A time to recover.

1 week had passed since Angeal's tragic death. Pyrrha received some time off from active duty to collect herself and as a reward to killing Genesis. It had not been easy, killing people was not something Pyrrha enjoyed, even bad people. Still... Pyrrha was almost amazed by how easy killing has become since she got here.

In her old world she was so shocked after killing Penny that she could not think straight. But now, killing almost became natural to her... and it was beginning to scare her a little.

Sure, Penny's death was different. She was a good girl and Pyrrha did not mean to kill her. But even though she was fighting bad people, she still wished all the death could be avoided.

Just how many families had she destroyed? How many children were waiting for their parents to come home? Only to find out they were killed by the monsters of SOLDIER.

Pyrrha shook her head. If she kept thinking about that, she would go insane. It was clear that just laying around doing nothing was not gonna help her. Maybe some training could help get her minds of things.

With that thought in mind, Pyrrha got up, grabbed her sword and shield, and then made her way to the training rooms.

When she got there, she was surprised to see that someone was already in the training room. It was strange since most 2nd class SOLDIER's were out on missions. Pyrrha looked inside to see Cloud of all people.

Pyrrha watched as he trained using a basic sword. But not matter how hard he tried, he just didn't seem to be able to get the hang of it. Growing more frustrated by the moment.

Pyrrha couldn't help but to smile. She spotted several flaws in his style and he was clearly not used to wielding that large blade... he reminded her a little about another blonde boy she used to know.

"Dammit!" Cloud cursed a little to loud "They make it look so easy. How are they doing it!?".

Pyrrha decided to reveal herself "Hey Cloud!".

Cloud jumped, almost dropping the blade "Pyrrha! I did not expect to see you here".

"And I did not expect to see you. What are you doing in the 2nd's training room?" Pyrrha asked.

"Training?" Cloud said a little nervous.

Pyrrha rolled her eyes but her smile remained "Yes, I can see that, I'm not blind. What I mean is, why train here? Don't you have your own training rooms?".

"Yes... but my dream is to become a SOLDIER and I figured the best way to do that is by trying to handle SOLDIER level training" Cloud said as he rubbed his neck "But that's a lot easier said than done".

"So you snuck inside our training rooms, despite knowing that it's off limits to Infantrymen?" Pyrrha asked.

"Yeah..." Cloud said. After several seconds of silence he began to leave the room "You clearly came here to train yourself. I'll get out of your way".

"You stance was of" Pyrrha suddenly spoke.

Cloud stopped and looked at her "What?".

"And you use to much energy. You need to balance out your style a little more" Pyrrha continued.

"Are you... giving me advice?" Cloud asked.

"No, I am training you. Pick up your sword" Pyrrha instructed.

Cloud was beyond confused "But-".

"Now!" Pyrrha said with more force, making Cloud jump and did what she said "Ok now, follow these instructions. Sword up".

Cloud lifts his sword so that only his eyes up are not protected.

"Keep your grip tight" Pyrrha continued.

Cloud tightens his hand on the blade.

"Don't forget to keep your front foot forward" Pyrrha said.

Cloud moved one foot forward.

"Ready? Side slash!" Pyrrha ordered.

Cloud steps forward with the sword, cutting at the air and making a fighting cry.

"Upwards slash!" Pyrrha said.

Cloud moves forward with his other foot, again slashing the air and releasing a cry.

"And down Slash!" Pyrrha said.

Cloud spins in a circle, putting a lot of feeling and effort into his next cry and slash. It has cost him a bit, and he pants.

"Very good! Those are the basics of sword attack" Pyrrha said with an approving nod "But, I did notice a major flaw".

"What flaw?" Cloud asked.

Pyrrha walked behind him and grabbed his shoulders, making him tense up "See? You get tense far to easily and you are using to much energy to perform very basic attacks. You need to learn how to keep calm and save as much energy as you can. If you run out in the middle of battle, you are finished".

Cloud gulps "G-got it!".

"Relax!" Pyrrha ordered as tightened her grip on his shoulders.

"I'm trying!" Cloud argued.

Pyrrha sighs and shakes her head "That's the problem. You are trying to hard, there is no trying, just let go".

Cloud took deep breaths and did his best to calm down.

Pyrrha smiled "Good. Now..." She takes out her own sword "Let's see what you can do".

"You want me to fight you?!" Cloud asked in fear.

"Not fight, just a quick spar. Nothing serious" Pyrrha said.

Cloud still did not favor his odds but got ready anyway. They traded a few strikes with their blades until Pyrrha sweeps his legs out from under him. He lands on the floor with a grunt.

