5

Kaci rolled over and opened her eyes to see the bright sun. Normally, it was fairly dark when she woke up, but she paid nothing to it. Her eyes glanced at the green numbers on her digital clock: 9:23. Immediately her eyes widened, "Holy Lemons!" Let's say that Kaci doesn't like sleeping in. Kaci threw the blanket off of her and ran to her closet. Grabbing her uniform, Kaci hurriedly took off her shorts and tank top.

Once dressed Kaci ran to her mirror. Her appearance looked relatively normal except for the curl in her hair, sure it wasn't as prominent as last night, but it was still there.

Kaci nodded and walked calmly out of her room. She made her way to the lounge, but her friends were not there. Kaci walked over to the table at the side of the room and pulled a muffin from the basket. She tore off the package and took a bite of the banana muffin. Deciding on this for breakfast, she grabbed two more and sat on the couch with her food.

Genesis, Angeal and Sephiroth were in the training room. Not training but just standing around doing nothing; they had finished their spar a few minutes ago. "Where's Kaci?" Sephiroth asked.

Genesis's attention perked at the mention of her name. "I don't know," Angeal answered.

"Maybe she's still asleep," Seph added.

"She doesn't like sleeping in. but depending on how late Gen kept her out…" Angeal and Sephiroth looked at the red-head.

"I didn't do anything to her! She's probably asleep!"

"I told you we should've waited up for them," Angeal said to Sephiroth.

Sephiroth shook his head, "I doubt we could stay up that long, right Genesis? Two in the morning is a little late right?"

"You two are impossible!" Genesis stood up and stormed to the door.

"Gen, we're kidding!" Angeal called to him.

Genesis sighed and walked down the hall, now he was wondering where Kaci was. She generally met up in the lounge or cafeteria with them. He opened the door to the lounge and saw the brunette sitting on the couch, her back facing him. He placed a hand her shoulder and leaned down, "hey, Kaci."

Kaci jumped and turned to him, "Genesis, don't do that."

Genesis chuckled and sat down, "What are you doing?"

"I'm eating," she said and took a bite of her muffin.

Genesis's attention went to her neck, a silver chain barely showed above her jacket collar. Genesis reached out and pulled it up. The necklace he had given her came up out her shirt, "You're wearing it."

"Genesis," she brushed his hand away and stood up to throw away the muffin wrappers.

"Kaci," Genesis walked over to her, "is there something wrong?" he stood fairly close to her.

Kaci looked down and took a step back, "Can we talk? Later I mean. Tonight?"

"Sure," he brushed his hand along her jaw line. Kaci turned away from his touch. Her phone rang, and Kaci seemed almost eager to answer it.

"Hello? Yes. Alright, bye," she left the room without another word.

"Kaci!" Kaci turned slowly and saw Angeal and Sephiroth walking towards her.

Angeal opened his mouth to speak, but Kaci cut him off abruptly, "Hey guys, I have somewhere to go, later ok?" she turned abruptly and walked away. Angeal and Sephiroth were dumfounded by her behavior.

"Genesis," Genesis looked up as Sephiroth and Angeal came into the First lounge. "What's going on with Kaci?"

"Beat's me, 'Geal," Genesis shrugged.

"Did you do something to make her mad?"

"Nope."

Kaci sighed and tucked her necklace back under her jacket. She didn't want Genesis close to her until she knew how he really felt. And maybe how I feel too.

All too soon she was in her father's office. "Hello, Kaci."

"Hello, president," Kaci responded.

Her father rose and walked over to her, "I'm afraid I couldn't get this to you yesterday, so I hope that today will suffice." He held out his hand and a pair of blue rose earrings sat in his hands.

"Thank you," she curled his hand around his and took the earrings. "I never expected you to be the kind of person to get me things like this."

"I have my moments, Kaci," he walked back to his desk. "I'm sure you have better things to do. Dismissed Lieutenant."

Kaci nodded, "Yes sir."

For the rest of the day Kaci avoided any situations where she and Genesis had to be alone. This was quite a few, more than she had realized. Now she and Sephiroth were sitting in the lounge while Gen and Angeal were off doing something.

"So how was the play last night?" Seph asked.

"It was good, the whole night went well actually," Kaci said.

"At least you had a good birthday."

"Yeah. But it didn't really feel like my birthday, I don't know what I'm saying."

Sephiroth didn't press the conversation any further, because Angeal came in with Genesis in tow, "What was that about?" Sephiroth asked.

Angeal sighed, "Lazard just wanted to tell us that we all have to take over training a class of soldiers and cadets. Except me, because I already did the Seconds."

"So who got assigned what?" Kaci asked.

"Genesis had the cadets," that earned a few snickers from Kaci and Sephiroth, "Sephiroth you have Thirds and Kaci has the Seconds," Angeal explained.

"Don't kill 'em Sephiroth," Kaci said.

"I will work them as I see fit," Sephiroth said calmly.

Genesis scoffed, "I can't believe I have to work with the puny cadets."

"Oh quit complaining Genesis," Kaci sniped. She got up and went to her room.

The female SOLDIER was worn out for some reason and she could only guess why. Kaci leaned on the railing of her balcony. She didn't know what to tell Genesis, if anything. Why can't this be easy? I mean I want to be with him, but there's a part of me that doesn't. I don't want to hurt him, but I don't want to tell him no either. "Why is this so confusing?" she groaned and placed her head in her hands.

Kaci's head turned when someone opened the door, "Kace?" Genesis walked in after closing the door.

"You know, Genesis," she turned to look at him when he came to walked beside her, "You really ought to knock before entering a woman's room."

"Sorry, Kaci," he said.

Kaci stood to her full height, still looking out over the balcony, "But we might as well talk," she looked at him over her shoulder, but his emotions were hard to read as of now.

"Ok."

Kaci sighed, choosing her words carefully, "Genesis, I want to know. Why did you kiss me? Do you feel something for me, or was it just because I was dressed up?"

"Kaci, I feel some sort of caring for you-" he began.

"Caring's not reason to kiss someone Genesis," she cut him off.

"I wasn't finished. It's more than caring Kaci; I want to be with you. You're my goddess," he wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his chin on her shoulder.

Goddess? Kaci knew that he was talking about the goddess in LOVELESS, but is that what she wanted? Did she want to be his goddess? "Genesis, I don't know how I feel. Please give me some time to think," she couldn't pick out the emotion in her voice, was it regret?

"Alright Kaci, take all the time you need," he kissed her cheek. She heard his leather jacket move as he turned around and walked swiftly towards the door. She could imagine it fanning around him when he turned, "Kaci." Kaci kept her back to him, "Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return." With that he left.

Kaci sighed, she wanted to be with Genesis but there was something hindering her from being sure. But she wasn't sure what.