Chapter 2

Before I had made it to SOLDIER, I already knew of the magic threesome, passing them many times in the hallways. Naturally, I was a nobody to them; another uniformed monkey. The only thing that awarded me a second glance was the fact I was a girl. But I had noticed them, they were unable not to. Sephiroth and Genesis always strutted around with an air thicker than the atmosphere. Only Angeal, the ever friendly Angeal, would greet everyone as he passed them in the hallways. It was also therefor, that I expected him to become my new mentor, or maybe I had just wished it to be so.

I had just stepped out of the shower and was climbing back into my uniform, when there was a rap on the door. I frowned at the unexpected sound and glanced at my pager on the nightstand. Nothing, I hadn't missed anything important, or, at least, they hadn't missed me.

I opened the door to find a middle-aged, stern looking woman on my doorstep.

"Cadet Fox?" she asked, her voice more honey-like than I had expected.

"Yes?"

"Director Lazard has requested an audience." Her nose rose into the air, and it nearly grazed that atmosphere.

I almost cocked an eyebrow at her arrogant and formal behaviour.

"You may inform the Director that I shall present myself to his office as soon as possible, and I shall make it my utmost priority." I answered in a sweet voice.

The woman slightly narrowed her eyes at me, taking me in. It appeared she was wondering whether I was pulling her leg. Not my fault if you're too stupid to understand sarcasm.

I stared back at her, keeping my face in check.

"Very well." she said finally. "He shall await your arrival."

"Yeah, later." I replied, nonchalantly shutting the door, maybe just a bit too rude.

I heard her heels move towards the elevator as I continued dressing my uniform.

"Director Lazard has requested an audience." I mimicked her mockingly as I bounced around trying to get my foot into my boot.

As I stalked down the hall, I became only too aware of the fact that I hadn't even bothered to hair-dry my hair, and it was sure to look the mess. But, you know, priorities. In the elevator, I quickly made a rough braid to at least seem decent. Still, darkbrown bangs and waves escaped all over the place. I looked at myself in the mirror, noting it didn't look that bad at all. I kind of liked it, actually. Smirking to myself, I smoothed my uniform, not yet knowing I was wearing it for the last time.

After what seemed like an hour, I finally reached the right floor and stepped out of the elevator while the annoying waiting tunes still rang in my ears. Before I knocked the door reading 'Director Lazard' I decided I would take the stairs on my way back.

"Come in." came a voice on the other side.

I slowly opened the door, to reveal a large room, housing quite a large amount of technology. Monitors hung from the walls, behind a gigantig desk.

"Miss Fox, how kind of you to join us." A man behind the desk spoke.

"I apologize, did I keep you waiting?" I asked him, almost surprised.

"Only a little." he responded kindly.

I knew then that this was a nice man, only being formal because it was expected of him.

"Sir, I believe it is considered polite to at least put on some clothes after stepping out of the shower, before making my way up in that annoying elevator."

I could see his eyes sparkle with glee at my remark. "Yes, that music is horrible, isn't it?" he smiled.

I heard a chuckle behind me, and as I turned around in surprise, I found Angeal standing with his arms folded over his chest, a smile still appearent on his face.

"Hello, Sir, I didn't notice you, I'm sorry." I appologised.

He waved it off with a hand. "It's requiered of a SOLDIER to be invisible. You have only confirmed I haven't lost my touch."

I smiled back at him before turning back to the Director.

"I think you will fit right in, Third Class SOLDIER Fox." he said to me.

At first, the words didn't sink in, and he looked at me expectantly, his brows raised.

"Sir? Did you say SOLDIER?" I asked, still not certain I had heard correctly.

"Welcome to the elite, Eden." he smiled.

I flashed back a truly genuine smile and was about to reply my thanks, when I was interrupted by a new voice.

"For the record, I would like to say I do not agree with this decision."

I turned around to see a beautiful man with auburn hair stroll in, his strides confident, his air appearent once again. I knew this man, of course.

"Genesis" Lazard welcomed him. "We have discussed this." he added.

"I only wished for the Cadet to know." he said, and I narrowed my eyes at him. He was jesting, I knew.

"I'm sorry, but I don't believe it is your place to have an opinion on this matter." I sneered at him.

He chuckled. "Director?"

"Sir?" I asked Lazard while turning to face him.

My face surely looked confused.

"It is, actually, as you shall be collegues. But I also must impress that we are running thin on employees. However, I have already discussed this with my First Class." He spoke this last sentence directly at Genesis.

He, however, continued to remain ignorant to the Director's tone.

"I am not the only one who doesn't agree, Seph-"

"On what grounds?" I demanded from him, for a moment forgetting who it was I was adressing.

Angeal had stepped up next to me, his arms still folded. He said nothing though, and looked from one face to the other.

