Morning came quickly and Niva could do nothing but stare at the ceiling when her alarm clock went off. She was never a morning person.
Genesis was a morning person. He easily woke and could start his day without a hitch. Guess it was a difference between them. Groggily, she got up from the bed and quickly dressed in her SOLDIER uniform. She paused momentarily to gaze at her fawn spots on her shoulders. Like a real fawn, she thought. While her coffee was brewing, she went into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her hair. She went back into the kitchen to eat half a bagel and drink her coffee. Afterwards, she brushed her teeth and quickly grabbed her keycard off her nightstand and put her shoes on to leave.
In the elevator, her phone started ringing.
"Hello? Meridian speaking."
"Meridian." It was Dr. Hojo. "I have been trying to contact you for well over three days now. You need to get your ANIMA treatments. I demand your presence in my office immediately."
She inwardly groaned. Unlike mako treatments, ShinRa scientists had yet to make the ANIMA cells regenerate themselves, so regular treatments were necessary. But, they were very painful. Restructuring one's DNA was very agonizing.
"I have to meet Genesis at the Training Room. I'll talk to him then be over." What a lie. She'd rather go on a mission with a Turk.
"You better, Meridian." Then Hojo hung up.
"Whatever."
It didn't take her long to get to the 49th floor and to the Training Room. She was surprised when she saw Angeal was there too.
"Mr. Hewely? What are you doing here?"
He noticed her and lightly smiled. "Miss Meridian, good morning. Genesis asked me to meet here early in the morning."
"Oh, that's good. Maybe he's thinking about a sparring match.," she commented, then looked around. "I wonder when his meeting with the Director will be over? I hope he doesn't arrive too late."
Angeal nodded. "That would be unfortunate. But, luckily for him, the meeting should be well over by now. He should be arriving in the afternoon."
"Afternoon?" Niva's face was well past confused. "Then why did he ask us to meet him here so early?"
Now it was Angeal's turn to be confused. Then confusion turned into realization. "Genesis didn't tell you he had another mission, did he? He's to be gone for a few days. He told me to train you in his absence. I assumed you knew." His face was apologetic.
On the inside, Niva cursed and screamed, and threw a tantrum, but she remained calm on the outside. "It's… fine. I'll just speak to him when he returns. All that aside, it would be an honor to be temporarily trained by someone Genesis holds in such high regards."
Angeal smiled a small hopeful smile. "Thank you."
"Sorry I'm late!" someone shouted. Both looked to see Zack running to the entrance of the Training Room. He stopped running though when he saw Niva standing next to his mentor.
"She's the surprise?" he asked. "Well, I can say I'm surprised."
The copper haired ANIMA gave the two odd looks before speaking to Zack. "I'll be training with you while Genesis is away. I hope you won't mind." She enjoyed being polite.
"Nope, don't mind at all." Zack smiled brightly. "You'll see how great I am in the simulations. Worthy of 1st Class for sure."
"Actually, Zackary, you'll be sparring against Miss Meridian," Angeal corrected.
"Huh? Really?
Niva knew it. She expected such. It wasn't really a sparring match, but a test is disguise. Both mentors wanted to see who's pupil was best. She wouldn't let Genesis down.
"I'm game," she said. She started warming up and stretching her muscles after entering the Training Room.
Zack looked accusingly at his chuckling mentor. "How can I fight a girl, Angeal?"
"Just remember you're honor and you shouldn't fail."
The puppy sighed. "That doesn't help at all." He watched the woman before him. He body was tight and well proportioned. A slim waist, curved hips, and what he was thinking were most likely high Bs. Yup, this would be one difficult fight. But, his confidence in himself made him decide to make it interesting.
"Hey, Niva, was it?" he called.
"Hm?" He watched her pink candy eyes watching him.
"Let's make this interesting. If you win, you get whatever you want from me."
She smirked. "And if you win?"
"You let me take you out for dinner."
Both Niva and Angeal looked at him oddly.
"You mean like a date?" she inquired.
"Yup."
Angeal's expression changed to amusement. His young pup was pining after his childhood friend's woman. How interesting.
Navi contemplated the proposition. Genesis would probably be upset with her….But, she doubted she would lose anyway.
"Deal." She watched him pull out his large sword and pulled out her two smaller swords.
Angeal started up the simulation and stepped aside. They were suddenly in a grassy field surrounded by trees. Niva enjoyed the soft breeze and sunlight. It made her all the more focused on the fight ahead. She watched his every movement, waiting for attack.
