Cloud knew how the Turks felt. He couldn't blame them. If anyone came up to him and claimed they could be controlled and possessed by Sephiroth, anyone would think he was crazy. Until they saw firsthand.

But soon as they walked into the Strife home the Turks relaxed. The aroma of food and Mrs. Strife's welcoming demeanor put them at ease. It's been too long since they had been treated with kindness.

"Welcome! I know it's not much, but it's home!" Mrs. Strife greeted them cheerfully.

"It's lovely." Tseng commented. It was fair enough for two people to live comfortably.

Cloud and his mother worked in perfect sync as they made all their plates while the Turks took their seats. Soon as they all sat down they began eating.

"This is good! Damn, can we hire her as a cook, boss?" Reno was finally back to himself. Mrs. Strife laughed at the praise.

"No, Reno." Tseng sighed.

"So, Cloud hasn't been causing too much trouble, has he?" His mother eyed the Turk leader.

"Ma!" Cloud wanted to run and hide.

"I assure you, ma'am, he is a perfect model for a SOLDIER." Tseng shared a look with Cloud. "Until it comes down to him and his partner."

He blushed and lowered his gaze to the food. His mother giggled. Reno flat out laughed, recalling the time he had to literally save Cloud's ass in Junon.

"But that's what makes relationships all the more fun! Better memories to look back on." Mrs. Strife smiled. "Before you know it life has gone by and you're left with wishes. Wishing you've done more together."

Her words touched Tseng deeply. He couldn't help but think about his situation with Rufus. Cloud continued to eat, noticing the detail with the Turk leader.

For the rest of the evening it was delightful. As well as one could think for three Turks as guests. At one point the suits called it a night, reminding Cloud that they will be leaving early tomorrow. He nodded, and watched them leave. Cloud helped his mother with the dishes.

Before bed she pulled him into a tight hug.

"I know things are difficult. Just remember you have a home here, okay?"

"Yes, Ma." Cloud nodded.

He hadn't thought he would feel better with his childhood home. As Sephiroth mentioned perhaps he just needed to come back with a different perspective. And Cloud now had two homes that he felt were close to his heart.

When his alarm went off the next morning Cloud scrambled. Although he would miss this home, he was eager to finally be with Sephiroth again. His heart ached for him greatly since that night they endured. And he knew Sephiroth replicated the same sentiment.

As the Turks were getting ready Tifa ran outside to hug Cloud. He groaned, mostly to put on a show of distaste for the village. For those who were awake, anyway. She didn't care.

"You take care of yourself, you hear? And come back anytime to help me clear out the hunts!" Tifa winked before running back inside the inn.

Reno whistled just loud enough for Cloud to hear. He glared at the redhead.

"What? A guy can dream, right?" Reno smirked.

"Aren't you gay and taken?" Cloud raised an eyebrow.

"Actually I swing both ways. And uh, partner and I got an open relationship. Although we have yet to find a third."

"I wonder why." The blond snorted.

Rude laughed softly. Reno turned at him, angrily confused. The bald headed suit looked away to hold his straight face. Tseng made the call then that they need to be on their way. Reno grumbled as he climbed in with his partner to start up the helicopter.

Cloud climbed into a passenger seat next to Tseng. He watched as Nibelheim became a spec in the distance. And so he watched the scenery as they made their return. They didn't arrive until it was dark.

The blond practically ran out of the helicopter to the elevators. When he reached his floor he almost forgot to swipe his card again for the security measure. Cloud slapped his keycard and soon as the doors opened he sprinted down the hallway.

Cloud almost broke the door handle as he entered the suite. The whole gang was together for pizza night to welcome him home. Cloud smiled as they all pulled him into a group hug. When they all gave him room he looked up to see Sephiroth.

Without hesitation Cloud wrapped his arms around him. Sephiroth returned the gesture, laughing as Cloud almost made them fall over. Zack cheered. Angeal and Genesis shared a look. It had been too long since Sephiroth laughed from the heart.

"Okay, you gotta tell us about your stay over there. Don't think I didn't notice that big ass tooth!" Zack wanted to hear the story behind it.

"I used materia for the first time!" Cloud exclaimed.

"Now this I have to hear." Genesis held a sense of pride in his eyes.

They all sat down in their usual seats eating pizza all the while Cloud told the story of how he and a village girl took care of a mutant Nibel Wolf.

xXx

The official statement from the Turks about the Nibelheim Reactor were faulty pipes and live wires. The wires sparked enough to start a fire and since the sprinklers no longer worked, the reactor went up in flames. So officially, the report states that the negligence of the reactor caused its own destruction. And everything inside was burned.

For the first time Cloud and Sephiroth stopped having visions. There were no more voices. No more headaches. No more of those strange episodes that had become nearly too much of a hassle in their lives.

They watched Hojo warily. But he seemed more troubled with news of the destruction of Nibelheim Reactor. It effected him so greatly he had yet to come up with another kind of experiment to try on the couple. At least they had yet to notice any changes, anyway.

As they neared their year anniversary, Sephiroth asked Cloud if they could celebrate after the trial was settled. The blond agreed. This meant they could do more than giving each other gifts for the occasion.

The month of the next court date Cloud recieved the news Garrett succumbed in his sleep. He didn't feel bad, but in the same token he hoped the man now was in peace since he was no longer suffering. Brandt however, was a different story. Cloud wanted that man to suffer for the rest of his life.

