Chapter Four

Fire VS Ice

"That's it? That's all that there was? I was forced to train months and months for this?" Sienna's enraged voice sounded though the hall. She glared through the window at the six forms that stood next to Sephiroth. "This is all?"

Gast tossed his head back and gave a laugh. "I was expecting something like this to come out of your mouth; that just means that these boys will be no match for you."

"I don't care about them," Sienna growled. "I just want him."

Gast followed her gaze and smiled again as it landed on Sephiroth. The older teen was just standing there in the training room, eyes closed as he waited. "You will have your time, Sienna. Just wait a little longer."

Sienna frowned before turning from the window and pushing the door to the training room open. She didn't want to take notice of all the ones that would be watching them, scouting them to see if they were good enough to become part of SOLDIER. The six new ones, anyway. She had no doubt that she and Sephiroth were going to be.

As she entered, all attention turned to her but she ignored them, moving right past them to stand a little bit away from Sephiroth; he was the only one that hadn't moved. The others seemed surprised that a girl was here; apparently women weren't allowed to join SOLDIER, or they hadn't been in it before. It seemed that Sienna was going to be the first.

"Now that our last companion finally decided to join us," One of the men from the outside called in. "We can finally get the test underway. The eight of you are the only ones that could pass the first test on knowledge and now you are here to try and pass the test in strength. None of you or even all of you may pass through. The eight will be divided into four groups of two and fight as partners."

Sienna zoned out, not really caring who was going to be her partner. All she cared about was shoving her fist into Sephiroth's face and-

"Sienna, you will be partners with Angeal Hewley."

Opening her eyes, she watched as the one to be her partner walked to stand beside her. He was around the age of 14 like Sienna; this boy held a stoic and serious feel about him. He had short, black hair and dark eyes as he was dressed in the colors of blue and green. There was an enormous broadsword on his back(at his size, Sienna was surprised that he could even carry it). From tip to handle the blade was almost six feet long and one foot wide with two holes near the hilt.

"Hi," He held out his hand with a small smile. "I'm Angeal."

Sienna was caught for a moment. No one had ever…done that to her before. She had seen friends shake hands and give hugs but she had never been offered one herself. Not knowing why, a small smile spread across her lips. She reached out and took his hand. "Sienna."

"Well, nice to meet you, Sienna. Let's do a good job, yeah?" Her answer was another smile and a nod. A warm feeling was beginning to flow through her. What did that feeling mean?

"And that leaves Genesis Rhapsodos with as Sephiroth's partner."

Glancing over to the boy standing beside Sephiroth, Genesis was his age with red hair hanging just above his shoulders as he wore red and black. On his left hip was a rapier; a long sword with a bright red blade as dull, golden runic symbols were etched down its length.

Sienna ignored everything that happened next. All there was were battles and Sephiroth and Genesis were first. Angeal enjoyed watching it but she stayed silent, thinking to herself about that manor she had found. After all of these tests, she planned on starting to fix it up and making it livable again. She had no idea how to fix all of it but she was sure that she could learn along the way. It couldn't be that hard, could it?

Sephiroth's first match was over quickly, just as Sienna's was. Angeal was actually pretty good. He had finished one of the other men just shortly after she had taken care of her own.

"Not too bad for a girl." Angeal grinned. "I'm impressed."

Sienna couldn't help but grin. "Thanks. I'm surprised with you myself."

He grinned back. "You haven't seen anything yet."

She gave a laugh and it made Sephiroth's eyes narrow a bit. He watched as the two of them continued to talk and laugh with the other. For some reason, he didn't understand why, but watching her talking, laughing, having fun with this new person made him furious! Normally he could control his anger but this…this seemed to be different than his other anger. What could this mean?

"Now, you are the final two teams, that means that the final match will be between the four of you. Two on two, just like before. Then the final two will fight eachother."

"Blah, blah, blah," Sienna waved her hand as the simulation began. They were now standing upon the Sister Ray in Junon, the sun shining down on them. "Let's just go."

"Infinite in mystery," Sienna had lifted her hand to summon her sword but froze and raised a brow at the boy standing beside Sephiroth. Genesis held a book in his hand, reading from it. "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."

"Really, Genesis?" Angeal laughed at him. "At a time like this, my friend?" It seemed that these two knew eachother.

Genesis smirked. "Always."

"Friends, huh?" Sienna asked. "I've never seen either of you here in Midgar. Where are you from?"

"We're both from Banora." Angeal answered her. "We've been together since I can remember; and that's a bad thing."

She gave a laugh at the joke before lifting her blade. "Good, then you can take care of him while I take Sephiroth!" Sienna didn't wait for an agreement; she just took off at the silver-haired teen that wore a smile on his face as he jumped back from her, preparing Masamune for his own attack. But before anything else could happen, Sienna was blocked off by another blade.

