Bloody White Angel
AN: There was some problem regarding Cloud's military status. Thus, I will skip all these troubles and just say that 'the cadet training and missions Cloud did were a part of the Midgard's military, separate from SOLDIER program.' The SOLDIER program is a private feature of Shinra while most of the citizen volunteer into the military mostly for the possibility to go into the SOLDIER program. The two are closely connected, Shinra keep close watch of the cadet in training for that SOLDER material are mostly from the military.
Turks are the shadow private sector that operates under the President of Shinra, but the operation has been switched to Rufus since he came into power.
Sorry about not updating FTL… the plot bunnies are still running wild… sorry! Since this fic's storyline is pretty set in stone, most of the major and minor details are all recorded; I decide that the possibility of fishing this fic within this year is a likely goal.
Notice: Some of the office scenes are inspired by the FMA fic Returning Echoes.
Previously:
Reno disappeared with Cloud silently promising Zack that he would see Cloud soon.
—Bloody White Angel—
Chapter 3: When in doubt, make a fool of yourself
"When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So, what the hell, leap." — Cynthia Heimel
"For the seventh time, Zackary Fair," the loud roar of General was almost common in these past six months, "Shooting pencils up the ceiling does not count as working the last time I remember!"
'Ah, so it's pencils this time.' The phrase rang through most soldiers' mind. Some sighed at the annoyance of having to endure the loud roaring on almost daily basis now, others laugh and pay up the bet while a few smile and collets the winning bet.
Zack, the infamous puppy had gotten Ice General Sephiroth angry again about pencils this time. After the light scolding -yes, light- compare to other punishment that shall not be named, this is quite light. The scolding only lasted for about half hour.
Zack, like the puppy he is, hung his head low and sigh, Sephiroth follow the same actions after. Lightly messages the bridge of his nose after the sigh, Sephiroth ponder how long Zack had been like this… ever since Cloud Strife, a good friend of Zack, quit the military training and SOLDIER testing… and joined the Turks.
From the constant whining and consistent drunk rambling that lasted from the past six months, General Sephiroth had concluded the following information. Cloud Strife has similar background as Zack. Cloud Strife has stubborn characteristics like Zack. Cloud Strife failed SOLDIER exam numerous tries for unknown reasons. Lastly, Cloud Strife had joined Turks training to become one of them due to the Turks' manipulation, also known as Tseng.
Every chance Zack saw, he seized. Reports and meeting that has to go through the Turks, Sephiroth was force to make the delivery on his own since finding out Zack's first attempt on bribing the delivery boy.
Sephiroth admitted on being curious. Who wouldn't after seeing the hell he had lived through for that past months? He had kept and extra eye out whenever passing the Turks' office and training area, which was as big as SOLDIER's gym. Sadly, he never caught even a glimpse of the said blonde boy. Once, he thought he had finally found the petit blonde according to Zack, it was quickly discarded since Sephiroth hear the said petit blonde talking to Tseng regarding Cloud's training.
The General was impressed, from what he had heard, the boy was a brilliant fighting machine, two month into the program and the boy was near completion. The petit blonde whom was later introduced by Tseng as Nunchaku was also Cloud's instructor and current partner. After the General express some discontent at having his recruit taken, Nunchaku immediately replies, more like fought back. It seems that Nunchaku had strong feeling against Cloud Strife being in SOLDIER program. It was an interest revelation, but not one Sephiroth was able to dig deeper.
Now, four month later, General Sephiroth receives yet another interesting information. It started out as a normal mission briefing, and then evolves into a rather interesting concept, one that offers promises of delightful rewards.
After finish scolding Zack for the last time, Sephiroth finally had it. Picking up the file discarded near the edge of his desk, General Sephiroth stood up and motion Zack to follow.
Zack's puppy eyes follow the noise of moving chair and look up to Sephiroth. After wagging the imagery tail, Zack saw the signs and follows the after the General. It was mission time.
~XXX~
It's hard for Zack to contain excitement of mission, almost every trace of his earlier gloom forgotten, "So, what kind of mission do we have this time! It's gotta be something big to require two First Class to attended. Neh?"
General Sephiroth remains indifferent as the two stroll down the corridor. Zack's jittery excitement was making it hard to keep smiles off the cold, icy General's face. Zack's insistent twenty questions finally got to him.
"We are meeting our partner in the mission."
"Partner? Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Zack step in front of his superior, "We have another person joining us?"
"Not another person, another group," the General corrects his mistake.
"Group?" questioned Zack.
