Chapter Summary: Wanting to know the truth about Cloud, Tifa finds the courage to confront Sephiroth himself. But he sadly informs her it isn't his story to tell. Yes, he knows all of it, and is still trying to deal with the ramifications of what has been uncovered by Cloud's relentless research through all of Hojo's nearly incoherent ramblings. But she is the one that must convince Cloud to open up to her. In fact, Sephiroth believes she is the only one that has a chance of doing so...

Chapter 3: Taking on the General

Watching - oh, yes. Tifa had been watching all day, intent on catching him the minute he walked in. There would be a reckoning, and soon. The long, nearly sleepless nights had only made her more determined than ever to unravel the mystery of Cloud Strife.

Who and what he was, how he became SOLDIER when he obviously wasn't involved in any way with ShinRa, why he was made General at such a tender age - and how he darn near defeated Sephiroth during the war.

And her personal favorite: how he kissed so well when he gave every impression of being almost painfully bashful.

Finally, there he was at long last, striding in the door with his faithful cronies following along in his wake.

General Sephiroth had arrived, his flowing silver hair still a foot shorter than before his first visit to the orphanage. The image of a fuming Sephiroth sitting in her kitchen while Tifa cut out the gum that hopelessly ensnared it flashed and made her smile despite her mood.

The children of the orphanage had been merciless in their fascination for the General...

With him were Angeal, Genesis, Zack, Kunsel and the newcomer to their ranks, Vincent Valentine. The man is the very definition of tall, dark and dangerous, with blood red eyes and the voice of a god, Tifa thought with a chuckle. He had been coming in with the others for a week now and was accepted by her regulars as the most unlikely of peacemakers in such a violate grouping. He seemed at home as he sank into the chair customarily reserved for the former General of Wutai.

Cloud hadn't been in once since revealing his origins to Tifa, and she was at wit's end over his absence.

Did the man think her so foolish? Did he really think she might be repelled by some horror in his past?

Yes, Tifa had heard all the stories of the insanity of the scientist Hojo. Yes, she had heard rumors of human experimentation and cruelties beyond comprehension. It was evident Cloud, and possibly Zack and Kunsel as well, had fallen into his hands at some point.

It had long been known that Sephiroth was the subject of many experiments - conducted by his own father, no less, with the unwitting help of Professor Faremis Gast, Dr. Hollander, and the director of SOLDIER, Lazard Deusericus.

Even Angeal and Genesis, to a lesser degree as SOLDIERs, had suspicions. And what little she had heard of Vincent's treatment sounded more nightmare than reality, involving demons bound inside a human shell.

Yet none of it revolted her. The men before her weren't monsters. Perhaps they were no longer completely human, but Cloud had stated the truth of their situation so clearly after the poker game. Tifa could remember not only his words but the expression on his face when he looked at Sephiroth. "Then learn, General. Despite everything done to us, we are the ones that decide if we are more human than monster - Hojo's determinations be damned. I realized long ago that I am not obligated to follow the designs of the man that tortured and twisted me. You have that same choice."

There had been such confidence in his voice, such determination in his eyes. Almost as if the younger man was being strong for the older. Now that she knew something of their strange relationship, Tifa was beginning to understand the implications behind his words. As well as why Cloud was here in Edge. The invitation from Reeve to help the World Regenesis Organization was genuine, for the former General of Wutai's capable leadership was desperately needed at the time as they fought to restructure their world.

Yet the underlying reason was becoming very apparent to her now - Cloud Strife had come because of Sephiroth.

With that last thought echoing through her head, Tifa approached the General and touched his arm just before he could settle himself down in his usual seat.

Turning, his eyes questioning, Sephiroth gave her a slight smile and said, "Good afternoon, Tifa. Is there anything I can do for you?" There was something in his gaze, as well as in his body language that hinted of hesitation, and avoidance.

He knows, Tifa realized suddenly. He knows why Cloud hasn't been in this week because he knows what Cloud told me. He's been expecting this. And he wasn't particularly looking forward to her questions, either. Well, that was just tough. Tifa wanted answers, and since Cloud wasn't around to give them, Sephiroth would just have to do.

"Yes, there is. Could I borrow the General for just a bit, gentlemen?" she asked, turning to his companions.

All of whom were trying, without much success, not to look a little envious.

"Sure, Tifa," Angeal finally managed. "But he's due on shift at midnight, so I'm afraid we have to have him back by then."

