The battle at fort Nagato was a triumphant victory for Shinra. Sara was able to infiltrate the fort easily and open the gates. The battle was over in a few hours.
As the days went on for weeks, Sara spent most of her time in the shadows gathering intel while destroying Anti-Solider monsters. She spent most of her days camping in the forests of Wutai, hiding in caves and sometimes in the trees. Yet, she felt lonely as she continued her duties as a fellow SOLDIER.
One night, Sara turned on her phone and looked through her messages. She would keep her phone off during the daytime, while at night, she would turn it on to see if Heidegger had sent her more missions to take on. But this time, she didn't see anything from Heidegger but from Director Lazard.
Dear Saraphina,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been invited to the annual New Year's Eve Ball the company is hosting for its employees. And considering your hard effort, the president has granted you and the other 1st class members two weeks off as a token of appreciation. Please head back to camp within the next forty-eight hours, where a chopper will take you back to headquarters, and also, you are due for a health check. Head to the Research Department for your health exam when you arrive at headquarters.
Sara sighed as she turned off her phone and turned in for the night. She was thinking about the beautiful feeling of sleeping in her bed. That night she got a blissful sleep.
The following day, she and Kikki headed back to the main military camp; it took them a whole day to reach it, and by the time she arrived, it was already dusk. After putting Kikki in the stable, the lovely chocobo munched down on some greenies as Sara headed to the main tent. When she walked in, not only Heidegger was there, but Sephiroth, Angeal, and Genesis were standing around the table.
Seeing Sara, Genesis smirked, "Well, look who finally showed up."
Angeal walked over to Sara and hugged her, "Welcome back, Saraphina."
Sara smiled, "Good to be back."
Sephiroth said nothing but only smiled, yet unbeknownst to everyone else. He was relieved and happy to see Sara alive and well.
Heidegger scoffed, "Since you're all here, I know you've been invited to attend the New Year's Eve party. Quite frankly, I don't give a damn about some parties. But as they say, end the year on a solid note, and we will. You all have a choice, you can fly over to headquarters now or wait until morning. So what's it going to be?"
Genesis replied, "I'm down to leave now."
"Same," Angeal agreed; Sephiroth nodded, and so did Sara.
Heidegger nodded and ordered one of the foot soldiers to take them to Shinra headquarters.
The four 1st class SOLDIERs began to make their way to the chopper that was ready for them. Sara sat on the seat closest to the window, followed by Sephiroth, who sat next to her. Then sitting in front of them were Angeal and Genesis. The helicopter began to take flight heading back to Midgar.
"You look a bit rough there, Saraphina," Genesis spoke with a smirk, but there was a hint of concerning light in his eyes.
Sara rolled her eyes and grumbled, "I haven't bathed in days and am not looking forward to the health check-up I've got to attend."
The men frowned when they heard her say, 'health check-up.' It was something SOLDIERs preferred to avoid talking about it. Usually, people who go for a health check-up with the doctor ask questions, take a few blood samples, and the patient is done. But for those who are SOLDIER members, it's different. Because a SOLDIER is enhanced with mako energy, the doctor, or in this case, a scientist, has to take note of the mako level activity within the vessel's body. Usually, they would have to put the patient in a tank submerged in water while monitoring the heart, mako, etc. Each member of SOLDIER has to have the right balance amount of mako in their bodies, and over time that can change. If there is too little or too much mako, then more or less mako must be inserted into the SOLDIER's body. But going through with that is exhausting. Some members were out for days after their heath check-ups, while others were exhausted for several hours. Either way, the members of SOLDIER never liked the health check-ups.
"Is there anything you want us to help you with after your check-up?" Angeal offered.
Sara half-jokingly said, "Maybe carry me to my apartment?"
"I can do that," Genesis and Sephiroth both replied in unison.
The two glared at each other; Sara was surprised to hear two men answering at once, but seeing them looking at each other like they wanted to kill. Sara quickly talked in an attempt to ease the situation.
"I-I was only joking; I can get to my apartment alone. There's no need to worry," Sara sputtered.
