-Compensation-

The banquet hall was completely full. Gaudy ornaments, exquisite flowers, and heavy banners adorned every available space without interfering with the open dance floor – proof of an already known fact that Shinra was massive, all-powerful, and incredibly rich. Older men stood in an overconfident manner as they chatted away to their superiors, elegant woman clung to their dates, ecstatic looking young ladies gave aberrant smiles to every passing soldier, said passing soldiers either brushed them off or fed their inflated egos.

All this could mean only one thing; tonight was Shinra's exclusive staff appreciation gala ball, a grand social feast of Shinra employees from all departments high and low, their dates, and of course a few of Shinra's closest business partners. And unfortunately being the poster child of the SOLDIER department it was mandatory that Sephiroth attend.

He would have much rather spent the evening alone in the privacy of his quarters, but the president himself had ordered the ridiculous suit that Sephiroth now wore. It was tailored to his exact fit, tight across the shoulders, slimming down the sides, and adjusted to fit his intimidating height. And as per request of the president it displayed the numerous stripes of a General's title something Sephiroth could have done without, for it was attracting the eyes of numerous women and men alike.

Seeing the opportunity to slip into the depth of the crowds and be avoided completely, Sephiroth moved past a threesome of people who were deep in hushed conversation.

"Sephiroth!"

The General almost cringed at the recognizable voice and turned to face the fast approaching Shinra president. The short round man clapped him on the back, "The very man I was talking about Mr. Wallace, and here's quite possibly the best SOLDIER our army has to offer!"

Mr. Wallace was an hulking older man then the president himself judging by the slight graying hair and his wrinkled weathered hands. However his face was eerily young looking compared to the rest of him, his eyes were bright and inquisitive to match the predatory smile and the bulk of muscle under that suit, he offered a solid handshake.

Standing behind this Mr. Wallace was a woman in a plum colored dress, unlike the other two she merely glanced his way and now her dark eyes were back on the surroundings around her. He scoffed she must be Wallace's escort; a man with a lot of money can easily attract a younger beauty who has no interest in his affairs whatsoever.

"Mr. Wallace is a valuable business partner to the company, he was very interested in meeting you."

Sephiroth nodded, "Pleasure to meet you." He was trained for these unnecessary formalities.

"Delighted after all it's not everyday you shake the hand of hero."

Sephiroth despised this above all else, the unwanted invitation to the banquet was pushing it, the uniform was adding insult to injury, but keeping him around to entertain possible business prospects was going far enough. The displeasure on his features must have been plainly visible for it attracted the eyes of Wallace's assumed date. Sephiroth felt her gaze search his face and could have sworn her painted lips folded into the smallest of smirks.

"Well we must be leaving you it's going to be a long night and there's plenty to do," Shinra nodded in Sephiroth's direction as the other two cut a path through the hoard.

The General sighed; it was going to be a long night indeed.

OOOO

The night continued as expected with countless of disappointed ladies turned down to dance, several hundred raised eyebrows, a dozen whispered voices and stares. Retreating to an empty corner of the hall Sephiroth rubbed his temples in vain to fight off a steady headache.

"Careful now, it almost looks like you're actually not enjoying this."

He snapped to attention at the female voice and noticed that the empty corner was actually occupied by Wallace's date. Her very short stature had made her almost invisible behind a statue of the late President's wife. She looked up at him with the same visible smirk as before playing on her features.

" It's redundant after awhile and apparently I'm not the only one who thinks this, Where's your escort?"

She threw her head up and laughed her soft curls bounced about her neck as she moved closer to him, "I guess I'm caught you're quite observative General."

He noticed the heady scent of perfume and the way her eyes caught the light of the chandelier above them.

"I don't enjoy banquets they're all fake in a way. I'm here to oversee Mr. Wallace's business arrangements and make sure all goes well in a sense."

"And?" Sephiroth asked already knowing the answer.

"All has gone well," She smiled.

He nodded wondering how many lost lives or destruction would occur as a result. She was watching him from the corner of her eye and chuckled, "Not to worry the proposal was to limit some of the mako extraction sites, I'm sure your army won't be too affected."

Sephiroth was more surprised by the fact that the president had agreed to such a thing than her low opinion of him.

"What is your name?"

"Tifa."

What a strange name the General thought to himself, it definitely wasn't native to Midgar or even the surrounding towns. In fact he couldn't even place it to the nearby territories.

"You're not from Midgar are you?"

She laughed again softer this time, "Certainly not! Thank Gaia!"

