Almost Karma

by StarSongVII

They say that what goes around comes around - and this time Cloud is given a chance to get what he wants. Back at the beginning. SephirothCloud with SephirothOCs, ZackOCs, RenoCloud, OCsCloud. Lemons abound.

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

By StarSongVII

Disclaimer: I own only the OCs and make no money from this work. Final Fantasy VII and its characters and settings belong to Square Enix.

Warnings: Swearing, mature themes, violence, angst, potential triggers, cultural appropriation, yaoi, and smut. Also Cloud hooking up with others. Don't like, don't read.

A/N 1: For ease of reference, I'm going to be including information on day of the week, time of day, and countdown when there are 'skips' as I am trying to speed up the progression slightly. This is due to the map of the overall story (which I finally created earlier this month) showing that the fic would most likely clock in at about 57 chapters once complete.

A/N 2: Ridiculously fast update (by my track record) because the Muses refused to leave. Muses will be sealed away temporarily as I try to recover from my cold and focus on work. That said, here's 20,939 words (excluding notes) that should hopefully buy me some time before the next chapter. Enjoy!

##

- Monday. 2000 hours. 11 weeks to SOLDIER Exams -

Cloud winced slightly as the groin kicks and groin knees they were practising pulled his back. The weekend had done a number on him - he'd had a temperature on Sunday (which he'd chalked up to exhaustion) and had caused a mild panic with his Saturday Night Fever.

You can't fuck the future. The future fucks you.

Somehow a doctor had seen him within twenty minutes of Jared calling out to the others - a kindly old man who didn't look like he belonged in the slums, whose leather case was pristine, and who had dispensed medicine that wasn't expired or expiring.

The others had stuffed him full of fluids and soup (where the hell had the soup even COME from? It'd been good and "wholesome", nothing like typical slum fare), refused to allow him to walk around any longer after he'd eaten and marched him straight back to the bunker, shoving him into bed despite his protests that he was fine, he wasn't a weakling, it was too damn early, and he WAS FINE.

It had been a little embarrassing - alright, who was he kidding, it had been a lot embarrassing - being babied like that in front of the rest of his bunk mates and fellow cadets. But Cloud had to admit the others had been surprisingly thoughtful as usual, telling the rest that Cloud had simply consumed some odd alcoholic mix in the slums and was feeling the effects.

Though he wasn't sure how happy he felt with the thought that the others believed him a total lightweight.

A twinge as his back was pulled again, and he refocused. They were learning a new discipline in private training with Zack today - an art created by Sephiroth himself, called Krav Maga. It apparently meant "close combat" in an ancient language, and was essentially an amalgamation of every 'effective' killing / control strike from every other martial art in existence, refined for military use by the General over multiple practice sessions.

Cloud wondered if Zack had received clearance to teach cadets such deadly techniques.

The dark-haired SOLDIER seemed entirely too…much today. Perkier and more attentive than usual, eyes sparkling a little more than normal.

Zack's muchness was clearly back with a vengeance, since he was much more muchier than usual.

Cloud had obviously tumbled down the rabbit hole long ago.

The blond wondered if something had happened to put the First in such a good mood. Wondered why it seemed to be directed at him.

By the end of private training, the blond was glad the others had made him go to bed earlier than usual yesterday, Ray and Reno casually sitting on either side of him chatting and copying homework in order to calm Cloud down, somehow knowing he didn't want to sleep in full view of everyone else while the lights were on.

He felt good, despite the slightly sore back muscles. And it wasn't because he'd had a dreamless sleep last night (he'd been slightly disappointed when he'd woken up) - it'd been too long since he'd gotten enough rest, and their…'activities' from the weekend had purged the tension that always snowballed over the week.

Zack was dismissing them, but asking Cloud to 'hang back for a sec, chicky'.

Chicky?

He wondered again at his old friend's extra-bubbly behavior.

Once the instructors had left, the familiar weight around his shoulders made him want to warble with joy.

"Had a good weekend there, Cloudy?" The words made him freeze, but it was the twinkle in Zack's eyes confounded him.

Why was Zack so glad that Cloud was being…frisky?

Why was Zack so happy that Cloud was getting it on with someone who wasn't Sephiroth?

He kicked himself internally. He'd never told the black-haired man about his feelings for the General - at least, he didn't think so. God knows what he'd said under influence of the drugs and Mako and whatever else Hojo had pumped into him.

A chuckle, and his hair was being ruffled again, thoughts of the sadistic scientist shaken out of his head. He refocused on deep blue eyes, saw the gentle understanding in them alongside amusement and something else, relaxed slightly.

"No need to freak out, kiddo," Zack was leading them out of the training hall. "I'm NOT happy about it," a stern glare and Cloud froze up again, almost missed the next part of what Zack was saying, "BUT I suppose it's only physical needs and doesn't mean anything coz you're still single, huh?" The twinkles were…twinklier.

Cloud should have listened to his friends and taken his meds at lunch. He was pretty sure his fever was back with a vengeance.

"ANYWAY," they were out of the hall, strolling casually towards the other cadets who were waiting further along the corridor. "Come over this Saturday, say 1500?"

The blond dimly realized he hadn't said a word to Zack the whole time, simply staring with wider and wider eyes at the SOLDIER.

They were within earshot of the others by now. The dark-haired man turned to the cadets, who stood at respectful attention, waved them down. "You're all invited - I'll have food and drinks ready. And games and DVDs and whatever else you boys have been missing out on."

Cloud wanted to kick the others for accepting the invitation so coolly, like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. Except Brian, of course, whose jaw was touching the floor.

Cloud always could count on Brian to make him look good.

Silly.

That voice sounded like Aeris' - fond, amused, exasperated, and…

Aeris!

The blond cursed himself a million ways to Hojo's lab as he remembered the green-eyed angel's sorrow when she'd mentioned Zack. She was waiting for him in her church, and he didn't even know her yet.

He peeked up at Zack, noticed the First was still watching him with sparkly eyes reminiscent of a night sky full of stars.

That was it. He'd introduce them somehow, and soon.

But first, he needed information. Was Zack…attached now? Did he have someone else?

Cloud didn't want to see Aeris upset. She was the most beautiful person in the world, and she deserved only happiness.

He smiled up at the First, knew it always worked, and smiled wider when he saw proof of its efficacy. "Only if you're sure we won't be bothering you." He added a slight concerned frown for good measure.

Somehow Zack's eyes brightened even more at those words. "Not at all, Spiky! Be my pleasure!" His hair was ruffled again and he wanted to cry with joy.

"Alrighty then, it's a date!" Zack winked as he said the same words as he had last week when he'd invited them over for dinner. Before Cloud could process the similarities - before he could begin to hope - the First had pushed him towards his friends - he stumbled slightly - and given him a light slap on his lower back which made his already tight muscles twinge again.

"Get a good rest, boys. See you tomorrow!" The SOLDIER waved at them cheerfully before turning and jogging off towards the Senior Officers' Blocks.

Cloud assumed his fever was acting up again. He was feeling a little disoriented, everything was happening so fast and yet not fast enough at all.

Ralph whistled. "This fam be goals, man." Cloud wondered why the other boys often used grammar he didn't understand. He was pretty sure they were all speaking English, but nothing seemed to make sense.

"Saturdays in the SOBs, bae," Jared leered, leaning against Brian who meep'ed.

What the hell is a 'bae'?!

Was this some old new-fangled slang that young people used? The others in Team Fenrir seemed to be familiar with it too, given the odd words everyone had spouted when they'd won Battle Sims last week.

Cloud needed to rest. Sleep would make everything better, he was sure of it. He was too old for this.

He hoped it'd be dreamless. And he hoped the General would come looking for DVDs again this weekend.

Aeris and Ray seemed to believe he stood a chance with the silver-haired man - while the female brunette was an eternal optimist, the male was pragmatic and wouldn't say something like that for no reason…right?

He wasn't sure if he was looking forward to 'resonating' again. On the one hand it was proof of their 'bond', as Aeris had termed it. On the other hand, it was downright embarrassing to know their thoughts were linked sometimes - no matter how far apart they were. No matter what they were doing, no matter what happened.

Like Destiny was calling, like the Lifestream was telling them to get their acts together and stop screwing around. Literally.

Resonance of Fate.

##

Zack skipped back towards his apartment, badly wanting to do the Spazzing Seal but Sephiroth wasn't here to appreciate it.

He laughed at the memory of his superior officer literally wetting himself over a small comment about dinner with Cloud.

That proved it. He'd get those two together if it was the last thing he did. No one had ever gotten under the General's skin as much as the tiny blond, no one had ever intrigued the unflappable Legend as much as the little cadet with the jewels from the sky.

Cloud, blue eyes, jewels from the sky - geddit, geddit?

He wished his commander was here to listen to his brilliant new pun.

As he neared the Alpha Tower, he spotted a familiar figure nearing the doors.

Speak of the devil.

The General had obviously just left the office, heading home with more paperwork tucked into his sleek leather Zegna 'business bag' - a gift from Lazard last Christmas. The silver-haired man's eyebrows had twitched when Zack had referred to it as a briefcase, and the First suspected it was because Sephiroth associated briefcases with stodgy Heads of Departments.

The light breeze had carried Zack's scent to his commander - the taller SOLDIER had stopped and turned slightly, waiting for him.

Bad day at work, huh?

When Sephiroth spent too much time in meetings and dealing with the other sycophants that filled Shinra, he tended to gravitate towards Zack's company. It hadn't been this way at first - the silver-haired man had pushed Zack away literally and figuratively in the beginning while he licked his wounds in private, kept everything to himself and brooded all alone in his massive penthouse like Batman in his Batcave.

But Zack was tenacious, and he understood. He knew what his superior officer was going through, knew the man didn't want anyone else dying in this war, knew Sephiroth abhorred paperwork and politics.

Zack couldn't stop Death, refused to do any administrative nonsense (alright, it was selfish of him but he was only human), wasn't able to get between Sephiroth and the hypocrites that swarmed Shinra Tower. But he could be a friend - someone to listen, to stay by the General's side through thick and thin, always ready to be a shield against the darkness, always providing a safe space for the lonely SOLDIER to retreat to when things got too much even for him.

He looked forward to the day when Cloud would give Sephiroth a home: somewhere to let the mask and guard down and just be free, at peace, completely himself - just a Man, not a Myth. God knew the General deserved it more than anyone - always trying to be strong, always trying to be unbreakable and perfect for everyone else.

Always trying to save humanity from hell.

The man's shoulders were stronger than Hercules', but even he would crumble under the weight of the world eventually.

He reached his commander in seconds, noticed how those broad shoulders hadn't stooped despite how tired Sephiroth must be, seeing as the General had been called to an emergency meeting early yesterday evening and had stayed in the office till now - knew it was only pride and years of habit keeping his posture military perfect, could read the exhaustion and sorrow in glowing emerald eyes.

More deaths.

The General only had that look when he'd gotten bad news from the front. Only escaped to his beloved solitude when he didn't trust his mask not to crack a little.

That the silver-haired man allowed Zack to see him like this spoke volumes to the Gongagan.

He smiled at Sephiroth, knew too much bounciness would send his commander running for shelter, kept his tone more muted than when he'd spoken to Cloud.

"Hey, boss."

The reference to Cloud's nickname was intentional. What better time to hit Sephiroth than when he was feeling down?

The General wasn't a puppy - he could take it. And Zack seldom referred to his commander this way, saved it for occasions when he had to remind Sephiroth that he wasn't alone - that he had Zack and thousands of men willing to back him up in a heartbeat.

Sephiroth nodded at him, those green eyes flickering slightly. Zack had landed both hits.

Two birds, one stone.

He kept his smile gentle, his voice low. "I'm hungry. Delivery?"

Zack had stuffed his face with pizza earlier along with some of the other Firsts for tea, but his mother had told him that warm food made everyone feel better.

And mom always knows best.

He hadn't called her in a while, actually. She always tried to sound happy when they spoke, proud of him and confident he'd win no matter who he was up against, but he knew. Tseng had been in Gongaga recently, had told Zack about the desperate light in his mother's eyes when she'd approached the long-haired Turk to politely ask after her son, about the way her shoulders had sagged with relief when she'd heard he was spending only half his time away from Midgar these days.

It hurt Zack that his choice of career was taking a toll on his parents. But he wanted to save the world, to protect, to serve, to help.

When the War was over, he'd settle down and give them grandchildren.

When this cruel war is over.

Sephiroth nodded, didn't speak because he clearly didn't trust his voice not to give him away in front of the guards and the receptionist, started walking towards the elevator.

Zack flipped his phone open, dialled for Wutaian. It was Sephiroth's favorite cuisine.

And Cloud's too, if he recalled correctly, remembering the way the little cadet had closed his eyes in bliss at the first bite of dinner last Wednesday. Or maybe the blond was just glad to have some real food after so long.

He'd find out more about the Nibelheim boy's likes and dislikes soon, feed them to Sephiroth somehow. Zack didn't want his commander screwing this up. The man might have been a genius, but he was a total noob in matters of the heart.

