"I know what is you wish for. You want me? Then you'll have to earn me." Sephiroth narrowed his eyes.

His words made Cloud blink. And the fire in those eyes calmed. He seemed confused and curious in the same instance. It served enough as a distraction so they wouldn't have to fight.

"Now that's not fair." Zack chimed in.

"You stay out of this. You've played match maker long enough." Sephiroth glared at the young Soldier.

"What's a match maker?"

"When someone is trying to put two people together."

"So then why does he have to earn you? You know that makes you sound like no one is worthy of you, right?" Zack crossed his arms.

"What, you believe I should just throw myself after everyone who wants me? I would have the entire city of Midgar killing themselves if I allow myself to be so open with relationships."

"So what do I have to do?" Cloud wasn't scared of his chances.

"First, don't attack me. Unless we're sparring you will not raise a fist or a sword at me."

"I'll try my best." Cloud promised.

"That's not all. You have to listen to what I say. You can complain, you can even argue, but so long it doesn't escalate then I will let the attitude slide."

Cloud nodded. For the most part this sounded reasonable.

"Next, you'll be starting Soldier classes. You show everyone the same respect you show me and Zack. Don't start fights, but you have every right to finish them. As long as you don't kill or maim anyone then I'll defend you with everything I have to the higher ups."

"Do I have to pretend to like them? Those people?" Cloud wondered.

"No. I don't care as long as you don't hurt anyone intentionally." Sephiroth said as he stepped away. He released the blond and gave him space. Cloud leaned against the wall for balance.

"Okay. So treat them all with respect and throw down anyone who throws first. Got it."

"Why do I get the feeling that's gonna happen anyway?" Zack crossed his arms.

"He will be starting at Third Class. Should he advance quickly then I'll see if he gets into your classes." Sephiroth knew with Zack around then Cloud wouldn't have issues.

"Well, I've got a friend in Third still. I can hook them up as buddies." Zack offered.

"If you think he can hold his own, go ahead. Cloud, lastly, you won't raise a finger to Professor Hojo. He's been requesting to assess you before you start classes."

"Who is this Professor Hojo again?"

"He's one of Shinra's lab coats."

"But - " Cloud began to argue.

"No. This is required by the president himself. If you so much as slip up, you won't be Soldier anymore. You'll be handed to Science and Research for further study." Sephiroth didn't want to reveal that bit of information, but it would be enough incentive for Cloud not to harm Hojo.

The blond looked away, angry.

"He won't experiment on me?" Cloud asked, still not meeting anyone's eyes.

"The most he will do is stabilize your mako levels." Sephiroth could only promise that much.

"...Fine." Cloud gave in.

"Swear to me. Look at me and swear you will uphold your word. If they claim you I can't protect you. I can't help you. Swear to me, Cloud." Sephiroth insisted, and those blue eyes studied him warily.

"I swear not to go against your rules." Cloud swore.

Zack watched the ordeal quietly. And he noticed a shift in the air. A change of their dynamics, and it was evident enough that if he were special, he could see it. Sephiroth was showing he cared in his own way. And Cloud is showing he wanted to put in the effort.

Even Angeal and Genesis noticed.

"What's with Cloud? He's different." Genesis asked them.

"Different how?" Sephiroth was curious of their insight.

They were secretly watching Zack introduce Cloud to Kunsel. The blond so far seemed relaxed. Kunsel seemed nervous, but with Zack between them he slowly relaxed as well.

"He doesn't seem lost anymore. Like he's starting to get a sense that he belongs here with us. Or trying, anyway. What did you do? I asked Zack, he wouldn't say anything for once." Angeal sent a look at the general.

"The puppy wouldn't gossip for once?" Genesis raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"He probably couldn't explain without it sounding weird." Sephiroth tried to think of how to explain.

"Don't tell me you two started a relationship." Angeal made a face.

"No. I gave him rules he had to abide by in order to earn me."

"So then you are interested." The red commander smirked. There was a gleam of mischief in his pale eyes.

"I am only hesitant because I suspect how he would perceive us to stay together for life. I read the files that was done to him over the years." Sephiroth elaborated. "I'm unsure whether to commit that yet."

"And you don't want to break his heart if it's only a phase." Angeal understood.

"With you two together? I don't think it will be a phase. He's loyal to you to the bone. Your word is law in his eyes." Genesis added.

"But am I good enough for him?" Sephiroth often wondered this.

"So far you're changing for him as well as set good boundaries and goals for him. The real test will come from our world. So many people only see the nickname Heart Eater." Angeal commented honestly.

Sephiroth hoped that it wouldn't come down to Cloud being tested in Soldier. And when the day came for him to be assessed by Hojo, Cloud refused to speak to the man. He was compliant, but never answered questions or acknowledge him.

"Does he even speak?" Hojo turned to Sephiroth.

"To everyone who isn't a lab coat." The general answered.

Hojo didn't have any comment to say to that. Instead he took blood work to examine the mako levels. He determined a schedule for mako injections. Cloud flinched when the needle went into his arm but otherwise didn't move.