But Sephiroth frowned, and Genesis crossed his arms, asking her, "You sure you don't need help?"
Sara nodded, and Genesis looked at the window next to him. From there, silence remained.
Once the chopper landed at Shinra headquarters, Sara immediately bolted out of the helicopter, not wanting to stay another minute with the others. She felt awkward the whole way after the conversation that happened. Yet, Sara couldn't understand why Genesis and Sephiroth seemed slightly disappointed. Then again, she hadn't seen them in a long time, so a lot had changed. Sara headed to her apartment to shower to feel clean and clear her thoughts.
When Sara left, the three men that got out of the helicopter were both surprised to see her gone in a flash.
"Well, so much for that," Genesis grumbled; he had hoped that he would spend some time with Sara since it had been almost a month since the last time he saw her.
"What were you hoping for?" Sephiroth questioned.
"Why do you ask?" Genesis questioned.
Sephiroth answered harshly, "As her mentor, I'm curious to know why you've taken a sudden interest in her."
"Shouldn't it be "former" mentor?" Genesis corrected, "Saraphina is no longer your pupil if I remember correctly, and what difference does it make if I have taken an interest in her?"
Sephiroth was ready to punch Genesis in the face when Angeal stepped in between the two looking at them with a scowl.
"Enough, you two!" Angeal exclaimed, "Both of you are fighting over one girl like two male dogs over a female. When both of you have forgotten one thing."
"And that is?" Genesis asked annoyingly.
"That it's up to Saraphina whom she likes," Angeal answered.
Both Sephiroth and Genesis looked at each other with dubious expressions. Seeing their faces, Angeal began to lecture them.
"Both of you have been so focused on competing against each other moments ago that you have forgotten that Saraphina has feelings too. If you want to impress her, you must win her over, and only then will she decide who she wants to go out with."
"And how are we supposed to do that?" Sephiroth asked.
"Well, the New Year's Eve Ball is coming up soon. Why not ask her to take her to the ball?" Angeal suggested.
It never occurred to Genesis or Sephiroth that the ball was coming up soon. Everyone who is invited has to wear formal attire. While the men dress in their best suits, the women wear the most dazzling dresses. Most people come to the ball in pairs, best friends coming together, or couples. If there was anything that would be embarrassing, is seeing a girl going to the ball alone.
Hearing his best friend's suggestion, Genesis smirked and began to walk off, "Well, looks like I've got to find Saraphina and ask her out to the ball."
Sephiroth only looked at Genesis coldly while walking towards the building.
Angeal let out a sigh while thinking, These two; I hope Sara chooses soon because I don't want to be the mediator forever.
After taking a shower and heading to the research department for her health check, Sara began to walk down the hallway with unsteady steps. When Sara went in, it was Hojo who did her health check. He asked her the typical questions and then took some blood work and discovered that the mako inside her was not balanced and there was too little. So Hojo put Sara in a tank and did a mako transfusion. Once Hojo was done with that, he dismissed her. Yet Sara had trouble making her way to the elevator but with shaking legs and using one hand to brace herself against the wall. She made it to the elevator at the end of the hallway.
Once she entered the elevator and pressed the button that would take the elevator to the floor, she needed to go. Sara collapsed on the floor and leaned her back against the wall. Her whole body was sweating with a high fever which is expected, along with breathing heavily. Yet, she couldn't wait to lay in her soft bed.
She heard a ding sound and realized that someone was coming in. Sara didn't want other people seeing her in this state, so she slowly tried to stand up. But she didn't realize that the person who walked in was Genesis, who was shocked to see Sara.
"Sara! You okay?!" Genesis quickly asked while rushing over to her.
Sara was relieved to see someone she knew come in. She didn't even protest when Genesis picked her up and carried her in his arms.
"Shit, you're hot to the touch," Genesis clicked his tongue, but Sara could only moan in response.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of you, okay?" Genesis looked at her worriedly, but she could only reply with a nod.
