Jenova Project K: Chapter 7 - A Test of Fire


One Month Later...

Kairi flopped down on her bed with a sigh. "Another morning done... one hour till Genesis comes to beat the shit out of me during training again."

With nothing else to do, Kairi's thoughts started to turn towards the weeks that had passed so quickly, almost a blur. The first week was a relatively embarrassing one. The news that there was actually a girl SOLDIER had spread rapidly on the SOLDIER floor, followed by knowledge of her lack of real skill outside of what people teased her as 'PMS limit breaking'. Oh man that had ticked her off, and, true to what they called it, she had blasted the first guy who labeled it as such in the training room with the limit break.

Though, the thought of PMS in itself had drawn a curious and slightly squeamish thought about her periods, or rather, the lack of them. It had never occurred to her to think about in the experimentation room, but, after getting Mother's cells, she had never had a period. Not that she didn't mind, without a pad she wasn't exactly thrilled at the thought of blood staining her clothes and running down her legs. But... it had left her with a scary thought that something might be wrong with her body, at least until Mother had told her otherwise.

"Your regenerative capabilities effect all parts of your body, including your womb and eggs. Your unsired children will not simply break apart and fade with the passage of time," Mother had said.

It had relieved her, but also made her a little nervous. If she found a guy she liked, she'd have to really careful if they ever... fooled around...

Yuck...

Even after weeks of hearing at least one sex-joke an hour until Genesis 'rescued' her to take her to his training hadn't quite curbed her squeamishness towards the subject. She figured eventually she would stop caring, such was the life she now lived.

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "SOLDIER, filled entirely with men... ugh..."

She giggled a little and shook her head, resuming her previous train of thought. The second week hadn't been as bad. Once she actually got a handle on how to properly use a sword, she had started standing on her own two feet without the other 3rd's holding back anymore. Combined with the strength she was gaining from the physical exercises Angeal had her do every morning, she could hold her own against all but the most skilled of thirds. Though, her lack of sword fighting experience still came back to bite her every now and then against the 3rds...

And that said nothing about her training with Genesis. Just... holy shit... he hadn't been kidding when he said his training would be rough. She had hardly had any time to try and figure out the sick feeling she detected in him while they trained. He held back, that much she could easily tell, but every single session he hurt her, bled her, bruised her. Not that the wounds didn't almost immediately heal. Her body could tolerate damage very well, much to her chagrin, and he knew that. That fact, in his own words, let Genesis press her far harder than he said he would have been able to press a normal SOLDIER. She kept tight lipped on her discomfort though. His training WAS making a difference, that she could tell. If she had to put up with a bit of pain, well, she would.

That fact was the one thing that at least got her some respect from the other SOLDIERs. She never backed down or gave up on anything, and the other SOLDIERs were quick to pick up on that. Aside from friendly teasing, well, and the occasional asshole, she had slowly fit in as just another oddball in SOLDIER. Not that she didn't have help fitting in anyway, Zack was a friend magnet. He was friends with EVERYONE, and kind of served as a vaccine against the 'dreaded girl cootie SOLDIER', allowing the SOLDIERs she didn't train with to get used to her through a buffer. She rolled her eyes at the thought.

She had also been... forced... to take a class on proper military protocol after an incident where she had 'insulted' a superior officer under her breath for mocking her. Most SOLDIERs didn't care about formalities, just her luck to bump into someone who did and reported her behavior. Thankfully, it wasn't as hard as she thought it would be to adjust. It mainly involved knowing when and whom to address as sir or ma'am, and when to hold her tongue back, keep her head down, and not draw attention... which was most of the time now that she thought about it. Chain of command was an... interesting concept to wrap her mind around.

She frowned as her thoughts turned to this last week, when her training had finally really started bearing fruit, in a bad way. Monday... Monday she had almost killed Sebastion on accident. Ran her sword straight through his lung when he failed a block. God... it had scared her shitless to see him drop like that. She had personally hauled him to the infirmary at top speeds and stayed there until he was out of surgery. If he hadn't been a SOLDIER with mako in him, he'd have died. Despite Mother's initial approval of her growing skill, then her chiding her emotions, the incident had left her such a nervous wreck that someone had to sick Zack, and then Genesis on her to get her to calm down. After that, Genesis had spent the rest of the day teaching her the concept of holding back and controlling her blade. He hadn't let her leave the room until she could swing at his neck and stop her sword centimeters from his skin.

Thankfully, Sebastion didn't hold it against her and had to practically yell at her to get her to stop apologizing. He did however have to sit out training for the remainder of the for a few days to make sure his lung properly healed. That in turn allowed others to become her sparring partners on Tuesday, and everyone seemed to suddenly want to get a piece of her, to see if her beating Sebastion had been a fluke. As much as she kind of hoped it had been, it wasn't. She had gone from being able to go even with most 3rd Class SOLDIERs, to beating most of them handily, though, she didn't know if that would hold true if she had fought in a true life-or-death battle. She didn't exactly want to test it.

Wednesday, everything had changed suddenly. She was no longer the amusing oddball girl SOLDIER in the eyes of the others. The other 3rds, and even some of the 2nds were now looking at her strangely. Sizing her up. Watching her intently when she trained. Trying harder, and maybe even a bit overzealous when they sparred. It was like they were treating her as a threat or something. She had on more than one occasion heard people muttering about 'Genesis playing favorites' and making the excuse that he was the reason she had grown so quickly.

