Title: Sky Metamorphosis

Pairing: Sephiroth x Cloud

A/N: A new chapter! Thanks for all the reviews! I really do appreciation the thought and time you guys gave to write them~And it definitely propels me to write more! Thanks again~!

Disclaimer: Alas, still not mine…But I could still think of things to do to it if it were mine right??

Chapter Two

Sephiroth took a sip of his usual morning coffee as he leant back against the leather arm chair he currently occupied. Not even changing a face at the supposedly altogether bitter taste of his no sugar and extra thick blend of coffee, he merely set the cup down on its plate and continued to read through the report he was holding on. It was again filled with mindless rambles and littered grammar mistakes. The point the officer was trying to state was obviously not getting through after being buried by paragraphs after paragraphs of altogether meaningless writings.

At least the diagrams and charts are all done perfectly.

Flipping to the front of the file and scanning through the names who worked on this project, Sephiroth gave a small nod of satisfaction. Ah, so it was these people who prepared the charts…It was no wonder it was so perfectly done.

Setting down the file in his lap, Sephiroth resisted the urge to groan at the feeling of an impending migraine. He had been looking at these files since he woke up at five in the morning and he was now really considering of burning them in public if just to scorn the officers who wrote them. But since that wasn't at all acceptable and leader-like, he is stuck with enduring them for the rest of the day. Maybe he really should draft up a program to train the whole of Shinra Company in the ways of writing concisely, accurately and most of all—flawlessly and straight to the point. It would really save him hours of trying to go through heaps of paper just to understand what the point was. Deciding to take a break from all this paperwork, he stood up and stretched out his sore muscles. Taking a glance at the clock on the wall, he noted that Zack was once again late for work. Their normal working time was eight thirty in the morning and it was now already ten.

Zachary Fair, his second in command is among one of the most unorthodox people in his life, the other two being Angeal and Genesis. The three of them were probably the only people who do not treat him like a god and he is grateful for it, although he wouldn't really say it out loud.

A loud bang announced the entrance of the person in thought, and the accompanying loud whine of "Sephiroth!!!" was then heard. Sephiroth, who was again engrossed in the files, did not even bother to look up. He was more than used to Zack's antics; besides, he had already known that the man would come with his enhanced hearing. Zack always made more noise than necessary, and today Sephiroth was alerted of his arrival by the obnoxious humming he did in the hallway, which serves to prove that his second was in a good mood and that did not usually bode well for him.

Taking a small glimpse at the man out of the corner of his eye, Sephiroth decided that indeed, Zack looked far more excited and happy than usual. Turning his attention back to the papers, he decided to ignore the man. Yes, ignorance is bliss indeed.

Zack plopped himself unceremoniously on the chair in front of Sephiroth's desk and began babbling on about the recent gossip in the office. Sephiroth effectively tuned him out, focusing entirely on reading as fast as he could through all of the papers. He did, however, jolt back to reality when Zack began to prod him in the arm. Giving a small sigh, he closed the file and set it aside. He knew Zack could be relentless if he wanted to.

Seeing that he had Sephiroth's attention on him, Zack smiled brightly and bent down to take the object that he had put on the floor while Sephiroth wasn't looking. Blocked by the desk, Sephiroth couldn't see what it was. Carefully, Zack lifted it up gently and balancing it on one hand, pushed the documents to the side to make space as he set down the object. Sephiroth could only stare.

"Zack, what's this?" Sephiroth couldn't help the slight trace of threat that laced his tone.

Unperturbed, Zack merely smiled again before making an exaggerated gesture towards the clay pot which lay innocently enough in front of the world's most feared after general. Frowning slightly when Sephiroth remained to cast him a suspicious look, he sighed and stood up. Leaning forward, he took off the lid while pointing meaningfully to the spoon he had put down beside the pot.

"Come on Seph, eat up! I made it myself!" Sephiroth frowned slightly. He was supposed to eat this?

"What is it?"

Zack let out a desperate sigh. Standing straight, he glared down at his superior. "Sephiroth, I can't believe you refuse to eat my special homemade porridge! And to even sound suspicious about my good gesture just breaks my heart into pieces!"

At this, Sephiroth did feel a bit guilty about doubting the man. The porridge did look alright, despite being slightly brown in color; it was still warm and looks perfectly edible. But still…

"Why the sudden kindness though?" Sephiroth couldn't help but ask. There was just something fishy about the whole thing. Zack rolled his eyes in plain irritation, as if Sephiroth had just asked the most stupid question.

