Chapter 4

The next few months were some of the most enjoyable Sephiroth had ever spent. He had grown attached to Annya more quickly than he first did with Zack. He figured it was because he easily saw her as a sort of extension of her brother. The three of them had become near inseparable. At least it felt like that since he couldn't remember the last time he spent a moment alone. He, with Zack and Annya, had spent several laughter-filled weekends slinging paint at each other as they redecorated both his office and Annya's apartment, going out for meals, and occasionally the Fairs sleeping over at his place.

As far as work was concerned, Annya proved quickly to be an efficient worker and had since single-handedly brought his office into the digital age. Paperwork was now completed electronically, his old papers had been digitalized and sent off to a Shinra warehouse, and, with much effort, she had even taught him that a computer could be more than just a glorified typewriter.

And to top that off, Zack's performance had increased phenomenally, being in even higher spirits than normal with his sister constantly around. At this rate, he'd make First Class before next spring.

Sephiroth leaned back in his chair and smiled to himself, letting himself get lost in contentment such as he'd never felt before in his life. He was only brought Gaia-bound again when Annya asked him if he was okay. He sat up quickly, staring at her in surprise.

"I had forgotten you were here," he said.

"Thanks," she replied sarcastically.

There was a knock on the door, cutting him off from making a snide comment in return. Annya sighed and got up to answer it, all the while muttering about people actually making her work while at work.

She opened the door only enough for her head to fit through so she could find out who it was and what they wanted. Sephiroth smiled when he heard her tell the visitor to go away because he was busy. His eyes were quickly torn away from his computer screen when the visitor forced the door open, sending Annya to the floor.

Sephiroth instinctively rushed to her side, helping her up before straightening up to glare at the intruder. He froze. His anger dissipated and horror replaced it as he came face to face with the be-speckled, greasy-haired Head of the Science Department. He quickly recomposed himself and glared at the man, keeping a tight grip on Annya's upper arm to restrain her from attacking the professor, as she was making a valiant attempt to do so. He didn't bother to try and stem the steady stream of profanities she was spewing at the man.

"And who is this?" Hojo asked, looking at the flailing girl in Sephiroth's arms with severe distaste.

"My secretary. You have met her before," Sephiroth explained, not daring to say more. If this man found out she was more than a co-worker, Annya would be in more danger than she could possibly imagine. The only reason Hojo did not use Zack against him was because Zack would fight back. Zack was a SOLDIER; he was taller, stronger, and faster than anything Hojo could throw at him.

Annya, however, was merely a seventeen-year-old girl. She was at least a half-foot shorter than the scientist and about half his weight. He had some comfort though, in the way she was struggling against his grip; she might actually be stronger than Hojo. But still, if he ordered the Turks after her— He didn't want to think about what would happen.

The scientist looked her over. "I don't remember her. Did you pull her straight out of the slums?" Hojo sneered. "Never the less, you should get rid of her. You can find somebody far less ill-behaved and I daresay far prettier."

Sephiroth's own anger was forgotten as Annya gave a sound of indignation and nearly broke free from his grip. Eyes never leaving Hojo, he quickly readjusted her so he was pinning both her arms to her sides.

"She is good at her job. I'm not getting rid of her," Sephiroth said coldly.

Hojo looked at him hard before continuing. "I haven't seen you for quite some time. You've missed several appointments now. I thought I'd best come fetch you."

"I am fine," the General spat.

"That is for me to determine. I'd like you to accompany me to the lab now, please," Hojo commanded, voice holding none of the politeness his words indicated.

Sephiroth snarled but quickly looked down— not allowing his face to betray the horror he felt— at the girl in his arms as she addressed the scientist directly. "He said he was fine. Back off"

Hojo glared venomously at the girl. "Stupid little girls should stay out of matters that are none of their business." Sephiroth felt Annya go rigid in his arms before Hojo continued. "Sephiroth belongs to me and it is my prerogative to do as I will with him."

"He's a person, not your property," she hissed.

Sephiroth might have been touched if he wasn't absolutely horror-struck. He clamped a hand over her mouth before she could incriminate herself further.

