Thank you, everyone for all your reviews and alerts and for reading my story. =D *sniff* You all made me so happy! *crying tears of happiness* Anyway, I hope that you all will like chapter 4 and continue reading and also please review it! Thanks, everyone! =D

P.S. Please forgive me if I made any mistakes when typing this.

'Sorry for the late message. No sight of Angeal. The situation is dire here. Will talk to you when I return.' As Zack read Sephiroth's message, the happy feeling inside him dissipated.

He had waited so eagerly for Sephiroth's mails, but now he felt disappointed.

He knew that he shouldn't annoy Sephiroth when he's so busy, but still, he felt sad and disappointed to hear that Sephiroth wouldn't contact him at all during the mission. He gave a sigh and closed the phone.

Zack also felt sad that there was no news of Angeal. He had gone to Angeal's office everyday, but nada, no sight of him.

In the end, Zack decided to go to floor 49, also known as the SOLDIERS floor. Maybe he could find Kunsel there and he could chat with him.

As he was approaching the resting area, he saw someone lounging on the couch. It was Genesis sitting there reading LOVELESS.

Zack stared at Genesis suspiciously. During these two days, he always hung around Cloud.

When Cloud finished his practice, Genesis will be outside waiting for him. During meal times, Genesis will eat with him too.

Zack felt a little jealous with how well Genesis and Cloud were getting on. Zack also had that nagging suspicions that Genesis was not as innocent as he looked.

'Genesis, we need to talk,' Zack said stopping by Genesis.

Genesis still absorbed in his book asked in an impatient voice, 'What?'

Zack was not put off by his attitude, he continued, 'It's about Cloud.'

At the mention of Cloud's name, the sides of Genesis's mouth curled up. 'Very well,' Genesis put down his book and looked expectantly at Zack. 'What about him?'

'I want to know why you are hanging around Cloud so much recently.' Zack got straight to the point.

Genesis smirked, instead of answering, he said, 'What about you? You are also always around him.'

'Well, I am his friend,' Zack countered sounding defensive.

'So I am not?' Genesis asked mockingly.

'I don't think you are that naïve. So, split. What do you have in mind for Cloud?' Zack said in an accusing tone.

Genesis chuckled, 'What? Are you jealous? So, Angeal and Sephiroth are not enough for you?'

'W-what are you talking about?' Zack said blushing slightly. Only him, Angeal, Sephiroth and now Cloud know of their relationship. How did Genesis found out?

'Don't play dumb,' Genesis said, staring at Zack with a wicked gleam in his eyes. 'I know that you and Sephiroth are currently going out.'

'W-wh-what? H-how did you found out? Did Angeal tell you?' Zack spluttered.

Genesis laughed, he said 'Well, I accidentally walked in on you guys kissing last time. I walked away before you guys noticed my presence.'

Zack blushed even further.

'Hmmm, how did Angeal react when he found out about your relationship with Sephiroth?' Genesis asked suddenly.

'Angeal? He said nothing. Though I can felt that he doesn't really approve of our relationship. But still, when I have problems with Seph, he will listen to me and…' Zack trailed off.

Vivid image of him and Angeal kissing suddenly floated into his mind. He blushed and finished the sentence lamely. 'Well, Angeal's very nice.'

'Really?' Genesis said looking thoughtful. Zack hated his tone, there seem to be something knowing in his tone.

'Yea,' Zack replied defiantly. 'Anyway don't try to change the topic. What is your real motive to get close to Cloud?' Zack demanded.

'I don't have any obligation to tell you,' Genesis said sneeringly as he stood up. 'Anyway, I will take my leave now,' Genesis said and walked past Zack to the door.

'What? No. Wait, you haven't answered my question yet,' Zack protested.

'It's really none of your business what kind of relationship I have with Cloud. So stop pestering me about it,' Genesis said while he kept walking.

He suddenly paused in his walking, and he turned around to face Zack.

'This might be a piece of interesting news for you. Your master is back from his mission,' Genesis said.

Zack gasped, 'Really? Where is he now?'

'Not sure, thought I heard something about the training room,' Genesis said. Then without another word, he exited with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

xxxx

Angeal walked out from the training room, his buster sword on his back and on his hand he held the Shinra SOLDIER's sword.

