Subject: Cloud
Age: 6
Notes: Seems to have a high mako tolerance. Must be as a result of being born in Nibelheim. Will increase the time spent inside the container. Overall seems to be frightened about everything. Won't stop crying for his mother.
Perhaps overdone the procedure. The boy is now in a coma. Perhaps mako poisoning. Will undergo experimental stages to reverse the coma.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 7
Notes: The boy has finally awoken. Doesn't seem to remember a lot. Decided to test his strength today. Managed to kill a Nibel Wolf. And yet the boy cried for it.
Weiss gave the boy the courage to keep fighting. The words moved him enough to devour the wolf's heart. Strange where that came from. It wasn't a direct order from Weiss and yet it was the first that came to mind for the boy.
Perhaps there's a way to enhance this connection.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 8
Notes: The experiments have some good data results. If I add more wolf DNA then the boy would most likely die. I've learned my lesson from a previous subject.
He now has a better sense of smell than the other promising children. His eye sight is near perfect. Seems to not like bright lights, however. Prefers the darkness.
He continues to devour hearts. The others have taken to calling him Heart Eater. Have tried implementing the name Fenrir. But the subject refuses. Even though he doesn't remember his old life, he won't let go of the name.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 9
Notes: Speed and strength continues to grow at a rapid rate. Surprising, considering the smaller stature of the body. Yet he surprises everyone, including Weiss. And yet Weiss still remains the strongest.
Already a rivalry is beginning to form between the subject and one other. She instigates the fights but he finishes them. This spurs her fury even more. Will continue to monitor these two and create preventative measures in case things get too out of hand.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 10
Notes: He is now considered second strongest. Shares the pedestal with Nero. By now the pack has formed within the most promising group.
For the time being the subjects listen and respect Weiss. However Rosso continues to target Cloud. He still continues to knock her down with relative ease.
A new ability has taken form. It would seem the boy can control beasts. Only natural born ones, however. The ones that are results of being twisted by mako he has a harder time to control. He calms them, but they won't always listen to his command.
Will monitor this and perhaps find a means to enhance this ability.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 11
Notes: He is growing quiet. Sometimes the others wonder if he's gone mute. He counters that he hasn't, just doesn't feel like talking.
What could have caused this? Perhaps puberty is beginning to set on him a little early. Tested his hormone levels and discovered he's normal for his age. Unsure what else could be the cause.
The ability is almost mastered. But he can only control mako twisted monsters to a degree. When he pushed himself too hard once his nose bled and he collapsed. He was immediately attacked by Rosso. The subject managed to throw her against the wall to fend her off.
Perhaps he should have more alone time instead of always sticking with the group. That was the closest Rosso has gotten to taking advantage of his few slip ups.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 12
Notes: Now it's Azul and Rosso that harass him. Seems to be as a result of Rosso always leading by example. However he seems to be able to hold them off just fine by himself.
Not much progress from the Beast Command ability.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 13
Notes: Puberty is rearing its ugly head on this boy. He is now often angry. Even takes his fury upon the others. Rosso is almost always the target due to past history between them.
Had hoped to encourage something between these two to copulation. Seems that won't ever happen. These two would have been the most compatible if they hadn't chosen to be rivals.
The fighting has gotten to the point that now he has to remain almost always isolated. Weiss can't seem to always control the boy. Unsure what caused a bridge between these two. Out of all of them he respected Weiss the most.
Seems to be constantly craving hearts, too. There is a dramatic increase in the consumption. His blood is often tested for any diseases or parasites. Amazingly his body kills either off with ease. Perhaps the mako density within his body is the reason.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 14
Notes: Still often angry. However the violent outbursts and tantrums have toned down a small amount. Still won't listen to Weiss. Claims he's not part of their "pack", even though he admits Weiss is strongest, the others won't accept him.
In a sense he is right. No matter how many times Rosso tries to overthrow him, he won't budge. He continues to be stronger than her with each step of the way. There is no means to reverse this rivalry now.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 15
Notes: He has admitted into wishing to conquer Weiss' heart. Not just his heart, but my own as well. However he has the sense to wait. Won't challenge Weiss until he knows he can end him.
As for myself, the collars should be efficient enough to hold him at bay. They have already seen them in action. Thus they won't dare make an attempt.
Perhaps there is a means to calm the wild cravings. Wolves imprint and mate for life. If I can find someone who is compatible as well as easy to manipulate from me. Will begin searching for possible candidates.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 16
Notes: He killed the first candidate that was found compatible. Refused to devour her heart on the grounds he wish not regret such an act.
When pressed why he didn't like her, he stated her scent was disgusting. Won't explain what will please him in that regard. Will consider more candidates carefully. Perhaps introduce their scents first in an attempt to gain his interest.
His temper is beginning to calm. Still occasional outbursts and acts of violence.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 17
Notes: Continues to show disinterest in the candidates most compatible. For the most part his anger issues have calmed. Yet he continues to stare at me hungrily.
The temper is mostly calm. And instead has almost gone completely quiet unless he has to speak. Because of this there has been small amounts of re introduction into the "pack".
