Genesis stalked his way across the Shinra complex to the training area. He threw the door open to one of the smaller rooms and Angeal turned to look at him. His arms were crossed and he was standing in front of a supply closet.

"So I assume the puppy is in the closet?" Genesis said with a bit of venom in his voice.

"You called him! Angeal, I trusted you!" Zack's voice floated out in a whimper.

"Tell him you're not going to kill him or his friend." Angeal said, looking over at Genesis.

"I don't know Angeal, I don't take well to strangers molesting my student, I figured you'd feel the same way." Genesis put his hands on his hips, looking at the closet.

"Genesis!" Angeal snapped as Zack just let out another whimper.

Genesis just looked over at Angeal unapologetic.

"I had him placated until he got another text from his friend." Angeal finally said.

"I don't want to die and I don't want Kunsel to die. We're too young!" Zack whined again.

"Then you should have known better then to get Cloud drunk and leave him on my doorstep with your friend, who tried to molest him." Genesis snapped.

"It wasn't my fault!" Zack squeaked. "Ok, maybe the drunkenness was, but there was the waitress and I really though Kunsel and Cloud would be cute together and they seemed to get along and please don't kill me." Zack rushed out.

"No promises." Genesis said.

"Genesis, you're supposed to be helping me get him out of the closet, not keep him locked up in there forever." Angeal said, exasperated with his friend.

"Fine, I won't kill him, this time. But they both need to be punished properly." Genesis said with a calculating look.

"I'll handle it," Angeal said, taking a glance at the closet. "Zack's my responsibility and Kunsel is his friend."

"Now where is the fun in that." Genesis almost pouted.

"Zack, will you come out now, please." Angeal said, he really was exasperated with his student. "And let Kunsel know it's safe. What text did you receive from Kunsel that set you off anyway? You still haven't told me. "

Zack cracked the door and peaked out, he almost slammed it shut again when he still saw Genesis standing there, but the man wasn't charging up his fire materia so Zack finished climbing out. "Uh, he dug up a report that 5 cadets dropped out of the program last week all listing the problem as Genesis, Cloud and death threats."

Genesis just scowled. "Yes, those 5 should be well on their way to the Northern Continent, if they know what's good for them."

"Genesis, why were you terrorizing cadets?" Angeal said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"They were Cloud's old roommates, at least one of them was anyway, and trust me when I say they deserve what they got." Genesis said with a growl.

Angeal just looked at his friend and decided not to push the subject. Especially when the heat was off his student. "Now thank you, I'll make sure they are both properly punished for their errors in judgment."

"Fine, I left Cloud in Sephiroth's care anyway. It's about time I went to retrieve my student." Genesis said and left the room, Zack sighed in relief when the man was gone.

Cloud watched as Sephiroth battled the summon, another form of Bahamut. He had to admit he was impressed. Sephiroth had discarded his coat sometime ago and actually seemed to be sweating a bit. He sat casually off to the side, drinking a bottle of water.

The dragon roared as it swung its massive tail in Sephiroth's direction. Sephiroth for his part just jumped as it swung and landed with his feet firmly planted on its tail. He then slashed his sword and buried it deep in the creature's tail before taking off in a burst of speed and slicing the dragon all the way up its back. The creature cried out in pain and then it's spirit energy started to dissolve. Sephiroth bent his knees and leapt of the thing gracefully before landing on the ground not too far from Cloud.

"Thank you again Cloud, that was fine workout." Sephiroth said, picking up a towel and a bottle of water himself before sitting on the bench next to Cloud.

Sir was such a hard word for him to stop using, "You're welcome." He finally managed.

"I see why Genesis likes you so much." The man said with a smile.

"What do you mean Si-Sephiroth?" Cloud looked up at him surprised.

"Most cadets and lower class SOLDIERS are either trying their hardest to impress us, stare at us in fear or simply make themselves useless." Sephiroth told Cloud, Angeal had always told him it was important to be honest. "You on the other hand seem to have a healthy amount of respect, but you still treat us like we're human."

That kind of startled Cloud a bit. "Why would anyone-" He fumbled with the words a bit. "But you are human." He finally blurted out.

"It is refreshing to hear you say that." Sephiroth acknowledged. "You may be one of the few in this company to honestly believe that."

Cloud felt his stomach turn. Sephiroth, Angeal and his mentor Genesis were impressive in their own rights, there wasn't anything that they couldn't face he was certain, but being at the top didn't mean they weren't human. Cloud just shook his head.

"That's just." Cloud shook his head. "What else...?" He looked up at Sephiroth.

"Weapons, experiments, monsters, gods." Sephiroth rattled off, he didn't sound disturbed by the words. "Any number of things other than human. You've at least seen some of this for yourself, have you not? Genesis has told me of your sessions with Hojo."

