Hey guys! next chapter here! Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII and it's characters. All I own is Kaja, and any character I think of. :)
Chapter 5: Training
My alarm woke me at 0600 hours just as planned. I took a shower under the small stream of water as fast as I could and dressed into my new uniform. The buckles were a little confusing at first but I got the hang of it. I go to the cafeteria again for breakfast feeling an insane amount of hunger again. By 0700 I was done and ready to go to training. I take the elevator to the SOLDIER floor, number 49 and decide to sit in the waiting room. No one was around yet so I stuck to looking at my phone examining the details and what the feature were.
In my trance of technology I failed to notice someone come in. I only noticed them when they cleared their throat. I look up quickly with wide green eyes. The young man looking down at me had auburn locks and bright blue eyes. He wore the same color uniform as me, a dark purple.
"Are you a new recruit?" He asked me in a soft voice. I nod slowly and rise to me feet. He was still taller than me. He smiles and thrusts his hand in my face. "Well, it is nice to meet you. Are you sure you are in the right place? The SOLDIER program is tough."
I take his hand tentatively and give it a firm squeeze. "I'm tough enough," I tell him confidently. Or at least I hoped I was. I was really unsure on what would happen since my past was still un known to me.
"Well I hope so." He reaches up and plays with some loose strands of my hair. "What pretty hair. It's even brighter than mine." I hide a creeping blush on my face with a scowl.
"Genesis," a man behind us tells him in a warning tone. "Stop harassing her and go to class." The husky dark hair man approaches and moves the red head in front of me to the side. "Sorry about that ma'am. Genesis doesn't mean any harm."
"It's fine. As long as he keeps his hands to himself." I return his warm smile. So the auburn haired one is Genesis. "May I ask your name?"
"My name is Angeal Hewley, SOLDIER 3rd class, rank 1. This," He jerks his thumb at the red head. "Is Genesis Rhapsodos. He is also SOLDIER3rd class, rank 1."
"It is nice to meet you both. I am Kaja Hayes, and I just joined SOLDIER yesterday. I am still a 3rd class rank 10."
"Very well met. We should get to our lessons now. The faster you learn the faster you will go up in the ranks." I nod and follow my two new friends.
The entire morning was spent with a large group of other 3rd class SOLDIER. We learned how to salute someone properly, the history of the company (which was rather interesting), materia, the theory behind it, and then how to carry out missions to a point of success. All the time, Genesis and Angeal sat next to me, giving me pointers and telling me what to expect. Those two were like a blessing for me.
On our afternoon break for lunch before training I decided to ask a question that had been bothering me. "Hey, do you know of anyone in SOLDIER who has silver hair?" Angeal raised an eyebrow and Genesis half choked on his food.
"You mean you don't know?" Genesis was aghast. I shake my head and he acts shocked. "There is only one person in SOLDIER and he is 'the hero of dawn, healer of worlds.' His name is Sephiroth. No one knows much about him except he is an amazing SOLDIER. Even though he is still a 2nd class he is known as a hero, he saved his whole team out on a mission when eve the 1st in command could not. I hear he will be promoted soon."
"Sephiroth…" I let the name roll off of my tongue. It sounded so soft and gentle. "I saw him yesterday in Professor Hojo's lab. He looked," I pause for a moment trying to think of the best word. "Well, he looked a little sad and distant."
"Sephiroth was raised within the walls of Shin-Ra," Angeal informed me. "but enough of all this depressing talk. Training starts in ten minutes, let's hurry it up."
We finish off our lunch and head back over to the SOLDIER floor. "Oh Kaja," Genesis turns to me while walking to the training room. "Don't expect special treatment just because you are a girl. In fact they may train you harder. I think Miss. Nina, the 2nd class is pushed twice as hard compared to the other 2nd class SOLDIERs."
"Don't worry Genesis, I will make it through fine." At least I hoped so.
I will now change the definition of "fine" to: bruised, battered, harassed, and almost deaf from the instructor's loud bellows. Genesis was not kidding; I was pushed to my limits which surprised me and my instructors. Who knew I could run a mile without losing my breath or breaking a sweat? Something even most of the thirds have trouble with. Who knew that the instructors would make me run till I dropped? Or at least until he said we were moving on, but I was tired from it. Who knew that because I was a girl that another third would pick on me and push me around? Well, I for one did not. Let me explain a little more of what happened.
