Lazard was beginning to feel the pressure. The stress over keeping Sephiroth and Cloud apart was taking years off of him. He was beginning to wonder if he should just let them meet.

He only began to think like this when he noticed a mood change with Sephirfoth. The director expected him to confront him any day now. Instead just any excuse to come by the office to finally catch Cloud in passing.

And Cloud began to be doing the same thing. To be honest, this was getting annoying real fast. To solve the issue Lazard began to send Sephiroth on longer missions.

Meanwhile for Cloud, Lazard sent him for a lot of easier missions more frequently. He hoped this would ultimately solve this problem. Unfortunately, Lazard hadn't count on Sephiroth telling the commanders.

"So, have you seen that cutie I went on a date with?" Genesis asked one day out of the blue.

"No." So this was why Genesis was so interested into the names of those who recently joined. He had been interested for any new potential, it seemed.

"Hm. Too bad I didn't get his number." Genesis left it be after that.

Then there was Angeal.

"I'm looking into a future candidate to train. Zack is close to earning his title as a First." Angeal started the conversation like this.

"Do you have anyone in mind?" Lazard was ready to pull up names.

"Anyone like that blond that Genesis keeps talking about that might be here with the company?"

Smoothe. Real smoothe. Lazard stared up at him with a masked expression.

"What is it with you three?" Lazard was beginning to tire with this farce.

"Just curious." Angeal played it off like he wasn't in on the questions with the other two.

Eventually they either got the point or gave up. However this didn't mean Lazard felt any better. He began urging Tseng to wrap up the last minute details. They were approaching four months of this game of keeping Cloud and Sephiroth away from each other.

Even Cloud grew anxious. He didn't voice his own anxieties but it was clear that he was anxious. He didn't inform anyone what was on his mind.

Until one afternoon. Tseng had finally finished the evidence. And it was arranged for the showdown to happen during a scheduled meeting. And they were all flying in by helicopter.

That seemed a bit dramatic. But Rufus insisted. This was the best measure to catch everyone off guard. So then there wouldn't be anyone catching media and cameras venturing further than ever before.

"Should I change out of my uniform?" Cloud asked as he met with his brothers.

"A suit has already been arranged." As Rufus spoke, Tseng presented the suit.

"I'll go change in the bathroom." The youngest brother accepted the outfit.

When he came back out, he was mostly presentable. Except he couldn't figure out how to make the tie. He held it out with one hand awkwardly.

"Can I get some help with this?"

"Allow me." Tseng offered to help.

The young Soldier felt silly that he couldn't tie his own ties. The Turk didn't seem to mind. After all Cloud didn't ever have a need to learn.

"I just realized. I don't know what to say?" Suddenly he grew nervous.

"I have arranged for the press to arrive just as we walk in. I will be doing most of the talking. Just follow my lead." Rufus instructed.

"Can I wash out the hair gel? I would feel better not having my hair down." Cloud was growing tired of his hair like this.

If he was to show himself to the world, he rather look like how he truly is. Of course he would be instantly recognized. But he supposed he couldn't help with that.

"A little late after putting on a suit. But go ahead."

"I'll be careful." Cloud promised.

He was extra careful. Once he felt that all of the gel was out of his hair, Cloud grabbed a towel to help dry it. When he was done his spikes are a little extra in the bounce.

"Is it just me, or is it fluffier?" Rufus wasn't sure. It had been a while since they've seen each other.

"It gets like this after it's wet." Cloud explained.

"Finally something we have in common." Lazard commented.

"To be fair, both of you allowed yours to grow out a bit. I refuse to even allow an inch of growth." Rufus added.

"Haircuts costs money." Lazard pointed out.

"I just did this myself." Cloud felt that maybe wasn't the right thing to say when they both looked at him weird.

"What?" The youngest asked.

"You're never touching my hair with scissors." Rufus stated, partially as a joke.

"Although, at that length mine was all over the place, too. Hence why I let it grow a bit more. At this length it's a bit tamer." Lazard could understand why Cloud's hair was so chaotic.

"I am beginning to see that this is another strong trait passed down by our dear father." Rufus knew that there was more than just the blue eyes and blond hair.