Not that it wasn't true...

"If you did not have the capabilities, it wouldn't mater. He merely increased the speed at which you begun to claim your power," chided Jenova, "Ignore the petty jelously of the worthless and the weak. They'll be crushed underfoot one day and are not worth your time. They'll meet their ends one day soon enough."

Kairi frowned at the thought. Mother really was bloodthirsty at times...

She shook her head and continued her thoughts. Thursday, once the changes had settled in and proved to be not a one time thing, had made her feel a bit isolated and alone. People had started referring to her as a 'mini-Genesis' by the way she walked and fought. Apparently they saw something of his style in her fighting, and the way she held herself 'apparently' made her cocky and arrogant in their eyes as much as she wasn't. This pleased Genesis to no end when she brought it up to him, but, it left her with a nagging doubt. If that was a part of standing out, she wasn't sure she wanted to. She really didn't want to be shunned and left out...

Which brought her to today. It had been a repeat of yesterday pretty much, and was gnawing at her. She felt restless. She just... wanted out of this place for awhile. Not once since she had officially entered SOLDIER had she left the building. Not once had she gone out shopping, or to explore the city of Midgar, or even on a mission! She knew she was good enough now to at least try some beginner ones. But, whenever she had asked Genesis about taking her on a mission, he had refused to take her, saying he was waiting for the right moment and mission, and had forbid her from going out with anyone else on a mission without his explicit permission on pain of losing him as a mentor.

"If there is one thing my son inherited from me, it is the fact that I do not share what is mine," said Mother.

Kairi rolled her eyes at the thought. Missions aside, she wasn't... exactly sure how to approach the subject of her going outside of Shinra HQ. She had caught a Turk trailing her through the halls every now and then. She figured she was under some kind of surveillance for some reason. Maybe her initial confrontation with Tseng had come back to bite her. They obviously didn't trust her, and she was fearful to even ask about leaving the building lest she just be rejected or forced to have an escort. The thought was an embarrassing one.

"Soon my child, soon enough, withing a year or two to grow your power, no one aside from your brothers will dare tell you where to tread, lest they wish to be a bloody stain on the ground," whispered Mother.

Kairi hesitated before toying with the thought. The way people had begun to treat her was... to be frank... pissing her off. This was one of the first times she was seriously paying attention to and considering adopting Mothers more hostile thoughts.

"They are craven creatures who are unworthy of your attention. If they are no use to you, and do not shower you with admiration and praise, they should get out of your way lest they be forcefully cast aside," purred Mother, "In this, I agree with your 'chosen' brother. They are beneath you, raise yourself above them and leave them behind."

Kairi nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing. "Maybe... your right..."

"Of course I am. Mother does know best," said Mother with dark amusement, "I will make a fine daughter out of you yet. I cannot wait until the day our Reunion comes to pass. The world will tremble in our wake, and those who have wronged me will pay dearly."

Kairi nodded again. It had been so long since she last thought of it, but, she did need to remind herself she was training for more than her own benefit. Somewhere out there, Mother was caged and locked up. She... she felt a sudden need to find her... to go to her... to free her... to join her... to be one with her...

Kairi's hands began to shake, her head began to spin, and a longing sensation began to consume her mind. "I... I... Mother... I need you... where... where are you...? We... we need to be together..."

"Hmm... your growing faster than I thought if you can already feel the pull. Shh my child, its not yet time, soon enough, it will be. To beings such as us, a few years is nothing but a drop in the lake of time, one day we will be together," soothed Mother.

She felt her Mother's touch in her mind and relaxed, moaning with relief. "Okay Mother... okay... I'll wait..."

Kairi laid in her bed for a time, a weird pleasured feeling coating every inch of her body after Mother's touch. She didn't want it to go away... she began to whimper... she wanted Mother's acknowledgement and touch again... she...

Kairi blinked a few times. She...

...

What the hell had that been? Kairi bolted upright, suddenly feeling unsure of herself. What had just happened?

Knock Knock

Kairi had no time to dwell on the oddity that had just happened. She felt Genesis's presence at the door to her room. She ran to the bathroom to splash water on her face before pausing to look at herself in the mirror...

What the hell?

Her eyes were practically growing full green, and the irises of her eyes had changed shape, almost looking like a cats...

Knock Knock

Kairi splashed water on her face again, rubbed her eyes furiously, and looked at herself again. The green glow had started to fade, returning to its normal SOLDIER glow, and her irises were starting to shift back to normal. She stared at herself, feeling slightly terrified. What had that been? She had felt so unlike herself for a moment...

She could feel Mother's gaze on her, feeling her rapt attention to her thoughts. She hesitated before shutting the thoughts away and deciding to take them up later. She left the bathroom, went into the living room, made for the door, and opened it.

Genesis raised an eyebrow at her. "Did you dunk your face in the sink for some reason?"

Kairi scowled at him. "None of your buisiness. What do you want?"

Genesis's lips curled into a smirk. "Oh someone's feeling snappish today. Such a shame, I was planning on taking you out on your first mission, but if your not feeling up to it..."

Kairi's eyes went wide. "My first mission!?"

Genesis grinned. "Our helicopter awaits my little apprentice."

