Theme: Romance/Adventure/Angst
Fandom: Final Fantasy
Pairing: Angeal Hewley x Cissnei/Shuriken
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1135
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'm not entirely pleased with this chapter but I did somewhat enjoy writing it. I couldn't stop myself from realizing how young Cissnei was and probably how being raised within Shinra has effected her. I doubt anyone will understand it but me, so just read over the chapter as if it doesn't exist?
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination and copy of Crisis Core. Don't sue me.

Chapter V
Re-enter Sephiroth

Cissnei had given up on sitting and reading the moment that Genesis' breathing slowed and he had drifted into a peaceful slumber. She had been pacing the room for god knows how long, watching the two snoozing SOLDIER members. Her brown eyes shifted from Genesis to Angeal as she paced about the room, her mind reeling with too many thoughts for her young mind to handle. She worried about Angeal for not having woken up yet, she worried about what the report was going to say, what Verdot was going to say about it. It was all becoming too much; the young girl began to wonder if this was the right choice for her, the right direction to take her life.

Suddenly, she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye, her body freezing as she snapped her gaze over to Angeal. She took notice to him wincing then shifting faintly, his body falling still for a moment. She darted to his bedside to ensure that he was all right; after all, there had been a lot of damage done to the poor SOLDIER. She hovered her fingers over his bare hand; the glove discarded upon arrival, and bites her bottom lip gently. "Angeal," she whispered as she placed her hand over his. "You alright?"

At her voice, Angeal's body relaxed and his breathing returned to normal. She couldn't keep a faint smile off her face as she stroked the top of his hand with her thumb, a gentle motion as to not awaken the slumbering man. All of her worries seemed to melt away and the young girl began to show signs of being just that; a young female who was nothing more then curious. She was barely in her teens and worked with adult men, been around nothing more then adults most of her existence since coming to Shinra. She was curious to say the least about men in general, like most girls her age, but there was something about this one that peaked her curiosity to its maximum.

Her hand moved on its own, from his rough hand—probably due to years of his trade—to his cheek, brushing against the flesh softly. She could feel the stubble of facial hair on his cheek tickling against her smooth palm; she allowed a small smile to stretch across her face. It felt kind of nice, she dully noted, as she recoiled her hand slightly and scanning over his expression. Much to her own surprise, he seemed to have melted at her touch and a light smile seemed to take over. Becoming more curious now, the young girl hovered her fingertips over his lips before gently brushing the two together. She felt her cheeks heating at the feeling of his warm breath tickling against them, a light noise—something like a giggle—passed over her lips, and she pulled her hand away.

"What's so funny," a familiar voice echoed through the room.

"Uh—" Her eyes widened as she looked down at Angeal, only hoping the voice didn't belong to the honorable SOLDIER. When she took notice to the fact he was still in the dream world, she slowly turned her body in the direction of the door. Don't let it be someone who would tell Angeal of her little moment, she prayed, and for all things holy, don't let it be Verdot. As her sights set on a somewhat familiar sight since her mission began, she released a relieved sigh; "Sephiroth."

He arched a brow, "Expecting someone else?"

"Maybe I was," she countered in a rather teasing manner, attempting to cover her embarrassment.

"I see," he replied as he leaned in the doorway. "I gave the reports to their respectable title-holders."

"Oh," she smiled lightly, "Thank you, Sephiroth."

"Noted."

"You know, you didn't have to write out my report for me."

"I," he paused for a moment and glanced to the side—like a child hiding something. "I wanted to."

"Still," she tilted her head. "Thank you. Not even my own teammates in the TURKS would do something like that."

Sephiroth frowned, "I see."

"Never mind that," she shook her head and seated herself in the chair between the two slumbering men. "What brings you here?"

"Status report."

"Genesis woke up not to long ago, but I had him to back to sleep." She responded in an even tone, "I think he's going to need his rest, that's what the nurse said, of course."

"Right." His eyes flashed curiously to Angeal, "And him?"

"He hasn't woke up yet," she frowned as she felt a ping of something within her heart. "He stirred a bit earlier but nothing else."

"You shouldn't worry yourself too much," he spoke. Although it seemed like he was speaking more to himself then anyone, he turned his gaze to the young TURK. "Angeal is strong; he'll pull through and awaken before you know it."

She smiled softly as her gaze drifted to the raven-haired man; "You think so?"

"I know so," he responded. "This means that if you want to keep your crush a secret; don't go around touching him."

"Crush," she yelped as she flew out of her chair, her face turning red with embarrassment. "I do not have a crush! A-and I-I was not to-touching him!"

"You stutter when you lie," Sephiroth noted. "You may not have a crush, but you were touching him. You should work on dishonesty if you are to be a great TURK."

"I-I—" She flopped down in the chair in defeat while sending halfhearted glares in the direction of the silver haired man. She was beginning to dislike this strange friendship forming between the four of them, the way that this one seemed to read her better then many others could, besides Verdot. Not only being embarrassed, now the small TURK was frustrated beyond belief. Somehow, the young girl pulled herself together and locked eyes with her elder. "I don't know what you're talking about, General Sephiroth."

"Better," he commented while turning and taking a step out of the door. He paused for a moment and turned his head, those feline appearing eyes settled upon the young female, making her shiver. "I will return soon, the President has called a meeting for many of the employees, I happened to be one of those called."

"Was Verdot called as well?" The man nodded at the girl's question, causing her to release a relieved sigh as she watched him exit and close the door behind him. She sank into her chair and tugged the book, LOVELESS she realizes it's called now, to read once more. She glances between the two men to ensure that they are still slumbering away before turning her full attention to the pages that she revealed to herself. "No need to fret. . . ."