"You did good." Sephiroth complimented when they left.

"He smells rotten." Cloud scrunched his face. "I didn't want to taste that filth in my mouth."

"Even so, you didn't hurt him. I'm proud of you." He felt those eyes turn at those words.

Shortly after the classes began. Cloud shared a few with Kunsel. And the young man proved to live up to Zack being a blessing in disguise. The rumors weren't so outlandish anymore as everyone observed the Heart Eater.

Sephiroth expected something to happen by now. However it seemed his fears proved to be too much paranoia. And the first mission he brought Cloud along proved to him that the young man really was trying his best.

"Were you able to control any of them?" Sephiroth asked after they disposed of the monsters.

"No. They didn't even want to be calmed. The monsters here are worse off." Cloud frowned. "And none of them smell appetizing."

"Be sure that in groups, you ask me before claiming a heart. And please do it away from everyone. You will have to clean up your face somehow, but if you can't then don't concern yourself with what the others think. If they protest I will handle the situation." Sephiroth stated clearly. Cloud nodded, listening every word.

Their third mission out, and second time in a group, and something happened Sephiroth didn't foresee. In truth he should have considered the option, but he figured that they would cross paths that soon.

It started when Cloud went stiff and looked around. They had just cleared the monsters. Sephiroth noticed the behavior from the corner of his eye and turned.

Then he caught sight of that wolfish smile. The same one Cloud had when they first met. And the hunger in those eyes made everyone uneasy.

"Intruders!" He warned before charging down a hill.

Sephiroth rushed from where he stood on the next hill over. He arrived just in time to see Cloud and Rosso clash. She shared the same delight as the blond judging by the wicked smile in her eyes.

"Regroup! Be wary of these enemies! Someone call in Tseng for air support!" Sephiroth ordered before rushing down the hill to join them.

A black portal opened. Nero flew out and heading straight for Sephiroth. He raised Masamune. The blade sang her song as he sliced through the air. Nero had dodged. Mostly.

Sephiroth had aimed for Nero's chest. Instead he got the right shoulder. The dark haired opponent glared. He wasn't used to being wounded, it seems.

"What are your intentions here?" Sephiroth watched as Nero took to gliding, circling like a vulture.

"We just so happened to be within the area. Rosso couldn't contain herself from attacking your wolf." Nero was being cryptic.

"No one owns him." The general glared.

"Hm. With the way you rushed in, one would assume otherwise." He caught on he found a nerve. And it dawned that it was a weakness.

And suddenly Nero glided towards Cloud. Sephiroth raced after with all his speed. The blond noticed their approach, but Rosso was being unrelenting with her attacks. So Cloud didn't have time to react in time as metal wings pierced through him.

Nero held Cloud up high as he tried to rip himself away. Sephiroth leaped high into the air. The height surprised Nero and Rosso both. She had attempted to intervene but he completely ignored her existence. She couldn't even leap after him as Sephiroth dived feet first with Masamune aimed perfectly for Nero's chest.

Reacting upon instinct Nero repositioned Cloud so that Masamune would pierce through both of them. Sephiroth didn't have time to react when his own blade went through both. Cloud let his scream fill the air this time.

Sephiroth didn't have time to apologize when suddenly Weiss lunged from out of nowhere. The general sensed the fury within those eyes and he yanked Masamune. Nero collapsed to his knees and Cloud fell with a lump to the ground.

Expertly Sephiroth stood his ground. All the while he remained standing to guard Cloud who was still down. He blocked attacks from Weiss and Rosso as she tried to take advantage of the fallen blond.

"You're weak to protect the weak." Weiss snarled.

"Then why are you attacking me in the first place? Weren't you meant to protect your brother?" Sephiroth bit back.

The fury within those eyes almost made Sephiroth reconsider his choices. He was distracted enough that Rosso took her chance. This time she aimed for the general. She was so infuriated at him for getting in the way of her prey that she didn't notice Cloud move.

Twin Stinger pierced through Rosso's stomach. Sephiroth half glanced over his shoulder due to the gurgling. He was surprised and relieved that it wasn't Cloud.

"N-No! You won't have my heart!" Rosso pulled away and tried to run.

That wolfish smile was back and Cloud gave chase.

"Cloud!" Sephiroth tried to call him back. But the blond was either too lost in bloodlust or what trust he gained had just been lost.

"Brother, we take our leave." Weiss announced as his brother stood up. Behind them Shelke and Azul paused upon hearing that order. They had aimed to help Rosso, but those words cut through.

"Shouldn't we - " Azul tried to argue.

"She's lost to us. Cloud won't stop until he's claimed her heart." Weiss knew when the blond was too gone to care. And he has the ability to sniff them out.

"Until we meet again, General Sephiroth." Weiss smirked as a portal opened.

And like that they disappeared. Sephiroth turned just in time to see Cloud, wild eyed and lost in the hunt to care where they were. He had Rosso pinned and reached in where he pierced her earlier to take her heart by force as she screamed in agony.

Sephiroth looked away when Cloud succeeded.