"I saw you, Strife! You broke curfew and went below plate."

Sephiroth stepped back into an alcove when he spotted Third Class Tackett addressing a Cadet with blonde spiky hair. Cloud Strife, according to the file Zack had given them. Neither had noticed Sephiroth's approach and he was interested to see what was happening.

Cloud was standing at rest, but there was a tension in his shoulders and his hands behind his back that showed how upset he was. His voice was soft with an undercurrent of anger that he was obviously trying to keep in check while addressing a superior officer, "I never did, sir. Check with my squad mates, they'll tell you I was in the bunk all night.

"Of course they will, they're you're squad mates." Tackett waved Cloud's denial off and gave him a look that was serious, but not unkind, "Listen, kid, you're pretty easy to pick out of a crowd. All Cadets break curfew at least once. I can let that slide. The issue here was that you were below plate with a blade. Weapons are not permitted outside of classwork for Cadets and the slums are dangerous at night… especially for Shinra employees!"

Sephiroth's eyes widened. Tackett had not seen Cloud, he had seen their target. In their week several weeks of mission standby, Strife must have moved into the city. Sephiroth's mind immediately began considering a dozen different scenarios where Strife attacked the building or attempted to assassinate certain high ranking targets.

Cloud's voice reminded him why he had stopped. His tone was stubborn, but his shoulders had curled a little in defeat, "I was in my bunk all night."

"Admit it, kid. It'll go easier on you." Tackett sighed and crossed his arms, "I was coming out of the Wall Market area and saw you. When I called your name, you turned. As soon as you saw me, you took off. You're one of the fastest Cadets we have right now, but I want to know how you managed to lose a Third Class Soldier."

Sephiroth pinched the bridge of his nose to stave off the headache he felt forming. He could not let Cloud be punished for something he did not do. He also wanted Tackett's report without raising suspicions about what was going on. If the Soldiers believed the man who had been murdering their friends was in the slums, they'd start killing every blonde man they could find… or being killed while they tried to hunt the man.

He strode out of the alcove, making both Tackett and Cloud come to attention. Sephiroth nodded to them both, "As you were, gentlemen. Third Class Tackett, I've been listening to you speak with Cadet Strife. Are you certain of what you saw?"

He was amused by the way Strife's eyes went wide at mention of his name. The faintest blush tinted his cheeks. Sephiroth could hardly believe it. Their Soldier killer had once been a fan. Things just kept getting more and more absurd.

Tackett gave a sharp nod, "Yes, sir."

Sephiroth eyed him, knowing the answer he would get to his next question, but wanting to hear it anyway, "You are not attempting to get Cadet Strife into some sort of trouble with his superiors?"

"No, sir." Tackett sounded a little offended before he could catch himself… an honest reaction if there ever was one, "I like Strife, sir. He's stubborn and a hard worker, even if he's not excelling the way some of his peers are. Skill can be honed, but determination is the stuff Firsts are made of. I was trying to handle it at our level so he did not get into more trouble, sir. Thirds are permitted to sanction Cadets, so long as they remain within regulations. My punishment would have followed protocol."

Sephiroth turned his gaze on Cloud again. The boy had his gaze turned to the wall past the two of them. When he felt Sephiroth's eyes on them, he blinked rapidly a few times but did not dare look back.

"Do you object to allowing me to handle Cadet Strife's discipline?" Sephiroth asked, not surprised when Cloud winced. The boy quickly schooled his expression to blankness again.

"Oh, uh, no sir." Tackett let out a little sigh, "I only hope you won't be too harsh on him."

"Your worry does you credit. I will be fair." Sephiroth glanced back to Tackett, "I ask that you write up a report of the incident immediately. Provide as many details as you can. I will put it in Strife's file along with the report of his discipline so later review shows he was adequately punished for breaking curfew and possessing weaponry."

Tackett actually looked relieved. He probably did like the Cadet, "Yes, sir. I'll send it via mail to you as soon as I can. Please let me know if you need anything else."

Sephiroth dismissed him with a nod. He paused to clap Cloud on the shoulder before he headed down the hallway, leaving the two of them alone. Sephiroth studied the boy a moment. He was small and thin, definitely not the sort of young man they usually saw join the program. Most of the Soldiers he had seen with a build like Cloud's waited until they were older to try their luck.

He turned and headed toward the elevators without a word. As expected, Cloud quickly followed him. Sephiroth could hear him fidgeting as they walked, "You have something to say, Cadet?"

Cloud inhaled sharply, as if surprised to be addressed. When he spoke, his tone was a little sullen, "No, sir."