During his time away for a mission, he couldn't forget his last encounter with Zack. He wondered how Zack will react to his actions.

Zack had been leaving him mails and phoning him. But Angeal hadn't replied any of them.

He felt so ashamed of himself. How could he take advantage of Zack? What happened to his pride and honor?

Angeal groaned in frustration, but that time, Zack looked so... Wait, how could he ever think that way? Sephiroth will be mad if he found out that he had kissed Zack.

From now on, Angeal will only treat Zack as his pupil and nothing more than that.

Just as he was thinking that, he heard his name. 'Angeal!'

His body stiffened at that voice, it was Zack's voice. He could recognize it anywhere anytime.

Angeal felt as if he couldn't face Zack now, he still felt very guilty of what he did to Zack.

Angeal ignored Zack and continued his way. Suddenly he felt someone tugged at his arm.

He spun around, sure enough Zack was clinging to him. The puppy dog look was on Zack's face again.

Angeal stared at Zack. Did Zack have no sense of awareness? Angeal just kissed him last time, and now Zack was clinging to him.

'Zack, release me,' Angeal said, trying to keep his voice as stoic as possible.

'No,' Zack whined. 'Do you know how hard I had been trying to find you these few days? Why didn't you answer any of my calls? Do you know how worried I had been?'

Angeal kept silent, his heart had been doing a little tap dance when he heard how Zack had been worrying about him. But still, what had got to be done had to be done.

'Zack, released me,' Angeal repeated. He tugged his arm away from Zack's grasp. Zack's eyes betrayed the emotion that he was hurt by Angeal's actions.

Angeal was devastated he did this, but there was no other way.

'I am sorry for not answering your calls. Mostly I am sorry about that incident. It was a mistake. I am sorry. I would never repeat it again.' Angeal apologized. A heavy weight seemed to have lifted from his chest after he said that.

Zack remained quiet. Angeal figured that Zack must hate him now.

'I have to go now, goodbye,' Angeal said ending their conversation abruptly. Zack's sweet scent was starting to get into him again, engulfing him. Angeal needed to get away from Zack before he got carried away liked last time again.

As he walked away, Zack suddenly yelled out on the top of his voice for the entire world to hear. 'Why did you kiss me?' Zack had to know. Was Angeal just toying with him or did it mean something more?

Angeal stopped in his tracks. Fortunately there was no one in sight around the corridor.

'Well?' Zack urged when Angeal didn't give a reply.

'Angeal?' Zack asked tentatively. His mentor seemed to have turned into a statue. He was about to walk up to Angeal, when Angeal suddenly spoke up which made him halted in his tracks.

'I love you.'

Zack was dumbstruck. He stood there looking transfixed at Angeal.

'I love you.' Angeal's words rang in his mind. Angeal loves him? Why didn't he know about this? Zack's mind was in a mess. This is not possible, it is not! Is he dreaming, Zack wondered.

'I am sorry if I am making you feeling confused or anything. But this is the reason why I kissed you last time. I really do love you. When I thought of you and Sephiroth going out, it just made me felt so jealous.' Angeal said, his tone sounding agitated.

'I am sorry, my emotions got the better of me last time,' Angeal apologized again. Angeal turned to stare at Zack one last time before leaving. 'I am really sorry.' Angeal said sincerely.

Then Angeal walked away before waiting for an answer. He knew that Zack must be in a conflict right now.

Angeal was sorry that he had to put Zack in this predicament, but Zack had forced him into a corner and gave him no choice. Angeal had no choice but to tell him the truth.

Angeal gave a sigh and leaned against the wall as he turned at the corner. 'What have I done?' Angeal muttered to himself.

Zack was still in shock with what happened. Angeal really do love him? But Zack loves Sephiroth with all of his heart. He couldn't accept Angeal's feelings.

After spending so many days of anxiety waiting for his mentor to return, Zack suddenly felt as he didn't want to see Angeal again. Zack didn't know how to face him from now on.

Zack wished he could highlight the past ten minutes of his life and erased them. At least, they could still have a happy student and mentor relationship, but now…

Zack suddenly felt weak. He fell down on the floor, he felt muddled and torn by his relationship between Angeal and Sephiroth.