Sephiroth knew it would be mere seconds till, if he hadn't already, Hojo correctly interpreted why he was doing his best to restrain Annya from doing something she'd regret. As incapable as the scientist was of feeling compassion, he was able to recognize it remarkably well.

Hojo's eyes flickered between Sephiroth and the girl. He smiled cruelly at the silver haired man. Hojo didn't need to say anything for Sephiroth to understand the exact meaning behind that smile.

"I will be there. Just give me five minutes to finish up here," Sephiroth said.

Hojo, smiling victoriously, turned and left the office. Sephiroth turned Annya so she was facing him. She spoke before he could get a word in. "I still can't believe anyone can be that much of an asshole."

Sephiroth smirked in spite of himself but steeled his expression quickly. "You need to have as little to do with him as possible," he half ordered, half requested.

"Zack always said you two never got along. What's his deal with you?" she asked as if she hadn't heard him at all. "Why listen to him?"

Apparently, Zack had not relayed the exact workings of the relationship between himself and Hojo to. He made a mental note to thank his friend. He wasn't sure he ever wanted Annya to find out. He could confide in Zack who understood the magnitude of the situation. The Second Class was rash most of the time but he could keep a cool head in a crisis. Annya was the opposite. She was fiercely protective, a trait that had the bad habit of overpowering sense in the worst situations. He'd seen her attack an armed gang of five full-grown men for calling Zack some unsavory things. Sephiroth and Zack had barely been able to bale her out of that mess uninjured. If she heard the full detail of what Hojo had done— and still does— to him, she'd storm the labs and land herself a death sentence in no time.

"Do not worry about that. Just stay away from him. Please," he repeated.

She contemplated him for a moment. "Fine," she agreed sulkily.

"Good. Go bother Zack while I'm gone," he said, hoping her brother would be able to cheer her up.

"But I have work to finish."

"Forget about it." And with that he left for the lab.

xXxXxXx

Zack looked tentatively at Annya as she just stood in front of his desk, looking like she might yell at him. He couldn't for the life of him think of anything he might've done.

"What's really going on between Seph and Hojo?" she finally asked.

Relived, Zack replied, "Did you ask, Seph?"

"Yes. He wouldn't tell me. But I know you know."

"Then I won't tell you. I'm sorry."

"Why not? I'm worried about him," she demanded, hands on her hips.

"If Seph doesn't want you to know, then I won't tell. It's up to him who finds out."

She made an annoyed sound and turned to leave. "If you see Sephiroth after he gets back from Hojo's tell him I went home for the day."

He called after her but she was either already too far to hear him or just ignoring him. He leaned back in his chair. He thought he knew why Sephiroth hadn't wanted her to know anything. It was implausible to just bust into the lab and kill Hojo. Life didn't work that way. There were too many complications, which Annya would find negligible. She would always prefer to sacrifice herself for a loved one no matter the cost. Admittedly, he found this an admirable quality but completely unrealistic.

He used to be the same way. He had always wanted to do the noble thing, to be the hero. That was well and good in Gongaga, but after years in Midgar— years in SOLDIER— the world no longer seemed so black and white. He had come to discover many shades of grey.

He felt a pang in his chest when he realized how pessimistic he had become. And Annya would become the same way. Midgar would painfully rip every shred of innocence from her as it had him. If she would just go back to Gongaga she could live the rest of her life believing in fairytales. But he wouldn't dare try to uproot her. She loved it here and had made several friends already. If she had to leave Midgar, if she had to leave him and Sephiroth, she'd be devastated. Zack smiled sadly to himself as he ran a hand through his hair, realizing this was another one of those grey shades.

Zack sat up quickly as the full effect of Annya's last statement finally hit him. If Sephiroth was at Hojo's he'd be kept there well into the night and when he left he'd be messed up. Nearly every time Sephiroth came back from the labs, Zack would be brought close to tears at the sight of his proud friend and leader in such a pathetic state. He would have to go wait for Sephiroth after so he could help his friend home and nurse him back to health. At least it was Friday. He'd have the whole weekend to try and help Sephiroth regain consciousness.