He turned and started striding down the hall with Kairi fast on his heels. FINALLY! Her first mission!

"Where are we going?" she asked excitedly.

"Now that would be telling," he teased, "Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess, we seek it thus, and take to the sky."

She rolled her eyes. "Act one. To be honest though, I think an act three quote would have been more proper."

Genesis paused to glance back at her. "Oh?"

"My friend, your desire, is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess," she quoted, "You can't imagine how much I want to just get out of this building for once. A mission right now is one hell of a gift."

Genesis chuckled. "Aha, I see."

"Genesis... what did we say about you getting her to quote LOVELESS?" came a familiar voice.

Kairi looked passed him to see Angeal standing at the end of the hallway, scowling at Genesis, who was smirking smugly back. "I recall saying that I'd make no promises. Besides, she's quoting of her own free will, it's not like I forced her to."

Angeal sighed before shaking his head and looking at Kairi. "I just wanted to come and wish you luck... and to remind Genesis that you are under his watch and protection and that he had better not forget that."

Genesis narrowed his eyes. "My friend, are you questioning my capabilities as an instructor?"

Angeal shot him a warning look. "No games Genesis, I saw the mission you took out and..."

Genesis glared at him. "And nothing. Come Kairi, we should be on our way lest we keep the pilot waiting."

Kairi suddenly felt a bit of apprehension at Angeal's words. Just what mission had Genesis taken if Angeal was coming to confront him about it? Or was he just being a little overprotective? She felt a bit of nervousness as she followed behind Genesis into an elevator, and then to a helicopter pad.

Genesis sighed and spoke as they strapped themselves in. "Relax Kairi. I would not have taken a mission I did not think you were capable of handling. Angeal needs to stop questioning my methods, you are not his puppy or one of his inept trainees. You are my pupil, and you are ready to get your feet wet."

Kairi nodded, relaxing a little, at least until a Turk stepped into the helicopter and strapped herself in opposite of Genesis. Kairi didn't recognize this one. Red wavy hair, inquisitive, brown eyes, a calm passive look to her face, a large red and white shuriken on her back. She was only 'slightly' less tense to be around a Turk that hadn't served as escort service back at the labs.

Kairi shot Genesis a questioning look, he merely shrugged. "They don't feel like I'm good enough to keep an eye on you."

The Turk rolled her eyes. "Commander Rhapsodos, it's standard protocol for newer SOLDIERs to be watched and evaluated on their first few missions."

Genesis waved his hands. "Sure it is."

The Turk briefly turned to Kairi, nodding slightly at her. "You can call me Cissnei."

Kairi frowned at her. "Sure, whatever."

Cissnei showed a brief flash of confusion before glancing at Genesis when he not-so-subtly coughed out, "Turk recruited SOLDIER."

There was a subtle wince. "I see."

Kairi rolled her eyes but stayed silent. She wasn't keen on a Turk acting friendly towards her. She'd rather they all just stay the hell away from her. Them and the Hojo both she could go an entire lifetime without having to deal with again. Doubtful she'd get her way with that. Turks were a part of the company, and Hojo personally handled the Mako injections of most SOLDIERs. If she ever reached 2nd or 1st class she'd have to deal with him. Not to mention she did recall hearing something about having to go in for check ups every so often with the Science Department.

The helicopter took off a moment later and her stomach lurched at the sudden airborne sensation, causing her to grip her seat tightly. It took her a few minutes to settle down, dreading to look out the window towards the ground far below.

"First time flying?" asked Cissnei.

Kairi nodded absentmindedly, unable to tear her eyes away from the ground rushing by far below. Oh boy... oh boy... ohhhh booooy she was so far up...

"It helps to not look down," suggested Cissnei.

Kairi slowly forced herself to look away, suddenly feeling a little dizzy after doing so. "S-sure..."

Kairi closed her eyes shook herself, and banished the sensation. "So... what's the mission?"

Genesis slowly smiled sinisterly. "Oh, nothing too hard. Just a little trip to a mountain town to deal with a little monster problem, consider it a test of sorts."

Kairi frowned briefly before forcing herself to replay memories of monsters she had fought in the labs. "What kind?"

"You'll find out," was his reply.

Kairi rolled her eyes.

Cissnei frowned. "Commander Rhapsodos, this mission is not classified, why would you keep the details from..."

Genesis shot her a glare. "Because I choose to, Turk, you'd be wise not to question me. I want unbiased results from this 'test' of my apprentice."

Cissnei took his sudden hostility in stride, merely shrugging in response. "As you wish."

Kairi tuned them out and fell into a memory trance, reliving her training in her mind, refreshing her on as much as she could without actually taking her weapon out. He wanted to 'test' her, and she didn't want to dissapoint. This was her first mission, she wanted it to go smoothly and reflect good on her, and by extension, Genesis.

Brrr. Brrr.

Kairi blinked and reached into her pocket for her phone, drawing it out and flicking it open to read a text message.

From Zack: GL on your 1st mission!

Kairi smiled a little and texted back: Thx. I'll kick some monster butt for you.

Brr. Brr.

From Zack: Hell yeah! So, where ya going?

Kairi rolled her eyes and texted: IDK, Genesis won't tell me, wants it to be a surprise test.

Brr. Brr.

From Zack: Spoil sport.

She muffled a giggle.