Making sure Cloud had been given part of the disc to the control room in Battle Sims had probably been the silver-haired man's idea of a token of affection.

Zack wanted to do the Spazzing Seal again at that thought, but he didn't want to jar his commander, not with the state he was in currently. Sephiroth might have nerves of steel, but he was just a man.

Just another person trying to make the world a better place.

You're not alone, Seph.

If things worked out with Cloud, the General would never have to feel lonely again.

##

- Wednesday. 1225 hours. -

Reno tensed as soon as he caught sight of the blonde woman in the slinky gown. He knew who she was, and he didn't like her.

No one except the President did, if his intel was accurate.

The cadets were on their way to lunch from hand-to-hand, and Scarlet was blocking their path.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cloud tense slightly, right hand curling into a fist as the blond reached for his butterfly knife subconsciously. Reno wondered how he'd signal to the other boy that it was a Very Bad Idea to attack the Head of Weapons Development, realized he didn't have to when the smaller cadet apparently came to his senses and saluted the crab bitch.

He wondered why the blond disliked the blonde so much. Was Cloud averse to manipulative whores?

Who isn't?

A light nudge from Ralph, and Reno saluted the sadistic slut together with his fellow cadets.

"Well, well, well, what have we here," her perfume made him want to gag. As did her outfit. It might have been expensive, but money clearly couldn't buy taste or good sense.

This was a military base. Not a damn cabaret or strip show.

Fucking homicidal hooker.

"The infamous Team Fenrir," she purred. Reno wondered how the color blue could remind him of so many things - Cloud's eyes always reminded Reno of the sky: at times darkened slightly as though heralding a storm, at times far away and unreachable like the heavens, at times wide and bright like a clear sunny day.

Scarlet's reminded him of the color of the rotting growth on the scraps he'd fished out of drains and trash bins as a child. Of the faces of people he'd strangled. It was an ugly shade.

It reminded him of the color of the orphans she'd taken from the slums and tested biological weapons on before unceremoniously dumping their twisted bodies back below the Plate.

No one would miss another street rat, after all.

The ratchet ass hoe was leaning over the small blond cadet, cloying perfume no doubt making the Nibelheim boy want to retch. To Cloud's credit, he stood immobile, still holding his salute.

"My, what a pretty little thing YOU are," she leered, reaching out a blood red claw to touch a soft cheek. The color reminded Reno of the body parts he'd stumbled upon before, discarded by the side of train tracks as Shinra employees casually walked off talking about how their transmitters were improving, how they still needed to find a way to activate bombs remotely once signals were jammed.

Reno saw Ray shift slightly out of the corner of his eye. The brunette was still holding a perfect salute since the evil bitch hadn't told them to stand at ease, but as Reno turned slightly he was glad they had the Godfather's son on their side.

Those eyes were deadlier than the Masamune's blade - sharp, cold and positively lethal as they glinted silver at the Murderous Bitch, whose crimson talon stopped an inch from Cloud's face. Reno turned back in time to catch a flash of fear in putrid blue eyes before painted lips twisted in a sneer as she hissed at the smaller blond: "Well aren't you a popular little thing, hmm?"

Reno could read the tension in the line of Cloud's shoulders, knew it wasn't from holding his salute.

Then those vicious eyes flicked to Reno's right, and he felt Ralph turn rigid.

The sneer looked more real this time as Scarlet turned to leave. "Good luck, Team Fenrir. God knows you'll need it, with another cocky loser on your team."

She took a few steps away - Reno thought she was trying to be seductive, swaying her hips like that, but he just wanted to hurl - before twisting slightly to look back at Ralph. "Don't be a failure like that uncle of yours, sweetheart. Pride comes before the fall, after all."

Her cackles echoed in the corridor long after she disappeared from sight. Reno hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath until he started to see stars, hadn't realized he'd clenched his left hand tight until he felt the pricks of pain.

Cloud had turned to Ralph, was watching the black-haired cadet with a look of concern. When Reno glanced over, he understood why.

The Rocket Towner was furious - face, neck and the top of his chest flushed crimson, eyes slitted into angry dark streaks, fists balled at his side as he trembled with rage.

He heard Cloud murmur to the others, heard Grant's rumbled response, and suddenly it was just the five of them in that fluorescent space that felt colder than usual.

They waited, silent, not wanting to set Ralph off as he struggled visibly to control himself and get a handle on his emotions. Reno had never seen the other boy so mad - as much as Ralph often got irritated or yelled, he always remained somewhat restrained, somewhat held back.

At length Ralph took a deep breath, exhaled loudly through his mouth, unclenched his fists which were dripping blood on the cement floor.

Cloud moved then, did something that shocked them all.

The small blond had to tip toe slightly to place his head on Ralph's shoulder as he hugged the black-haired boy.

Reno could see Ralph was as stunned as they all were. Cloud NEVER touched anyone like that, never reciprocated the hugs he received whenever they won Battle Sims, always kept his hands to himself.

It seemed the action was too much for Ralph, as a tear slipped down a high cheekbone before dark eyes closed and he was holding Cloud tight, face buried in the crook of the smaller boy's neck. Reno hadn't realized he'd moved, but suddenly they were all gathered around the hugging boys, patting Ralph on the shoulder, the back, the arm, anyplace they could reach.

When Ralph finally released Cloud and they stepped back, his dark eyes looked redder than normal. His face was still slightly flushed, but it was slowly settling back into his familiar nonchalant expression.

Cloud nodded at the Rocket Towner - they'd talk about this later - and turned, heading to the mess hall. Ralph was wiping his palms on his fatigues, leaving streaks and splotches on the cheap prints.

Grant and the others had gotten their food for them, waited for the five to be seated before digging in to their meals.

Reno usually wanted to know everything he could because Knowledge Was Power, and Information Was Money.

This time though, he only wanted to know how to make Ralph feel better. And if it helped him make that bitch scream, then that was a plus.

He still remembered the glassy eyes, the terrified expressions frozen in death on the faces of the children, some little more than toddlers.

Reno had grown up tough, always looking out for Number One, not caring about others, not caring about what he'd had to do to survive. But even he had his limits.

And Scarlet had crossed the line.

The Savage Slut would pay for what she'd done to the Children of Midgar. He'd make sure of it. The best walls and locks Shinra could buy wouldn't stop a Turk - they were too fly for that shit.

##

- Wednesday. 2330 hours. -

Ralph lay awake in his bunk as the Symphony of Slumber played around him, snores and snorts, rustles as cadets turned over in their beds.

He needed to sleep, but the emotional rollercoaster he'd ridden today was messing with his head.

It was that woman's fault. Everything was that woman's fault.

He clenched his fists again, winced as his nails pressed into the bandage covering crescent marks.

The memory of the others gently tending to his self-induced wounds calmed his racing heart.

They'd been sitting in the common area, Ray having gotten some medical items from one of his many undercover agents. Cloud had been cleaning his right hand, and Ralph recalled being somewhat surprised at the gentle efficiency of the smaller boy. Almost as though patching injuries was something he was very familiar with.

He hadn't really wanted to talk about it, but at the same time he'd felt like he really wanted to tell them what was going on.

In the end, he hadn't said much. Hadn't had to because somehow the other four understood.

He took a breath quietly, exhaled silently and turned on his side.

That woman would pay for what she'd done, one day.

While it was true that it had been partly Uncle Cid's arrogance, none of it would have gone ass over tits if it hadn't been for that conniving wretch.

He still remembered the looks on his parents faces when they'd reminisced about how the Space Cowboys used to be, how "Starfleet" had been a gathering spot for the great minds who sought adventure, who wanted to change the world and make it a better, brighter, more wonderful place through science and technology.

The name of their little encampment had stuck thanks to Uncle Cid's lofty ambitions, his dreams of becoming the first astronaut in the world. Where before it had been a moniker that signified the power of mind over matter - of humanity's ingenuity and mastery over the world, of curiosity and pushing the limits in the name of Mankind - now it was nothing but a mockery of their passion, leaving only a bitter taste in their mouths when they were reminded of that incident.

He'd seen the old recording, after he'd dusted off the tape hidden behind spare parts and tools in the shed.

Uncle Cid had been younger then - vibrant and carefree with his signature cigarette clenched between his teeth - talking to the camera passionately as others behind him laughed around the campfire.

"No, come to think of it, if I had to, I'd put my faith in science," his uncle had said, voice not yet as rough as it was when Ralph had left. "Because of science, humans who used to crawl around on the ground can now fly, and soon we're about to go into space! I've earned my living thanks to science, so to me, there's nothing greater."

In the background, beyond the warm flicker of flames, Ralph had been able to make out the silhouette of an unfinished Enterprise - that rocket that was being built to take them further than anyone had ever gone before, and maybe, one day, take them to the far reaches of space, the Final Frontier.

If it hadn't been for that Witch, Ralph's uncle wouldn't resort to living bottle to bottle, bitterly hiding himself in his trailer refusing to face the light of day, only occasionally recognizing Ralph enough to unlock the door and let him in to teach him something new, show him some old sketches and designs; only getting in the pilot's seat when Shinra ordered him to fly their SOLDIERs to remote locations.

If it hadn't been for that Bitch…

Ralph wouldn't have had to work for anyone who would pay - usually gangbangers wanting souped up rides, weapons that made people piss their pants at the sight of them - wouldn't have had to grit his teeth at the shame of selling his inventions for money to help support his parents and Uncle Cid, to help patch their little town up after yet another gunfight between Wutai and Shinra; wouldn't have had to participate in the Races - those illegal Rides to the Death that promised gil for guts.

If it hadn't been for that crank whore…

Ralph would never have met Jared. Never have come to the cadet program and met the others.

Never have met her.

He shut his eyes tight, as though it would block out the memory of those sweet brown eyes that closed forever thanks to him.

Someone coughed, and it reminded him of the way Uncle Cid had almost hacked out his lungs that morning when Ralph was catching the transport to Midgar.

The embittered man had been screaming, struggling to stand on unsteady feet as the sight of his only nephew - his little copilot - leaving to join the very bastards who'd destroyed them shocked him from his drunken haze. He'd tried to run after Ralph, tripped over his own feet and crashed into trash bins.

Ralph had wanted to run to his uncle, help him to his feet and back into his trailer - his sanctuary - away from the eyes of the other townspeople who doubtless blamed Uncle Cid for everything.

But he'd made a deal.

No matter how much the scorn and pain in his uncle's eyes hurt, no matter how much the anger and bitterness in his uncle's words of traitor and sellout hurt, he couldn't stay. It was the only way to protect them all.

His uncle had howled from his position on the ground as the transport pulled away, coughed painfully as the exertion and 10 years of living off cigarettes, alcohol and leftovers sequestered away from the world (except for when Shinra needed him) caused his body to react violently to the exposure.

Ralph had never believed in God - his parents and his uncle were physicists and engineers, to them there was only cold, hard logic - but in that moment, he'd prayed that his family would understand one day.

He'd prayed for the strength to prove to them that the true Rocket Town spirit, the Space Cowboys' spirit - that indomitable soul thirsty for knowledge and adventure, that passionate psyche seeking only to push the boundaries and expand their horizons - had prevailed despite Shinra.

He hadn't realized until recently that the Godfather's son who'd spared his life and told him to join SOLDIER before he'd be allowed home was a fellow cadet - Ray Johnson had been using a voice changer and had covered his camera as he spoke to the soldiers surrounding Ralph.

He wondered if Ray had done it on purpose because he'd planned on joining the cadet program too and wanted someone who owed him there. Thinking back though, the brunette had never once done anything to indicate he was going to collect from Ralph, never done anything to give himself away. While the Junon boy had possibly been biding his time, Ralph got the feeling Ray hadn't made him that deal for the pleasure of his company.

Even though it was pleasurable.

Oh for fuck's sake.

Gunny Payne in a bikini, Gunny Payne in a bikini…

Speaking of sex…

He really hadn't liked what that bitch had insinuated about Cloud, was pretty sure they'd all wanted to rip the sneer of that hoe's face when she'd said it.

They'd been concerned last week that the blond would hear the rumors flying about him, but thankfully the Nibelheim cadet had remained as obtuse as ever (likely a result of his exhaustion) and Ray had taken care of it before the situation escalated.

Then that evil whore had had to look at Cloud like that, talk to Boss-man like that.

He'd seen the way Cloud had swam earlier, knew the blond had been controlling himself through lunch and Drill Training until he'd been underwater with his eyes hidden by goggles. And yet Cloud hadn't said a word, had focused only on making sure Ralph was ok.

Ralph felt like a selfish asswipe.

He peered at where Cloud's bunk was, even though he knew he wouldn't be able to see the other boy in the dark despite his keen sight.

He'd check on Cloud tomorrow, make sure Boss-man knew that none of them thought of him as a whore, that those were just things they said in the heat of the moment. Cloud was too sweet and too honorable to ever be in the same category as that psycho bitch.

