The next dream Cloud chose the setting. He stood on the top of Shinra Tower, staring out into the city below. He waited with arms crossed, a little entranced by the lights.
Midgar was decent at night. In a sense he could see why people took pride in the city. However that changed when one looked under the plate. Or a better term, the rotting pizza.
He sensed Sephiroth's approach. Cloud glanced over his shoulder. The general was cautious, as if afraid of spooking him.
"You have questions." Cloud spoke, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"And will you answer them?" Sephiroth stared.
"I will try. Understand that I may or may not choose to give an answer. But, I will eventually tell you everything. It's a matter of whether I can trust you."
"That hardly seems fair. But, I suppose I don't have a choice."
"What about it isn't fair?" The blond wondered.
"You hold all the cards. And I have nothing to offer."
"Then let's take the time learn about each other, then." Cloud offered.
"I'm afraid I'm not as interesting." Sephiroth turned his gaze to the city.
Was he sulking?
"To me you are." The blond found himself saying.
Green eyes stared, a mix of surprise and growing curiosity.
"Look at the city and tell me what you see." Cloud turned his gaze back to the lights below.
It took Sephiroth a moment to answer.
"They're mindless, down there. Filled with whatever dreams they have. Nevermind that we're in a war. It doesn't matter to them. So long as we come out victorious."
Interesting.
"What about you?" Sephiroth inquired.
"I see greed. So great it's rotting. And the slums is where it hurts the most. It's all about being the biggest pocket while wiping out the competition. Yet they don't realize that they're just doing the dirty work of the company. Weeding out the weak."
"You almost sound like Avalanche." Sephiroth observed.
"I'm speaking from experience." Cloud deflected. "Although they may or may not have had some influence to that. But I was never part of them. My goals would be a bit too extreme for them."
At least with the most current known group of Avalanche. It would take some years for Barret to take the mantle. And Cloud hoped to prevent him from even sign up.
"And what are your goals? I know you destroyed a reactor."
Then it wouldn't be long before Turks or Soldier began the hunt. Maybe Cloud should rethink the idea of his group separating.
"Change. Lots of it. Drastic enough it might put an end to a lot of things."
"Such as the war?"
"That is part of it. Shinra itself is the big goal. But I can't do it alone." Cloud turned to meet Sephiroth's gaze.
"You want my help." The general concluded.
"Only if you wish to. If you want to remain on the sidelines, by all means. Understand I won't cross blades with you if you decide against the idea of turning on Shinra."
"Why?" Sephiroth frowned.
This was the first question Cloud wouldn't answer. He hated it, he knew at some point he will have to come clean. But he wanted Sephiroth to act without that aspect influencing him.
"My reasons are my own. In time I'll tell you why." Cloud replied.
"What about in dreams?" Sephiroth wondered.
The blond thought about it. He supposed it wouldn't hurt. The stipulations were if they fought to the death. Cloud didn't believe dreams counted.
"I think I can agree to us fighting in dreams." Cloud knew that the general would be interested.
"Then can we?" Sephiroth was eager to test the blond's strength.
"Let's change to a different place. You choose, since you're the one challenging." Cloud was confident.
The general chose a meadow of endless grass and hills. And the night changed to daylight. Cloud approved and grasped his sword to take a stance.
"I win, you'll tell me why you refuse to cross blades in real life." Sephiroth decided to make things a bit more interesting.
"Then if I win, you get to tell me something embarrassing about yourself." Cloud smirked.
Barely five minutes later Sephiroth was on the ground. Cloud stood over him with a smirk. He watched as the general laid there, confused.
"How?" Sephiroth seemed in a daze.
"Simple. You underestimated me. Now do you want to try for real, or am I going to learn something embarrassing about you?" Cloud tilted his head.
"Again." Sephiroth insisted.
This went on several more times. And Sephiroth remained stubborn. It was almost sad. As they continued Cloud began to sense the fury beginning to take form in Sephiroth.
"Are you really this strong in real life?" The general glared.
"Yes. I'm not even holding back. But, I think we've had enough of this. I rather the dream doesn't end on a sour note." Cloud placed his sword in his harness.
"I..." Sephiroth didn't want to walk away with a loss.
