READ ALL OF AUTHORS NOTE BEFORE CONTINUING
Authors Note: Alright, now that I have your attention. This is an alternate universe in which, yes, Sephiroth is female. In fact, so are Genesis and Angeal. So, to answer any questions about the why…you can blame my good buddy MuffinLordLionsGate…whom both inspired and requested that I write her some more fem!seph x Zack crack. So yeah.
If you have read Fourth Time's the Charm, this will all make a tiny bit more sense to you all. Think of this as pre-Cloud, in Cloud's third life, m'kay?
Soooo…
This is a oneshot that may turn into a serious of them that will be Fem!Seph x whoever. Just depends what I'm inspired to write.
Oh, and I love reviews and feedback. I simple "I like" or "I don't like" are better than nothing.
The Devil Wears High Heels
By Catsitta
Scene One: Just Dance
Rating: Pg-13 (Language, Fem!Seph, crack humor…)
Word Count: 4,297
Summary: Sephiroth meets a little black dress, four armed Wutain terrorists, a pair of sexy high-heeled boots and a Second Class SOLDIER named Zack Fair.
Pairings: Fem!Seph x Zack, side pairings, none.
000X000
Sitting before Sephiroth was a problem.
It was little and black, and she was fairly sure that it was not there earlier. Shifting to the side, the silver-haired warrior examined the foreign item that compromised her bedroom. Who in their right mind would break into the General's apartment just to hang a dress on the closest door? She inched a little closer. For some reason, Genesis came to mind.
Sephiroth rolled her eyes. The auburn Commander was such a diva when it came to appearances. She would fuss over the littlest of details and anyone in her plan had to be perfect, otherwise…well, things got scary. No one in ShinRa wants to be around when Genesis gets into one of her moods. Fireballs thrown at one's head were seen as hazardous to one's health, so people learned to avoid her when she even looked remotely peeved.
Which was eighty percent of the time.
The other twenty percent, Genesis was a perfectly enjoyable individual with a beautiful smile, a lovely voice and a curious knack for quoting poetry.
So as Sephiroth neared the offensive intrusion into her personal space, she could not help but inwardly groan. What in Gaia's name was that nutty Commander plotting now and why did it involve a little black dress?
Said question was answered when her PHS buzzed and a text message flashed on the screen.
Hope you like your new dress, Sephy. Me and 'Geal are going out to the club this weekend, and you need a break. We'll be around at six on Saturday, m'kay?
The General frowned, no, it was not okay. Sephiroth hated going out, even if it was with her two best (and only) friends. Mako green eyes flicked back to the dress. And she was certainly not going to be caught dead in THAT. She had a reputation to keep. After all, when one was the most powerful SOLDIER ever created, one did not go around in skimpy skirts.
That….and even if she was not General, it would be a cold day in hell before she went in public in something that no doubt would barely cover her ass. People stared enough as it is. Standing at over six foot tall with waist length, silver hair and brilliant, glowing eyes, Sephiroth drew attention. She was like an Amazon among mortals, powerful and beautiful, but in every sense out of place and time.
If she were to wear a little black dress, no doubt those stares would go from aw, to lewd.
By no means was the silver General unattractive dressed in her combat leathers. The form fitting material accentuated her hips and bust. But very rarely did anyone give her heated, or flirty stares or smiles. They feared the seven foot katana sheathed at her side. If she were to go about like a civilian…dressed up and unarmed. A shudder passed through Sephiroth's body, no, such thoughts were horrible.
So, she clicked a few buttons on her PHS and replied:
No. I detest the dress. I will not go clubbing. And you will not pick me up at six.
A few seconds later…
What? Sephy, don't be a bitch. I bet you have not even tried it on. Go on, put it on and send me a pic. If you still hate it, I'll stop bothering you.
Sephiroth scowled. She was not going to put that thing on…
Then again, if she did, Genesis would stop being a pest. Shrugging, the silver warrior pocked the PHS and plucked the hanger from the doorknob.
000X000
Damn did Genesis have a good eye.
Turning around to examine her posterior, Sephiroth realized that…well, she looked good. Real good. As in, why-did-I-become-a-SOLDIER-and-not-a-super-model good.
The mirror did not lie.
Standing there in the place of the fearsome General she knew and recognized was a woman. A very tall, athletic and sexy woman. With long muscular legs that seemed to go on forever, generous hips and erm…Sephiroth plucked at the fabric covering her chest. She did wish that it covered more and revealed her cleavage less. For a moment, she tried to figure out what kept the strapless number on, then she realized that it was a mixture of the fabrics clingy nature and the fullness of her bust.
