Welcome to the story! Heh, this is exciting... Enjoy, everybody!

I don't own anything, anyone or anywhere you recognise. Sapphire, along with a few others who'll crop up every now and then, are mine.

1 - Foresight in Hindsight

I looked at a blue-haired girl called Sapphire. She looked back at me, blank. I blinked, and caught sight of her eyes opening when I looked again. I yawned, and Sapphire replicated the action.

I heaved a great breath as I stared at myself in the mirror of the bathroom of my flat, tilting my head every which way, narrowing my eyes and squinting at myself.

I simply could not see it. Not a chance. I didn't see how.

Nope, there was no chance. I did not, no way, nu-uh, look like I could enter SOLDIER.

Stupid dream... Last night I dreamt of myself, in the middle of a room full of similarly-eager Cadets of Shinra, in front of us all a grinning SOLDIER talking to us. Perhaps most unbelievably was how I looked; clearly looking an awful lot more boyish, with a Cadet helmet firmly jammed down low on my head, and a bush of short, spiky blue hair sprouting from beneath - very much unlike my current long hair, a few strands brushing my right eye, but most of it long and wavy and all down my back to my hips.

And my dreams, well...

I wasn't sure if it was just my brain telling me I was unique, but my dreams had a habit, of, well...becoming reality. Not obviously, if I dreamt of chocobos riding humans, or something equally silly; but this was the second time I'd had a dream that resembled what my life could be like, and had that strange, mystical, believable quality to it.

A dream that, unlike most dreams (which I heard somewhere you forget 90% of 10 minutes after waking up in the morning) I remember completely, from start to end, down to every minute detail.

A dream that had me waking up the next morning completely full of life and ambition, completely filling my head and making sure I don't think of anything else; something I discovered was quite a problem, after stubbing my toe whilst getting dressed this morning, and pouring myself some tasty, sugar-filled cola into my cereal.

A dream that I knew had to come true, one way or another. I mean, I've had this one other time, two years ago; a dream depicting myself kissing my mother and father on their cheeks, picking up a bag filled with my stuff and stepping on a train to leave my loveable old hometown. I did leave, and five hours later at a little cafe, I heard the news that the town had been completely destroyed and razed to the ground as a result of a Mako reactor meltdown, with no possibility of survival amongst anyone caught in the blast.

I cried, and cursed my strange ability, wondering why it would torture me so - but then realized that it had saved my life and profoundly forgave it. It hadn't happened since then, and quite frankly, I didn't fancy my chances against this unnatural force, making me do things I would never have done otherwise. Considering if I hadn't done that first one, I would have been killed, I wasn't about to back out of using my subconscious' advice...but it seemed ridiculous.

After all, joining Shinra as a wannabe SOLDIER, disguising myself as a boy, and more-than-likely not very convincingly...to me, that seemed like a sure-fire way to get myself killed.

On the other hand, since leaving my old town, my life had been...well...I didn't really know how to put it, but I wasn't exactly 'careful' anymore. After my home was destroyed, I was hit quite suddenly - like an epiphany of some kind - that life truly was as short as everyone said it was. In my eyes, life was far too short to be spent worrying, or regretting, or thinking 'what if I had done that? Why didn't I give it a go?'

A number of people, I knew, they considered me selfish. In a way, I agreed with them; from then on I had decided I wanted to live life the way I wanted to, not the way other people believed I should. It had got me into trouble on numerous occasions, sure, and I had a slowly-developing habit of not taking certain things as seriously as I should, but I was content.

Still though, on my more sensitive days, seeing as it did get to me on occasion, I wondered if people would prefer me as a weepy depressed teenager. Being this impulsive and excitable was keeping me sane and happy, after surviving when everyone I knew on Gaia was killed in a short few hours. That sort of thing can get to a person. Still, I didn't think I was selfish, not extremely anyway.

And so, I decided that maybe, I could prove to these people that I am not selfish. And the perfect way to prove this theory had presented itself to me just now, in the form of a dream!

'I'm going to join Shinra and become a SOLDIER while masquerading as a boy!' I proclaimed to myself, in my head. 'Fighting for your country...well, that's just the opposite of selfish, isn't it?'

Broken out of my thoughts, and noticing I was grinning at myself in my bathroom mirror, I charged down my narrow staircase in a rush to the door, as I had heard the bell being rung. I unlocked it and opened it, to stare into the face of a dark-haired, serious looking man, with a little bit of stubble on his chin and wearing a SOLDIER uniform.

