Hmmmm, its been a while, but I've been busy. Just got Silent Hill Homecoming a few weeks ago, and I've been trying to make it last, also been playing F.E.A.R. I've also been planning out my original story too which is gonna be awesome. But here I am so don't worry. I love this chapter, its gonna be awesome. Man..I need to do the dishes.

Cloud had almost forgotten he was at Zack's place when he had awoke. He looked at the light coming form the window, and smiled at the warmth the sun was radiating inside the room. He smiled even more when he sniffed syrup in the air.

"Hmmm," Cloud got up and went out to th kitchen, and saw Zack pouring said syrup on pancakes.

"Is that for me Zack?" Cloud asked.

Zack looked up and smirked. "Hey beautiful, how did you sleep?"

"Good...you know, I actually slept this time," Cloud said, as he sat on the counter gabbing a fork next to the plate of pancakes. "The bed was really soft, it was nice."

"I'm glad, well after this, do you wanna spar?" Zack asked.

"Sure Zack, but not he whole day, I have a test tomorrow I want to study for and an appointment in the afternoon," the blond replied.

"Alright, finish up then.... what appointment," the older man said getting up to get ready.

"Don t worry about it," Cloud finished up, put his plate in the dishwasher, and went to get ready as well. Cloud and Zack went down to the court where most soldiers were already getting an early start of the day. They positioned themselves a bit far from the others.

"Hey Cloud, I'm gonna go easy on you, so don't worry baby okay," Zack called out.

"Yeah right bitch," Cloud whispered under his breath positioning himself with his wooden sword in hand.

Cloud charged forward at Zack with amazing speed and leaped up before Zack could swing his sword at him. Cloud aimed at Zack's back, but the older one threw himself on the ground before Cloud could land a blow at him.

"Shit, that was fast," Zack told Cloud.

Looks like I'll have to go easy on you!" Cloud lifted his sword and went down on Zack. Though he easily slipped away making it behind Cloud and poked Cloud a bit roughly with the hilt of the sword on the boys ribs.

"Ow," Cloud yelped grabbing his side, and immediately turned, landing a blow to Zack's face with the blunt part of his sword, remembering his instructors words to 'think about the pain later'.

"OWWWWW," Zack yelled in a matter of fact way. He put a gloved hand on his cheek and felt the warmth of his blood dampening it, "Oh hell naaaawww..... man Cloud, that ain't cool."

Cloud looked away and pouted.

"Thats what you get for calling me a baby," Cloud said.

"But that really hurt...," Zack whimpered giving Cloud puppy dog eyes.

"Oh...I'm sorry Zack, you aren't really crying are ya, perdoname...." Cloud said as he knelt down and wiped Zack's face with a handkerchief that was in his pocket. Zack snickered, "Oh you asshole, you such a faker," Cloud cried out.

"Haha, I know, glad you were worried about me though. Even took out your little hanky for me," Zack smiled, "Did you learn those moves in training?"

"Yeah, it was after the basics, and I got real into it. My instructor told me, I have a lot of stamina, and that its good if I ever want to make it into Soldier," Cloud smiled.

'A little too much stamina', Zack thought. He thought he should inform Sephiroth.

Running footsteps were heard, and both turned to look at an office aid coming up to them. He stopped in front of them to catch his breath, and looked at Cloud.

"Are you Cloud Strife?" the boy asked

"Yes, I am," Cloud replied.

"Here, the General wants to see you," he told Cloud as he handed him a piece of paper.

Both Zack and Cloud gaped at the piece of paper. It had the room number and floor scribbled down on it.

The boy left, and Cloud turned to Zack. "I just saw him yesterday," Cloud told him.

"I know, that weird," Zack said to him with a frown on his face. But inside he was smiling knowingly. 'Way to go Seph'.

"Well ill see ya then Zack, looks like I got to go see him," Cloud waved at him.

"Alright Cloud, good luck," Zack waved back.

Sephiroth waited in his office restlessly. He looked out the window and saw Cloud was gone. He had gotten his message it seemed. He jumped a bit when he heard his phone vibrate on his desk. He looked to see that Zack had sent him a text message. He opened it and read.