It started out with two hours of stretching, sit ups, pushups, squats, jumps and even strengthening work outs. The instructor bellowed out directions in our ear, spitting in your faces with his loud words. As he said, "you can't be a SOLDIER if you can't maneuver quickly and gracefully."
We next moved onto running. We ran a consecutive 10 miles which was surprisingly not too hard for me. I found that some of the other thirds where having trouble even after the first mile. The instructor was surprised by my endurance and chose for me to run faster.
As soon as my legs started to hurt we were moved onto hand to hand combat. The young man I was paired with had softly curling blond hair and dark brown eyes. The smile on his lips was mocking, he thought I was weak. I showed him though when he failed to block a punch and I broke his jaw. I felt a little bad. But not really.
We were next moved into sword fighting. The blade I was given was poorly made, two handed and surprisingly light in my hands. I saw some of the thirds had trouble keeping their arms up. I looked down at my arms and noticed they were no bigger than the boy's who was struggling. I was given no time to ponder however because I was partnered with another person. This time, Angeal faced me with a small gentle smile. He did not doubt me or look down at me. I was actually really glad because he knew a lot about the sword. If I made a small mistake we would stop and he would quietly tell me what needed fixing before the instructor noticed.
Our last thing to do for the day was an hour of target practice with guns. I was told we did not do as much gun fighting but it was useful to be a good shot. I tried a vary of guns but liked the pistol the most, it fit well in my hand and wasn't bulky like the sniper riffle.
Genesis and Angeal pulled me to the cafeteria when us 3rds were released from our torture known as training. My legs and arms where sore and I could feel several bruises forming already. I wolfed down the food I was given and we all arrived at the apartment building. Surprisingly we were on the same floor our doors just a few apart. We gave each other incredulous stares and started laughing. We agreed to meet up for breakfast in the morning and then go to training together.
I shower for the second time today and decide that I would just shower in the evenings after training to save myself some money on soap. I changed into what I deemed my new pajama clothing and relax on my bed turning the TV on. I let the news reporter quietly ramble on about the war in Wutai for a few minutes before deciding I was too tired to stay awake. I let sleep take me to a dreamless sleep.
Genesis and Angeal came for me at 7:00 just as planned and looked way too awake for their own good.
"What is it Kaja? Not a morning person?" Genesis had chosen to annoy me first thing. I just grumble in response.
"Genesis," Angeal smacks him on the head. "What did I tell you about pestering her." Genesis gives a toothy grin and winks at me. I sigh and give him a small smile.
Breakfast was a somewhat loud affair between us since Genesis decided to read out of his new favorite book called "Loveless." I swear, I think I might hear him reading it in my sleep.
Classes started out the same as always and continued much like the previous day. I soon found that many of the SOLDIERs did not like me. They glared at every corner and whispered behind my back. I could hear them, they kept saying that I was sleeping with someone, but I ignored them. Why get worked up over something that is untrue?
When Sunday came I decided to sleep in a little and then go train. I went to one of the training rooms held specifically for thirds and found a few others there too. I found a quiet corner and practiced with a standard issue sword, slowly working through a form and then going faster with each run through.
I heard footsteps approach from behind me but ignore whoever it was.
"Oh, look at her, isn't she fancy." I could not miss the unmistakable distaste in their all familiar voice for Jolon Nigel. "The girl can actually move the sword around. I thought that she would be too busy sleeping with someone that she couldn't train."
I close my eyes and spin around at lightning speed stopping when my sword was just barley pressed up against Jolon's neck. I look dead in his eyes and see fear on the surface. "I'm sorry, I was too busy actually training that I did not notice your despicable presence. Next time I will be sure your blood flows." I lower my sword and jerk my head to the side indicating he should leave.
His fear turns into sudden anger. He steps forward and moves to place his fist in stomach. I side step with ease and rap my hilt on his head. I see him shutter just slightly but he does not fall. I narrow my eyes and begin to doge the furry of fists that come my way. "You little piece of shit!" I feel the spit from his words. "When I get my hands on you, you are dead."