Cloud felt a shudder go down his spine at the mention of the professor. "I think he's the monster." He absently started to rub his arm.

"You might be right there." Sephiroth admitted. "How have the sessions been going from your professor?"

"I don't know, I don't have much basis for comparison. I've never been around someone like him. He seems so cold and calculating. I'm scared for my life every time I go in there." Cloud paled as the words slipped from his mouth. He almost forgot who it was he was talking too.

Sephiroth for his part just kept talking. "You've got good instincts then. There are a lot of rumors surrounding that man and disappearances. His insistence that Genesis can't be present during your sessions means he's almost certainly up to something."

That chilled Cloud even further. For his part, Sephiroth didn't even know of the idea of sugar coating things. Genesis had been withholding some of his concerns for Cloud to save his sanity. Sephiroth had no such inclinations.

"What does he want with me?" Cloud asked, hoping Sephiroth might have some insight.

"I don't know, he'd probably be happiest if he could just dissect you and get it over with, but since you're Genesis student he can't risk it. There are some things even that man can't get away with. Hopefully your Mako Tolerance is all that he's interested in. If he's got something else in mind, the best thing for you is to work as hard as you can and rise through the ranks in SOLDIER swiftly. With Genesis helping you that shouldn't be much of an issue. You're more focused and intelligent than Angeal's student, so I imagine you'll have an easier time with it. Once you hit First Class, he won't be able to request your presence nearly as often, and will have no further reason to inject you with Mako." Sephiroth finished his explanation.

Cloud just looked away, Sephiroth was so blatantly honest about the situation he was currently in that it was almost a comfort to Cloud in its own way. "Thank you for telling me."

"It's just the truth of the situation. I would like to tell you that the man loses interest quickly, but that's not the case. He's very dedicated and very focused. It would do no good to get your hopes up for anything otherwise." Sephiroth told him.

"How do you live with that?" Cloud asked.

"I don't need Pity," Sephiroth focused his eyes on Cloud. "Hojo can be insufferable sometimes, but I do have my friends."

"I didn't mean it to sound like pity, more like sympathy? I can only imagine what it would be like to have been under that man's microscope my whole life." Cloud said, trying to apologize.

"Sorry, I am not the best at understanding some things. Another side effect of growing up with Hojo I suppose. It's why I don't usually socialize with people other than Genesis and Angeal." Sephiroth admitted.

Cloud just looked back over to Sephiroth. Who would have guess that the Elite of Shinra would have all been such social outcasts like him? Well maybe except Zack. "It's alright. I could have just as easily messed something up. I didn't really have friends back in Nibelheim, and it seems every single social custom I did manage to learn is obsolete here in Midgar." Memories of the bar last night flashed through his head.

They sat for a few more moments, just enjoying the other's company, when the doors across the courtyard opened.

"Hello Genesis." Sephiroth said looking over to the man.

"Done with my student?" Genesis said, feeling the need to emphasize the last part. Sephiroth seemed to be getting attached to Cloud. Genesis hadn't over looked the casual way the man was sitting with him. He was only ever this relaxed when he was with Genesis and Angeal or alone.

"I finished my training exercise a few minutes ago and I believe we just finished our discussion about Hojo, so I suppose for the moment I am." Sephiroth supplied. "How did it go with Angeal and Zack?'

Genesis just scowled. "Apparently he was convinced I was going to kill him because of something that happened last week." He didn't feel like further elaborating on the subject. "I promised not to kill him, if they were properly punished."

"Punished?" Cloud asked in surprise.

"Yes, Cloud, what they did was completely irresponsible." Scenarios had been running in his head all day. "Any number of things could have happened. I doubt you want to lose your virginity to a man you'd just met while you were both drunk." Genesis' voice held a bit of regret at it.

Cloud just sat in silence for a moment. "No, I'd never want that, but it's just as much my fault for drinking."

"You didn't know your limits while under the effects of alcohol and Zackary said that he would explain things to you and didn't. It is much more his fault." Genesis growled out.

"You could have explained it to him. You know how irresponsible Zack is, you should have expected this." Sephiroth had to point out. It was sound logic after all.

Genesis just glared at Sephiroth, "Don't you think I realize that!" Genesis exploded. "I decided to trust the brat for once and this is what I get out of it."

Both Sephiroth and Cloud were a little caught off guard.

"Genesis?" Cloud said softly. The man was still shaking.

"I'm sorry." He said, but they were empty words. "I, just, let's go, I'd like to order in this evening, if you don't mind, Cloud."

"Alright." He nodded, still at little wary of his mentor.

"Good bye." Cloud said, looking to Sephiroth.

"Good bye, Cloud, I look forward to training with you again." Sephiroth said with a nod.

Cloud just turned and followed Genesis out of the room, ignoring the man's clenched fists.

When they got back to the apartment, Genesis just sunk into the couch.