All those around the circular table nodded, though their eyes were alight with far more than just that mako glow. In fact, Zack was grinning and holding out a hand to Genesis as though demanding payment.

So, the bets were on, were they? Well, that didn't bother her a bit.

Time for round one, Sephiroth, she thought grimly. Forcing herself to laugh lightly, Tifa threaded her arm through Sephiroth's and told them, "Just a few minutes, and you can have his Majesty right back."

"Ouch," the General muttered with a wince, causing everyone around them to chuckle.

Docile as a lamb, he allowed Tifa to lead him into the kitchen attached to the bar, where she had performed her emergency surgery on his hair the week before.

The mild manner fell from him the second the door closed, however. The frost green eyes became detached and withdrawn as he released himself from her hold. Striding to the table, he turned a chair around and straddled it, his expression almost challenging. "I see no reason to mince words or evade the subject. Cloud admitted what he told you."

Raising a hand to forestall her protests, Sephiroth continued quietly, "And I find no fault in what he revealed. It is the simple truth, Tifa. It's not like anything we can do will change the outcome." Suddenly looking weary, the General rubbed a hand across his face. "And he's not avoiding you, as you must surely think since he hasn't been in the bar this week. He's in Wutai right now. They found another partially collapsed tunnel in Hojo's secret lab there, and a cache that contained more records. Since he's one of the very few able to decode Hojo's reports, he went to see if he could translate them." Eyeing her closely, he continued quietly, "The atrocities committed in Wutai aren't public knowledge, so none of us could come right out and tell you what was going on."

Opening her mouth to reply, Tifa realized her thoughts were so jumbled she really didn't know what to say. In just a few short sentences, Sephiroth had answered nearly every question she intended to raise during this confrontation. So she sat down, crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot on the floor for a moment to get herself composed.

"You cut through arguments very effectively, General," she finally told him tartly.

Smiling - and it was a real, genuine smile this time and not the pale imitation from before - Sephiroth inclined his head in an almost regal manner. "Thank you. It's one of my better qualities." He seemed amused by her snort. Reaching out in a way she didn't know he could, he took her hand in his and rubbed the back of it comfortingly. "You don't ever have to worry about where you stand with Cloud. If there is one trait he inherited true from his father -his biological father, that is- it is honesty. He will never lie to you or try to evade your questions, Tifa. I'm beginning to realize he's incapable of doing so where you're concerned."

"Then you knew his father?" she asked, surprised to find his touch soothing.

Despite the... well, flamboyance of his dress and the coolness of his manners, there was a sense of peace in Sephiroth she had never noticed before. How strange and unexpected to find it in the General of the WRO, considering his prior history.

Sephiroth shook his head, "It is better to say I knew of his father. He was probably the most brilliant scientist on Hojo's team when they were stationed in Mideel. Dr. Strife was an ethical man, however, and Hojo found that very inconvenient. He was killed only a few months after Cloud was born."

It hurt to hear this. "Cloud was never given the chance to know him."

"No. And his mother was killed when he was eight, when Hojo finally tracked her down in his search for his missing test subject." Seeing the tears swimming in Tifa's eyes, Sephiroth muttered a fairly vile barracks oath and rose to his feet. Snatching up the roll of paper towels on the counter, he handed it to Tifa and started to pace back and forth. "No, I'm not angry with you, Tifa," he assured her. "I'm a lot like Cloud, or he's a lot like me, whichever way it goes. We've been taught to be stoic in all things, and trying to deal with a woman's tears usually defeats that every time." Stopping, he sized her up with an unsettling gaze that had her shifting in her chair. "I'm probably out of line telling you this, but he's seriously in love with you. And young enough to royally screw it all up if left to his own devices."

Dabbing at her eyes, Tifa gave a soft laugh and said, "And you've never made an horrendous mess of it yourself? I find that hard to believe, General."

And she watched in alarm as his eyes went hard as steel. That coldly frigid look, without trace of pity or mercy or even simple humanity, made her believe some of the rumors whispered about him during the war with Wutai.

But he took a deep breath, and the indifference was replaced with warmth at odds with his previous expression.

"No, I've never been touched by something as gentle as love. A t least, not before Cloud walked into the treaty tent at Wutai to confront me over the fate of his troops. He came into my life at its darkest hour and saved me from insanity or worse. We didn't know at that point what had been done - not the genetics, at least." Scrubbing his hands over his face, Sephiroth leaned against the counter by the sink and told her frankly, "I shouldn't be the one telling you this, Tifa. It's not my story, not my right. And in this sad history, Cloud has been the strong one - him and Zack and Kunsel. If angels be among us, I'm afraid I fall far short of that trio."

