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Ch. 48

September had finally come, along with it some slightly cooler weather. Many training sessions since had helped Cloud to start building up trust again. They were much harder than what he had done before of course, but it was nothing like the bad dream he had about them. Which, he was thankful for that fact. And even though he wanted to show his tiredness, he tried to remain strong the best he could.

Sephiroth was not much harder on him, but he did seem more distant than usual. His demeanor closely matched the change in the weather as well. He would not stay around very long after training, or he would not care too much to chat as he used to. It was something that was just off.

As they parted ways after some brief discussions and future training assignment, Cloud realized that it was actually before noon. It was much earlier today than normal, but Cloud kept quiet rather than questioning it.

Sephiroth was short on his words anyways. "That's all for now. I have some business to attend to," Sephiroth stated as he walked away.

Though Cloud couldn't help but think about it all as he left. "I wonder if he is upset at me? He just hasn't seemed like himself. Or could it be something else? I want to ask him again, but he wouldn't tell me. Citing my trust issues again. Though I'm doing missions again, just with others as I used to. Maybe I will just have to wait."

Now that his training was over he was free to walk around for the reset of the day to do as he pleased. Shortly after he had left the training room, he went down to where the SOLDIER quarters were, where he saw Kunsel.

"Hey Kunsel," Cloud greeted him as he entered the area.

"Oh, hey Cloud, done with training already?"

"Yeah, it was over earlier than I thought, but I guess Sephiroth has something to do today," Cloud commented.

"Maybe it has to do with the desertion."

Cloud cocked his head slightly. "Desertion?"

"You haven't heard or noticed why there is a lack of 2nd and 3rd class SOLIDERs around? It's a mass desertion," Kunsel answered.

Cloud blinked, trying to think it over. "Oh… I guess I haven't noticed with all the training I've been going through. But now that you mention it, it has been pretty quiet around here."

"Yeah, what I've heard is that it was one of the 1sts that took all those other SOLIDERs with him. Don't know why though."

"One of the 1sts?!" Cloud thought in his head. Somehow, someway things started to click together. "Is that why Sephiroth has been so cold lately? He knows something about this? Maybe I should go ask him… if I can still find him."

He turned to leave, but then remembered Kunsel was still there. "Thanks for letting me know Kunsel, but I gotta get going to do something."

"Sure thing, see ya Cloud," Kunsel said as he waved goodbye.

Cloud ran down the halls, keeping his eye out for wherever his silver haired mentor could be. While he was running around, he started to think more about the desertion. A bit of concern filling up inside of him. "A 1st took a bunch of 2nd and 3rd class with him? Could that mean Marcus or Wei went with him? I hope not… maybe I should text them to see if they are all right."

But before Cloud could pull out his phone he came to a quick halt. If he hadn't stopped he would have collided right into Sephiroth. Apparently his mentor had heard the steps and the slightly skidding noise that came from Cloud as he halted, because Sephiroth turned around quickly to face him.

"Cloud, was there something that you needed? I remember telling you moments ago that I have something to do," he responded coldly.

Cloud almost wanted to think for a minute about what he was going to say, and he did briefly. He wasn't nervous like before though, which was a strange feeling to him. Maybe it was because of the information that he found out had his adrenaline pumping. Maybe it was his worry over his friends. Or maybe it was something else. He wasn't sure, but he tried to just roll with what came to his mind.

"I know I know. It's about the desertion isn't it?" Cloud said promptly without stammering.

"And how would you know something like that?" Sephiroth asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Kunsel said something about it. But that's what you got to attend to right? Something about the desertion?"

"And what would it matter to you if it did?"

His tone came across cold, but Cloud tried to push that slight fear and worry aside. "Is that why that I've been doing mostly training missions then?"

"Yes, that does play a large role in the reason for that. I had my own reasons as well, but you're mostly correct," Sephiroth answered.

He knew it. Cloud had been wondering why there was so many training missions lately, even though he figured that he was good enough to not constantly do them. It had been weeks, maybe months since he had a real mission to go on. There must be something that only the higher ups know, but maybe if he was around Sephiroth, he would be able to learn more. Plus, maybe this was his chance to go on a mission. To prove himself.

Cloud thought all of these things to himself, without uttering another word. Of course, it drew the ire of his mentor as Sephiroth promptly interrupted his thoughts.

"Though, I feel as though there might be something else on your mind as well," Sephiroth stated bluntly.

Cloud shook his head in surprise as he registered everything he had heard. "Well, there are my two friends that are 2nds. And… I guess I worry about them."

"Hmm…" Sephiroth started as he looked down at Cloud. He examined his student intensely, looking for the truth in his eyes. "That may be, but I already know what you're thinking. The answer is no."

"But I… I didn't even say anything."

"You didn't have to. It was written all over your face."

Cloud flinched slightly, but this time he was not backing down. "I want to go though. Not only for my friends, but I haven't been on a mission in months. Something like this… it would give me a chance to prove myself maybe too."