None of them were aware that there was another person around eavesdropping on their conversation.

So, Angeal kissed Zack, Genesis thought in amusement. Genesis smirked as he walked away with a satisfied smile on his face. Things are getting way interesting.

xxxx

Angeal was sitting in his office, thinking of his last encounter with Zack. 'I love you,' He had said that to Zack. What is going to become of their relationship now, he wondered.

Suddenly a sharp rap on the door interrupted his thoughts. Angeal grunted then he said gruffly, 'Come in.'

Genesis walked in, a smug look on his face. Angeal asked, 'What do you want?'

'Tsk, tsk, someone looked grouchy today,' Genesis said in a teasing voice. He closed the door and claimed the seat opposite to Angeal.

Angeal ignored his snide comment. Angeal felt very weary now, he didn't have the energy to retort back.

But Genesis's next sentence made Angeal snapped back to attention. 'So, the puppy didn't take it too well, huh.' Genesis smiled knowingly at Angeal.

Angeal stared hard at Genesis. His eyes narrowing slightly, 'What do you mean?'

'Well…' Genesis began in an innocent tone. 'I accidentally overheard the conversation between you two earlier.

'Accidentally?' Angeal asked in an accusing tone.

Genesis's looked sort of sheepish for a while, before returning to his calm and collected self. 'Well, yeah, I went to find you to hand you the reports you asked me to.' Though I knew that Zack will hurriedly go and find you there, Genesis added silently to himself.

That's why he had told Zack about Angeal's return. He had a hunch that there must be something going on between those two. And Genesis was proved correct after that little incident.

Genesis handed over the papers as Angeal stared at him suspiciously. He had asked Genesis to collect the papers for him.

But for Genesis to be on the scene at that time seemed to be too much of a coincidence.

'Thanks,' Angeal said, expecting Genesis to leave him alone now. And he could continue brooding about what happened.

Angeal raised his eyebrow when he saw that Genesis was still in his room.

'What else do you want?' Angeal asked in a cutting tone.

'I am just worried about you. Do you want to talk about your relationship with Zack?' Genesis asked. A mischievous look was on his face.

'No,' Angeal snapped. 'I am busy now, if there is nothing else, please leave.'

'How touchy you are today,' Genesis teased as he got up from his seat. 'All right then, farewell. Hope everything goes well with your puppy.'

'Don't you have anything else better to do than involving yourself in my matters?' Angeal said looking annoyed.

Genesis paused on the doorway, looking thoughtful before saying 'Well, there is a certain blond chocobo whom I want to catch.'

Before Angeal could register what Genesis meant, he was gone.

xxxx

As Sephiroth strode past the lockers, a loud commotion was going on inside. Sephiroth ignored it and continued his way until he suddenly heard an all too familiar name, Cloud.

He stopped in his tracks and backtracked back to the lockers room.

As Sephiroth stood on the doorway, he saw a sight that made his blood boiled.

Four boys were crowding around Cloud. A boy was holding Cloud by the neck and pinning him against the wall.

Cloud tried to struggle, but he was no match for his assailant. The assailant said in a sneering voice, 'So, you are the whore that has smitten General Sephiroth and Lieutenant Fair. How many times have you let them held you?'

He spat onto Cloud's face, making Cloud winced.

'I am not their whore,' Cloud said defiantly. His assailant smashed Cloud's head against the wall. He laughed when Cloud cried out in pain.

'Don't you dare talk back!' the assailant snarled.

The other boys snickered in amusement. One of them shouted out, 'Way to go, Dean!'

Dean smirked and continued to bully Cloud. 'Are you really that good in bed that they were so attracted to you?' Dean asked mockingly.

'Maybe I should raped you and see for myself. Wonder what the general will said when he found out that his toy had been raped. Probably tossed you away,' Dean smirked at Cloud evilly.

The other boys hollered and cheered, not sensing the dangerous presence standing on the doorway.

Cloud's eyes widened in fear and horror, 'N-no, ple-please.' Dean laughed. He smirked at Cloud and said, 'Kneel down, and do me a blowjob. If you are good maybe I will let you off this time.'