He'd noticed him back then in the transport - thought at the time that the punkass expression the tiny kid was trying to wear was ill-suited for his delicate features, wondered how long the patsy would survive in the program.

When he'd arrived in Midgar, nervous but telling himself that he had to do this if he wanted to go home, he'd been thrilled to see Jared among the boys queueing to register and collect their packs. Had forgotten all about the little pipsqueak from the transport immediately.

He definitely wouldn't forget about Cloud from now on.

The memory of the hug, of the fact that Cloud had hugged him, loosened the knot in his chest. He rolled onto his back, took a breath and felt the tension ease.

It wasn't all that bad here. He had friends, had a shot at SOLDIER.

Had a chance at making it home.

Ralph fell asleep to dreams of himself and Uncle Cid among the stars, piloting the Enterprise boldly into the final frontier. Together.

##

- Thursday. 0520 hours. -

Cloud supposed he should have realized something was up when the others pulled him ahead of the pack. They weren't usually this gung-ho so early in the morning.

Ralph had started it, the black-haired cadet nudging Cloud's elbow with his own and picking up speed. Next thing he knew, they were half a lap ahead of everyone else from the bunker.

As soon as it was clear the others were out of earshot, Ralph spoke: "Thanks, boss."

He blamed his flush on his exertion, even though he was barely breathing hard. He nodded at the other boy, wondering why the others were involved if Ralph had only wanted to thank him.

It was Ray's turn next, their resident rich kid looking like he'd stepped off the pages of some glossy magazine. "You know none of us thinks that way, right?"

No need to ask what 'way' Ray was referring to. Cloud was getting used to the fact that the others seemed to be able to read his moods better than he could.

That's coz you're a total idiot.

Shut up.

He glanced at Ray and nodded, not knowing what to say. Scarlet's words had stung, had incited the hate-filled voice within him to remind him of what he'd been up to over the weekend, of how he was in love with someone but willingly spreading his legs for others. Of how impossible his love was, how impossible his hopes were, how he should just give up and spend the rest of his pathetic existence letting Life fuck him in the ass.

He hadn't been able to out-swim the darkness that had sucked him into a whirlpool of negativity, though he thought he'd done a pretty good job of keeping the pain at bay, focusing only on Ralph and helping the other cadet feel better.

He'd dreamt of blood and cold green light last night - Sephiroth's mad laughter mingling with Hojo's twisted cackles, eyes filled with lunacy and tubes filled with Mako.

Someone was talking.

"…matter what, you'll always be one of us." That was Ray, smiling gently at him.

"We'll ALWAYS be joined as one." Jared added helpfully. Everyone snorted, Cloud included.

Ralph grinned. "All for one and one for all, mi amigos."

Reno snickered. "For Duty and Humanity!"

"For love and sex!" Jared yelled, pumping his fist in the air obscenely.

Cloud laughed along with the others. Times like these he was so glad to be alive, so grateful for the second chance at everything.

So afraid to lose it all.

Aeris had told him that he didn't need to remember what would happen. That once he'd found things and people he cherished, once he knew what it was he wanted to protect at all costs, he wouldn't need memories of the future to drive him. All he'd need would be memories of the time they'd spent together, of the bonds they shared.

And he had plenty already, despite it only being the fifth week since his 'return'.

Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it? Aeris had asked, smiling.

He agreed. He never wanted the days to end - wanted to put off whatever Nibelheim would be as much as possible - but at the same time he wished time would speed up so that it'd be Saturday afternoon and maybe Sephiroth would be sitting on the floor of Zack's apartment again looking for something to watch while he ate Wutaian takeout.

He felt his heart race as it always did when he thought of the silver-haired man. Hadn't realized his expression gave everything away until next to him Ray chuckled knowingly. "The Brigadier General will make sure the General's there on Saturday, don't you worry."

Cloud flushed red, stumbled, but the bastards had expected it, reaching out to steady him as soon as Ray's sentence ended while laughing and teasing "widdle baby chicky" about his "crushy-wushy".

Reno was singing a song about a Gold Digger. Ralph was somehow moving his legs in that dance-y way of his while keeping pace with them. Jared was insisting there was absolutely nothing wrong with cum for cash, that if you were good at something you shouldn't do it for free.

He'd beat them up in sword training later. These stooges messed with the wrong blond.

The others were yelling at them to slow down, to stop being such fucking idiots. The five of them smirked and ran faster, feet thumping the track as one.

##

- Thursday. 1100 hours. -

Sephiroth was calling out "Enter" even before the first knock sounded. He'd known it was Tseng approaching his office - despite the Turk's stealth and the thick carpet in the hallway, he'd heard the distinctly Tseng footfalls on plush fibers, known exactly when the long-haired man had raised his hand to politely request entry to the General's workspace.

The door opened silently, and Tseng was greeting him with that slightly amused look the Turk always had when they played this game.

He let his own expression soften as he rose, coming around the table to greet one of the few people he could truly claim to tolerate in Shinra.

Tseng was an honorable man, despite being a covert operative. Sephiroth had always respected the older man's calm demeanor, strong sense of justice and loyalty.

He shook Tseng's hand, gestured to him to sit on the couch instead of in the chair that Zack perennially abused, sat on the other end of the sofa and turned to face the Turk's second-in-command. He had a mountain of paperwork to finish as usual, but if Tseng (who was as busy as the General) was coming to his office - particularly at a time when everyone knew Zack was still in La La Land - then Sephiroth would give the Turk his full attention.

He offered the other man coffee or tea - social niceties having been drilled into his head by instructors who wanted Shinra's creation absolutely flawless all the time - wasn't surprised when Tseng demurred gently. That meant the Turk would be spending less than five minutes here. Whatever it was Tseng wanted, it had clearly been important enough for the man to come all the way to the SOLDIER floor for less than three hundred seconds of face-time.

And yet, time limit or no, the Turk was as thoughtful and aware as ever, bowing his head slightly to Sephiroth as he offered his condolences for the team of SOLDIERs that had fallen in a surprise attack by Genesis clones disguised as Shinra Reactor Engineers. His men had picked the 'engineers' up from the pier in Costa Del Sol as instructed, were escorting them to the Nibelheim reactor by way of Corel - where plans to build another reactor were underway - when they'd been infected with some sort of neurotoxin and slaughtered, left to rot by the side of the road until a bunch of Corel miners headed back from Del Sol had found them.

Someone had leaked the information to Genesis. It was the only way he could have gotten to the engineers before the SOLDIERs had arrived to collect them. Sephiroth knew his men would not have let the engineers out of their sight once the Shinra employees were under their care, knew his men would have realized if the swap had occurred some time en route to Corel.

Genesis knew that Sephiroth felt the loss of each of his men keenly. That any death hit the silver-haired man hard, though he'd never show it.

It was his fault for letting his guard down around the redhead. For trusting the other SOLDIER. For letting him in.

And yet, even though he'd thought he'd learned his lesson - that people left, that betrayal only came from friends - he'd gone and let Zack in as well.

Zack's different.

That was true. The man wasn't raised to kill. And he was bouncier than a rubber ball - that wasn't normal, by any means.

Spending time with Zack was the only way Sephiroth felt remotely human anymore - was the only time that Sephiroth felt anything other than tiredness, pain, anger and hunger.

At least, that had been the case until a certain blond cadet had foiled Hojo in the hallways several weeks ago and proceeded to mess with his mind to the extent that he'd literally wet himself on Sunday.

After that incident, he'd settled into watching Sherlock, Zack's ramblings providing a calming white noise that allowed him to relax somewhat and focus on the Great Detective's cases. Until the call had come in on Sunday evening.

He'd spent all of Sunday night and Monday morning reviewing all the footage Intelligence had been able to get their hands on by himself, looking for avenues or clues to tell him where and when the real engineers had been 'replaced'. Then he'd spent all of Monday afternoon and evening devising new security protocol, identifying new rendezvous points, developing new codes and testing everything in simulation after simulation on his own - because he was in charge, because he was responsible for ensuring everyone's safety, because he had to get it absolutely right - until he was satisfied it was watertight. In between, he'd called Intelligence multiple times for information on the neurotoxin - what it was, what it did, how to identify it, how it was transported and administered - but they were unable to provide a definitive answer due to the degeneration of the bodies by the elements, and the fact that wild animals had chewed on the corpses.

Wild animals had chewed on the corpses of his men, who'd been killed by people they were trying to protect and left to decompose among the weeds. Like insignificant roadkill.

He'd gone completely silent in his rage when he'd first heard it - not trusting himself not to string every Shinra employee up and make them tell him how the information had leaked, WHO had betrayed his men - but even then everyone had run from the room as soon as they could, scattering like roaches. Even the President had fled, when at first he'd been harping on the fact that thirty Shinra Reactor Engineers were possibly in enemy hands.

Sephiroth would find whoever it was who'd done this, and make him or her pay. His men deserved better than that. Their families deserved better than that.

He'd broken with protocol - it wasn't the first time he'd thrown the rule book out the window, though he'd never allow Zack to find out - calling each fallen SOLDIER's family that evening to inform them of what had happened personally, give them his assurance that he would find whoever was responsible and bring that individual or group of individuals to justice for their sons.

All his years of experience, all the films and works of fiction that Zack exposed him to, all the nagging and "Social Studies" he'd gotten from Angeal in the past and Zack in the present, and he still hadn't been fully prepared for the myriad reactions from bereaved parents.

There had been shock, of course - that their sons were dead, that the General himself was calling to inform them, pledging to find the perpetrators.

There had been grief as expected - loud and wailing, soft and weeping, voices breaking and spirits broken.

There had been anger too, over Sephiroth allowing such a thing to happen, over his failure as a leader.

But what had stunned him most was the way that all some parents had wanted to know was if the real engineers were safe, and if their sons had been good SOLDIERs - if they'd been brave and loyal, good comrades and good friends to all who knew them.

He'd wished more than anything then for a way to turn back time, for him to take the places of his fallen men in order for them to be alive and safe - so he wouldn't have to see the torment and blame in the faces of their parents who'd been in the middle of Sunday Dinner, so he would never again feel the pain of a thousand swords piercing through his chest, twisting and turning as he looked each parent in the eye and tried to tell them how very sorry he was for their loss.

It was the pain that dogged him, kept him going over maps and security logs and plans, like a madman searching for some sort of evidence that he was the Chosen One, searching for the Truth that would set him free.

Until he'd met Zack at the entrance of their apartment building, he hadn't realized he'd gone without food since the late lunch they'd shared on Sunday in his penthouse.

Sephiroth bowed his head as well, thanked the Turk for his thoughts, waved away the murmured apology over the lack of any flowers or offerings, sat up straight and deliberately kept his body language open.

It was time for the main event.

"It appears the Junon Cannon is in its final stages of development," Tseng said softly.

Sephiroth nodded, he'd heard the same in Tuesday's meeting with Lazard.

"The Head of Weapons Development has been dispatched to the Junon base to ensure there are no issues with our latest defence system." Tseng was pretending to look at Sephiroth politely, but the General knew the other man was watching him closely for a reaction, had heard about Scarlet's little jaunt to the cadet academy.

Sephiroth had heard about that from Zack yesterday afternoon, the black-haired First storming into his office to rail about the "evil conniving c-word of a shark-faced bitch", as the Brigadier General liked to call Scarlet.

Like Zack, he'd wanted to tell Scarlet to stick her surgically-altered nose in the Junon Cannon and press 'Fire'. But he knew that speaking to the "shark-faced bitch" would only be taken as 'proof' that he had an interest in the cadets - in Strife - and that it would be used against him by that "evil conniving c-word".

He also knew that it would raise flags all across Shinra - that Hojo would have hauled the little blond cadet into the labs immediately, and that the Vice President would have started plotting to get to Strife as a means of leverage against Sephiroth.

So he'd sat in his chair and tried to remain impassive as Zack ranted and raved, slamming angry gloved fists on the table - which now needed to be fixed - and wishing SOLDIER could be free of Shinra forever.

He'd shot the First a look at that, a silent warning that nowhere was safe for such words, and Zack had grit his teeth and stormed off, slamming the door almost off its hinges on his way out.

He hadn't seen his second-in-command since then. It was rare for Zack to not harass him in the evenings when he'd gotten home from work. He told himself that he should enjoy the peace while it lasted, but he hadn't been able to calm down fully at the thought of Scarlet approaching Cloud.

Strife. STRIFE.

Yes, 'strife' does accurately describe your emotional state right now. That voice had sounded too much like Genesis for comfort.

At the thought of his redheaded friend, he had stilled, dropping the replacement mug Zack had given him. Fortunately he'd been standing over the sink when he'd thought of Genesis, and what the man would do if he ever found out about Cloud, and about how…'confused' Sephiroth felt thanks to the little blond cadet.

All he could think about was stopping these uncomfortable emotions and thoughts before the situation escalated and Cloud became a target, but he hadn't the first clue how to go about it. It wasn't like he could look it up in the database or talk to Zack about it.