However Larson still fought to stay on the trial. The judge wasn't sure on what to do so instead he extended the court date again. This would be another two months while he and Larson come to a compromise of some sort.

Although this hiccup was frustrating, Cloud decided to focus on his training. He settled on a routine where he met Hawke twice a week to spar. When discovered he now can use materia, Hawke taught him the ropes on how to strategically choose a balance between elemental and boosters.

Zack took him out for more missions. With each one Cloud grew in confidence that becoming First Class wasn't so out of reach as he originally thought. And much to his surprise Hawke finally achieved his goal. Cloud and Zack celebrated with him by making homemade pizza over at Hawke's new suite.

"What's with the security measure for this floor?" Hawke asked as they ate pizza.

"That would be because of me. A photographer snuck on this floor to follow me." Cloud wasn't all embarrassed.

"Please tell me it won't be like that forever." Hawke was in awe.

"Tseng thinks he will lift the security measure once the trial is done." Zack waved off. "Which is hopefully soon?"

"Don't jinx it. I know you miss your special someone." Cloud smacked his mentor's arm.

"So then the media has it all wrong with you two. Figures." Hawke laughed.

"You're not surprised?" Zack tilted his head.

"I witnessed General Sephiroth dragging him along to use the VR room. While I didn't see the fight, something happened that can make Cloud calm that man down from murdering that bastard. Let me just say, I already had plans to beat his ass that night but the general had other plans."

"Please tell me you used my line." Cloud asked eagerly.

"Oh, I did. It was golden." Hawke laughed.

"So I heard you can have your own sword that isn't company issued when you reach First Class. Is that true?" Cloud wondered, eyeing both Firsts.

"I just finished the payment for mine. I've had my eye for this beauty for a minute." Hawke went to grab it.

"How come you haven't got a special sword?" The blond asked his mentor.

"Uh...truthfully haven't thought of it? I literally have no idea what kind I want, to be honest." Zack thought for a moment. "Maybe if I had a sword similar to Angeal's."

"A bulky thing like that suits you. But this is more me." Hawke opened the case.

It was a thin blade about four foot long. The craftsmanship was amazing. Whoever made it poured their heart into it. The blond noted something seemed a little off with the handle.

"A katana?" Cloud was surprised.

"Looks can be deceiving." Hawke picked it up, carefully putting down the case. Then he split the blade into two halves.

"I like that that. It fits you perfectly. Is it possible to have this done for a bulkier sword?" Cloud wondered, and he sensed Sephiroth listening in.

"I'm not entirely sure? If it can be done you would need a special mind in the blacksmith." Hawke shrugged.

Sephiroth had an idea then. Cloud made sure not to listen so as to ruin it. It helped that his lover blocked out his thoughts. The emotions were still available. As time went by they learned more on how to handle the link between them.

Later Cloud asked Angeal on the matter of what was considered part of the family of his Buster Sword. The commander named them all he could remember and described them.

"But not any that can come apart into smaller pieces in combat?" Cloud asked specifically.

"No? Nothing has been constructed that I know of. Are you thinking of something similar to Hawke's blade? But a broadsword?" Angeal made the connection.

"A little bit." The blond shrugged.

"I find it hard that something can be made like that. But then again, nothing is impossible."

So Cloud began to work on designs in his spare time. He came up with many ideas and drawings that he eventually scrapped. All the while Sephiroth would peer over his shoulder with interest.

Until one day a design caught Sephiroth's attention. He took pictures of the whole entire design that took three pieces of paper. He then signed up for a mission that brought him close to the man who created Masamune. Luckily this put Cloud asleep back at home, and he was dreaming of them together.

"Eh? What the hell you doing back here? I stopped making swords after I heard what you did with Masamune. Wiped out an entire village. With my work? Fuck off before I shoot your ass." The old man grumbled.

"What if I brought you a peace offering? This is for my partner." Sephiroth held out his phone to show the first image.

The old blacksmith glanced at it despite the fact he really wasn't interested. Then he saw the unique design. Sephiroth smirked triumphantly. He knew the old man was definitely thinking about it. Which meant it would be easy enough to convince.

"That's a bit complicated. But doable. Yes, yes, that's genius. Whose design?" The blacksmith asked as he looked at the other two photos.

"My partner's. I have a picture of him. I know it's not the same as seeing into the wielder's heart in person, but I thought the designs might help with the photo." Sephiroth swiped to show Cloud.

"Huh. That's your partner? He's got a wild spirit in there. But someone's gotta be wild to keep your attention." The old man commented.

"Will you do it then?" Sephiroth knew he had the blacksmith.

"What material? You gonna pay? It's gonna be full price. And let me tell you, that blade won't be cheap no matter the materials."

"The same as Masamune." Sephiroth reached for his card in his pocket.

The blacksmith laughed a smokers laugh. It was more of a cackle, really. Then he stopped when Sephiroth held out his card.

"You serious? You really gonna pay full price up front? Just like that?"

"Anything for Cloud." Sephiroth stated so calmly that the old man did a double take.

"...Just so you know this gonna take months of work. You don't have a time limit, do you?"

"There's no rush. Complete it at your own time. When it's done you have my number and I will personally pick it up." Sephiroth knew it should be finished before or just after Cloud graduates into First Class.

"All right. But this is gonna be my last project. My health hasn't been the same." The old man accepted the card and swiped it for the price.

Sephiroth left feeling quite proud of himself.