a—

Oh no, no dog reference this time, b***h.

Har.

Why was…he thinking like this?

It was at this moment in time that he remembered he had to go to the bathroom really badly. He handed Zack his food almost spilling the boiling hot liquid onto the kid as he launched to his feet.

OH GOD THE WORLD IS TUMBLING.

Oh, no wait that was him.

He almost fell over but caught himself and stood up straight. The others watched him. Oh yeah, cool 1st class SOLDIER was having difficulties standing up.

Ahem.

“Where are you going?” Zack asked as he stood up ready to help him.

Sephiroth glared at him, “I have to piss! Stay here, I don’t need your help.”

The others tried not to laugh as he made his way out of the tent and out into the early morning. Oh man, he had been asleep for quite a long time…the place was almost done.

And of course someone approached him as soon as he showed face. AUGH! BLADDER READY TO CRY!

“Sephiroth! I heard you took ill—“

“It was just an excessive loss of blood, nothing terrible.”

“They finished the plumbing throughout the entire place, isn’t that great?”

“Oh?”

The person noticed his interest, “I’m assuming you’d like to be pointed to one?”

“That would be most appreciated.”

The person led him over to one of the buildings that had been finished and brought him inside. They pointed to where the bathrooms were at.

Sephiroth went in and sighed as a fan turned on and the lights flashed on. So they did get quite a lot done. That was good.

He went over to the toilet to relieve himself, unzipping and ready to whip it out…

When…

He paused.

Um. Whip out?

He looked down.

He almost pissed himself right there.

WHERE DID HIS LOWER REGION GO???

He couldn’t even think of the word…..p***s.

Augh!!

He looked around as if it was lost in the bathroom and then shook his head. Get some sense into yourself, you fool!!! Take a piss, take a deep breath, and go call Hojo.

Right.

He stared down again and thought it over. Um. How did girls go to the bathroom?

AUGH!!!

It was a rather frustrating ten minutes in the bathroom as he started to panic and almost cry at this new idea of not having anything down there. Maybe someone stole it when he was asleep? HOW DID SOMEONE STEAL THESE THINGS?? Okay, try to stop the exclamations! Right. Ahem. But really…what was he going to do? It was like…he lost all of his manliness right there…

He stared in the mirror and noticed he was playing with his hair as he had a worried expression on his face.

Uh. Wait…

He got closer and looked at himself…

He…did look a bit more feminine..

AUGH!!

What was going on?? Did mermen even look any different from mermaids?

WOULD HE GROW BOOBS?

He almost whimpered but slapped a hand over his mouth. Don’t overreact, dammit! He was doing so well…

He sighed and took a few breaths, again, and tried to think it all over. Hojo would obviously have an explanation for it all…

He finally left the bathroom with his phone out going through the contact list to get to Hojo’s number. He called it and waited as he heard the dial tone. Come on…come on…

“Good evening, this is Professor Hojo, mad scientist in the making, speaking, how might my deviously intelligent brain and wonderful physique help your writhing soul out?”

“Hojo??”

“Oh, Sephiroth, I thought your name said ‘Susan’…or was it ‘Sophie’?”

“Who cares! Look, I have an issue going on right now…”

He looked around and noticed the person had left the area.

“Oh? Did something finally happen to you? Have any gills yet or possibly fins?”

“No…nothing like that.”

“Then why are you bothering me at this time of the morning? You do realize that the special on Absolute Zero is on in a few minutes—“

“Look…something did happen. I’m….uh..missing something.”

“I cannot help you find something you’ve misplaced, Sephiroth, I happen to be several hundred miles away from you.”

“No! I meant…my lower region is no longer existing?”

Augh, he sounded so unsure. He even said it really softly, too, in case anyone was around. There was a moment of silence on the other end before Hojo spoke.

“Oh my. You mean to say your p***s is completely gone?”

WHY did that word sound so terribly wrong from Hojo’s mouth????

“Yes?”

“So…nothing is there anymore?”

“Nothing.”

“Do you have a chest?”

“NO.”

“Well I’m just making sure…”

Sephiroth listened as Hojo started to move around the place and he heard glasses clinking together and other things, “What are you doing?”

