"So how is Zack?" Cloud asked after some weeks of training went by.
"He's been... Not the same since you left." Cissinei answered nervously.
"What part are you leaving out?" He knew something was off.
"I would say it would be better to let you see for yourself, but, we can't exactly allow that."
"Why not?"
"You're a Turk now. You can't have emotional ties with anyone. It would be used against you from enemies. Enemies like Avalanche, or an old target who has it against you for putting a record on them."
"You can't tell me that when I know you're bullshitting me about emotional ties." Cloud could see right through her. "You're soft, and I honestly can't see why you're still around as a Turk."
She blinks, surprised at how easy he could read her. Then the sorrow hit her and Cloud wished he could take it all back. Since they met she stood with her shoulders strong. Now they were slumped from the heavy burden she carries.
"I honestly don't know, myself. But you know what keeps me going and doing my best?"
"What?" He was amazed she could turn this around so easily.
"That I'm making a difference out there for people's lives. Even if it's the smallest difference, that's enough for me." Her smile was sincere, and Cloud didn't know how to respond.
xXx
Since his closeness to Reno, albeit not that close mind you, Cissinei brought in the help of Rude instead for his fighting partner. And each time Cloud stepped into the ring he was brought to his ass.
"Think! Look for an angle. Take the initiative and take advantage." Cissinei encouraged with her riddling advice.
"Ya know, it's a wonder how such a hot babe like that even took down the psycho hunting those Honey Girls." Reno comments loudly enough for all to hear.
"As if you could have done anything! Drinking that laced champagne and all." Cloud rebuttaled.
"Yeah well, now I know better to check for such tricks." The redhead shrugged.
"Enough chatter! Get up and try again." Cissinei sighed.
Was it just him, or was she trying too hard to being like Tseng? One look at the pair, he realized that he wasn't the only one thinking the same thoughts. Rude seemed confused. Reno was more annoyed.
"Oho! Is Honey Boy having trouble?" Elena saunters into the training room. "Mind if I give Rude a try?"
"I don't think - "
"Just let her, Cissinei. You can't hog him forever." Tseng intervenes.
"Fine, whatever." Cloud was getting annoyed anyhow.
He expected her to have trouble. Instead to the surprise of everyone watching Elena had Rude down on the floor in seconds. She turns to everyone with a satisfied egotistic smile.
"Bet you can't even pull my moves, boy."
"Honey, you're just jealous I can actually put on make up and look good." Cloud couldn't help himself.
"That's enough. Cloud, I want to see your progress." Tseng stepped in as usual before things got too heated.
Cloud stepped into the ring and breathed. He tried to push all thoughts and emotions out of his head. Instead a saying crept into his mind. One that encouraged him whenever he had tough obstacles.
"If you find what brings out your passion, then by all means pursue it."
All right. Cloud might have just figured out his angle. He opened his eyes with brewing confidence. With such a change in atmosphere even Rude noticed. Despite this the taller suit stood his ground as the well groomed guardian that he was.
Cloud charges forward first. Rude moved to block and counter attack. Anticipating the move, Cloud uses one of his dance moves to dodge out of the way. He also grabbed hold of Rude's hand and started a one sided dance that threw the poor suit for a loop.
Confused, Rude starts going along with the antic. Which then brought his guard down. Cloud saw his opening and sweep kicks at his opponent's ankle. Rude tried to grab Cloud and pull him down with him. The blonde twists his way out of the grasp and stood over the fallen Turk.
"I believe that is a win for me, handsome." Cloud crossed his arms with a smile.
"Unconventional. But it works." Tseng comments.
"But that was just dancing!" Elena complained, glaring at Cloud.
"And so is most form of martial arts. Even Reno's street fighting form is a sort of dance. Albeit a rather violent one, but a dance is still a dance."
Cloud then caught onto two things at once. One, Tseng used this opportunity to teach Cloud his talent. And in the same instance teach Elena a lesson that there was more than just rules in fighting.
"You knew?" Cloud was now beginning to admire the man, slowly eyeing him up and down.
Damn, he was probably taken, though. There was no way with so much confidence eminating from this man's aura. Cloud had only seen such results from really close bonded couples. The type of relationships that lead them to stand tall even in the darkest of hours.
The kind of relationship that Cloud envied.
"I've been keeping a close eye on your progress. I figured taking two birds with one stone wouldn't hurt." Tseng turned to leave. He paused as the doors opened for him.
"Oh, and Cloud? Don't ever stop surprising us. I believe it's time you use that big brain of yours to use."
And with that the leader left with a disappointed Elena. Cloud watched, a little confused. Cissinei was ecstatic.
"He means he will put you to the test in a real mission soon!"
"Already? But I haven't chosen my weapon of choice." Cloud blinked.
"I think I got it for ya, toots." Reno leads the way to the weapons room. "After watching you move like that, it came to my mind on what would be best for you."
"And that is?" Cloud raised an eyebrow.
"The two pronged stun rod." Reno presents the weapon.
"That's a staff." Cloud deadpans.
"Ah, but like you, looks can be deceiving." Reno pressed a button and the staff became two rods.
"Oh, baby. You know me too well."
"Does this mean we can - "
"In your dreams." Cloud turned him down. "But, if you can beat me with this then you earned yourself a date."
"You got yourself a deal!"
In the end Reno ended up on the floor.