I take small steps out of the way of each punch still; I can see he begins to tire. In my concentration on Jolon, I fail to notice that one of his friends steps in and slips his arms under my arm pits, successfully capturing and elevating me off the ground. Before I can retaliate, a fist connects with my solar plexus harshly and the air in my lungs is immediately pushed out.
Jolon's face looked a little fuzzy when I look at his smug smile. Another one of his lackeys takes my sword out of my limp hands and discard it somewhere across the room. His fist comes across my face next effectively cracking my jaw. I wince but do not cry out; I am not going to satisfy their sick hunger. "You think girls can just join SOLDIER? This isn't no kitchen, so you best leave while you know what's good."
I give a small laugh. "You think that all girls just stay at home and cook? Well, this one's staying here." Jolon punches me on the other side of the face cracking the other side of my jaw too.
"You will thoroughly regret staying in SOLDIER once I'm done with you, bitch." He turns to the person holding me. "Drop her."
The guy in back of me does what he is told and throws me on the ground. Jolon's boot comes down on my ribs and cracks those too. My eyes widen at the searing pain that clouds my mind. I feel several pairs of boots connecting with my sides shortly afterwards, meaning his friends must have joined in with the fun too.
I clench my teeth as one person, probably Jolon, spits in my face. I promptly hear his voice telling his friends to follow him. He had enough of "beating the wench up." I lay in the same spot for an unknown amount of time, just staring at the ceiling, holding back tears. The first week I am getting beat up and still do not remember anything from my past.
I curled up into a ball of pain putting my face into my hands. I didn't want to feel anything; I didn't want to think of anything. I just felt, like I didn't want to exist. Wiping my eyes I manage to get to my feet and collect my sword that was thrown in a corner. There were a few others in the training room, their eyes would quickly flit to me and then back to their partner or a wall. I return my borrowed blade to the supply room and limp back to my room. Half way down the hall I heard a couple of male voices talking. I turned the corner and freeze immediately.
Genesis and Angeal are standing in the hall, grocery bags in hand, in the process of opening up Angeal's door. They stopped and stare back at me.
"Minerva…" genesis whispered under his breath looking wide eyed as my appearance.
Angeal drops his bag and tries to rush over to me. I quickly regain some sense and rush into my room slamming the door into his face. I leaned against the door and sat down slowly letting my face fall into my knees. "Kaja!" Angeal's voice was concerned. "What happened?"
I don't answer and shake silently. "Kaja," Genesis this time. "Open the door, we are worried!"
"Just, go away," it was more of a whisper than the yell I had wanted.
"Kaja, did someone hurt you?" Silence. "Who did this to you?" I don't answer again. I can hear them talking to themselves quietly. "Genesis, who do you think did this?"
"I don't know, could be a whole lot of them. We can't tell for sure unless she says someth—" They both got eerily quiet.
"What do you think you are doing in front of lady's door whispering like that? Don't you know that's rude?" My head shot up, that's Nina. Technically if she ordered me, I would have to open my door.
"But ma'am, Kaja, looks like she got beaten up." Genesis sounded almost whiney.
"Beat up?" I could only imagine their nods. "Kaja, it's me Nina, will ya' open the door?"
I shook my head. "I just want to be alone." I tell her.
"Kaja, I will pull rank on you if you don't. Please just open the door so we can get you fixed up."
I sighed deeply and stumble to my feet again. I slowly open the door and step outside letting them survey the whole damage. Nina looks so apologetic. "Oh, sweetie…" she almost breathed the words to me. "Come on; let's go to the medical wing."
I look away and sigh again. "Alright, let me just put on some cleaner clothing." I close the door and change as fast as I can, wincing from all of the pain. I look on my bed and see a folder that was not there that morning. I pick it up and read the context and frown. Professor Hojo wanted me back in the lab today.
Oh, this chapter killed me! I hate to swear and I felt so terrible writing it even if it wasn't me swearing. T.T
Next time, Hojo is Hojo and the first monthly SOLDIER exam! :D
p.s. if people review I will make story art... :P hint hint!