Zack was beside himself. His first reaction was dreaded fear. Even he had never faced Sephiroth himself. He had a try with the virtual one, but he wouldn't admit to anyone that he had his ass handed to him.

And yet here his pupil was dancing toe to toe with the strongest SOLDIER alive. Zack felt a sense of pride. He was proud. It swelled up inside of him that yes, he was correct to assume he saw something special in the blond. And Cloud had yet to receive any mako injections!

He knew Sephiroth was playing down his own strength and speed. All he was doing was deflecting attacks, calmly allowing Cloud to be on the offense while he studied his movements and reacted accordingly. However there was a wild look in his eyes that left Zack torn.

They were on the same level of madness. Zack recognized it soon as he held Cloud close back in that bunk room. He knew his words would fall on deaf ears. He knew nothing he could say or do would help his pupil. Hence why he reached out to Sephiroth.

Zack wasn't stupid. He knew Sephiroth hid a side of him from everyone. It didn't matter how close one got to him. He was always hiding something. Zack didn't understand what it was that his general was keeping secret. At least not until he saw the immediate change within Cloud.

Zack held his breath as Cloud aimed a perfectly timed strike. Then in a blink of an eye Sephiroth redirected Masamune and blocked with ease. However the force of the attack surprised him and he took a step back to regain his balance.

There was a gleam in Cloud's eyes. In this whole exchange Sephiroth hadn't moved from this one spot. Zack was in awe, however it didn't last long when he saw the smirk on the general's face.

In a flash Sephiroth advanced. Masamune was a blur of silver, the metal sang in the air as it gained momentum to strike. This was the first for the general to turn the tables. Zack felt his own hand reach for his sword on his back. He gripped it tightly. The urge to join the fray and protect his pupil was strong.

He paused as he watched Cloud blocked, backing away as he went on the defense. His whole body shook from the power of the strike. However his arms withheld and his weapon successfully blocked. Sephiroth didn't give him time to think of his next move before he aimed another strike.

Cloud rolled under the attack. He was immediately back on his feet in a stance, uncertain on whether he should attack. The split second hesitation costed him as Sephiroth raised Masamune again. He wasn't giving Cloud any room to think. He was giving Cloud the sense of his first real battle in which there wouldn't be time to think. In real life situations there was only reaction.

The blond blocked again. However this time his body was a second late to prepare for the impact. Cloud stiffened his knees so his legs wouldn't give out from under him. In doing so his body skids backwards on the floor a few feet.

Sephiroth lunged forward. Masamune sang in the air once again. Cloud rolls. He grits his teeth when his shoulder guard takes the impact from the opposing blade. As he gets up he saw his chance and this time he took it. Cloud swung with all the power he could muster at the general's side.

Having already anticipated this Sephiroth blocked. Their blades were scraping against each other. Sparks flew and Sephiroth pushed to deflect the still advancing blade. Cloud released a snarl. His frustration was beginning to take control over his senses and he aims another attack.

Sephiroth blocks, however he underestimated the power behind the blow. Once again he was forced to take a step back to keep his balance. He blinks, not being used to being surprised this much in a fight before. He couldn't recall the last time he underestimated an opponent. Not even Genesis could make that claim.

Gaining confidence with his attacks Cloud returned to the offense. Despite the exhaustion with his body he forced it to keep going with all his might. Slightly overwhelmed Sephiroth backs up as he blocks and deflects each attack. He stared into those deep blue eyes. The hunger in them definitely rivals his own.

And Sephiroth recognized that some part of Cloud enjoyed this. He was thrilled by it, growing addicted by the second. And in a sense Sephiroth found himself enjoying this, as well. However, there was supposed to be a lesson in all of this.

He could see the unenhanced body was straining. The difficulty was becoming too much. And yet Cloud still refused to recognize this. His stubbornness greatly outweighed what his body was capable of. He could see that if Cloud had his way he would continue until his body will literally collapse.

Cloud released a feral cry of frustration. He was attacking with all his might and speed. He was giving his all. And yet he couldn't land one blow. Not even as he switched his intentions from left to right, back and forth he aimed from every which direction. He recognized part of the problem was the length of Masamune.

If stood side by side with its owner they could be almost equal. And the advantage of such a weapon is that a simple twist of the arm and the long and thin blade could block at any distance that the arm allowed. And Sephiroth didn't have short arms so in retrospect he could extend the actual length he can block.

Therefore all he had to do was disarm Sephiroth. Somehow. Easier said than done. But Cloud was determined with his new strategy. So he continued his onslaught in an attempt to corner the general. It was the best he could figure on how to disarm him.

Sephiroth began to catch onto the plan as he was backing onto the top of the canon. He knew eventually there wouldn't be anywhere left to go. And so he had no choice but to resign to use his full strength. He had hoped to never have to resort to this, however Cloud was too determined. Too stubborn for his own good.

Sephiroth braced himself with a block. This time he didn't take a step back. Cloud pushed with all his might. And to their surprise he managed to force Sephiroth back a few inches. Sparks flew from the continued force being used on their weapons. The Shinra standard issued sword began to dent a little. Masamune even had a small nick. A first in a long time.

