Magenta

Fanfiction Pairing: Sephiroth X Lightning

By: ReiASIC Ft. Stars

"Alright, your code name is Lightning now. You'll be moving under First Division, The Grand Commander names there is Sephiroth." Shinra crossed his arms in front of his chest while looking at the female Soldier. She had a soft pink curly hair with sapphire sharp eyes. Her pale skin and round face, her curve and tall blended perfectly more like a model than a Soldier if she didn't use that soldier outfit though she still looked appealing on it.

" Yes sir!" Lightning Farron answered with a confident and deep cold voice that she had. The young soldier bowed as she put her hand on her chest.

"alright you may leave for now, Give this proposal to your Commander." Shinra finished his words watching Lightning bowed once more before leaving the room holding the paper sheet on her hand. "Now… where's our great Grand Commander's room again…? She took a glance at the paper before walking again to the lower floor to ask the receptionist.

Fortunately, Sephiroth was walking down the hall of the company. Obviously, Sephiroth was hailed and looked up to as a role model and hero by many people. Those under his command learn personally from the hero Sephiroth himself, but he did keep a serious and calm exterior. His two friends, Genesis and Angeal, are the only ones who ever got to see more of the other sides of the personality. Most of the time, Sephiroth would spend his time training, interacting, or training other specialized soldiers. He is deployed to only the most dangerous and important assignments, so there are plenty of times where he gets to stay around the city and pretty much do nothing but do simple acts. But at times like these where trouble and accidents are more rampant, along with the possibility of war, Sephiroth had been busier than usual. He was making his way towards the head office, carrying a white folder with his left hand. On his way, however, he saw a pink haired female leave the room and he raised a brow in curiosity as he approached her. "A new recruit...?" He asked bluntly.

Lightning gasped as she got surprised by no other than the Grand Commander himself approached her. She jumped back a bit but quickly regain her self again before turning to him. She was unsure but probably since he was going to be her boss she need to be polite so she bowed and introducing herself. "Yes sir. Codename's Lightning. And I am not a new one. I was being transferred on your division since today because they said this division will need more first-class soldier to face the soon war that can explode anytime soon. Please take care of me in future." she said before pulling a small portable disk from her pocket and offers it to him. "Here is details about my profile and achievements sir. Please take a look later." she said as she raised and threw her professional smile to her boss.

"Ah." The company holds many soldiers from different classes and ranks in a particular category. Keeping track of each one would be troublesome. Either ways, the only ones Sephiroth was truly familiar with are two other First Class Soldiers, Genesis and Angeal. He listened to her words and took the small portable disk from the female, looking down at it for a second before his cold but calm gaze landed back on the new first class soldier. "I see. Welcome to my division. I'm sure you've heard, you will be working under me. I will be sure to look into your disk. For now, stand by and wait for me here." Before she can even answer, Sephiroth walked past her and went inside the office. The scent in the air smelling like rose, because of the whole bottle of both shampoo and conditioner he use during his daily baths

"eh..." 'what?' she blinked when he suddenly left in flash left those manly and gentle smells behind, after taking her disk. "did he seriously mean... Here?" she mumbled disbelief her own ears. But never she doubts her own ears so Lightning crossing her arms in front of her and while standing, she laid her back on the wall beside her waiting patiently.

Sephiroth came out a minute later and closed the door behind him, only to see Lightning by the wall. "Have I kept you waiting?" He asked, the folder no longer in his hand. He simply needed to hand over some important files.

Lightning opened her eyes that she consciously closed and looked at him with her usual serious face. "No Sir." she answered simply as she stood. "is there any trouble sir?"

"There's no trouble. And there is no need to call me 'sir' either." The Commander calmly stated and began to walk a head, gesturing for her to follow and walk with him down the hall.

"Pardon me Sir?" she asked as she didn't understand why she didn't need to call him 'sir' she thought it was an ethic to respect their superior. At least that's how she learns from other departments. Lightning thought as she following the Commander. "and may I know where we going?" she asked curiously.

