Theme: Romance/Adventure/Angst
Fandom: Final Fantasy
Characters: Genesis Rhapsodos, Cissnei/Shuriken
Pairing: Angeal Hewley x Cissnei/Shuriken
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1824
Summary: Honor can be quite the burden, a rookie TURK learns this first hand and from the most honorable SOLDIER of them all.
Authors Notes: I was going to cut this chapter out completely but decided to keep it. Enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination and copy of Crisis Core. Don't sue me.

Chapter IV
Hospitals

The smell of death and blood filled her nose as she inhaled deeply, her eyes scanning around at the off-white walls. This had been her first time ever seeing a hospital wing in person, instead of just the little waiting room or one of the doctor's offices. To be honest, the TURKS were never ones for the hospital wing, most of her fellow members treated their own wounds and went right back to work, that was why they were trained in first aid according to Katana. To put it nicely, the young TURK much rather just see the office versus being in one of the rooms sitting between two beds, serving the simple purpose to the pair of injured SOLDIER members.

However, the question of why she was sitting there arose and it had very simple answers. The young girl had felt horrible for what had happened on the mission, if she had been more prepared then maybe things would have gotten so bad. She had pleaded with Verdot to stay with the two men, at least, until they woke up and she could promptly apologize for being so foolish with their lives. It took her nearly an hour, even with Katana's help, for the elder to finally give in to her childish pleas and told her to work on her report while she waited. That is why for the past two hours, the small TURK had taken the time to sit between them with a cherished leather book on her lap and open to a page.

"When the war of the beasts brings about world's end, the Goddess descends from the sky, wings of light and dark spread afar. She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting," she recited from the book one of the medics found in Genesis' leather jacket. The medics told the young girl that the two would be just fine as soon as they were transferred into the medical wing at the building. Genesis would just have to awake from his slumber then possibly stay in the department for a few days, just to ensure that there was nothing more then a mild head injury. Angeal, on the other hand, would be in the wing for at the very least a week, due to the internal injures that he now sported.

Sephiroth and Cissnei had been the lucky ones, walking away without anything more then a bruise or a scratch. Sephiroth offered to write the girl's report, she had figured it was to keep his mind off of the situation that he found himself in. She found that she couldn't say no to the uneasiness on the young General's expression and gave her word that she would find a way to pay him back for filling out and delivering her report. He merely told her to contact him if there was any change and he had left the room, leaving the young TURK to watch the sleeping beauties named Genesis Rhapsodos and Angeal Hewley.

"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess, we seek it thus and take to the sky, ripples form on the water's surface, the wandering soul knows no rest." Her brown eyes glance between the two men as she sits in her chair, fidgeting ever so slightly, watching their sleeping forms. She was only reading this book in hopes that it might awake the crimson SOLDIER, since he had seemed to enjoy it enough to carry it on his person. She wanted to see their mako blues, even a finger twitch from them would do right now. She had never been so worried before in her life, even back when she would cause trouble in the orphanage didn't match this fear.

"There is no hate, only joy, for you are beloved by the Goddess. Hero of the dawn, healer of worlds," she whispered, feeling so empty and frightened of what she had caused. She wanted so badly to go back in time, to fix what she had failed to do. Although TURKS are trained to look out for themselves, they are also trained to look out for their companions as well. She unsuccessfully protected those around her and she knew that Verdot would be displeased. "Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul, pride is lost, wings stripped away, the end is nigh."

It wasn't working, not even the red head stirred during her reading session. She was beginning to think they couldn't hear her; maybe she was being too quiet. "My friend, do you fly away now? To a world that abhors you and I? All that awaits you is a somber morrow, no matter where the winds may blow." She paused and bit her lip, closing her eyes before continuing, "My friend, you desire is the bringer life, the gift of the Goddess. . ."

". . . Even if the morrow is barren of promises. . . . . Nothing shall forestall my return," Genesis' hoarse voice whispered out.

"GENESIS," her head whips upward and her gaze moving over the injured SOLDIER. His eyes were closed yet a small smile was visible on his face. She shifted quickly in her chair, going to move to his side as she began to close the thick book. The SOLDIER raised his head weakly, his eyes slitting open faintly and she stopped all movement, just allowing her eyes to rest on the SOLDIER member. She didn't quite understand what he was doing, figuring that he wanted her to stop. "Genesis?"

"Please," he spoke calmly, "Keep reading."

