Lesson Three: Anger

Sometimes, Sephiroth felt like a downright pervert. A voyeur. An intruder.

Some of his 'lessons' made him feel as though he really ought not to be there. A situation where he knew he should leave, but simply found himself so enthralled with the people he was learning from, that he was unable to move.

Most of the time, these rather uncomfortable situations were caused by the fact that Sephiroth and Zack – and now, to a lesser extent, Cloud – had such a close relationship. Zack and Sephiroth shared an office, and whenever they had enough free time, they would be in each other's quarters. They both enjoyed the company, and strangely enough, very rarely got sick of the abundance of it.

But it still created problems. Problems that involved Cloud.

The shy cadet did not actually cause upset through any deliberate actions, but sometimes, it could cause certain…privacy problems.

Zack and Cloud had a very close relationship. And because the boy was spending more and more time with Zack and Sephiroth, there were bound to be times when they had rather personal moments. And the fact that Sephiroth and Zack, and now Cloud, practically lived together, this made it rather difficult to avoid…overhearing things. Or overseeing things.

Like he was now.

He had awoken from his slumber to the sound of tense voices coming from the living room.

He had immediately sought to leave the other two to themselves, and had just stood up when he realised something.

He couldn't leave.

Obviously, Zack's conversation with Cloud had begun while he had been sleeping.

And the two did not know he was there. If he left now, he would notify them of his presence, and that would just be awkward for all. They would abruptly stop their argument, trying to bottle up feelings and words within a matter of seconds, and then they would wonder how much Sephiroth had heard or seen, and the General would be left feeling strangely guilty and just as awkward as Zack and Cloud.

He felt a brief pang of pity for Cloud, knowing that it was a possibility that he had found himself in this position of playing unwilling voyeur to himself and Zack when they spoke.

But this pang of pity lasted only a short time as the voices in the next room became even more strained.

"…appreciate it, but you suffocate me sometimes!"

Sephiroth recognised the voice as Cloud's, and it sounded very distressed. Angry.

"I know you feel like I'm not confidant in you, Cloud, but it's really nothing to do with that." Came Zack's voice, definitely sounding strained, but much more soothing.

"Well then what the Hell is it?!" Cloud hissed, and there came a thumping sound from the living room. Sephiroth frowned, and dared to move himself a fraction to the left, so he could just about see through the crack of the door.

Cloud was backed up against the wall, hands clutching at his own hair so tightly that it must have been painful.

Zack, however, was almost at the other side of the room from Cloud, which seemed odd to Sephiroth. The brunette had that caring look on his face that told you that he was trying to help someone, or cheer them up. But usually Zack was such a tactile person; if he was helping someone, or trying to lighten their mood, he would always be there with his arms wrapped around them in a bone crushing hug.

But now Zack seemed to be deliberately keeping his distance. How odd.

"Cloud, please don't pull at your hair like that, you're gonna hurt yourself." Zack's voice was quiet once again and soothing, but had a strange, almost pleading air to it that Sephiroth rarely heard.

"Don't change the subject!" Cloud spat, still fisting at his hair very slightly, but looking up to glare at Zack.

Zack raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, his face still showing nothing but a calm, caring expression.

"Okay, Cloud, okay, I'll explain." Zack conceded.

"Big brother syndrome." Was all that he said.

Sephiroth could see that Cloud was puzzled. He was none the wiser.

"What?" Cloud snapped, angered already, and becoming even more so by this riddle.

Zack was not irritated or hurt by Cloud's impatience, he simply took it in his stride, keeping his calm manner.

"Big brother syndrome." He repeated. "Maybe it's not the best analogy to use, but it's the simplest one that I can think of."

Here Zack paused, making sure that he had Cloud's full attention. He then spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully.

"You see…I like to make people happy. I enjoy protecting the people that I care about. Regardless of whether they need it or not." Zack let out a little chuckle. "And I know it must irritate the hell out of people, because I just have to help them whether or not they need or want my help, and it has nothing to do with how strong they are -"

"Don't lie to me!" Cloud suddenly hissed venomously, his eyes narrowing in anger, but also in hurt and no small amount of humiliation. "You don't have to patronise me Zack! Just tell me the truth."

Despite this outburst, Zack remained remarkably calm. He took a very small step in Cloud's direction, looking the boy steadily in the eye.

"First of all Cloud, you asked me to explain, so it kind of defeats the point if you won't let me finish what I'm going to say." There was no anger in Zack's voice, it sounded completely calm, and had a definite soothing quality to it.

"Secondly, I'm not lying to you or patronising you, I'm telling you the truth." Cloud still looked suspicious, but kept quiet, Zack's gentle chastisement staying his tongue.

"Look, Cloud, maybe I can prove to you that I like to coddle practically everyone I meet. Do you remember that time that Seph and I were arguing; when you came in and we were screaming and yelling at each other, and it culminated in Seph nearly strangling me?"

Cloud shuddered. Yes, he did remember that; he had come to see Zack, by invitation, and had walked into their office to a very rare sight; the two SOLDIERS fighting.

