Sephiroth was sure he was imagining things. Sometimes he would pick up a scent trail that left his blood pumping.

Most of the time it was around the director's office.

Faint, nearly blending in with everyone else's individual scent. But this one grabbed Sephiroth's attention. Soft vanilla, sweet orange and an underlying musk that defined masculine.

Once again Sephiroth thought of the photograph of that boy with Genesis. The scent drove him crazy. And it only fueled his growing obsession.

Now he was certain that the boy was now with the company. He tried to search the name. Still found no one. This confused the general to no end.

Thus Sephiroth found himself venturing towards Director Lazard's office over anything. All the while he began to catch on that the scent began to frequently show up.

Was this because the individual noticed Sephiroth's scent? And thus began a dance of trying to catch the other, only missing by perhaps minutes each time?

"Has the name come up yet?" Sephiroth finally found himself asking.

"I'm afraid no matches." Lazard remained stoic.

The general watched him with narrowed eyes. He had known this man for years. This man earned his respect, for he looked out for the men at the war front. He did everything in his power to reduce casualties.

In many ways the Soldiers life improved because of Lazard. And Sephiroth likened to believe they were on fairly good terms.

So then why did he lie?

Something was going on. Sephiroth tried searching the name again. This made him grow suspicious. The name still wouldn't show.

Which meant it was being protected heavily not to be shown when searched. But why? Why go to such great lengths to hide the boy?

Then he began to see Lazard in a new light. A darker, sinister means was at work here. He was going great lengths to prevent them from meeting.

Sephiroth didn't care as to the why. He was more concerned with how to approach the director and confront him. However that proved to be difficult. For he had no evidence to back up his claims.

Only speculation. And no solid proof that there even was a Cloud Strife here. So he began with his friends.

"Have you seen that boy since you left?" Sephiroth approached Genesis first.

"No. I would have told you if I did." The red commander glanced up from his reading. "Why are you asking?"

"I think he's here with the company. I catch a hint of a scent that drives me insane. It's always around Director Lazard's office."

"You really think he's here?" Genesis was amazed. "But shouldn't you have been able to find him when you search the name?"

"I have. It's never come up. At one point I asked the director. He told me no one by that name has come. But he lied."

"He lied. To your face." The commander whistled. "Man's got balls."

"Indeed. So now I need to figure out how to confront him with proof."

"Let me see if I can help you search for him. You believe he's in Soldier?" Genesis decided to offer his help.

"Has to be, in order to visit Director Lazard frequently."

"Have you told Angeal about any of this?"

"I've told him nothing. I feel like he would think I'm...obsessing." Sephiroth was wary of his friend.

He didn't want the lectures. Let alone hear the doubts that Angeal would put into his head. Sephiroth was in a constant inner battle as it were. And yet his heart continued to win.

"Then I'll leave him out of this for now. But if we end up requiring some extra help, I'm bringing him in." Genesis promised.

As time went by even the commander grew frustrated. He couldn't crack Lazard any better than Sephiroth. Eventually he brought Angeal into the circle of knowledge.

"You really think he's protecting that boy?" Angeal asked him one day. "You sure it's even the same boy?"

"When I saw his face, my heart stopped. Then a scent began to come around at the director's office, it made my pulse quicken. There can only be one conclusion. It has to be him." Sephiroth explained.

Angeal studied him as he considered the choice of words. He knew the general well enough to understand he is honest. And he couldn't find any reason not to believe him.

"All right. Let's say it is him. I assume you've already asked Lazard?"

"Yes. And he's lied to my face."

"Have you confronted him about it?"

"I would have if I had the proof. Thus far nothing is solid that he really is here."

"Lazard wouldn't withhold information without a very good reason." Angeal commented.

"I don't give a damn about the reason. I just want to meet him." Although by now Sephiroth was growing curious.

Why would Lazard protect this boy Cloud Strife? Why go so far to protect him? What connected them for Lazard to be so protective?

"Maybe...they're related?" Angeal wondered.

And suddenly that made sense. Sephiroth wouldn't know how siblings would be like. Let alone how a normal family should be. But since he's had Genesis and Angeal in his life, he likened to them as his brothers in a way.

"Then shouldn't he be approving of me? I thought we were on good terms." The general was still baffled.

