I worked out why the chapter wasn't working for me and as a result have created another to accompany it. Hopefully they are both acceptable :o)

Read, enjoy and please review.

History repeats itself

"Reno move it!" Zack snapped as he watched the red head kicking his shoes on.

They had waited a little longer, given Cloud more time to return, but now all three were worried about the blonde's absence.

"I'm coming" Reno shouted back, hurrying across to where the soldier and commander stood ready to go.

A knock at the door made all three men jump slightly, even Angeal, and Zack hurried to open it thinking it was the cadet returning.

"Spiky, where the hell have you ..." His words died as he took in the bloody appearance of the blonde cadet and then the man behind him. "Tseng" he gasped softly recognising the head Turk instantly.

"Good morning Lieutenant Fair. You wouldn't happen to know where Reno is would you."

"I'm here," the Turk in question announced followed by "Oh Shit!" When he saw what Zack had seen.

"You had better come in." Angeal noted grimly.

A minute later and all of the men were occupying various places within the apartment while Cloud had been perched on a chair so that Zack could examine him and clean up the cuts and bruises.

"Who did this to you?" the soldier asked sternly as he offered Cloud an ice pack for his jaw.

"It happened during an altercation with a second class soldier and a couple of thirds" Tseng informed them after Cloud remained silent.

"And you dealt with them accordingly," Angeal asked cautiously.

"I ordered them all to the infirmary, the rest is up to you."

"The infirmary?" Reno choked out in surprise.

"That is correct."

"You are not supposed to cripple my soldiers." Angeal informed the Turk annoyed.

"I did nothing to your man, it was the cadet who attacked and injured one of your second class soldiers. The other two are simply there so I could make sure that they all stayed together."

"What?" Zack and Reno gasped together.

"Why?" was all Angeal said.

"That is what I would like to know, but have yet to find out." Tseng replied evenly.

Cloud squirmed in his seat as the heat of four pairs of eyes settled on his body and their questions began to suffocate him.

"Did you really attack a second class soldier?" Zack asked, his voice almost a whisper.

Cloud nodded in response, his body curling up in on itself a little more, and his eyes remaining focused on the floor.

"What caused the altercation?" Angeal asked evenly.

Cloud tensed and shifted some more, but remained silent.

"What did the other soldiers say?" Reno asked quickly, attempting to draw some of the attention away from the nervous cadet.

"They were also unwilling to discuss the matter. I believed that ... Cloud would have the courage to discuss it in private once they were not around to intimidate him anymore. It would seem that my earlier impressions of him are wrong and that he is indeed weak." Tseng replied evenly, knowing exactly how the blonde would respond to the comment.

"I'm not weak!" Cloud snapped a second before he caught himself and his lips slammed shut again.

This time when the men looked at the cadet they all saw the blue fire which burned brightly within his eyes and the shadows which danced around the edges of the flames. The sight was not new to Reno, having seen it the first time he met Cloud, nor was it new to Angeal who had seen it briefly on various occasions. The look was new to Tseng, having only seen it recently when he came across the boy, but as he didn't know the cadet it meant nothing to him. It was Zack who was affected the most by the sight, the one who felt his breath catch, as he suddenly understood what they had been trying to tell him.

"Cloud?" he gasped softly, as the surprise showed on his face.

"They ... said ... things." The cadet managed through gritted teeth as he looked away.

"What things?" Zack continued pulling himself back together again.

"Bad ... things."

"About you?"

They all watched as Cloud's breathing increased and his chest began to rise and fall quicker. As he began to shift restlessly in his seat and glance about as if looking for a means of escape.

"Cloud? Spiky? Look at me ... please." Zack begged gently.

Cloud's eyes came back to meet his and Zack had to hold back the shudder which ran up his spin. The cadet's eyes, which had been burning brightly only moments ago, were now dark blue like the ocean and filling with tears.

"They ... he ... said things."

"I got that, but what things?" Zack probed gently.

"They saw me ... I'm sorry .... I shouldn't have let them see me." Cloud blurted out, catching them all by surprise.

