"Angeal might follow Genesis." Cloud told both Sephiroth and Zack.
"Nah. He's not like that." Zack was in denial.
Sephiroth remained silent. He wasn't so sure. Although he wished not to acknowledge the possibility, he couldn't deny Cloud's theory either. And of course they noticed.
"...You think he would?" Zack tensed.
"He refuses to speak to me. And has since avoided me at all costs. I meant to inquire how your training has been going since the incident."
Zack's face went grim. He inhaled to give him a moment to think. When he exhaled his expression was one of defeat.
"He hasn't been hands on. Just tells me through messages to either train or take up missions."
"Think he will get mad if you train with me?" Cloud perked at the opportunity.
"If you're out in the field more often it would be beneficial. When we haven't established a special unit to search for Weiss and his group, they could strike our numbers without warning." Sephiroth was keen on the idea as well. "That is if you wish to join us."
"As long as things don't get heated like that one day." Zack wanted to test himself against Cloud since he's made obvious strides.
"That hasn't been a problem for a while." Sephiroth promised.
And so Zack became part of the daily routine. Shortly after, there were a number of Soldiers going missing. The majority were Third Class. Cloud confirmed that the ones that shared Genesis scent were less in number.
Which meant Genesis and Hollander were creating an army of their own of dying Soldiers. With the Soldier numbers divided the war front became less of the company's first priority. The weight was heavy on Sephiroth and Angeal to carry between the war front or prepare for Genesis to attack Midgar.
"They haven't sent you out in the front lines in a while." Zack observed.
"Genesis has them paranoid. When he makes his move, they want me to be present in order to respond." Sephiroth spoke plainly, but the two Seconds knew better.
"Will you be able to?" Zack tilted his head.
"...I am unsure." There was doubt in the general's heart.
Cloud silently vowed that he would be the one to face Genesis if the opportunity arose. However he came across a problem. One that was growing as time passed.
"I'm craving hearts." He admitted one day.
"And yet none of the missions we take have given you the challenge you seek?" Sephiroth was concerned.
"It's not that. They smell off. If I wasn't put off by the rot in Genesis he wouldn't be alive right now." Cloud informed.
The admission made Sephiroth grow concerned. He believed it was time to allow Cloud a taste of war. With the front lines he can target Wutai men. Although Sephiroth didn't like the idea of using Cloud as a scare tactic, it would win the president over to finally send him in the front lines.
"You think he's ready?" The president was surprised when Sephiroth called a meeting.
"He's more than capable. At the war front he can be a force to be reckoned with. And should he show an interest of claiming a heart, it can drive fear into Wutai's army." Sephiroth elaborated.
"You don't believe Genesis would attack Midgar while you're away?"
"Zack should be efficient enough to fend him off." The general knew he can.
"Curious that you mention Zack and not Angeal." The president caught onto this detail. "Care to share something that we should know?"
"...Cloud has informed me that Angeal might follow Genesis into desertion." Sephiroth knew better than to lie.
"What makes him say that?"
"Before Genesis left, Cloud noticed those two got close. Their scents lingered together often. That is how he learned of Genesis' injury in the first place was through Angeal."
"So he really can distinguish people by their scents." Heidegger was showing interest.
"He is not to be used like a dog to sniff out your personal problems." Sephiroth was quick to put an end to that thought process.
"No, his use would be better to strike fear into Wutai." The president agreed. "I have to wonder though, how long until Weiss and his pack strike?"
"They seem to be keeping an eye on Cloud. If anything they will strike when he's not so close to home." Sephiroth theorized.
"If they become more of a problem then start looking into creating a special unit to deal with them."
"Yes, Sir." Sephiroth already had some people in mind.
Shortly after Director Lazard scheduled for their deployment. For Cloud, he was back to showing the enthusiasm of how a giant machine can fly. He had only been inside a helicopter once. The missions before the war front had been either on foot or by vehicle.
"You really aren't that scary." A Soldier chuckled as they were getting ready for deployment. Everyone had listened to Cloud asking the pilots all sorts of questions.
"It's like a kid in a candy store. Only the candy is machines. Maybe he should look into the mechanics classes." Someone else suggested.
"That might actually be a good idea." Sephiroth was all for it.
"Mechanics?" Cloud tilted his head.
"It's where you learn how things are made. You can even build something yourself."
"Can I build my own bike?" The blond grew excited.
"Oh, boy. He's gonna catch some attention with that enthusiasm." A Soldier sighed.
"From who?" Sephiroth was slightly concerned.
"Uh - the Speed Demon. Whatever his name is."
"Hm. Cloud should be fine." Sephiroth knew who the Soldier was speaking about.
