So even though I'm on vacation a chapter has been finished. huuuge thanks to tmart.x13 my co author for writing most of this while I am currently on vacation. But I am able to post at least!

Ch.33

Zack was still standing with mouth wide open for a few more minutes after what Cloud had said.

"So I did hear you right! You're serious?! Sephiroth?!" Zack shockingly inquired.

Cloud nodded calmly, though it was becoming harder to contain his laughter at his brother. "Yes, that's right. I didn't expect it either… it was really a shock to see him walk into the room when Lazard told me."

"So you're saying that Sephiroth actually picked you though?"

"Yeah apparently so. I wasn't sure why but I was so nervous."

"I mean it's Sephiroth! The number one hero of SOLDIER. He's why we joined remember? Man…" Zack trailed off suddenly, seeming to be lost deep in thought.

Cloud noticed this and it piqued his interest. "What's wrong Zack?"

"Oh… it's just…" he started and placed his hand on his hips. "I won't lie. I'm very jealous of you right now."

No longer able to contain himself, Cloud let out a hearty chuckle, despite his hurting. "I knew it!"

"Well obviously!" Zack replied, raising his voice slightly. It wasn't in a angered way, but more of a way of complaining in a slight childish tone. "It's Sephiroth! Like you actually get to be trained by the most powerful SOLDIER in all of Shinra. Like that is so cool!"

"I guess it is," Cloud replied. He knew it was cool, but there was still that slight uncertainty that made him worry inside. Sephiroth made him feel more on edge than he thought he should be. And it almost felt like it was for no reason at all. But Cloud knew it had to be more than just that.

"You guess? Come on Cloud you know it's far more exciting than that!" Zack exclaimed. "Sephiroth is the strongest and the best of all 1st class SOLDIERs ever! Not only that, but the way he always stays so serious yet can look so cool is amazing."

"Oh is he the best now? That wasn't what you told me the other day," a new voice said, cutting into the conversation. There was a heavy sarcasm in the voice before the person gave a chuckle.

"Ah!" Zack shouted as he froze up for a second. Quickly he pivoted on his heels to see the source of the voice standing behind him. "Angeal!?"

The raven-haired man was standing right behind Zack, arms crossed and fingers from one hand tapping on the opposite arm. He had a mixed look of amusement and annoyance etched across his face. Though, he remained silent even after that interaction.

Zack tried to explain himself. "Um, well I didn't know you were there Angeal. I-I mean, I was just telling Cloud about Sephiroth. I didn't mean it. I mean, you're one of the best too of course…" he trailed off as words failed him.

"Hmm… making excuses now are we?" Angeal accused of his protege. "I suppose coming to see Cloud is your other excuse for running off before our training could start?"

"W-Well, when they told me that Cloud that was brought to the infirmary so I was worried. Come on, you know I never skip on training."

"That's true there. Though, I think from now on, it seems like I'm gonna have to step up my training. Especially if you want something akin to being trained by Sephiroth," Angeal replied with a smirk and snarky attitude.

Zack was now going to have to eat his words. He enjoyed training to be the best. However, even he enjoyed the off time he would get usually. But now, that was probably not going to happen.

"Wait, huh. I didn't mean... Well, you know… um…"

A loud laugh rang behind Zack, as he looked behind and saw that Cloud was grinning from ear to ear. "Hey, what's so funny?" Zack asked, almost sulling up as he knew what it probably was.

Once Cloud was finally able to slow down his laughter, he spoke. "Y-You are. Your reaction."

"Stop it though! It's not that funny!" Zack replied as he pouted.

"Aw is the little puppy getting worked up over simple things now?" Angeal added in with another laugh.

Zack hung his head, as he could not think of a proper reply to it all. He took a seat in a nearby chair and then continued with his head slumped over, looking at the ground. He had nothing to say to Angeal at that time, and he wished his mentor would just leave him be. However, that was not going to happen.

Angeal strode over to Zack's side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "And it looks like you're acting like a puppy too with his tail between his legs. Come on, apparently you need some work to build yourself back up."

A long sigh came from Zack. "Yeah, yeah… I hear you," he replied with an exhausted tone and proceeded to just sit there, but with raising his head up to at least look at Cloud. "Just give me a few minutes."

After staring at his protege for a moment, Angeal complied and started to leave the room. "Do what you need to do. But just know that I won't be taking it easy on you even after this got it?"

Zack gave Angeal a thumbs up without turning around, letting his mentor know that he understood, even if he didn't like it. He then shook his head quickly, trying to brush off what had just happened the best he could. "All right. Well, I guess I will have to go soon Cloud. But I'll be here for a few minutes now still. So, you think you'll be going home soon?"

"Um… well, I'm not really sure. I feel better at least. So I would think," the spiky-haired boy replied unknowingly.

"I can understand that, but I hope it's not too long. I just hope this is not going to be some regular occurrence with Sephiroth…" Zack trailed off, thinking about that possibility. Though, the brief thought entered his mind that he might be glad that he was not under Sephiroth because of that. However, it still did not make his jealousy leave him.

Cloud was in agreement with Zack, hoping that he would not have to go through training or other trials that rough frequently. Though, maybe it was possible he could get adjusted to that training. It was Sephiroth, so he probably had no choice.

"I still can't believe though that Sephiroth is your tutor. It kinda seems unreal…" Zack suddenly spoke, snapping Cloud from his thoughts and back to reality. "As much as I might still be jealous, I am proud of you though."

"Huh? Really?" Cloud asked curiously, wondering what Zack meant by those words.

"Well of course! Come on, don't tell me you forgot about the dream that we shared when we were kids. You remember what happened right?"