He could understand her enthusiasm, no one wanted to be from a city where smog blotted out the starlight and filled your lungs with poisons – well most people anyhow. The first time he had left Midgar it was for a mission with SOLDIER. He remembered being amazed by a small farming community lacking skyscrapers and crowds; especially amazed by the bright pale moon and its stars, which had been something he had never seen.

The crowd around them began to disperse as the orchestra played an upbeat rhythm. Couples united on the dance floor and moved as one fluid wave, absentmindedly Tifa tapped her foot to the tempo watching a swaying duo ahead of her. And for a split second Sephiroth was tempted to test her grace.

"Do you dance Ms. Tifa?" He asked not caring if she thought poorly of him or not.

This caught the woman off guard and her dark eyes surveyed the floor, "Rather poorly I must admit."

He extended his arm and watched the inner struggle she had with herself before accepting it. It was almost satisfying that he could cause her some general annoyance, whilst she had been causing discomfort for him all night. It would be a relief he thought, if she stumbled or staggered while they danced for all eyes would be on her and not him. As the two entered the dance floor a small unanimous gasp could be heard across the room, women looked on with jealously and men eyed the tiny girl in the plum dress.

Sephiroth twirled her to the opening of the dance and was dismally surprised at how quick and surefooted she was, she lied he thought darkly. In fact, despite their vast difference in height she was able to keep up with his pace. From the back wall he could see two of his comrades, Zack and Angeal with ear-to-ear grins. He could almost imagine their thoughts, seeing a woman in such close proximity to the General was an unimaginable sight indeed.

Although it wasn't unpleasant it was rather awkward, her hand rested on his back and felt as though it was burning his skin, her features were much more visible up close everything from her pale porcelain skin to her long dark hair. She was younger then him likely, but her eyes and the way she held herself suggested knowledge beyond her years.

He felt suddenly stupid for putting himself in such a situation. Why did he do it in the first place? Was it to challenge and spite her? Was it the mix of wine and her beauty? Was it because she seemed different then anyone else at this banquet – or in all of Midgar for that fact? How different? She seemed genuine for one and wasn't impressed by his title like everyone else. Sephiroth found it a struggle just to catch her eye; even now they wandered between the dancers.

"Before you stated that you didn't like banquets and that they were fake. What did you mean by that?"

Tifa's eyes were instantly on him and he felt slightly flush under the heat of her stare. She arched her brow, "Surely I'm not the only one who realizes this is nothing but a den of sharks."

She gestured to a spinning couple on the left who Sephiroth recognized immediately as Scarlet and Heidegger.

"The scantily clothed woman is the head of Shinra's weapons development no? She tests a lot of her new weapons on small Shinra opposing towns filled with innocent people. And the fat man is in charge of Midgar's public safety, however he helped bring about the creation of the plate did he not? Some public safety that is."

Sephiroth was stunned, how could a she know this? He hadn't even heard of Scarlet's weaponry tests until a few days ago. It was on need-to-know bases for top Shinra personal only. The thought occurred to him that he might just be consorting with a spy, a clever one at that.

Sephiroth stumbled distracted by the sudden realization and she quickly caught him, her one hand clasped his own allowing him to right his balance. The sudden contact made him feel momentarily dizzy as the room seemed to spin and blur. The only thing in focus was her face, something that had astonished him equally as much as the first time he had seen the moon.

As expected all the eyes in the room were on him, the honorable General can't dance? How absurd? She offered a simple smile that wasn't malicious or smug considering his temporary fall from grace. Tifa waited on his lead and he gripped her wrist a little tighter than before pulling her into him.

She noticed the change instantly, her brow arched inquisitively while her jaw worked in a subtle angry motion. Sephiroth wanted to question the girl but he wanted to do it discreetly, any signs of malcontent or treason would blow this banquet wide open and question Shinra security.

Leading her back into the dance, Sephiroth leaned into her shoulder he could smell the perfume she wore on her collarbone. Walnut curls brushed against his chin, "are you working against Shinra?" he whispered slowly into her ear.

He felt her shuddered softly against him reminding him of a bird about to take flight, with his freehand he gripped her waist daring her to turn and run.

"I believe I'm dancing with the devil," she answered back in a low growl, "I don't work for Shinra and I don't work against it necessarily. I work to suit the needs of others and they say no more mako."

Sephiroth felt her heart beat rapidly against his chest but her eyes flashed dangerously. Was she afraid? How he hoped so, or was she just angry? How dare she fool him, how dare she have such an effect on him. Suddenly Tifa closed off the remaining distance between them. She was so close he froze; her crimson lips hovered inches from his.

"Are you going to apprehend me General? Have me tortured for information? Or kill me on sight?"