"Yes," confirmed the General in monotone, "The Turks."
The new information had completely stunned the puppy and the General was proud of it. Never had peace and quiet came so swiftly and it was pure bliss in the General's opinion. The stunned subordinate on the side is defiantly a plus.
Sephiroth had expected multiple questions from Zack after he got out of his stupor, but the silence lasted till they reach the door, by then it was too late.
Just as Zack decides to blurt out questions, the door to the meeting room slide open.
As if to escape the bombing questions, Sephiroth quickly step into the room in long stride. Of course Sephiroth the great General would never, ever admit in a million years that he was slightly, barely, kind of afraid of the fit Zack was almost going to throw.
Zack immediately follow after, but his open mouth was left hanging as Rufus stand up from his seat.
~XXX~
Since knowing that he will meet with General Sephiroth and Zack, Cloud has been in state of panic.
Who can blame him? Sure, he is just meeting his crush and best friend in another identity. Maybe his identity and career clashes with theirs. Then there is the fact that he still haven't contact Zack in ages… and knowing his best friend…
I am so screwed…
Standing in front of the mirror that reaches from floor to ceiling, Cloud Strife, currently an official Turk, could not stop fidgeting. Gone was smooth, calm, and almost cold exterior. Not a single trace of his Turk training could be seen as fear swallows him whole.
A light knocking at the dorm door blare like thunder in highland startled the blonde. "Yo, Cloudy, it's time to go! If we are late again, Tseng is gonna bitch my ears off for real this time."
"Yeah, sure, I'm coming," the petit blonde replied as he let go of the neck tie he had remake five times already. Picking up the largest sunglasses from a pile near the dresser, Cloud slip back into the role of Turk. The trembling and fidgeting stopped immediately as to the endless race of thoughts. Checking and securing the chains wrap around his arms and sparing one last glance at the spotless room, Cloud walk out with confidence and grace only an experienced Turk would have.
~XXX~
"General." Came the cold greeting of Vice-President Rufus. A simple tilt of head toward the Vice President was returned. The two youngest of the elite group of Shinra sat on opposite sides once the greeting was finished. Zack took back his jaw as the meeting started.
Even though they call it a meeting, it was more like confirmation of orders and data so in light of such 'boring use of time' Zack decides to let his mind wonder.
First, his mind went over all the information he had on the up and coming mission. It's a simple negotiation of treaty with the Wutaian. However, there are many unknown variables. There are the protesters from within the city and Wutai stray warriors whom refuse to have any kind and type of pact with Shinra. With this much dangerous possibilities, President Shinra decided to send out his son and Vice President of the company out in place of him. There were some bickering about this treaty earlier this week between the President and Rufus, but I suppose that got resolved since Rufus here is going. However, if I know this spoon feed spoil brat, he is not going without the best protection he can get his hands on. Is that where Sephiroth and I come in? But why us two? I thought Rufus prefer Genesis or Angeal, hell, the only reason he doesn't get Sephiroth for some of his 'special' missions is because of Hojo and Reeve breathing down his neck.
Zack hate hitting roadblocks, so a change of thought was needed. Zack turns his attention toward the people lined up behind Rufus. The Turks.
Sephiroth blurted, yes he blurted out! He blurted out that this is not just a 'SOLDIER mission'; we are going to have Turks as our partner. What for? I know that Rufus is going as the negotiator, we, and by we I mean General Sephiroth and his subordinate, is there to… arg! Support or something like it! Ah! Then I suppose the actual ones that will be protecting Rufus are actually the Turks. Ah, now I get it, we are just there to state 'no fighting in time of talk.' After all, unless this is set up as trap, no smart ass world leader would willingly sent out top fighter to their enemy as peace offering under strict guard…Now I see~ Unless… nah, if there is going to be change of plans, I will just go with the flow!
Now that Zack had figure out the mission, he was officially bored.
On the left of Rufus was a male Wutaian(1) iwith a dot on his forehead and a stuff up looking face that look as if its' muscles are frozen stuck, Tseng. A slight movement of red causes Zack to turn.
The wild red hair with bright green eyes male had red tattoos right under the eyes. The man stood slightly slouched with bore. I know that guy! Reed, no Reno! Yep, and look he's bored too, he's yawning! Why can't I do that, oh right Sephy-chan says so…
Since there was nothing else to do, Zack decided to observe his future-work-together-or-die-group. All members of the Turks are standing in a straight line parallel to the window, except the leader, Tseng and what seems to be his female secretary. He stood just a foot behind Rufus' left side. On the other side of the red head is a tall dude with lots of earrings and a very nice shade; did I mention he is bald?