It was strange but true to say that although the two SOLDIERS spent a very large amount of time together, they hardly ever fought. But that one time, he had entered Zack's rooms, only to hear the sound of a blazing argument coming from the front room. Cloud remembered flinching and having to cover his ears. When two SOLDIERS fought, you knew about it. That was the problem with SOLDIERS; everything is enhanced; the strength, the agility and the senses. But more importantly in this case, the volume.

Normally, the voices of the two superiors didn't bother Cloud. But he suspected that this was only because they made an effort to keep it down for the benefit of him and any other un-enhanced people that may be in the area.

However, at that moment, neither one was holding back. They were both clearly angry, and they thought that no one was around to hear them, and so they pulled no punches. They were practically deafening.

Cloud did not even remember any of what was said; he just remembered it being so loud that he had pressed his hands over his ears so hard that they had been hurting for quite some time after.

He also remembered looking in through the crack of the door, and seeing Sephiroth clutching at Zack's neck, looking more furious than Cloud had ever seen him.

So he had done the first thing that occurred to him; he burst into the room and flung himself at Sephiroth. Thinking back now, it was mortifyingly embarrassing. But at the time it had been terrifying. He had latched onto one of the General's muscled arms with both of his hands, and had squeezed tight enough to force a grunt from the man.

Not hard enough, however, to dislodge the General. Cloud just hung there, both of his hands only just reaching around the whole of Sephiroth's arm, feeling fairly helpless.

Then he had noticed that Sephiroth wasn't actually putting any pressure onto Zack's neck; he was merely expressing his frustration, SOLDIER style.

He had let go pretty fast.

Sephiroth smiled a little from his vantage point, remembering how terrified the cadet had looked, and how much courage it must have taken to actually attack his commanding officer. And manage to cause damage. There had been a big purple bruise on that arm for a long time, though he doubted that Cloud or Zack knew this.

"Yes." Cloud grated out, returning to the present. "I remember. What does that have to do with it?"

Zack smiled. "Everything. Because we were arguing about the fact that I punched Hojo." Cloud couldn't help himself. He gaped.

Zack chuckled, knowing that the boy probably thought that he was either lying or crazy. Or both.

Sephiroth personally thought that Zack was crazy. He knew he wasn't lying, but he was pretty sure that he was crazy.

"Yeah, I don't think Seph could believe it either. But I couldn't help it. It was my Big Brother syndrome kicking in again. Hojo was making all these really vicious, malevolent little comments at Seph whenever we saw him. Just little things, you know? Not out and out threats, but just enough to send the shivers up your back and get your blood boiling. You know what I mean?" Cloud shuddered. He knew all too well what Zack meant. Other cadets could be almost as cruel as creepy scientists.

"Well anyway, I could tell that it got to Seph. Hell, I think it would get to anyone. Although Seph was adamant that he wasn't bothered about it, cos he's just about as stubborn as you are like that." Cloud scowled, but Zack paid it no mind.

Sephiroth also scowled a little from his hiding place. If Zackary was going to just sit there and humiliate him, then he was going to exact some serious revenge later. He didn't see how his humiliation would help soothe Cloud down from his anger.

"And so, the next time that Hojo made one of his little comments, I kind of punched him."

Zack grinned a little sheepishly at Cloud's open mouthed 'what an idiot' expression.

"Needless to say, Seph wasn't too pleased. He dragged me away like I was some unruly little kid."

Here Sephiroth's eyebrow rose. Perhaps that was because you were acting like one, Zackary.

"And then laid into me with all this 'I am perfectly capable of fighting my own battles, you shouldn't encourage me to completely depend on you, what the hell were you thinking? You could have gotten into serious trouble, do you really think that I want you to be issued with a court martial?' I was pretty touched that he was worried about me, but also pretty pissed off that he had just come to expect that no one was going to help him, and that he shouldn't accept assistance. But mostly it was just Hojo's entire presence that got to me." Zack shrugged.

Sephiroth sighed. He was eternally grateful that Zack was on his staff, but there was always that worry that one day, something might happen. And punching influential members of Shinra did not help.

"But the point is, I was trying to protect Sephiroth, Cloud. Sephiroth. The Great General. The Demon of Wutai. Leader of the strongest army on this planet. Your superior. My superior. However you want to put it, I was trying to coddle and protect General Sephiroth. And do you think that Sephiroth is a weak man?"

Cloud's eyes widened as though horrified at the mere suggestion of such - what he considered - blasphemy. He shook his head.

Zack smiled softly. "Well there you are then. It has nothing to do with your strength. I worry about people that I care for. That's what you do with people you hold close."

For a long moment, Cloud was silent, soaking this in. After a time, his eyes and hard expression began to soften, and he looked up at Zack with guilt clearly shining in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Zack. I know that you care about me, and I appreciate it, I really do! I-"

Cloud bit his lip, cutting off his own rambling.