This realization caused the stoic General to blush.
At twenty-three, one would think that she would be a bit more self-aware. But with passing year and the strange pushing from her friends, Sephiroth learned more and more about herself…
Hesitantly, while biting her lips softly, the General pulled out her PHS and snapped a picture.
Five minutes passed…and no response. Disheartened, Sephiroth began to undress, muttering curses under her breath. It was not until she was fully changed into her usual attire that her PHS buzzed.
Wow, Sephy. Just wow. Now all you need is a pair of good shoes...
The silver warrior snorted and tossed the device aside. What made Genesis think that she was actually going to go clubbing with them on Saturday? But that thought did not stop her from opening her closest and trying on every pair of shoes she owned.
000X000
Feeling frustrated, Sephiroth stalked down the street and glared hard at the sidewalk.
Everything seemed to go wrong today, all starting with that dress.
After coming to the conclusion that absolutely none of her shoes would go with the outfit, she left for work. Arriving at her office, she found that the coffee machine was broken and her secretary was out on sick leave. After trudging through the morning, irritably, filling out paperwork and answering pointless phone calls—the president decided that it was a good idea to call a last minute meeting. Already a little twitchy from stress, Sephiroth all but had a fit when the elevator stopped between floors, trapping her for three hours. THREE. FUCKING. HOURS.
How in Gaia's name did an elevator get jammed for three hours? Were the mechanics inept?
Seething with anger, Sephiroth vented some of her fury on the unlucky saps that stood nervously outside the elevator when it arrived on the correct floor and the door slid open. With the meeting already missed, the General stormed down the stairs towards her office…to find it sopping wet.
Apparently, some idiot messed with her broken coffee maker when she was gone and the thing started sparking…next thing anyone knew, the sprinklers went off, drenching everything, paperwork…electronics…carpet. Everything, ruined.
Sephiroth merely shut the door and left the ShinRa building completely after seeing the mess.
No one stopped or questioned the General's sudden leave. In fact, only a few civilians even blinked when they saw the famous war hero walking the streets of Midgar.
It was just one of those days it seemed. Where anything and everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Sephiroth buried her hands in her pockets, half-fearing that the Silver Elite fan club would catch wind of her presence and a whole wave of stalkers/admirers would chase after her… Fortunately, nothing of the sort happened.
She did however step in a mud puddle.
Too numb to care, the silver warrior freed her boot from the puddle, gave it a slight shake, before continuing on her trek towards nowhere in particular. Unaware that her path led straight through some of the shadier districts. That is until she spotted something in a window. A very dirty, cracked window.
Sephiroth squinted and stepped closer to the glass, unsure if what she was seeing was actually there. Curious, she found the door and slipped inside the building…a shop of some kind.
There was dirt everywhere and boxes covered most of the floor. After checking a few, she realized that this place, more than likely, was one of the many infamous, black market shops that littered the slums. Priceless and at time illegal wares could be found in placed like these…if one looked closely enough and was aware enough to know when something was legitimate or a fraud.
Uncaring, however, of the legality of the wares. Sephiroth strode directly for the window in which she saw her prize. Sitting there, almost like a divine totem or idol, were a pair of the most beautiful boots she had ever seen in her life. Made of genuine Wuitain lambskin leather, with four inch stiletto heels and a zipper along the side from the ankle to the top—they were absolutely perfect. She stroked the smooth material and quickly did some measurements with her eyes. By her best guess, these boots would go about mid-thigh…on her!
A brilliant smile flashed across her lips. What a treasure! Now…where was the storeowner…
"Hello madam, I see you have fine tastes," remarked an oily voice with a distinct, familiar accent. "But such is to be expected of a woman of such high esteem."
Sephiroth turned and took a step back in surprise. Standing there were four men, each armed with military grade rifles…each were pointing at her. Could this day get any worse?
"Who would have guessed that the Demon of Wutai would simply walk into my shop? It is so much easier to kill the enemy if she comes to you." The man with the oily voice said with an arrogant smirk. The silver General quirked a brow. Four Wutain terrorists who wanted her dead surrounded her. What were the odds? With a sigh, Sephiroth gave the boots one last, lingering look before drawing Masamune.
000X000
The slums of Midgar was a notoriously dangerous place. People were robbed, kidnapped and killed on a near daily basis. Streets practically ran red with blood shed through violence with all the crime and gang activity. So when a small, black-market store filled with the sounds of gunfire, no one thought twice about it. They kept walking. When the place erupted in flames, they kept walking…
It was the sight of wild eyed, but spotless General Sephiroth leaving said building that made them stop and look. Held high above her head, a bizarre grin plastered onto her face, was not the legendary Masamune, but a pair of…boots?
