Sephiroth didn't get the chance to set aside plans to train Cloud. He was called away for an important mission. Reluctantly he left with instructions for Zack to have a try and work on Cloud's anger.
"Right. So how am I supposed to do that?" Zack sighed to himself. He thought about it for a moment before he called his old mentor.
"Zack? Everything all right?" Angeal picked up immediately.
"No, no, everything is fine. Just uh, kinda need your advice."
"What is it, Puppy? I'm all ears."
"How do I teach anger management when I've never had to go through all that?"
"Wasn't this supposed to be Sephiroth's field of expertise?"
"Yes. But he got called away. He wants Cloud to start ASAP. And well, I have no idea what the fuck I'm doing, man."
"Hold a moment. I think I know someone to better answer your question." There was some rustling on the other end of the line. Zack could hear Angeal talking to someone but he couldn't make out what was said.
"What's the problem, Fair?" Genesis didn't sound all too happy of the phone being passed on to him.
"How do I go about teaching Cloud about anger management?"
"Oh sweet Goddess - know what, hang tight. I'm coming over. Get him ready. We'll be making a visit to the VR room."
"What? But this is my pupil - "
"As someone who has anger issues, I will not explain to someone who doesn't how to help someone else with anger issues. Things get too muddled up and before you know it you realize you actually can get angry. Then both of you have to learn together. No, I won't allow it. Now get your ass ready. I'm already heading to the elevator."
And then Genesis promptly hung up. Zack stared at the phone confused. Then he quickly set to change into his uniform. Once he was done he ran into the master bedroom to rouse his pupil. Cloud grumbled as he sat up, blinking as his uniform was practically thrown into his lap.
"What's going on?" Cloud frowned.
"Genesis is coming over to help you with anger management."
"But Sephiroth - "
"Was called out last minute. He instructed me to take over. I reached out to Angeal on how to train you, who then brought in Genesis who took it upon himself to take over. Should probably change now, he's on the way."
Zack turned and left the room to give his pupil space. When Cloud was done he joined his mentor in the living room. The blond noticed how fidgety Zack appeared to be.
"You're not a failure." Cloud caught on.
"I feel like it. I'm supposed to be your mentor and I can't teach you everything you need."
"Zack, you are my mentor. Nothing will change that. I wouldn't trade you for anyone else. But sometimes we all need a little help. Think of it like this, you specialize in fighting. Genesis specializes in anger management. We all have our strengths and weaknesses."
Zack couldn't help a smile. He shook his head as he chuckled. My how the world has come full circle.
"For a moment there you sounded like my old man." By old man he meant mentor.
"Maybe a little bit of him rubbed off on me." Cloud smiled, earning a grin.
"Be sure Genesis doesn't rub off on you, too. We don't need a mini him. He's enough for Shinra to handle." Zack placed a hand on the blond's shoulder.
"If I ever become a mini Genesis, be sure to kick my ass. I don't think even Sephiroth will have the patience for me at that point." Cloud laughed heartily.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
The door opens to the man of the hour.
"Good. You're dressed and awake. I suggest you keep up, Strife. Fair, you're free to follow if you can keep up." Genesis whirled around to take the lead. Cloud followed quickly, almost at a light jog pace with Zack in the tail.
"So, what are your triggers? I have a guess on a few of them. However, I want to know all of them before we start." Genesis inquired when they were in the elevator.
"...Whore, mainly." Cloud bit his lip.
"Just that simple word?" The commander raised an eyebrow. "You really need to work on your confidence boost. The puppy shouldn't have any problems working on that. Anything else you can think of?"
Cloud considered hard for a long moment.
"I don't know if they're triggers. But I'm always afraid I'm not strong enough, or good enough." For Sephiroth was left unsaid.
Those pale eyes studied Cloud in disbelief.
"And here I thought Sephiroth would have pumped enough confidence juice into you by now." Genesis muttered loud enough for them to hear. Cloud blushed at the lewdness while Zack cleared his throat.
"I don't envy you, Puppy. You've got your work cut out for you. I can already see I won't have the patience to work him through all of his problems. But I will make this one exception for the anger management."
The doors opened on the floor they needed and the commander set a quick pace once again. Cloud wondered why he had to be jogging so early in the morning. He glanced over his shoulder to realize Zack was barely above a brisk walk to keep up with them. It dawned on Cloud that mako infusions really made a difference.
"Excuse me, I need to use the VR room. Leave before I burn you into a crisp for taking too long." Genesis addressed a Second Class SOLDIER as he deactivated the system.
"Yes, Sir." The young man sighed as he made a quick exit. He paused at the sight of Cloud and Zack next to the commander.
"Can't get a lucky break?" Zack recognized the SOLDIER as the same one who Sephiroth kicked out that one day.
"Nope. At this rate he's gonna reach First Class before I do." The young man at least had a sense of humor over it.
"All right, we're going to start with a few warm ups before we get into the serious work." Genesis motioned for Cloud to enter the VR room.
After the warm ups the commander paused everything so he could join. Zack took over the controls and chose a random location to start with. He chose the city of Midgar. The scene changed to nighttime.
"Now, before we start. Do you have a special place that you consider your safe place? Where you feel at peace in mind, body and soul. This is important to remember."
"I'm not sure what you mean." The blond was at a loss.
"It can be a specific location, a person, anything. For instance, my safe place is the poem Loveless. Do you have a better idea now?"
"I think so." The first thing that came to mind was Sephiroth's arms.
"Okay. Close your eyes and invision it. Take a moment and feel that calmness take over you."
Cloud closed his eyes. He imagined Sephiroth behind him and holding him. He could see it so clearly in his head that he could even smell Sephiroth's scent. It was all so bizarre that it felt so real.
"How do you feel?" Genesis noticed the changes.