There were only the 'redhead' and 'baldy' on Tseng's left side. From the right side's end, an angular face guy with black and gray hair and a weird strand of hair off to the left side down his had the look of badass all over. However, the stead position of hands behind, back straight, and feet apart shows that he is actually in fact listening very closely to the conversation at hand and the complete training of a soldier. On the left of 'badass' is a super tall female with long hair. The female Turk had her eyes close like him, but as if sensing my stare, her bright Mako-enhanced red eyes opened and stares coldly at me. I adverts her stare quickly by turning to look at the last member of the Turks. The petit female Wutaian with short hair that sway upward at the end tip and jet black eyes was the only one wearing skirt, that has ultra, super high cut, sweet! Although her figure is not as bodily as the other female Turk, she is in the category of 'cute' kind.
The meeting continued endlessly and I, shamelessly, dozed off. That is until the glare of afternoon sun caught something.
A light strand of gold sparkled from behind Rufus' chair.
There was another person behind Rufus! Due to my position, I couldn't see the figure earlier until the afternoon sun shone on the golden blonde streak. Or it could be that Tseng called the person forth in regards to something in the paper.
Something tells me that the person is trying to hide from me. I don't know how that thought came up, but the nagging feeling got ahead of me. I sit up and tilt my back just enough to see the pale gold head and the upper body of a suit.
But wait? What's this?
The golden hair was spiked in every direction and that face… it look so…
Oh
My
Fucking
Odin!(2)
~XXX~
The coast is clear; no bouncy raven-haired Class First, check. Silver General? Nope, double check.
Cloud's straying eyes and open ears tried to take in every drop of movements. It's almost as if he is on mission, which he basically is. However, Reno's nonsense babbling was getting to the point of hard to concentrate. At last, the meeting door at level sixty-two stands clear before the blonde and opened with such ease that it was surreal.
Raine, codename Fist and Wymond, codename Two-gun, were already inside and playing cards. Their copies of report lay at the edge of the long mahogany table finished and done with. The pair had just come back for a short information extraction mission. Cloud supposed it was Tseng who requested for the two to be on this mission. It was either this or stay in headquarter with no rest and straight into another mission. At least they will get some rest on the helicopter flight, assuming there are no surprise attacks.
Rude's grunt caught Cloud's attention back to the one who drags him out of the office. It turns out that the bald, and bold close combat Turk was actually answering Reno's question. Favoring the more calming type of pair, Cloud walk over to see the card game.
The ex-bodyguard of Don Corneo almost won, but the beeping of codes and door opening had caught Cloud's attention to turn upward. Tseng and Rufus walk into the room with large strides while Knife was following closely behind.
~XXX~
Spiky?
Is that really Cloud! Cloudy-pon? I know that spiky hair anywhere, but still, this presence… it has to be…
Poised and silent, gone was the calm and gentle spring light with dreams of SOLDIER, now there is only the weapon that operates in the dark.
His jacket was longer, more sophistic. Instead of the usual black tie, his was wearing shimmering thick ribbon fastened elegantly just below the neckline. His entire weariii was way different from the normal zip-up suits that Turks wear as uniform… It's different, more fancy… like something you see at the ball President Shinra love to throw.
"Zack, Zack! Zackary Fair!"
"Eep!" squealed Zack once he realized his name was shouted out. That and the kick on his feet got Zack out of his daze and turn to face the General. Oh boy, he is mad~~~
To say Sephiroth is mad would be the understatement of the year, maybe even the century. Not only was Zack zoning out during meeting again- he was deliberating checking out the female Turk while attending what may be the meeting to end the Wutai war.
At this point, Zack realized that he had left his jaw open and was close to drooling. To cover up what could be the most fatal blow of his self-esteem, since he was drooling, drooling over Cloud, it was time to go with the funny. After all, when in doubt, make a fool of yourself is only the best cover!
"Sorry, but," Zack leaned forward, "you have got to have the most beauti…" the rest was muffed by a back slap courtesy of General Sephiroth himself.
Reno laughs his ass off at Zack's expense and lord and behold, the meeting was concluded. It seems that both parties knew the risk and danger awaiting and Sephirtoh got the distinct impression that Zack would not pay attention no matter how much he may be pressure into listening. Might as well give up and wait for the five-minute-before-take-off-to-hear-the-entire-mission that Angeal had so graciously taught him Zack would need. Gathering the spread of reports on the table, Sephiroth wanted to leave right away to notify the secretary of his possible long-term mission and more importantly, escape the evil known as paperwork.