“Trying to open a champagne bottle with one hand. It’s almost physically impossible unless you’re good at using your feet. And let me tell you, boy, Hojo has rather strong feet for being an old man!”

“HOJO!!”

“What? Oh yes, the current situation with you lacking manhood. How’d you find out?”

“I was trying to go to the bathroom—“

“And it just happened to be gone this time around?”

“Well I was…asleep for the past two days…”

“What kind of a mission requires that you sleep for two days straight?”

“Ugh, it was because I lost a lot of blood from a bloody nose, okay?”

Hojo fell silent and a pop came from the other end. Sounded like he got the champagne bottle to work.

“Did anyone touch your blood?”

“Not directly…everyone wears gloves…”

“Good, we can’t let them touch any of it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh…nothing terrible. It’s a long explanation, Sephiroth, maybe when you’re older.”

“I happen to be old enough to need to know what is wrong with my blood!”

“There is nothing wrong with it! And besides, you’re worried about your p***s, not your blood. Let us figure this out further. Did you actually go to the bathroom?”

“Yes…”

“So…you can still go…hmm…”

Sephiroth listened as Hojo was now either buttering toast or sanding something. He wasn’t sure what the ‘mad scientist’ did in the morning. Wait, why the HELL was he drinking in the morning? Oh god, did he go to work like that? No wonder he was ******** insane!!

“Well there is only one thing I need to know right now. Do you have a v****a?”

Sephiroth almost dropped the phone right there. WAS HE SUPPOSED TO ANSWER THAT??

“You’ve GOT to be kidding me!!!”

“I’m completely serious, Sephiroth.”

“I don’t know, it wasn’t like I was SEARCHING around there or anything!”

“Well you should have. Are you near the bathroom?”

“Y-yes, but—“

“Well go in and check!”

“Hojo! I’m not going to—“

“Fine, fine, be a little girl about it. There isn’t a whole lot I can do for you right now. I’ve been working on the pills ever since I got out of the hospital. Let’s just hope that your pectoralis major doesn’t grow some new assets.”

Sephiroth groaned slightly, “What should I do until then?”

“Well…don’t let anyone know.”

“Yeah, I got that.”

“As long as you act normal and don’t go into a public bathroom you should be fine. And try not to do some communal shower, or do dares. Men get odd during dares.”

Why was he filling his mind with these images.

“All right…”

“Besides, it’ll be a new experience! You can tell me all the details once you get back so I can add them to my collection of wonderful experimentations.”

“THIS ISN’T WONDERFUL!”

“Whatever, Sophie. Anyway, my program is on—“

“It’s Sephiroth!!”

“Everyone called you Sophie when you were younger. Goodbye now, my terribly gendered experiment.”

The phone hung up and Sephiroth closed it. So he was supposed to act normal? How was that even possible when he…lost his manhood?

Augh, god, he wanted to bawl like a little b***h right now.

No, hold it together Sephiroth, just because he was missing it didn’t mean he had to show it!

He thought this all over….what if he…really was turning into a girl? The looks, the hips, the lower region…

Oh my God…what had Hojo done to him?

What was he going to tell Genesis and Angeal?

No!! He could never tell them, he didn’t care how close of friends they were to him!

They weren’t even THAT close to him. So yeah. No one would ever find out. Ever. EVER.

Except Hojo, that damn scientist who would have to change him back into a man.

Augh, freaking God, it sounded like he went through a sex change overnight in Vegas or something!!!

He finally left the building looking completely distraught and found the same person stargazing. He hoped the loser didn’t overhear his retarded conversation. Oho, that would have to sound special from out here. Yelling the word p***s and such. Did he even say it? Hopefully not. But he did release information about missing his woo-hoo. Did he really just refer to it as that? Augh.

And what also bothered him was what Hojo said about no one being allowed to touch his blood. What was wrong with it? Did he have some secret disease that he didn’t know about? This made him even MORE depressed as if he needed to be isolated more in this world…

Why…was he so lonely?

It made him want to figure out about his parents or something, just so he could visit them or something…he had the right to know who they were, didn’t he? But…would they even want to claim him? He felt like some freak child…

That caused him to stop in his tracks before he entered into the tent again. Was that why his parents abandoned him? Because….

He was…

Some type of monster?