"At least you two get to be tall." Cloud scowled.

"Come now, it helps identify that you're the youngest." Lazard teased.

"Har har." Cloud did roll his eyes this time.

"I believe the chopper is ready." Rufus announced.

Cloud heard the chopper already active. He wondered how he hadn't noticed earlier. Perhaps he was more nervous than he originally thought.

Tseng was flying the brothers himself while Reno and Rude will drop off the cameramen and a news reporter. As they closed in on the tower, Cloud was an obvious nervous wreck. He didn't mind about being recorded.

He was more afraid meeting the president himself. Since he learned of the secret, Cloud couldn't help but wonder how such a man can so freely end so many lives when he created half of them.

"Nervous?" Rufus caught on.

"No." Cloud knew that wasn't a good lie.

"Take a deep breath. Just follow our lead. Then be prepared that the world will know your face."

"The world already caught a glimpse. Just no name to connect to my face." Cloud made a sour expression.

"All the more for people to get excited." Rufus smirked.

Cloud shifted his focus on the fact the three of them were taking a stand. And soon enough they landed and strolled their way into the office. It was glorious to see the confusion in all of their faces.

"Rufus, what is the meaning of this?" The president stood up.

The three brothers stood in a triangular formation. Rufus in the front, Lazard and Cloud equally stood on either side of him. All of them stood a good four feet apart. This way they could all be seen and stand firm that they were working together.

"Well, to start, you'll be resigning. Effective immediately. For several crimes. Environmental damages, staging a means to go to war all for some make believe Promised Land, oh and making the orders to kill several illegitimate children and their mothers. Just to name a few." Rufus was going all out.

Cloud hadn't been told exactly all of what the crimes were. Some of these didn't surprise him. He had wondered a few times if the war really was as honest as the media played it out to be.

"With what proof?" The expression changed from confusion to silent fury. His eyes grew dark and calculating. He was trying to find a means to get out of this.

"We have all of the evidence to back our claims. Including with us, one of the illegitimate children that slipped from the purge order." Lazard motioned to Cloud.

"And who is this? Someone who bathed in mako? With an uncanny resemblance? Even if he was, he wouldn't remember a thing." So he was counting on Cloud's young appearance.

"Actually, I remember the night I was supposed to die very vividly. I was ten. Oh, and we already conducted a blood test. We're matches as brothers from the father's side." Cloud didn't falter from the hard gaze of the old man.

"So then, what? You all join together then place Rufus in my seat?"

"Actually, I won't be taking the seat. I leave that to Lazard." Rufus continues to say. "But we will be helping him run this company for the better. Without the lies, without the killing of innocents, or sending more men to a pointless war."

In the background the elevator softly dinged. But no one was paying it any attention. That was, until the president smirked.

"General Sephiroth, help me put my son in his place." The president spoke as boots calmly approached.

"I am not here for you." The voice made Cloud shiver.

And something about it drew him in. Then he smelled it. The same scent that had been driving him up the wall insane. Slowly Cloud turned as General Sephiroth placed himself at his side. He looked up and their eyes met.

It was as if time stopped. Cloud couldn't hear the others. He couldn't even focus on anyone but Sephiroth. Cloud couldn't even so much as breathe. He was too captivated by Sephiroth's eyes.

"You'll never remove me from this seat against the entire company at my side!" The president's yell broke the spell.

Cloud took half a step back. Sephiroth placed his hand on the blond's shoulder. He gulped silently as he forced himself to face them all.

To calm his nerves he recited their names. Reeve Tuetsi. Professor Hojo. Heideggar. Scarlet. Palmer.

"And what is your take on this, General Sephiroth?" Hojo asked, still mulling over what just transpired.

"I stand with my destined heart." Sephiroth proclaimed proudly.

Cloud was at a loss. This was who the planet planned for him? Really? Why pair him with Sephirfoth? He honestly felt that he wasn't worthy. This man achieved so much and all Cloud had going for him was being a bastard child of the president.

"Well. Then that settles it. I stand with the brothers." Reeve stood up first. He moved to join behind the blonds.

"Know what, I think...I think I'll join them." Palmer followed Reeve's lead.