"Hey so you are finally making your move huh- :)"

Sephiroth replied by saying, "Shut up -8("

He nearly dropped his phone when he heard a knock on his door. He closed it and set it on his desk. He hesitated a bit and heard another knock.

"Come in", Sephiroth said.

Cloud opened the door and peeked inside to see Sephiroth writing something and looking at his laptop at the same time. Cloud pursed his lips, a habit of his when something seemed a little fishy.

"Excuse me sir", Cloud interrupted Sephiroth from his work, and smiled when the General looked up, " you called me here."

Sephiroth took the note that he himself had written for Cloud as proof.

"Yes I did", he began, "Well, you see, I've been checking the cadet test scores and performance reports form the instructors, and it seems you are up to par in your level."

"Well thank you...is that why you called me here?" Cloud asked.

"No, no, you see, there is this mission coming up, we are to head to Junon. There is rumor of Professor Hollander being in the area. We have to ready a squad for next week, and I think you you are ready for this type of mission."

Cloud was speechless. "Are you willing to go?" He heard Sephiroth ask him.

"I-I-I, y-yes absolutely, I would love to go. Wow, what an opportunity!" Cloud told him. He was so happy.

"Well I am glad", Sephiroth said.

"I'm gonna go tell Zack, thank you sir," Cloud turned to head for the door, but before he could touch the knob he heard the Generals voice again.

"Wait Cloud, I am not done", Sephiroth stood from his seat, and walked over to the boy who had turned to look back at him.

"Yes sir?" Cloud looked at him a bit confused.

"There is something else," Sephiroth leaned against the wall next to his door, he looked down at his carpet, and noticed just how interesting it was.

"What is it General? Is there something wrong?," Cloud asked worriedly.

Sephiroth looked back at Cloud and couldn't help but think how beautiful the blonde's voice sounded.

"You", Sephiroth replied, "Your whats wrong with me."

"E-excuse me," Cloud was even more confuses, "Did I do something wrong?"

Sephiroth smiled, "No , you didn't do anything wrong Cloud. But you see, ever since you came here....its been a bit different for me. I've felt different, and I haven't felt like that in a long time. You see, I have feelings for you. I had them for a while now"

Cloud was even more confused than the other two time put together.

"W-w-what...."

"Well, I think I love you Cloud," Sephiroth told him, "Yes...thats it...I love you."

Cloud looked away, desperately wanting to get out of the room. This must be a joke, he thought. But he didn't think The General Sephiroth would make a joke go to this extreme.

"Sir, I think your confused," Cloud said.

"I know what I'm saying Cloud, and I really do love you!" Sephiroth repeated.

"Aaahh!" Cloud covered his ears, "Don't say things like that!"

Sephiroth grabbed Cloud's wrist to keep him from topping his ears, "But I do, I really DO!" He told him.

"Sephiroth STOP!" Cloud tore his wrist away and slapped Sephiroth.

The slap was the least thing that shocked Sephiroth, it was the fact that Cloud had said his name. It was after a few seconds, he felt the stinging pain on his right cheek. Sephiroth winced and let go of Cloud. 'Damn he hits hard'.

Cloud gasped, "Im so sorry General please forgive me....m-maybe I should go. I don't think me going on the mission to Junon is a great idea Sir."

Cloud opened the door but flinched when it was slammed shut. He turned to the General, and to tell the truth, Cloud was a bit scared now. 'Oh my god, hes gonna kill me'.

Sephiroth frowned, "Your not backing out on this mission...I don't care what about the events that occurred just now, but you are still going," He emphasized on the going part.

"B-b-but-," Sephiroth cut Cloud off.

"No buts, now go back to your quarters," Sephiroth snapped.

Cloud covered his mouth, tears were nearly forming on the corners of his eyes. He opened the door once again and left, walking at a fast pace.

Sephiroth closed the door behind him and walked back to his desk, taking a seat, he brought up his hand and massaged his cheek. He had dealt with bigger pains in his life, he had shed blood before, but this must have been the worst bruise for him yet. For the first time in his life, he was

Rejected.

Aaahhhhhhhhh, finally done with this chapter. I'm sorry I took so long, but with school and all that, I've been very busy, also FCAT is this week. Blah, I hate it. Well anyways REVIEW!!!