The thought hit him so hard that he hadn’t even realized it before. He shook his head to get the thought away and went into the tent. Zack was there by his side in an instant.

“Feel better?”

Sephiroth stared at him like he was retarded, “Does it look like I feel better??”

Everyone fell silent as he snapped at the younger member. Zack retracted slightly unsure of what Sephiroth’s problem was, “N-no…did something happen?”

Sephiroth glared before moving back to the spot he had been resting, sitting on the blanket and rubbing his head. It surprised all of the other SOLDIERs, as it was not normal for their leader to be bummed out about….something.

“Sephiroth?”

Sephiroth tried to clear his mind. He was overreacting, and doing that would grab too much attention. Just think of something funny and push the thoughts out of your head.

Genesis in his ballerina form.

With a Russian accent, because Genesis would have one randomly.

Sephiroth chuckled slightly, which only made him seem rather insane by how bipolar he was acting, “It’s nothing.”

Zack handed him back his food wondering whether feeding the man would help him stop his odd antics, “Okay, whatever you say.”

Sephiroth ate quietly noticing the silence throughout the tent. He should have gone back to his own tent…pretended that he was perfectly fine and just bored of these people. But there was food in here…and he was starving. After he finished his meal in the silence he sighed as he felt much better and a lot less lightheaded. His migraine was still there, but right now it felt numbed thanks to the warm food.

By the time he had finished a few of the SOLDIERs were goofing off with dares. Oh yes, the thing that Hojo told him to avoid. But…he was a boy…in his mind…and he clearly was interested in seeing what was going on.

Currently they were just doing dumb things like ‘drink this’ and such. But it got rather larger as more of them began to participate. They even duped Zack into doing a shitload of squats, which after several minutes even Sephiroth thought he could feel Zack’s pain.

He pulled out his phone and checked through his messages that he had missed over the past two days while Zack got to sit down and pick on someone else. In fact, he had almost forgotten the game was going on until he heard his name.

His eyes went over as they cat called at him. Okay, a bunch of straight men obviously. Well technically they were considering he was currently genderless until he found out that he had a v****a or not.

Augh. Never think that ever again.

“Sephiroth!”

“What?”

“Why not join in on our fun, eh?”

The group hollered that he had to.

“Isn’t it a bit early to be entertaining yourselves in such a manner?”

“Of course not.”

“I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to participate in your games.”

“Oh come on, we won’t make you do anything you’d regret.”

“I think I’d regret playing.”

Zack rubbed his legs, “And you called me weak.”

The group roared at that and Sephiroth glared, “It has nothing to do with weakness, I’d just hate to see someone get hurt.”

“Yeah yeah, good excuse.”

“All right, if I did play what would you make me do?”

“Welllll,” one spoke up and nudged his buddies, “Zack does like you a lot.”

Zack blinked, “I do?”

“Of course you do, why else do you bother him so much?”

“Because he’d murder me in my sleep if I didn’t?”

Sephiroth laughed, “No, I still want to murder you.”

The group whispered a bit before looking back at him. Why were they smiling at him like that?

“We dare you to kiss him.”

Sephiroth thought it over at first. Hmm, it wasn’t a terrible dare. But in front of practically an entire squad of people? Risky. Really really risky.

“That’s like ruining a puppy’s innocence.”

Damn, he did another dog reference.

“Saying you won’t do it? Are you scared?”

“Hardly.”

“Then why not do it?”

Oh they were really pressuring him, weren’t they? It was just a kiss…nothing too much to deal with. Wasn’t like he had friends to have them b***h at him about it. And if anyone asked he could pull a Hojo and say he had an epiphany and such.

“Fine, I’ll do it. But if I hear word of this getting out I’ll find who let their tongue slip...and I’ll slaughter you and your parents.”

The group promised they wouldn’t, or at least promised enough that Sephiroth somewhat believed them. He would totally murder them all if Rufus came bounding up to him saying how much of a manwhore he was. And he didn’t even do anything to Rufus!

Zack, on the other hand, was hardly prepared, “W-what?? Hey, don’t I have a say in this??”

He was being held in his chair as the group laughed at him, “Of course you don’t get a say in what happens to you. That would ruin all the fun!”

Sephiroth came over slowly, “How long?”