"The Puppy?" inquired Genesis with amusement.

She nodded. "Mhm."

She pocketed her phone and leaned back, relaxing herself and waiting patiently. Soon enough, she'd be out of the helicopter, and taking her first real steps in this world. Seeing and feeling it with her own eyes and senses, not through the windows of Shinra HQ. She couldn't wait. Though, she ended up having to as hours passed by.

"Where exactly IS this mountain town?" asked Kairi.

"Western Continent," answered Genesis.

Kairi sighed and crossed her arms, pouting a little.

"The Puppy's rubbing off on you, no pouting allowed," scolded Genesis.

Kairi rolled her eyes. "Yes sir."

Finally, a few hours later, they arrived and stepped out of the helicopter a ways away from a small town coated in snow. She stretched her arms and legs, taking in a deep breath of the chilly mountain air.

"Welcome Kairi, to Nibelheim," said Genesis, "We're supposed to be meeting a guide outside the inn to take us up into the mountains."

Kairi nodded and followed him into the town. It... was a quaint little place. It was a bit smaller than the town on Destiny Islands. Which meant, it was probably a tight nit community... and probably just as boring and gossip filled. Sure enough, there were plenty of people drawn out by their arrival. Men, woman, and children lined the streets, watching the three of them walk to the inn.

A young girl, maybe ten or eleven, with long brown hair and brown eyes dressed in a snug winter coat was standing at the door of the inn, waiting impatiently, bouncing on her heels, until she noticed them coming. "Hiya!"

She bounded up to them. "You guys the SOLDIERs? I'm Tifa! I'll be your guide!"

Genesis scoffed. "A little girl is our guide?"

Tifa put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Hey! I'll have you know mister that I'm going to be the best guide in Nibelheim when I'm older! I pretty good on the trails already, this'll be a cinch for me."

Genesis rolled his eyes. "Sure you are."

Kairi stared at Tifa, an... unusual and unknown feeling in the pit of her stomach. There was something... strange about the girl. A... aura... a presence about her that Kairi hadn't felt from anyone but Genesis, Angeal, and even a little bit from Zack. There was something... different about her. Though, Genesis didn't seem to give her any special attention aside from an annoyed look and maybe a desire to throttle the poor girl.

"The pull of those chosen by destiny is one to be recognized and acknowledged," murmured Jenova curiously, "Your brother lacks the abilities you do to detect such things outside of the familial bonds he shares with you and his brothers."

Destiny? Kairi studied the girl curiously.

Kairi could feel her Mother's eyes sizing up Tifa through her own. "Though, this one seems a bit too pitiful, to be frank, to have a such a pull."

Tifa crossed her arms. "Hmph!"

She turned to look at Cissnei and Kairi, frowning at the Turk, before starting and going wide eyed at Kairi. "Woah... those eyes... I didn't think girls could be SOLDIERs!"

Kairi shrugged. "I'm the first."

Tifa blinked a few times, a mischievous teasing smile crossing her face. "About time a girl got into the all boys club, right?"

Genesis cleared his throat. and flapped his hands. "Guide, we have a mission to do. I suggest you start 'guiding'."

Tifa scowled and turned. "We'll c'mon then."

Kairi turned to follow, pausing as she sighted a strange looking child with spiky blonde hair sheepishly looking out at Genesis from behind a well. She felt the same pull from him that she felt from Tifa, only, it was FAR stronger. She didn't have a chance to give him another look before she realized that she was being left behind and walked quickly to catch up. It was strange... that boy had left a shiver of anticipation in her body. She wished she had gotten a better look at him.

"Indeed," murmured Jenova, "He may become a potential threat if left unanswered..."

Kairi rolled her eyes. "You always think the worst."

"Doing anything less gets you caught by surprise, I learned that lesson well when last I was beaten," said Mother icily, "While you may not be in a position to do anything about him now, I suggest you listen to my advice to deal with him in the future. He is one to either be converted or killed. Otherwise, he will become a danger to us."

Kairi didn't like the line of thought Mother was going down. "Mother..."

Mother went into a brooding silence, leaving Kairi alone to walk in silence. She followed behind them as they left the village and trekked into the mountains. True to her word, Tifa walked with a purpose and powerful stride despite her youth, not a fear in the world showing on her face. Finally, an hour later, they appeared to arrive at their destination, an open area, plateau-is on the mountain trail. Here Tifa showed a bit of nervousness.

"This is the spot he's been seen at," said Tifa, "He's taken out a few reactor workers on their way to work over the last few weeks. He appears a bit... randomly, and is drawn to noise and lights."

Genesis nodded. "Good."

Genesis closed his eyes and held up a hand into the air, gathering fire in it before blasting it high into the sky. "That should draw attention."

He looked to Kairi, his face going serious. "I will step in if I absolutely must, but otherwise your on your own. Do not disappoint me Kairi."

He walked passed the Turk and Tifa. "Come, my apprentice will handle this alone."

Cissnei frowned intently, but said nothing.

Tifa gave a start. "Wait... what?! Your making her fight a dragon alone?! Are you crazy?"

Kairi paused. Had she just said a DRAGON?!

Genesis raised an eyebrow. "The mission request said it was a young dragon, correct? That should be well within her abilities to take on. Now come."