They reached the floor where the dorms were, but only to discover that Genesis did not take Sara to her apartment but to his. Genesis put her down on the floor for now while he fished out his keycard and unlocked his apartment. He carried her inside and laid her on the couch.
"I know this isn't your apartment, but you can leave once you've recovered. Okay?"
Sara said nothing but began to drift off to sleep. Genesis brought a cold washcloth from his kitchen and began to wipe off the sweat from Sara's face. It was soothing to the touch, and Sara fell into a deep sleep. Seeing Sara asleep, Genesis stopped wiping off Sara's face and then got up to go back to the kitchen, putting the rag up. He walked over to Sara and touched her forehead to feel her temperature. Her fever has started to go down. Genesis walked to his bedroom, pulled out a lightweight blanket, and covered Sara with it.
Genesis couldn't help but stare at her. He began to remember the time he started to like her. It was back when Sara had eliminated those anti-SOLDIER monsters. She was beautiful in person as she was in battle. After doing a few missions and becoming 1st Class, Genesis grew fond of her. Then when he found her at the restaurant, he wasn't disappointed that Sara rejected him first but rather intrigued. Then after Sara was gone for the longest time, Genesis began to think more about her. Having Sara in his mind was enough to keep him going throughout those battles he had to face in Wutai. But then he thought about Angeal's words, how Sara has feelings and has the right to choose who she wants to be with. Genesis knew that his best friend was right, and if he had to wait, he'd wait. But that didn't mean he was going to give up so easily.
He frowned when he thought of Sephiroth, who stood in his way regarding Sara. Genesis knew that he was no match for Sephiroth when it came to battle experience or strength, but when it came to fighting for a woman. He will not lose to that. Genesis knew that Sephiroth might be one step ahead of him because both Sephiroth and Sara were master and pupil. So there was no doubt that Sara had built some feelings for Sephiroth. But that didn't mean that he would try to win her. In the meantime, Genesis knew Sara needed rest, so he let her rest for as long as she wanted.
Sara woke up; her whole body felt like a weight as she slowly opened her eyes. She looked around, realizing she was not in her apartment but someone else's.
"You awake?" A familiar voice spoke.
Sara looked over her shoulder and saw Genesis sitting on a black leather chair with a book in his hand. The title of the book is called Loveless. While Sara could care less about the book, she was more curious as to why Genesis was the only one in the room.
"Where the heck am I?" Sara questioned.
"My apartment, of course," Genesis answered, "I didn't want to search for your keycard since you passed out. So I took you to my place to look after you."
Sara was grateful for Genesis looking after her while she rested. She looked around the room. Genesis's apartment had a more welcoming feel to it. The couches and chairs in the living room were all black leather, including the wooden coffee table at the center with a grey rug underneath. But there were abstract paintings on the walls with different colors, primarily vibrant colors. Yet, the apartment looks spotless, organized, and welcoming.
"You have a nice place," Sara commented.
Genesis smirked as he continued to read his book. Sara didn't want to bother him anymore and so she stood up from the couch, folded the blanket, and headed for the door.
"Hey Sara, can we talk for a bit?" Genesis said, breaking the silence.
Sara looked at him curiously and walked back to the couch. After sitting down, she asked, "So, what do you want to talk about?"
"The New Year's Eve ball is coming up," Genesis answered.
Sara felt a lump in her throat; she knew that when she heard about the ball. The first thing that popped into her head was who would ask her out to the ball.
"Genesis, um I..." Sara looked down at her hands while trying to find the right words.
"You don't have to answer right away," Genesis reassured her, "While I know you have a lot on your mind. I would be glad if I took you to the ball."
Sara looked away and asked, "But does accepting your invitation count as being your girlfriend?"
Genesis chuckled, "While I find that rather tempting, no, it doesn't."
Sara couldn't help but feel relieved, yet Genesis had to draw the line and said, "But that doesn't make it easy on me. For I still hope to win you."
Sara sighed, "It's the same for me."
"Oh? Is there someone else in your mind that you like?" Genesis questioned.
Sara bit her lower lip, not wanting to answer. Yet, the other person she thought was a confident silver-haired man.
