Hi
Sorry again for the delay but my brain has been overloaded lately and I have also been using some of my free time to work on my current 4WS story.
Anyway, excuses aside, I hope you enjoy :o)
Even more to think about
Cloud couldn't help but sigh again as he watched the other cadets spar, his body now twitching with the desperate need to move and practice what he was being forced to observe. Remembering to keep his voice as barley a whisper the blonde grumbled a faint string of curses to all those who had been involved in this decision, the majority of the blame going squarely on himself for being the one to make an issue of it in the first place. Oh he knew that Angeal's reasons for putting this additional punishment into place had been good, that the logic behind it made sense, but that didn't help ease the irritation he felt because of it one bit.
"Are you paying attention Strife?" The Sergeant called out, his loud voice snapping Cloud from his internal musings
"Sir, yes sir." The cadet responded as was expected of him, his eyes now levelling with the more experienced fighter.
"Good because I expect to see those reports written up by tomorrow's class, understand?"
"Sir, yes Sir." The blonde repeated firmly, his head instantly dipping back down to the stack of forms in his hands.
Once again Cloud muttered several choice words as he finished the top form and moved it to the bottom of the pile, his mind groaning loudly in protest as the next one came into view. The task itself was more than boring in comparison to what he could have been doing, the repetitive nature making his head hurt and his skin itch with rising frustration. But this was what he'd been ordered to do as an extension of his punishment, the task just as tedious and mundane as Zack had warned it would be.
A faint smile began to form on the cadet's lips as his mind began to wander to other thoughts of the soldier, the excitement and anticipation of the conversation they were to have later that night already playing in his head. Questions rushed through Cloud like a tornado as he tried to decide what to say when the time came, the things which Zack might ask him and the answers he could or should give in response. In truth the blonde had been debating this same issue all day, his focus never really on what was going on around him but instead centred on just how much he was really able or willing to open up to the soldier right now.
There was no doubt in his mind about how he felt for Zack, the way his body would react when they were together and how his more passionate feelings had begun to grow stronger. But still the cadet felt a little uncomfortable with allowing these things to be seen, the vulnerability of admitting to such strong emotions still something which he was struggling to overcome. Cloud sighed wearily as he argued with himself once more, as the two halves of him waged a war over how much they wanted the soldier to know. Just as if they were two factions battling it out there was a divide right down the middle of his body, the need to stay safe defending its right to keep these things hidden while the part of him which wanted to be free fought to tell Zack everything.
"Strife!" A loud and commanding voice shouted out, the unmistakable anger in the tone making the cadet flinch as he was shocked back to reality.
"Sir, yes sir." The blonde replied, his voice a little shaky at having been caught out.
"You've got ten minutes before we pack up and those reports had better be done." The Sergeant barked, his expression hard and uncompromising.
"Sir ..." Cloud began, his gaze momentarily flicking down to the pile in his hands which he knew would never be done in time.
"Save it." The big man ordered, his hand coming up to cut the cadet off. "I'll talk to you at the end."
"Yes Sir." The blonde responded, his tired blue eyes only holding the Sergeant's firm stare for a moment before he looked away.
For a few seconds nothing happened and the room was uncomfortably quiet, the other cadet's all supposedly busy working through their cool down exercises but without a doubt really focused on what was going on. However when nothing more occurred and the man in charge turned his wrath on them the boys all began to move again, their various expressions all revealing something different about their feelings towards the blonde.
Cloud waited a minute or two before glancing up again, his attempt to get the task done seeming a little pointless now when there were simply too many forms left to do. Instead of worrying about it he used what little time there was left to study his peers, the mixed responses he was getting from them making him feel not only confused but also unsettled, the things he saw raising even more questions about what was going on. Slowly the blonde began to realise that it was not the first time he had seen this array of reactions to his presence today, the memories of his other classes suddenly adding themselves to the whirlwind of thoughts within him.
