When the stitches came out a week later they were administered, Cloud was finally confident enough to venture outside the suite. He was terrified going anywhere alone so of course Zack was by his side. It came to his realization that Cloud had yet to get any of his personal belongings from his old bunk room.

So they decided to stop on by and hope his stuff was still there. They happened to meet his old bunkmate, the one who had been at the same party. At the sight of them the other young man placed a hand on Cloud's shoulder in his own means of support.

"I'm sorry for leaving your side." He said solemnly.

"It's not your fault." Cloud assured, surprised his voice wasn't shaking.

"I wish I can believe you, man."

"Do you know if my stuff is still there in our old room?" The blond wondered.

"I think so? I've been too busy with the transition into Third Class duties. Actually, I think I left a few of my own belongings there. Is it all right if I come along?"

"Sure, why not? Is that all right, Zack?" Cloud turned to his mentor.

"I see no harm in it." Zack was happy to see the his friend so easily conversing with someone else for a change.

So together the three of them made their way to the bunk room. As usual for recruits there were four rooms. When they first entered everything seemed normal. That was until another of their old bunkmates, who still remained as a recruit, was just leaving for classes.

"Cloud?" The young man gasped.

"Hey. Is my stuff still here?" The blond noticed how his friend tensed up.

"I wouldn't want to go in there. There was a break in last night when everyone was out." The recruit warned. "I called the higher ups, but no one has come around yet."

A sinking feeling hit the pit of Cloud's stomach. Without another word he raced to his room. He shoves the door open, it was barely hanging on the hinges to begin with. He stopped and stood frozen at the sight that greeted before him.

Everything was chaos. Bed turned over, drawers pulled all the way out. All of his belongings and old homework scattered across all over the floor. What made his heart stop were the words spray painted on the wall opposite of the wall in red.

WHORE!

His hands were shaking. Cloud couldn't tear his gaze away. The shock was sinking in. Suddenly someone grabbed his arm and twirled him around so he couldn't see the wall anymore. Instead he was turned around and embraced by one arm while his face hid in a familiar chest. Cloud blinked while his hearing came back.

"Tseng? Yeah, we got a problem. I need your help ASAP." Zack was already on the phone. "Come to the recruit bunks. Cloud's old one. Yeah. No. He's not hurt physically."

Cloud flinched at that. Of course he hurt. It wasn't a physical pain, though. This one cut deep inside his chest. He realized he wasn't breathing when his lungs hurt. Cloud closed his eyes to force himself to regulate his breathing. In his mind he retreated to safety, away from this place.

"Cloud? Cloud. Stay with me, buddy. If you need to cry then that's fine. No one here will judge you for it. Spikey?" Soon as Zack hung up he turned his full attention on his pupil.

Tears did well up. However these weren't tears of sorrow. A heat built up inside his chest. There was no limit to this emotion. It felt like a cup being filled by a sink, and the water was being left on to allow the water to overflow. The fury welling up inside him was endless.

Zack felt the heat rise in his pupil. He saw the signs of silent fury. Then he made a split second decision to make another call. He tightened his hug with his other arm in the hopes he can keep Cloud calm enough to not explode just yet.

"General? Cloud needs your help."

"Where are you?" Sephiroth didn't hesitate.

"Cloud's old bunk room."

"Is Tseng informed?"

"Yes. I called him first." Zack nods. He noted that he could feel Cloud trembling.

"I'll be there." Sephiroth hung up.

Tseng arrived first. However seconds later the general appeared. Tseng was already equipped with a camera. Zack pointed to the room as he pulled Cloud away. The blond's legs were stiff so he almost falls over. Zack steadied him and continued to guide him towards the general.

"He won't calm down." Zack informed, feeling defeated he couldn't help.

Catching onto what was happening Sephiroth reached for Cloud's hands. When he got no reaction, panic set in. He could feel the heat through their gloves. He could see it in Cloud's face. It was especially seen through the eyes. Now he understood why Zack called him.

"Cloud, listen to me. I can't fathom your pain. However I understand your fury. You need to rein it in. Control it. Don't allow it to control you." Sephiroth gently raised the Third Class SOLDIER's chin for those deep blues to look into his.

Cloud blinked, finally realizing his presence. He took a shuddering breath, gathering his voice.

"I want them to pay." His voice shook.

"I understand. They will get what is coming to them. For now you need to calm yourself."

"How can I be calm!?" Cloud snapped, pushing away the general. "I didn't want him! I wanted to go home!"

"It wasn't your fault." Sephiroth assured, grasping a thin wrist. Cloud tried to yank it away, but the general proved to be the stronger one and refused to let go this time.

"Everyone else seems to think so!"