"See you?" Zack asked, completely thrown by the sudden outburst.

"When I ... left here. They ... saw me ... and they ... said .... that I ... and you ... and ... and ..."

Cloud was gasping for breath now, the air around him suddenly becoming too thin, as his heart raced in his chest. He leant forward holding one hand to his chest as he desperately fought to breath, as the world around him began to swim in colours and the sound of his blood pumping through his body pounded in his ears.

"Zack?" he cried out in panic and the soldier responded just as he had done before.

A second later and the commander and two Turks found themselves looking down at the soldier, who now sat leaning against the wall, the cadet positioned between his legs and resting against his chest. They watched as he held Cloud against his body, as the blonde's form shock and his gasping breaths sounded within the room, as the soldier used a calm and soothing voice encouraging him to breath. Cloud's eyes had closed under Zack' gently instruction to do so, knowing that the discomfort of the interrogation and been the cause of this attack.

"It's ok. Just focus on my breathing, that's it." he continued to sooth, his emphasised breaths encouraging Cloud's to follow the pattern.

It took a little longer this time, but soon the cadet was breathing better as he lay slumped against Zack's body. The soldier continued to rock Cloud gently, stroking the blonde's hair in a reassuring way until he was happy with the calmer breaths and steadier heart rate against his own.

"Ok?" he asked softly against the cadet's ear

Cloud nodded gently and snuggled himself in tighter against the soldier's embrace, trying to hide from everything and everyone else. He didn't want to talk about it, didn't want to say the things which were so wrong, didn't want to think about the possibility of them being true.

Because he still had his eyes closed Cloud didn't see the looks which the men shared, didn't hear the unspoken conversations which passed between their eyes. There was a history between these men, each having experienced something in the past which gave them cause for concern once again.

Just as Zack had been Angeal's pupil in soldier, Reno had been Tseng's within the Turk's. It was through their students that the commander and head Turk had developed more than just a working relationship, their shared mentoring experiences giving them more in common than simply being work colleagues for the same company. Both had seen the potential in their pupils from the start and both had been driven to despair by the pairs antics once they teamed up. The men could easily recall the number of times they had been proud as their student excelled and also the number of times they had been called upon to sort out a problem in relation to them as well.

What had drawn them together most though, was their shared dislike for the torment's their students had endured because of the mentoring. It was fortunate that Zack and Reno had found each other so early on in their training, that they had developed such a strong bond from their shared experiences. While both mentors had been hesitant of the friendship at first they had quickly seen how the boys unconsciously relied on each other as well as themselves, how the pair grew stronger from the brotherly bond and how the rumours had become easier for them to handle.

Over time most soldiers and Turks had grown to accept the situation for what it was, the rumours dying out as the boy's skills and abilities had shone through brightly. Zack and Reno had also grown more confident in themselves and anyone who had dared to question the mentor/pupil relationship had soon found themselves at the mercy of the pair. As a result they had also become more popular with their peers, the other cadets finding their combined schemes and resulting punishments quite entertaining to watch. As the soldier and young Turk had grown and progressed through the ranks the rumours had become things of the past, their names becoming well known and respected by all who knew them. But not all things stayed buried in the past.

Angeal and Tseng's eyes meet across the room and a concerned understanding was shared, their identical theories as to the cadet's troubles being reflected in their looks. Tseng nodded silently and Angeal nodded in thanks a second before he knelt down beside the cadet.

"Cloud, did the men say something ... personal about you and ... someone else?" he asked carefully.

Cloud shifted uncomfortably against Zack's body and whimpered burying his head deeper against the soldier's chest.

"Angeal" Zack warned gently as he continued to run fingers through the cadet's hair.

"I'm sorry, but I ... we need to know." Angeal apologised. He sighed heavily knowing he didn't want to ask, knew it was too sensitive an issue, but also knowing they had to be sure.

Zack drew in a deep breath knowing what was coming, he had after all been subject to these mini interrogations himself when he was training with Angeal. He knew what had happened, could feel it in his bones, but like Angeal he had to be sure.