“Ten seconds—“

“Oh that isn’t terrible—“

“With tongue.”

Sephiroth thought it over. Ugh. There went his reputation.

“All right.”

He straddled Zack and the hollering was already starting. Jeez, you’d think they saw a stripper or something.

Before Zack could even object Sephiroth pulled him into a kiss that would probably rock his world for the rest of his life, however long Zack would live. Sephiroth was guessing not long if he kept up his little innocent puppy expressions.

He finally finished and saw how shocked Zack was, “That was worse for him than it was for me.”

“I think you destroyed his mind,” someone commented.

“I can’t help myself sometimes,” Sephiroth stood up and brushed his hair out of the way.

“So now its your turn to pick the torture!”

Sephiroth thought it over, “Oh…hmm…”

He smiled, “Everyone strip and do 5 laps around the tent. If you don’t I’ll make sure you don’t sleep for the next 5 years.”

He sounded completely serious. The entire group did as he said and dashed on off, yelping and hissing at how cold it was outside. Oh, this was so entertaining! Why had Hojo warned him not to do this?

Once the group came back in and got their clothes on they were ready for some revenge on him.

“All right….your next dare is outside.”

Sephiroth shrugged, “And what ever could it be?”

They moved out and the guy pointed at a slick metal pole, “You have to lick it.”

“That’s it?”

“Have you ever seen A Christmas Story?”

“Um…no?”

The group chuckled a bit, “Well you’ll see.”

Sephiroth blinked before going on over, “Just one lick?”

“That’s all it takes!”

Sephiroth wondered what was up with this…

He went over and licked the pole thinking it meant nothing…

Until his tongue was stuck. Oh s**t! Cold pole meant wet tongue would freeze to it. Gah, he was retarded!

He tried to pull it off and found it only hurt, “Owww…”

The group whooped and hollered at his stupidity. Ugh. Talk about real humiliation. He just used that tongue to violate Zack and now a pole was getting the better of him!

He pulled again but was still stuck, “Uggh…”

“I think we should leave him out here for a bit…”

The group started to move for the tent. Sephiroth glared and would have gladly chased after and slaughtered them if he could. Damn his stupidity….

What the hell was A Christmas Story anyway?

He patted his pants and pulled out his phone, deciding he’d send a text to Genesis.

‘What’s the best way to get your tongue unstuck from a pole?’

He sent it and waited a bit. It finally buzzed and he looked at it.

‘Put hot water on it. Why?’

Sephiroth looked around. Uh. Hot water? Maybe in the tents. But…

He sent Zack a message, ‘Get out here with hot water or else.’

And as he waited for him he replied to Genesis, ‘Just having some technical difficulties.’

Zack finally came out and stared at Sephiroth, “Um…yeah?”

Sephiroth pointed at Zack and motioned that he needed to get unstuck. Zack stared at him and sighed a bit, “Yeah okay.”

He dumped the hot water down the pole and on his tongue, which felt more like boiling lava coming on him. He pulled back at the feel and ripped his tongue right off.

OH ******** GOD.

He growled slightly and closed his mouth trying not to curse and scream bloody murder before he turned to Zack and smiled slightly, motioning for them to head inside.

As they entered into the tent Sephiroth felt his phone vibrate again and noticed it was Genesis sending him another message. He pulled it out to reply but hesitated as he noticed everyone staring at him.

“Got loose, eh?”

Sephiroth glared slightly but didn’t say anything, as his tongue still hurt rather badly. He wondered if it was bleeding or something. That’d look cool if it wasn’t his tongue.

“Oh, he’s not talking? Is it that bad? Upset that we got to you like that?”

Sephiroth moved over to the man who was talking, grabbed him by his collar, and lifted him right out of his seat, “Speak again and I’ll permanently rip out your tongue. All of you should be working, the games are over.”

He dropped him making him topple over a few of his friends, and they soon scrambled off to get to work. Oh yes, Sephiroth loved being 1st class.

He finally looked at the message Genesis sent him.

‘Don’t tell me you actually licked a pole. Haven’t you ever seen A Christmas Story?’

Why did everyone know about this and not him?

He replied with ‘No, I haven’t. What is it?’

Hopefully that didn’t sound too stupid.

