Fan Art is on my profile! Thanks to all the wonderful artists who made it for me!
When I awoke, I was back in the glass tank. But this time, the lion-like creature in the next tank was awake as well. He was lying down, massive paws neatly tucked beneath him, and staring at me with intelligent, amber eyes. When he saw my purple gaze, he almost seemed to smile, before turning away, and curling back up into a ball.
I sat there for about an hour, combing my hair, untying and re-tying my boots. I really wished I had a book. If I had one, I could read, and re-read it all day. I tried to fall asleep again, but I was filled with energy. I wanted to do something, and I had an urge to hit something. So I simply got up, and went over to the side of the tank.
Maybe…just maybe, if I hit the side of the tank hard enough, I'll break? So I tried. And tried again. No luck. I was now sporting a hurting hand, though. The banging had awoken the lion, and he glared at me before returning to sleep. I gave him an apologetic smile, then sat down, hugged my knees, and tried to also fall asleep.
It turned out that my banging had also summoned an assistant to see what was going on. She came running in, her heeled shoes clicking on the floor. She looked around and saw that I was awake. The assistant smiled, and I glared at her, before she turned away, and ran back to where ever she came from.
I sighed. I sat there for about ten more minutes, before Hojo himself came walking in, with a couple of assistants. Hojo glared up at me, before telling an assistant to call up Sephiroth. I wondered who Sephiroth was; his name seemed vaguely familiar, maybe a couple scientists had talked about him?
Hojo walked over to my tank, and released it. After jumping out, I stared about the lab.
"Sephiroth will be here soon, so don't run off." He said rudely, and turned to go sit at his desk.
"…Who's Sephiroth?" I asked.
This seemed to surprise Hojo. He narrowed his eyes at me.
"I don't have to tell you, but I suppose you might panic if I didn't." He paused, pushing up his glasses, and returned to typing something on his computer. "Sephiroth is the General of SOLDIER. As part of this experiment, you will become his apprentice until you are old enough to join SOLDIER. He is coming right now to take you. That is why I have taken you out of the tank."
I just blinked. I didn't really care who Sephiroth was, if it meant getting out of here. I knew SOLDIER was the elite fighting force of the company, because most of the experiments concerning them were performed in the same lab as mine.
"Why…don't you just wait until I'm old enough to join…SOLDIER?"
"Feeling talkative, are we?" he said with a sneer, "This training will greatly enhance your fighting abilities. When you join SOLDIER, you will have a much easier time climbing the ranks. Also, I want to see how Sephiroth behaves around children, such as you, and as a teacher."
He stopped again, and glared at me.
"You behave just like Sephiroth did when he was your age. I don't want you hanging around here like he had to. He was always such a little pest. So I'm simply getting rid of you now, and gaining some information as well!"
I simply just stared back at him, until he turned his gaze back to the computer. Obviously, this guy liked to hear his own voice. Crossing my arms, and tilting my head back to face the ceiling, I closed my eyes and waited. About five minutes later, an assistant came walking in, escorting a man with long, silver hair. The harsh light of the lab reflected mercilessly off the silver pauldrons he wore, which were attached to his leather coat. Hojo got up, a scowl on his face, and the assistant left.
"Finally. How long does it take to get here, boy?" He fixed his glasses again.
Ignoring Hojo, the silver haired man turned his piercing jade gaze to me, which had slitted pupils like a cat's. His eyes studied my purple ones. He turned back to the professor.
"Is this her?" He asked tonelessly.
"Yes. Take her and leave. I have work to do!" Hojo said, in a bad mood.
The man beckoned me to follow him. I got up, glaring at Hojo once more, but was writing something again. I walked behind the man, who I presumed was Sephiroth. He walked quickly, as this building was probably very large. As we walked into a glass elevator, he pressed the 1st floor button, and the doors shut. It was a beautiful sight, Midgar. I finally worked up the courage to say something. He seemed to be waiting for it.
"So…you're Sephiroth?" I asked, still looking over Midgar.
"Yes. And what's your name?"
"Rin"
He nodded, and we stepped out of the elevator. We were now in a large entrance hall that had two grand staircases, with a red carpet running down the middle of both. At the top of the stairs, where we were, there was a café looking place, with round tables and stools. Down the stairs, there were people running around, and an information counter. The receptionist looked lonely.
We went down the right staircase, and through the exit. It looked about mid-day.
"Where are we going?" I asked, confused.
"To the Weapons Shop" He replied, simply.
I gave him a startled look.
"You need a sword." He answered, to my silent question.