"Out with the old, in with the new." Scarlet sauntered over.

"I suppose change is inevitable." Hojo gave in, seeing the odds weren't in the president's favor.

"This is nothing more than a rebellion!" Heidegger stood up, trying to sound intimidating.

"Oh, but we have dirt on all of you. To be honest, if we had the need we would have simply wiped this whole office clean and start anew." Rufus didn't flinch.

"But we like to work with you so long as old habits don't start up again. We will be vigilant in keeping this company on the straight and narrow." Lazard added.

"You have nothing on me!" Heidegger was too blinded by the fact he was so loyal to a man long past his due of staying in power that he didn't see the danger he was in.

"Actually, we have several accounts of fraud, your help of conspiracy with the president to stage the war against Wutai. Oh, and several complaints of your mistreatment of your men that you've buried so that no one comes snooping." Lazard listed off from the top of his head.

"...I give in." The president sat down in defeat.

"But Mr. President - "

"They beat us, Heidegger. Better to surrender before they unleash the general on us while we're live."

Heidegger slowly sat down. Reno and Rude happily approached to handcuff him. They began to take him away and not so gently.

"Move it slime ball!" Reno was having too much fun.

"Good. Sign these two papers." Rufus handed them from his pocket to the president.

"What am I signing?" He didn't want to bother reading.

"Legitimizing both Lazard and Cloud. Making them Shinra."

Cloud glanced at Lazard. By the surprise look on his face he didn't expect this either. Meaning Rufus had either planned this on his own, or was a last minute touch up he decided to give them as a gift.

"Fine." He signed both documents.

"Take him away. The the rest of you, meeting adjourned until further notice." Rufus urged them all to leave.

When they all finally shuffled out, including the press, Cloud stared at his brothers. Their expressions were ones mixed with fear, guilt, anger, and confusion.

"...You both knew." Cloud connected the dots. He felt the anger boiling underneath his skin.

"Listen - " Lazard tried to reason.

"Whatever it is you have to say to justify your actions I don't want to hear it!" Cloud glared.

"We just - " Rufus began.

Tseng stepped between them.

"I am putting my foot down. I will be taking them somewhere out of your reach. No contacting him until he's had time to properly process all that's just happened. Let him reach out when he's ready."

"And if he decides to cut ties because we acted like any big brother would in this situation?"

"Then that is your punishment for keeping them apart in the first place. Ultimately, it is up to him. Whether he forgives, and comes back. But understand the trust will never be the same. I warned you it would come to this, Rufus."

Tseng turned and began guiding Cloud towards the helicopter. Sephiroth silently followed. All the while he glared at the Turk for even touching the blond.

"I don't understand..." Cloud was at a loss.

"They were doing what they thought was right." Tseng sighed.

"No, it's...why me? I'm not... I'm not worthy."

Tseng glanced down at him at the words. And he saw a mirror of his own thoughts when he first met Rufus. And his heart broke.

"Listen, the planet put you two together for a reason. You have to believe in that."

"Is this how you felt with Rufus at first?" Cloud hadn't even considered what the Turk must have thought in the beginning.

"Oh, you have no idea." They were climbing inside the helicopter now.

"I don't mean to overhear. But, I don't think about that with you at all. I see you as worthy." Sephiroth spoke gently.

Cloud glanced up. Once again he was captivated by his eyes.

"Well, there's hope for you two yet. Feel free to contact me for any anonymous groceries or take outs. I would prefer it be groceries but I don't mind spoiling. It is Rufus who will be paying for everything." Tseng offered as they began to ascend.

"He won't track us down if he's paying?"

"He doesn't check on his card on where his money is going. But I'll inform him that he's paying in full for your food and remind him it's a small price to pay in terms of making it up to Cloud."

"So that's your name? Cloud?" Sephiroth studied the blond once more.

"Y-yeah. Cloud. Cloud Strife. Or, Shinra, now. I guess."

"That option is only if you accept it." Tseng informed.

"Then Cloud Strife. I'll have to think about the whole Shinra thing."

"Either way, you're still Cloud to me." Sephiroth stated.

Cloud found himself blushing.