Seeing the First Class SOLDIER right on my doorstep stirred a laugh somewhere in my chest, something I tried my best to ignore. He looked down at me - even with me standing on higher ground, I was still slightly shorter - and gave the smallest, tightest and most professional smile I think I've seen, ever.

Failing to keep the excited, buzzing feeling in of making such an important decision just a minute before, I grinned to the SOLDIER so much my cheeks hurt slightly. "Hi there!" I greeted, "Can I help?"

I rested a hand on the door, as the SOLDIER's eyes glanced over my shoulder and behind me a moment before looking back to me with a somewhat more natural smile. "Hello, I am a SOLDIER Commander of the Shinra army. I was just wondering if there would be any men here interested in joining Shinra as a new Cadet, to advance in the army and to help us fight our enemies?" he responded, and I smiled discreetly. I liked this SOLDIER - he seemed pretty cool! With that sort of opening speech, it must've been hard for him to make it not sound like it was learnt off a piece of paper!

Thanking Gaia for me inheriting my mother's sharp mind I pretended to think for a moment, and answered the Commander, "My twin brother talks about becoming a SOLDIER all the time." The moment I started talking it seemed like someone had flicked a switch in his head, because his eyes just lit up, letting me admire their pretty blue colour. "Mum and Dad used to train us a little, and he always wanted to do more with it," I continued to weave my story, imagining my brand new twin brother already.

The Commander was properly smiling now. "Is he of an appropriate age? To join as a Cadet he will need to be fourteen, and he will be able to take a test to advance into the army after sixteen," he informed, and I put a hand on my hip and tilted my head, for lack of anything better to do.

"Yup. Him and me both, we're fifteen and ten months," I answered him, and he nodded, his smile a little smaller.

I was about to question the SOLDIER on his surprising dip in enthusiasm, until he gestured me into the house, meaning to follow. I nodded and closed the door behind him, and he followed me into the kitchen, where I leant back against the worktop, my head tilted inquisitively.

"What's the issue?" I asked, trying to keep it light, despite the nature of what the Commander was asking. He examined me carefully, with a strange small hesitancy about him. Stood in the middle of the kitchen in the tensest stance I had seen in a long time made him look extremely out of place in my small home.

"Your parents, and you... You would get very worried for him, wouldn't you? We train Cadets to take part in SOLDIER to defend Shinra, I hope you don't end up despising Shinra if he is harmed," he spoke incredibly delicately, so as not to offend, but the only part that made me properly cringe were his first two words.

Then I realised, this guy would be my twin brother - so, becoming increasingly grateful to my mother for what she taught me as I grew up, I cleared my throat and looked to the floor, holding my elbow. A few moments later I replied, "Yes, we'd worry for him, but he's wanted to do this since we were kids." I looked back up at him, putting on an expression of slight sensitivity (I wanted him to think I was strong, but still cared for this twin of mine) before shaking my head and turning on the kettle. "Being hurt is all a part of it, anyway," I continued, "I couldn't blame Shinra for that."

I turned back to the Commander, who still looked like he felt a little bad. "I want you to know, I'm not here to split up families. If anyone here gets upset with me, I'll leave," he explained, vaguely gesturing around the room, meaning the whole town.

I snorted internally. Like the rural, soft-spoken people of Mideel would really tell the intimidating SOLDIER to leave. I stayed silent as the dark-haired SOLDIER continued.

"I completely understand if you don't want your brother to join Shinra. I am obligated to find and recruit people who are able to fight for Shinra, and some people will have to make sacrifices; but if your or any of your family disagree and refuse then I'm not about to tell you you're wrong."

...I didn't really know what brought the speech on, considering I had already accepted the choice my 'brother' had made. Truthfully though, I did actually feel better. I didn't feel bad in the first place, but there was just something...reassuring about this SOLDIER. He definitely looked strong (those SOLDIER uniforms hid nothing of his powerful, well-toned body) and his words were so kind-hearted and genuinely caring, that joining SOLDIER seemed like it would save the world, and would help this guy personally - which I immediately felt was something I had to do.

Something slightly sceptical in me nattered in my ear, why do you think this guy is here? The most charismatic SOLDIER will of COURSE be sent to round up recruits.

I completely ignored it, in favour of sending the SOLDIER Commander a smile. "I get you, sir," I replied, and put a hand on my hip. "If my brother was uncertain about joining Shinra, I'd never let him - but he's one-hundred-percent. I was okay with him, so now, if anything, I'm all too happy for him to be joining."

