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Chapter 11

Dinner Disaster? Part 3

He couldn't help the fear that continued to well up, he really couldn't. His scars burned sharply, reminding him of wounds that were no longer there. And then he squashed his fear down with anger. The anger he had forgotten to feel the last time they had met. This was the man who had burned his hometown and killed his mother. Who's attacks had been responsible for him and Zach being to weak to escape Hojo's clutches.

But that hadn't happened really, not yet. It was only in his memories now. The memories he tentatively clung to. The ones that made him Cloud.

He forced himself to settle. He was still tense and wary, but it was better then to give into unexplainable anger. He didn't know what this Sephiroth was like, really, apart from the stolen and twisted memories he'd taken from Zach.

He mocked his choice of dress, and was suddenly Cloud worried he was about to be in serious trouble. With the wrong person impersonating a SOLDIER was a serious infraction. He quickly latched onto the first excuse he could.

He glared at Zach.

"It's his fault." He said accusingly. "He said a cadet wouldn't be welcome in a place like this."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

Cloud looked at Zach who actually looked frightened. Well damn. He wouldn't have agreed to anything if he thought Zach would be punished for it.

"Well, I suppose you're right." Sephiroth finally said, "They do tend to look down on the cadets with much suspicion. I suspect it's because a cadet couldn't normally afford to be here on the small allowance that they're given."

Cloud nearly sagged in relief while Zach visibly slumped. Angeal told him it 'suited' him and warned him against dishonoring the position he was temporarily representing. He felt a blush heat his cheeks.

"Yes sir."

He resisted the urge to smack Zach as he ruffled his hair.

"Relax Cloud! You're here to relax and enjoy yourself! Don't let Angeal and Seph tease you. And enough with all of this 'sir' business. You don't have to address them that way, you know. I'm sure they won't mind." Zach teased

. "Unlike some people that I know, I know to properly treat those above my station." Cloud responded. He'd rather face Vincent at his worst then disrespect Sephiroth needlessly. That seemed the fastest way to get booted from SOLDIER and his vague plan hinged on that.

Again, another unexpected comment came from Angeal.

"Cadet Strife is acting the way he is expected to act. Not everyone considers themselves above the rules, Zach."

Cloud ignored the chatter around him after that, tuning out Zachs idle praise of his pathetic skills. He was nowhere where he needed to be and that was that. He kept his gaze low, pretending to be a shy cadet in awe of the famous Silver General, though he was sure he fooled no one.

His gaze purposefully landed anywhere but directly on Sephiroth while making sure to watch him from the corners of his eyes. He could feel green eyes studying him carefully and he gripped the table edge to relieve stress. He watch all available exits from habit. And then he felt THE look. The look he faced when he fought Sephiroth at his most lucid, which wasn't much. The look that said 'You die now'. He felt himself reaching for his blade, grasping air. Sorrow hit him like a bullet to the chest and embarrassment for acting so 'strange' caused his checks to redden once more.

"If my presence makes you uncomfortable Cadet Strife, you are welcome to leave." Sephiroth said, looking at him with a fierce curiousity.

Damn. He was still being too suspicious. Sephiroth was much more observant then Zach.

"N-no sir, it's not that. I'm just...not used to such a nice place." Cloud lied, trying to look sheepish.

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow in disbelief but didn't call him out on it.

"If you say so, cadet." He murmured.

And even though he knew he need to relax before something happened, he was still too tightly wound. Every time he so glanced at the silver haired general across from him he felt his memories try and drag him down. Memories of death and blood. Of fighting monsters and lost friends. Of the destruction of so much, all built on a mountain of carefully constructed lies.

"Oh, Seph." Angeal said, turning to his friend, holding up his PHS up. "Genesis said he can't make it, something about a woman he got into a little quarrel with dining here tonight."

Sephiroth scoffed.

"Of course he did. You've seen how he plays with there hearts, quoting that little book of his. I'm not surprised. He seems determined to drag as many people around by their heart strings as he can before they snap."

Angeal sighed. "Don't say things like that." But Sephiroth was correct. His childhood friend was quite a heartbreaker sadly. He and Sephiroth did try and keep him on a straight path, but he just kept wandering. They really worried about him sometimes.

Sephiroths reaction had been built upon lies. Just as Genesis had been lied to and carefully manipulated. And Angeal, of course, was pulled in by his childhood best friend.

Cloud suddenly jumped to his feet. Genesis! Of course! He was the flame that lit the bomb fuse! He was where Cloud needed to start. But how? How could he fix him? Rid him of the genetic defect that he'd been cursed with?

Zach frowned.

"Um….Cloud? You okay?"

Cloud blushed brightly.

"Yeah….I just….I have to go. Sorry! Thank you very much for the offer for dinner! I'll return this all tomorrow, I promise!"

Sephiroth waved a hand dismissively.

"Keep the outfit. It will be useful for the trials you'll be going through in some of your classes soon."

Clouds jaw dropped and Angeals eyes grew wide. Both surprised by the uncharacteristic act of kindness from him.

"Are you sure sir?" Cloud hesitated. "I…I don't need it. Really."

Sephiroth smirked.

"Something just tells me you were made to be a SOLDIER." He explained, "I expect you'll be climbing up the ranks as soon as they begin the shots. So wear it proudly. If anyone has a problem with it tell them they may bring it up with me."

Cloud stared at the ground, confused.

"Thank you sir." He mumbled. He nearly jumped when Zach nudged his shoulder.

"You can borrow my card for the night, okay? It will get you nearly anywhere in the building, so you can use it to get back to the dorms." He held out an ID card with his picture on it. "You can give it back to me at practice tomorrow morning. Okay?"

Cloud smiled widely.

"Thanks Zach." He took the offered card and slid out of the booth the moment Angeal and Zach moved. "You're the best. See you tomorrow!" He dashed out the door. He needed to go train a bit by himself and plan out his next move.

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