Zack smirked. "Lady's first."
She smirked back. "How chivalrous." She ran at him, swords at the ready. He blocked her attack and countered with his own. She ducked and swung. Their swords were pressed against each other's. But, Zack was stronger and easily pushed her back.
Niva grit her teeth and ran at him again. Their swords pressed hard against each other's again. This time, Niva gave Zack a knee to the stomach and kicked him in the side when he winced ever so slightly.
Don't mock your enemy. She heard Genesis's voice in her head. it makes you overconfident and cocky. Cockiness leads to arrogance and failure.
"don't get cocky, Niva," she muttered to herself. "Keep a calm mind and a firm grasp." When Zack swung at her again, she back flipped out of the way and quickly swung both swords, knocking his out of his hands and to the side.
It's over! She thought and kicked him as hard as she could in the stomach. He fell onto him back and before he could flip back onto his feet, her blades were making an 'X' over his neck. She was breathing heavily and so was he. The simulation ended and she put away her weapons with a small smile.
"Well fought, Zack." She held out her hand.
He smiled and took her hand, letting her help him up. "Yeah, you too. Haven't been beaten by anyone in a while. Besides Angeal, that is." H picked up his sword and put it back in its place.
She smiled and looked to Angeal. "I need to make a call. I'll return shortly." She walked out of the Training Room. As soon as she did, her phone rang. The name on the ID made her heart jump.
"Gen?" she answered.
"Hello there, little fawn. I do hope you're behaving for Angeal," he mused.
Niva pouted angrily, walking in front of the glass of the Training Room. "I'll behave for him, but not for you, you liar."
"Oh, why so cross?"
"You lied. You never told me you'd be going on a mission. I wanted to spend some time with you. I won't behave for you."
She heard her chuckle. "How would you feel if I sent you a little gift to apologize? Would that help?"
"No. I can't be bought off, Gen. I'll get you back…somehow."
She could feel his amused smirk. "In the meantime, may I receive a few good words?"
Her heart melted from the softness of the tone. "I….I miss you, Genesis. Truly."
"That's my girl. I'll return in a few days if all goes well. You should receive my small affections tomorrow."
"Don't be gone too long, Genesis. "
He chuckled. "Even if the morrow is barren, nothing shall forestall my return."
"LOVELESS Act III."
"Good girl. Try to be good."
"As much as the Goddess will allow." Why did his words sound so hollow? She hung up without saying goodbye and shoved the device in her pocket.
"Genesis has always been rather odd." Niva turned to see it was Angeal who spoke.
She turned away. "I know…How can you tell if he cares? Is there a difference between him amused with something and in love with someone?"
Angeal sighed. "I'm not sure myself. Only time will tell, Miss Meridian."
"Just Niva." She smiled lightly. "That Zack sure is a different guy. Never met anyone like him. He's like a puppy."
Angeal chuckled. "That's quite true. Take it easier on his ego though." He chuckled again.
I will. Um… I'm not feeling too well. I'll come back maybe 5 or 6 if you want me to. Tell Zack we can have a rematch then.' She left the Training Floor and went back to the Dorm Floor. She went to her own room instead of Genesis's. She laid down on the bed and sighed. The fight made her strain more than she meant to. She was feeling fatigued and tired. Maybe she could sleep it off.
Zack had watched her talk on the phone outside the Training Room. He liked the way she pouted and pursed her lips in displeasure. It was cute. Although, he didn't fancy the adoring smile she wore. She must really like the person she was talking to. He wished she could show him that smile once.
"Who is she talking to, Angeal?"
"Genesis, I presume. They have what could be considered an 'intimate relationship'."
"So, they're dating?" He felt slightly disappointed.
"Not really. It's more of an intimacy thing. Why are you so curious, Zack? Jealous?"
"What? I'm not!" He flushed red. So, she was intimate with Genesis, huh? He really hoped her could win a date with her, even though she liked Genesis. He felt a wave of determination right there. Weither Genesis liked it or not, he would get her to go on a date with him. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he hadn't even noticed Angeal had left until he saw him talking to her.
Soon after talking, she left. Zack sighed disappointedly again. He wouldn't be able to take her out to dinner. And as soon as the wave of disappointment came, it gave way to an encouraged smirk.
"I'll just have to try harder!"
Bunnii: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I tried making it longer since the others were so short. Comment if you would like any questions answered or if you just wanna give encouragement. It's greatly appreciated. Thank you 3.