And yet…he'd almost forgotten that the blond had a very powerful backer in the form of the Godfather's son, and that Junon was the Godfather's home ground. Scarlet would not be safe from the Family's reach in the port city, would have to spend the next few weeks making sure she didn't do anything to put herself at risk of being 'taken care of'.

It was a message, loud and clear: the Johnson Family would not tolerate anyone messing with Cloud Strife. Scarlet had met the small blond for a few minutes yesterday, and was now being transferred to Junon for several weeks, away from the little cadet.

Sephiroth wasn't sure if he was glad, or if he wanted to throw the Johnson boy into a wall for now putting a price tag on Cloud's head. He didn't doubt that the other Families had their own people in Shinra, would have heard about it and put two and two together.

A sudden thought seized him. It hadn't just been Cloud who'd been targeted by the sadistic..."c-word".

That Rocket Town cadet, the nephew of the cranky pilot who'd caused Rocket Town's socio-economic malaise with his youthful arrogance, had caught that woman's eye as well.

Sephiroth had heard that Scarlet had joined Shinra 10 years ago, around the same time the rocket launch had failed. He hadn't paid attention then, the Wutai War had just started and it'd been his first time meeting Angeal and Genesis - the first time he'd met two other natural born killers, just like him.

He was glad for his ability to remain impassive at all times. Had he been Zack, he'd have let out a sigh of relief.

To outsiders, the Johnson boy could be protecting either the Nibelheim cadet or the Rocket Town cadet, or both. It was common knowledge in Shinra that they were all close, that the Junon cadet and the Rocket Town boy had always been on good terms even before Cloud's incident in hand-to-hand five weeks ago.

The target was murkier, the price tag halved.

He wanted to kick himself for jumping to conclusions, assuming it was Cloud who'd been in Scarlet's crosshairs. This protectiveness, this possessiveness, was completely unlike him. This inability to refer to the pretty little cadet by his last name even more so.

Pretty little cadet, huh? The voice sounded like Zack's. Sephiroth was glad the other man wasn't here to hear the latest and witness his lack of reaction, knew his second-in-command would see through Sephiroth's facade as easily as he charmed his way into everyone's hearts.

He nodded at Tseng, noted how the Turk hadn't moved a muscle the whole time gears had been whirring in Sephiroth's head.

"The Cannon is important to Shinra," the General responded calmly.

Tseng was a brilliant Turk - not once did his expression change, nor did he give any sign that he'd gotten what he'd come for.

They both knew exactly what it was that the long-haired operative had wanted. And they both knew he'd gotten part of it.

Sephiroth supposed he should thank the Rocket Town cadet for helping deflect some attention from Cloud. But first, he needed to deal with this…'thing' that he was going through thanks to the little blond.

He was looking forward to spending time at Zack's on Saturday. The First had asked him over for a marathon of some new TV series he'd recently discovered, about two brothers who solved supernatural crimes out of duty and tradition. While Sephiroth didn't enjoy the poor special effects and vapid stupidity of characters that detracted from every horror movie he'd ever seen (why did the everyone always run upstairs and not out the front door?), Zack had assured him that this series held more mythology and "whodunnit" than badly applied makeup and ridiculous plot devices.

And besides, Zack had reasoned, it's not real - the ghosts and ghouls and demons. Which makes the show a great way to take a breather, get your mind off the War so you can recharge, even give you a fresh perspective maybe.

The First had a point. And his film and TV recommendations had been spot on thus far.

While Sephiroth tried not to skip work on Saturdays (even though he knew he was one of a select few who bothered heading into the office on Saturday), a TV marathon at Zack's all weekend meant no Disney Princesses to remind him of Cloud with their blond hair and blue eyes, meant no other golden-haired sapphire-eyed bed partners to make him wish it was the little cadet he was holding instead.

The weekend couldn't come soon enough.

##

- Thursday. 2030 hours. -

Zack watched the little blond cadet practise his side kicks on the redhead, prayed no mission would get in the way of this weekend's plans.

So far, so good.

Sephiroth had agreed to come over Saturday morning to marathon Supernatural all weekend. While Zack hadn't been entirely sold on the premise when he'd picked the DVDs up in the store, he didn't have much choice.

Every SOLDIER who was Captain and above was not allowed to purchase or rent DVDs from anywhere other than the store on base. And no SOLDIER was allowed Netflix. Shinra didn't want anyone hacking or embedding any sort of code into the electronics of their warriors.

Paranoid, much?

It was just an entertainment system, for God's sake.

It didn't help that Sephiroth marathoned at his speed - watching DVDs at on 5X fast forward to "keep his skills sharp" - meaning he finished shows quicker than production houses could pump them out. Zack wondered if it was because the man just wanted to get straight to the point. It defeated the purpose of watching anything, it wasn't how life worked, and he'd told his commander as such. The silver-haired man had agreed to try and watch at "normal speed" whenever Zack was around, but who knew what the man got up to when he was on his own.

His reasoning for the marathon had gotten through to the General, though he'd known it would. Sephiroth had been quieter than normal (and that was saying something) on Monday night, and Zack had understood why on Tuesday when the silver-haired SOLDIER had finally told him what had happened.

He knew it had been purely "need to know", that the only people who'd been in the loop on Sunday and Monday were the General, Lazard, Verdot, and the President and his Heads of Department. Intelligence had been involved too, but those guys never talked to anyone but Sephiroth anyway.

It still hurt that he'd been kept in the dark for so long. He'd known those men - six Thirds and four Seconds - had had drinks with them just two weeks before they'd been sent on their little "escort" mission.

It hurt every time one of their own fell. The General wasn't the only one in pain - they all were. No one liked losing friends.

Genesis, AVALANCHE, Wutai…they would all pay.

And yet…

Zack wasn't an angry man by nature. He always kept a level-head, despite his outward shows of emotion sometimes, and he knew death was inevitable - particularly in their line of work.

He also knew that Wutai was fighting because they believed in independence, because they were proud of their heritage and culture, because they didn't want to become slaves to Shinra.

No one did. But submitting gracefully was better for them in the long run. Just look at Rocket Town - that proud bunch of dreamers who lived hand-to-mouth, struggling to get by, patching up their town and burying more and more of their people every time the War came through.

He glanced at the black-haired cadet who was currently locked in a Mata Leão by the Junon boy under Jeffries' supervision.

He'd heard about what the shark-faced bitch had said to him, heard about how furious the teen had been, and he knew why.

God knew he'd wanted to march straight up to that c-word and break her neck multiple times ever since he'd met her. The urge to maim had been overwhelming on Wednesday when he'd found out about the bitch's little visit down to the cadet academy, when he'd heard about how she'd tried to touch Cloud, heard about what she'd said to Vikers.

But he couldn't - he knew he couldn't. Even Sephiroth couldn't touch her - though Zack suspected the General wouldn't touch that skank with the tip of his Masamune for fear of contaminating his beloved blade - she was the Head of Weapons Development, and the President liked her.

Easy to understand why the fat man did. He liked anyone who stroked his ego and sucked him off, anyone who made him look good.

The c-word's inventions certainly struck fear into their enemies - her team cranking out weapon after weapon that got more and more brutal with each iteration.

Zack had heard about the "tests", heard whispers that orphans from the slums were used as "subjects", and he didn't like it. But already it had taken all of Sephiroth's powers of persuasion to keep the bitch's weapons out of SOLDIER - they couldn't question her about her "practices".

He had a feeling he knew part of the reason why Cloud's redhead friend wanted to join the Turks, had had a casual chat with Tseng in the hallway last week about it. As much as the street rat liked to pretend he was the shit, liked to act as though he didn't care about anyone or anything, Zack and the Turks had his number. The boy still had a heart, still had his own sense of honor, justice and loyalty - the Turks weren't interested in merely recruiting stone-cold killers - but more than that Cloud wouldn't spend so much time with the redhead otherwise.

The long-haired operative had also mentioned casually that Verdot was keeping an eye on the slum kid, which meant the Head of the Turks suspected he'd be executing his own employee for murdering a Head of Department.

It also meant that Verdot had known Reno from before.

Zack knew about the Turk's habit of wandering about the slums in disguise, trying to help whoever he could without giving his identity away. Angeal had mentioned it once.

He wondered what his mentor was up to. Angeal hated killing, believed that the greatest victory was one without bloodshed, would never want to see any of the men he'd served with hurt.

Yet Angeal had gone AWOL with Genesis, and Genesis clones had killed hundreds of SOLDIERs thus far.

Why, Angeal? Why didn't you stop him?

He didn't have the answers, none of them did. He'd sat and thought about it thousands of times already, always with bottles of whisky in his hands, wondering why Angeal had left, wondering what Angeal was up to, wondering how to bring him back.

No matter how much he'd screamed to the heavens, he'd never gotten any answers. God existed, Zack had to believe He did, but He wasn't listening.

No church in the wild.

Lies on the lips of a priest.

Speaking of churches and priests - he'd yet to ask Cloud about his little visits to a church in the slums. The timing hadn't been right thus far - he was only starting to build a rapport with the blond, and he didn't want to frighten the cadet off with questions. Bad enough the poor kid had looked ready to have a heart attack when Zack had teased him about his weekend activities on Monday. He felt bad about it, but at the same time it was fun teasing the boy - he was adorable when he was off-balance, showing his true colors.

He knew Sephiroth thought Cloud was adorable no matter what the blond did.

Which brought him back to his hopes that he wouldn't be sent on a mission this weekend.

It'd been awhile since he'd been sent on a mission, actually. That meant only one thing: he had one coming up very soon, and it would take at least a week, if not more. Sephiroth wasn't the kind of man who deployed his Firsts every time he heard something about their enemies - experience had taught him to be cautious - which meant the silver-haired commander was currently putting together a plan for a critical strike on either Genesis, AVALANCHE or Wutai. And Zack would be involved.

AVALANCHE had been quiet recently, actually. Too quiet. They were likely plotting something, and it wouldn't be good for anyone - those terrorists didn't care who they hurt, so long as they managed to land a hit on Shinra.

While Zack often left planning and decision-making up to his commander unless he was on the ground running point, he knew the silver-haired man valued his input and would run any plan past him before they decided to execute it. It hadn't always been the case - Zack had his tenacity to thank for that. It hadn't been easy proving himself to Sephiroth, proving that he could be trusted, but it was so worth it.

Everything happened for a reason, he had to believe that.

Cloud had Reno on the ground, and was trying to get the upper hand but the redhead was a slippery little wanker and very good at groundwork.

Zack raised his eyebrows and wanted to whistle as the blond pulled off a move that resulted in the slum kid tapping out frantically. He'd never seen anyone move like that before, not even Sephiroth.

Then again, no one had ever seen Sephiroth wrestle. The man was too good - the SOLDIERs had a betting pool going on who would actually be able to make the man's knees touch the ground. It was all in good fun, of course - they didn't believe anyone actually could.

Heaven help anyone who ever took their boss down. SOLDIERs would be on that punk like white on rice.

Although…

Zack somehow knew that once Cloud had his Mako enhancements, once the little blond was fully grown and trained, he'd give the General a run for his money. The kid was deadly enough already - no telling how lethal he'd be once he became a SOLDIER.

On the one hand, Zack didn't want the sweet blond ever being exposed to the brutalities of battle. On the other, he knew having the boy on their side was an advantage - it would mean more successful attacks, less casualties, and, maybe, a quicker end to the long War.

Catch-22.

He needed to up his own game, pull more than his weight if he wanted the War to end before anyone else became embittered and hardened, before more people died.

The timer beeped, and he realized their little private training had ended for today. Already Cloud and Reno were standing at attention, both panting and flushed, while Jeffries, Mendez and the other four boys walked to where Zack was standing in the middle of the hall.

He nodded at them, thanked them for their hard work, and asked the little chicky to hang back for a bit.

Baby chocobo, baby chicken, chicky…geddit, geddit?

No one appreciated his genius.

As soon as he was alone with the blond, he gave a spiky head its usual shake, grinned when he saw that familiar joyous yet sad expression on the kid's face.

He'd figure him out one day, find out who had hurt the little cadet so badly and beat whoever it was to a pulp.

In the meantime, he was on a mission.

"So Cloudy," he started as they strolled towards the doors. "Just checking - what's your favorite food?"

The way the blond reacted to that simple question broke his heart. Baby blues had widened in shock as Cloud bit his lower lip, which had trembled slightly. Had no one ever thought to ask the boy what he liked or disliked? Had no one ever cared?

He wanted to strangle those damn cadets who got it on with Cloud every week but hadn't bothered asking.

Calm down, Zack. That voice reminded him of Angeal so much.

He knew the others weren't selfish bastards, that they cared about Cloud - it was obvious to everyone. They probably hadn't thought to ask because the little blond was the type not to kick up a fuss, wanted everyone to get along and be happy so he'd probably always agreed to eating anything the others wanted.

He focused on the small cadet, noticed how Cloud seemed to be wracking his brain trying to come up with something. The boy was clearly unused to having to pick something in particular he liked, though Zack suspected - from whatever it was the kid had been through - he was exceptionally good at picking out things he didn't like.