"For your first time against me, that was not bad" Pyrrha said as she helps him up.

"Thanks" Cloud said with a smile.

"Tell me Cloud. Why do you want to become a SOLDIER so much?" Pyrrha asked "It's a very dangerous job".

"I know that... but there nothing else I would rather be. I want to return home to my family and friends as a hero. That is my dream" Cloud answered.

After he said that, Pyrrha couldn't help but to turn around and start laughing out loud. Cloud was confused. He could tell she was not laughing at him, she sounded to happy for that.

"What's so funny?" Cloud asked.

Pyrrha took several deep breaths, trying to stop her giggles "Sorry. You just remind so much of a guy I used to know. Just like you, he wanted nothing more than to grow stronger and become a hero".

"Did he achieve that goal?" Cloud asked.

"I don't know... I have not seen him in a long time" Pyrrha said in a sad tone.

Cloud was silent for a moment "You two were close, weren't you?".

Pyrrha had a sad smile "Yes... we was... he was the first person I met that treated me like a normal person and not just a fighter. I hope he's ok".

"I'm sure he's fine Pyrrha. If you made an impact in his life, I believe he could be a great hero by now" Cloud tried to reassure her.

Pyrrha smiled at him "Thank you Cloud... you know? I really needed to talk to someone. I feel a lot better now".

Cloud smiled "Glad I could help. Thanks for the tips".

"If you want I can keep giving you privet lessons when I have the time" Pyrrha offered.

"That sounds great!" Cloud said happily.

Pyrrha giggled "Well I will give you a call when the times come".

"Thank you Pyrrha. I mean it" Cloud said with a smile.

Pyrrha pats his shoulder and leaves the training room, feeling a lot better than she did before.

Unknown to her, Sephiroth had been watching the whole scene. And he had a small smile on his face


1 year later.

A slightly older Pyrrha stood in the training room. Ready for the simulation to begin. Soon several monsters showed up and ran at her.

The monsters dash forward, with three of them simultaneously pouncing at Pyrrha, who then disappears in a scarlet flash just as they are about to land their blows, causing the creatures to tumble onto the ground. Pyrrha reaches down and draws her weapon and shield. She then fires a shot that blows off a portion of a monster's head.

As she lands, she jumps over a monster, shooting downwards to launch herself higher into the air and killing it in the process. Pyrrha proceeds to dispatch two more monster's upon landing and rolling, and holds her blade ready for the rest.

A lone monster then charges at Pyrrha, who hooks her blade around the creature's shoulder and fires a shot with her her shield, which slices the monster clean in half with its recoil. The rest of the hellish creatures then charge at her. Pyrrha drives the tip of her blade into the ground, firing repeatedly from her position at the group of monsters until one gets to her and swipes at her feet. She jumps up, dodging the attack, and then blasts back, digging her weapon into the ground again when she sees more monster's emerging.

This was not gonna be easy, but she enjoys the challenge.

A creature almost gets her with its claws, but she twists out of the way, then fires at the monster in front of her, causing her to fly back and kick at the one behind her. She then twirls her blade, cuts down a monster on each side, dodges another attack to hook a beast and then fires a shot, killing two of them in one swift movement.

She then leaps over two more monsters, then turns around, dismembers the first, and beheads the second with a shot that sends her flying up into the air. Two jump up into the air after her, only to be shot and sliced down as she returns to ground. As she lands, she is forced to block a swipe from another monster with her shield, which sends her flying backwards. She takes a moment to look at the large number of enemies left.

Pyrrha then closes her eyes to focus on her materia, letting it flow freely through her body, giving her the boost she will need to end this. She then blasts off at a faster speed than before. As she flies at the monsters she readies her sword for the final strikes and spins her way through them, cutting and shooting all around, sending bullets and body parts flying into the air. She finally lands in a pose with her blade resting behind her back. On the ground behind her was casings rain from the sky.

The training room went back to normal. Pyrrha puts her blade and Shield on her back before stretching and letting out a yawn.

"Impressive" Came a familiar voice.

Pyrrha looks to see who it was "Sephiroth. Have you been watching me?".

"Indeed I have. Your skills keeps improving. You beat your old record by 2 minutes" Sephiroth said.

"Only 2 minutes? Still not good enough then" Pyrrha said more to herself.

"There is always room for improvements. Even for a master of combat" Sephiroth said.

"Easy for you to say. You are The master of combat" Pyrrha said.

Sephiroth chuckled "Glad you think so. If you wish to improve, I'd be happy to guide you".

"Huh?" Pyrrha said before she jumped when she felt him grab her shoulders.