"How about I tell you something embarrassing about myself instead?" Cloud offered, hoping to lighten the mood.
"...You tell, I might follow your example."
"These spikes back here?" Cloud turned his head to run a hand through them. "I used to grow them out. I admired you, so I took it to heart and grew out my hair. Looking back now, I shouldn't have. I looked ridiculous and I didn't pull off the style. Plus it made me look more like a girl."
"I don't see how that is embarrassing. I think you can pull it off now." Sephiroth commented.
Was that a real compliment, or was Cloud reading too deep? He decided to ignore the feeling in his gut.
"Hmm. If you want something more worthy, then you'll have to earn it." Cloud teased with a smirk. In his head he was thinking of that time Aerith convinced him to put on a dress.
"Is that a challenge?" Sephiroth latched onto the bait.
"This time we will play a game of catch. Rules are don't change the scenery to your advantage. We won't be using our weapons. No materia either. You're it." Cloud bolted as he changed the scenery to that of the mountains around Nibelheim.
As the blond ran, he wondered what was wrong with him. Who would have thought he would be playing a game of tag with the General Sephiroth. And he was actually enjoying it?
Cloud charged into the caves. He heard the whoosh of Sephiroth in pursuit. The blond chanced a glance over his shoulder.
He had a good ten feet head start. But he read determination in the general's eyes. Cloud pushed away the panic in his head at the sight. He reminded himself that there wasn't malice in Sephiroth's intentions.
Cloud made a sharp turn and began zig zagging through the caves he knew so well. He could still hear Sephiroth behind him. The blond had a suspicion that the general was relying on his hearing to keep up.
Well, he can turn it against him. Cloud moved around a corner and then carefully he remained light on his feet as he went around another. The blond then held his breath as he remained still.
He heard Sephiroth round the corner he saw him last. And then the general paused. Cloud did his best to still his heart.
"...Cloud?" Sephiroth called out.
Was that fear in his voice? That he was afraid the Cloud had left? It made him feel confused. He must have also been in shock for he took a step, and his boot scuffed the rock.
The sound was like a pin drop.
Suddenly Cloud was full speed to the right. However he was too much in a panic to fully register Sephiroth had predicted well enough of his escape to intervene.
One moment Cloud was racing to get away, the next he was tackled by Sephiroth from an opening between the rocks. They whirled around and the blond felt long arms pull him closer to brace for impact.
They collapsed with Sephiroth taking the blunt of the fall. Cloud opened his eyes as he realized just how precarious the way they're positioned. With cheeks flushing the blond raised his head to meet Sephiroth's eyes.
"You promised something worthy." Either Sephiroth was dense, or he really wanted to hear the story.
Cloud felt the color on his cheeks deepen.
"One of my friends convinced me to wear a dress. Make up, hair extensions, all the works. Even down to a stupid tiara and fancy shoes. And...I had to walk through Wall Market all dolled up."
He felt Sephiroth's eyes scrutinizing him up and down. It didn't take a lot of imagination he supposed. Cloud caught sight of a playful smirk and he looked away.
"You can pull that off."
"Don't ask to see it in person. I won't do it." Cloud nearly groaned.
"What can I do to convince you otherwise?" Who knew Sephiroth could be so playful?
"Cloud." A soft voice echoed.
The blond recognized the voice belonging to Vincent. He caught sight of Sephiroth's face. Was that jealousy he was reading?
"Easy. He's just a friend. Something must have happened."
"I still owe you an embarrassing fact about myself." Sephiroth huffed softly.
"Tomorrow night?" Cloud was actually looking forward to it.
"Tomorrow night it is." The general promised.
Cloud found himself staring. In all at once he noticed other details. The way Sephiroth seemed either protective or possessive as he held the blond. And strangely Cloud didn't mind being this close.
"Cloud." Vincent's voice insisted.
The blond awoke. He blinked a few times, before shaking the dream out of his head. Cloud looked up at his companion.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"I was scouting. Then I caught sight of a winged Soldier collapsing. I didn't get close, but from what I could see he was resting." Vincent informed.
"What did he look like?"
"I didn't get a good look. But I saw a red coat."
The man who set off the apocalypse.
"Lead the way." Cloud was eager to meet this Soldier.