"I said there is no need to call me 'Sir'. I understand very well that it's only appropriate to refer me that way, but it's only just a tittle name." Sephiroth calmly stated, not quite fond being referred with such names. While other superiors may prefer the tittle and such to show their pride, he just doesn't. "We shall simply take a walk and discuss matters."

"take a walk?" sure, she was quite confused as their culture was completely different with her previous department. But as smart as she was, Lightning changed her attitude just like he wanted. "Alright, Sephiroth then." she said without lowering her respect when both was already outside the building. Lightning watched some people greeted him when they walked on the street. And she wasn't that surprised since this guy beside her was quite popular even on her department. "So... What do you want to discuss again?" she asked bluntly to the point.

Sephiroth nodded calmly to the people who greeted him, to acknowledge those people. Even giving a small wave to return the greeting while they walked. Though, Sephiroth isn't really interested in personal fame or even glory. He is simply a man doing his job for a cause he believes in. "I want to discuss your willingness to the cause. As you've heard, a war may happen any time soon. I want to know why you fight, and how far you are willing to go to ensure our dominance and win." It was a rather simple question.

The serious young girl still following him obediently as they had conversations. "To protect my people that I love." she said simply about her one and only reason. To fight fal'cie wasn't really an option for her. It was created by human greed of technology and turned its face back against themselves. Lightning, as one of those people was survived from their invasion, accused herself to bear the burden for saving her families in future.

"And would you disobey my orders if it means saving and protecting those people that you love?" Sephiroth asked seriously. Again, it was a pretty simple question, but this time, there was a right and wrong answer. Depending on her response, his opinion on the female would be decided. But it should be an obvious choice on what the answer should be, but what he wants to her is an honest response.

This time Lightning looked sharply toward her superior. "That obvious. There's nothing more important than my family." she answered without second thought nor hesitation on her eyes.

Sephiroth stopped on his tracks. His eyes narrowed, and his cold stare turned sharp once he looked at her directly. "Even at the cost of our victory? Would you sacrifice Shinra over your family?"

She let out a small but serious chuckled before back to him. "I am not even afraid being the world's enemy if I means to protect them." Lightning said without slightest fear of her eyes.

His sharp and dangerous stare softened, losing any hostility and threat. His eyes showed relief and a degree of content among his melancholic expression. "Impressive. This could a first someone ever passed this 'test'." Sephiroth murmured, but loud enough for her to hear.

"what?" her usual low and deep voice showing a light surprise as just a small conversation like this was one of his test. It was a common question for her to be asked by people so her answers would never change. She lived for her people and she won't run away even if she would die for it. "what about you si- I mean. Sephiroth? What's your reason to fight?" Lightning asked back without nerves for her nothing could scare her not even her superior.

"I've asked many soldiers from the various classes. It's undeniable, they wish to become heroes, the fame and glory that comes with it, along with popularity and fortune. Some wishes to prove Shinra's dominance and power... Soldiers like those. They don't last long in the battlefield. Some soldiers actually fight to protect and are already satisfied of knowing that they managed to protect their loved ones. Such as yourself. It's a rarity nowadays." Sephiroth explained, lips curled to form a very faint and very small smile as his eyes closed. "My reason to fight... I'm not quite sure myself."

"I see..." she turned her gaze away. She never bothered to asked why because she also met a lot of soldiers fighting together with her but not sure about their reasoning. "One day probably you will understand why you're keep fighting alongside these people." Lightning smiled warmly as she was quite fond of her superior already even though they only together for a few hours. As both ended up sitting face to face to nearby café, Lightning ordered a Lemonade before turning to Sephiroth. "You want to drink or eat something?" she asked.

Soldiers with a one-track mind never piqued his interest. But that's mostly why he only associates himself with fellow 1st Class Soldiers Genesis, who has such strong will-power and desire, and Angeal who puts his dreams and honor above all. And now, there's this one who's codenamed 'Lighting', who wants to protect her family. "I can only hope I find a concrete reason why I fight." Sephiroth said to the female, looking at her as now they sat face to face. The café seemed nice and cozy. "Just water will do fine." He replied in a soft tone, resting on the chair.