Before Cloud could do anything. A low menacing tone spoke up, 'Release the boy.' Dean felt something cutting into his neck and hot liquid were trickling down. Fear took over him, that voice…

He slowly turned around and found himself looking at a pair of angry green cat slit eyes.

'Ge-ge-ge-ge,' Dean stammered. Sephiroth had summoned his Masamune and he was positioning it at Dean's neck. Ready to lop it off anytime.

His eyes were filled with rage. Gone was the usual cold and stoic face. Instead now was a face lined with fury.

'Released him now,' Sephiroth snarled, driving his blade deeper into Dean's neck.

Dean immediately released Cloud. Cloud felt down to the floor, massaging his neck and gulping for air.

All the other boys were slowly trying to retreat from the locker room.

'Stay where you are all of you!' Sephiroth barked. His voice was smothering with fury.

From their uniforms, Sephiroth could see that they were 3rd class SOLDIERS. How dare they treated Cloud this way, how dare they!

'Lined up,' Sephiroth commanded. The four boys lined up immediately, all of them shaking silently with fear.

They had heard tales of how scary Sephiroth could be when he flew into a rage, and now they were experiencing it first hand.

'Who is your Sergeant?' Sephiroth glared at them. His Masamune looked dangerously deadly by his side. When none answered, he pointed his katana in a flash towards Dean.

'I asked you a question, cadet! Who is it?' Sephiroth demanded. Sephiroth is trying hard to control his temper. One swish and all of them will be dead, especially that Dean.

How easy it was, but unnecessary, most unnecessary. He will dealt with them later so dreadful that they would never dare to repeat this action again.

'Ser-Sergeant Co-Col-Collins, s-sir,' Dean gulped in horror. He could felt the sharp point of the Masamune pricking at his neck.

'Go to his office now and wait for me there. Tell Sergeant Collins I want to see him to talk about your punishments.' Sephiroth ordered icily while withdrawing his Masamune.

Sephiroth leaned in towards Dean and whispered menacingly. Sephiroth could smelt the dreadful stench of the boy, it was most appalling.

'If I ever found out that you had raped Cloud, I will personally kill you,' Sephiroth threatened in a low voice.

Then he pulled back, and barked 'Do you understand?' Dean winced at the loud voice.

'Y-y-y-yes, sir,' Dean stammered looking as white as sheet as if he had just saw a ghost.

'Now go to his office,' Sephiroth ordered. 'Yes sir,' they saluted and exited the locker rooms looking darkly and fearfully at one another.

When Sephiroth heard their footsteps died down, he turned his attention to Cloud. He felt a slight pang as he saw Cloud looking so beat up on the floor.

Sephiroth hurried to Cloud's side. 'Are you okay, Cloud?' Sephiroth asked in a gentle voice.

Cloud nodded, he lowered his head. He didn't dare to raise his head to meet the eyes of the general.

'Why are you not looking at me?' Sephiroth asked, his voice tightening.

Still, Cloud kept silent and averted his gaze. Cloud picked himself up and walked towards the door.

'Th-thank you, sir,' Cloud said monotonously, 'I am alright now.'

By a sudden impulse, Sephiroth suddenly grabbed Cloud's arm and turned him towards him. He was surprised to see tears were falling silently from Cloud's eyes.

'Cloud,' Sephiroth muttered. Sephiroth pulled Cloud into a tight embrace, 'It's okay now, you don't have to be scared anymore,' Sephiroth said gently.

Cloud was just 16. Since he looked so weak, he had always been picked on by others. Yet he never told anyone, not even Zack. He had always suffered silently by himself. Cloud felt so scared just now.

When he heard Sephiroth's kind words, he couldn't help it but break down and cry.

Sephiroth's chest felt so warm and comforting, Cloud thought as he sobbed silently onto Sephiroth's chest. One hand of Sephiroth was by his head, holding Cloud close. The other was on his back, patting him gently.

o.0 Oooo, Sephiroth and Cloud ALONE in the lockers room. *Evil grin* Wonder what will happen, well, stay tune to find out! And as usual, thank you everyone for reading! *bowing 90 degrees*