The inhabitants of the sector watched with open-mouthed confusion as the woman half skipped with joy down the streets, said boots clutched like a precious prize to her chest. No one was sure what happened…no one, except the giddy First Class SOLDIER.
000X000
When Saturday evening rolled around, Sephiroth anxiously eyed her reflection in the mirror. Those thigh high boots clung to the shape of her calf like a second skin, the dull off-black color nearly matching that of the dress. With gleaming, silver zippers that shimmered with every step, the shoes were a dream come true. Genesis was right; all that was needed to make her fall in love with the outfit was the right pair of shoes…Who would have thought it would be a pair of high-heeled zipper boots?
Smiling slightly, the General brushed back her bangs before examining the last piece of the ensemble. Two silver hoops danged from her ears. A gift from Angeal from years ago…it was a shame that she never wore them until now. They really were very pretty…and Sephiroth's style. Simple and understated.
She was ready.
Let Genesis and Angeal do their worst. They could drag her out to the bars and go dancing in half the clubs in Midgar, be out until daybreak…and she would not care. Why? Well, she was still trying to figure that out when there was a knock at her door. Strange, normally her friends simply walked in, they had the universal keycards that got them into nearly every room in the building…
Shrugging, Sephiroth strode out of her bedroom feeling confident and with a smirk opened the door, expecting to see the looks of sheer amazement on the two Commander's faces. Her smirk turned into a frown.
"Who in Gaia's name are you?"
000X000
"Z-zack…Zack Fair, SOLDIER second class."
It took the raven-haired teen a good long while before he found his voice. Standing in the doorway, looking mildly pissed off, was the feared General Sephiroth…in a skimpy little dress and thigh high boots. He whimpered. When he was a cadet, he barely caught glimpses of the proud, silver warrior. Even after the General's close friend and Commander, Angeal Hewley took him on as a protégé, Zack only ever saw her from a distance.
One would think that after two, almost three, years of being a part of ShinRa, that he would have come face-to-face with Sephiroth before. But no. Despite his prodigy status in the SOLDIER program, the General never even looked his way. Heck, it kind of hurt that the best friend of his mentor did not even know his name…
But that did not stop him from eagerly volunteering to help send a message for Angeal without a second thought. Excited to have the chance to at last talk to the famous General, Zack nearly bounced his way down the hall and into the elevator. He really had to learn how to control his puppy-like impulses because now was one of those times where he wished he had stopped to consider what he had volunteered to do.
Angeal had told him, specifically, that Sephiroth was expecting to be going out with friends that evening and would more than likely look different than he was used to. That was the understatement of the century.
Gone was the cold, indifferent mask. Gone were the combat leathers. Gone was the imposing Masamune.
What was here, however, was a very, very attractive woman in an extremely revealing outfit.
He shifted uncomfortably. It was not entirely his fault that his body was acting the way it was. He was seventeen, male and damn was Sephiroth one hundred percent female. That equation led to a rather embarrassing situation if he was not careful…
Zack managed one of his flawless smiles in hopes of hiding his discomfort.
Sephiroth did not look impressed.
She folded her arms and leaned her weight over to one side. Those mako colored eyes glittering dangerously. "Why are you here, Fair?" Oh man did she sound ticked.
Swallowing, the raven-haired First smiled a little wider…his face was starting to hurt.
"I'm here to deliver a message from my mentor…Commander Angeal Hewley."
The expression on her face became one of befuddlement…and, disappointment perhaps?
"Why couldn't she come herself?" Sephiroth asked,"Or call…?"
"'Geal and Gen were called out on a secret mission," Zack replied cheerily, catching his slip up a moment too late. His smile dropped. Sephiroth was scowling at him. "uh…"
"It is improper for you to address your superior officers so informally, Fair."
"S-sorry, General, it's just that I'm used to calling them that and I sorta forgot…"
Sephiroth blinked.
"You refer to them in such a way on a regular basis?"
"Of course, me and them are friends, y'know." Zack said. Then again, he realized, perhaps she did not. Something about the way Sephiroth looked at him, a mixture of betrayed, confused…and lonely, told the Second that maybe she did not realize that her friends had another companion. One that they allowed to use their nicknames.
When there was no reply, Zack tilted his head and asked,"Are you okay, General?"