It was Lazard who spoke. "Genesis believes you are not in place here, because you are a woman."

I felt outraged, but then again, it was nothing new.

"So does Sephiroth." Genesis added.

"That's discriminating. Ever since I first set foot inside this building, I've worked hard to earn my place amongst these men, and for the passed four years, I have not failed in doing so. I do not intend to stop here to achieve what I have worked so hard for and will not let some arrogant, stuck up gingerbreadman tell me any different!" My voice and tone rose by the word, and by the time I was done, Genesis was the outraged one.

I heard Angeal stifle a laugh next to me as he turned his head towards the floor.

"Lazard!" Genesis exclaimed. "This is exactly what I mean! Emotions running all over the place, unable to accept criticism and completely disrespectful to her superiors."

"Personally, I think she's hilarious." Angeal laughed. "I like her."

Genesis shot him a glare, feeling rejected by his best friend.

"That is why you are the one to mentor her, Angeal. I wouldn't want her to have a training accident." Lazard emphazised these last words.

"Thank the Gods." I exclaimed.

"Accidents happen on missions as well." Genesis mumbled while crossing his arms in annoyance.

"I heard that." I said.

"Good"

I sighed with frustration and turned my attention back to Lazard. "Is this settled, Sir?"

"It is." he replied. "You are dismissed, SOLDIER."

I nodded in respect and turned around to leave. At that moment, the door opened again, and another walked in. If I mentioned Genesis being a beautiful man, listen to this.

He was even better than beautiful. I'm not going to say perfect, because that really doesn't exist, and I am by no means that dreamy. Strength simply radiated off of him, like I had seen so many times in the halls. He was just amazing, he was Sephiroth.

Still, after everytime I felt this temporary shock, I saw past this and once again arrogance filled the office, if there even was room left for more after Genesis had entered. He barely granted me a glance before his cold green eyes focussed on Lazard.

"You called for me, Director?"

I had never heard him speak before, and his voice sounded as mysterious as he looked.

"Ah, yes, that reminds me Eden, please have this." Lazard said.

I walked over to his desk and he handed me a new pager and a cellphone.

"Keep these with you at all times, don't drain the batteries. You never know when you might be needed."

I heard Genesis snigger behind me. "Hah, yeah, needed." he shook his head, sending out another chuckle.

"Very funny, Ginger." I snapped.

"Guys, guys, can't we just get along, please? The Director has made his decision and you're just going to have to accept it like it is. Sephiroth does." Angeal interrupted us.

I looked over at Sephiroth, daring him to say something. Instead, he just looked back at me, without any emotion on his features. If anything, it was indifference. I wasn't sure what pissed me off more, Genesis' appearent dislike of the situation, or this iron face in front of me.

"Sure" I finally said. "I'll do my best. After all, it's not the first time I've been locked up in a rooster pen."

Angeal laughed again to try and lighten the mood. "That's the spirit! Keep your head high amongst the lions, and you will survive."

I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"So, newbie." he continued. "I will see you at trainingcentre first thing in the morning, O-eighthundred."

"Let's make it seven, shall we?" I challenged him.

He laughed again. "Get outta here, Fox."

"Yes, Sir."

Then, suddenly, Sephiroth spoke. "Are you sure you're up for this challenge, Angeal? You could still refuse, if you wish."

It didn't sound like he was jesting, or even trying to be funny. It just sounded as if he had absolutely zero faith in me.

I was starting to get angry again. "With all due respect, Sir, but if you're implying Angeal isn't up for the job, perhaps you shouldn't shove off this responsibility towards him and do it yourself."

Angeal buried his face in his hand as Lazard uttered a warning. I had no idea what I had said was so bad, but appearently, most rookies adressed him with utter respect and awe, and wouldn't dare argue with him.

I huffed to myself, those rookies were boys, and I had to stand tall amongst them. I would not be pushed down, not even by the General. If he wanted respect from me, he would first have to earn it, he was nothing more than a name to me at this point.

I had expected him to get angry, to tell me that if it were up to him I wouldn't even be standing there, but there was none of that. Instead, he took a few calm steps towards me, until his face was dangerously close and his energyfield invaded mine, threatening to push me back. But I stood fast.

His mouth turned into a cold smile as he towered over my tiny form and he brought his face within inches of mine. "You will regret that request." He whispered this, but due to the silence of everyone holding their breath, it was heard by them none the less.

"Ooooh dear…" Angeal sighed into his hand, as he peeked over it.

"Dismissed" Sephiroth said while slowly moving away passed me.

I will admit I was truly intimidated by his demeanor, more than I had ever been in the past, when the guys would try to test me. I wasted no time and hurried out of the office without another word, truly worried about what I had gotten myself into during my first five minutes as a Third Class SOLDIER.

I swallowed hard and made for the staircase. It seemed I was going to need the exercise.