He respects Weiss enough to not start fights. But he will finish them. One instance he's choking Rosso and looked like he was about to snap her neck. Weiss intervened that time. And she was released without argument.
Azul has since stopped his snide comments. He respects Cloud's power. Rosso has since become wary of targeting him so often. She won't raise her blade towards him but continues to verbally harass him. He won't bite to attack first.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 18
Notes: Still no interest in possible candidates. He's taken to calling them fake mates. And has asked when will these attempts stop.
Perhaps they're too weak physically. They must match his strength. Perhaps even stronger than him, if possible. Maybe the candidate needs to be a male? Open to the possibility at this point, anything to end the hungry stares.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 19
Notes: Refuses every possible candidate. Instead seems to want to focus on fully mastering the Beast Command ability.
However once again he nearly pushed himself beyond the limits. Fortunately this time the subject was alone. He collapsed and actually fainted for a few short minutes.
Subject: Cloud
Age: 20
Notes: The bridge between the subject and Weiss have mostly repaired. However he is still considered a loner of the group.
Still no sign of any interest to claim any candidates. Whether they be male or female, he harbors no want for anyone.
It will be a sight to see once he finally chooses someone as a mate.
Sephiroth read the notes carefully. He was amazed Lazard had given him a physical copy. Such information shouldn't be so easy to take and twisted for everyone to see. However the general now has another option.
He arranged to meet Mrs. Strife in person this time. Sephiroth left Cloud in Zack's care once again. He knew if he took the boy with him for this meeting then it could end in a bad situation altogether.
"How is he?" She asked soon as she entered his office.
"Not handling the news that he wasn't born in the laboratory very well. He believes himself a monster and wishes you don't pursue further on reaching out to him."
"But that's not why you arranged for this." She concluded.
For a village woman with limited education she can read people easily. Perhaps that was where Cloud's talent originated. Sephiroth handed her the files.
"This doesn't leave this office. I plan to destroy them after today. I assure you only the Turks have this information. And they keep everything locked tight." He assured.
She read them over slowly. He couldn't imagine being in her position. Losing a child to kidnap, then years of no success to locate him. Only to find out he had become some lab rat who has taken to eating hearts, he couldn't imagine how she felt.
Relieved that he was alive. But then horrified of what he endured. And the changes within him must make him unrecognizable. Sephiroth at least wanted her to understand enough to figure out a plan.
"It states he didn't consider those other children he grew up with as his pack. Does this mean he sees you as his pack?" She glanced up.
"I believe he's beginning to see us as such. He listens to me even when he doesn't want to. And he's found a friend who is patient and understanding. They are close enough in age that he's the bridge to cover what I lack."
Sephiroth thought of that conversation Zack secretly had him on call with. He had attempted small talk before with Cloud. And strangely their conversations never went personal. Then again he didn't have the sense to make anyone talk, that was all Zack's natural way of being friendly.
"So he's not alone." She was relieved at the news.
"He has a support system. My friends have taken interest to help as well. Director Lazard has been most accommodating to secure all of Cloud's needs and setting up the steps necessary for him to adjust to life outside of that laboratory."
"Does this mean he will be part of Soldier?"
"Unfortunately that is the only means for him to adjust. He was trained to kill. Without a sense of direction in life then he would be a possible danger."
"I have heard the rumors. I didn't want to believe them. Until I read these. I thank you for being honest with this. I just wish there was something I can do to help." For her part, she wiped away the few tears that escaped.
"If you can think of anything that smells like home, it might help him remember. I believe he latched so easily with me because for some reason my scent reminded him of the cold winter air. And I looked into Nibelheim's history, it gets cold there often. I actually suspect he remembers something, but not enough to establish a connection with you yet."
Sephiroth had come to the connection after read the files. Then he did a bit of research. And he replayed in his head the conversation that he felt he shouldn't have overheard any of it. He was still confused of Zack's support of them being a pair.
"I'll see what I can do. Do you think he would accept my letters if I write any?" She wondered.
"I'm not sure if he will read them, but I will tell him not to throw them away." It was the best he could do.
"I suppose that will be enough. I'm glad he got to meet you. I was frightened what was to become of him being in your care. But I believe it was fated for you two to meet. I have to believe that. Anywhere is better than inside that lab, but you're the best at helping him."
Her smile and words confused Sephiroth. He was in too much in shock to properly answer that. Instead he watched as she took her leave. And as promised he shredded the files.
He returned his living quarters to find Cloud wrapped up in another blanket that he stole. Immediately his eyes drifted to Sephiroth. And he noticed the way they narrowed.
"Whose scent is that?"
"Why so territorial over who I meet?" He countered.
Sephiroth wanted to bite his tongue. The tone Cloud had reminded him of Genesis. And thus he responded as he would to the red commander. He began questioning his decision when Zack began to shake his head with insistence behind the blond.
Cloud lunged in a flash. As he did the blanket was flown and Zack yelped as he fell back. Sephiroth reacted upon instinct and shoved the blond against the wall. The force knocked the breath out of Cloud.
And still those eyes glared defiantly.