He returned the smile, but as I turned to get out a few mugs for the recently-boiled kettle, in the reflection of the silver kettle, I could see his smile turn down, and his gaze retreat to the floor. I didn't completely understand, and I barely even knew the guy, but somehow the man still made me feel sympathy for him.

Me and the SOLDIER, Angeal as he had introduced himself, drank tea and talked for the guts of half an hour, and I found myself enjoying the SOLDIER's company - to my surprise, it was just as I expected. During the talk, and as a result of some awkward but intentional questions, I discovered that no, I would not be taken seriously if I fought to get into SOLDIER alongside my 'brother', and if I were to masquerade as my 'twin brother' instead of him going, Angeal would be surprisingly fully supportive of me as the first male-masquerading female Cadet and SOLDIER. Whether or not he was being serious needed more time for me to think about it than I had at that moment, but I took it in my stride, along with finding out that all new applicants would be accepted for Cadet training without question, and would have their entire journeys paid for in full; a boat ride in a few days' time to somewhere close to Fort Condor, and then a train ride next Tuesday to be taken to Midgar, the base of operations of Shinra and SOLDIER. I was told to expect a few new faces arriving in the next two days who would be accompanying me to Midgar.

I was even able to snap a quick picture of the two of us, his arm around my shoulders; both grinning like there was no tomorrow, cups of tea in hand.

Saying farewell on a good note, I waved the SOLDIER off, hoping he'd both remember me and forget me when I eventually attended Cadet training, in about a week or so, and charged up the stairs to my bathroom.

Staring at my long, wavy hair in the mirror, I thought back to my dream, and what my hair had looked like when I'd be in the training room. It was strange, thinking backwards to figure out the future, I pondered, staring at my hair as if it would magically manifest itself into short, spiky helmet hair. It didn't, unsurprisingly; and I reached into my drawer, pulling out a pair of scissors I knew had been in there.

I wasn't a nostalgic person - everyone knew this. I never really lamented over my past - tragic as it may be - just looked to the future; one reason why some considered me to be selfish, because I moved on quickly from the deaths and destruction of my parents and hometown. I always thought the alternative to moving on would be a whiny, miserable, depressed kid who couldn't go a day without bursting into tears, so I found myself wondering if people would actually prefer that.

So, I decided, that my hair would be exactly as I made it. I set down the scissors, figuring I could be more detailed with them later, and grabbed a handful of hair; my free hand groping for a knife in the cupboard I knew was in there...somewhere.

I grunted in surprise as my fingertip accidentally slid across the sharp point, and put the small blade by the scissors, putting my fingertip in my mouth and sucking at the somewhat familiar taste of blood. A few moments later, I wiped my throbbing finger on my casual clothes, picked up the knife, and...

Hesitated.

I wasn't a nostalgic person...but every girl, no matter what they said, loves their hair. It's one of the few things we can change about ourselves, to express just how we feel and who we are...and I adore my lightly wavy, waist-long blue hair, despite how long it took to wash, dry and brush.

So, instead of being wise and cutting my hair, I set down the knife and twisted my hair up atop my head. I clipped it in place, shoved on a hat, and carefully pulled at the spiky strands left, from the bottom of my hair, somewhat trying to replicate what my dream taught me. All the while, I repeated in my head, don't attract attention to yourself...no guy has as long hair as you do.

Until I paused and remembered 'the Hero', the First Class General of SOLDIER everyone had heard of; Sephiroth. He was undeniably terrifying, in every possible way, and there were basically two ways you could recognize a person as him: his thin, but MASSIVE sword, and his eerily beautiful, long silver hair, which seemed to be just about as long as mine, perhaps even just a little longer. Mine would be longer, if it was straight as his.

So, I changed what I thought to myself; Do NOT attract attention to yourself, no SANE guy has hair as long as yours.

I was eventually satisfied with the spiky tips of my blue hair sticking out of my hat, and as I leaned back and stared at myself in the mirror, I knew I could pass for a guy. My facial features were distinctly feminine, but there was nothing I could do about that, just avoid wearing make-up; something which shouldn't be too hard, I considered, as I hadn't worn make-up willingly in my life. Note: willingly. I avoided the stuff like it was a Chocobo. (I have a completely rational fear of falling off one, since my dad once showed pictures of a holiday he had involving Chocobos and cliffs. It took about five hours longer than it should have getting home, what with all the casts and bandages...)