"Why. . . ?" She didn't understand why he wanted her to continue, she hadn't thought she was doing that great of a job. She didn't want to disagree with him either, but it was in her nature to have to know the reasoning behind everything.

He muttered, "I just enjoy hearing another voice, besides my own, reading it."

"Alright," she gave a small nod before opening the book, "but you know, you should be resting."

"Just finish reading," he rolls over to face me, as a child would their mother. "I need to know a few things."

"About what?"

"It can wait."

"Genesis, it's not wise to hold everything in until the last minute," she pointed out quietly. "I won't let you do it either."

He rolled back over on his back, staring up at the ceiling; "Fine, what happened?"

"You were knocked unconscious with minor head injuries," she answered in her most professional tone. "We—"

"Talk me like I'm not a fellow employee, Cissnei," Genesis muttered as he turned his head, those beautiful blue eyes focused on the young TURK. The girl almost shivered at the look on the man's face, her eyes drifting elsewhere. Genesis frowned while reaching out a gentle hand to her, "Look at me and talk to me like you did before, like the friends we are."

She frowned, "I can't. . ."

"And why not?"

"Because the last time I allowed us to react with one another as such, you and your friend were injured," she whispered barely above a whisper, her fingertips toying with the jacket of her uniform. She attempted to ignore the ashen fingers that hovered just above her left cheek, her eyes staring down at the hem of her attire. "I'm sorry, General Rhapsodos, but I will not allow myself to risk your—"

"Cissnei," he responded sternly, his fingers barely touching the pale flesh of the younger being, "It's not right for you to blame yourself for something out of your control. SOLDIER members risk their lives all the time, what happened had nothing to do with you, no matter what anyone says. The president, your leader, the SOLDIER director."

"I don't—"

"Enough," Genesis flashed a light smile, flicking her nose teasingly. "Stop blaming yourself and do as I say."

"I. . . "She stopped and stared at the crimson SOLDIER, soon a smile of her very own found its way onto her lips."It's simple, Genesis, you were knocked unconscious when we were teasing one another. Angeal, Sephiroth, and I fought the creature and thought we had killed it. It turned out we didn't and the thing grabbed Angeal!" She paused to make a grabbing and throwing motion with her arms, "The thing just threw him and he didn't get back up! I was so scared but Sephiroth and I weren't going to give up. We fended off the beast until the capture chew got there! I thought we were all going to die and I couldn't believe it, I'd never get to thank you guys for being so nice to me!"

Genesis smirked, "You're quite the storyteller."

"I'm being serious," she pouted. "So take me seriously."

"Of course," he chuckled for a moment before his expression turned serious and eyes moved upward, focusing on the ceiling once more. "You know, it was different."

"What was," she blinked, "The story?"

"No," he shook his head. "Waking up to someone at my side. Normally when I found myself regaining consciousness, I wake up to either no one or a nurse when I'm in here. It feels odd to know someone cared enough to stay at my side."

She smiled, "Of course, I care. We're friends, remember?"

"True," he remarked with a sly little smirk. "Or were you actually staying here for Angeal?"

She rolled her eyes, "What are you talking about?"

"You were watching him on the helicopter ride to the mission, I saw it." He teased the younger being, "Does little Ciss have a crush?"

"No way," she pouted before shaking her head. "You must really be medicated."

He lifted a single, thin brow; "Is there something wrong with him?"

"What," she matched her expression the best she could. "Genesis, I think it's time for you to go back to sleep. You're making no sense!"

"Oh calm down," he chuckled lightly. "You need to lighten up again."

"I am calm," she huffed childishly and crossed her arms, feeling much more relaxed knowing that Genesis was awake. She sent him a playful glare, only to notice the older being yawning lightly and turning his head away. "Still tired?"

"A little," he mumbled childishly, sinking into the bed and pouting a bit.

"Genesis," she smiled faintly and stood, placing the book behind her on the car. She hovered over him and slipped her palms against his shoulders, pushing his slender body back down to the bed. "Get some sleep then, silly SOLDIER."

"Silly," he protested, "I'll have you know—"

"Sleep." Her tone stern as she removed her hands from his form, placing one on her hip. "I'll be here when you get up."

"Promise?"

"Huh," she whispered as she turned her gaze to him. Her stare softened as her teasing smile slipped from her lips, she felt her insides twisted at the tone he had used. "Yes, I'll be here when you wake up, Genesis."

"Hn, good."