The unexpected image of Zack as an angel so tickled, Tifa burst out laughing.

Sephiroth's brows rose and he grinned suddenly as he realized the reason for her amusement. "Zack Fair armed with wings and a halo. Oh, that is quite unimaginable. And Kunsel is just as bad if not worse, really. He's just a lot sneakier about it than Zack."

"I never knew you could be like this, Seph."

The use of his nickname made him smile. "I didn't, either. At the end of the Wutai war, when more was coming to light about all the experiments and procedures Hojo inflicted on me, and the fact I was his son... Well, it's a good thing Wutai surrendered when it did. My mindset at that point wasn't just homicidal - it bordered right on the verge of psychotic. And then that fresh-faced, entirely-too-innocent-looking, way-too-young blonde teenager strolled into the treaty tent and announced he was General Strife. It was his eyes that made me realize just who he was. Dr. Strife had those impossibly blue eyes as well, and though his hair wasn't nearly as spiky, no one would ever call it neat and orderly. It was humbling to realize I had seen him more than once during covert missions into his territory, but the thought of such a young man being their General never crossed my mind. That hair definitely explained the code-name 'Chocobo-Head' to all and sundry, though."

Clasping his hands behind his back, Sephiroth continued in that same rueful tone, "And that idiot came with only his two Lieutenants and a single request. To spare Wutai from ShinRa's wrath, the three of them offered their lives. They were perfectly willing to accept execution if only I would protect their people from President ShinRa. Strife knew if he could talk me into formally accepting command of his troops, it would put me in the position to stop any purges planned by the head of ShinRa."

Though she had read everything on the Wutai war she could lay her hands on, Tifa had never heard of this. "I didn't know," she whispered. "I just knew that something about the peace talks made Hojo snap and murder ShinRa Senior."

Those ruby brown eyes were wide with shock as she looked at, and through, Sephiroth. The courage, the nerve, the loyalty of Cloud Strife...

And then her thoughts were derailed with a sudden realization that had totally escaped her notice before. "Cloud isn't a native of Wutai."

"Neither are Zack and Kunsel. Zack is from Gongaga, and Kunsel from Kalm. Cloud was conceived -and experimented on the first time around- in Mideel, but he was born in a small mountain village called Nibelheim. After he and the others were... discovered... in Hojo's lab in Wutai, he was adopted by their leader, Godo Kisaragi. Eventful life for one of so few years, don't you think?" The tone of Sephiroth's voice was almost cheery, causing Tifa to throw the roll of paper towels at him. He caught it, of course, and tossed it right back onto the counter where it belonged.

"And what of the rest of it?" Tifa asked, and then narrowed her eyes when the General shook his head. "I'm not talking about Cloud, Sephiroth. What made Hojo take such a bender? It had something to do with the peace talks."

The considering look he gave her made her want to squirm in her seat again. "I begin to see, now more than ever, why Strife is so attracted to you - intelligence, beauty, compassion; all in one. A pity he noticed you first." The dark glare she shot at him made him grin, "Peace, Lockhart. He might only have been my 'son' for a few months, but I'm not about to try competing with him for your favors. Plus, I don't think you would be any gentler on me than he would." Laughing when Tifa gritted out his name between tightly clenched teeth, Sephiroth continued, "I don't know if what we assume -meaning me and my cronies- is correct, but I believe Hojo knew I was literally fighting my own son during the war and said nothing about it to anyone. No matter how valiant the fight or innovative the tactics, there wasn't much chance they could win once the blockade was set up. And when Wutai surrendered, he assumed I would take Strife, Fair and Moreno into custody along with Kisaragi, and bring them to Midgar to stand trial."

"And therefore end up right back in his clutches," Tifa finished, eyes flashing dangerously.

Sephiroth nodded his agreement. "However, he didn't anticipate me stepping in to fulfill Strife's wish that I personally protect Wutai from ShinRa. The President didn't care for the thought, for the war had been costly and he wanted revenge badly, but he was too afraid of me to try and stop me. And I think that's really why Hojo killed him. If he killed ShinRa Senior, then Rufus would take over, and he believed he could dominate the son much as he had the father. Add that Rufus simply didn't know enough about me to have any fear of challenging my decisions, and he believed it would give him free reign again." Here the General stopped, eyebrow raised at Tifa.