"Did they talk about you in an ... intimate way?" Angeal asked as kindly as he could.

Cloud reaction was answer enough as the blonde began to sob in the soldier's arms, distraught over the entire incident, and Zack's eyes burned brightly as anger coursed through his body making the mako ignite in his veins.

"What did they say?" he breathed evenly against Cloud's ear drawing the cadet closer to his body.

"They said ... that we were ... that you and me ... Angeal and you ... and me ... they said ..." Cloud barely managed before his breathing began to turn into gasping sobs.

"Sssshhhhh, it's ok" Zack cooed softly once again rocking the cadet gently to calm him down.

"Gaia, doesn't anything change" Reno spat out in anger as he threw himself down on the sofa.

"It would appear not" Tseng agreed sadly.

"What do we do?" Zack asked fighting to keep his voice calm.

"For now Cloud should get some rest, this has clearly been a strenuous ordeal for him." Angeal pointed out as he rose from the floor. "Zack why don't you take Cloud into the spare bedroom and make sure he is comfortable while I make some tea."

Zack rose easily from his position on the floor and carried the blonde in bridal style into the room. He laid Cloud on the bed and managed to detach himself from the clinging arm's enough to pull the blankets up and over the cadet's trembling body.

"It's ok," he reassured, carefully moving his hand to rub gentle circles across the blondes back.

"I'm sorry" Cloud murmured against the pillow, his eyes still closed from before.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, that guy deserved whatever happened to him," the soldier informed the cadet evenly. "Beside, I'm kinda proud of you," he admitted letting a small smile form on his lips.

"Why? Cloud asked, his eyes opening so he could look up at the soldier.

"Spiky, you saved my butt, protected a small patrol group and attempted to take down a second Class soldier to protect my honour. Why wouldn't I be proud of you?" Zack declared, his voice filling with warmth and a small amount of amusement at the cadet's naivety of his accomplishments.

It was therefore as pleasant surprise when Cloud's face softened and a small smile graced his lips as well.

"He said that you ... slept with Angeal ... to get ahead in soldier." Cloud whispered, only half able to meet Zack's gaze as the words left his mouth.

"Kane right?" Zack sighed letting his body slip to the floor beside the bed.

Cloud nodded, his eyes glistening again, as he confirmed Zack's suspicions.

"Kane was ... is jealous of the opportunity Angeal gave me. He was the one who started those rumours years ago."

"Years ago?" Cloud breathed nervously.

"Yea. The guy thought he was better than me and was pretty upset when I was offered the chance to be Angeal's student. He figured it was because of something ... else."

"The man is a fool." Angeal commented as a way of announcing his presence in the room. "He has also not learnt from his past mistakes about starting such gossip."

Cloud sat up and shyly took the cup which was offered to him, the aroma of the tea already drifting through the room and making him feel calmer. The flavour was quite delicious and as the cadet sipped the warm liquid he instantly began to feel the soothing effects, as the tension began to ease and his body began to relax.

They let him finish the tea as they talked a little more about Zack's history with the other soldier and how it was not the first time this had happened. In a strange way the knowledge made Cloud feel a little better, or maybe it was because he was now too tired to worry about it. Zack retrieved the empty cup, smiling as the cadet tried to hide a yawn behind his hand.

"Come on," he said softly, as he gently pushed the blonde to lie back against the mattress. "You need to get some rest."

"Have I caused you a problem?" Cloud asked softly as he fought to keep his eyes open.

"No. Kane has just been looking for an excuse to get back at me and I'm sorry he chose you Spiky." Zack apologised sadly, as he tucked the blankets up around the cadet a little tighter.

"It's ok." Cloud breathed gently, his words becoming faint as sleep consumed him. "I can take care of myself."

"Yea, you sure can." Zack agreed laughing softly at the now sleeping form.

They waited for a minute to make sure he was resting peacefully before leaving the room and closing the door quietly to keep the noise out.

"How is he?" Reno asked as soon as they turned around.

"He's resting now, but its shaken him up a bit."

"Did I hear you mentioning a familiar name?" Tseng asked evenly.

