Chapter 2
Cloud Strife and a few other SOLDIERs were directed for retrieval of abandoned property as well as scanning for any lagers and disposing of them properly. Cloud was mentally repulsed by their mission; it was pretty much an execution for the rest of the survivors who took no heed to Sephiroth's one and only warning. Deep down, somewhere Cloud liked to deny within himself, the power thrilled him. The rush of having ultimate control was so intoxicating that he had to shake his head a few times to regain focus on the task at hand. Fortunately, the town's people had listened to Sephiroth's word; Cloud didn't have to kill any stragglers at least since there were none in sight, and no matter how much his instincts begged him to, he would not go searching for those poor souls.
He instead regrouped with his team, one of three special ops parties under Valentine's command. The Captain rode them hard, but nothing compared to General Sephiroth's training in the beginning. He couldn't lift his arms for days after the brutal weapons training added to hours of defense and tactics he's had in face-to-face combat with the General. He had no doubt in his mind that Sephiroth would have killed him if given the chance and so Cloud had not given him that chance to get within his guard. He admired his leader immensely, after all, he was the one who had personally rescued Cloud from Shin-ra, leading him to safety with the others who had been able to get away.
"Well done, Strife," General Sephiroth had congratulated Cloud's expertly executed defensive strikes, even though he had only gotten a few blows past Sephiroth's guard.
"Remember, a good offense is the best defense. You'll be ready next time, won't you?"
"Sir, yes sir."
"Good."
And he had been, so much so that Sephiroth had personally recommended his placement in Captain Valentine's Elite 3, a coveted spot among many SOLDIERs; the spot held the prestige and power allotted only to the best and brightest
Now here he was, meeting up with the rest of the squad for new orders at Seventh Heaven. The local bar had an appeal to the General and Cloud could see why if it had anything to do with the dark-haired beauty behind the counter. His eyes lingered longer than necessary, taking in her pale skin underneath sleek black clothes that hinted at the shapely form underneath before resting on those hazel eyes.
"I wouldn't mind a piece of that," Zack whispered, walking beside Cloud and following his friends' gaze.
"In your dreams," Cloud retorted, noticing the Captain's piercing glance at the young lady from across the room.
"Besides, she's taken."
"So it seems, but who says he wouldn't share?"
Cloud snorted at the absurd idea. "Valentine? Have you ever seen him give up anything he wanted?"
"Never willingly." Zack recalled, a faint sneer forming on his lips.
"Exactly."
The lads watched on as Sephiroth entered and whispered something quickly his most trusted Captain before heading straight to the brunette.
"This could be interesting," Zack elbowed Cloud in the side as they saw Valentine stand at attention, not moving until given a withering glare from the General, who also happened to be his best friend since childhood.
"Looks like this little lady is going to cause an uproar, all of the men are going to go crazy over her, including me." Zack winked at Cloud at this note.
"She is trouble with a capital T," Zack mused as the bar maid and General talked across the way, oblivious to their audience.
"They always are," Cloud sighed quietly, still looking at the young woman with Sephiroth.
"That sounds like something I'd like to hear about. Personal experience gone awry?"
"Something like that." He kept moving, loading weaponry and the like as Zack continued on this new subject.
"I'm not going to let you off the hook that easily, Strife, You will tell me the meaning behind that remark if I have to drag it out of you."
"Maybe someday Zack, someday."