With a close, critical glance over my face, I decided that I could do without too much attention directed my way, and figured that I ought to, perhaps, tone down my enthusiasm a tad, just when I got there. Can't have people suspicious of me from the get-go... That could come later.

There was a clear, distinct problem I'd have, however; the end of my teenage years was approaching, and I figured I'd stopped growing a year ago, if not earlier. This provided a challenge for me, in regards to what I had; as opposed to what men didn't have. By all means, they were far from...large...but were much too noticeable for me to get into a nearly all-male profession.

I knew it would get tiresome quickly. I knew that if I ever had a reason to give up my act, this one would be one of the most prominent. But, I reflected with irate melancholy, it was necessary, and would have to be maintained for as long as my boyish demeanour.

I pulled off my white, loose button-up top, and miserably took a roll of bandages from the drawer above me. Dropping my bra beside my top, I started tightly wrapping my upper torso in the bandages, grimacing and miserable from discomfort.

I tied off the end, making sure to use the roll sparingly, and looked in the mirror, twisting and turning to see every angle. Satisfied as I was, I pulled my top back on, and nodded; as close to unnoticeable as I knew I could ever get. And besides, it's not like anyone would stare at that general region for long enough to notice anything off.

I could only hope that a situation would never arise in which I'd have to take off any article of clothing. Whether it came as the result of relaxing on a beach on holiday or suffering from a fatal wound; I could simply hope it would never happen.

Both causes seemed nearly as terrifying as each other. In a way, being wounded would distract more from them discovering I was a girl, so mysteriously, I found myself preferring getting mortally wounded to relaxing on a beach. Not like I'd be getting to do any of the latter, anyway...

It was then - and only then, that I realized something worrying.

Hold on, I had to blatantly lie to a SOLDIER's face to convince him to let me fight in a war?! The world is strange...

...

I didn't encounter anyone in the next few days that I didn't previously know (most likely due to not actually leaving the house in preference to preparing for my new career) so when I found my way down to the docks, all dressed in a Shinra Cadet uniform left by Angeal, I was surprised when three people were already stood waiting, sitting on suitcases and quite contentedly conversing with one another.

I paused for a moment, unsure whether this was a good thing or not. It was good because it meant I could get a good bit of practise at being 'Cobalt', my own twin brother, before meeting the majority of my peers. On the other hand, this could turn out to be bad; if I messed up this interaction, I know how things go down, and I'd be rumoured about for the remainder of my life at Shinra.

My impulsive side took over, and with a final prayer, I jumped straight in.

"Hey, everyone!" I called to announce my arrival, and with three curious and friendly pairs of eyes turning in my direction, I - discreetly clearing my throat - waved as I jogged over. My bag on my shoulder was stuffed full with important belongings (not least of which being more rolls of bandages) and all the money I had in preparation of getting essential items to start this new life as well as possible. "All to Midgar, are we?"

The one with black hair grinned as I approached, and raised an enthusiastic fist to punch the air. "You bet! Man, I'm so stoked to join Shinra, I just can't wait for that boat!" he told me, bouncing in place just slightly.

I stared at him oddly, tilting my head a little. "And here I thought I was excited," I replied mockingly.

"Heh, Zack here's putting us all to shame," another joined in, a boy with short light-brown hair and mischievous blue-green eyes, as he poked the dark-haired 'Zack' in the side of the head. The other boy laughed heartily, a guy who was noticeably quite tall, with dirty-blonde hair and large brown eyes.

Zack and the brown-haired boy got into a play-fight, and the other was the first to introduce himself to me, stretching out his hand. "Call me Will. The two guys fighting are Zack and Kawi, so they say," he introduced, gesturing over to the two guys after giving me a friendly handshake.

I nodded, and half-smiled. "My name's Cobalt. Good to meet you guys," I said the last sentence slightly louder, to include the other two, even as Zack strode over to - for whatever reason - grab my head in a headlock.

"Awesome! Nice to meet you Coby!" he enthused, and released me to pick up his gear along with Will and Kawi to board as an announcement was given.

I took a moment to ponder where the nickname came from, but shrugged it off, and followed after the three guys; having a small and silent celebration over my first victory.

...

The boat ride was surprisingly short, and it seemed like no time at all until our group of Cadets had settled in for our ride to Midgar by train.

The group had grown bigger, and our little friendly group of four had turned into a considerably larger collection, including a good dozen we picked up before the train ride, so we had all started pairing off a little. Quite to my surprised happiness (the surprise was more at my happiness of it) I ended up finding my 'buddy' in Zack, and not Will like I was mostly expecting.