Genesis frowned a bit and went back to reading his book, "If that's the case, then you better choose soon."
Sara looked at Genesis with a sad expression. While it was true that Sara had feelings for Sephiroth, she couldn't understand if she was in love with him or if she admired him. Then when it came to Genesis, she did find him attractive, but at the same time, she knew little about him. Besides that, he and Angeal were childhood friends born in the same town. But she couldn't say the same for Sephiroth. She remembered when she asked him about his family during her training days.
Flashback
Sara and Sephiroth were finishing the day's training session. It was during the summertime, and it was almost her birthday. Naturally, she wanted to go home and see her mom, but she knew that was wishful thinking.
"Let's call it a day," Sephiroth announced, and pulling out his phone and punching a few buttons, the training room began to turn back into the bare plain room.
"I do remember that you have a birthday coming up," Sephiroth spoke, "Do you plan on visiting your family?"
"If the company lets me see them, then yeah, I plan on it," replied Sara as she wiped her face with a sweat towel.
Sephiroth looks out in the distance and said, "Must be nice to have a family that you can visit."
Hearing this, Sara asked curiously, "What about you? Don't you have a family?"
Sephiroth only answered, "My mother's name is Jenova. She died shortly after I was born. My father, I do not even know if he's alive or dead. I don't even know his name or anything about him."
End of Flashback
Sara knew that Sephiroth was raised here at Shinra headquarters and didn't have to guess that he probably didn't have much of a childhood growing up. But looking at Genesis and Angeal, there was no doubt that they probably had a family and a normal childhood. Even Sara knew that she had a decent childhood apart from the bullying.
But for her to choose between two men was something that she had never encountered. In comparison, she admits that Genesis and Sephiroth were hotties regarding appearance. But when it came to personalities, that was something else.
Sara decided to leave and went to find her father. As she walked down the hallway, she bumped into someone, and that happened to be Sephiroth.
"S-Sephiroth!" Sara sputtered.
The silver elite looked down at her with a slight smirk as he moved to the side, letting her pass. She was about to move but Sephiroth grabbed her wrist as she looked at him startled.
"Are you going to the ball?" He asked.
Sara nodded meekly and knew what was coming next.
"If you have not found someone to take you to the ball. Then let me be the one," Sephiroth leans closer as those snake-like eyes seem to capture her.
Sara felt the room was heating up as her cheeks turned rosy; she jerked her hand away and bolted down the hallway. Sephiroth frowns as he looks at the hand that held that frail wrist. When he felt the wrist in his hand, it seemed so fragile that it could break if he crushed it. He didn't like the fact that she ran away like that, but at the same time, he could tell from her expression she seemed somewhat flustered.
Sephiroth turned around, heading in the other direction, when he saw Genesis leaning against the wall, reading a book blocking his way. The redhead looked at Sephiroth with a smirk. Sephiroth only clicked his tongue in annoyance and passed by Genesis, who still had that smirk.
Sara hurried to her apartment, and once she was inside, she quickly locked the door. Her breaths were relatively short; she did run the minute Sephiroth leaned so close to her. Sara closed her eyes and remembered those piercing eyes; just seeing them made her heart race. Then, with that firm grip on her wrist, Sara clutched it to her chest. Sara knew from experience that Sephiroth could crush her if he wanted to, but she knew he would never do something like that. But she wondered how it would feel if she were in those arms again. Sara never forgot that day when Sephiroth comforted her on the time they had a day off. The way he held her was so gentle and firm. Sara wouldn't deny the fact that her body was attracted to him physically. Sara knew that Sephiroth was more of a doer. He was like that during their training time, and Sara learned to accept it. But lately, she had been having these weird thoughts.
Sara took a deep breath and decided to visit her father. It was the weekend, so the likelihood of her dad working on the weekends was slim. Once she made it to the house and knocked on the front door. The door opens, and Darius welcomes her with open arms. Sara jumps into those arms hugging her father ever so dearly.
"It's so good to see you, Saraphina," Darius said happily.
