AN: An internet friend of mine found this and talked about it on LiveJournal, and she wanted to post a link to it. So, to make it easier for her, I posted it on here. Enjoy!

PS: Chapters in italics are flashbacks. And, in this chapter, Cissnei's eight, Sephiroth is fifteen. :)

Cissnei walked quietly behind the President, looking around her in awe. When she came here four years ago, she had been given small quarters, a tutor, and a trainer. She never realized that the Shin-Ra building was so large, only having seen it from a helicopter.

"Well, Cissnei. You're on the fast track for SOLDIER...Today you'll meet someone like you. He's lived in Shin-Ra for a while as well, and he'll train with you from now on."

Cissnei looked up at the President, nodding. She was only eight, and she was going to start training for Shin-Ra's elite forces. She didn't know whether she should be proud or scared. The President opened the door and waved her inside, shutting the door behing them.

A boy older than her sat on a bench near the wall, his fingers running lightly over the smooth metal of the practice rods. He was abnormally pretty, with pale skin and long silver hair. When he turned his eyes on her, she could tell he had eyes that shone like Rufus' shocking blue orbs.

A man stood hunched over in the corner, a notepad cradled in the crook of his arm, writing furiously with a pen clutched tightly in his hand. Even though he wore glasses, Cissnei could tell his critical eyes never left her as she walked farther into the room.

"Hojo," the President nodded to the creepy man.

"President. Are you sure about--"

"Yes, I'm sure. She needs to train with someone."

The man chuckled dryly. "Very well. Though there may not be much left after this..."

Cissnei flinched inwardly. The boy didn't look threatening...

But five minutes later, she was already sweating, bruised and bleeding and she hadn't even hit him yet. She charged for him, swiping with one of the rods, and he caught her in the side, sending her flying back. He looked down on her as she laid sprawled out on the mat, his blue eyes narrowed.

They widened slightly in surprise when she scrambled to her feet again. He hid it by smirking and knocking her down again. She pulled herself back to her feet, surprised when he didn't knock her down right away. She lunged for him, and he dodged. She shifted the rod in her hand and pulled her arm back and hit him in the side as he went past her. She could hear the catch in his breath as the rod came in contact with his ribs.

She stood back and caught her breath as he inspected the damage. The was a small hole in his shirt, the edges slightly singed. She looked around the room. The creepy man was still in the corner, only he had stopped writing and looked at her with a slightly shocked expression. The President was grinning smugly, giving the creepy man occasional "I told you so" looks. She looked back at the boy, who was also looking at her with an expression of curiosity and wonderment.

"Ahem." The noise came from the corner. The creepy man was adjusting his glasses. "President, may I speak with you outside for a moment?"

The President looked at him curiously for a moment, then nodded. "Only a moment. We must be getting back soon."

They left leaving the two alone. The boy was still staring at her. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Cissnei tilted her head.

"No one's ever done that before."

"Done what?"

The boy rolled his eyes. "Landed a hit on me. And who are you anyway? I've never seen you around here."

"Cissnei. I've been here for four years, but I've never been allowed to leave my room before now." His eyes widened, then narrowed as he looked away. "What?"

"I've been here all my life."

"Oh. Well...I was in an orphanage, but the President found me and brought me here."

He looked at her. "You're so strange."

"Am not!" She crossed her arms.

The door opened and the two men walked in. The President looked at her. "Cissnei, time to go." Cissnei looked at the boy one more time, realizing she hadn't gotten his name, but he wasn't looking at her. Instead, he was glaring at the creepy man, who had a smirk on his face.

A week later, Cissnei was being led down a hallway by Rufus. He looked worried, not that he would ever say anything about it. He led her through the maze into an area lit by small round lights recessed into the ceiling where the people they passed looked at her with worry. They came to a stop, and Cissnei grabbed the back of Rufus' blazer and looked around from behind him.

"Hojo." His voice was cold, and Cissnei let go of his jacket in surprise.

"Mr. Shinra. Is she ready to go?" Hojo peered down at her from behind his glasses, and Cissnei couldn't help but shudder.

Rufus looked down at her. "Yes." He moved her in front of him and Hojo pulled her closer.

"Very well."

Before she could say anything, she was in a small room in a gown, being examined by a woman. Hojo came in soon after and looked at her, moving her joints, testing reflexes, and hooking her up to a machine. And everything went black.

When she woke up, she was in an uncomfortable bed, feeling like she had been run over by one of Shin-Ra's military trucks. She looked around, careful not to strain her muscles, but started when her eyes landed on a very familiar figure sitting in the corner of the room.

"You! How did you get in here?"

He looked at her through his silver bangs. "I live in this section. I saw them bring you in and I figured I'd make sure you were still alive. Now that I know, it's best I leave before they come back." He stood up from where he sat on the floor and walked toward the door.

"Wait!"

He looked at her startled. "Shhh! They can't know I'm here. What do you want?"

"What's your name?"

He looked at her again through his bangs. "Sephiroth."

Hope you liked the first chapter! Please review!