"Thank you." He said quietly, staring intently at the carpet now. "I don't know what I'd do if you didn't care. And…and I-I care too, about…y'know."

Cloud mumbled, cheeks gaining a deep red blush, his tongue stumbling awkwardly over the sentiments.

Zack laughed softly. Cloud could be a little uneasy with emotional outlet. His awkward mumbling was endearing.

"It's okay. I know you do. And thank you. If you didn't forgive me for teasing you every five minutes, I wouldn't be able to go on." Zack laughed as Cloud's blush deepened and he shifted from foot to foot, highly embarrassed by now.

"Go on. Go get something to drink before you overheat and explode." Zack grinned, giving a friendly push to Cloud, who was all too happy for an excuse to escape.

Zack laughed softly again as the door closed, picking up the chair that had been upended by Cloud's outburst. He sat down and simply stared into the distance for a while, deep in thought.

He didn't look like he was going to move any time soon. And Sephiroth suddenly decided that it was rather ridiculous to hide in his room like a scared child. He may as well admit that he had been there and make his apology.

"I owe you an apology, Zackary." He declared, making Zack jump to his feet in shock.

"Jesus Seph! Just about gave me a heart attack! What are you – oh." Zack grimaced a little as he realised that the perils of living with other people had struck again.

Sephiroth inclined his head.

"I was sleeping and woke to the sound of the two of you. I didn't want to interrupt and so I stayed. I did attempt to block out your voices, but…" Sephiroth smiled wryly. "I'm sure you know that it can be a very difficult thing to do. Again, I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to intrude."

"Whoa, whoa, easy with the penance there, Seph!" Zack chuckled. "Nothing to worry about. It's practically impossible to live with other people in a relatively small area and not overhear things. Besides, I think I'm the one that is more embarrassed right now."

Sephiroth tilted his head curiously. Zack smile and rubbed the back of his neck ruefully.

"To be talking about someone, and get overheard by them? Not cool."

Sephiroth's lips curved into a smile, and he glanced at Zack with a mock stern face.

"I'll let you off this time, I suppose. But if it happens again…"

Zack burst out laughing, pointing at Sephiroth.

"Was that a joke from the Great General? I think it was. I feel so proud! Victory is sweet! Now if only I could get Spike to stop wilting with embarrassment whenever anybody so much as speaks to him." Zack's face went slightly wistful as he was no doubt imagining the 'new and improved Cloud.'

Sephiroth rolled his eyes as he made his way to sit by Zack.

"Is Strife alright?"

Zack pulled himself out of his musing.

"Spike? Yeah, he'll be fine. He just gets a little worked up sometimes. Can't say I blame him. He's had a bit of a tough ride. But he'll be fine after he's had the chance to cool down. The meltdowns are few and far between."

Sephiroth nodded. He had rarely seen Cloud lose control, but he knew that there were occasions when he did. He also knew that Zack was there every time, for which he was glad; he was no good at comforting people. Excellent at calming them down – you had to be when you were commanding one side of a war - but not so good at actually providing solace.

Speaking of solace…

"Why were you standing so far away from him?"

Zack turned, a puzzled look in his eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

Sephiroth was about to say that it didn't matter, that he shouldn't have asked, but he knew that Zack would just brush off these things, and hound him until he confessed, so he sighed, and repeated the question.

"Why were you standing so far away from Strife? He was clearly upset, and usually when you want to cheer people up, you are very…tactile about it. You always hug them or pat them, or ruffle their hair. But this time you were standing at the opposite side of the room to Strife. You didn't touch him. Why?"

Zack's eyes lit up with understanding, and he smiled, and took a deep breath, looking as though he was thinking something through thoroughly.

"Well, you're right, normally I'd be the first one there with my arm around him but…but this time it was different. He was angry. Seriously angry. And…and when people are angry, they don't really like to be…coddled." Zack explained carefully, with some difficulty.

"Especially if the person that they are talking to is the one that they are angry with. I can't really explain that well. You know what it's like; you're pissed off with someone, then you just know that you don't want them to be near you. You don't wanna see them, hear them, feel them or have anything to do with them because they've already pissed you off into the next universe, and you just know that if you spend any more time with them, they're just going to get on your nerves even more, and you'll end up smacking them if they overstep the line. And touching is usually over that line."

Here Zack grinned a little ruefully.

"So you gotta back off a little. I learnt the hard way that you gotta give Cloud his space. If he feels like you're a little too close for comfort, he will not pull any punches. Literally."

Zack smirked and rubbed his arm. "Don't let anybody tell you that that kid is weak. Packs one hell of a punch."

Sephiroth stared at Zack's arm, as if expecting to see the huge bruise suddenly reappear. Then he thought back to the bruise that had been on his arm after Cloud had clung to him like an extra determined limpet. He looked up at Zack.

"Thank you Zack. I will try to remember that."

TBC

Next chapter: 'Joy in simple things' by request from Jennrr.

If you have any prompts for me, tell me! I will do my very best to do them all, but get yours in quick: first come first served.