Who smiled, and expanded on his theory, "But Rufus has something his father was never burdened with: A conscience. He ordered Hojo's death the second he was told of his father's murder. And that sentence was carried out even before Rufus began to understand just how warped his father had become while under Hojo's control. When he discovered the truth, he resigned and transferred everything to Reeve Tuesti, who turned what had been ShinRa into the WRO - a force for the people, by the people, of the people."

"And one that would stand with the people, as well." Here he stopped pacing and leaned on the counter again. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stood staring down at Tifa, his eyes once more cool and remote. "I was as close to insanity as Hojo at the end of the Wutai war, and somehow Cloud managed to pull me back from the brink. At that point everything in my life was so black and white I couldn't see any way out of the chaos. He showed me, in no uncertain terms, that I was free to make my life as I wished. I wasn't required to follow in the footsteps of the madman that fathered me. He taught me to turn my back on the violence I'd been trained for from the day I was born. At that time, Cloud was little more than a child trapped inside the body of a man, and yet he had the strength to reach within me for the person I've never had a chance to know. Always before I was nothing more than Hojo's creation, just Hojo's tool to guide, wield and control."

Seeing the tears streaming down Tifa's cheeks, he retrieved the paper towels and actually wiped her face himself with a gentleness that was starling. "So now I'm Sephiroth, General of the WRO. I'm still frigid and seem unapproachable more times than not, but inside lurks Seph. He's got a wicked sense of humor and fully approves of his son's choice of mate." He smiled wickedly at her blush, enjoying her reaction to his matter-of-fact statement.

Having her for a daughter-in-law -assuming Strife didn't totally mess things up- would be interesting to say the least.

He continued in that same rueful tone of voice, "Seph is capable of laughing at jokes and will even grin when mischief is afoot. He's found he actually likes kids and the madness that surrounds them - and that was a surprise to us both. He can be a gentleman when it suits him; an imp when it doesn't. And the more I learn, the more Seph seems to break out. Cloud is responsible for that." Looking down at her, a grin as mischievous as she had ever seen gracing his handsome face, Sephiroth said deadpan, "Darn that Strife."

Laughing, Tifa surprised them both by flinging herself into his arms and hugging him tightly.

With a chuckle Sephiroth gently pried her loose and set her a safe distance away, smiling all the while. "You are delightful as always, Tifa. But Cloud is due back at any moment and I have no desire for him to pull the Fusion Sword on me. Despite the time he's been here, with all the planning and orchestrating necessary to keep things on track with the WRO, we've never gotten around to a true sparring match. So I have no idea of his full capabilities. I do know, however, that he can fight monsters like a demon from the darkest pit of hell - and that is one big-ass sword he carries." He turned toward the door.

Tifa paused for just a second before deciding to check out Seph's sense of humor, "Yours is longer." The veiled innuendo hovered in the air, daring him to respond in kind.

Sephiroth whirled around to face her, mouth hanging open. The frost green eyes were wide with shock at first -only the other SOLDIERs were brave enough to risk jokes of such a risqué nature around him- then a snicker escaped his control when he saw the twinkle in her eyes and knew she was testing him.

Grinning, he drawled, "Ah, yes, the age-old question of length versus girth."

Knowing he was enjoying the joking just as much as she was a relief from the awful subject they discussed. And his indolent reply -in that particular tone, too- was definite proof he was capable of returning anything tossed his way.

Giggling, Tifa linked her arm with his again. "Will you tell him we talked?" she asked as they prepared to enter the bar.

From his lofty height above her, Sephiroth nodded somewhat stiffly. "Yes, I will." Pausing, the General admitted, "It's strange to do so, however. I'm not in the habit of passing confidentiality. But Cloud hides nothing from me, and I feel I must respond in the same manner. He's such a corrupting influence."

And with that, Sephiroth returned to his cronies, all of whom were giving him the most speculative of looks and grins.

Although he had been honest with her about Cloud's past and his reasons for being in Edge, he saw no need to enlighten her on just how sensitive the sense of smell was for those of SOLDIER. So he didn't have to tell any of them of the impulsive hug given to him by Tifa, as they could easily detect that subtle hint of vanilla and jasmine so unique to Lockhart.

Sephiroth just hoped to all Hades he would have time to explain to Cloud Strife why he smelled of a certain bartender before having the Fusion Sword pulled on him...