"Genesis." Cloud said softly. "I'm sorry. I-"

Genesis cut him off. "You have no reason to be sorry." He said bitterly. "I'm an emotional mess and you've gotten caught up in it." Half his mind was screaming at him to kiss Cloud, to claim him before it was too late, the other half protested at the immorality of it all.

Cloud just stood, silently watching his mentor.

"I've never had someone who relied on me for anything." Genesis closed his eyes, deciding to let a bit of the truth out before it drove him insane. "You mean a lot to me, Cloud, and I don't want to fail you, I don't want you to get hurt. Sometimes I don't know where to draw the line."

Cloud sat down on the couch next to Genesis and placed a hand on his arm. "You've done more for me in just over a week than anyone outside my mother has done for me in my entire life." Cloud started. "I really honestly don't know what I would do without you."

Genesis looked up and his heart swelled a bit at the words. He so desperately wanted to lean over and kiss the blonde's lips. He closed his eyes and sighed. He had to change the subject if he was going to survive the night.

"I spoke with Lazard on my way to meet you." Genesis said, "I've got your first mission assigned. We'll be heading to the slums in the morning. There has been some monster activity reported in the sewers."

Cloud knew the tactic for what it was, but decided to go along for now. "I'll admit I'm a little nervous, I thought I would start out in the virtual training room."

"I'd thought about it, but really it's good to get the first real mission out of the way. Gets you used to performing out on the field. If something goes wrong, I can step in and we can take training to the VR area until you're ready for the field again, but I'm fairly confident it won't be needed. I'd see it more of a stand-in when regular missions are not available." Genesis explained.

"I understand then." Cloud said, nodding his head. "What time do we leave?"

"Well, considering the mission, we can leave at anytime, but we should probably leave around 8 to get your equipment. Depending on how long it takes to complete the mission, we might be able to get a bit of your other training in." Genesis explained.

"Well, I suppose the only other question is, what do you want for dinner?' Cloud said, looking at the man.

"Wutaian sounds good, do you like it?" Genesis asked.

"I've never had it." Cloud answered honestly.

Genesis's face was twisted in mock outrage. "Then, you, my friend, have been denied one of life's greatest pleasures."

The next morning seemed business as usual, Genesis had been up earlier than Cloud and had prepared breakfast, Pancakes, bacon, hash browns and eggs. Cloud could tell from Genesis' stature that he was trying to apologize even now.

"Cloud, I had another talk with Angeal last night, after you went to bed." He started almost somberly. "If you want to see this Kunsel fellow later, when you're not drunk, you shouldn't be afraid to. Angeal's spoken with him and Zack and apparently he didn't want anything more out of you. He's a good man." The words were almost painful for him to say.

Cloud looked pensive for a moment, mistaking Genesis inflection for protectiveness, he finally answered his mentor. "I don't think I would mind hanging out with him again. I'll admit up until I got too drunk to remember, I did have a lot of fun, but he's not really my type. I mean, I know I can't afford to be picky, but he's just, I don't know, there's too much of the city in him." Cloud couldn't say he wasn't interested because he had unrequited feelings for the man in front of him.

Genesis felt the tension in his shoulder dissipate. "Alright, I promise I'll behave around him if you two do become better friends, but just promise me no more alcohol around him or Zack, at least not for a long time."

"You don't have to worry about that." Cloud said, laying his head on the table, waiting for the last of the food to be prepared. The table was already sat.

"I assumed not, but it's always better to say something." Genesis said, taking up the last of the bacon. He seemed a bit more enthusiastic and Cloud was happy that he seemed to have said the right thing.

Breakfast was finished in a hurry and 45 minutes later Cloud was standing in front of Lazard.

"I assume Genesis has briefed you on the mission, but I'll go over it with you just to be sure. There have been reports of monsters in the sewer system in sector 4. I need you to investigate, eliminate the creatures and bring back a sample for the science department."

"Yes, sir." Cloud said with a respectful nod.

"As for your equipment, I've spoken to both Genesis and Sephiroth." Lazard started, both Cloud and Genesis looked surprised at the general's name. "And since you won't be taking a weapon, I've decided to offer you two materia instead, a regular and a summon." Lazard held out a small blue orb. "This is a Shiva summon that a team found recently. We were just going to put it into the stores for now, since very few of the personal are actually able to handle summons, but Sephiroth has informed me you are quite handy with them."

"Thank you, sir." Cloud said, accepting the orb. Even Genesis looked a bit impressed.

"As for your other materia, you'll have your choice between Fire, Cure and Sense." Lazard said, "I assume you know what they do?"

"All but sense sir, but I'm assuming it allows you to detect enemies?' Cloud said, looking over at Genesis.

