Cloud noticed Reno being distant almost immediately. However, due to work being swamped he didn't have the time to ask him what was up. In some ways the redhead was trying to avoid him, too.
What did he do wrong? He often wondered. In a way it bitterly reminded him of Sephiroth, how his hero had cut him off after Cloud had gotten himself injured by Genesis.
Even Rude and Tseng started treating him different. The only ones who haven't yet were the girls, so he was beginning to think something was up. But he never got around to confront any of them. At the end of the day he was too tired.
Yet as time slowly passed he grew depressed. The boring missions. The majority of his people treating him different. It was all giving him flashbacks to growing up in Nibelheim. Everyone there treated him different.
Everyone except -
A girl with long black hair and red eyes came to mind. It's been a while since he last thought of her. Then he thought of his mother, and now he was beginning to be homesick. Which ended up depressing him even more.
"You okay, Cloud?" Zack noticed one day when he came by to drop off some reports.
"I'm fine." He was still lost in thought.
"C'mon, you can tell me everything." Zack was being stubborn. He knew something was up.
"Almost everyone is treating me different. It's reminding me of home and it's making me depressed."
"As in homesick?"
"No. I don't have very fond memories of Nibelheim. It's more like reminding me how I didn't feel at home there. That's how I'm beginning to feel around here."
"Well, I don't know about how to fix that problem about how people are treating you. But I can request if you can come with us to my next mission."
"To where?"
"Nibelheim. Maybe seeing home might cheer you up."
"Why Nibelheim? Did something happen?" Cloud was alarmed. He hadn't heard from his Ma about anything urgent.
"No, just something about the reactor. Nothing major, so it should be an easy enough job for you."
And Cloud got his hopes up. However when presented with Tseng -
"I am afraid Turks aren't needed in the mission. The only reason I'm going is because I'm transport." He said sternly.
"Then why can't I go with you to help transport?"
"Your help, although welcomed, is not necessary. Besides, you are to help Elena with a different mission."
"Maybe I should have stayed in Public Security. I could have gone home then." Cloud glared, and Tseng was too shocked by the admission to say anything.
After a moment the blonde turned tail and left. Zack crossed his arms as he scrutinized his friend. His expression was a mix of hurt and disappointment.
"What was that about? I didn't believe him when he told me everyone started treating him different, but I didn't think you would be one of them."
"Something personal came up. Besides, I can't allow another Genesis incident."
"You think he will show up in Nibelheim?"
"To face Sephiroth? Of course he will."
"Cloud isn't Genesis' enemy. So as long as I keep him out of the fight he's good."
"My apologies, but my decision has already been made." Tseng narrowed his eyes.
"... Fine." Zack let it go.
xXx
Tseng tried not to feel horrible. However, he couldn't help but notice an opportunity when he saw one. Once he landed and Zack began to wander around the small village, Tseng took his chance.
He played it off that he was searching for a signal when really he was making his way to Mrs. Strife's house. After making sure no one was watching, Tseng knocked.
"Hello?" She called out.
"Mrs. Strife? I have a few questions, if you have the time." Tseng spoke in his friendliest tone.
She opened the door and he couldn't help but immediately notice. That facial structure. It was Rufus and Cloud all in one. Only Cloud was more of the spinning image in comparison to Rufus.
"Sure! Come in, come in." She smiled, but her eyes didn't. Her eyes held recognition at the sight of his uniform.
Soon as he was inside and the door was closed she wasted no time.
"You found out about Cloud, didn't you?"
Tseng was speechless. At his expression she laughs.
"The moment he told me that he was one of you, I knew it was only a matter of time before the secret got out."
"Rufus was the one who figured it out first. He recognized Cloud. And so he began to grow suspicious enough to include me on the little secret."
"So you don't have ties with the president?"
"Only as part of my job. But, my loyalties lie with Rufus, ma'am." He assured.
She seemed relieved at the news. Even so she still regarded him like he was still a threat in her home. He understood her reasoning.
"I will not whisk you away to return to Midgar." Tseng assured.
"Is Rufus mad at me? Does Cloud know?"
" I believe he's more in shock of the possibility of you being alive. As for Cloud, we have currently kept him out of the loop."
"Then why has he called me being upset? He won't say what's bothering him. But I know my son." Her eyes hardened, and Tseng recognized where parts of Rufus came from.
"The responsibility is partially mine. Forgive me, but I will do my best to rectify the situation."
"I hope so. That boy needs to be happy." She crossed her arms. "So how is Rufus?"
"He is vice president now. And doing well. But after he recognized Cloud, he began to miss you."
"Can I call him?" She asked, it's been years since they spoke.
"The lines would be recorded on his end. But, how about recording a message for him instead? I promise my phone won't ever be searched through." Tseng pulled out the thin device.
"Are you sure?" She wanted to double check.
"You have my word, ma'am." He promised.
She reached for the phone with a shaking hand. And yet soon as she grasped it, her hand stopped shaking. In her eyes were clear determination. And the love of a mother to her sons. Tseng didn't regret coming here.
A Few Days Later
In the evening as Nibelheim burned, Tseng finally had the time to show the recording to Rufus.
"What's this?" He asked as the phone was presented to him. He glanced up curiously, for Tseng guarded the device with his life.
"Press play and see for yourself." Tseng smiled softly. He had been anxiously waiting for this moment.
Rufus pressed it and the video started. He gasped and sat up straighter at the sight of his mother. Cloud's mother. There was no mistaking it anymore. She smiled at the camera.
"Hi, son." She greeted. She took a deep breath and continued. "I know you may have a lot of questions, but I can't answer them all. Just know I never wanted to abandon you. But if I had taken you with me, then your father would have hunted us down."
"Of course he would." Rufus had no doubt.
"It was the toughest decision for me. But in the end, when you begged for a sibling, I knew I had to carry the baby to full term. So I hope you plan to take care of Cloud. He is your full brother."
Full brother. Then did she know of Lazard too?
"Don't be too hard on your baby brother. If you ever decide to to tell him this secret, wait until you are president. Love you both. I hope to see you two as good brothers to each other. I love you, Rufus. I pray to see you soon."
Rufus glanced up at Tseng, eyes watery.
"Thank you, my love."
"Anything for you, sir." The Turk smiles adoringly.