"Practise what you preach Pyrrha. You told Cloud that he get's tense to easily. You don't seem to have overcome this weakness either, at least not fully" Sephiroth said.

"I-I guess not... But at least I am aware of my weakness" Pyrrha said.

"That is a good start. But if you want to overcome them, you need to lern to relax more" Sephiroth said in to her ear, making her gulp "Now draw your weapon".

Pyrrha did what he said and held her blade out as Sephiroth's hands moved to her arms.

"Spread your arms a bit, it will make your stance more comfortable" Sephiroth said and while Pyrrha did that, he noticed something "You are not relaxing. In fact your are getting more tense".

'If you would stop breathing on my neck like that, maybe relaxing would be a little easier!' Pyrrha thought a little annoyed.

Sephiroth sighs "Why are you not doing what I'm asking?".

"You are invading my personal space! It's kind of hard to focus when you do that!" Pyrrha almost snapped.

"That so?" Sephiroth asked before he suddenly pushed her. Pyrrha stumbled forward in surprise before she felt a sharp poke on her butt.

"OW!" Pyrrha shrieked as she jumped around like a child, rubbing her now sore butt "Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow! What the hell was that for!".

"Well, a big target is still a big target. Even if it is cute" Sephiroth said with a smile.

"WHAT!?" Pyrrha snapped, still angry at what he did.

Sephiroth chuckled, even when she was angry, Pyrrha was still cute "Well you have the curves of an angel. A nice back side was a given".

Pyrrha blushed brightly when he said that and looked away. She then felt his blade on her chin, making her look back at him.

"It battle you need to be able to ignore all distractions. Especially something as weak as taunting" Sephiroth said before removing the blade "If you let something like that get under your skin, you will lose the battle".

Pyrrha sighs "And what do you suggest I do?".

"Easy, let your enemy's words just wash over you. Like a river over stone" Sephiroth said "But if you forget your lessons, I will not hesitate to give you a sharp reminder".

Pyrrha blushed again, she never belived Sephiroth could be so smooth when it came to... these kind of things.

"You are getting detracted again" Sephiroth said from behind her.

But this time Pyrrha simply smiled at him "Not all distractions are bad you know".

Sephiroth smiled back "That is true".

Pyrrha turned around to face him. His arms went behind her back as Pyrrha's hand went to his shoulders. They lean in closer... and closer...

"Now Kiss!"

Pyrrha gasped as she jumped back in surprise.

Sephiroth let out an annoyed sigh "Zack... what is your excuse?".

Zack stood by the door and let out a loud laugh to the point he had to wipe his eyes from the tears "Had I known you two were this close I would have came up with a joke by now. I have been looking all over for you two".

Words could not describe how tempted Pyrrha was to bury Zack under all the metal of the building.

"Relax, I just wanted to make sure you two were still up for the evening" Zack said.

"I suppose. But I could have just confirmed this over the phone" Sephiroth said.

"Huh? What are you talking about? You are impossible to reach by phone!" Zack said in a tone that clearly said that he had tried several times already "You're up for it too sis?".

"You mean for our evening drink? Yeah, you know I never miss it Zack" Pyrrha said.

"Great!" Zack said happily "Well let's not waste anymore time. You should hit the shower first though, sis. You really worked up a sweat".

Pyrrha smells herself and her nose scrunched up "Yeah...".

Zack smirked "Maybe Sephiroth could help wash your back?".

PUNCH! CRASH!

Pyrrha stormed off, her face matching her hair... while Zack's head was stuck in the sealing after a powerful uppercut from his sister.

"She is one fascinating woman" Sephiroth mused before Zack fell back down next to him.


Later, Pyrrha stood under the shower, relaxing as the warm water ran down her naked body, feeling are her tense muscles loosen up. Her hair was a little longer now. Reaching just passed her neck.

As she washed herself she touched her lips. She and Sephiroth almost kissed. Sure she and Sephiroth had grown a lot closer ever since the Genesis war. But Pyrrha never thought they had grown this close.

Pyrrha couldn't help but to smile and even giggle to herself. Looks like she managed to melt Sephiroth heart, that was an achievement in of itself.

Pyrrha laughed a little "Well, what do you know?".

With that she finished her shower so she could get ready for the evening.

.

For those who I know will bring it up: Yes this was inspired by Sephiroth and Emily.

Also: This takes place a year before the mission to Nibelheim so Pyrrha and Sephiroth will grow even closer.

Some suspected Pyrrha X Genesis or Cloud. But I am a Cloud X Tifa fan so I decided against it.

Tell me what you think.