"Oh…" I was starting to get a heavy feeling in my stomach, maybe something akin to dread? Would being with this man be any better than being in the lab? He seemed just as cold and heartless as the scientists.
As we walked through the city, I couldn't help but stare. There were people everywhere, from nicely dressed people, people in uniform, and people in rags. There were vendors, beggars, infantrymen, and people just walking to their jobs. The air out here was so different from the labs. Out here, the air was…dirty? Natural? I don't know. Just different.
Then I noticed other people staring at us. Sephiroth must get a lot of attention. His eyes were set forward, focusing on the destination, and not looking back at any of the people. I increased my pace, getting a little closer to Sephiroth, not wanting to get lost in the sea of people. He acknowledged me with a glance, and then returned his gaze forward.
We arrived at the Sector Three Weapons Shop. As we entered, all eyes turned to us, but after a few glares from Sephiroth, the people went back to their business. He led me to the section where the swords were kept. Some were hanging on the wall or resting in glass cases, but most simply sat on wooden display tables.
"In the future, you might have another weapon besides a sword," He said quietly. "But for now, and throughout most of SOLDIER, your primary weapon will be a sword."
"Ok..." I said, trusting him to know best. I certainly wasn't about to argue with him.
He started to look down the rows of katanas, so I did also. There were swords of all shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. Katanas, broadswords, knives, daggers, it was all here. He picked up a few, examined the blade, and put it back. I simply looked at the beautiful swords. Sephiroth picked up a katana with a violet-wrapped hilt, with a few stray golden wires braided into the purple. He looked at the blade, which seemed to gain his approval. I sighed. I guess the color purple follows me... Sephiroth slipped the sword back into its sheath, and carried it to a counter. I followed him, hands in my pockets, and looking at the floor. The fact that he didn't care for my approval didn't escape my notice. But again, I reminded myself that I was in no position to demand anything.
He paid for the sword, and we walked outside the shop. He gave it to me, and I tied it to my belt.
"Umm, thanks...Sephiroth." I said, quietly.
He simply looked at me, with the slightest hint of a smile on his face.
"Hn."
Normal P.O.V.
While walking back to the ShinRa building, Sephiroth's cell phone rang. He answered.
"Sephiroth" He answered, still walking, with Rin behind him.
"Hey, it's Genesis. Me and Angeal are going to the Paper Lantern for dinner. You know, the new Wutain restaurant. You wanna come? We haven't hung out in ages." Genesis's voice drawled, being over dramatic as usual. Sephiroth glanced back at the girl, who was still looking around curiously. He wasn't about to let this forced burden ruin one of the few chances he had to relax with his friends.
"Sure. I'll be there in about an hour."
"Okay. See you then, Seph"
Scowling at the nickname, he flipped his phone shut and put it away. It was just barley starting to get dark.
They continued to the building, and to the floor where 1st class SOLDIER operatives resided. There was a floor for 3rd, 2nd, and 1st classes. Being general, Sephiroth had the largest apartment out of all three floors. It had four bedrooms, a large kitchen, living room, dining room, and two bathrooms.
Sephiroth and Rin walked in. To Sephiroth, this was little more than a place to sleep comfortably, get clean, and get coffee. The only furniture that was there was the stuff that ShinRa provided. Which was basically a king-sized everything. Being a General does have its advantages. Two bedrooms had king-sized beds, and the other two had queen sized. All four had a wardrobe, a dresser, and a table with plush chairs. There were bookshelves in the living room, Sephiroth's room, and a guest room. The whole apartment, aside from the bathrooms, had nice hardwood floors. The two bathrooms had large, sand colored tiles. The kitchen had everything, but Sephiroth really only used the refrigerator and the coffee maker. It had finely crafted cabinets and beautiful granite counter tops, everything spotless. The living room had two leather couches and a matching recliner. The coffee table was glass, and littered with various papers. Sephiroth usually tossed them there when he got home, and looked at them later.
Sephiroth led Rin to one of the spare bedrooms, one with a queen-sized bed. He had chosen it because she might be overwhelmed by a king-sized, and this room featured the extra bookshelf. Rin walked in with wide eyes, with Sephiroth standing in the doorway.
"You can have this room. You may read, exercise, or rest if you wish. Help yourself to food from the kitchen. Don't leave the apartment. I have to go meet some people, I should be back in a couple of hours."
He said it all tonelessly, while looking at Rin, who just went to sit over by the large bookshelf in the room.
"Okay" She replied in a distracted voice, intent on reading. Sephiroth 'hn'ed in response, and headed for the door. Soon the girl was only a distant problem in his mind.
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