Firestarter

By Willow Athena

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy or any of its character's (they are the property of Square Enix), but this story is mine.

Author's Note: This is my attempt at writing an hour long short story. It's the second I have written for FF VII, but I haven't published the first cause it turned into a longer saga than expected. I'm really trying for short this time…I think I have a problem letting go…I never like good stories to end.

When I say soldier, I mean SOLDIER, just don't feel like typing it out like that. Forgive me if I get something wrong…this is my first Crisis Core: FF VII fanfic story, and I'm new to liking FF VII, but that's an A/N for my other FF VII story…the one that's turned into a saga of sorts.

Warning: Forgive my rambling, this is just mushy fluff, and be warned, shounen ai (AngealXCloud).

Summary: Angeal and Cloud are having their engagement party, lots of FF VII characters and hinted parings. Read this story if you think Genesis is hot…just cause I felt like it.

CHAPTER 1

The invitation had clearly stated 'Formal' attire, though, looking around the contradictory sight of the elegant hotel full of soldiers, she wondered if they could read, or if the definition of formal had shifted to mean, not in uniform. Because, that's all it was, almost a hundred SOLDIERs in the swanky hotel above ShinRa sleeping quarters, in what they called civees (civilian clothing). However, Sephiroth and Genesis, sat at the far end of the room, still in their uniforms. She noticed that her brother and his fiancé had at least made some semblance of an effort to adhere to their own invitation – jeans and untucked button-up shirts. But, she could not help feeling out of place in her long black, shoulderless cocktail dress, as though the room were staring at her, which it really was. She had gotten off the train an hour ago, and had yet to speak to anyone she knew. Some SOLDIER had been sent to collect her from the train station and escort her to a guest room on the floor normally only occupied by the three generals, he had given some apology about Angeal being extremely busy and that she would see him at the party in an hour. She entered the party, slightly late, because she had spent the hour freshening up and preparing for the 'formal' engagement dinner.

Angeal and the attractive man hanging on him, obviously Cloud, she assumed, walked through the crowd and caught her before she could duck out and change, as she had been contemplating. "Hey, I'd like to introduce you to Cloud," Angeal said and beamed at her, waiting for an approval of some kind from her. "This is my sister, Rayne," he added, still waiting for approval.

"You forgot to mention, I'm also the love of your life," Cloud tried to joke, but she could see that he was nervous. He seemed unsure if he should shake her hand or hug her as Angeal had. Rayne travelled often, since she was a pianist, and had not come to visit her brother in a long time, four years in fact, though he had made the effort to travel to her. Due to this scheduling difficulty, and Angeal's insistence that she be at all his wedding festivities, they were having what Angeal had affectionately come to call, the week of wedding hell – engagement party, rehearsal dinner, and wedding all in one week, and at Christmas none the less – it really was a nightmare.

She had never met Cloud before, and was surprised when her brother had told her about his plans, but she was already disposed to like him. "And you're obviously his better half too," she smiled, hugging Cloud. Angeal looked relieved and a little more relaxed now. "I could have picked you out of this whole room, even if I hadn't had you described to me in excruciating detail," she said and looked accusingly at Angeal. "You're definitely his type," she added.

"His type?" Cloud asked, amused. He was thoroughly taken in by her ease and affection for her brother. Cloud had always wondered what had made his General accept his advances, allowed him to develop an attachment to him in particular, especially when there were so many other willing offers for Angeal.

"Blonde hair, blue eyes, and exceptionally attractive," she revealed. It wasn't the real answer Cloud had been hoping for, but she could hardly be honest about that sort of thing at a party. He was a little embarrassed now that he knew Angeal spoke about him in that way, and to his sister of all people. A light blush began to from on Cloud's cheeks, and Angeal lightly kissed the pooling red, forcing Cloud's whole body to turn scarlet. "There's the irresistible blush. You really are cruel, Angeal," she chastised. He brother had called her every day since he had plucked up the courage to tell her about their engagement, and told her every minute detail about what made him love Cloud. "You're incredibly good for him, Cloud. He really never used to be this sentimental."

"Rayne, I'd also like you to meet my protégé," Angeal said, looking behind her. She turned to find an incredibly tall 21 year old man standing far too close to her. Cerulian eyes warmly gleaming down at her, dark hair falling to his strong jaw, a smile plastered from ear to ear.

"Zack, I presume," Rayne said and smiled warmly at the attractive man.