"Umm…" Cloud's voice was low, uncertain, as though he wasn't sure if it was alright to voice such selfish thoughts.

It's OK, kiddo.

Zack wanted to give the boy a hug.

"Probably…Wutaian?" Baby blues had peeked up at him hesitantly, as though waiting to be shot down or mocked. Zack's heart ached for the blond, wondered who it was who'd intentionally taken away everything the kid had ever liked or loved and made him believe he didn't deserve to be indulged a little, didn't deserve to have things he wanted.

Apart from his Get-Seph-A-Life-Tis, he was beginning to develop a serious case of Cloudy-dia.

He grinned, ruffled blond hair. "Got it! I'll get plenty of Wutaian for you on Saturday then!"

The way the kid looked - disbelieving, happy, touched - made him want to lock Cloud and Sephiroth in a Pleasure Chamber and throw away the key.

If this worked out, neither of them would feel so isolated again.

##

- Friday. 1130 hours -

Ray whistled as Ralph continued firing, each bullet almost perfectly placed until the black-haired cadet had completely blown off the bulls' eye on the target.

The boy really was a crackshot.

He supposed the scarlet color of the bulls eye just made the Rocket Towner see red. None of them had enjoyed the little "visit" by The Bitch.

Ray knew he should stop using Family Connections to help his friends, but what was the point of having power if he didn't use it to protect people he cared about?

Unlike Shinra.

He didn't like the way the President worked, but they didn't really have a choice. He and his father didn't want AVALANCHE to win because those terrorists had no honor, no compassion - though they were themselves an organized crime family, the key words were "organized" and "family".

There had to be rules, there had to be empathy.

Some of the other Families didn't care - pushed products to children as soon as they could walk in the name of money and repeat customers - but the Johnsons had expressly forbidden it among their Family members. It wasn't about profits or territory - these were kids, for God's sake. Children should be allowed to be children.

Not that Ray believed any of them - Cloud, Reno, Ralph, Jared and himself - had led "normal" childhoods by any means. Especially since he knew Ralph's and Jared's stories, had been involved in their lives before cadet training.

As he fired almost absent-mindedly at his target, his thoughts drifted to AVALANCHE. His men had only been able to find out that AVALANCHE was eyeing the Junon Cannon currently being built - they'd fed that information to Shinra as a means of persuading the President to send the vicious whore to oversee the cannon development - but no other details were forthcoming. Ray wondered what Rufus had planned, how the other cruel blond intended to deal with AVALANCHE once they'd achieved his objective of killing his father.

He knew Rufus would be sure to tie up any loose ends perfectly.

He didn't want to put Lara in the position of bugging Rufus' penthouse. She was too valuable to lose over the chance that their surveillance units would pick something up, had spent years gaining the trust of the most powerful men and women in the world, used her connections and skills to Ray's advantage.

The General had destroyed the bugs as soon as the triplets had left, he knew. But he wasn't worried, knowing the SOLDIER probably blamed Rufus for the attempted espionage - Ray was fully aware of the fact that the Vice President and the General disliked each other, so his instructions to Lara had been clear: the Disney Princesses would only plant the bugs the morning after Lara had spent a night with Rufus. It'd been a long shot, attempting to spy on the SOLDIER, but Ray had thought it through and he didn't see any harm in trying.

He knew their undercover agents on the Junon base would find a way to bug Scarlet's phone and quarters. The woman was paranoid, would be on guard for any suspicious behavior because she knew she was in the Johnson's home ground (and she knew that Ray had ordered it after her little "episode"), so their agents had been instructed not to make any moves for the first three weeks. Let Scarlet get lulled into a false sense of security before they planted their equipment.

Wutai was becoming another problem, though their legitimate alcohol business was still doing well in the city while their smugglers made bank bringing Wutaian sake, art pieces and beautifully made katanas to wealthy individuals and corporations outside of those ancient walls. He knew the General was one of their regular customers, though he doubted the silver-haired SOLDIER knew exactly who was behind the exquisite weapons that adorned his walls or the bottles of authentic sake he enjoyed. It was dangerous business, playing both sides, so they were using proxies and shell companies - people who couldn't be traced back to them and vice versa.

It was an operation run entirely on unspoken rules of loyalty, honor, and respect.

Some Wutaians were getting louder in their calls for throwing the Johnsons out - calling them greedy, dishonorable bootleggers who sought profits more than anything else. It wouldn't do to lose their access to that city - it was thanks to their employees in Wutai that the Johnsons had always been able to move their people out of harm's way, had been able to trade key intel for favors. The Family needed to remain on good terms with Wutai, but the War wasn't helping - though it was certainly helping alcohol sales across the world.

Then there was Genesis, that rogue SOLDIER. Ray's men hadn't been able to find out much about him - even the Turks on their payroll hadn't had much information beyond what was publicly available. They hadn't been able to penetrate the SOLDIER Firsts, who were fiercely loyal to the General, though the Family was close to turning several Seconds, had already succeeded in making several Thirds their Associates. Unfortunately, Seconds and Thirds could only report limited information, and only after the fact - Firsts were the ones who knew more than what was easily available, and they were ridiculously tight-lipped.

Ray needed to know what it was Genesis was up to so that he could prepare the Family, maybe find a way to use Genesis to their advantage against the other Families. From what he'd heard, the redhead was on some sort of power trip and wanted to be a "hero". The man had clearly purchased drugs from the Salozzos, known for their defective product.

No matter, he had Cloud - whom the General was keen on, and whom the Brigadier General obviously treated like a baby brother. If anyone would be able to find out more about Genesis, it'd be his little blond friend.

Ray couldn't wait for tomorrow. He'd known the minute the dark-haired SOLDIER had asked them over that the man planned to trick the General and Cloud into spending time together. While the First hadn't asked for his help, he'd give it willingly - he liked the Brigadier General, who was clearly an honorable and kind man, and he knew Cloud and the General liked each other. If it helped him win brownie points with the blue-eyed SOLDIER, then that was a plus. While Ray admitted that the General was majestic, a sight to behold, he also knew that he didn't stand a chance. Not only because his coloring wasn't in line with the General's tastes, but because of his family background.

He'd kept his identity secret for many reasons, mostly safety and security. But a small part of him, a very tiny part, also couldn't forget the way the other kids in kindergarten had looked at him when the rumors started.

Their true business wasn't a respectable one. And he had learned to accept it as his lot in life.

You can't choose who you're born to. You can only make the best of it.

Beside him, Ralph was laughing at Brian's futile attempts to hit the target, calling the Kalm cadet a Storm Trooper. The light brown-haired boy was flushing but smiling, since Ralph's words held no venom and he was clearly trying to teach the smaller cadet to aim better by adjusting Brian's grip and instructing him on when and how to breathe. Jared wasn't helping, his suggestions focused on how to breathe around a fat cock in one's mouth, while Cloud and Reno were insulting each other (well, Reno was doing the insulting and Cloud was ignoring him) over their almost identical scores.

It was good to see Ralph having fun. It was good to see them all having fun.

Ray wondered what the future held, once they'd entered SOLDIER. There was only so much his Family could do, only so much protection he could give his friends. Only so much time before he had to become a man, and fight for his position as Head of the Family.

A sudden pat, and he turned, startled, squeezing the trigger and cursing the knee jerk reaction that wasted a shot.

Reno needed that smug look knocked off his face.

"Sorry, dude." You're not sorry at all, street rat. "Some of the others were wondering if we were heading under the Plate tonight. Cloud's cool with whatever." Cloud was always cool with whatever. Even being abused.

Gunny Payne in a bikini, Gunny Payne in a bikini...

He tilted his head, considering, glanced at Cloud who was pretending to focus on hitting the target while trying to control the slight flush on porcelain cheeks.

Blondie wanted to get it on, that much was clear.

He turned back to Reno. "We'll need to be back by two-thirty tomorrow, though. A bit tight, don't you think?"

The redhead nodded. It would definitely be a bit of a rush, given how they tended to sleep till two on Saturdays in the slums. "Bunker?"

He nodded, turned to look at the others who shrugged and nodded. No one really cared where they drank, so long as the booze was free.

It was how Ray had become so popular so quickly, after all. Though Cloud, Reno and Ralph still remained hesitant about accepting his money easily - Ray knew Reno had figured out who he was already, but the redhead's stubborn pride and experience in the slums wouldn't allow him to give in so easily. Ralph had his pride too - although the black-haired boy had learned to swallow it many times growing up in Rocket Town, deep down Ralph had strong feelings towards 'charity' and being at someone's mercy. Now that Ralph had figured out who he was, it was highly likely the other cadet didn't want to owe him any more favors. It was testament to the black-haired boy's maturity and pride that he hadn't asked Ray to change the terms of their deal, proof of his understanding that doing so would make Ray look weak in front of the Family.

Cloud likely had no clue what Ray's family did for a living, and was just too sweet to be comfortable taking advantage of anyone else.

Fortunately Jared knew Ray well, knew the brunette was just doing what he felt like doing. Brian went along with everything because he didn't want to be left out, while Grant had accepted easily once Ray had had a little "chat" with the massive Corelian. The hulking cadet was the kind who didn't question when there was no obvious danger, but that didn't mean he was stupid.

He turned back to Cloud, waited for the blond to have the final say. It was how they operated in public - the smaller cadet was Boss, and they honestly did respect his decisions and intelligence - Cloud would be the one to give the final go/no-go at all times, though they would of course provide their suggestions and recommendations.

The Nibelheim boy glanced at him and nodded once, turned back to the front and pretended it was perfectly normal to blush during target practice.

Nice try, Blondie.

Ray couldn't wait for tonight, and for tomorrow.

TGIF.

##

- Saturday. 0000 hours. -

Cloud wondered how they had managed to get the keys for the instructor's lounge.

No need to wonder why he was going along with breaking and entering. He was tipsy, but more than that he needed to get laid. It was already Saturday, and all the thoughts and hopes as a result of this afternoon's plans at Zack's were making him wish for blessed oblivion.

The ball gag was in place already, seeing as they were on base and needed to keep their voices down. He wondered how Ray had managed to bring his little Bag of Tricks into the cadet academy.

He had to admit the thought of getting caught, of being found out, made him more than a little excited.

Pervert.

Duh.

He was bent over the back of the sofa while Reno took him hard from behind, watching Jared - who was also gagged - take Ralph and Ray in his ass with little resistance. The taller blond had clearly prepared himself well - both blonds had had to, kneeling on the coffee table with their backs to the other boys as they lubed themselves up while the others watched.

Cloud wondered how long it'd take them to clean up once they were done.

Reno was gripping his hair, yanking his head backwards to allow the redhead to bite on Cloud's shoulder. The blond was grateful that his tee would be able to cover the bite mark easily. He didn't want another 'talk' with Zack about his weekend activities.

The ball gag was yanked from his mouth and his head was shoved down onto Ralph's cock before he could react. He could taste Jared and the lube, wanted to wrinkle his nose but Ralph was fucking his mouth hard and fast, and he needed to focus to prevent biting the other boy, especially with how brutal Reno's thrusts were.

Ralph pulled out suddenly, shoved the ball gag back in and slapped Cloud across the face before moving back into position and joining Ray in Jared.

We'll always be joined as one, huh?

Jared must have been psychic.

A grunt, and Reno was filling his ass with warmth. The feeling alone made Cloud want to come, but the hated cock ring was on.

Bastards. He needed release too, dammit!

A hard slap on his ass and he cried out around the gag.

"Hold it in, slut." Reno's rough voice always sent a shiver down Cloud's spine. He nodded to show he'd understood, moving to plug his hole with his fingers, squeezing ass muscles to hold the other boy's cum in as much as he could, though he still felt some leakage. He got a few more slaps for that, wished he could tell Reno that it just made him want to cum even more though that was probably why the other boy did it.

He panted, holding himself over the sofa with his fingers in his ass and a ball in his mouth as he watched Ray and Ralph do Jared what Reno had done to him. The other blond had it tougher, his position causing more cum to leak out and down his legs, and his face was slapped hard for that 'failure'.

Then the gags were removed, Cloud was pushed over to lie on his back on the sofa as Jared clambered over him, and they were told to remove their makeshift butt plugs and clean each other up.

Jared sat on Cloud's face, while the smaller blond felt hands lifting his ass up and then Jared's very talented tongue was inside slurping greedily.

He opened his mouth, tasted Ray and Ralph and Jared, and moaned. The sound was muffled thanks to Jared rubbing his ass on Cloud's face, but the others heard it clearly.

"Damn whores."

He felt absolutely filthy, and he loved it. Anything to keep the thoughts of Sephiroth at bay, the hope that the General would be there in the afternoon away.

Jared's chin was bumping the tip of his cock, making him want to scream in frustration at the inability to cum. He was doing his best - he was cleaning Jared well with his tongue, thrusting and sucking and swallowing - so why didn't they LET HIM CUM?