"Maybe there's something else going on. But without proof, I don't know if it will be a good idea to confront him." Angeal could see that Sephiroth wanted to confront the director over this new revelation.

It took everything in Sephiroth not to. Although it gave him a sense of how the two would be related. Lazard had disclosed that he was an only child once.

Meanwhile, Cloud was equally as frustrated. Whoever had this scent began to come by the office more often. Is this what he thinks it is?

"Can promised lovers find each other through their scents?" Cloud asked someone at random in class.

He felt awkward if he would ask Lazard. Something was off with him. But he couldn't figure out what it was.

"It's known some Soldiers find their partner for life that way. And those that are born blind, can still find their partner by smell."

"Why, you noticing someone who smells good?"

Like gardenias, sandalwood, musk and a hint of campfire smoke. But Cloud wasn't going to indulge what the scent smelled like. It was his own little secret. After all this belonged to the one.

And of course his promised love had to be in Midgar. What luck. Cloud supposed that it was meant to be. After all, his brothers wanted him here, right?

Then it was meant to be.

So then why was it so hard to find this person? Cloud was beginning to wonder why the game of cat and mouse. He can imagine the other person being equally as frustrated, too.

As the days flew by Cloud began to resign that it will happen. One way or another. He hated the feeling of so close yet so far. But he had waited this long. What's a bit more time?

Besides, he had to focus on helping his brothers.

"Are we getting close to our goal yet?" Cloud asked one day.

He was anxious to get this over and done with. He had written a couple of letters home to let his mother know he was safe. He didn't reveal any details of what they were doing.

And Cloud was anxious to focus more on identifying the owner of this scent. He often found himself having very erotic dreams. And it was frustrating not having a face to get excited over.

"Very, actually. Just need to wrap up some other measures. Our messenger will be taking care of that end."

In other words, Tseng was taking care of the last minute details. Cloud wondered how the man juggled between being the bridge between the oldest and middle brothers, putting together the evidence, and being secret lover of Rufus.

"Are we doing this in front of the other departments?" It would make for an amazing show that will be memorable for years to come.

"That's the plan. We're debating on whether to broadcast live."

"It would put him in a situation where he can't make any moves. If he's got a few tricks up his sleeve, then he will think twice with the cameras rolling." Cloud liked the idea.

"I'll pass along your input." Lazard had a thought. "You do know that your face will now be known? Will you be able to handle the fame?"

"I wouldn't give a rat's ass about the fame. I just want to find my promised love." This was the first time the younger brought it up to either of his brothers.

"And you think the fame would help in that aspect?" Lazard inquired curiously.

"Well, I suspect they're Soldier. Or someone in the company. Just can't seem to catch them."

"I'm afraid I can't be of much help in that aspect."

"Why? I keep catching his scent here. We keep missing each other. Sometimes by minutes." Cloud found this odd.

"I see so many people throughout the day that I can't keep track." Lazard shrugged.

"At least it keeps you busy. I don't think the desk life is for me." The younger admitted.

"I admit it's not for everyone. But I enjoy what I do."

Cloud didn't understand. But he supposed everyone had different passions. Later he received a message from a private number that he was free to see what needed improvements with Soldier.

Occasionally Tseng would send anonymous messages. These didn't leave obvious trails that could be tracked. This placed Cloud and the others in a sense of security. Although he wondered how safe these messages were.

So Cloud began to set aside the growing anxiety in his heart that yearned for his promised love. He began to look into the structure that was Soldier.

Already he had a mind to say about the instructors. Their methods left little confidence for aspiring men to aim higher. Perhaps that was why there was so few Seconds and even less Firsts.

Perhaps a secret performance review on the instructors. Then either tell them to change their ways or be removed if they didn't comply to the new standard.

Cloud had also overheard talks of how so many men preferred either Genesis or Angeal. And yet so few with the general. He found that odd.

The blond wanted to look further into this issue. But that meant getting close to them. And something big like that meant he would have to ask permission from his brothers.

Cloud sent a message to one of Tseng's anonymous numbers. He received a response the next day. And his heart deflated.

Why would they deny him? He asked Lazard this some hours later. The answer was what he should have expected.

"It could potentially put you into the spotlight too early. You're already known by Genesis. If you're seen around him again then people will talk."

"I guess." Cloud gave in.

Still, the answer stung.