However, instead of jumping right off the chair to talk to the female Turk Sephiroth thought Zack had set his eyes on, the silver headed General saw his right-hand man whizzing past the petit Turk and starting a conversation right away with a petit blonde. This had intrigued the ever so stoic General. Was I wrong about him staring at the female Turk? I thought Zack preferred the opposite sex?
Tilting his head just thirty degree towards left, Sephiroth saw an angel.
The soft bouncy hair moved ever so gracefully with the calm late summer breeze –no idea where the breeze came from- must have taken hours to care for. The golden hair was the perfect reflection of the sun, bright, gold, and warm. The pale but moist cupid bow lips shine with natural gloss. Even the small pink tongue that lied ever so innocently between the kissable lips seems erotic somehow. The huge, yet stylish sunglasses covered almost half of the small delicate swan egg shape face together with the golden hair was carefully removed revealing the largest, bluest, and brightest eyes he had ever seen. The person was not possibly human, much less male.
Sephiroth's cat-like green pupils slit close as he continue to take in all possible details of this unearthly creature. The first and most noticeable character besides the unearthly appearance this person possessed was his clothes.
That(3) was defiantly not standard Turk uniform. It is still a form of suit; just not the kind people wear for everyday use… The long tailcoat with swallowtail reaching just below the knees was black, dark as the night with inner white dress shirt to contrast. There was no normal tie either, just under the white collars were what seem to be silk scarf with variety of colors tied with complicated knots. The noir undertone was brighten by two silver streaks and in the middle was Persian blue stripe to match the azure pair of gems.
The finely tailored suit did not look odd in anyway on this petit boy, it only accentuate the aura that screams untouchable, pure temptation, absolute forbidden fruit that screams to be taken.
A pat out of nowhere on the shoulder slap the General out of his daze and he almost reach for Masamune instinctually. At the last second, millisecond, Sephiroth was able to held back the motion, it would not do well for him to act out of control simply for a…
Snapping out of his daze, Sephiroth turn 180 degrees to return to his office. He was not running away. No, never! The angel, no, boy, Turk! He is a Turk! That boy, Turk, did not have any impact on him whatsoever!
Denial, no longer a river in Egypt(4)~
Nevertheless, General Sephiroth ignores the feeling that comes with seeing the perfect illustration of angel and continued toward his office. He had much to discuss with the secretary and not enough time. The soft golden hair and full lips are not my concern, nor am I wondering if they are as soft as they… damn it!
While the imposing and never loses his nerve Silver General was having his dilemma and slight midlife crisis, Zack was, in short, having the time of his life.
Cloudy-pon may have change his fashion style, but on the inside, or is it in the inside…. Anyway, he is still the same Spiky! Yep, lookie, he is blushing, how cute! Still blush like a virgin, even after six month in Turk training, but who's counting~ Nuh-uh, not me!
Yes, Cloudy is defiantly coming, but dang, there is a lot of Turk on this mission. Usually the maximum I see a Turk in one time is three and that is with Tseng included for debriefing or reporting.
~XXX~
Sephiroth was walking up the stairs with heavy thoughts. Normally, the private elevator to the helicopter flat would be the quickest and most efficient way for this mission, but today, he needed time to think, to sort out the new feeling of distress.
With the old but durable bag slung over his shoulder, Sephiroth walk up while his mind wonder back toward the most beautiful person he had ever seen. 'It was the most splendid specimen human gene had ever had the ability to achieve,' thought Sephiroth. There had been no surgery, no pretense when the laughter belled out upon Zack's unintelligent remarks; pure emotion can be seen right on those large eyes.
"Perhaps, perhaps he is as good and loyal as Zack had described," Sephiroth voiced his thought out. Maybe that puppy finally found the right person for his 'plan to set the General up,' after all, puppies instinct in character are strong, are they not?
Taking a large breath as if he had just won the war –which he had with his inner doubt- Sephiroth pushed out the heavy, bulletproof door onto the helicopter flat.
There were no cadets in sight; clearly, this is stealth mission that cannot afford any mistakes.
The Turks and Zack was already waiting by two helicopters, a quick nod was the only confirmation Sephiroth ever give as he follows after Zack into the second aircraft.
~XXX~
Rufus and the angelic Turk know as Cloud Strife was on the other helicopter.