Those dangerous eyes narrowed,"Of course I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
The raven-haired SOLDIER sighed,"Your friends kept a secret from you…and you feel hurt."
A pause.
Sephiroth looked away, uncertain.
"If it's any consolation… I think you look nice." Zack offered.
The silver General arched a brow,"Pardon?"
"You look nice. I mean, 'Geal said you would look different when I saw you since I've only ever seen you from afar and dressed all formal-like. And Gen said she picked out your outfit for the night and was disappointed that she would not be able to see you wearing it." He replied, before adding,"The boots really steal the show though. I wonder where Gen found them…"
Sephiroth shook her head, "Genesis did not find these…I did."
Zack laughed,"You? Really? Gen said you were a bit of an idiot when it came to fashion sense…and did I just say that aloud?" He clapped hand over his mouth and waited for the hell to start. Only, it never did. The silver General only stared at him oddly.
"Yes. I did." She told him after a slight pause. That was when Sephiroth tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, drawing the Second's attention to the hoop that dangled from it. He could not smother the strangled noise that came from his throat. "Fair?"
Oh, why did Sephiroth have to be wearing earrings? Angeal assured him that the General never wore anything beyond a tiny stud, nothing that would draw notice. But those were not studs. Those were full blown, three inch 'round loops that just screamed sexy.
It was embarrassing to admit, but he, Zack Fair, had one hell of an earring fetish.
Some men liked it when a woman wore sexy shoes and painted their toes. Others liked low cut tops that revealed their cleavage. Some liked it when their woman wore a tight pair of jeans that accented their curvaceous posteriors.
Zack, was not like these men. Yeah, he could appreciate a good glimpse down a girl's shirt now and then, and heck, he did like a pair of long, sexy legs. But what caught his attention and kept it there, were earrings. Especially the hoop kind.
Sephiroth snapping her fingers in front of his face brought him back into reality.
"Huh?"
"I said, what are you staring at, Fair?"
"Uh…Your ears?" Zack knew he had to be blushing crimson at this point.
"My ears?"
"Uh-huh."
Awkward silence followed.
Then, Sephiroth sighed and said,"Well, all things aside, I guess I should say thank you for telling me about Angeal and Genesis… Good night, Fair."
She made to close the door.
"H-hey wait!"
The General paused and glanced over her shoulder.
"D-do you still want to go…out?" Did he just ask that?
Sephiroth, oddly enough, nodded.
"I know I'm not your friend or anything, but, I could keep you company…if you want."
The General actually smiled. Smiled!
"Hm, true. But as Angeal's student you may very well become one of my First's…perhaps we could take this as a chance to get to know each other better."
Was this…really happening? Sephiroth opened the door, stepped into the hallway and closed it behind her. Standing almost six inches taller than himself in those heels, the silver General was quite imposing…but Zack did not care. The famous General not only talked to him but was actually willing to spend time with him. Well, probably because she wanted to know who in Gaia's name Angeal not only mentored but allowed to speak to her so casually.
But hey, he was not going to complain. Feeling a little brighter, Zack grinned and offered his arm, a gesture he'd seen in movies lots of times. To his surprise, the General accepted it, laying her hand on his forearm. Man was he going to have a story to tell when he went to class on Monday!
"Where are we going?" Sephiroth asked softly.
"Where ever you want," Zack replied dreamily.
Mako eyes gleaming with amusement caught his attention. Was the General…laughing at him?
"Well then…There is this one place…" She said, a wicked smile on her lips.
000X000
Whoever said that General Sephiroth was an emotionless bitch that would not know fun even if it dangled before her nose…was an idiot.
Zack had one of the best nights of his life.
The silver warrior at his elbow drew attention, yes, but the jealousy in those eyes made it all worth it. True, Sephiroth was not his date, per say, but no one else had to know that. Just walking down the halls of ShinRa made the awkward initial encounter with the woman worth it.
But the rest of the night made everything unforgettable.
Arriving at one of the most prestigious clubs in Midgar, the very crowd parted around them. Cameras flashed. Sephiroth tossed her head and smirked, before pulling Zack along inside. True, he was only seventeen, but no one checked his ID and drinks were on the house.
But they were not there to drink. At least, Sephiroth was not. After dragging the Second into the chaos, everything else became a bit of a blur. A blur filled with loud, pulsating music and flashing, colorful lights and the press of unfamiliar bodies as they gyrated their hips to the beat. At some point, Zack knew that at least one or two drinks passed through his hands, because his mind was muddled and he could not quite keep in sync with the music that blared at a nearly deafening volume.