"How did you know?" he inquired while hugging her. She should have expected it – after all, Angeal had warned her about it. He smelt so good she had to stop herself from lingering in the embrace, though he kept his arm around her shoulder. It was then that it dawned on her – Angeal was trying to set her up with him, that's why he had spent whole afternoons talking to her about the 1st class soldier.

"Zack, could you introduce her to everyone?" Angeal, not so stealthily, tried to pawn her off on him.

"We'll talk about this later, Angeal. For now, enjoy your engagement party. Could you excuse us, Zack and I have people to meet," Rayne said and smiled. Looking at Zack's face, she could see that he was not privy to Angeal's plans, and so, she decided to play along for now. Zack had the most disarming blue eyes she had ever seen, even if she wanted to, she knew she would never succeed at staying mad at him.

Zack was surprised by how beautiful she was, not soldier-like at all. Thin sleek arms, lacking muscle, but so delicately smooth, leading up to an exquisite collar bone and neck shrouded by sleek, shoulder length black hair. Her 5ft4 looked at least 5ft7 in the high black stilettos with red soles. She had not shied away from his arm, and smiled encouragingly at him every time he introduced her to someone new.

Genesis had been stealthily watching them make their way around the room, waiting for them to come their way. Sephiroth pretended that he had not noticed her entrance, and now droned on to Genesis about some drill he was going to put the 1st class soldiers through in the morning. Rayne had had a huge crush on Genesis when she was 16, now four years later, he wondered if it was still present. Since he was Angeal's best friend, he had known her all her life. This was going to be a strange reunion, he thought. She had never been good at concealing her feelings. Angeal had known about how she felt, and had appealed to Genesis to resist her advances. He had said that Genesis, being 21 at the time, was far too old for his 16 year old little sister. Although this was Angeal's reason on the surface, Genesis had a feeling that the implied objection ran deeper than that.

She had been persistent in her pursuit of him, forcing him to be more callous than usual to deter her. He had never dreamt that she would actually come, or he would not have worn the earring she had thrown at him the day he had crushed her. The long dagger earring in his right ear had been part of a pair. He had been unable to find its companion after she threw her gift at him and ran off.

He had always found her affection for him to be odd. No one who ever really knew him, had ever cared about him in that way. Perhaps that too had played a part in his callousness towards her. His snide remarks that day, suggesting that she in no way could ever hold any appeal for him.

Sephiroth had once suggested to him, that she was attractive, and that if he were the object of her affections, that he would not hesitate – even at Angeal's displeasure. Genesis' ever flaring temper had gotten away from him that day as he duelled Sephiroth. Sephiroth had not known her all her life, and did not understand the situation.

Genesis watched Zack nervously ramble to her as he introduced her to different people. They finally came in their direction. Genesis was in his most disinterested pose – leaning, back against a wall, one foot flat against it. His lips curved into a slow smile beneath his auburn hair.

"May I introduce General Rhapsodos, and General Sephiroth. This is…"

"Genesis, Sephiroth." She nodded a greeting. "You're looking well," she said as she smiled warmly at them both.

"As beautiful as ever, Rayne," Sephiroth flirted as he kissed her hand.

"Oh…you know each other." Zack sounded a little defeated.

"Sort of," she replied.

"Well, I am Angeal's best friend," Genesis defended. Zack nodded in reply.

"You can leave her with me, Zack. Go on, enjoy yourself," Sephiroth dismissed Zack as though they were on a mission and Zack had delivered an acquired package to him. Although Zack had been enjoying himself fine, until now, he saw the stern glare in Sephiroth's eyes when he had not immediately departed, and so, he left.

"That wasn't very nice Seph," she chided.

"Well, we haven't seen you in years, and you know how Genesis hates to share." Sephiroth smiled warmly down at her.

"I thought he would appreciate Zack's beauty, or, has he appreciated him and moved on by now," she said, poking fun at Genesis' dating habits. Genesis did not find her comment amusing, and glared at her through his visor of scarlet hair. She laughed at Genesis' displeasure, and Sephiroth joined her, just like they used to.

"Zack is a 'woman-only' man, as far as I know," Sephiroth explained.

"How delicious. Do you think I could entice him into a dance? Though, I see he is in high demand." She looked over at the group of girls huddled and laughing around the charming 1st class soldier.

"Maybe after you do me the honour," Sepiroth said, holding out his hand which she took.

