Sephiroth made his way to the elevator that would bring him up to his apartment and a much needed shower. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the way the hallway cleared before him. Everyone he came upon either suddenly became very busy or had someplace else very important to be.
Even if he had noticed, he wouldn't of cared. He liked it that they were afraid of him and left him alone.
His thoughts kept going back to the girl and the fact that she had gotten away from him. She had been right there, so close to him that he had felt her body heat.
She hadn't even been afraid of him and that was unusual. Civilians, women especially, usually shied the hell away from him. Shinra had done a marvelous job advertising him as their most dangerous weapon, so that he wasn't seen as completely human. He knew that he sure as hell didn't look human.
Finding himself alone in the hall he reached into his pocket and pulled out the flower she'd given him. Its thick waxy petals were crushed and it released a strong perfumy scent. A woman's scent. It smelled like her...
He remembered that she had kissed him and he wanted to know why.
Sephiroth hadn't reached the elevator when he saw Hojo turn the corner and come barreling down the hallway toward him. Immediately he started thinking up evasive maneuvers to get himself away from the man but it was too late. He'd been spotted.
"Sephiroth! I would like a word with you."
Sephiroth sighed, and wondered if the day could possibly get any worse.
"What do you want Hojo?" He asked, but the doctor seemed distracted by his appearance.
"Do you have gum in your hair?"
Sephiroth took a moment from his glaring to finger through his long hair until he found the offensive wad
"Yes." He said, picking at it, cringing inwardly at the nastiness of it. It had been in someone's mouth. They had chewed it, spit it out into the trash and now it was in his hair. How nasty.
"You missed another appointment this morning."
"Did I?" Sephiroth replied lazily, picking at the gum with a grimace.
"You don't recall? Tell me, have you had any other memory lapses." Hojo said pulling out a small notebook from his lab coat and making a quick note.
Sephiroth merely took a moment from his picking to glare at him.
"I don't have time for this nonsense." Sephiroth growled, moving forward toward the elevator.
"But you will make time for me." Hojo said stepping in front of him and blocking his path.
"For another Mako treatment? I think I've had enough." Sephiroth said. He knew that the treatments were what made him strong but they also made him feel unsteady. They made reality seem small and unimportant and filled his imagination with images of fire and death.
Hojo stared at him as though he'd spoken in a foreign language. "Excuse me, but I am your doctor and as your doctor I will decide when you've had enough."
Sephiroth gave him a stubborn, angry look.
"I can order a leave for medical observation." Hojo said, snapping his bony fingers. "Like that. I suggest you get yourself down there now. You have wasted enough of my time."
Sephiroth lost his casual attitude and adopted a more dominant position. The days of him being forced to submit to Hojo's experimentation were long gone. He said nothing, merely letting the menace flow from him as he towered over the scientist. It was a well practiced stance that commanded fear and respect in others but Hojo stood his ground, studying him with analytical interest and scientific pride.
"Unfortunately your request is incompatible with my schedule." Sephiroth said. " I do not have time for your tests right now. I suggest that you contact my secretary and reschedule."
"Are you testing me, boy. Because with one word to the President I can have you in lock down within the hour. How would you like to spend a week in your old room, hmmm?"
"On what grounds?"
"Mental instability."
"Prove it. I am the General of the Shinra Military, and as such I am never off duty. The President wont grant your request. He needs me too much."
"I made you what you are, General. I need to know of any problems and the President will agree to anything I say. If I fear that you are suffering from mako poisoning he will take my word over yours."
"I am no longer your lab rat, Hojo." He snapped, stepping up close to Hojo using his garbage stink to his advantage. He hid a smirk of satisfaction as the man took a step back and gagged at his stetch. "You can no longer tell me what to do."
"You are and always will be my number one 'lab rat'." Hojo answered coldly. "And If I have to, I will get the president to order you to the labs for observation and testing."
"I don't have time for this. I have a job to do." Sephiroth growled, brushing past him.
"Sephiroth, I expect to see you in the lab!"
"Make an appointment!" He answered, as he walked away and headed for the stairs.