Sorry for the short chapter, the next one will be twice as long at least because I couldn't find a good point to cut it midway x'D

qq just saw that I've had over 5200 clicks on this story, but only 15 reviews u_U

They mean a lot to me, so keep doing it please and giving feedback! ...(still looking for a beta reader)

Cosara Peregringale: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy it! ^_^

Mici Angels: Aww, I'm glad you found it again! Yeah, it's been going on for a while, I sometimes take some weeks of break when I'm not as inspired/having writer's block/busy irl... But right now I have none of that (aside from the driving exam in 4 days... but I might skip because of my cold :s)

On with the fic!

I woke up at seven sharp to take a quick shower. Faint memories of me being close to Sephiroth in my dreams didn't help much to distract me from the past evening's events, but it'd have to do for now. For some reason – maybe my insecurity – I had to keep checking whether the texting with the General was really happening. Phone in one hand, toothbrush in the other, I got ready for my next field training... which was 30 minutes from now.

Today I felt more excited than ever, hoping the General would act differently in some way, more relaxed, more... flirtatious? I certainly couldn't expect much from him at a public place or from him in person in general, that much I knew about him. On his phone, more specifically in his texts, he almost seemed like a different person. I knew that it was him, though, and not someone making fun of me, at least I was pretty sure of that. Maybe there would be a way to test that today?

'I mean, that sounds pretty weird... but him acting differently is weird, too...' Now I would only have to think of something on the way to the training hall. I found something I was pretty content with when I almost arrived. After getting dressed, I rushed into the usual training area where I was already greeted by Sephiroth standing right behind the door. He gave me a smirk and turned my way, enough of a sign for me that I could hug him. He hugged back as much as a man like him would do with anyone else (which was still enough for me) and mumbled a "Hey" while I just smiled widely.

"Hey!", I returned when he pulled away and took out his timetable.

"Looks like this will be our last basic field training. If you pass your 2nd Rank exam in two weeks, that is... but I have faith in you." His gaze was turned towards the little booklet, eyes browsing through assignments most likely.

"Wait, our last? Oh yeah, you are leaving on Monday...", I frowned a little, not really being happy with the fact that I wouldn't be seeing him for up to around two weeks.

He noticed my dropping face features and added: "Heads up, SOLDIER, I will be back in no time. The second Rank field trainings are much more exciting, but also harder, as you might know."

I nodded, already looking forward to his return. If I was lucky, we could maybe even SMS during that time...

"Oh!", I remembered, "Will you be free for some texting during that time? I guess no, huh..." I already answered for myself, not waiting for him.

Sephiroth glanced at the phone on his table, then back at me. "I cannot promise anything... but you'll be the first to know when I have a free moment." He offered me a sinister smile and I couldn't help but gasp quietly as well as start blushing. Luckily he had turned around the second after his smile, so he couldn't see my silly reaction.

"We will do a mixed repetition of the field trainings you've had before today, so just see it as some kind of practice. They will be different next Rank, anyway.", he explained, walking to his usual observing position.

The training itself was uneventful, the General behaved as usual and I held myself back with flirting like we did in our SMS. I had yet to find a way to make him act like that in person as well... but out here, there could be eyes everywhere and none of us two would most likely fancy getting caught. Him because he had a girlfriend, a successful career and a reputation to lose, me... because people would probably claim I'd want to ruin his life by "forcing" him to start something with me... or who knows what else, I honestly didn't wanna think about it. 'Not even sure how anyone here would react to me or him being gay... or bi, for that matter.'

I concluded that the best for now was going with the flow, wherever it took me, as long as it was forward... I'd be fine. And happy.

When Sephiroth's next student arrived earlier, we skipped our parting ceremony and I was glad that we had hugged at the beginning. Everyone here and in the city, the country, if not even almost the whole world knew him, but I only knew of two - or most likely three - who ever had the honor to embrace him regularly. Possibly his two colleagues as well, but I barely ever saw them together since I did not spend that much time near the classrooms and training halls.

Nevertheless, I wished him a nice trip in case I wouldn't see him until his departure on Monday, as well as promised him I'd study hard for the theoretical exam in a week.

On the way home I met Zack, and we agreed to having a movie evening tomorrow. Movie evenings with Zack would almost always end in sleepovers, so I started packing my small bag as soon as I got back into my dorm.

After that, I decided that I could use some studying for the 2nd Rank exam next week. The feeling in my gut told me that I was pretty confident about passing, after all, even the General had complimented me on my knowledge. That thought always gave me a boost of ego and made me try to pass even harder.