"Same here, Dad," Sara replied with a smile.
"You want to do dinner somewhere?" Darius offered; Sara nodded since she had never had dinner with her father.
Darius grabbed his coat and locked the front door then they walked down the road. They went to a small restaurant that served pizza and hamburgers. Sara and Darius decided to share a pizza and order one with loads of meats and cheese. After ordering the food and drinks, they began to start a conversation.
"So how long are you going to be here?" Darius asked.
"I'm off for two weeks, and I've been invited to the New Year's Eve Ball," I answered.
"Oh?" Darius raised a brow, "And are you going?"
"Well, I do, but I have a problem," I sighed.
Darius asked, "And that problem is?"
I lowered my head and answered, "I don't know if I should go with someone."
Darius narrowed his eyes and took a sip, "And who is the guy asking?"
"It's not just one, but two," Sara replied.
"Their names?" Darius questioned.
"Sephiroth and Genesis Rhapsodos."
Darius spits out his drink, coughs a bit before replying with a look of shock. Sara nods to confirm that she is telling the truth. Darius shooks his head while pinching his nose.
"Dang, talk about double trouble. I never thought that the war hero and the newly 1st class SOLDIER would ask my daughter. I take it that you have a hard time deciding?" Darius grumbled.
Sara nodded, then she asked, "Dad would you take me to the ball instead? I don't want to answer those two, but if I chose one of them, the other would be hurt, and I don't want that. So could you take me to the ball?"
Sara hoped that she could go to the ball with her dad. That way, she wouldn't have to deal with Sephiroth or Genesis making moves toward her. It was apparent enough the way those two were acting toward her. But she didn't want to hurt their feelings and enjoyed a nice vacation.
Darius smiled at her sadly, "Sweetheart, I would love to, but I promised your mom that I would spend some time with her on New Year's Eve. So I can't help you out on this one."
Sara felt a bit crushed when she heard those words. But Darius added, "However, that doesn't mean I will help you choose a dress and show you how to dance."
Sara started to feel excited and happy that she hugged her father. Her dad may not have been there for her all those years. But doing this is an excellent way to compensate for the lost time. Sara was sad that her father couldn't take her to the ball, but she understood his reason for spending time with mom was important. At least she was glad that her dad was turning over a new leaf. But she still had her concerns about Genesis and Sephiroth.
"But what should I do about Genesis and Sephiroth?" Sara asked.
Darius smiled at her, "Sweetheart, you can't please everyone; it's impossible to do so. Do you have feelings for them?"
Sara thought for a while before she answered, "Well, I don't know. Genesis seems to be rushing like he paid for my meal the day after I became 1st Class when I went shopping. Then he helped me today when I tried to walk to my apartment after my health check-up. Sephiroth has taught me a lot of things, but when it comes to personal matters. He's mostly a man of action. He gave me a necklace that I wanted, and he let me vent my frustration when I found out I couldn't see Mom. So I know both are good people in their way but at the same time. I don't know where my feelings lie."
Darius listened for a while then the waiter brought the pizza they ordered. After the waiter left, Darius began to lecture.
"Saraphina, I'm afraid you must figure this out yourself. As I said before, we can only please some. We can make someone happy and, at the same time, make someone sad. There will always be wins and losses. Yet you'll never know what comes out of the choices you make."
Sara was surprised to hear her father say that; she didn't realize that she may have been too focused on pleasing others. But her father was right; there will always be wins and losses. Sadly Sara wishes she didn't have to choose between two men.
After eating the meal, the two head out to go dress shopping; they found a small boutique store that sold lovely evening dresses for galas and weddings. Eventually, after trying on a dozen dresses, Darius bought his daughter a dress that was perfect in his eyes. Even Sara liked the dress her father chose. It was an elegant mermaid gown with spaghetti straps, with sequences on the lace in a dark navy blue color, and an open back that goes down to her lower back. The dress fit Sara perfectly, and it wasn't too sexy or too modest; it was just perfect.