"I don't believe that you are ready to go on a mission such as this yet. Besides… have you forgotten so quickly about before?" Sephiroth answered coldly still

"No I haven't forgotten. That's why I want to help. To make it up. To show that you can trust me," Cloud debated. He knew it would be hard to get Sephiroth to agree, but Cloud wasn't ready to give up.

"I still am not convinced I can trust you with a task like this," Sephiroth replied. "I believe it would be best if you waited here for my return."

Cloud huffed heavily. He straightened himself up as he decided to directly stare at Sephiroth. "You want me to prove that you can trust me and stuff… but… how can I prove my trust and myself to you if you don't give me a chance to do it!?"

The sudden outburst caused Sephiroth to raise an eyebrow as if surprised by Cloud's reaction. It was something that was unusual for Cloud to do since he was usually not as confident in what he said or did. But this was something new. Cloud had a look of determination in his eyes that seemed to have not been present before.

A small smirk came to Sephiroth's face. He was surprised by Cloud, but also intrigued.

Cloud, on the other hand, saw the look he was being given and was slightly confused by it. But before he had a chance to comment, Sephiroth spoke up.

"Well then… that is the look that I like to see. If you think you're up for the task, then you may come."

"Wait really?" Cloud asked, surprised that Sephiroth agreed since he expected him to not. "I'm glad and all. But why?"

Sephiroth cleared his throat and spoke up. "Despite your recent trust problems, you would be with me the entire time so I have no worries there. But, that resolve you just showed me is what I have been looking for. I want you to keep that look. It suits you."

Cloud blinked several times. Did Sephiroth just compliment him… again? Twice now in recent times Sephiroth said clear and positive words to Cloud, and it was still the strangest thing to hear. But now he seemed happy with Cloud's choice of words and actions in the current moment. And rather than questioning it, Cloud was going to take the moment as it was and go with it.

"Thank you Sephiroth. So now, the task or mission that you are going on. How serious is it?"

"Walk with me as we head to leave then," Sephiroth said.

They made the journey out of the building so that they would be in private for the most part. "You've heard about the basis of the desertion. I haven't really been given an official mission but I usually do what I want."

"So wait, we're not actually going on Shinra's behalf then?"

"Technically no, but there are some matters I wanted to attend to. Something i have to see to personally…"

The way that Sephiroth had said that last bit made Cloud wonder. What could he mean? It almost sounded as though there was something that Sephiroth was not telling him. Normally, Cloud would not pry into matters more than what he was told. However, he seemed to not be able to stop himself.

Cloud cocked his head. "Well what was it then?"

"That is the wrong question. The better one is who was it," Sephiroth corrected him without missing a beat as he continued to stride forward.

That statement made Cloud even more curious about what could be happening. He allowed himself a few seconds to think and attempt to formulate an answer on his own. But that proved to be more than he could do as he came up with nothing. "I'm uh… not really sure. So, who is it then?"

"Genesis," Sephiroth uttered with that same, despondent tone as before

Cloud stopped abruptly. Genesis!? Had he heard Sephiroth correctly. That Genesis!? He was the 1st class that Kunsel had mentioned?

He had still never met the man, but he did know a good few things about him. He did know for one thing that he was one of Sephiroth's friends with the other being Angeal. But even with knowing that the concept of Sephiroth having friends was a strange thought to think about. Did he laugh and joke with his friends? Or have serious conversations about work? How often did the three of them go for ice cream together?

Those thoughts circulated in Cloud's head after Sephiroth had spoken. He didn't realize it, but he was now far more curious on the subject than he ever thought before. But now he was curious and he was rather tempted to know. The only issue was, there was no possible way that he could just go and ask Sephiroth about Genesis. Or he didn't think there was. Maybe one little try wouldn't hurt.

"So Genesis… he lead a bunch of 2nd and 3rds to desert? I guess you don't know why though, right?"

"Apparently they were loyal to him. And that's what the mission is about is to find out," Sephiroth said deadpanned, his tone still monotonous all the way through.

Cloud could tell that something was on Sephiroth's mind as the man would not really even look at him. He kept his focus in front the whole time. He wanted to know what it could be, but he figured that he shouldn't really ask. Maybe he should just stop asking questions so it's not too much.

Almost as if reading his mind, Sephiroth spoke up while Cloud was thinking. "That's all that I will speak on the matter. Let's just get to it."

Cloud heeded his mentor's words and ceased his questions. He hoped that they would be able to find some answers soon, but he figured that it would not be that easy. "Something tells me that this is going to be something that will take a while. Like it's the start of something. I just can't shake this feeling…"

"Can you at least tell me where we are going to go?"

Sephiroth didn't look at Cloud. He kept this attention forward as they continued along the way. But eventually a deep exhale could be heard from the man, showing that he must have been debating telling Cloud or not. "Wutai."

So we have finally started the start of Crisis Core! We made it before chapter 50! Woo! But now we are in Crisis Core times, and that is going to be super fun! Thanks for reading!