Game Over.
Another Story by: Angelistical06
DISCLAIMER: I do not own. But you should know this by now…

Level 1: Gah'damn its hot.

"IT'S HOT!!"

A young Shinra officer shouted out into the night through the opened window of his small, dorm like room. A few dogs barked a reply to his call in the distance of that very hot summer night. Just his luck, their wing of the Residence Hall was having problems with the central air, leaving them to roast in a cement hell. The blonde sighs and slid down to the floor, the blinds clanking against the window. Not even a breeze was blowing. Nothing but still heat.

Sweat beaded down his brow as he scurried over to his small laptop, hearing the small chime. He had an Instant Message. He bent over his desk and fiddled with the touchpad, opening the small window.

HottieN-U: Cloudy-chan. I Bet its burning up over there, eh?

Cloud gritted his teeth in anger and furiously typed a reply.

TheGreenRangerROX1278: What do you want?

HottieN-U: Well.. I was just going to tell you the gym is Air Conditioned.. In case you wanted to cool off.

TheGreenRangerROX1278: Orly? Sweet, thanks!

HottieN-U: Yeah.. And by the way.. Your Screename sux balls.

TheGreenRangerROX1278 has closed the window.

With a smile, he dashes from the laptop and gathered his gym clothing.

(Moments later)

"Ah… Heaven." He smiled as he stepped into the cool surroundings of the open gym.

It was a bit crowded tonight, most likely with people from his wing. He held on to his basketball and walked over to an unaccompanied rim, looking around to make sure no one was paying him any attention. Because quite frankly.. Cloud sucked at sports. He smiled when he was sure no one was watching and rolled his shoulders back and forth briefly. He dribbled the ball a few times, amazed it didn't roll away from him and looked up at the rim.

"Ok.. Just aim at the little red square over the net…" He tells himself as he held the ball in front of him and bent his knees, preparing for a shot.

"Look what we have here.. A Shinra pup!"

Cloud sighed annoyed and turns around to see two SOLDIER members standing behind him. They were obviously bigger than him, obviously stronger and capable to kick his butt. But Cloud stood his ground.

"What's up guys?" He asked sternly while they circled him.

"We say you playing all by yourself and wondered if you wanted company…" The one in the green shorts snickered, the other in red shorts snatched his basketball from him.

"I'm fine. Give me my ball back." Cloud walks over to the one holding it.

"Nope. I like this ball." Red shorts passes it to green shorts, green shorts shoots a basket and red shorts run up for the rebound.

"Give me it back, seriously." The smaller male becomes angry and tries to run and get his ball before Red got to it first.

Green quickly ran up and grabbed Cloud up, whispering in his ear. "You're quite the pretty boy around here. I think we could have fun with you."

Cloud fell still for a second. What the fuck…?

"You got a lil fairy there, eh Sanos?" Red shorts called walking up to them, holding the ball under his arm.

The male named Sanos tucked Cloud under his arm as well.

"Lets break him in, shall we?"

"Like.. Hazing?" Cloud blue eyes lit up with excitement. Maybe he was finally being accepted by the bigger fish around here.

"Sure.." Red shorts smiled, patting Cloud's yellow spikes. He had a pretty little face, it would be easy to 'break him in'.

The both of them walked away, chuckling in unison as Cloud dangled from his arm, trying to chuckle with them. He couldn't wait to brag about this to Zack. His first week and he was about to be hazed and accepted. The blue eyed cutie hummed to himself quietly as he was carried down the hall and out the gym. They now where entering the SOLDIER residence section. This would be Cloud's first time over in this wing. ..So much nicer.

Suddenly their movement was halted. Cloud saw familiar black boots.

"What's going on here?" A strong, masculine voice spoke.

Cloud's head immediately shot up, his eyes wide in disbelief. Was this all for real? Was he really standing, well being held up in front of The General Sephiroth? He gasped in awe. Sephiroth was a lot taller in person.

"Sir!" Cloud saluted seriously, still dangling in the air under Sanos' arm. The other two quickly followed suit.

"At ease. And put him down." He sighed at them, already feeling annoyed.

Cloud was sat down, still beaming with happiness. He couldn't believe his luck! General Sephiroth in person.. He so wanted to break down and ask for an autograph.

"Now I'll ask again, what's going on?" Seph repeated, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Well, you see.. We figured he was new here.. So-so we decided to show him around, sir." Red shorts answered nervously. Cloud just nodded in agreement.

Who do they think they were fooling?

Sephiroth snatched the ball from them. "Get the hell out of here before I demote your sorry asses." He sneered.

The two SOLDIER fellas nearly stumbled over themselves trying to hurry away from their superior. Cloud watched blankly at their fright and back at Sephiroth who was studying him closely. To him, Cloud was just another naïve Shinra pup. That was until the youngster smiled full heartedly at him.

"They.. They weren't going to haze me… were they, sir?" Cloud tried his best to hold his smile.

"…No. No they weren't." Sephiroth handed him his ball back. Cloud took it and gripped it firmly, mumbling a thanks.

The taller male saw his expression fade and it nearly touched his heart. This officer was unique. He was so pure and.. Dumb..

Cloud tapped the ball, making it ring out with a thud. He nodded, understanding his silliness. He wanted to run back to his room and bash his head against a wall. He couldn't believe it indeed. Here he was.. Being saved by his hero.. He had hoped his first encounter with him would be with him doing something heroic instead. How embarrassing. His head remained low.

"Per-Permission to leave, Sir?" He mumbles, still unable to look at him.

"Granted. Go back to your room and rest up. Training starts tomorrow."

Cloud was about to turn away, when he paused. "But, Sir.. SOLDIER training starts then.. I have to wait until next week…"

Sephiroth smiled a bit, feeling almost lost in Cloud's huge blue pools of confusion. He walks up to him, placing a hand on the shorter male's shoulder. The younger one face blushed slightly, eyeing the hand before retuning his stare to his superior.

"I know. I want to train you a bit stricter. You have potential.. You just need someone to whip you in shape." He told the blondie, squeezing his shoulder gently.

"For real-! I mean, yes sir! Thank you, sir!" Cloud remembered his basic training and saluted him once more, smiling brighter than the sun itself.

The silver haired General nodded and released his shoulder, motioning him to leave. He watched as Cloud turned and jogged down the hall, returning to his end of the hall. Another smirk appeared on his lips. He could see why those two goons were after him. He was very attractive. His smile, his naiveté.. Seph almost felt obligated to help him out with the training. Sure this would be frown upon from higher up, a mere Shinra officer, a new recruit at that, training with the elite team of SOLDIER. But, oh well.

He turned and continued in the opposite way.
--------------------

Cloud ran into his small room, tossing his basketball somewhere. It bounced off a wall and rolled back, tripping him as he desperately tried to reach his laptop. He climbed from off the floor and disrupted the screensaver.

"Shit.." He whined when he saw no one was online. He flopped on the bed, staring up at the ceiling with a small smile. Suddenly the heat didn't seem so bad anymore.