And several hundred miles away Genesis was sitting in a lecture taking a few notes on best attacks on certain monsters when he noticed the message Sephiroth sent him. God, he hadn’t seen A Christmas Story? He really was deprived! How was he going to describe it to him?

He nudged Angeal slightly with his foot and showed him the message he got. Angeal smirked and shook his head at how pitiful Sephiroth was.

‘We can watch it when you get back, how’s about that?’

And back at camp Sephiroth stared at the message. That told him nothing. Maybe it was funny or something? Or just something educational?

‘Fine.’

He put his phone away and noticed Zack was standing there waiting for orders. What the heck? Did he not just yell at everyone to go work? It was morning, after all.

“Yes?”

“I was wondering how you felt today.”

“I swear I’ve already told you a thousand times—“

“Yeah, well you didn’t say anything after you ripped your tongue off practically.”

“All right. Oh, Zack, I feel absolutely wonderful right now even though I just ripped off half of my tastebuds! But that’s all right, they’ll come back in a week or two,” laaaaccceeed with sarcasm.

Zack stared at him for a few minutes, “So…you’re upset.”

“I wouldn’t call it that.”

“No really, you look it. Something on your mind? Was it the guys? They can be rather cruel.”

Sephiroth thought it over. Could he ever actually tell Zack the truth? He was supposed to be teaching him something or other along this mission, wasn’t he? The best way to get to 1st class…or something. But it wasn’t like he could spill about losing his manhood. Oh no. He could at least just tell him how he was curious about his family…yeah. Zack wouldn’t push it past that.

“When they talked about family awhile ago…it made me curious. I’ve said a million times that I’d rather not see them..but…”

He paused and left it at that, “It doesn’t matter. We should be out there helping.”

Zack watched him head for outside and grabbed onto his arm, “Hey…I can understand what you mean. It’s natural to be curious about those things…”

Sephiroth didn’t reply, just moved forward after Zack had his little moment.

And then they worked. It was boring to say the least, as it was the same as it was every day. In fact, Sephiroth wasn’t even sure why he was helping as he was still somewhat light-headed. But he was the hero after all, he had to show up every now and then to steal all the glory. Hah, he loved it.

But within the week they had actually finished the entire village as if nothing had ever came through it. They had to pack up and leave, pretending they never were even there.

Sephiroth, as he moved for his helicopter ride with Reno and Rude, was cheered by the villagers. Oh yes, act like you did this single-handedly! He gave a slight smile to them as he entered into the helicopter and watched as they were finally taking off.

He adjusted the headset nicely and heard Reno already making odd noises. Ugh.

“Kzzzzt, The Hero is aboard and ready to be put back into storage! How’s it feel, Seph, being the star of a town that used to not even exist in anyone’s mind?”

“Lovely.”

“Beautiful answer, and the crowds go wild!”

Reno turned the ‘copter and they headed for ShinRa.

“Can’t believe we’re heading back. Feels like we’ve been stuck here forever, eh?” Reno commented as his eyes glanced back at Sephiroth.

“It’ll be nice to be home again.”

“Aha, home. Right. As if the workplace was that nice to be called that.”

The helicopter fell silent before Sephiroth spoke, “I don’t know, it seems nice, then again I’ve never lived anywhere else.”

Reno groaned, “Oh yeah, I forgot.”

Rude sighed, “Idiot.”

Reno gave a fake laugh before they fell silent again. Sephiroth’s phone vibrated and he looked to see who it was. Zack was texting him.

Since WHEN did that kid get his number? Damn.

He opened the message wondering whether it was worth his time.

‘I never got to thank you for helping me out on my first mission. You’re great, Sephiroth. When I first met you I thought you’d be a robotic lifeless person created by ShinRa as some superhuman for the future of SOLDIER. But…you’re a lot different than that. I found out that you do have personality, even if you’re complaining about migraines all the time. It’d be nice to work with you again!’

Sephiroth stared at it. So…there it was again. But Zack never said that he really was an experiment, he just thought he would be. But…what gave him that idea?

He saved the message before closing his phone ready to take a nap. It was going to be one long ride back home.

And once again he had some really trippy dreams. Except this time it made him rather scared and left him feeling vulnerable. It was one of those locker room nightmares, except this one turned out extremely terrible. They went to take showers like usual, and Sephiroth was a freaking woman.