As he staggered out of crowd, if only to catch his breath, Sephiroth pulled him back in.
"H-hey!" Zack complained. He was exhausted.
The General only chuckled and swung her hips to the song that began to play.
"You wanted to come along, Zack," Sephiroth told him with a feline curl on her lips,"So shut up and dance." And so they danced.
000X000
Kicking her heels up onto her desk was never something Sephiroth did. At least, until today.
She closed her eyes with contentment.
Saturday kept playing inside her head. From the strange meeting with the young Second Class named Zack Fair, to the night spent getting lost in the hum of music, to the silly little smile that stayed on the teen's lips the entire night. She nearly had to carry the poor kid to his room, he was so exhausted. He stumbled and giggled and clung to her arm much like a child after they returned to ShinRa.
But when they reached the apartment he and Angeal shared, as mentor and student, the giddiness fell away.
"I had fun," Zack had said before snuggling against her shoulder.
Sephiroth attempted to free her arm.
"Noooo!" The Second cried, clinging desperately, causing her to hesitate.
"Why?" She asked.
Big violet eyes stared up at her,"Because, if I let go, you'll go. And then I'll never see you again."
Before she could ask why he was so upset about that particular detail, Zack threw his arms around Sephiroth's neck and planted a sloppy kiss on her mouth.
"And…and I like you lots, Sephy. Lots and lots."
"You are intoxicated, Zack…" She told him bluntly.
"Dun care." He kissed her again.
"Zackary…" She warned, but her heart really wasn't into it. It was…strange. But she did not mind the Second's impulsive display of affection. It was…warming, actually. Nice. No one ever walked up to her and dared to kiss her uninvited before.
"Sephy, dun call me that. Call me Zack like you were. I like it when you call me Zack…Hmm, nngg, zzzz." The raven-haired Second let out a soft snore. He had fallen asleep in her arms.
The memory scattered when someone knocked on her office door. She kept her feet up, pleased with the fact that her office was fixed up so quickly so she could actually have people visit without having to worry about them slogging through wet carpet. That, and she could actually work on whatever papers they more than likely were sent to deliver.
"Come in." Sephiroth called, picking up a pen and examining it.
In walked Angeal Hewley….With a grinning Genesis Rhapsodos not far behind.
"What's this, Sephy with her feet up, what has the world come to?" Genesis teased, striding over and sitting on the desk. The auburn Commander gazed at Sepiroth with laughing, golden eyes.
"Mmmm," The General hummed, quirking a brow at her friend.
Genesis was stunning as ever, her shoulder length hair tied back away from her delicate face. The dark red of her custom combat leathers accenting the paleness of her skin while giving it a healthy glow. Out of the three, she was the thinnest built, but even her lack of supple curves did not detract from her flirty, fiery brand of beauty.
"So, why are you all smiles this morning? Did a weekend without your two best buds drive you clinically insane or something?" Genesis asked, twisting a stray curl of hair with her fingers.
"Hm, no." Sephiroth replied.
Angeal came to stand next to them, her arms crossed; looking every bit of the mother hen Genesis accused her of being. That is, if mother hens looked like power lifters with wild black hair that never laid flat and dark-blue eyes that threatened to swallow you up whole. Dressed in traditional First Class blues, Buster sword sheathed on her back, Angeal certain could look imposing without even trying.
"What?" The silver warrior asked as the Commander stared down at her.
"I sent my student to inform you of our leave…" Angeal said seriously.
"Yes…and?"
"When I asked him this morning about how his meeting you went, he…acted strangely."
"How so?"
Angeal shifted uncomfortably,"Seph, he's seventeen."
"And you needed to tell me this…why?"
"Because, he…he…"
Genesis rolled her eyes and piped in,"He blushed and said he really like meeting you….Really, REALLY like meeting you." She grinned cheekily,"So what happened between you and the puppy that has him all tied up?"
Angeal nodded, her eyes dark.
Sephiroth sighed and looked at her boots. She really liked them. Enough so that she was willing to break regulation and wear them with her uniform rather than the standard combat boots that she normally wore.
"We went dancing."
Both of her friends stared.
"You went dancing…with Zack?" Angeal asked slowly.
"Yes. Is this a problem?"
Silence.
Genesis shook her head,"I can't believe YOU went dancing without US. What changed your mind?"
Sephiroth smiled mysteriously and closed her eyes.
"I guess you could say that the right pair of shoes makes all the difference."
A/N: ( Review my pretties. Hehe. You know you wanna! ^_^)
