Wow, thanks for the faves and follows, everyone! Btw, I forgot to mention that this is an AU story set between the events of Crisis Core and VII. Please enjoy!


Chapter Two

"A Fathering Gaze"

The handsome villa that perched upon the cliff face in the mountains of Nibelheim went unnoticed by even the most keen-eyed woodsmen. Nestled behind lofty pines and snow-crowned peaks,it peered out through small arched windows behind which its reclusive residents could gaze over the country without fear of ever being found.

A little face looked out from one of them today, crowned with spiky blonde hair that could have easily been mistaken for chocobo plumage.

"First snow," Cloud whispered. He bounced back from the window and spun on his heel to tear down the hall, nearly knocking off one of the ancient Wutai swords that adorned a wall in his haste. When he reached his bedroom, he began fishing items of clothing and equipment out of his wardrobe and firing them into a duffel bag that sat on his bed. Excitement buzzed within his every molecule, for today was a day that came so very rarely! He wanted to make sure he was prepared.

When he finished packing, his duffel bag was fit to burst. Frowning, he firmly sat on top of it and tried to drag the zipper into place, gritting his teeth with the effort. So absorbed was he in his struggle that he failed to notice the tall figure that suddenly filled his doorway.

"If only you were like this every morning," a deep voice lamented. The stubborn zipper finally gave way and Cloud sprang off the bed with a whoop of triumph.

"Sephiroth!" he greeted, eyes dancing. "You bet – I've been up since dawn! When do we leave? Are you ready?"

"Yes," Sephiroth confirmed, his lips curving into a wan smirk, "but we're going nowhere until you straighten up this room."

Cloud groaned inwardly. He loathed tidying, but not even his mentor's militant attention to neatness could dampen his spirits today. He flew around the room like a twister, making his bed, returning his action figures to his trunk and rearranging the books on his shelves. Sephiroth was a strict teacher and an exacting master, yet he was the only guardian Cloud had ever known; mentor, parent and protector all in one. As implacable as he could be, he had always been a steadfast source of love, care and comfort to Cloud, and for these reasons he could not - he would not fail him. When Sephiroth expected something of him, he would sometimes pout or protest, but in the end, he would do it.

At length, Sephiroth seemed satisfied and with a curt nod left the room. Cloud swung his bag over his shoulder and dashed after him, tripping over his untied laces as he went.

As a former soldier and general, Sephiroth never lost his regimental habits. Each morning he rose before the sun and conducted himself with grace and discipline in everything he did – whether it was felling a mighty tree or slicing a salmon for breakfast. In all occupations, he excelled.

At the kitchen table, Cloud hastily polished off the meal Sephiroth had prepared for him. As always, his dishes were simple but appetizing, and as soon as the bowl of steamed rice and side platters of rolled omelette and vegetables were picked clean Cloud whisked them off to the sink and left them sparkling on the drying rack. Sephiroth watched all this over the top of his newspaper with his customary glacial expression, an arched eyebrow the only indication of his bewilderment. Folding the paper away, he went to lean against the kitchen door and folded his arms across his chest.

"You seem very excited," he remarked. Cloud laughed, somewhat sheepishly, and once again shouldered his duffel bag.

"Well, it is the only time I get to go into town. And, the one day I don't have to study or train. No push-ups, no sparring, no lessons – just fun times! I hope we can go fishing again. Can we, Seph? I know for sure this time I'll catch something..."

The former general took the boy's bag, only half-listening to his excited ramblings. He couldn't deny the pleasure it brought him seeing his ward so happy, though it was tinged with an edge of consternation. He and Cloud had an agenda, and idle days like today only slowed their progress.

It can't be helped.

As much as it grated on his patience, he had come to understand the necessity for rest and leisure; his own austere childhood reminded him daily. Cloud was a bright student, but he was no prodigy like Sephiroth. He had a delicate constitution, and the attention span of a butterfly. Too much training and hard work only made him burn out. He needed a release, especially now that he was growing up. Teenagers had to be rewarded – to be allowed to let loose at least once in a while to prevent them from rebelling.

Nibelheim lay half a day away by foot on the other side of the mountain pass. This was assuming the traveller was an ordinary human, of course. For the former SOLDIER, the town could be reached in half this time at a brisk run. In years past, he would make these trips with his little ward fastened upon his back, but they had reached the point where Cloud was coming into the superior speed and stamina his altered cells endowed him – meaning he was now expected to keep up himself.

As they cleared the first gorge of cluttered pines and rock, the panting boy laughed breathlessly; trust Sephiroth to somehow turn a leisurely trip to town into endurance training.

At length, the bristling rooftops and spirals of smoke that Cloud recognized soon came into view. Standing out sharply against the rocky white outback, the lonely town of Nibelheim brooded at the foothills of the mountains. A solitary place, largely populated by ignorant, albeit harmless, country bumpkins. It originated as a mako settlement when the reactor was first built and employed some of the locals as labourers and engineers. Sephiroth had no love for it, finding it a sad and downtrodden town. He only suffered it for Cloud's sake.

As they approached the dusty road, Sephiroth grasped the hood of Cloud's parka and drew him into his arms before he could race on ahead.

"Not so fast," he chided, turning the boy around to face him. "Remember what we discussed, Cloud. I'm trusting you."

Cloud groaned impatiently.

"Sephiroth, I know – "

"My orders. Repeat them."

With a petulant sigh, Cloud squared his shoulders and puffed up his chest in a parody of a soldier standing to attention.

"Speak only when necessary. No showing off, no pranks. Remain discreet, don't dawdle and be waiting for you at town square in an hour."

Sephiroth overlooked the attitude for now, attributing it to the boy's desperation for some freedom after so many months of being locked up at home. Satisfied, he cupped Cloud's face in his hand and leaned in until his eyes hovered just inches above the boy's.

"Be good," he warned, his voice a husky murmur that rang with the soft undercurrent of gentle concern and promises of punishment if disobeyed. Removing the duffel bag from his shoulder, he slipped it over Cloud's petite frame and watched as the youth spun round and dashed up the road with a grin of delight, his spiky blonde hair shrinking in the distance. Closing his eyes against the hot whips of unease that assailed him whenever his ward was away from him, he turned his thoughts to the matter at hand. Ever since he found Cloud at the reactor on Mt. Nibel as a child, he had kept the boy as close to him as continually possible. There were times like today, however, when it couldn't be helped. For now, he would have to trust Cloud to stay out of trouble, for he had pressing business to attend to.


Yeah, it was another shortie, but I promise you guys I have lots to come :) I just wanted to share a little something before I get caught up in Christmas. Happy Holidays!