The general inhaled deeply. Realizing what was about to happen Cloud pushed even harder if possible. However Sephiroth felt the pressure increase tenfold. It would seem Cloud had a hidden strength from within that not even he was aware of. As the general exhaled he unleashed his full potential.

Sephiroth watched as Cloud was sent flying. Cloud lands with a hard thud against the metal. Sephiroth expected him to stay down. To his amazement Cloud gets back up. His breathing was uneven, and his legs were shaking. And still his arms raised the sword as he took a stance.

"Enough," Sephiroth was a blur. Cloud couldn't even see his movement when suddenly he heard Masamune. He desperately raised to block, guessing where the intention of the hit would be judging by the sound. He braced for impact.

Nothing could prepare him for the amount of strength behind the blow. While Cloud had been correct in the block, his weapon couldn't hold up against Masamune. The standard issued sword snapped in half. The piece that broke away fell a distance aways with a clang.

A swift pressure was felt on Cloud's right shoulder. He realized with horror that Masamune drove for his shoulder guard. The metal scraped under the blade but somehow remained intact despite the power being driven into it. The force of the attack sent Cloud to the floor.

Cloud felt his breath being knocked out of him so violently he couldn't even cry out. He gasped for breath as one hand desperately gripped the broken blade tightly. He could feel the stitches of his glove strain from the grip. He wouldn't be surprised if he would have to replace this glove afterwards.

There was another clang of swords crossing paths.

The blond opens his eyes to see the tip of Masamune inches away from his face. Before him Sephiroth stood over him with all his strength and all his glory. Between them was Zack. He was straining with all his might, his sword keeping Masamune from its target. For a moment Cloud considered smacking the blade away with his broken one.

"Don't even try." Sephiroth's voice cut through the air. Cloud met his gaze and froze. The predatory look in his eyes finally stilled his own fury.

Something in Cloud registered the danger he was in. Before him was Sephiroth unleashed. He must not have come to this extent of his own strength before, as his face was strained to rein in and control himself. Those green eyes didn't even register that Zack was there between them. All they saw was Cloud.

"Should you attempt anything, I cannot say what will become of your safety." Sephiroth's voice was strained.

"That's why I'm here." Zack hissed, his entire body shaking. He shook from high adrenaline. What he had just witnessed would send anyone into this state.

Finally the general realized his lieutenant was there. He blinks slowly. The fact his comrade intervened was enough for Sephiroth to come to his senses. Masamune disappeared into black smoke. Zack steadily stands up and slowly placed his sword on his back.

"Need a moment?" Zack wasn't going to turn his back on his superior. Not until he knew for sure that Sephiroth was back to his old self.

"I..." Words were lost to him as the shock set in.

"It's okay. You didn't mean for it to happen. I know who you are, you're no monster." Zack assured with a kind smile.

"...Thank you." Sephiroth turned his gaze back to Cloud. And the general side of him showed itself. "Your stubbornness will be the death of you. You pushed yourself beyond your capabilities. You allowed your anger to take control."

Cloud nods as he accepted the criticism. His heart sank at the words.

"However," Those blue eyes looked up again. "You held your ground well. You adapted to the changes I set and reacted accordingly. You even attempted to disarm me, something no one has yet to try."

Cloud felt justified in the sense of pride swelling inside of him. Sephiroth was praising him. He was used to Zack's praises. However these hit different when coming from the general himself.

"If it is all right with your mentor, I will set time aside for you once a week to work on your anger issues. This doesn't mean I am taking over as your mentor. Zack is still your mentor by all rights. However, it is clear he can't help you to the extent you need in comparison."

"The meeting once a week won't be necessary." Tseng's voice spoke over the intercom. He deactivated the VR system and the canon disappeared. All three SOLDIERs glanced over to the main controls where Tseng stood.

"To prevent Cloud going rogue or worse, acting out in his emotional state and taking it out on those who have hurt him, I have suggested that both Zack and Cloud move into your suite. I just received word that the request has been granted." The Turk explained.

Cloud felt his head swirling. He was to live with the general? Really?

"Therefore in your free time you can work him through the anger management. This way it's not officially on record that you are setting time away for Cloud." Tseng reasoned.

Oh. This was to rule out favoritism. This way there wouldn't be any records to hold as solid evidence. Speculations and rumors are easy to deflect. Cloud understood the situation.

"This is to deter any further future harassment against Cloud. I've already sworn the recruit and Third Class SOLDIER who were Cloud's old bunkmates to secrecy. It is up to you three to keep this a secret."

"Understood." Sephiroth wouldn't want anyone to know anyhow.

"Thanks, Tseng." Zack nods.

"Are we clear, Cloud?" The Turk addressed the blond.

Zack turned around and held out his hand. Cloud grasped it and together they pulled him up to his feet. He felt the aches and pains from the fight he just endured. He knew was going to feel that worse later.

"Yes, Sir." Cloud nods, leaning against his mentor for support. It hit him then and there that he really had pushed his body beyond his limit.

"Good. Don't bother moving all personal items. Just grab the essentials and move tonight after routine bedtime." Tseng instructed and left. Before left the training room he did make sure to grab a copy of the video footage of the fight and erased from the main system. He couldn't wait to show the file to the others later.