Suddenly the ass was lifted from his face, and he watched as a dildo was shoved in deep before the tell-tale click told him what was going on inside the other blond. Jared was moaning loudly into Cloud's ass, the vibrations making tears gather in the smaller blond's eyes, and he opened his mouth to plead only for Jared's hips to be yanked backwards and down, shoving the other blond's cock deep and causing Cloud to gag. His hair was gripped painfully tight in warning, and he obediently got to work - though he didn't have to do much, with the way Jared was writhing and grinding into him, with the way the dildo was no doubt hitting the taller boy's prostate with its vibrations, and soon wet warmth flooded Cloud's mouth and he swallowed quickly, sucking and licking Jared clean.

When the other boy was lifted off him, he opened his mouth to plead again, only for the ball gag to be shoved back in. He mewled, lifting his hips and arching his back - he needed to CUM, dammit! - then dark chuckles filled his ears before something cold pinched his nipple almost painfully tight. Gasping, he tried to look down, only for his head to be yanked backwards over the arm-rest as Ralph slapped him once, twice, thrice before removing the ball gag and shoving himself deep, not waiting for Cloud to adjust before fucking his mouth again.

His other nipple was pinched painfully tight as well, and he felt a leather chain hang across his upper abs. Then someone flicked whatever it was pinching him, and he cried out around Ralph.

It hurts!

He tried to reach for it, to take it off, but his hands were grabbed as a mouth closed over his cock and someone started to pound into him.

Someone was pounding into whoever it was sucking him off - most likely Jared - going by the way the mouth kept jerking.

His nipples were flicked again, and this time the pain was lessened by the cock in his ass pounding against that spot that made him see stars, by the warmth that suckled at him until he wanted to scream because THE DAMN RING WAS STILL ON.

Again and again they flicked whatever it was that pinched him, until each time they touched it Cloud moaned around Ralph, lifting his chest up for more.

So good, so good, please…

A harder flick on his left nipple, he arched his back, then the cock ring was removed and Jared was sucking hard and swallowing Cloud's spurts with ease as both blonds cried out around the cocks in their mouths.

Ralph came, squeezing Cloud's throat so that the blond wouldn't swallow, and Cloud credited all his 'practice' for the fact that he was able to hold the cum in his mouth. Then his ass was filled - he moaned and received a slap for being a noisy slut - whoever it was pulled out, and something large and hard was being shoved in.

When it started to vibrate, Cloud realized it was the dildo that had been in Jared earlier.

He was pushed up into a sitting position, Jared straddling his lap and fucking himself on Cloud as the two blonds kissed. Cloud fisted Jared as ordered, started to pump, as the other boy's movements rubbed against whatever it was on his chest and made him want to take it off and move more.

When Jared released his mouth, Cloud looked down, saw the clamps and thought to himself it shouldn't be so hot, then he glanced to his left and wondered why he was surrounded by porn stars.

Ralph had Ray on a table, dick buried deep in the Junon cadet's ass as strong arms held the brunette up while Ray braced himself against the table surface - refusing to fall onto his back, refusing to hold on to Ralph for support, clenching lean abs as he attempted to stare the taller boy down even as he was being fucked hard - and Reno had two fingers in Ralph's and was thrusting in time with the black-haired boy's rhythm.

And they say blonds have all the fun.

A click, and suddenly Cloud didn't care who was in who as Jared started to kiss him frantically and ride him faster.

When the haze cleared, they were ordered to crawl over to where the other three were, getting on their hands and knees and making their way over to where Reno was buried in Ralph who was buried in Ray.

Then Jared was cleaning Reno's cock while Cloud was eating Ralph's ass out for the first time, tasting Reno as well, as the vibrations inside him pushed him closer and closer to climax. It didn't take long for Ralph to go over the edge, and then Cloud was being ordered to clean Ray up.

He moved obediently, saw Jared with Reno's and Ralph's cocks in his mouth, then Ray was guiding him to his ass and Cloud was licking and suckling enthusiastically - like a good little slut, Ray cooed - while fisting Ray's length and pumping. When Ray was close, he moved to stand leaning against the table, and Cloud gladly sucked him off, keeping the cum in his mouth and waiting for Ray to spit inside before he swallowed.

The hard slap after that, plus the weights on his nipples and the vibrations inside his ass, made him cum hard, and he splattered white streaks on the table leg and floor.

"Bitch!" Ray slapped him again, grabbed his hair and shoved his head down. "Clean that up!"

He wasn't going to lick the furniture and the floor. Who the hell did Ray…

The dildo started to vibrate faster, his cock was nudged with a foot, and he crawled forward to clean himself off the table, ass jutting up in the air as someone stomped the dildo in further, pushing Cloud's face forward and making his lips wrap around the table leg as he kept licking.

"Good boy." Ray sounded like he was talking to a puppy who'd just learned to roll over.

Cloud wondered how much further he'd sink, then didn't have time to wonder further as he was pulled up and shoved into the table, bending over as Ray yanked the still vibrating dildo out and fucked him from behind while thrusting fingers in his mouth.

The similarities with that first 'resonance' with Sephiroth made him clench hard around the brunette and cry out around the fingers fucking his mouth. The fingers pulled out, a palm clapped over his mouth and his head was yanked back as Ray hissed into his ear: "Be quiet, slut."

A hard bite on the top of his ear and he nodded, moaning into the palm at the pain.

He was yanked off the table and spun around, still bent over, then Reno was fucking his mouth while Jared knelt below Cloud to suck him off.

The way Reno's thrusts were so out of rhythm, could it be…?

He felt Reno jerk against him, heard the redhead cry out softly, and he almost came at the thought of Ralph pounding into the future Turk while Reno fucked Cloud's mouth.

He wasn't sure how long they kept going, how many times his nipples were flicked - making him cry out around cock or into ass - or how many times wet heat filled him on both ends. All the knew was the blessed oblivion he'd sought, the feeling of someone or several someones cleaning him up, dressing him and supporting him back to his bed. Then his head hit the pillow and he fell asleep looking forward to heading to Zack's.

##

- Saturday. 1455 hours. -

Cloud focused on thinking about how to find out if Zack was dating anyone, instead of on how pleasantly sore he felt and how glad he was his tee covered the marks on his shoulders.

If Zack was single, Cloud would have to find a way to introduce him to Aeris. The First didn't have a single arrogant bone in his body, so asking him to come to the slums wouldn't be an issue. But how would Cloud frame the invitation?

They were approaching the Alpha Tower, carrying bottles of whisky in paper bags Ray had somehow procured - Cloud wondered again at how the brunette always seemed to have everything sorted, wondered at how the others had managed to clean the instructors' lounge up after this morning - because it felt wrong to turn up empty handed to Zack's place, even though the SOLDIER probably wasn't expecting them to bring anything.

He shoved aside the thought of what if Sephiroth's there, focused on the easy banter around him. He didn't want to get his hopes up, and yet his stupid heart wouldn't slow down, kept beating faster and faster as they neared the First's apartment until Cloud was sure everyone in Midgar could hear it.

The Tell-Tale Heart.

The door was open again, sounds of someone calling someone else an "Idjit" spilling out into the corridor.

That voice hadn't sounded like Zack's, so it was probably the TV.

When they stepped over the threshold, Cloud wondered if his heart had stopped in the elevator.

There, on the couch, barefoot and cross-legged, munching on a ranch pretzel, was Sephiroth.

The General was dressed in a simple long-sleeved white henley unbuttoned at the top, and crisp faded jeans.

Someone's casual today, a voice said hysterically in his head.

That obnoxious yellow hair tie was wrapped around silver strands and those brilliant green eyes were turning to…

Stare directly at him.

Oh FUCK ME.

Yes, please.

Cloud wanted to faint. Then he wanted to run. He wondered if he could run while fainting.

He wondered if this moment could just last forever.

##

Sephiroth had to admit the show was rather good. He liked Dean, and Bobby could always be counted on to tell someone off in that cranky way of his.

He wondered why Sam kept whining about everything.

If you don't want to do it, then don't do it.

He disliked people who couldn't make up their minds.

Beside him Zack was peeking over the top of the cushion he'd grabbed when the changelings appeared. The First was hiding behind the cushion every few scenes, making Sephiroth glad their enemies were flesh and blood and metal instead of ghosts and ghouls.

They'd started early this morning, when another stupid flash had sent Sephiroth jerking upright in bed panting, wondering why he'd felt Cloud crying out around his fingers. He'd cleaned up, irritated, and hit the training room to calm himself down before taking a shower and barging into Zack's at 0600. The First had still been in bed, had clearly not learned his lesson about sleeping in the nude from that time, landing hard on his ass on a remote control for…something…when Sephiroth had sent him tumbling off the giant king-sized bed with its mismatched sheets.

He assumed Services had given up trying to keep the black-haired man's apartment picture perfect.

Somehow, despite the early wake-up call, the First seemed perkier than ever. It would have made Sephiroth suspicious, had Zack not immediately started yelling at the TV as he was wont to do.

Why the First thought he could communicate with characters in a TV show was beyond him.

As it was, the show had started out a little slow, which meant Sephiroth wrested the remote control from Zack and started watching at his usual speed until the episode about a shapeshifter robbing banks caught his attention and he slowed the speed to normal. The next episode after that had been somewhat interesting too, with its premise of divine justice, though Sephiroth had started speeding through episodes again after that, occasionally stopping to look at interesting scenes such as when the woman realized she was actually a ghost haunting the same road she'd died on. The reference to roadkill had brought back memories of the fate that had befallen his men last week though, and he sped through the next few episodes despite Zack's protests, phoning in to Services for the black-haired man's second breakfast in order to shut him up.

The First had happily stuffed his face on blueberry pancakes covered in honey, maple syrup, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream while Sephiroth tried not to wrinkle his nose at the stench of sugar and artificial flavoring, focusing instead on how the brothers on screen were trying to find a way to kill Azazel after Dean sold his soul to bring his brother back to life.

Sephiroth wondered briefly how many such deals would be made in their world, which was filled with far too much death.

He was munching on a ranch pretzel when he heard the elevator ding. It was too early for their Wutaian, which meant Zack had ordered yet another delivery from Services to try and fit on the coffee table, which was already barely able to hold all the bowls of snacks on its surface. Those poor attendants to SOLDIERs' senior officers must have been wishing the General and Zack were on a mission somewhere.

Services could blame Hojo for SOLDIERs' insatiable appetites. Mako made even the smallest eater a ravenous beast.

The ranch pretzels were delicious, actually, though Sephiroth would ever admit it. If he did, Zack would fill his office with the savory snacks, just as the man always stuffed him with Wutaian.

Not that Sephiroth was complaining. It was his favorite cuisine - he'd spent most of his life in the labs eating nutrient-packed engineered mush that tasted like cardboard, and rations on missions were odorless and flavorless.

When the scent of cadet soap hit him, he had just taken a bite of another pretzel.

Cadet soap?

He turned, wanted to kick himself for falling into another of Zack's traps while another part of him - a very small, infinitesimal, minuscule part - wanted to thank his second-in-command.

Then Cloud's eyes made him forget all thoughts of Zack - brilliant blue already, and he didn't even have Mako enhancements yet.

The little blond cadet was standing there in the foyer, flanked by his taller friends, looking like everything Sephiroth had ever wanted, everything he'd been obsessing about since that incident in the hallway, everything he'd dreamed about since that little smirk had twisted perfect pink lips, which were now partially open and begging to be kissed as the very pretty cadet stared at him, cheeks flushing and making Sephiroth want to make them flush harder, want to hear those sounds that had tormented him almost every night…

"Right on time, boys!" Zack had bounded off the sofa while managing not to spill any of the Smarties in his bowl, setting it on the table somehow as he rushed over to greet the cadets.

The moment was broken, and Sephiroth bit down hard, heard a crunch which shocked him back to his senses.

Chewing quickly, he swallowed as he rose to his feet and set the bowl of pretzels on the table, murmuring a quick "at ease" to the cadets as they saluted him, noticing how three of the boys - Johnson, Vikers, and Fontaine - seemed to have caught Zack's infectious twinkle in the eye disease. The street kid was looking at him coolly, almost warily, which Sephiroth chalked up to his red hair.

The light brown-haired boy from Kalm was gaping openly at the General, while Cloud was…

Cloud was locked in a playful side head choke by Zack as the First mussed the blond's hair. In this position, those breathtaking eyes were blocked from view, and Sephiroth refused to admit he felt disappointed.

The blond's attempt at escaping the chokehold caused Zack's tricep to rub against his tee, which moved slightly to reveal the edge of a bite mark.

Sephiroth had never felt so murderous in his life.

How dare they? How DARE they?

"Seph!" Zack was dragging Cloud over to him, the blond struggling to keep his footing as the SOLDIER yanked him towards Sephiroth. When they were within reach of each other, Zack stopped, grinning wider, that infernal twinkle in his eye making Sephiroth want to punch it out. He didn't have time to entertain such thoughts when he was pinned under the sky again. Distantly, he realized Zack was speaking, struggled to listen. "You remember Cloud, right?"