"Yes. It would appear that the soldier is one I have dealt with before." Angeal replied looking frustrated.

"Perhaps some non soldier influence will help this time," the head Turk offered .

"That would be appreciated."

"So now what?" Zack asked looking between the men.

"Angeal and I will deal with your current problem, while you and Reno will remain here to watch over Cloud." Tseng informed the soldier evenly.

"Then what?" Reno asked.

"Then you and I are going to have a little talk about this matter." Tseng said calmly, his yes never leaving the red head's as he spoke.

"It is my fault that Reno was not present when this happened." Angeal spoke up, seeing the worry flash within the young Turk's eyes.

"Thank you for making me aware of this, but the fact remains that Reno had a job to do."

"It's ok" Reno interrupted before Angeal could respond. "Thanks for helping but I know I screwed up, it's ok."

Tseng sighed heavily as he took in the young Turk's dejected form and knew that the there was probably nothing he could say which the red head wasn't already feeling or thinking himself.

"Perhaps we can examine your schedule to assist with some of Cloud's training." The head Turk offered as way of a peace treaty.

"Really?" Reno gasped softly. "But I thought Turks and soldiers weren't supposed to train together."

"Since when did that stop you two?" Angeal asked laughing softly, glad at the change of atmosphere.

"You knew?" Zack gasped.

"Of course, but it helped your development so we allowed it."

"The kid's gonna be able to kick some serious butt once we're through with him." Reno announced happily.

"The cadet is already able to 'kick butt' as you so eloquently put it." Tseng pointed out to the red head. "What we need to do is help him develop the skills, as well as grow stronger and more confident. I witnessed his technique and it wasn't bad, a little off but still more than acceptable for a cadet.

"Zack and I have been working with him and he is also quite efficient with a sword as well," Angeal informed Tseng evenly.

"Don't forget his use of firearms, kids a great shot," Reno added quickly.

A silence filled the room as an unsettling thought crossed each of the men's minds, as each considered what had just been said and what it meant.

"Kid's becoming a fighting machine." Reno commented unhappily, as he shifted on his feet nervously.

"It would appear that he is able to defend himself quite efficiently," Angeal agreed.

"But I don't get it." Zack cut in clearly confused. "He ... what happened before. It was because they kept hurting him, kept beating him. If he could have defended himself, then why didn't he?"

"They didn't just hurt his body Zack, they crushed his spirit and he wasn't strong enough inside himself back then. You changed that, gave him a reason to live again and he came back fighting."

"But I also ... hurt him."

"I know you did pup and I know that's going to hurt for a while but he needs you. He has a lot of potential within him, even if he can't see it himself, but right now its unstable and he's drawing his strength from the wrong places."

"You mean that thing you and Reno keep talking about."

The commander and young Turk looked at each other questioningly, the same thought running through their heads.

"You saw it too?" Reno asked uncertainly.

"The shadow within him?"

"Yea, that's one way of describing it."

"Explain" Tseng ordered, not liking the way he was being left out of an important piece of information.

"I wasn't sure, thought it was just my imagination, but if Angeal saw it too then I guess it's real," Reno sighed.

"You mean the darkness in his eyes when he was angry before." Tseng questioned blatantly.

"Why was I the only one who didn't see this?" Zack whined, slumping onto the nearest sofa.

"Because you avoided him and because you couldn't see past his pain, couldn't see where he was getting his strength from." Angeal said, moving to kneel before the soldier.

"Great, Spiky needed me and I let him down again."

Zack felt a strong hand resting on his shoulder, the fingers tightening slightly to offer a reassuring touch. He looked up into Angeal's eyes and saw the worry reflected in them.

"He is here now and so are you, so don't make the same mistake again. Be his light in the darkness Zack, show him how to draw on something better in life, something stronger and worth living for." Angeal advised the soldier firmly, trying to keep his tone gentle.

"What happens if I can't, if it's already too late?" the soldier whispered fearfully.

"Then we will lose him to a place that he can never return from, a place within himself which is beyond our reach to save him, a place where only death may follow to claim him."