The flight was uneventful, one of the Turks, the petit female one offer her codename while piloting the aircraft. She was handling everything by herself while the dark hair male Turk who sat on the co-pilot seat was taking a light rest. The long hair female Turk with long warm, gray hair was also resting directly opposite of the excited puppy. A quick chat from the puppy to the female pilot, Knife, had made the puppy so excited that he pretty much made the male Turk switch seats with him. Not the least bit annoyed, the male Turk, code Two-Gun as state by Knife, left the cockpit and went to lie down near the sleeping female Turk, codename Fist.
The silence of calm breath was the closest to Sephiroth's ears; Zack's rambling and chitchat had been pushed to the edge of his mind. Breathing slowly, Sephiroth was almost lured to sleep had it not been for the loud beeping sounds. A quick scan had the General caught on that it was not his or Zack's PHS that had gone off, it was the Turks. The next second, several things happened.
The radio between the two aircraft was suddenly blasted on to the speaker, "Yo Knife, we been gun down. I am going to make emergency landing near the base of the boob hills~ Ah, also, over!"
The two resting Turks, Two-Gun and Fist, was already up and readying their weapons.
"Boob hills?" Zack wonders out loud as Sephiroth ponders the same, "I been around here for years and I didn't know there was boob hills!"
"There most likely isn't, this is just Reno's dictionary of defining landmarks," as Knife so bitingly replied. "I told him no more sexiest jokes, he never takes them seriously, now he is going to get it from…" muttered out of the poised pilot after the explanation.
"In case you are wondering, over, we are also under attack, yo," came again from the radio with extra static, "Heavy rain, they are really serious yo! Some help would be great. Ah, I mean, over!"
"He acts just like Zack," whispered Sephiroth. Suddenly, realizing he said that out and SOLDIER have super enhanced hearing, the General whip around to look at Zack, but it seems that his second in command was trying hard to figure out the Turk's landmark that he miss out one of General's rare outburst.
"We are closing in on Wutai capital," Knife states, code for buckle your seatbelt.
"Got it, the small mountains there next to capital are the boob hills!" the overly excited puppy shout out.
Three similar thoughts passed through the Turks, 'Just like Reno, even knows his random coding.'
Knife parked the helicopter few miles from where Rufus and the rest of the Turks landed. The copter was near the capital on the plains. Once settled, Two-Gun and Fist dash out of deck(5) without second thought.
Knife remained behind as she clear out the supplies. Sephiroth's eyebrow rose at this. Was there something wrong with the helicopter? Why wasn't the female pilot Turk moving like the rest?
"You are staying?" in the end, it's Zack who asked the most important question. "Hmm?" Knife raised her head, "No, I will go, but let them handle first, my priority is keeping this craft safe." You never know when you will need an escape when the dangers are just too high.
"Uh, ok, then do you need help or Seph," eyeing the General, Zack screamed with his eyes. He wants to go help the Turks.
"Zack, they shouldn't have any problems. Rufus has at least four Turks with him already." Sephiroth didn't understand Zack's concern.
"Eh, that's not what I mean, I… never mind," distraught, Zack let out a breath that sounds more like a deflated balloon.
By the time the conversation has finished Knife returned from outside the craft looking at the SOLDIERs. "Are you ready? The traps are set."
All Zack can do is budge his eyes as the General calming follow after the petit Turk. "Please follow the path after me, I rather not make the traps again. It's never fun the second time." Knife joked as she walks straight out and away from the helicopter.
When the group was few meters away, the Turk pull out her PHS and dialed. However, she was not calling, once she stop dialing, several beeping could be heard, she stare at it for few seconds before nodding and close the gadget.
The traps are all up, Knife look up to the General and Zack Fair, they share a nod of understanding, and then they were gone.
The petit Turk was able to keep up with the SOLDIERS without loosing her pace and breath. Without need to hold back, all three dashes toward the rest of their group.
—End Chapter—
AN: Please read and review, criticism are welcomed since I am Beta-less
Also, the clothes on Cloud are my own decision due to personal preference. I am a sucker for pretty man in tailor suit and tux~
Endnotes:
i (1)I don't know if I spell this right, but basically the people of/from Wutai
ii (2) Didn't want to damn the religion although I am not Christian. Also, I wanted to keep close to the gaming reference of the Norse Mythology
iii (3) Although I made huge change in this fic by making Cloud a Turk rather than SOLDIER, I still made him stand out from the rest of the Turks… due to personal likes. His wear was inspired by "Mei-Chan no Shitsuji," basically, a butler's suit, kinda, sorta more like a tux…
iv (4) I always wanted to say this!
v (5) I think it's deck and not cabin… I only wiki it…