Sephiroth wanted to shake her, scream at her, and break every bone in her torturous body. Still she looked up at him her lips folding into that damn smirk, it was in that moment he realized he was powerless against her. He would not hand her in or even breathe so much as a word about her possible affiliations for reasons he couldn't comprehend.

"That would be unwise I don't have enough information to risk an altercation."

Tifa backed down opening space between them and Sephiroth was actually somewhat sorry for it. She scanned the dance floor half-hazardly, "I have to find my date," she stated leaving the floor with quick strides.

Looking at the grand clock that hung elegantly above the room he realized there were another four more blasted hours left before the banquet's end.

OOOO

The night carried on slower than before if that was even possible, the dull throb at the base of Sephiroth's skull from earlier tonight had ebbed into a raging ache. Fortunately he had been able to avoid attention for quite sometime now. Rashly he decided to treat his condition with alcohol when he noticed the makeshift bar was still serving drinks so late into the evening.

Sitting down to order a drink Sephiroth enjoyed the silence around him. It seemed the banquet's guest had had their fill of spirits judging from their demeanor and had abandoned the bar. He ordered a drink off the barmaid who seemed a little nervous by his presence. She handed him his order while avoiding eye contact a slight blush colored her face as she announced the small price. Sephiroth's free hand dug through his side pocket for some spare gil when a bill was slammed on the counter before his eyes.

Mako green eyes followed the hand of the bill's owner and were met with dark brown eyes. He gave an inaudible groan, Tifa smiled at the bartender, "I'll pay for my friend here please keep the tip."

The accursed woman sat in the free chair beside him, clearing her throat she met his gaze, "I'd like to apologize for my actions earlier."

Sephiroth felt dumbstruck for the ubteenth time, what kind of spy apologizes for doing their job? His silence caused her to sigh remorsefully, "Truly I am, I let my anger get the best of me I didn't mean to threaten you or this establishment," she stated with a wave of her hand.

Sephiroth gripped his glass harder then he should have stifling the urge to apologize back however, it failed miserably.

"I would like to apologizes as well for handling the situation less admirably than I should have."

She laughed, "Its ok, I'm just happy you didn't break my wrist."

He winced feeling guilty for handling a woman rougher than he should; she smiled at this and extended her hand, "Friends?"

He stared at her palm for a moment as if it might contain a concealed weapon before he took her hand in his and gave a delicate shake. Tifa's hand was much smaller than his own but it was soft and warm, immediately he was conscience of the rough calluses that scarred his own palm. If she had noticed she didn't pay any heed to it, she nodded appeased and broke contact abruptly, reminding him all too much of a business like aura.

"The night will soon be over, I'll be glad for it." She stated.

He was sorely reminded of the work ahead of him tomorrow, perhaps wandering aimlessly throughout the banquet hall wasn't as bad after all – especially with such intriguing company. He became aware that tomorrow he wouldn't have "said" company stalking him through the halls, an oddly sorry fact indeed for her temper and wit had begun to grow on him just a little.

From the corner of his eye he watched the girl fiddle absentmindedly with the jewel around her neck, her face held a weariness that hadn't been present earlier in the evening. The haughty way she held herself all night had evaporated within her tired frame and he wondered why her escort hadn't taken her home yet, it was terribly rude to leave a lady waiting on you all night. He felt stung by the image of two lovers embraced in sleep and pushed it out of his mind.

"So, what are your plans for tomorrow now that you have successfully averted more mako farming?"

Her eyes looked up from her previous distraction and she fumbled a moment for the right words, "Well really, nothing now my part is done."

She lost his gaze and toyed with her necklace again, a habit that Sephiroth was beginning to find highly annoying. She had after all been the one who sought his attention and now she was avoiding it completely. Why waste his time? He thought angrily why not say your apologizes and leave my presence all together?

She spun the chain continuously the small gem caught the light and reflected infuriatingly in his eyes. Again and again small fingers twisted the gold chain repetitively and again and again the diamond flash blinded his vision, finally a match flickered in Sephiroth's head and he snatched the woman's hand, folding her fingers with his own and stilling her motion at once.

Dark eyes flashed angrily at first before simmering into pools of regret, "Sorry," she stated simply.

He felt like breaking her arm and pulling her into an embrace all at once, the emotions she could stir simultaneously was also infuriating. He had never once met a person who he felt like slaughtering and ravishing all in the same moment, it was dangerous, thrilling, and unlike him at all.

Sephiroth noticed a blush about her cheeks and realized rather humiliatingly that he had been holding her arm for longer than necessary. He dropped it immediately and turned his attention to his glass praying that she hadn't noticed the banked heat in his gaze.