Seated next to each other on the train to Midgar, we had a great conversation all the way to Midgar, me finding Zack to be fun, easy to talk to and quite interesting at the same time (and hoping he saw the same), and I personally thought it was too soon, despite my earlier thoughts, when we left the beautiful, green landscapes that zoomed by and entered the pollution-riddled air of the huge, Mako-powered city.

The train slowed to a stop in the station, and as all the Cadets exited with their luggage, I noticed the half-dozen SOLDIERs littered throughout the station, as opposed to the many members of public milling about hastily, the SOLDIERs wielding guns and swords as ordinary people held suitcases and handbags.

I looked at each of the Cadets in turn, each looking around in wonder and confusion, before turning to Zack, shrugging, and then walking up to one of the SOLDIERs, Zack jogging excitably along behind me. I tapped the SOLDIER on the shoulder, and instantly gaped at the clearly female SOLDIER stood in front of me.

The unknown female SOLDIER offered me and Zack a nod. "You're one of the Cadets brought in today?" she questioned, in a very feminine voice, and I, speechless with fury at the Shinra company and myself, could only nod in return.

The female SOLDIER clicked on her radio, and relayed a quick message that the Cadets had been received. The other SOLDIERS, all apart from one wearing Third Class uniforms (the other was wearing a Second uniform) rounded us up, and the Second Class addressed us and basically told us to follow him, as if we were excitable puppies looking for a treat.

I, for one, felt that way. Zack, for two; he was jumping along at my side, not even trying to contain his excitement.

With Zack and me jabbering animatedly to one another about SOLDIERs and heroes, it only felt like it took moments for us to reach Shinra HQ with the SOLDIERs and our fellow Cadets - I didn't even notice how dark and miserable the city seemed by comparison to what I was used to. Only when we arrived, and saw who would be introducing us to Shinra, did I return to Gaia; and resisted the urge to squeal and hide behind Zack.

Because, even though I knew I could trust this First Class SOLDIER, I really didn't want to meet him just so soon. Would you have preferred Sephiroth?

...Now that I thought of it, YAY! ANGEAL!

I figured that, while we had met only days ago - it hadn't even been a week yet, since... - Angeal wouldn't recognise me, at least at first glance. I had taken care that morning to try to make myself less recognisable; I wore a Cadet helmet on my head, pressed down tightly so no one would notice the bump caused by the bulk of my hair bunched up on top of my head.

...Hopefully.

Suddenly I felt extremely self-conscious, and tried to pull my helmet further down over my eyes and hair. I watched, vision restricted somewhat, as the very familiar SOLDIER stepped in front of me and our group. He began to speak, and while I knew that what he was talking about was very important, his voice sent terrified chills down my spine so much so I could hardly focus.

I didn't let it show on my face, though, as his eyes casually yet intently flicked from Cadet to Cadet, each trying to straighten up and look tough; Zack beside me included. His eyes were slowly getting closer to me through the crowds, and instead of keeping my head down - an action that would surely arouse suspicion - I stared respectfully as the First Class SOLDIER I had served tea to only days ago slowly, unknowingly, made his way closer.

I attempted to imitate a stance of confidence, and kept a close eye on Angeal as his familiar, beautiful eyes glanced at me, moved on to Zack, before raving back to me intently for an excruciatingly long few moments before continuing. If not for this glance back, I wouldn't have realized his shock; he was as cool as a cucumber and didn't seem to relay any surprise or confusion he might've felt when seeing me here. I was impressed; he was in the middle of saying a word, and there wasn't a stutter nor a delay. I wondered how he'd done it, in very vague interest.

Eventually, after another few surreptitious glances in my direction that got me more than just one weird look from Zack on my left and Will on my right (who seemed to have abandoned Kawi, or the other way around) Angeal finished his speech and along with another SOLDIER guided us all to the apartments at the Shinra headquarters designated for the Cadets. From a first glance I figured we, as Cadets, got the worst; that is to say, the apartments - while they couldn't be described as bad... - would not be suitable for permanent living of any kind. I was amazed they could fit all of this in one building though!

I nudged Zack when I observed this and brought it to his attention; resulting in an unconcerned shrug from the otherwise highly enthusiastic Cadet. "If Third Classes got worse than Cadets, do you think they'd bother actually taking the SOLDIER test?" he proposed his view on the relatively-unimportant topic, and I let out a small 'oh' of understanding.

