Behind Shinra's Doors

Chapter 11: Between Floors

When Cloud's eyes lifted he saw the walls of Zack's room. He was in Zack's room. And Zack was sleeping right next to him in a peaceful state. Usually waking up in another's room gave security to Cloud. Knowing he wasn't alone always comforted him, but a troubling predicament roused him enough from sleep and kept him away from shutting his eyes. Frustrated and restless Cloud dressed himselftrying notto wake his dear friend. Before leaving he kissed Zack's cheek as a good-bye because leaving someone you slept with as a casual manner was vulgar to his taste; even if it was just for sex he'd never leave without a faint mark of his grace.

There was no where left to go. The kitchens weren't open, no one was up and it was too soon before wake up call to go back to bed in his own room when he could have just stayed with Zack. What of the fields? Cloud began. It's early but only enough to walk out and have a brisk run before training. Confident in his intentions Cloud made his way to the training fields.

While his steps came closer and closer to the top of the slight hill in the fields he caught sight of his general standing in the middle of the green lawn. When he identified the person, Cloud stopped in surprise, questioning if he should disturb the General. As he was deep in thought, the object of his thoughts spoke first.

"You can come closer then that." He said. Cloud looked up and slowly trend towards Sephiroth. The silver haired grace turned towards him wearing another mask that no one would expect Shinra's hero to wear: sadness.

"Is something the matter, Sir?" Cloud asked the question in full caring tones. Sephiroth regained his emotions again and shook off those heavy green eyes.

"No, but thank you." He looked out into the distance, beyond Cloud's shoulder. A curious youth was bound to search for what he was looking at but Cloud knew enough he wasn't using his eyes.

"I…I want to thank you for correcting me yesterday. It helped a lot." Desperate to end the uncomfortable silence, Cloud chose a topic even though it was rather lame.

"Oh!" Sepiroth's eyes feel on him finally. A quick smile flashed across his mouth. "You're welcome. I see that you are very quick; just need to learn to be more tactic." Cloud mumbled an understanding 'oh' while nodding his head. He didn't really care what he had to work on and knew this military talk was not what this general enjoyed.

"Do you always wake up at this hour?" Cloud asked.

"Earlier. But today I seemed to have slept in, I don't know why. Usually I can't sleep but lately my nights have been more pleasant."

"Strange?" Cloud said.

"Why?"

"For me it's the opposite lately. I couldn't go back to sleep." Cloud shifted his once straight and stern position in a more relaxed pose.

"Anymore nightmares?" Sephiroth asked. Cloud blushed in embarrassment every time he thought of that night.

"Yah, what I said that night—to you. Um, you know there was drinking going on that night and I might have said some things to you that didn't…didn't really…mean." Cloud looked up at Sephiroth, noticing he had been taking a few steps closer to him.

"What you've said I never judged. You don't have to hide it from me." His eyes glowed with warm as he said this.

"I'm not hiding!" Cloud was shocked he raised his tone to him. Humiliated, he turned his back towards Sephiroth. "I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to raise my voice." He felt a hand turn him slowly around.

"Why do you shut-up so about this matter?" Cloud could hear the breath of his lung from such a short distance.

"It's not something to talk about with the General." Cloud laughed but quickly changed his humorous face serious and honest. "But I'm not a killer, Sir…Just forget what I said that night and all will be better." Cloud bowed his head asking for the end of it in his mind. Sephiroth took a breath to tell Cloud something, to show him what it meant when he poured out to him that night in the hall. Why he's able to sleep, after so many years of not. But the shouting of newcomers stopped him. Shinra's heir was coming down from the hill.

Cloud was deaf to Sephiroth's name being called but felt the tension from him, making him turn to look. Rufus, dressed in a white suite made his way toward the pair. His blonde hair, platinum with some help of modern technology, was almost white as his suite. Other then his rip off blonde hair, Rufus carried all traits of a more then good-looking young man. Not near to as gorgeous and awe worthy as Cloud or even Sephiroth's mystic vibe. Dashing and cut was probably most accepted to explain his presence among others. He was a Leo perhaps, basking in the spot light.

"General." He greeted. Cloud's eyes measured him up as to not a threat to him or Sephiroth. Wait! Why am I caring about him? His question soon dissolved to nothing when he met eyes with the person behind him. Reno, his rose who's beauty could match to no one that Cloud saw. His demeanor was subtle and quiet, just as what a body guard needs to be when blending in. His green eyes didn't inspect the scenery as they did before. Once he caught the sight of Cloud, all inspections of safety went out the window. Out of all people, he was most fortunate that it was Cloud standing there with Sephiroth.

And Sephiroth! Reno couldn't help but blaze when he saw how close he was to Cloud, holding his shoulder and all. And to make matters worse, he was flawless! Beyond comparison! Unlike the president, Reno felt threatened by this General.

"Master Rufus." Sephiroth bent for a slight bow. "What can I make for this pleasure?" Cloud could tell his politeness was as phony as you can get. He glanced his way to the general and smiled before locking eyes with a non-smiling Reno.

Rufus and Reno came at the exact time when all other SOILDERS began pouring in. Due to Rufus' unexpected appearance, training began on a lazy foot. Their 25 min. break began and mostly everyone headed to the kitchens, including Reno and Cloud.

Cloud jumped on the same elevator as Reno and pressed for floor 2, the second one above the kitchens. After 3 seconds of moving Reno pulled the STOP trigger which halted the elevator between floors. Cloud grabbed Reno by his open suite jacket and engaged in kiss but in between Reno pulled away.

"Reno?" Cloud was hurt from being denied.

"I saw how cozy when you werewith the General." Reno spat. "You haven't been coming to see me ever since you've moved into the main building. Why? Why didn't you come for me?"

"I was moved. And don't get heated by Sephiroth, we were only talking and the conversation became a bit personal." Cloud graced his fingers over Reno's high cheek bones, tracing the scars from his previous life.

Reno smiled a little to comfort Cloud's worry. "You're the only one that gets me heated." Cloud smiled back devilishly.

Reno backed up as Cloud advanced, biting his lip in anticipation for what Cloud was about to give to him. Reno was now backed to the wall with the SOLIDER not letting any space separate between them. He gave Reno a quick kiss before dropping to his knees, establishing his motives that already caused Reno to gasp.

I know! Sorry, didn't want to stretch this chapter too long unless no one would really read it. I promise to shorten them a bit from now on. I really wanted to get in another love scene with Reno but I think leaving off for some imagination was good enough. Please, please, please, please REVIEW! Thank you so much for reading! Toodles.