Genesis stood there, his blade pared off against hers, a grin on his face. "I already know how strong Angeal is and since he is my partner you are the only other one that I can fight."

Sienna stared at him for a moment as anger shoot through her before it faltered into something else. She gripped her sword tightly and ice slowly began to form around it in rugged chips. "Then I guess that I'll just have to take you down first."

Sienna was impressed, but she'd never admit it. With all the other normal men that she had fought before never before had they taken her attacks as casually as he did. His strength was…to be honest, amazing as was his ability to stay calm in the midst of it all. His ability to stay calm pissed her off though. Just like Sephiroth's did. Why were men so so…smug? Especially in battle?

"I must say, I am impressed." Genesis told her. They were standing on the cannon again, facing the other as Angeal and Sephiroth were fighting in the air above them. "I didn't expect a woman to put up a fight as good as this. It truly tells me that my choice for coming to become a SOLDIER was not a waste."

"Really? Should that make me feel honored?" She asked.

"Without a doubt." Genesis smirked. "But I'm afraid that I can no longer play. Angeal needs my help with Sephiroth, you see."

"So, going to team up on Sephiroth, huh?" Sienna chuckled. "That still isn't going to work."

The teen shook his head. "We'll see. Now, I'm afraid that I have to end our little game. Or you could surrender. I really don't like the thought of hitting a woman."

"Surrender?" Sienna tilted her head to the side with a confused look. "What…what does that mean?"

"What does that mean?" Genesis looked at her like she was stupid. He shook his head. "I'll take that as your answer. Come. Let's finish this."

Sienna didn't understand what he was talking about. Surrender? Was that like…losing? For some reason it made her feel uncomfortable. Her mind was caught in her thoughts as Genesis rushed at her again. She didn't notice anything until the sharp sting began in her left side. Genesis was standing in front of her, a confused look on his face as he pulled his sword back. Lifting her hand, Sienna took a good look at the think, warm liquid that was now sitting there. Blood. Her blood. This was the first time that she had ever seen it. The sight of it, it made her head light and she stumbled backwards. She hit something and a set of arms stabled her.

"Are you all right?"

Sephiroth.

Sienna glanced back at him as Angeal landed beside Genesis before nodding. "I'm fine." She knelt down to the floor, placing her hand over her wound as Genesis told Angeal that he expected her to move.

Sephiroth lifted his eyes from the woman and glared at the man in red. Genesis watched as they narrowed and he lifted that long blade of his as he got ready for an attack. Sephiroth went to step forward but the sound of cracking made him pause and look down.

Sienna had laid her hand down on the cannon, spreading spikes of ice all across it as her other hand spread ice around the wound in her side, stabling the blood and the pain. She stood back up, her fierce gaze returning. "My apologies, Genesis. Shall we continue?"

"But Sienna," Sephiroth began. The look she gave him cut him off before a small smirk stretched across his face. He backed up, leaving her to her task. "As you wish."

Genesis raised a brow and watched the silver-haired teen back away from the woman in confusion. Something was strange about these two, but just what was it? Well, whatever it was he didn't have the time to find out as Sienna ran at him. He tried to move out of the way but found himself slipping across the ice. Her blow landed on his face; thankfully it was her fist and not her sword.

"On your feet." Sienna growled. "By the time this is over I want you to beg."

"Beg? Me?" Genesis pushed himself back to his feet, clutching his blade in anger. "Genesis Rhapsodos will never beg." Running his hand along his blade, he stabbed it into the ice. Fire spread along it, melting him a path through the ice towards Sienna. He hurried down it, her coming at him just the same.

Their blades met in the middle, sending off shards of ice and sparks of fire each time they hit. A grin of success spread across her cheeks as she felt her blows getting stronger while Genesis' were getting weaker. A new burst of power seemed to unlock inside of her and she gave out a yell as she knocked Genesis' blade from his hand and went in for a stab.

"Don't do it, Sienna!" Gast's shout cut her off and she froze.

Sienna found herself back in the training room, standing over Genesis as Sephiroth and Angeal watched, both of them ready to spring forward and grab her sword if she were to go any further. Genesis lay beneath her, breathing hard and his eyes wide as she stared up at her, his eyes stuck on the tip of her blade. She was sure that the men outside were watching too. She dropped her arm and glared at the camera in the corner of the room.

"Don't do what?" She demanded before she turned to leave the chambers.

Sephiroth turned and watched her go as Angeal helped his friend up. The man on the intercom told them that the test was over.

"What in the world just happened?" Angeal asked.

"I'm not sure," Genesis shook his head as he moved forward. "Do you know?" He asked Sephiroth. The silver-haired man was silent for a moment before moving forward and following the other teen outside. Genesis watched him before turning to Angeal with a small smile on his face.

"What's got you so happy?" His friend asked.

"Oh, nothing. I just believe that this decision was a great choice."