Vagaries of Fate

Pop the Question

Chapter 4 

They all faced Sephiroth at first, but it wasn't long until she and Genesis formed a fighting unit. One darting out to clash with one of their opponents while the other defended. If anyone else had been watching, they would have been awed at how seamlessly the two of them worked together, weaving under or over each other's swings. Once they started casting as well, it became a beautiful dance of ice and fire. One to slip or slow and the other to blast their opponents away. Neither were aiming to harm their friends, but they weren't really pulling their punches either. None of them were. Clarissa found herself laughing at the rush as she clashed with Angeal before jumping back and catching the Masamune between her blades. Their blades flashed in the fading sunlight across the hilltop, although there was much less damage than she remembered from the last spar she watched. She laughed again as she remembered Angeal's quip.

By the time she started to feel her reserves finally draining, her limbs were beginning to tire as well. She caught Genesis' eye as they landed after another coordinated attack. She didn't have to speak. He jumped to clash with Sephiroth one last time before he jumped back and away. Clarissa moved to his side, and the others understood as well. She was sure they could have kept going for some time, but they were wearing smiles when they walked over. Seeing the three of them together and still smiling reminded her that everything had been more than worth it. She was glad they had this opportunity before they all had to leave.

When they reached them, Sephiroth spoke. "You have improved greatly since the last time I was able to spar with you. Although it has been several months. If you keep it up, it won't be long until you could go toe to toe with any of us."

She gave him a half-laugh. "I plan on keeping at it, but something tells me I'm never going to be at quite that level. That's ok, though. As long as I'm good enough to protect those that need me to, then I'm good with that."

Genesis huffed at her response. "You don't have nearly enough ambition. Your goal should be to one day beat one of us."

At his statement, she nearly doubled over laughing. When she straightened and managed to calm enough to respond, she almost started again at the glare he was giving her. She shook her head at him. "Not everything is about being the best. I think we each have our strengths, and that is enough. I understand it might not be for you, but I won't ever be that worried about it."

He huffed again, but his glare finally faded. She smiled at him before turning to the others. "Thank you for letting me join. That was more fun than I thought it would be."

Angeal shook his head at her before he spoke with a smile. "We already told you that you earned your place here. Don't forget, you are one of us now."

She shook her head at him. "It will take some time, I suppose. For tonight though, we should turn in. We all have a long day tomorrow."

Sephiroth gave her a nod and started to pull out his phone to dismiss the program. Before he could, Genesis called out. "Wait, there is one more thing I would like to do, and I would ask that you both remain."

Sephiroth frowned slightly, but he put his phone away. Angeal joined him with a curious look. Genesis turned to Clarissa and took her hand. He led her a short distance away from the others to an area that overlooked a grove in the distance, and that was mostly untouched. There was a single dumbapple tree that had missed getting singed. Once they were under the boughs, he finally turned to her. She was surprised to see him hesitant. She reached out to him with a concerned look, but he merely took her hand. After a few moments, her concern turned to shock when he knelt in front of her. He hadn't even said anything yet, but she suddenly found her breath locked in her lungs.