Genesis watched Sephiroth dance with her. She was so different from the child he remembered. He half-expected her to be nervous and giddy at the mere sight of him, like she used to be – but, perhaps that was just vanity. She hadn't really spoken to him at all, though he had not said anything to her either. She seemed to be at complete ease. Her infatuation with him, obviously a long forgotten memory to her now. But, now that it was gone, he kind of missed it.

She was grown now, a woman, of sorts. The child-like softness of her 16 year old features had filled out, become more defined, more distinct, angular. They had given way to high cheekbones, long, dark eyelashes, and red lipstick concealing impossibly soft red lips. He remembered how she had flung her lips on his that day, how he had tasted them before pushing her away and crushing her with his words. How she had thrown the mistletoe and earrings at him saying, "Merry fucking Christmas, you ass," before she ran off. He hadn't seen her since that day – she had left on some trip with her friends the next morning, he assumed, to avoid him. She had not come home after the trip, but rather began University right after. Genesis felt a little guilty, that her probable attempts to avoid him, robbed Angeal of his beloved younger sister, but it was Angeal's request that he push her away, though perhaps not so forcefully. They had never had a chance to talk about it, and although Genesis regretted some of the things he said that day, apologies were just not something he did. It was no use now anyway, he thought. She had obviously gotten over his scathing remarks, and he did not want to refresh her memory of them.

The song was over, he saw Sephiroth stop where they were dancing, and point up at one of the many sprigs of mistletoe dotted around the room. She lifted herself up to chastely kiss him on the lips. Genesis wondered if the kiss would be that chaste if he pulled that stunt with her. He took his gloves off, running his fingers frustratedly through the dark red locks. Was this just about his desire to better Sephiroth, or was it about her. Either way, he could not be clear until he did something about it.

He tapped Sephiroth on the shoulder. "May I?" he inquired, not really waiting for an answer as he cut in and took her hand. Sephiroth just chuckled as he walked back to Angeal's table. Genesis held her close, their bodies already swaying to the music. She did not lean on him, as she had with Sephiroth, did not put her head on his chest. She attempted to keep a polite distance, though he held her securely against him.

"You've really grown up well," he whispered, in his most deep tone.

"Thank you." She looked up at him. Her almost translucent grey eyes were as breathtaking as he remembered.

"I've often wondered how you were." Now that he was holding her, he did not know what to say. Polite small talk was all he could muster, not like before, not like they used to talk, sometimes all night long.

"I've been well. Happy, even." She sounded calm, her words seemed sincere.

"I'm glad, but I've missed you." He hadn't meant to admit that last part, but it had stumbled out, like truths always did when he ventured to speak to her. It had been quite an effort to lie to her that day, taken all his self-control not to run after her and confess.

"Really," she doubtfully replied. "With so many mirrors around you, I'm surprised you had the time to notice my absence," she playfully joked, poking fun at his tendency to check his reflection in any gleaming surface. She knew him after all, what he was truly like.

"Your eyes are the only reflective surface I wish to look into and not see myself." Although his words were sincere, he knew that they had emerged sounding like meaningless flirtation.

"Can I cut in?" Cloud's voice rang from behind him. Genesis had known that this was Angeal's doing, that his friend was trying to ward off any renewal of Rayne's affections for him. Genesis handed her over to Cloud. He was after all, very bad for her – for anyone really.

Angeal did not want her to become one of the nameless, faceless men and women who rotated through Genesis' bedroom. Rayne had known him, his long list of conquests, most of whom he could not remember, even when greeted by them. Genesis could not understand how she could have known him, and still cared for him.

She was useless to him. She could never become one of the faceless crowd. He would have not been able to forget her, or her name, and would have had to endure the guilt of eventually breaking her heart once he had possessed her and was bored, which was an inevitability. Sex was a pleasant distraction to him, a distraction which he was very good at, but a distraction none the less.

All he wanted was to be a hero, everything else was unnecessary.

Author's Note

I failed miserably. I was trying to make this a one-shot, one hour thing. But, it took me two hours, and I didn't get close to what I wanted the end of the story to be. I have at least another chapter for this, but I thought I'd post this and see if any one still reads FF VII, and if anyone likes the story enough to review. Else, I guess I will move on and write something else, or maybe I'll just carry on anyway... If you have read this and liked it, please let me know – I'm not too familiar with this fandom.

This is unlike my Bleach story – I have not brooded over this as I do with my Bleach Novel (Yes, I know it's a long story). I just thought about a cool situation and wrote about it for two hours, and this is the result…though I still didn't get to the end. Damn!