"At peace." Cloud admitted honestly.
"Good. Keep a good strong grasp of that feeling. That image. Everything about it. Hold it close to your heart." The commander began to pace around the blond slowly. The sound of his boots was enough for Cloud to know where he was.
"So tell me, do you remember anything of that night? The night you were targeted?"
"What? Why is that important?" Cloud whirled around to eye the commander as he continued to circle around him.
"Just curious. You put so much power into the word whore that simply hearing it enough times makes you snap."
"No I don't." The blond scowled.
"Oh, please. I was there when that gang attacked. How many times did they say whore? How many times did they call you that in order for you to snap?"
"I didn't keep count." Cloud felt the heat rise within his chest.
"You're losing focus on your safe place." Genesis raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. "The point of this lesson is to keep your mind focused on your safe place and not allow yourself get worked up by your triggers."
"I'm not losing focus."
"Don't lie to me! I see it in your eyes. I've spent years understanding how to read Sephiroth that you, you're an open book compared to him."
"I'm trying!" Cloud snapped, inhaling to steady himself. He closed his eyes to imagine Sephiroth holding him again, however the image was strained.
"Scrap this image. It's not enough." Genesis was beginning to lose patience. "Whatever it is that you're thinking isn't strong enough to keep your heart and soul at peace."
"It has to!" Cloud felt tears threatening to fall. "Because if it's not...I can't think of anything else."
"What about a childhood memory? Anything in your life before becoming a SOLDIER?" Genesis was grasping at straws.
"The village hated me." The blond shook his head.
"Oh, come on. Surely not everyone hated your existence?"
"...No. But the connection with them isn't as strong." He thought of his mother. And strangely enough, Tifa. Even so they were smaller in comparison to Sephiroth.
"Sweet Minerva - Zack! Change the scenery to the ocean. Doesn't matter which one. Just change it!" Genesis commanded. Quickly Midgar disappeared and was switched to the beach.
Cloud opened his eyes to look around in wonder. So this was what the ocean was like? He had never seen it before. It was endless.
"Take a good look. Feel the breeze. The sights, the sounds of the waves." As he spoke the commander began to calm. It occurred to Cloud that this place must be another safe place for Genesis.
"Allow it all to sink into you. Let it all become a part of you. And while you're at it I want you to breathe with the sound of the waves."
Cloud inhaled and exhaled with the rhythm of the waves. It began to work and slow his heartbeat and calm his nerves. It felt as if he had become one with the ocean itself.
"Yes, yes. You feel it." Genesis said after a few minutes of peaceful silence. "So, does the word whore still have any power over you?"
Soon as he heard it Cloud whipped his head to glare at the commander. Genesis turned around with a frustrated yell and threw a Firaga at a random direction. The commander moved away to pace and calm himself down, quoting Loveless to himself as he did.
A few minutes later Genesis approached. He wasn't completely calm, however, he wasn't on the verge of setting anyone on fire.
"Okay. Clearly you are so hands on with the experience that the VR system won't cut it. Therefore you need a very real and very physical location to become your safe place. However, that only leaves Midgar. I don't know about you but I find this whole damn city tasteless and foul."
"Actually, I may know of someplace that isn't like the rest of Midgar." Zack piped up over the microphone.
"You? Know of someplace within Midgar that's peaceful?" Genesis had his doubts.
"Yes, actually. It's my safe place. But, uh, I'm gonna need you guys to swear to never tell anyone."
"Why is that?" The commander crossed his arms.
"Does it have anything to do with a certain flower girl?" Cloud caught on.
"I cannot confirm or deny." In other words, yes.
"You've lost me." Genesis was irritated that he wasn't in the loop.
"Just trust me on this, okay? Follow me. We're taking a trip underside."
And so the three hopped onto a train. Cloud and Genesis soon find themselves in Sector 5 Slums and following Zack to a rather curious location.
"A church?" Genesis turned to the lieutenant with a raised brow.
"Trust me. There's more than meets the eye inside." Zack pushed open the doors. He grinned at the sight of Aerith tending to the flowers. This idea just got even better.
"Zack! Oh, what's this? You never bring guests." She caught sight of blond hair and gasped. "Do I finally get to meet Cloud!?"
"Told you I'll bring him when I can." Zack pulled her into a hug. She tilts her head at the sight of Genesis.
"You didn't mention an extra." She knew he wasn't Sephiroth. No, she's been to Loveless Lane enough times to know who else was there.
"Cloud, Genesis, this is my girl Aerith. Aerith, this is Cloud and Genesis."
"Oh, my. Such esteemed guests you've brought over today. You could have given me a little warning? I could have tidied up the place."
"It's fine the way it is." Zack kissed her cheek fondly.
"It has its charms. I see why you've chosen this place, Fair." Genesis was in awe of the whole thing. Mostly with the young girl. There was something about her that made her stand out.
"It's perfect." Cloud was taken in by everything.
"Why thank you! I'm glad you think so. I like to call this place a little piece of heaven. So, what brings you all here?"
"We're working on Cloud's anger management. Genesis and I are struggling to find his safe place. When Genesis ran out of ideas I thought of here and well, here we are. Think he can meditate here until he feels secure about himself?"
"Of course! Take your time! I don't have any plans. You don't mind if I hum along while I tend to the flowers?"
"I don't mind." Cloud was beginning to understand why Zack was so fond of her.
So Cloud sat beside the flower bed. Aerith was kneeling and humming to herself as she tended the flowers with great care. Genesis stood leaning against a pillar, watching them. Zack sat at a pew feeling quite proud of himself.
And Cloud felt it. The warmth of the sun. The smell of the flowers. And the sound of Aerith's humming. The whole atmosphere melted away all his anxieties and stresses. So much so that at some point he fell asleep.