"Well, seeing that your breakfast usually just consists of a cup of horribly brewed coffee, I thought it would be nice if you could eat something else for once. Come on, just one small mouth would be enough now." Zack cajoled gently, almost eagerly.

"Hmm, I suppose so." Finally relenting, Sephiroth took up the spoon and scooping up a rather generous of porridge, lowered down his head to eat it. By doing so, he failed to see the evil look that crossed Zack's face in that short moment, and when he was chewing on the porridge and looking back up at Zack, his second had already schooled his face back into a look of polite interest.

"So, how was it?"

Sephiroth ate slowly, not really sure what to say. Surely Zack's skills can't be that bad, he had eaten the fried noodles that Zack cooked once for Angeal, and it was fairly delicious. However, this particular attempt of his seemed to have failed spectacularly, seeing that the porridge was more like a puddle of goo with absolutely no admirable quality to it. The only taste which it seemed to have was one of charred food, which Sephiroth assumed was where the brown color came from. And there were bits and lumps of indistinguishable ingredients in it where some have the texture of sponge while others were crunchy and plain weird. Trying hard to maintain a neutral expression at this absolutely disgusting mouthful of food and raking through his brain to try and give Zack a rather vague response, Sephiroth's efforts were cut short when he bit on something extremely hard.

Zack, who was trying his best not to laugh at seeing the normally stoic man looking thoughtful and troubled while munching his food, could not help but let out his loud laughter when he saw Sephiroth's face turn abruptly to being absolutely appalled and then, with those slender fingers, tugged a piece of tissue and spat out what seemed to look like a piece of rock on it.

Sephiroth turned those piercing green eyes of his onto Zack. The silver haired general immediately noticed the amusement and wicked gleam revealed in Zack's eyes. Setting down the spoon in an almost threatening manner and pushing away the bowl, he leaned back towards his chair and crossed his arms.

"So, I take that this isn't your homemade porridge is it?" Oh, if Zack was a lesser man, he would have died at the stifling tone which the General used. But instead, he kept on laughing, clutching at his sides at the verge of being short of breath.

"So—Sorry Seph, I just couldn't help but tease you. You should have seen your face! Oh Gaia!" And then Zack was back to laughing again.

"It was intended as a joke then?" Zack could only nod, his eyes already watering slightly from his laughter.

"Then, what is it exactly?" In the midst of his laughter, Zack missed the barely concealed and dangerous edge in Sephiroth's tone.

Choking slightly as Zack tried to calm himself, he put on his most neutral and guileless look.

"Er…Overnight gruel from the barrack's cafeteria perhaps, mixed with a dash of pepper and salt?"

It was only Zack's trained instincts as a SOLDIER and the mako enhanced senses which allowed him to evade the long sword which sliced towards his side. Sephiroth was now standing; Masamune unsheathed and yield in his hand. When the man had grabbed it Zack had no idea, but he sure as hell wasn't going to stick around to find out what the man could do to him with it.

Letting out a strangled "Bye!", Zack immediately sped out of the office as fast as he could, hoping that Sephiroth would not pursue him. However, his hopes were cut short when he heard an enraged "Zachary Fair! Where the hell do you think you're going?!", and looking back, found that Sephiroth was exiting his office and marching in a murderous aura surrounding him.

Not even daring to slow down, Zack increased his pace. He really did hope his status as the fastest runner won't fail him.

Oh shit, why did he listen to Genesis and Angeal in the first place?


Cloud panted, his breaths coming out in short gasps. Keeping his eyes trained on the floor, he struggled to continue with the pushups they were ordered to do. Two hundred shouldn't have been a problem for him, he knew his body well enough to know it was fit to accomplish that, but the bruises he had were making it painstakingly difficult for him. And he had to struggle to not let out any signs of pain as that would only serve to please his abusers immensely. He could feel McGavin's eyes on him, and he wasn't going to let the guy see his weak side.

Finally finishing it, he stood up slowly, careful to not put any extra strain around his abdomen. Taking a glance around the wide area of cemented floor outside the buildings that they were currently training at, Cloud took a moment to enjoy the soft breeze. It seemed like a good day, with clear blue skies and a soft, warm breeze coursing through it. And Cloud did hope that he would have the leisure of a relaxed day, although that seemed impossible enough. Turning back towards the other trainees, he found that most of them had already finished and were milling about, chatting. There were a few that were still on the floor doing pushups, their body far more weaker than Cloud's, and he was once again thankful that he wasn't the last one to finish and for the harsh Nibelheim conditions which helped to honed his body.