Suddenly, all the confidence Kairi had been feeling evaporated. A dragon? A DRAGON? Like the mythical flying fire breathing beasts she had read about in fantasy novels? They were REAL? Oh god... if this was anything like the 'juvenile' behemoth she had fought as her last fight in the labs, this wasn't going to go well...

She faintly heard the flapping of wings and a roar in the distance. She nervously drew her sword and double checked her materia. Restore, Fire, and her newest addition was a gift from Genesis, Bolt. The Restore and fire had been left overs from her time in the lab and were on their second level, the bolt was however new and hadn't gained much experience yet. Okay, think Kairi... dragons used fire, right? Yeah, so, her Fire materia was probably useless here. Ugh...

The flapping grew louder, and shadow overtook the plateau. Kairi looked up to see the creature of legends. It was... smaller than she expected, only a little bit bigger than the juvenile behemoth she had fought in the labs. How young was this thing? And how big did they get when fully grown? It had a purple underbelly, the rest of its body green. It's eyes a shinning blue, almost SOLDIER like. Did... did this creature have mako in it? She tensed, seeing it take notice of her. However... the dragon gave a snort, not seeming interested or taking her seriously, before turning to fly away.

Kairi bristled and tapped into her Bolt materia, casting it at the creature. "Hey! Don't you ignore me!"

THAT got it's attention. It gave an agitated growl and turned around, not hurt, but obviously pissed, circling overhead and glaring down at her, smoke coming out of its nostrils. Kairi gave a yelp as it shot a breath of fire out of its mouth at her. Kairi dove out of the way, feeling the heat on her backside as she scrambled and recovered. She began casting Bolts at it, not having anything else to use against it.

"Let the flames wash over you my daughter," ordered Mother, "It does not yet take you as anything more than a nuisance. You must make it take you seriously if you wish it to come down and battle you directly. Feed off the pain and unleash your power."

Kairi ground her teeth, understanding but not liking what Mother was suggesting. Her Bolts were tickling it at best. She needed a limit break to actually hurt it, and hopefully draw it into sword range, and in order to do that, she needed pain since she wasn't pissed or anything. The next time it unleashed a wave of fire, Kairi crossed her arms in front of her and took the flamethrower head on, screaming a bit as it charred her clothes.

Oh wow... oh wow... that hurt...

Kairi clenched her fists angrily, feeling a surge of power, but... not enough. "Cure 2!"

She healed herself and waited again. The dragon stopped circling and was studying her curiously, appearing baffled by her surviving a direct hit. It let out another wave of fire at her, and once more Kairi braced herself. THIS time she felt the rush of energy and aimed her sword at the monster.

"Light Nova!" she cried out.

The white fire ripped out of her weapon and slammed into the creature, making it scream a bit in surprise. However... it hardly looked singed... oh right... Light Nova was fire and obviously wasn't very effective... but... it looked to have done the trick anyway. The dragon looked positively pissed. It bellowed a challenge and rushed down at her, sweeping a claw at her as it landed. Kairi threw herself to the side, swinging her sword at the claw. Her sword bit into its scales, drawing a bit of blood and making the dragon hiss. It opened its mouth and unleashed another wave of fire. Kairi threw herself foreward under the flames and scrambled, rushing foreward and slashing at its underbelly.

Her blade bit in, causing the dragon to screech. It whirled fast, slamming its tail into Kairi's side and sending her flying head over heals screaming in pain at the impact. She hit the mountainside a moment later with a brutal crunch, wincing painfully.

Tremble thud thud thud.

Kairi looked up at the charging dragon and had a flashback to the juvenile behemoth charging at her. She gave a sharp cry, panicked, scrambled to her feet and threw herself to the side. The dragon however was smarter and quicker than the behemoth, it did not blindly continue its dash, it turned as she moved, sweeping its claw at her. Kairi screamed in pain as it ripped open her side, sending blood flying and her crashing to the ground. She rolled on the ground, groaning, before hearing something whistle through the air. Kairi rolled on instinct, barely dodging a claw that would have ripped open her back.

Kairi staggered to her feet, one hand cradling her bloody side, one hand holding her sword. Okay... okay... very bad start. The dragon examined her with its eyes, its snout almost seeming to curl into a grin. It's tongue lolling over its sharp teeth. Oh boy... oh boy... she remembered that kind of look. The look of a monster sizing her up as a meal.

Kairi pulled her hand away from her wounded side, having felt it regenerated enough on its own to not need her favoring it. She gripped her sword two-handed, pointing it at the dragon and glaring at it as threateningly as she could. The dragon snorted and swiped at her. Kairi knelt under the attack and swung up, deflecting the blow on the sharp talon of its claws. The force of the clash sent her staggering. Juvenile or not, it's raw strength was more than hers. God... what was Genesis THINKING? She couldn't fight this thing!

The dragon seemed to sense her apprehension and growing fear, bellowing truimphantly and charging at her. It lashed out with its claw again, forcing Kairi to parry the attack aside. Dammit! She needed to do something! Anything! As it came at her again, she leaped up and onto it's 'wrist', thrusting her sword down deeply into it's arm as she landed.

The dragon gave a scream of rage and pain, causing Kairi to grin at it triumphantly, at least until its mouth lunged forward and it's teeth bit clean into her shoulder blade. It was Kairi's turn to scream in agony as it lifted her into the air and began to shake her around, attempting to tear her arm and shoulder off. Oh god, oh god, oh god!