Sara asked her father if she could spend the night over, and he agreed. Darius slept on the couch, while Sara slept on the only bed in the house. For the next several days, Sara would practice her dancing with Darius. To her surprise, her father was a good dancer. He taught her the moves, not to take the lead but let the man lead. It was fun for both father and daughter.
After spending a whole week at her father's house, which Sara didn't plan, the New Year's Eve ball was tomorrow, and Sara was looking forward to it. But at the same time, she wasn't because she had yet to decide who she would go to the ball. As she walked back into the Shinra building, Sara kept a sharp eye looking for any signs of Genesis and Sephiroth.
She was grateful she didn't run into them as she made it to her apartment. But she knew that she would face them sooner or later.
Sara pulled out her phone and turned it on since she decided to turn it off while with her father. She didn't want anyone to ruin her moment with her dad, which was selfish. Once she turned on her phone, a wave of messages came from two men she knew. All of them had similar questions, 'Where are you?' 'Can we talk?' 'Why aren't you answering your phone?'.
Sara felt guilty for turning off her phone, but she had to escape the noise. She had to clear her head and look for answers. Sara knew what she must do: give them her answer. She couldn't run away nor hide from it; she had to face it.
Sara put her dress away, began to make her way toward the elevator, and decided to go to the library. Once she made it to the floor where the library was, she stopped only to find Angeal, Genesis, and Sephiroth walking out of the library. The men spotted her and were surprised to see her.
"Saraphina, where were you?" Genesis asked with a hint of anger in his tone.
Sara didn't like his tone, crossed her arms, and replied curtly, "I was spending time with my father. Got a problem with that?"
"Why didn't you reply to my emails?" Genesis questioned.
Sara answered, "Simple, I turned off my phone."
"You did what?" Sephiroth raised a brow. Angeal stepped away while shaking his head.
"I turned off my phone," Sara repeated, "And before you asked, I wanted to get away for a bit so that I could clear my head and find my answer to the one question both of you have asked me."
Genesis and Sephiroth held their breaths as they waited for her answer.
"I won't go to the ball with anyone."
"What?!" All three men exclaimed in shock.
Sara rolled her eyes, "Honestly, I'd rather go by myself than choose between you two."
Sara turned to Genesis first, "Genesis, while I appreciate the meal you paid for that day and looking out for me after my health check. I still need to learn about you. While I know you are interested in me, the truth is that I don't like very persistent men."
Genesis was shocked to hear those words, but Sara wasn't done with her lecture. She turned to Sephiroth, "And you. While we've had a long relationship, and you taught me how to fight. I don't remember you ever once asking more about me. I won't deny that I was happy in your arms that day when I was under stress, and you comforted me. Along with the necklace you bought that I always wanted. But there's more to gifts and intimacy. So instead of choosing between the two of you, I've decided to go to the ball alone and don't even think about trying to stop me. Because if you do, I might not ask you out on a date."
With that, Sara left them, leaving all three men stunned.
Once Sara left, the guys were utterly stunned by Sara's words.
Angeal broke the silence with a heavy sigh and muttered, "Well, you heard the lady. Guess the two of you need to work on what she mentioned."
Angeal heads to the elevator while Genesis and Sephiroth remain on the spot.
Genesis knew he was persistent mainly because he was trying to catch up to his rival. But he didn't think that Sara would not like that. Sephiroth was at a loss as well; he felt that if his actions spoke louder than his own words, then maybe Sara would fall for him. Sephiroth had never felt at a loss before and he did not like it.
Genesis sighed and turned to Sephiroth, "Well, what are you going to do?"
Sephiroth humphed, "I should ask you the same."
Genesis groaned before saying, "At least let me have a dance with her tomorrow. Please give me some slack."
Sephiroth raised his brow in amusement. He didn't think that the redhead would ask him for something.
"She's already made it clear about what she wants from us if we want to win her," Genesis continued, "So for now, let me at least dance with her. I'm not going to steal her away. I'm going to let her choose, so it's up to her. Once she chooses then, the fight is over."
Sephiroth chuckled, "Alright then, it's a deal."