Cloud had to think for a moment. Zack had told him about Sephiroth, and then his brother had found some information on how to join SOLDIER. Even though Cloud was apprehensive at first for a reason he still cannot fathom, he saw it as a way to stick close to his brother, so they each decided to do it, even though it would be quite difficult.

As his mind processed all of those memories, Cloud spoke back up. "Yeah, I remember it Zack. Though, it almost seems like a lifetime ago now."

Zack chuckled mildly as he leaned his head back towards the ceiling. "Oh yeah, you're right about that. I remember you being a scaredy cat before entering SOLDIER."

Cloud shifted and began to protest. "S-Scaredy cat? I was not! I just… was unsure that it was the best thing. I mean, we were only kids."

"Ha! Yeah yeah, I know. But it was my dream. And then it became yours too."

"Well of course. I wanted to follow you, Zack. It just wasn't an easy road for sure…"

Zack took notice with how Cloud trailed his words off and put a hand on his brother's shoulder and looked at him. "Yeah, but hey, we got here didn't we Cloud? We're both here, and training personally under two of the best 1st Class SOLDIERS ever. I'd say we've made it."

Cloud stared back at Zack for a couple of seconds and then returned the smile. "Yeah, you're right. We did."

The two of them laughed about the situation then, Cloud having seemed to have gotten better than when Zack had first visited him. They each kept each other's company for a small moment before Zack then stood up and bid his brother farewell. After that, Zack began walking towards the door, where he figured that Angeal was waiting just right outside.

Angeal had been standing and waiting for Zack, as he couldn't help but overhear their conversation. His head was tilted to the side, slightly hanging out in the doorway of the room, but not enough to where anyone in there could notice. His attention was dragged to his other side as a cold but calm voice was directed at him.

"Do you like eavesdropping on your student Angeal?"

"I wouldn't call it that. More of just curious about their views between one another."

"Hmm, whatever you say."

Turning his head finally, Angeal saw the face of none other than Sephiroth, one of his oldest friends. "Well, what would you be doing here then? Surely you're not checking up on yours. Or have you developed a softer spot recently?"

The silver-haired man chuckled. "Hmph, you know I'm not one for sentiments such as that."

Angeal smirked slyly. "Well then, why did you come?"

"It is not the notion of a soft spot as you joke of. My only concern is why Cloud has ended up here after his training today. I did not completely push his limits, only a moderate bit."

"From what the nurses say… the Turk who brought him here had said before she left, that Cloud was experiencing head pains as well as exhaustion. That was how the Turk found him before he had collapsed."

"Hmph. Perhaps the training today was too much for him. It is possible I over judged his abilities."

"I wouldn't judge too harshly Seph. He is only thirteen after all."

"And yet that thirteen-year-old was able to make it into SOLDIER almost a year ago ago and now is in 2nd class. He made his way up the rankings faster than his older brother did," Sephiroth replied before crossing his arms.

"But that doesn't mean he isn't a kid. I will give that he has a lot of strength for someone his age, but you can probably thank Zack for that. He's told me of how he use to train with Cloud when they were kids. But he is still young and probably has never been pushed so hard until now."

"And the point you are making is...?" Sephiroth asked, though he already knew what Angeal's answer would be.

"Cut the kid some slack. He'll adjust in time. After all with being Zack's younger brother he probably will spring back on to his feet in no time, ready to go again," Angeal commented, thinking about Zack's enthusiasm in everything.

"I suppose you are right. Though you mentioned of him having head pains... I doubt it was caused by the training. It's not too often that the situation causes headaches or worse."

"Maybe. But who knows. If you think it should be looked into more, go ahead. He is your student after all," Angeal said before smirking. "Just will go to show that you do care a little at least."

Sephiroth rolled his eyes and then remained silent, having nothing more to say.

Just as they had finished, Zack strode through the doorway casually. "Heya Angeal, I guess I'm ready to go now. And-"

His words trailed off as he had finally opened his eyes again. He had surely expected Angeal to be there as he said he would; but also, he had noticed a part of Angeal's body sticking out from the doorway. But the person that was standing right next to him, he was unprepared for. "Uh… hi, Sephiroth?"

A smirk crossed the latter's face. "Is that a question, or what? Try to speak clearly."

Zack coughed as he tried to gather his thoughts. "Oh, no… I just didn't expect to, uh, see you. So, why are you here then?"

"He decided to come and check up on his student like a good, caring person would," Angeal replied snarkily, much to the behest of Sephiroth, who shot his friend a death glare.

"Hmpf."

That was the only thing Sephiroth muttered as he began to walk away slowly. He then threw his hand up in a gesture of waving. "Good to see you, Zack. Keep Angeal in line for me."

With a sigh, Angeal shook his head, not bothering to even respond. After Sephiroth rounded the corner, he turned his attention to his pupil. "Ready?"

Zack had been distracted watching Sephiroth walk away, having wanted to be able to say more to him, but could not find the courage to do so. He was slightly curious of how he and Angeal had acted towards one another. But he then turned to the man he had just thought of, having just heard his voice. "H-Huh? Oh, yeah."

The two of them then started walking out of the infirmary area, with him taking one more glance back at the room where Cloud was and said bye in his mind.

He turned back to face front as he and Angeal walked forward. "Say, what was all that about?"

Angeal placed his hand on Zack's head. "Oh that? Don't worry about it. We were just catching up. Now come on. We've got some extended training to do. Gotta keep up with Sephiroth right?"

Zack internally groaned, knowing he had brought that on himself. He knew it would be a long afternoon.

Now we have another finished chapter. Idk when the next will he since I'm still on vacation but we will see you then!