Ugh.

Talk about a way to really make his day worse than it already was.

So when he woke up he was depressed again. Stupid Hojo, why hadn’t he told him this was going to happen? Or maybe he didn’t know? Whatever…he should have seen this coming.

“Good morning, sunshine, how ya feeling? Looking good from this angle, eh?”

Reno. How dare you. He felt TERRIBLE about his body and Reno was trying to cheer him up…without even knowing it.

“Don’t speak to me.”

“Did my compliment rub you the wrong way?”

Sephiroth stayed silent as he played around with his phone to see what time it was. Woot, almost home!

Woot? When did he start using that type of expression?

“Awww, its all right, baby, I can make it up to you. How’s about a date? I bet you’d look great in a red dress.”

Was Reno rambling?

“Or you know, with nothing on.”

WHAT THE HELL.

“Have you been drinking?”

Rude snorted, “I hope not if he’s piloting this thing.”

“What is with the weird comments, then?”

Reno shrugged, “Is it freaking you out? I think it’s my goal to make you feel violated. Tell me when it’s working.”

Sephiroth thought it over, “You’re going to get nowhere with this, then.”

Reno laughed, “Oh?”

And that was when he went into some of the most gruesome, phone sex related things that even made Rude cringe at hearing him talk.

“Okay, you can stop…”

“I was getting to the best part about how I suck on your—“

“Enough!”

Reno laughed, “I win.”

Sephiroth sighed, “Of course,” he sent a message to Angeal saying he’d be home in a little bit. He wondered if the two even cared that he was coming back? Not like he was their everything or something…

The ride there was silent after that. Arriving home made Sephiroth feel so thankful that he hadn’t died out there, if that was possible for him to die. Well, that bloody nose did get out of hand. And being stuck to that pole? Augh. Embarrassing…

Almost as embarrassing as him losing his ******** manhood. Auggggh.

He got out and noticed no welcoming squad, so that meant no one really cared he had returned. Good, maybe the news wasn’t that big of a deal here as it was there?

Of course, that was until he actually got into the building.

Once he set foot into that building there were people all around shouting things at him and all the such that he hardly knew what to do. Hmm, he should bask in the glory of being a hero, but at the moment he had more important things to do.

“Sephiroth, sir, the President would like to see you, sir!”

He looked down at some person who had just told him this message and thought it over. What could the President want with him right now?

Without a word he moved off to the President’s room, which many people often called the PrezPad. Why? He wasn’t sure. He heard it so often though…

As soon as he entered he found Lazard in there with Zack, and, of course, Mr. President.

Hmm…what was that little poodle doing in here with the top dogs?

Poodle. Top Dogs. Oh god, it was as if Zack’s image had somehow destroyed his mental capacity to use different analogies besides ones related to mutts.

“Mr. President…” Sephiroth said first before letting his eyes loom over to Lazard and Zack.

“Good, you came directly here.”

“Would I go anywhere else?”

“Depends. Being 1st class could get to your head.”

Lazard smiled, “Obviously Sephiroth knows better than that.”

Sephiroth gave a slight smile, as he hadn’t even thought about blowing off the President just because he was promoted to 1st. That would probably be something Genesis would do.

The President waved his hand slightly, “Enough small talk, we’ve evaluated information from Zack on how well you did in training him, and also had a few others planted to reiterate information. Not to mention the news, though I wasn’t expecting to see you broadcasted so quickly and in such a positive manner. They think you’re our perfect poster boy, Sephiroth, which can boost the company higher than ever before.”

Sephiroth blinked, “I didn’t mean for myself to get that much publicity, I was only stating what was being asked while staying within regulations.”

“Of course, it was a harmless mistake that turned out not being a flaw at all.”

A button was clicked and Sephiroth watched a screen turn on behind the President’s chair. He stared at the news as it showed a picture of him, and it blabbed about how the hero was returning home to ShinRa Manor.

“The media loves you, and in turn will begin to like our company’s products and help more than ever,” Lazard commented, fixing his glasses slightly.

“I see,” Sephiroth muttered as he watched the news finally stop showing his face, but had gone to something else of him. It was interesting, he had never really seen himself brandished like this before. It was almost…nice.