Angeal and the other SOLDIER paused in front of a box of key cards, and the entire recession of the rest of us Cadets with them. "I'll be nice enough to allow you to decide amongst yourselves who you'll be sharing your apartments with; four per floor!" he quipped with a small smile, and an unnoticed, small glance to me as I smiled at the little phrase before turning to Zack, who grinned back and nodded with a laugh, and then received an elbow in the side, telling me Will wanted to share a room as well. "Everyone will be sharing a room with one other person per apartment, so find friends who rise early and like cold showers!" Angeal and the other member of SOLDIER beside him laughed.

Zack looked at the two of us, and announced heartily, "Let's find us another roomie!" He pounded a fist on top of my helmet, and started to glance around at the other Cadets who were slowly pairing off and getting into chattering groups. Just at that moment, a girl with short, dark brown hair strode past with a cool kind of collectiveness about her; until Zack grabbed her shoulder and jerked her towards Will and I.

"Hey, what's the big..." she trailed off, glancing up at the two of us, both somewhat glaring at Zack.

I smiled at her awkwardly. "Sorry about Zack; he can be a little too forceful at times," I apologised, and she blinked up at me. I finally noticed just how short she actually was...

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Zack asked in concern, and rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, sorry..."

Will rolled his eyes skyward, and elbowed me. "He seems to always get this way when he's trying to make a new friend, from what I can tell, doesn't he?" he joked, and the girl brushed her clothes free of imaginary dust and dirt, suddenly gaining an explosive expression as she turned to poor, excitable Zack.

"Well, Zack, maybe you should learn how to make a better first impression for the next time you try making friends with a girl, unless you don't want children in the future, huh?" she roared, and we all winced in discomfort for Zack.. Especially Zack.

"Oh, right, uh, sorry...!" he muttered, and I raised an eyebrow as a thought crossed my mind. This was supposed to be the future of SOLDIER, huh?

We're all doomed. Still, it didn't mean that she had to snap at him like that...

I put a hand on her shoulder to try to calm her down and rescue Zack, but before I could, she grabbed my hand off her shoulder and pulled me in Zack's direction. "Maybe you ought to learn from your friend here, who was polite enough to apologise for you!" the strange girl rebuked, and I looked up at Zack sheepishly, fully aware that I was about to combat the girl to defend Zack but now not really able to follow through with it.

Zack sent me an understanding grin, and I was relieved he was so laid-back with the situation. "To be fair, I did apologise for myself. Twice," he replied, causing the girl to fold her arms and glare at him. "Anyways, I was just going to ask if you wanted to live with us, but that's probably a mistake, so we'll find someone else..."

Zack trailed off, once again looking around him for another victim, while Will and I traded exasperated looks. The girl's expression, though - no matter how sly and unnoticeable it was - was not missed by me, as she glared at Zack with defiance in her dark-coloured eyes and glanced at me with a little smile that made me all-too uncomfortable. "Nope; just because of what you did, I'm going to live with you guys, if only to get back at you, Zack," she drawled, her sickly-sweet, dripping-with-sarcasm voice went hand-in-hand with the evil grin on her face.

Zack examined her for a moment, before shrugging carelessly. "If you want. Introductions, then?" he asked, rubbing his hands together and laughing. "I'm Zack, that's Will, and that's Coby," Zack swiftly gestured to Will, then me, and put a hand on his hip. "Our newest roommate, is...?"

"Ashley," she answered, looking around at us slowly. And whenever they stared at me for long enough to make me feel awkward, I ushered my three new friends forward.

"Come on, our apartment awaits!" I announced hastily, and Zack, regaining his bounce, took my arm and leapt forward, bringing us both right in front of Angeal and his other SOLDIER friend.

The two professionals blinked at us, and Zack and I grinned, unknowingly the mirror image of each other, as Will jogged up behind us and Ashley strode over calmly. With a glance over at his friend, Angeal grinned amusedly. "I think we have a pair of long-lost twins this year, Cliff," he joked, and with a grin, the other SOLDIER barked an agreeable laugh.

"Names?" Cliff, the other SOLDIER requested, stepping towards us, and we called out our names in turn, lining up next to each other.

Zack Fair. Cobalt Amell. William Carmichael. Ashley Matthias. All teenagers (despite how some acted). All at the peak of our physical condition (though I figured Will could do with being a little bulkier - he was as skinny as a twig). And, frankly, all complete newbies when it came down to the nitty gritty.