Sephiroth could feel a smirk tugging at his lips. Stubborn, indeed, "This would be the time to defend yourself. I do not care if you are guilty, but silence will stand as an admission. I suggest you convince me that he was wrong."

For a moment, he was sure Cloud would continue to keep silent. As Cadets, they were taught to take punishment without complaint. Rarely would punishment be unjustified. It was interesting to watch Cloud struggle against what he was taught. Finally, he clenched his hands into fists and said, "I wasn't below the plate, sir, or even awake last night!"

Sephiroth expected the boy to go silent again. Instead, a flood of words followed the first, "I'll admit it, sometimes I get up in the middle of the night and practice on my own. I'm hopeless, sir, but I'm trying. Last night, I was so tired that I was asleep before I could crawl under the covers. I've never been under the plate, I would have no idea where to go! I'd be dead in an hour, sir. Even if I had a sword, which I don't, what could I do with it? I'd be more likely to stab myself with it than defend against an attack."

The honesty was startling. He decided to see if the boy knew anything about what appeared to be his older counterpart, "And the figure that looked when your name was called?"

"If you go under the plate and stand in the middle of the street in the middle of the night yelling the word Strife, some blonde headed man is going to look at you…" Cloud muttered. He suddenly realized who he was addressing again and flushed bright red, "…uh, sir. And most people would run if a Soldier started chasing them."

Sephiroth chuckled at his candor, causing the boy to stare at him in surprise. He shook his head and leaned around Cloud to push the elevator call button, "Don't look so startled, Cadet Strife. Contrary to popular belief, I do have a sense of humor… when it is appropriate."

The boy seemed unsure of how to respond to that, "Oh."

As they stepped onto the elevator together, he took pity on the Cadet, "I believe you, Cloud. That is why I intervened in the first place. There is a delicate mission in progress and you have the… unfortunate luck to look like the target."

Cloud made a noise of alarm, but did not say more. The elevator ride was quick and they emerged on the Soldier floor in less than a minute. Zack walked out of the VR room, a Second Class at his heels. He spotted the two of them immediately and jogged toward them, "Sir?"

"The situation is… changing. Bring Genesis and Angeal to my office immediately." Sephiroth nodded to Cloud, "We are going to need to do something with him, probably for several days while we get this sorted out."

Zack smiled down at Cloud, "Hey kid. Getting yourself into trouble?"

"Without even trying, I guess." Cloud gave him a small smile in return, "It's good to see you again, sir."

"Yeah, you too." He looked back to Sephiroth, as Kunsel approached them slowly.

The Second Class came to attention, "Sir."

"At ease."

Zack grinned, "I've got it. It's almost lunch time, anyway. What if Kunsel escorts Strife here to the Soldier mess. I bet he hasn't had a decent meal since he joined up as a Cadet. The food down there is awful."

"That is an excellent solution." Sephiroth regarded Kunsel a moment, unable to determine anything about the man's feelings with his helmet in place, "I will clear your schedule for the afternoon. You will keep an eye on Cadet Strife until we give you further instructions. Should anyone ask, you are awaiting my judgement for an issue concerning this Cadet."

Kunsel nodded, "Yes, sir. I'm sure we can find ways to pass the time."

"You've always done well working with the Third Classes." Sephiroth said, "Cadet Strife would benefit from some lessons, if you're willing."

"Thank you, sir." Sephiroth could see Kunsel smile under the face place of his helmet, "I'm sure we can work something out, sir."

Sephiroth turned his attention back to Cloud, "You will not discuss the information I gave you on our way up here. Do you understand, Cadet Strife?"

Cloud gave him a tight smile, "What information, sir?"

"Good." Sephiroth snorted in amusement at the boy's nerve, "Thank you both."

Cloud and Kunsel both came to attention again before heading toward the elevators. It was not hard for Sephiroth to believe that the boy would go on to become a First Class Soldier. He just wished he knew what would cause him to become the killer they would eventually have to face.

Zack's fingers were moving over the keys of his phone as he fell into step beside Sephiroth, "Angeal is on his way to your office as we speak. Genesis says he's already there. He went and got lunch for us and was about to message us so we could meet up."

"In my office?" Sephiroth asked, dryly.

"It's Genesis." Zack shoved his phone in his pocket, "Are you really surprised?"

Angeal met them at the door and the three entered the office to find Genesis arranging plates of food Sephiroth's desk. Sephiroth just shook his head and took his seat. He had not eaten breakfast that morning. He did not realize how hungry he was until he smelled the food.

Zack sank down in one of the open chairs, accepting his plate from Genesis, "Alright, what were you doing with Cloud of all people?"