Tifa cleared her throat in an attempt to move the subject away from what had just happened.

"So, what are you're plans for tomorrow General?" the cool clipped edge returned to her voice.

"Please just call me Sephiroth," he snapped, "General makes me feel old."

She eyed him hesitantly before chuckling softly, "Alright then."

In truth he was likely much older than her, but hearing the title from her lips made him feel much older indeed. No one called him General except for the president and the many adorning fans he could do without.

"Mounds of paperwork, SOLDIER training, mako testing, etc," he said answering her previous question.

"Ah I see sounds rather boring," she mumbled.

"I guess it wouldn't beat saving the plant from mako farming would it?" he retorted almost hotly.

Her eyes narrowed and her chin rose upward defiantly, "You know I never planned on saving the "world". I had hope that one day mako extraction would stop all together so that mako wouldn't be tested on humans."

His attention perked at this and he watched her form slump faintly against the counter.

"I had a childhood friend once, he believed SOLDIER and mako was the calling in his life, mako would make him strong and SOLDIER would make him fight. I haven't seen him since," she sighed, "its not right mako is meant for the lifestream alone."

"SOLDIERS are injected frequently with mako to enhance our abilities, without it we wouldn't be able to fight for the protection of citizens in general," Sephiroth stated.

"I know but does it hurt?"

He was taken back by her simple question and the childlike innocence in which she asked.

"Yes."

She nodded solemnly before suddenly turning in her chair to face him, "they say the telltale sign of mako injections is in the eyes."

Tifa stared first at his face before finding his gaze and keeping it, he felt exposed in an instant like she could see all the things he had done in his life. He kept her stare however, as a silent declaration to himself and all he had accomplished.

Unexpectedly her hand began to move towards his face, she stopped and held it cautiously in midair as if asking for silent permission. He didn't respond opting to give her any icy glare but she took this as a yes anyhow.

The touch was foreign and encouraged a fire in his veins as her fingers moved down from his jaw line to his chin, she surveyed everything like an artist observing a priceless painting rather than a scientist observing a specimen. The great care she took in her movements was something Sephiroth wasn't akin to. A touch like this was something he had been deprived of all his life, memories of his childhood where he cried through the pain and craved a loving hand flashed through his mind. This touch was one reserved for mothers and their children or for one lover to another.

Tifa gasped swiftly and let her hand fall to her side her eyes moved to the floor in one fluid action, she realized what she had done was inappropriate, "My apologizes I've never seen mako enhanced eyes before."

Sephiroth just nodded afraid to say anything lest the words that he wanted to say streamed forth. She smiled falsely and turned to face the bar returning to her state of silence. This continued for a matter of minutes before he heard the approaching footsteps of the president and someone else.

"There you two are we've been looking all over the place!"

Sephiroth frowned at the counterfeit sweet voice of Shinra he knew later tonight he'd be scolded for not being at the president's side all night. He rose from his seat to greet the president and Mr. Wallace.

"It was my fault sir, I couldn't help but pester the general with questions of his travels," Tifa smiled brightly while joining her date's side.

"None the matter, Mr. Wallace and I have already discussed the mako testing site. You will have plenty of time to question Sephiroth next week when he accompanies the three of us there."

Sephiroth felt like he had just been kicked in the stomach, he already had a busy week ahead of him and now Shinra was throwing new and useless missions on him. Any infantryman could accompany the president to the testing site; using the General himself was just for a power display.

Tifa nodded swiftly but Sephiroth saw the same smirk on her mouth as he had the beginning of the evening. Wallace coughed rather loudly and motioned towards his date, "We better be off, uh we got important things to discuss."

"Certainly, you've been here long enough." The president replied.

Tifa curtsied towards the president, "Thank you for the wonderful evening."

Before she could turn away Sephiroth grabbed her wrist, her eyes widened in surprise as he laid a gentle kiss on her palm, "I look forward to accompanying you next week Madame."

As he did this he watched Mr. Wallace carefully, the man did not move nor did he seem genuinely interested with the sudden advance on his date. A strange feeling of relief bloomed in his stomach; they weren't romantically linked after all according to the body language.

Sephiroth watched the president's chest swell proudly and knew the man was pleased with this display of chivalrous charm. Tifa on the other hand still seemed in genuine surprise and she broke the contact and nodded quickly, increasing her stride to keep up with the monstrous man who was already leaving.

NOTE: So it took me over two months to write this, a severe case of writer's block and of course, the sheer challenge of keeping dear Sephiroth in character hindered my progress. Originally it was going to be a oneshot. If I do decide to continue this, bare with me I have no idea when the next update will be if at all.