Even despite all the training I'd put myself through, really, what did I know about Mako? Or Materia? Or 'respect for superiors'?

I would like to learn how to fly a helicopter or plane, though. That would just be so awesome. Or is it the Turks who get to do that awesome sort of stuff?

Cliff scribbled down our names; our pictures were taken (something I was pretty nervous about, considering); and Angeal gave us key cards to our apartment, along with these little personal organiser gadget PHS thingies and extra uniforms in our respective sizes. We were to get settled into our apartment until a SOLDIER would come by to give us our Cadet card-detail-thingies and timetables, and take us to the canteen, where we'd get a bite to eat before heading off to our first classes.

I talked. Zack talked - and talked. Will was somewhat quiet, and found his own amusement by freaking the rest of us out with weird glances. Ashley pretty much steered clear of our easy-going interaction altogether, something I considered to be quite antisocial. I mean, might as well get to know us now; she'd be sharing our apartment for weeks, maybe even months to come.

Amongst relatively boring and pointless information, I discovered that Zack and I had our hearts set on SOLDIER while Will was quite indecisive, but felt more inclined to training as a Turk in future. Will told that he seemed to have a hobby with tinkering with machinery, and we discovered that Zack's level of fitness was no accident; he loved his food, but was very good with exercising well and was surprisingly health-conscious about fitness exercises. In response to that, I confided in them that I don't sleep in beds. They thought that was especially weird.

I also found out that I was actually the youngest of us; at fifteen and five-sixths, I wasn't actually legally allowed to take the test for SOLDIER for another two months. Zack was four months my elder. Ashley was exactly a month, a week and a day from him, and Will would be seventeen in less than a month; we got an exact date, because he seemed the person who would milk it for all it's worth. That was good, though!

A knock on the door alerted us to the arrival of Cliff, armed with four official-looking personnel cards and a charming grin. He gave each of us our personnel cards - how professional, we were only Cadets! - and after giving us a few moments to admire our cards and laugh at each others', he gestured us to follow him, and left.

It wasn't too long before the five of us arrived at the cafeteria, where only a few other people were eating; Cadets I recognised from earlier. Cliff filled me in, "Cadets and Third Classes eat at the same time, but today their food break was organised to be a little later. Wish I got that treatment..."

I laughed at the Second Class' depressed mutterings, and bounced forward to the food at the front of the room. I took a plate of noodles and curry - because I love curry - and sat down at a free table, with Zack quickly slamming down a brimming plate of plenty of assorted foods next to me a moment later.

I gave his plate a look, and then I gave the boy himself a look - both of disdain. He shrugged, and said, "What? I'm a growing boy." And with a small smile, he dived face-first into his plateful.

In the usual order, it seemed, Will was next to appear with a hamburger, settling opposite me on the table, and Ashley set her plate of rabbit food at the head, on the right of me and the left of Will. Cliff, I was pleased to see, meandered over a short few moments after, also with a hamburger but absolutely lathered in ketchup. He looked somewhat awkward, settling next to Will, but became at ease when Zack and I grinned shamelessly at him.

Our group easily found a comfortable conversation topic, as Zack began to choke on his food. I joked and laughed at him for a bit, but when his face started turning from its usual, rather pale shade to an alarming dark red, I hit him on the back to help him out a little.

The morsel of food finally seemed to go down the right tube, and the other three chattered amongst themselves, while I rubbed Zack's back to help him recuperate. After a short while he sent me a shaky smile, his face returned to its usual colour, and he cleared his throat a couple of times before turning back to his food.

I raised my eyebrows with a surprised smile, but said nothing, and filled my mouth with noodles and curry sauce.

"So, how are the new Cadets?" a red-headed First Class SOLDIER asked his friend, though clearly unconcerned. He seemed much more interested in an imaginary scuff on his right red glove, which he was rubbing with his left thumb, a little bit frustrated but mostly uncaring.

The recipient of the question, the dark-haired First Class sitting opposite him, smirked. "Mostly they seem just excited to be here," he replied, thinking of two in particular. "Some more than others."

The third of their group of First Classes, a quiet, silver-haired General, looked up from his paperwork to examine his friend, though he said nothing, letting the first, the man in the red leather coat, smirk and reply, "What, have you made a friend already, Angeal?"

Angeal rolled his eyes at the immature tease, and leaned back in his seat, deciding to reply truthfully. "Two, actually."

The redhead blinked in surprise, before his smirk expanded into a teasing grin. "Really, now?" he drawled, a barely-masked chuckle in his voice.