"What?" Genesis asked, nearly dropping Angeal's lunch in his lap. Angeal swore under his breath and grabbed for his plate before he ended up wearing the food, "When?"

Sephiroth shot Zack a glare as he quickly swallowed his mouthful of food, "I was hoping to eat a bit before we got into this. Cloud was being reprimanded for being in the slums after curfew with a sword. When Third Class Tackett called for him, he ran. I stepped in to keep Cloud from getting into trouble."

"Because it… wasn't Cloud, was it?" Zack asked, setting his food aside. Angeal and Genesis both stared at him.

"It appears that our target has moved into the city." Sephiroth replied flatly, "None of you should be surprised."

Angeal picked at his food, "We're not surprised."

"It's easy to put it out of your mind… personally I've been hoping that Strife, the elder, fell off of a cliff and broke his neck before anything else happened." Genesis shook his head at his own folly, "All that awaits you is a somber morrow; No matter where the winds may blow."

"We knew it was coming." Zack agreed with a sigh, "That doesn't make it easier to stomach."

"So what now?" Angeal asked.

"We need increased security on the Cadet wing. Assume at this point that Strife knows how to get into the building." Sephiroth looked to Angeal, "Once we are done eating, arrange it. Use Cloud's alleged incident as an excuse to keep a guard there."

"Done." Angeal said with a nod and quickly started eating.

Sephiroth turned his attention to Zack, "Do you think that Kunsel would stay with Cloud until we decide what to do? I want to be certain that he is not actually the target. I don't honestly have any doubt, but irrefutable proof would be nice."

Zack nodded, "All I'll have to do is say that Cloud did something to catch your attention and that he's being scouted. That'll make Kunsel stick to him, just to try and figure the mystery out. I'll mention that he's being suggested as a possible mentor for a Third Class that young… since all of our Firsts are involved in big things…"

"His head will explode as he attempts to follow all of the leads." Genesis said with a bark of laughter, "It is unkind to exploit your friends' weaknesses."

Zack chuckled, "It'll also make him too busy to try and figure out what we're really doing. Be glad for that. Otherwise we would risk the two of them showing up while we confront the older Cloud. I'm pretty sure the laws of time travel suggest that if the two meet the universe will implode."

"There are laws of time travel?" Sephiroth asked.

Angeal waved the idea away before Zack could speak again, "He's talking about bad movies. Don't listen to him."

"Those ideas had to come from somewhere, 'Geal." Zack muttered as he scooped up the last of his meal, "It wasn't that long ago that you would have scoffed at seriously considering time travel at all."

Genesis tossed his empty plate into the trash, "My orders, General?"

"You will accompany me on patrol through the Wall Market and surrounding areas." Sephiroth said, calmly, "He has already had a swing at Angeal and Zack. Perhaps the two of us together will draw him out again."

Angeal climbed to his feet and threw away his empty plate, "I don't like that idea, Sephiroth. It's unnecessarily dangerous."

Sephiroth arched his eyebrows at his old friend. Angeal had never outright questioned his orders before. Angeal did not back down, but Sephiroth noticed the way he rubbed a hand over his ribs, "Look, I can't tell you what to do. I would suggest caution in provoking him, but I also know we're running out of time. Just… be careful. I'm going to go take care of the Cadets."

No one tried to stop him as he left. Zack sighed and scratched the back of his neck anxiously, "He's not healing up right. He doesn't want the two of you to know, but the hell with it. This is no time for secrets like that. I… hugged him the other day, like I used to do. It nearly bent him in half. He said he's been to Hollander about it, but they can't figure out what's wrong. He's afraid you'll keep him out of the mission if you know."

"A poisoned blade?" Genesis suggested.

Zack ran a hand over the scar on his chin, "I don't know. Maybe? He only cut me the once, but I feel fine. I doubt this would have scarred if I hadn't worn myself out trying to heal Angeal. I just let it close up naturally since it was so small.

"We will be cautious." Sephiroth said, "Keep your phone on you at all times. If we encounter him, we will call before we attempt to engage him."

"I'll put a squad of the best Seconds we've got on standby for the day." Zack said, "Just keep me posted when you move locations."

Sephiroth rose from his seat, "Genesis, are you ready to leave now?"

"More than ready." Genesis growled. His expression had darkened at the news of Angeal's persisting injury. The anger in his eyes spelled trouble for Strife when they caught him, "My soul, corrupted by vengeance; Hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey; In my own salvation; And your eternal slumber."

Zack tossed a wave over his shoulder as he left them to finish their preparations, "Happy hunting."