Noticing that McGavin was still looking at him, Cloud gave an unnoticeable sigh. Turning away, he took up the small towel from his bag and began to wipe away the sweat around his face and neck. He really didn't understand why McGavin hated him so much. At first it was okay, he had even sat beside the man a few times during class, and had exchanged polite greetings. But then the bullying had started suddenly and Cloud was more than shocked to see that it had been McGavin who was the one behind it all. He had racked through his brain a few times, trying to figure just when he had managed to upset the man, but he came up with nothing. It also took this experience to teach him that people aren't always what they seemed. McGavin looked like a positively nice fellow when you looked at him. He was quite tall, around 185 centimeters, and had short spiky black hair and deep brown eyes. He had a very good natured face, among one of the reasons Cloud thought he might be friendly, and a toothy albeit warm smile with white teeth showing when he did grin. But Cloud had seen another sight to the man, a deeper, more insane side. McGavin's face was filled with anger which twisted up those features of his into one akin to a ferocious beast, and his mouth was always scowling or smirking superiorly and mockingly down at him. As if he had to prove that he was far better than Cloud, and to distinguish himself from Cloud.

Cloud just didn't understand how such a drastic change could come over one person and he supposed that was because he just didn't understand the man in the first place. McGavin could already be so violent, just that he hadn't known him well enough. And for the main reason, Cloud was certain that most bullying didn't have a sound reason to back it up, but if he had to make a guess, it would be his looks or jealousy. There was just no other reason possible.

Throwing down the towel and stretching his arms across his head, Cloud decided to just stop trying to find a sound excuse behind all this crap. It was a weak spot of his, he always had to find excuses for other people, his mother had said that he was the most forgiving person that she had known, and had then gently teased him about being too soft. It was a fond moment, and Cloud wished that he could see her.

His thoughts were interrupted when the instructor, Lieutenant Rockwell, a tall and burly man with a personality to match up his looks, blew sharply on his whistle and barked for the cadets to fall in line. Out of habit, all of the cadets scrambled and rushed immediately to their respective positions. Silence fell over the whole court.

Taking a stern look over the lines of cadets, Lt. Rockwell gave a satisfied nod. Cloud discreetly let out the breath he had been holding in. The man was not at all pleasant to be around if offended. They had to find out the hard way after being punished to run on the tracks from midnight till morning on one occasion. Since then they had been on their most respectable behavior when they had Lt. Rockwell as their instructor.

After a string of strict commands and usual scolding as well as a dash of advice and threat thrown in, Lt. Rockwell let them off to clean themselves as well as to prepare themselves for their following more academic classes. Cloud made his way to his bag, secretly thanking that there was no training lessons scheduled for the day. He wasn't sure his body would be able to handle it, not after the vigorous morning exercises they had just done. He had gotten used to the dull pain that the bruises gave him by now, and had more or less learnt to adapt his movements to not aggravate his wounds more.

Despite the strenuous affair of cleaning himself up with the least bit of movements, Cloud found himself in a slightly sunnier disposition after the bath. McGavin and his gang hadn't done anything to him yet, and that by itself, was something worth cheering over. Perhaps the day would turn out to be nicer than he thought. They had Battle History and Tactics up as the next class, and then Materia Training later, both which were liked by Cloud. Although the latter class would turn to be slightly exhausting, as it required an insane amount of attention and inner energy to conjure up something, Cloud loved all of it, as being born in Nibelheim had him turning out to be quite an avid fan of nature and the feeling of materia in Cloud's hand with all the raw natural energy swirling in it was very exhilarating.

With a small smile, he picked up his bag pack and made his way down the halls to the lecture halls where the theory classes were held.

It might turn out to be a day as peaceful as he had hoped for.

* * * * * * * * * *

Zack swerved round a sharp corner, his boots sliding and scraping slightly on the polished and smooth marble floor. With a small huff, he took a fleeting glance backwards before picking up his momentum and dashing down the corridor and taking another dangerous and sharp turn at the next corner.

His spiky, jet black hair was sticking around his forehead and at the sides of his cheeks by now, a result of the strenuous running he had been doing for the last hour. He swore that Sephiroth was really as much of a devil as anyone claimed him to be. The last that he had looked behind to check out the man, which was about forty so minutes into the chase, the general had looked as composed as ever, not even a single breath out of place and there was no signs of any sweating or lack of breath. Which were all of the conditions that Zack found himself to be in after running at top speed for forty minutes.