That settled it. They would train all day on Monday.

"Of course." He thanked a God he didn't believe in for how calm he sounded. "Good to see you, Cloud."

Those eyes widened - just as they had surrounded by rubble and partially-destroyed buildings as he stood above Cloud, who was wielding a blade reminiscent of the Buster Sword - and blinked, staring at him like the blond knew something he didn't.

But what? What was that…flash? That feeling like it was a memory and yet not at all?

"Good to see you too, sir." The cadet's voice was low, somewhat breathy, and it was music to Sephiroth's ears.

Then the blond was being shoved into the sofa, Sephiroth instinctively reaching out and catching him before he slammed his face into the fabric, and Zack was reintroducing all the other cadets.

Not that Sephiroth needed the refresher or cared at that moment. The feel of holding Cloud - the warmth, the softness of skin on a forearm as he helped to right the boy - was making him want to do things he probably shouldn't.

He nodded at the other boys on autopilot, looked back down at Cloud, who had reached out and grabbed his shirt on reflex when he'd stumbled, and who was staring up at him with those beautiful blue eyes. A flush was creeping up the blond's neck and cheeks from within his tee, as the boy stood, barely inches from Sephiroth now, and apologized for falling into him.

Zack's fault, not yours.

He hadn't realized he'd said it aloud until Zack's loud "hey!" and the laughs of other cadets confirmed it. As did the small tilt of perfect lips as Cloud tried to suppress a smile, baby blues sparkling up at him like he was the greatest thing that had ever happened to the world.

It was a look he could spend the rest of his life having on him.

"Anyway, sit down, guys! Quit standing around!" Zack was shoving everyone into cushions and the sofa, and Sephiroth gripped Cloud's forearm almost protectively. That sapphire gaze widened - how much larger could they get? - and the flush returned with a vengeance.

"Sit, sit!" Zack was advancing, arms outstretched, so Sephiroth hastily sat, pulling Cloud down next to him.

That…hadn't been the wisest of decisions.

Cloud was pressed against his side, the top of his blond head barely inches above Sephiroth's shoulder, as the pretty little cadet stared at him, blushing a brilliant red and making Sephiroth's imagination run wild.

A clap startled them both, and they turned to look at Zack, who was far too smug and gleeful and who would be thrown into the wall at least thirty times on Monday.

"SO! We're watching Supernatural, kids," Zack wasn't much older than these cadets, Sephiroth thought in amusement, " and hey I told you not to bring anything, but thanks! Whisky!" the brunette nodded politely at the First, then laughed when Zack continued, "you underaged punks better drink it neat or else."

"We're already on the third episode of the third season, do you boys wanna start over or keep going?" Obviously the cadets wouldn't want to start over and make SOLDIER Firsts rewatch episodes. They shook their heads as expected and Zack smirked, looking even more pleased with himself somehow. "Alrighty! There's snacks and drinks so help yourselves, Wutaian and pizza are arriving at 1900. This is how we do it in the Bachelor Pad, all my single ladies." With that, the First threw himself into the sofa on Cloud's other side - though still an arm's length away - opened a bottle of whisky from one of the bags Johnson had given him and took a swig without waiting for anyone else.

"Hey this is good stuff, thanks kid!" Johnson nodded, spoke easily: "You're welcome, sir."

Why was a CADET more collected than he was right now?

The hedgehog was distributing whisky bottles like the fat man who somehow fit through chimneys, and Sephiroth reached behind Cloud to take his from Zack's outstretched arm.

That…also hadn't been the wisest of decisions.

In this position, with Sephiroth leaning over slightly, Cloud was now perfectly ensconced in the inverted 'L' created by Sephiroth's torso and his arm.

Out of the corner of his eye, the silver-haired man saw the Fontaine cadet cover his mouth to stifle a giggle.

He was proud of himself for not flushing, leaning back and uncapping his bottle. Cloud resembled a tomato right now.

A tomato with very beautiful blue eyes and a GORGEOUS face, a voice added helpfully.

Forget thirty times. Zack was going to make friends with the wall permanently.

They toasted to the weekend, Sephiroth having to clink his bottle against Cloud's and wishing the blond would stop blushing so prettily.

Zack had started up an easy conversation about Supernatural, the Vikers boy going ga-ga over the Impala on-screen, while Fontaine reached over and shut the Kalm cadet's still gaping mouth.

Sephiroth wondered how many flies the boy had caught already.

He tried to focus on the show, tried to ignore the way Cloud's chest and ribs expanded with each breath, bringing that blessed heat closer to him, tried to ignore the fact that he was feeling very out of his depth and yet feeling like this was the way it should be. That this was right.

He'd never 'hung out' with anyone other than Angeal, Genesis and Zack before. He assumed this was something all boys did growing up, but he hadn't exactly had a normal upbringing.

Times like these reminded him that he was a terribly odd 25 year old.

Beside him, Cloud's flush was fading as the boy took small sips from his bottle. Sephiroth tried to forget how soft the cadet's skin had been when he'd touched him, how ethereal that face was...how he'd seen the boy wince out of the corner of his eye when the he'd had pulled the blond down onto the sofa.

The murderous feeling was back with a vengeance.

He knew what that wince meant. Coupled with the bite mark hidden by the boy's regulation tee, and Sephiroth wanted to throw every other cadet out the window tout suite. Who did these brats think they were? How dare they touch Cloud? Did they know who he was? How easy it would be to slaughter each and every one of them before they could even blink? After all...

"I'm Batman."

Startled he glanced back at the TV. Dean had rescued Sam, again.

Sephiroth wondered how Cloud would look at him if he ever rescued the little blond.

And yet…

He glanced down at the cadet by his side, who appeared for all the world to be enraptured by whatever was happening onscreen. Somehow he got the feeling Cloud never needed rescuing, was too strong and too smart to ever get caught.

He's just a cadet.

That was true. Until the boy joined SOLDIER and got his Mako enhancements, he was physically weaker than their enemies.

Sephiroth stilled at that thought. What would happen to the boy if someone tried to attack him now, when he was still in the program, trying to qualify for SOLDIER? What would happen to Cloud if Sephiroth wasn't around to protect him?

The memories assailed him - of all the men who'd fallen under his command, of the innocent civilians killed in the crossfires of multiple battles despite their best efforts to lead their enemies away from townspeople and villagers. He could never let that happen to Cloud.

Laughter startled him and he glanced up at Johnson and Vikers, who were double-teaming to arm-wrestle Zack and losing badly.

Johnson had stepped in and quashed the rumors about Cloud, sent Scarlet to Junon so she'd be far away from Cloud. The brunette was the son of the Godfather, and one of the best cadets they had this intake.

Vikers was a crackshot - the General recalled the way the black-haired cadet had taken down a moving Third in the dark without his goggles, recalled glancing at the boy's target practice average scores.

The redhead was street smart, was clearly competent since the Turks were eyeing him.

Fontaine had always been in the top ten of the cadet program since he'd joined.

That hulking Corel boy he'd seen onscreen in Battle Sims was a fantastic human shield.

The Kalm boy was an excellent…distractor. Probably.

He let out the breath he hadn't been aware he'd been holding. Cloud wasn't alone, had friends who looked out for him, who protected him when Sephiroth wasn't around to do so.

He wondered why he was so obsessed with taking care of the small blond. It wasn't like Cloud was a weakling. The boy had earned the respect of highly capable cadets - had earned the respect of most of his intake with his skills - had held his own against Zack in a mock sword fight and led his team to victory twice in SOLDIER arenas.

He wouldn't have to worry about Cloud, Sephiroth knew. And yet, he still wanted to.

Zack had started a little quiz with the other cadets, and it seemed the losers had to drink.

It wasn't even 1530 yet. The man was the Devil - these boys were underaged.

They're not that innocent.

That was true. None of them were. Sephiroth had been fighting Wutai at their age, had developed total immunity to alcohol and all manner of drugs long before that.

He looked back down at Cloud, wondered why those blue eyes always seemed to stare deep into his soul.

The cadet was blushing again, but he didn't look away. The little chocobo had balls.

And balls are a very good thing to have, a Zack-voice whispered cheekily.

Sephiroth started at that, the similarity to his previous…dream three weeks ago disorienting him slightly. He blinked, realized Cloud had jerked his head back slightly at almost the same time.

What was that about?

They couldn't both have had the same…thought, could they?

Clapping and cheering from the group sitting on the floor had them both turning to see Zack having to take five gulps from his bottle. Clearly the Quiz Master had lost to the combined assault of five cadets.

"Seph! Help me out here!" The black-haired First yelled once he'd put his bottle down.

He wasn't going to get dragged into some ludicrous contest of random bits of information. He turned to the TV, took a sip of his whisky - noted it was the kind he usually drank - and told his second-in-command that he was on his own.

The cadets laughed at that while Zack gasped in mock-horror at the General's 'betrayal'.

Taking another sip, Sephiroth thought back to several seconds ago, wondered what it was that had caused Cloud to react to something at almost the same time.

It's probably nothing.

Except that where there was smoke, there was usually fire.

He'd get to the bottom of this somehow. For now though, he would enjoy the episode about the brothers killing demons. And enjoy the feeling of having Cloud so close to him.

It was the weekend after all.

##

- Saturday. 1850 hours. -

Too easy.

Zack smirked as he watched Sephiroth and Cloud pretend to be engrossed in Supernatural while they sat on the couch a hair's breadth from each other.

I AM the man.

He wanted to pat himself on the back a hundred times.

The Wutaian and pizza would be here soon, which meant Zack needed to move to Stage Two while everyone was distracted with organizing the food on the already full coffee table. There was a reason why he'd ordered so many snacks from Services.

Somehow, the other cadets - Fontaine, Johnson, Vikers and Reno - had sensed what he'd been up to. While the redhead still had a wary look on his face whenever he glanced at the General, the others were surprisingly onboard with Zack's plan.

Smart kids.

He'd need to take them out for drinks one day. They were making it very easy for Zack to get Sephiroth and Cloud to realize what everyone else already had.

Sephiroth and Cloudy sitting in a tree.

He'd find a way to sing that to his commander next week, no doubt during yet another of their "Zack, Meet Wall" sessions. It'd be worth it, but only if everything went according to plan.

He'd anticipated it, but it was still a little surprising how well the cadets held their liquor (well, every cadet in his apartment except the Kalm one). Johnson had lit up long ago, the brunette generously sharing his cigarettes with Zack while Fontaine, Vikers and Reno chain-smoked. Cloud had refused, though Zack had seen the way the little blond had looked somewhat longingly at the sticks of sin.

He hadn't expected that, but then again the baby chocobo was so damn sweet he didn't seem the type to even drink or have sex.

He'd wanted to do the Spazzing Seal at the way Sephiroth had looked positively murderous at the sight of the bite mark on Cloud's shoulder.

Somebody's possessive.

Excellent, a very Mr. Burns voice said. Zack had been watching The Simpsons a little too much.

The sounds of the elevator arriving on his floor were a signal that it was time for Stage Two. He'd researched every episode of Supernatural extensively, had skimmed through every episode already, all for the sake of Sephiroth and Cloud.

He deserved a medal for this.

As soon as the guards brought the food in, the cadets got to work trying to clear the table to make space for the Wutaian and pizza. It wasn't easy - the bar counter was full of bottles that Zack had prepared and left out casually on Friday night. Zack wanted to smirk as Cloud tried to help and was told to "sit yo' ass down, Blondie" by Reno, whose back the General glared at.

No one told Cloud what to do, not when Sephiroth was around.

Zack badly wanted to do the Spazzing Seal.

As the boys somehow managed to get enough food for a village to fit on the coffee table, Zack changed DVDs, grateful for all his Covert Ops experience as he switched to Season 4 while Sephiroth's view of the TV was blocked by the cadets.

They started to eat, Sephiroth distracted enough by the food not to notice the opening titles had declared this to be Season 4, and not Season 3. The General glanced at the screen in between glances at Cloud, who glanced at Sephiroth when he thought the silver-haired man wasn't looking.

Just get it on already!

He laughed when Tranton mentioned they'd take forever to finish the food, when a sudden thought came to him and he said: "Not like any of you boys need to be at church tomorrow, right?"

He didn't miss the way Reno's eyes flicked to Cloud momentarily, the way Vikers, Johnson and Fontaine all shifted slightly in their seats, the way Cloud's jaw tensed for a split second. Then something odd happened - Cloud's baby blues became assessing, sharp, and suddenly the disarming, beguiling smile was back and Zack knew he was about to get played big time.

"I know a really nice one in the slums, if you'd like to go next week?" Cloud cocked his head, widened those big blue eyes and looked for all the world like a baby brother beseeching his older brother for one more ride on the swings.

He didn't miss the way Sephiroth's eyes narrowed slightly - the General had heard about Cloud's visits to a Person of Interest in the slums from Zack - but more intriguing was the way Reno's eyes flicked to Cloud's again before the redhead glanced at Zack and smirked.

What game's he playing at?

Fuck it, YOLO.