"Good guess." Genesis said, "It doesn't let you sense undetected enemies, but it does let you find out valuable information about an enemy you haven't faced before. How strong they are, how healthy they are and if they have any major strengths or weaknesses." Genesis explained. "It's most useful against stronger enemies that can withstand more than a few hits from your weapon."

"I'll take that one then." Cloud said, still looking to Genesis for approval. Genesis seemed pleased with his decision and Cloud let out the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Alright, well then take this, and I believe we are done for now. Just don't forget to send in a report after the mission." Lazard said, handing the yellow orb over to Cloud, along with a mithril bracer.

"Thank you, sir." Cloud said with respect again, then he and Genesis left Lazard's office.

"Shiva, huh?" Genesis said looking at the materia as Cloud placed it in his new bracer.

"That's what he said, do you know the summon?" Cloud asked, curious to find out more about his charge.

"I have her in my collection, though I don't use her much." Genesis admitted.

"Why is that?" Cloud asked, wondering if there was some drawback to using the summon he should know about.

"I've got a much more- fiery personality. I prefer Bahamut and Ifrit. Shiva is Ice based, so we don't always get along." Genesis explained.

"Oh," Cloud said, he wasn't sure what to say, he seemed to have done well with the ice.

"You shouldn't worry, you seem much more even tempered than I am. Ice seems to vibe with you a bit better, I'm sure you'll bring the best in her out." Genesis said, trying to give an encouraging smile.

It was Cloud's turn to bit back the urge to kiss his mentor. Luckily the elevator doors opened and removed his temptation.

"We should take the train down to the slums, then head to sector 4." Genesis instructed, and Cloud admitted he was slightly surprised at the man's willingness to take public transportation. His thoughts however were cut off by a sudden flash, Cloud had to cover his eyes for a moment and fought the urge to draw his sword.

"What on earth." He cried.

"Can I help you." Genesis was clearly annoyed.

"I can't believe it, Commander Sir!" A girl's voice squeaked as Cloud blinked the stars out of his eyes. "Can I get your autograph! And I can't believe it, I must have got the first picture of him!"

Cloud's eye came into focus to see a mousy looking girl of about 14 years old, dressed in tennis shoes, jeans shorts and a red tank top, with brown hair pulled into pigtails and a camera around her neck pointing at him.

"You've had your fun, but we have a mission to get to, if you don't mind." Genesis said, annoyance floating into his voice. He really did like his fan club, just not when they were able to find him and corner him.

"Oh, I'm sorry sir!" She squeaked and ran off. Cloud swore she was going on about the picture making the front of the news letter as she slipped away, Genesis and his new mystery student, off on a mission.

"Are they always like that?" Cloud asked, slightly afraid of the girl.

"Unfortunately yes. They have their purpose, but they have no sense of personal boundaries. One of Sephiroth's more fanatical followers somehow made it into his bathroom once." Genesis said with a frown.

Cloud was just brought back to his conversation with Sephiroth the previous day, "Weapons, experiments, monsters, gods. Anything but human." It was obvious that while the fan club didn't have the malicious intent that Hojo did, they didn't see the general's as humans either, only idols.

"You'll probably end up with one I imagine. Or at least be sucked into mine. One of the down sides I suppose." Genesis commented as they walked towards the train station. As he looked around, he could see a few more people pointing and staring. Was this really what life was like for them?

"I heard his name is Loud" He heard one man whisper to his friend. "Loud, what kind of name is Loud?"

Another group a little further down was failing at trying to be quiet as well. "He must be something for the commander to take interest in, I heard that man eats cadets for lunch. Kid must have nerves of steel!"

"Just ignore them." Genesis said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Of course he heard the whispers too. These people really didn't realize the hearing a SOLDIER possessed. It was like that all the way to the train and all the way to Sector 4. The comments ranged in harmless curiosity as to who Cloud was, to mean vicious remarks made about Genesis, to other talking about him like he was some kind of god.

Cloud tried to follow his mentor's order, but it was really hard not to jump to his defense. These people really didn't understand they were talking about another human being. One that could hear everything they had to say. Cloud was never happier than when he got off the train.

"I wanted to set them all on fire or encase them in ice." Cloud admitted once they were alone.

Genesis for his part just looked a mused. "You'll learn to tune it out, they really just don't know any better. I have gotten used to it, but I suppose it's understandable that you wouldn't have as thick of a skin."

"My skin's plenty think concerning myself." Cloud said, there was still a fire in his eyes, "But they were bad mouthing you, when they don't even know you!" Cloud insisted.

"Well then, maybe you understand a bit better why I seem to get so upset when people do harm to you." Genesis just smiled at Cloud. The blonde's reaction gave him hope that Cloud did harbor some feelings for him.

Cloud thought about it for a minute. "I suppose." He finally said, "I still want to set them on fire though."

Endof chapter 10

Chapters 1-10 are now fully edited :)

I hope you enjoyed it, and please review.