Angeal kicked him lightly in the shin, with no intention of causing harm to his childhood friend. "You couldn't possibly miss them. Leaping up, down and everywhere and generally acting like toddlers or... puppies."

The SOLDIER opposite him barked a laugh. "I doubt the kiddies'd cause that much trouble, Angeal," he replied disbelievingly.

Angeal had a little chuckle. "Keep an eye out, Genesis. They seem to stick to each other like glue. Look out for the shorter one, he's got blue hair." A slender eyebrow was raised at him, but he paid no heed.

"Anyone you recognise?" the near-silent one spoke up for the first time, his voice naturally deep, and his two friends glanced at him in question. The General elaborated, "From your recruitment."

"Not from last week, no," he answered, and reconsidered a moment later. "Well, actually, I met Blue's twin; oh, and she has the same colour blue, by the way, so it must be natural," Angeal joked to Genesis, who leaned forward in his seat, suddenly looking more interested than in his glove.

"Really, Angeal? Would you, perhaps, be interested in a Cadet's sister...?" he gasped, over-dramatizing - as usual, Angeal thought - and stared at Angeal with a sly smirk.

Angeal glared back in response. "She was the one who took the picture!" Yup, his two friends had already found the picture of an undeniable Angeal grinning with a blue-haired teenage girl, his arm thrown around her shoulders and her holding the camera in her hand, both holding cups of tea in the other. Sephiroth, the General and the most serious of them, had accidentally found it when looking for some forms that needed filling out, and despite how hard he tried, they both knew it would only be a matter of time before Genesis would also find out.

And he had, only two minutes after. It seemed to Angeal that, since then, Genesis had not allowed him to forget about the girl. Now, it seemed even less likely that the day would be laid to rest; what with her twin brother joining.

Genesis tapped his chin with a gloved index finger. "I suppose, I couldn't blame you. She did look reasonably sweet in that picture," he continued, ignoring Angeal's explanation, but staring at the man provocatively. "Quite cute, in a sweet, childish sort of way..."

Neither Angeal nor Sephiroth understood why Genesis always seemed out to push boundaries and generally get in bother. Sephiroth had first been confused by his behaviour, not knowing why he would knowingly push someone to anger for his own lackadaisical amusement, but he had quickly adapted to it. Angeal had known the boy since childhood, and had long ago accepted the way his red-headed friend went about annoying people. Both were pretty much immune to his teasing, by now, and knew exactly how to deal with him. (It was nearly as if the two were Genesis' carers, even parents!)

So, instead of getting frustrated or angry at the somewhat-immature SOLDIER, Angeal grinned in amusement as he thought of an appropriate comeback. "Genesis, in every way possible, both her and the new Cadet are identical. I wasn't sure before, but it's good to know just where you stand, in that respect," he sniped, and from where he was watching the situation, Sephiroth smirked in amusement before returning to his work.

Genesis' eyes sparked, and he laughed sarcastically. "Ha ha, Angeal, hilarious."

Because everyone knew Genesis was quite defensive when that topic came up. As far as Angeal or Sephiroth knew, he had no reason to be; he may have been a little flamboyant, but that was how he was! That was what his fangirls loved about him!

Those strange, twisted stories his fangirls wrote about him - and in some cases, them - didn't make Genesis any less of a man. A, uh... straight man. A happy, straight man... a man...

Angeal shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of the creepy thoughts. "They'll be going to their first classes now," Angeal informed them, though it looked as if only Genesis was now even remotely interested in the conversation, Sephiroth much too busy working. "'Introduction to Weaponry'. There are two classes; I'm teaching one of them, and Wallace the other. You'd be welcome to come along and meet the Cadets..."

Genesis smoothly got to his feet, his eyes closed and his head bowed. His hands and his head shook from side to side in time with the other. "I was already approached to take part in the whole 'teaching' malarkey. I said 'Definitely NOT!' then and I'm even more disinclined now. If there's any chance anyone sane out there has any disillusions about me, the last thing I want to do is add fuel to the fire by it getting out that I may have been attracted to the identical twin of a boy!"

Sephiroth regained his interest in the conversation, and both he and Angeal stared at the redhead as he gasped for air. "Genesis?" Angeal mumbled in slight fear. What had happened to his friend while he wasn't paying attention?!

"No way, no..." Genesis mumbled to himself repeatedly, striding hastily out of the room. Sephiroth and Angeal shared a glance, shrugged, and Angeal left go start about his own business.