If Cloud wanted to introduce him to whoever it was he often headed to meet in the slums since his little Matt Incident, then that meant the little blond obviously trusted Zack.

Score!

"Sure, kiddo!" He grinned, leaned forward and held his pinky out, didn't miss the light flush on pale cheeks or the way Sephiroth's green eyes followed their every move curiously. This was probably the first time the General was interacting with people beneath him in age and status on a casual basis, and it seemed the man had opted to observe everything because he had no clue how it was done.

Times like these Zack wondered just how lonely and isolated from the world his commander was. Where other twenty-five year old men spent their weekends at the bar or watching / playing sports together, Sephiroth was trying to protect everyone and fight a War.

Hang in there, buddy, I got your back. It'll work out, I promise.

When Cloud reached out and wrapped his delicate pinky around Zack's, the First grinned wider. "It's a date, Spiky!"

The blond's fair skin reacted exactly as Zack had planned, and the dark-haired SOLDIER wanted to do the Spazzing Seal at the way glowing green eyes instantly honed in on a very attractive flush.

While he had the feeling he'd walked right into Cloud's trap, Zack couldn't wait to meet the mystery person that Cloud obviously knew well.

He leaned back, grabbed another slice of pizza and gestured towards the stir-fry with the floppy extra-cheesy pepperoni triangle. "C'mon, eat up. You both love Wutaian, don't you?"

Emerald eyes met sapphire, and Cloud blushed harder.

I AM the MAN.

Everything was going according to plan. On to the next step of stage two.

They ate in silence, with only soft requests for passing the pizza or the stir-fry or fried rice, until Zack noticed Cloud was slowing down. Kid needed to eat more, no wonder he was tiny.

He chewed his little slice of heaven, swallowed and turned to the other cadets. "OK boys, who's got cards?"

He wanted to laugh at how very suited for the Turks the redhead was.

"Loser drinks." Johnson and Reno smirked. This was going to be interesting.

##

- Saturday. 2330 hours. -

Cloud wondered if his Hero Worship of Sephiroth could get any worse. It turned out the General was a brilliant poker player - which shouldn't have been surprising given his perpetually calm demeanor and superior intelligence, and yet somehow it was.

He hadn't realized how little he'd known about the silver-haired man before, when he'd hunted him to the ends of the world. And after that, when they'd met again among the rubble of Midgar…

Stop thinking about it. Focus on something else.

Like what?

Like…clothes!

…seriously?

His voices were having a field day. He shoved them away and considered the fact that he'd never known what Sephiroth looked like out of his battle gear until he'd seen him in a business suit more than a month ago. Then he'd seen him partially out of his business suit last week, and now he was sitting next to a very handsome warrior who'd rolled the sleeves of his henley up to reveal beautifully toned forearms as elegant fingers spread the cards they held with the ease and style of 007.

James Bond's got nothing on him.

As the General leaned forward to snag another piece of beef with his chopsticks - the man made even those cheap wooden bits look majestic - long silver hair whispered against Cloud's bicep.

At this rate, he'd lose all movement in his limbs. Why the hell did his blood not want to go anywhere but to his head?

Zack was leaning back and refusing to play anymore, seeing as how he'd been made to finish three bottles of whisky since the game started. The other boys were tipsier than Cloud had ever seen them, though they were still gamely attempting to hold their own against the General.

And Cloud…

Cloud was trying to remember that he was playing a game of poker, and not stare at an impossibly perfect face all night.

Sephiroth won again, though the silver-haired man opted to drink anyway because Zack had plenty of whisky that the General appeared to favor.

A soft pfft, and Brian had fallen over onto a cushion, passed out from losing non-stop to his superior. The others were laughing, and even Sephiroth looked amused, the corner of his lip twitching slightly. Cloud wondered what it would take to see a smile on that beautiful face.

Zack was suggesting they put Brian in the guest room, and instantly Ray, Ralph, Jared and Reno rose (somewhat unsteadily) to their feet. Cloud tried to rise but was waved back down by Zack, who was getting up as well and who had somehow pressed fast forward on the remote. Cursing, the black-haired SOLDIER hit 'Play' once he'd gotten to his feet before leading the others - who were each holding one of Brian's limbs - down the corridor.

Which left Cloud alone with Sephiroth. He tried not to blush again, focused on the TV to distract himself from the silver-haired man's presence, thanked the Ancients that there was something to fill the awkward silence, then…

OH.

Onscreen, the red-haired angel was staring deep into the eyes of Dean, who smiled and kissed her as the sounds of…some part of a drum and possibly an electric guitar filled the living room.

So sue his lack of musical knowledge, but Cloud only knew how to play a certain song on the piano, nothing else.

The tough older demon hunter was kissing the angel and pushing her down in the back seat of his Impala - Cloud would never forget the name after Ralph had whispered it worshipfully about a hundred times - as a soulful voice sang.

Walkin' down this rocky road

Wonderin' where my life is leading

Rollin' on to the bitter end

The two characters were starting to remove their clothes. Cloud could understand why. It was getting rather warm in here - Zack's thermostat was probably broken.

Finding out along the way what it takes to keep love living you should know how it feels my friend

Cloud was feeling VERY warm. And very awkward watching the two onscreen make out half naked while he sat next to the love of his life.

Oo I want you to stay

Oo I want you today

It was absolutely time to hit the head, seeing as the pants were off onscreen. He tried to stand, wobbled slightly as all the alcohol he had consumed rushed to his head and reached a hand out to steady himself before realizing he would end up touching Sephiroth, which would be a Very Bad Idea right now but…

As he was hesitating, his body went ahead and decided to take the plunge. He tipped to the side, braced for impact but was caught by strong arms just as he half-sat on Sephiroth's lap.

I'm ready for love oh baby I'm ready for love

He vaguely registered the characters onscreen going at it, before his traitorous body turned and he faced the man of his dreams - literally and figuratively.

Ready for love oh baby I'm ready for love

Were Sephiroth's pupils always so large? He recalled them being more slit-like, but he couldn't be sure. Not with the heat from the tall SOLDIER's hands and thighs seeping into his body and making him relax unconsciously.

Oh, for your love.

Why were Sephiroth's eyes becoming larger?

The sounds of the guitar washed over him, his vision was being filled with glowing emerald, a warm whisky-tinged breath was hitting his lips...

A whistle snapped him out of the trance and he nearly fell back into the coffee table, laden with bottles and food and cards, but strong hands caught him again as Zack sauntered back into the room.

"Damn! Missed the good stuff!"

Cloud was pretty sure he cook could an egg on his face.

The others were walking back into the living room snickering and giggling, looking like they'd just done Something Very Naughty. He felt the General setting him back on the sofa gently, didn't dare to chance a glance at the silver-haired man. He wasn't sure if he wanted to kick himself or everyone else for coming back into the living room when they had.

He faced the TV, trying to pretend nothing had happened, that he'd just tipped over on his way to the bathroom, saw Zack fiddling with the remote as the First rewound to before that scene.

"Angel getting it on with Hunter, boys." The dark-haired SOLDIER grinned wolfishly at the other cadets, who'd settled back on the cushions looking like the Cats That Got The Canary And The Cream.

Cloud told himself to breathe, just breathe and calm down, nothing happened, nothing happened, nothing happened…

Then twinkling blue eyes were on him and he almost had a heart attack at Zack's words. "Anything happen while we were gone?"

He wasn't sure if he wanted to kiss Sephiroth because, well, it was Sephiroth, or because the General sounded so calm and matter-of-fact when he responded: "I believe Cloud is rather tipsy and needs to hit the head."

He wasn't sure if he liked that the silver-haired man sounded so calm about the Thing That Didn't Almost Happen. How could he remain so cool and collected, when Cloud was redder than Red XIII's backside and his heart was probably waking all of Midgar up with its loud, rapid beats?

Before the negativity could start, before the whispers of because you're insignificant could get louder, there was a chuckle, then Zack's eyes sparkled more. "Don't think he's the only one who's tipsy, Seph. The tops of your ears are red."

Wha…?

Cloud snuck a peek, and felt oddly gratified when he realized what the First had said was true.

He's just drunk, that's all.

Except from what he remembered of Mako enhancements, one couldn't get drunk at all. Something about a superior metabolism, which explained the appetite and the…'appetite'.

Oh no no NO.

Cloud was NOT thinking about sex while sitting next to Sephiroth.

Gunny Payne in a bikini, Gunny Payne in a bikini…

Zack was chuckling again as he put his hands up in mock surrender before clapping and declaring that it was time for Charades.

By the time the cadets stumbled back to their bunker, half-dragging Brian whom they'd somehow managed to partially awaken, Cloud was grateful for the sweaters Zack had lent them. It was COLD outside.

They made it back in time to catch the last legs of another Booze Binge in the bunker, before the alcohol and exhaustion won out and everyone decided to call it a night / morning.

As his head hit the pillow, Cloud couldn't deny that it had been the best weekend he could ever recall having.

Thanks, Zack.

He hadn't thought he could owe his black-haired friend any more than he already did, but life was funny that way.

##

A/N 1: "You can't fuck the future. The future fucks you" is a line from Saturday Night Fever.

A/N 2: Krav Maga is a military self-defense system developed for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli security forces (Shin Bet and Mossad). It's used by fictional characters such as Jason Bourne.

A/N 3: 'Muchier' and 'muchness' are from Alice in Wonderland.

A/N 4: 'Resonance of Fate' is a PS3 RPG set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, the surviving humans living in a Tower that is ordered by social class. In RoF, everyone is watched over by a machine that protects them from the effects of pollution in the contaminated world outside, while giving them predetermined lifespans and social status.

A/N 5: "Always trying to save humanity from hell" is a spin on a quote about the UN: "The United Nations was not created to lead humanity to heaven, but to save it from hell". Felt there were some links to Mad Sephiroth's goals.

A/N 6: "When this cruel war is over" is an American Civil War song from the side of the Union (the United States of America, specifically the national government of president Abraham Lincoln and the 23 free states and 5 border states that supported it). Source: Wikipedia.

A/N 7: "No, come to think of it, if I had to, I'd put my faith in science. Because of science, humans who used to crawl around on the ground can now fly, and soon we're about to go into space! I've earned my living thanks to science, so to me, there's nothing greater." Is a Cid quote from FF7. Also, Star Trek references thrown in and more hints about Ralph, his uncle, and Rocket Town (I dropped some mentions in the previous chapter). More to come for all the characters - both FF7 and OC.

A/N 8: "For Duty and Humanity!" is a quote from the Three Stooges - a reference to parts in the past two chapters where Ralph, Reno and Jared were referred to as such by Cloud.

A/N 9: Mata Leão is a back head lock and strangulation method taught in Krav Maga and several other arts.

A/N 10: "No Church In The Wild" is a song by Jay-Z and Kanye West. 'Lies on the lips of a priest' is part of the song lyrics.

A/N 11: The betting pool about Seph's knees touching the ground is a direct reference to the part in Bleach where Renji successfully gets Byakuya (his captain, and a nobleman) to kneel through his improved battle skills.

A/N 12: References to selling drugs to children, and the Salozzos are lifted off Godfather. Also, an Associate is one who works with mobsters, but hasn't been asked to take the vow of Omertá; an almost confirmed, or made guy (Source: Google).

A/N 13: Supernatural episodes that the characters watch in this chapter are:

- When the cadets are arriving and hear "Idjit": Season 3 Ep 3 "Bad Day at Black Rock"

- The one with changelings is Season 3 Ep 2 "The Kids Are Alright" (and those changelings ARE freaky).

- The one with the shapeshifter robbing banks is Season 2's "Nightshifter'.

- The one after Nightshifter, about divine justice, is Season 2's "Houses of the Holy".

- The one with the woman realizing she's a ghost is Season 2's "Roadkill".

- When Dean sells his soul to bring Sam back: Season 2 finale "All Hell Breaks Loose Part 2"

- When everyone's seated and has their whiskies: still Season 3 Ep 3 "Bad Day at Black Rock" - when Dean has rescued Sam (including by throwing a pen/pencil into the nozzle of a pistol thanks to a cursed rabbit's foot's powers)

- When Cloud and Seph are left alone in the living room: Season 4, Episode 10 "Heaven and Hell"

A/N 14: The resonance-dream that's mentioned in this chapter is detailed at the end of Chapter 6.

A/N 15: I am taking some liberties with ages of characters - just as timelines change slightly (eg. Zack being SOLDIER First before meeting Aeris, etc) and relationships between characters are "created" (e.g. Reno being a cadet with Cloud; Cid having a nephew etc) in this fic. While Aeris has mentioned that things changed thanks to Cloud, it is also for plot purposes that I'm being a bit creative while trying to keep to the original as much as possible (though it's hard to stick completely to the original canon when this fic is all about changing things). Will explain everything as the story progresses (I dislike revealing everything straight up - it's not how life works, and rushing straight to the endgame removes a lot of what makes life "life" - all the little nuances and small encounters that add to each of our stories), so I beg your patience on this, gentle reader.