Minutes later they were in the air. This time however there weren't any windows to have a nice view. Cloud still made a face at the seat belts, but he didn't argue.
When they finally landed Cloud looked a little like he was trying to find his sea legs. To be fair he wasn't the only one. Sephiroth allowed his men to gather themselves while he was briefed about the latest reports.
"We've been holding them off for a while. But we haven't made any advances, either. Some squads have turned up dead, bodies mutilated. I don't think it's Wutai that's causing these deaths."
That caught Sephiroth's interest. Why wasn't this brought up sooner? He glossed over the written reports. Luckily the one who wrote them were very detailed. The mutilation of the men were made from small incisions then ripped apart.
The picture made Sephiroth think of Nero.
"Cloud, keep me informed should you smell your old group within the vicinity." Sephiroth glanced at the blond, who blinked.
"They're here? What would Weiss gain from a war?" Cloud was at a loss.
"Hopefully we can learn now that we're here." Sephiroth turned to the rest of the men. "Our main goal is Wutai. We push harder and gain more ground."
"...Excuse me, Sir? What can we expect with the Heart Eater deployed with us?" Someone nervously raised his hand.
"He's here to strike fear into our enemy. I've already briefed him not to scar your own in the process. His unit has already been trained to know what signs to look for and react accordingly. The worst the majority of you will see might be blood on his face." Sephiroth knew with Kunsel around he can direct the rest of the squad to give Cloud room.
"How should we prepare for Weiss and his group if they're responsible for the mutilating our numbers?"
"Don't engage. Make contact to me directly and I will rush with all speed. If Cloud is closer then I will send him in my stead, then rush behind him." Sephiroth instructed.
The men here were nervous around Cloud. These Soldiers had barely time to be home due to the front lines. Sephiroth could see their relief and hope at the sight of their general finally returned.
But as the days passed the men grew more at ease. Although that was slow going with each mission Cloud and his squad returned, his face was covered in blood. Sephiroth knew that the blond was gorging himself to calm the cravings.
"You need to eat with the rest of us. Limit yourself to one or two hearts, not make a whole meal then skip dinner with us." Sephiroth had noticed when Cloud avoided dinner.
"I will try my best." The blond understood.
"No sign of Weiss and his group?"
"No. But I've caught wind of Vincent. He hasn't dared to reveal himself with the others always close by. Or he's too put off when I eat." Cloud shrugged. "If they're here then they would be wary of us."
"Perhaps. Be sure to keep me informed if Vincent ever makes a move." Sephiroth didn't know how to feel with this mysterious man who can so easily follow them.
As if sensing his thoughts Cloud snuggled up against the general. He was practically rubbing himself like a cat. Sephiroth relaxed at the gesture, finding him adorable. He wrapped an arm around the lithe body as Cloud looked up with mischievous eyes.
Until Tseng cleared his throat.
"I suggest next time you knock." Sephiroth was lucky he already had an arm around Cloud. The sound had startled the blond and nearly made him grab his sword.
"I will keep that in mind." Tseng for his part didn't falter from the glare.
"I suppose someone died. Or Genesis attacked? It's never good news with you. Especially in the front lines." It had barely been a week.
"Genesis attacked Junon. Zack was already on a mission there and held up to your word."
"I'm sensing there's more you're not telling me." Sephiroth frowned.
"I will make this brief. Angeal left. He was seen joining with Genesis before the both of them flew away. Zack has been most distraught after witnessing it."
"...I see." Sephiroth considered the information. "No one has harassed Zack over Angeal's betrayal?"
"No. With him being seen training with you and Cloud has put Zack in good light with the majority. Of course Heidegger tried to make something of it, but Director Lazard ended that quickly."
"There's more, if you're here personally besides the bad news."
"Genesis asked where Cloud was. Zack didn't reveal anything. But without you at home then they will know soon enough. The president has requested one or both of you to return." Tseng studied the pair.
"No. I am staying for the duration I am scheduled. He's not going anywhere, either." Sephiroth denied the order.
"I have thought as much. Care to give a valid enough reason so they don't hail you for treason?" The Turk wasn't surprised.
"Tell them with Cloud here we are making better strides in the war front. He's better off here then to be sent home. If it makes us a target, then we have the right to defend ourselves with any means necessary without civilian casualties."
"Fair enough. I will be making my departure in the morning." Tseng left them be.
"...Can he be trusted with the knowledge of us?" Cloud was still tense.
"If he didn't react about catching us about to get into the act then he already knows. Therefore he's kept it secret this long." Sephiroth knew the Turk and how his mind worked.
Cloud relaxed and buried his face into the general's chest. The mood was mostly ruined. However they were still in the mood to hold each other. Sephiroth felt his world crumbling around him.
Even so he was grateful to have Cloud at his side.