The Bivouac of Life

D-Chan: Yolar peepz! Long time no write, I decided to make this little story to make up for my lack of writing, but my dad deleted open office and I can't access any of my sxw files, which all of the stories happened to be in, and I can't download because we just got the latest version of windows with multiple names and he's the only one with down load rights….

H-Chan: Our dad sucks major Bush balls! (sorry to all Bush supporters.)

In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of Life,

Be not dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!

Exert from,

'A Psalm of Life'

By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Cloud sighs as his trainer continues to drown on about the battle field. "Strife!" Cloud's head snaps up "Yes Sir?" The instructor sneers at him "We're being watched today, so pay attention!" He barks. Cloud sighs "Yes Sir, sorry Sir." He looks back down at the ground. Soon he hears a sound off to the side.

He looks up and over only to see the General entering the room, he lets out a small surprised gasp. A few people turn to see what had caused Cloud's reaction, more gasps follow. The instructor finally looks over "Ah! General, about time you arrived, I've been trying to whip these unruly cadets into attention since they arrived this morning, not that it seems to be working."

The General raises an eyebrow "Did you ever think that could be your own fault?" There are giggles from around the room. The instructor sneers around the room at the kids "Of course it's not my fault!" The General steps forward right in front of Cloud "Cadet?" Cloud snaps to attention "Yes Sir?"

The General smiles "See, I think it's just you, anyway, what have you learned here so far Cadet?" Clouds eye's narrow slightly in thought "Well ... not much, I'm kind of the runt of the litter, and I'm not aloud to use the gym until I win ten consecutive battle's, I can't battle until I master all my technique's, I can't master my technique's if I can't use my sword properly because I don't have access to the gym to practice."

Sephiroth blinks at the forth right answer "Well, that was interesting, here." Sephiroth produces a card from his leather trench. Cloud blinks and takes it looking down at it, he looks up at the General in shock "But, Sir, this is..?" Sephiroth nods "Yes, it's a pass to the gym, what type of sword are you taking up by the way?" Cloud puts the card in his pocket and grumbles and quietly answers "Uh… buster sword, Sir."

Sephiroths eyebrow shoots up "Oh really? Taking a liking to Zaxx have you?" Cloud shrugs "No, not particularly, you've been my idol since I was little Sir, I just like Lieutenant Zaxx's weapon better, seeing as your'se is one of a kind and only controllable by you." That gets a hardy laugh from the General "You have a way with words… Cadet...?" Cloud looks down "Cloud Strife, Sir." Sephiroth blinks as he hears snickers from around the room. He looks around at the smirking kids "What an appropriate name for times such as we live in."

Cloud looks up confused and the other children look just as baffled. The General chuckles once again "You're going to make a fine SOLDIER one day cadet, and even if you don't make it in, you'll still be a force to be reckoned with." Cloud blushes a bright pink color, still looking down. Sephiroth turns to face the instructor "You wouldn't mind if I schedule some private training with Cadet Strife do you?"

The instructor looks utterly bewildered "Of course I don't mind! But, Sir, why would you want a Cadet that's failing the class over one of my top students?" Cloud turns red with shame and continues to watch his feet. Sephiroth glares at the instructor "I do believe his failing is your fault, I think I can do better, so I'm going to give it a shot." The instructor turns an angry shade of red and glares at Cloud.

Sephiroth quirks a sarcastic grin "Good, Cadet Strife, our first practice session will be tomorrow at five AM." Cloud opens his mouth to protest but the words die in his throat as the General looks at him with a serious look. He closes his mouth and nods before looking down again. Sephiroth looks thoughtful "When would you like me to send someone to wake you for breakfast?"

Cloud looks up perplexed and blinks "uh… 4:30 is sufficient, ten minutes to shower, twenty to eat and get to the gym." Sephiroth nods "Thank you Godric, you may begin your class." The instructor goes about ordering the kids around. Cloud gets sent to the side to practice his techniques while the other kids begin sparring. Cloud grunts as he swings the sword around "This sucks . . ." He hears a deep chuckle and smooth voice reply "such is the bivouac of life."

D-Chan: Short and sweet people. Next chapter should be up by this weekend depends on my math teacher.

Fenris: D-Dono does not own Final Fantasy VII.