"Not true. Tseng doesn't. Zack doesn't. I certainly don't see it as your fault." Sephiroth noticed the other two men in his peripheral. "Your friends don't, either."

"I want them to hurt!" Cloud yelled on the top of his lungs. His eyes were wild and blazing, craving to see the bastards to reap what they sow.

Sephiroth felt something stir inside. He never thought he would recognize the hunger in another before. The same hunger he felt everyday. Certainly not at the same level. But he couldn't deny the sight before him. And he understood what was needed. Sephiroth broke eye contact for a split second to address his lieutenant.

"Permission to take him to the training room?"

"Go ahead. Whatever you see fit that will help him." Zack nods weakly.

"If you're going, it would be best Zack oversees the ordeal. He is officially Cloud's mentor." Tseng poked his head out from the destroyed room to eye them.

"That's fine by me." Sephiroth didn't care. All that mattered was helping Cloud. He turned and lead the way, pulling the blond by the wrist he still gripped. Zack trailed behind, a noticeable difference in his steps. He was deflated for being unable to be of any help.

"If it's all right with you, you two will move in with the general. We don't need him going rogue because of this." Tseng called out again.

"Yeah. Anything for Spikey." Zack sighed as he followed the pair.

Sephiroth entered the VR room and promptly kicked the current user out. The Second Class raised an eyebrow at the sight of his commanding officer pulling along a distraught Third Class. But he didn't argue over the situation. By now rumors had spread, and this young man felt his heart tear at the sight of the poor blond.

"If it's any consolation, a lot of us don't like that piece of shit." The Second Class stated as he walked passed.

"He's a waste of air." Cloud replied with venom in his voice. Despite the tone his choice of words earned a chuckle.

"Waste of air, huh? I just might remember that insult next time I see him."

With that the Second Class SOLDIER left. Sephiroth turned to Zack, who was now at the controls. With a nod the lieutenant activated the VR and the whole setting changed. It was some wilderness out in the middle of nowhere.

"Start with the basics, and let him work his way up." Sephiroth instructed.

"Got it." Zack replied over the intercom.

Sephiroth handed Cloud a sword. It was the basic Shinra made for all classes. The general stepped back and watched as the blond made quick work of the levels. He could see the potential. He understood why Zack was so keen on him, and a part of him wished he had seen it sooner.

The general wanted to train the boy. He could already see the improvements that were needed to be made. Cloud was quick on his feet. He made up his strength for his speed. With the help of future mako injections the strength will come later.

He had good instincts, too. Sephiroth was amazed Cloud could sense when an enemy attacked from behind. He didn't have to turn his head in order to counter or block. Usually SOLDIERs didn't achieve this until they already had mako injections.

Either the fury building up within heightened his senses, or Cloud was a natural. Sephiroth made a mental note to find out which was true from Zack later. His lieutenant had seen him in action for real.

As the levels increased Cloud's body began to tire. However there was still no sign of his anger tiring. He was pushing his body beyond its limits. Sephiroth noticed as the boy was slower as time went along. His breathing ragged, his swings not having that spitfire compared to when he started.

Cloud was proving that his fury was an endless pit.

"Stop the levels." Sephiroth had enough. These virtual reality monsters weren't going to cut it.

Zack stopped everything. The monsters disappeared. He then changed the scenery to Junon, on top of the would be finished canon. Cloud turned to the general in confusion. His eyes were still wild with a madness hunger.

"Have a try at me." Sephiroth willed Masamune into his hand.

"What!? You can't be serious! He's not yet ready to face you!" Zack panicked.

"Those virtual monsters aren't enough. Besides, I won't be using my full strength." Sephiroth resisted to roll his eyes.

Cloud stood there, unsure. Sephiroth then closed his eyes. He felt his own inner monster out. He reined in with a leash, as he learned how to control it a long time ago. When he opened his eyes, they were bright from the wild look in them. Cloud visibly tenses, recognizing the hunger in another.

It was the same as his own. The hunger to destroy. To make those who hurt him to feel the same pain. To be the one to deliver the blow. Be the one who made them feel his shame, his horror, his pain, his suffering. He wanted to make them all experience it. Make them beg for forgiveness. But he wouldn't grant it to them. No, Cloud would only invision himself to continue their torture.

"I'm waiting, Cloud." Sephiroth felt a tug on his lips as they curled into a smirk.

And before him stood another man who understood him so deeply. Cloud raised his sword and took a stance. This wasn't everyday one gets to face the general himself. The real deal, to boot. He knew there was a virtual version in this VR room that SOLDIERs can opt to face against should they feel brave enough. However not many got very far with the virtual Sephiroth.

Cloud took a deep breath to steady his heart. When he exhaled the blond rushed forward with all his strength and speed he could muster.