"LET ME GO!" she screamed, aiming her sword with her one sword-arm and slashing at an eye.

The dragon opened its mouth to screech in pain as her blade tore into it's eye. Kairi tumbled out of its mouth and hit the ground painfully. She glanced at her shoulder and gave a sob at the sight of its mangled look, huge teeth marks gouging into it. She shivered and cast a Cure 2 spell on herself before shakily rising to her feet...

Only to be sent flying as the dragon's tail slammed into her. She rolled and tumbled towards the other end of the plateau, coming dangerously close to falling off the edge before she came to a stop. She laid there, shivering, trying hard to hold in her tears. It hurt so much... her shoulder was in utter agony, her side still hurt, and it felt like the dragon had broken a rib or two with that last hit.

"What the hell are you doing? It's gonna kill her! You gotta help her!" came Tifa's panicked voice.

Kairi shakily looked down the mountain path, sighting Tifa being restrained by a concerned Cissnei, with Genesis watching the fight passively. The dragon looked their way to at the sound with it's one good eye and gave them a warning below to stay out of the battle or else. Kairi and the dragon faced one another, glaring painfully at one another. The dragon rushed forward at her, and not wanting to be driven at the edge, Kairi met its charge head on. Kairi 'dodged' it's next swipe of it's claw, and by dodge, she meant staggered/stumbled under the blow, swinging and missing its arm.

The dragon reared up, and then brought its claws down towards her, trying to crush her. Kairi dove towards it's revealed underbelly and drove her sword in hilt deep as the creature came down. Kairi felt another moment of triumph until the force of its body came down on her and nearly crushed her underneath it's weight. Oh bad idea...

The dragon flapped its wings and flew off her. Kairi gave a yelp as she was dragged along for the ride, desperately clinging to her sword handle for dear life. She ground her teeth and began casting bolt spells at her ride, aiming them for it's wings. The continuous barrage of electricity seemed to disrupt its ability to fly, it swerved and crashed into the mountainside. Both her and the dragon rolled downward.

CRUNCH. SNAP.

Kairi gave an agonizing scream as the dragon rolled on her good sword arm as they tumbled, snapping it. She let go of her sword and they separated as they fell. They both hit finally came to a stop a bit below the plateau the fight had started on. Both of them were dazed for a minute. The dragon was however the first to recover, and was in better condition. It clawed at the sword handle, tearing open its wound a bit wider, but succeeded in dislodging the blade from itself.

The blade landed a bit in-front of Kairi, and she weakly looked at it. She felt so utterly bruised and battered. Both her arms felt useless, the shoulder bitten one had healed a bit due to regeneration, but not nearly enough, and it would take awhile for a broken arm to heal, she knew that from experience in the labs. When the dragon turned it's head to snarl at her and raise a claw, Kairi lunged forward and grabbed her blade with the shoulder-bitten arm, weakly turning to meet the swipe of its claw and use its own force and her own weakened strength to drive it clean through the palm of it's claw. That didn't however stop its claw from smacking her and sending her crashing to the ground, its talons scraping her back as she fell, barley managing to keep a hand on her sword and pull it out as to not lose it.

She groaned and rolled before stopping and screaming as the dragon pinned her down with its other claw and pulled its head back, smoke and fire washing out of it's mouth.

Kairi felt her fear skyrocket and tapped into both it and her pain, aiming a hand at the dragon's head and unleashing her limit break. "Light Nova!"

The fire entered its mouth and met its own fire, causing a explosion that clouded the dragon's face with smoke. There was a coughing, gagging, wheezing sound as the dragon pulled back, staggering away. Kairi glanced down to see her own crushed legs and moaned in pain. Bad... this was bad...

She suckered in a pained breath and cast Cure 2 on herself as fast as she could, her legs recovering a bit of their shape... until the materia no longer responded, her energy feeling weakened. Shit... there went the last of her MP...

Still, it was enough to get her back on her feet. She glanced at the dragon, noticing that it seemed to be in a daze. It's snout was heavily charred by the combustion of both of their fires. She started forward before staggering. She took a moment to appraise herself: her strength was all but spent, and she'd get off no more spells. She had bled all over her torn up uniform, and felt a little light-headed by the blood loss. Her regeneration wouldn't be enough to keep her going for much longer against the heavy damage this thing was capable of dishing out. She was fairly certain adrenaline was the only thing keeping her going, and even that wouldn't last forever...

"It's heart or it's brain my daughter, kill it now!" screeched Mother in her mind fearfully.

Kairi shook her head to clear the daze from her mind and gave a frustrated cry. She had had about ENOUGH of this god damn thing! She felt a rush of strength, a second wind, and gripped her sword painfully with both wounded arms before charging. The dragon turned its head her way and growled. It raised a bloody claw and swiped at her. Kairi pivoted, turning and slashing heavily. Her blade severed its claw from its body, sending the appendix flying and causing blood to spurt out the dragons arm. It gave a roar of pain and reared back. Kairi leaped into the air at its chest and drove her blade in deep. Blood gushed out of the stab wound. The dragon shuddered and pitched forward. Kairi felt deja vu as she was once again crushed under its weight. This time however the dragon didn't fly off her. It twitched and shivered, whining painfully, but to weak to move.