Zack swore. He wasn't tired, no, not at all, seeing that Soldiers were very harshly trained and they had Mako injections to boost their stamina, but at least he was showing some signs of normal human sweating, Sephiroth was just inhuman, Zack concluded. So, Zack knew that he had to get away fast, because if it was stamina and speed, Sephiroth far surpassed him. However, there was a slight benefit for Zack. Due to his constant trouble making and friendly self, he had a better knowledge of the Shinra building and all the confusing hallways inside it. He also knew every nook and corner of a good hiding place and every possible route of swift escape means.

Turning yet another corner and swinging open a side door which led to a flight of hidden staircases, Zack dare not pause to look back and swiftly made his way down the steps. God, he swore that he was going to get Angeal and Genesis back for this. Maybe those cross dressing pictures he had took of them when they were drunk during last year's Halloween party. Hmm…He wonder what would happen if the pictures 'accidentally' fell into their fan club's hands.

Without faltering in pace, an absolutely evil and mischievous grin made its way onto Zack's face.

This could be useful leverage. Maybe he could convince Sephiroth to help him. Surely the silver haired general would want to get back at his two comrades for coercing Zack to do what he did?

The smile grew impossibly wide.

After what seemed to be eternity, but was only actually a few minutes, Zack had made his way to the second floor and he leaned against the windowed wall, wiping away the sweat from his forehead. His breathing was exceptionally regular, but that wasn't exactly out of place, even though normal people would have probably died from exertion with a two hour run at the pace he was in. Fully utilizing his enhanced hearing, Zack relaxed visibly when he made sure that there was no sounds of footsteps echoing down the staircase.

It seemed that he had finally been able to throw off Sephiroth.

With a huge, albeit relieved sigh, Zack stretched languidly and took a casual glance outside the window. He hadn't notice it before, but it was raining. It wasn't exactly a heavy rain, and he could still make out the scenery outside the building. The sky was a deep gloomy grey and deep blue, and there was no sign of the sun whatsoever.

A glimpse of gold caught Zack's attention.

Leaning on the window railing, Zack squinted, his sharp vision taking in the lone figure which seemed to be striding, almost running, hurriedly across the bare court. Eyes widening, Zack recognized the person as the cadet he had ran into in the morning. Taking out a watch from his pocket, Zack found the time to be near one in the afternoon.

That's weird. Cadets are supposed to be having their lessons at this time, after their normal lunch break. Looking back at the mop of golden hair, which was easily spotted in the sea of blurry grey, Zack caught the action of a rushed swipe of the hand at the forehead, and almost missed the small blotch of red on the hands before the rain washed it away.

A surge of confusion and worry coursed through Zack's veins. He peered through the window more intently, trying to make out if it was really as what he had seen, but the blonde's hand was just a hazy blur from the location he was in.

Taking a small breath, Zack wondered if he had seen wrongly. But even as the thought entered his head, Zack knew, in the instant, that no, his eyes hadn't failed him, it really was what he had seen.

The cadet was bleeding.

Without any second thought, Zack was sprinting down the stairs again, a strong pulse of anxiety gripping at his heart, a feeling that he wasn't quite sure why he had. But the sight of the blonde just stirred something innate and protective in him, a strong familial emotion that he couldn't quite ignore, and Zack was one who was famed for following his instinct, and now it was telling him to get to the blonde quickly.

It was painfully obvious that the blonde was in great pain, now that he thought about it. His keen mind going through the scene that he had seen just now, even in his state of worry, Zack's mind was insanely clear. He realized the faint limping with the stride, the awkward posture of the body, and the occasional clench of the right arm that the cadet had displayed. Feeling even more anxious, Zack quickened his pace, rushing through doors and hallways to make it to the opening leading to the training court.

Oh Gaia! Zack prayed in his heart. He hoped that the blonde cadet would be able to hold on until he got there.

~End Chapter~

A/N: Second chapter! Sorry for the wait…Thank you for all the lovely reviews and hits on this story~!! It is really a great boost up of energy to keep me writing. Finally, our beloved general makes his appearance in the chapter. It is kind of short, but I hoped you guys will like it~! Cloud won't be meeting Sephiroth that soon, seeing it would be very, very improbable for a General to bump into a Cadet in the massive Shinra building. So the story will progress with Cloud knowing Zack, and Sephiroth having to hear all the stories about this mysterious blonde cadet…But their meeting will be worth looking forward to, and maybe in the near future~_

Again, thank you for reading and please review!! =)