She paused for some seconds just to take a glance to the silver haired male sat in front of her. "if you say so..." Lightning wrote their order and gave it back to the waiter. She smiled softly as they both sitting beside the window. The orange sunlight as a sign it was already evening outside. To think that she could even enjoy a small time when they were preparing to war. It was slightly relieving.

Sephiroth looked out the window, mentally noticing that it is already evening. "Dead men can't protect anyone." The silver haired male said all of a sudden, turning his head to look at the latest addition to his division. "Make sure that after the war, you live another day to protect your loved ones." Sephiroth was confident they would win and he would survive. Same for Angeal and Genesis. But he also knew that as it is a war, many lives are guaranteed to be lost. For all he know, Lightning's life could be one of them. He can never be too sure.

"hmmm... Looks who's talking here..." Lightning said softly more like a whisper. As their order arrived, she pulled her lemonade and drank it slowly. "I will keep those words." she looked at him with her smile. "someday. I believe you also understand my feelings. Having someone to protect makes us more alive. More human. So, you just need to find something or someone to protect " she said more for herself.

"Something, or someone to protect, huh." Sephiroth took a light sip of the water and gave her a small nod. It was unusual, for a superior to be learning from one of his/her recruits, but it's happening exactly at this moment. The silver haired male doesn't mind, but it did feel a bit odd. Nonetheless, the company the pink haired female gave him was rather nice. "I doubt it."

"They always say same thing until they find them." The female soldier said calmly as their atmosphere changed warmer than before. "It must be tough being a Grand Commander without having a reason to fight."

"I simply do as i'm told and execute my task flawlessly. My power is what shoved me to the position of Grand Commander." Sephiroth admitted and looked at her. "Though, I do not hesitate to disobey orders if it conflicts with my interest. Tell me, what 'Hero' fights without a concrete cause?"

"Are you happy with the current situation of yours?" Lightning asked instead of answering the question that more like a statement for her own self.

"More or less." The male answered vaguely. "My current situation isn't something i'm against it. I'm rather... content. That word seems more appropriate."

"content huh..." Lightning gave a little thought of his words as she played with the small spoon on her glass. " and your future plan? Do you have family?" she hoped it's not a sensitive matter to talk when she couldn't stop her curiosity taking over her mouth.

"My future plan is simply to continue working here. As for my family... All I know is that my mother's name is 'Jenova', I know nothing of my father." And so, Sephiroth shook his head, his expression not changing in the slightest. It was calm, as if he accepted that he really has no one else but himself. "So, no. I have no family."

"hmmm..." she watched the sunlight glowing through his pale skin and silver hair, she could see perfectly that this guy wasn't a normal human with all of his vibes around him. To think someone like him didn't have a reason to fight. "You're..." she sighed. "deep down in your heart... You're actually just had a fragile heart huh..." she chuckled. "even though you act tough and professional." Lightning laid her head on her palm looking at him.

Sephiroth himself also chuckled with her, but it was very faint and soft, hearing such a chuckle would be difficult, but there it was. The Commander was simply too amused with the female. Her words were smart, and it made him realize some things. "Do you think so?" He asked, closing his eyes. After he chuckled, Sephiroth had a warm but small smile on his face. This was the first time someone spoke about his 'heart'.

She spent the time just watching this guy's face as the night came. "it's late... I will come to your office tomorrow." she stood up and left some money on table. "And I am ready if you need to test me later." Lightning smiled proudly as her hand on her waist. "Good night Sephiroth."

"I will test you for combat tomorrow morning. Be ready." He stood up and nodded. "Good night, Lightning." Sephiroth turned around and exited the cafe with a small sigh of content. It was a relief to know someone in his division isn't a mindless warrior just willing to die over Shinra.