Kairi slowly forced and crawled her way out from under it, pulling her sword weakly. She shakily rose to her feet, coughing up a bit of blood, before approaching its head. The dragon gave a weak growl and puff of smoke, trying to ward her away. She stared at it, breathing in pained gasps of breath. Oh... oh man... it felt like something was... was... poking through... through a lung...

She coughed up blood again and shook her head. She raised her sword two-handed into the air, gave a weak cry, and drove the blade through its skull between it's eyes. The dragon shuddered once and went still, its eyes closing and its breath leaving it's body. Kairi stood there for a moment before she pitched to the side and collapsed on the ground, her vision growing hazy, blood leaking out of her mouth, nose, and various wounds.

She could faintly hear the pattering of feet, she heard someone, maybe Tifa, stammering, "Oh man, oh man, is she okay?"

She felt someone shaking her. "Hey! Hey! Are you okay?"

"It's unwise to shake someone whose severely wounded," warned someone, maybe Genesis?

Kairi tried to turn her tear stained vision towards the sound of the voice, but didn't succeed very well in her attempt.

"Tsk. A bit messy, but I suppose you did well," came the voice.

"Commander Rhapsodos... I believe this is the part where you should HEAL your charge?" scolded a third voice, maybe the Turk?

"Fine fine fine, Full Cure," said Genesis.

Kairi suckered in a breath and screamed in agony as her body abruptly mended. Bones snapped into place, one of them ripping out of her lung to assume its original position before that wound healed. Kairi rolled and heaved blood out of her lungs onto the ground, shaking as she did. The wave of curative pain left her a moment later. She held herself there, face in the bloody dirt, breathing in and out. God... fucking... dammit... she HATED cure magic sometimes. Slowly, she rose to a sitting position.

The first thing she saw was a terrified and worried Tifa. "You okay?"

"Sure... never been better...," said Kairi sarcastically and bitterly.

Tifa hesitated for a moment before giving her a sheepish grin. "That... was amazing... scary, but amazing..."

Genesis reached down, grabbed Kairi's arm, and hauled her to her feet. "It was... messy. I expected better. You should have gone for a killing blow far sooner. I had to seriously consider stepping in several times."

She felt her temper flare, she rounded on him and slugged him across his face as hard as she could, making him wince and stagger. "You ASSHOLE! I almost get killed and all you can say is 'I expected better'?!"

Genesis stared at her for a moment before throwing back his head and laughing. "There is no hate, only joy, for you are beloved by the goddess."

"Save your fucking LOVELESS for another god damn day!" she hissed at him.

Genesis chuckled. "Come, we're returning to HQ."

Genesis turned and walked away. Cissnei gave Kairi a sympathetic, but fairly wary look. Tifa however, was eyeing her with big beady eyes and walked next to her as they left the dragon's corpse.

"Your really strong!" said Tifa excitedly, apparently over her fear and worry, "Do you think... that they're going to open up SOLDIER to more woman? I wana join and get as strong as you are!"

Kairi stared at her blankly for a moment before muttering, "I don't know and really don't care right now..."

Tifa winced. "Oh, sorry..."

Kairi sighed. "Forget it, not your fault my instructor is an ass who pitted me against a fucking dragon of all things. God, I'm lucky he wasn't crazy enough to make me fight a full grown one."

"That'll be your test for 2nd class promotion!" Genesis called back with a teasing tone.

Kairi rolled her eyes. "Yeah well, how about you teach me a bit on fighting monsters instead of swordplay before then?"

Genesis grinned back at her. "Don't you worry my apprentice. You and I will be spending some quality time in the VR room from now on. It's time to kick your training up a notch."

Kairi felt a surge of anger at him again, and not all of it was her own.

Mother's voice was very thin, and very angry. "Contemptible fool. You were not ready for this battle. Your brother could have gotten you killed! I suggest you remember this and pay him back for it when the opportunity arises."

Kairi merely sighed and didn't respond, a wave of tiredness hitting her. Her strength would return soon enough, but for now, she didn't have enough strength to muster up anymore anger. She trudged back to the town, half-listening to Tifa's childlike admiration of her. She was all for being some kid's hero, later, but not at the moment. She bid a faint goodbye to Tifa, and didn't bother trying to look for the blonde kid. She followed Genesis to the helicopter, strapped herself in, and leaned back wearily against the seating. She looked up when she felt a hand squeeze her knee.

Genesis leaned forward and whispered into her ear, "Resent me for this trial if you wish, but I can promise you that this was for your own good, and will grant you recognition beyond your wildest dreams for the conquest. Playful mocking aside, you did very well. I am proud of you. You earned the right to be called my apprentice."

She blinked a few times and stared at him silently as he pulled back and went to sit in his seat, giving her a proud smile after he did so. The smile vanished and he retook his normal smug look when the Turk came into view. It... confused her a little bit. Had he been an ass just because he had been around others?

She looked towards the floor of the helicopter, suddenly feeling incredibly bashful at his praise, forgetting her earlier anger towards him. All things considered, he was right, she had just killed a dragon as her first mission, a young one to be fair, but still... she was a new 3rd Class SOLDIER...

Kairi closed her eyes and leaned back against her seat, sighing as the helicopter took to the air. "First thing I'm doing when I get back... is start up a nice warm tub... and soak in it for hours..."

Genesis chuckled. "Do as you wish. I suppose you earned a small reprieve."

Kairi rolled her eyes under her eyelids.

"I saw that," scolded Genesis with amusement.

Kairi rested for a few hours, recovering a large chunk of her strength, she figured she'd be back to full when they landed. She resisted the urge to scowl. Sometimes her regeneration could be annoying. She wanted to rest an aching body in the tub, but it would be fully charged when she got back. Pah... whatever... a warm tub was still a warm tub. She wasn't going to complain.

She opened her eyes and pulled out her phone, deciding to text Zack: Done...

Brr. Brr.

Zack's text read: "Grats! How'd it go?

Her response was: I'm alive...

Brr. Brr.

Zack's text read: Owch, that bad huh?

Kairi rolled her eyes and texted: He had me fight a fricken dragon alone.

Brr. Brr.

Zack's text read: lol right, he's crazy, but he's not that crazy.

Kairi scoffed at the message and didn't bother replying to it.

A few minutes later...

Brr. Brr.

Zack's text read: Right? He didn't seriously have you fight a dragon, did he?

Kairi scowled and texted: He did.

There was a few minutes of nothing, she could imagine Zack either standing around in a stupor or running around like an headless chicken with worry.

Brr. Brr.

Zack's text read: SERIOUSLY? What is wrong with that guy? Are you okay?

Kairi sighed and texted: I need a new uniform to wear.

Brr. Brr.

Zack's text read: I'll grab one and put it on your bed. See you when you get back.

Kairi pocketed her phone and looked outside the window, brooding quietly to herself as the hours passed by. Finally, they arrived and landed back on the helipad. There was a small committee waiting for them. She could practically see Zack bouncing with agitation and anticipation. She supposed she wasn't surprised to see him waiting there, maybe texting him was a bad idea. He really seemed worried and... ut oh...

She saw who was next to him. Angeal. And he looked pissed. Oh boy... texting Zack had been a really bad idea. He had gone and blabbed to Angeal. Genesis saw this and shot Kairi a questioning look.

She winced. "Sorry... I was texting Zack about how the mission went..."

Genesis rolled his eyes. "It's fine, I knew I was going to get a scolding when I got back anyway. I suppose this can be your payback."

"It wasn't intentional," she murmured apologetically, "I didn't think he'd go and blab..."

Genesis shrugged. "As I said, it's fine."

They left the helicopter. The moment Kairi came into Zack's few his jaw dropped at the sight of her bloody and torn uniform, and she swore she could feel Angeal's temper flare.

Cissnei cleared he throat and walked passed them. "I think I'll leave you SOLDIERs alone..."

She hurriedly left.

Zack rushed over and gave Kairi a fierce hug and started checking her over like a mother hen. "Kairi! I thought you said you were okay! Look at you! Your a mess!"

Kairi scowled. "Genesis used Full Cure on me. I'm fine."

Zack poked one of the claw shaped openings on her uniform. "Was that before or after you got clawed and bitten?"

Angeal cleared his throat. "Genesis. Lazard's office. Now."

Genesis rolled his eyes and mocked. "Yes sir."

Kairi hesitated, feeling a bit uncertain. Mother might be mad at him. Angeal might be mad at him. Lazard might be mad at him. And Zack might be mad at him. But... she really didn't want Genesis to get in troubled.

"Angeal, sir," said Kairi.

Angeal glanced at her. "Yes?"

"I'm fine, honestly, there's no need to yell at him," she offered.

Angeal frowned at her. "That's not for you to decide Kairi. He had you fight a dragon of all things as your first mission. That's a 1st Class SOLDIER or upper 2nd Class target, not a..."

"Young dragon," corrected Kairi.

Angeal blinked a few times before shaking his head. "Young dragon then, still doesn't excuse him. He knows better than this."

"But...," Kairi began.

"It's fine Kairi, I've been scolded before in the past, I'm used to it," said Genesis, a playfull grin on his face, "Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return."

She gave him a weak smile. "Act three."

"Go take that bath of yours Kairi, I'll see you in the VR room tomorrow instead of our training room, at the usual time," said Genesis.

Zack scoffed. "Uh... dude... not even a day's rest?"

Genesis rolled his eyes and turned, starting to walk away. "Unlike you, my apprentice need's no rest. She is relentless."

Angeal muttered something crude under his breath and glanced towards the two protegees. "Dismissed."

With that, Kairi walked back to her room, a worried Zack on her heels, before she banished him at the doorway, went into the bathroom, filled the tub, stripped and tossed her bloody uniform in the trash, and lowered her self into the tub, sighing with relief...


Author's Notes:

So yeah, like I said I would, I glazed over the training a bit. I didn't want to get bogged down and drag the story along slowly by it. The last chapter had been rough enough in that department.

Incase you missed it, Kairi had her first encounter with the Reunion Instinct. Yet, that's a curious thing, isn't it? Hadn't Hojo said something about Replication VS Reunion theory? :devious grin: what could it mean?

SURPRISE! Nibelheim! Not Nibelheim incident time though, sorry for the tease! Introducing pre-teen Tifa and SOLDIER adoring Cloud!

Kairi VS the young dragon was not a clean fight in the slightest. I hurt my characters. ^_^.

Genesis is in trouuuubleee!