The morning had gone ahead as planned, with Angeal escorting him to the halls so that the lecturer could be instructed on the punishments continuation. Cloud had been too unsettled by the eyes boring into him to really notice the looks he'd been getting at the time, his mind suddenly beginning to reflect on the mixed expressions and see them more clearly. It was only now as he thought back over those looks and the ones he was currently getting that the blonde realised something, that the faces which had either ignored or tormented him were all dividing once again but now into new and different groups. He saw the anger in the eyes of some for what he had done to the general, the unspoken rage in others for his show of defiance by standing up to them, and the obvious irritation in a few that he was still being supported by the commander and soldier. But amongst that he also saw cadet's who seemed to show some sympathy for his plight, a tiny flicker of support during his punishment, and an unspoken understanding of why he'd snapped in the first place.
"That's enough for today." The Sergeant's voice boomed, the sound echoing briefly as a reminder of the power behind it and ripping the blonde from his thoughts. "Now all of you get your butts out of here." He ordered loudly, a wave of his hand signalling that they should head for the door without delay. "All except you Strife, I want to see that paper work."
Cloud stayed where he was and kept his head bowed low as he continued writing, the Sergeant's words not requiring a reply at this point and only announcing his imminent arrival at the cadet's side once everyone else was gone. To the blonde's pleasant surprise he was not hassled by the other cadet's as they moved around him, no accidental bumps of rough shoves were inflicted upon him while he worked, his place on the bench being strangely undisturbed as each boy collected their belongings and hurried to leave. And for a minute Cloud blinked at the paper in front of him with eyes as wide as an owl, the fact that once again that day he was being left untouched when the opportunity to inflict 'accidental injuries' had been possible.
"Cadet Strife, are you listening to me." The Sergeants voice barked above his head, the man's sudden presence beside him making the blonde jump in his seat.
"Sir." Cloud replied instinctively, his head snapping up to face the seasoned warrior in front of him.
"Damn it Strife, you've got to start paying attention." The Sergeant growled, his words ending with a tired sigh as the last cadet departed and they were left alone. "Look Cloud, you're a good kid and I've seen some pretty impressive stuff from you, but you need to focus." He began, his tone no longer that of a superior officer scolding a subordinate, but something a little bit more supportive. "Yesterdays stunt in class was not something I want to see again but ... saying that it did give a nice demonstration of what you can do."
To this Cloud could only blink in silence, that owl like behaviour once again coming into effect but this time making him look more like a deer caught in headlights than anything else.
"You don't get it do ya kid?" The large man asked, his weight shifting to one side as he rested a hand on his hip. "Look, I'm not going to say that what you did yesterday in my class didn't piss me off, on your first day back no less, and that you hit the general while doing it but ... but now ..." Here the man stopped and drew a breath, his free hand coming up to run roughly through his hair. "Shit Strife, you were good before the whole ... incident ... or whatever it was that happened, but now you're something else. I mean, you might have taken Sephiroth by surprise but you still landed one on the big guy which has to say something."
"It says I'm a fool." Cloud whispered softly, his sapphire eyes quickly lowering to the floor submissively.
"It says to me that this class isn't right for you anymore." The Sergeant replied, his tone now a mixture of mild annoyance and self-accepting confirmation of a decision.
"What?" The blonde gasped, his head flicking up and his expression one of fear and uncertainty. "But I ... I've been punished for it ... I'm being suspended for the week already and ... and ..." Cloud flustered, his throat growing tight and his chest tightening as feelings of despair began to seep through him. "Please, you ... you can't throw me out if I'm ... I'm already being disciplined." He managed, the idea that the punishments had all been for nothing slowly choking him.
"Hey there, just calm down a sec." The older man said, his hands now coming up in a gesture of peace as he took in the sight of the panicking cadet. "I never said anything about kicking you out, just that this class isn't right for you anymore."
"But I don't ... I don't understand." Cloud mumbled, his heart now racing within his chest as he tried to work it out.
"The truth is I was going to recommend you to a different training group before ... well before you took some personal time." The Sergeant explained, his choice of words making the blonde feel like being sick as they were once again used to remind him of what he'd been foolish enough to do. "You're a quick and agile fighter, with reflexes and skill to boot but ..."
"But I'm not strong." Cloud guessed, his words earning him a frustrated sigh.
"That's just it kid you are strong, but not on the same level as a soldier." The deep scolding voice told him, the words of reassurance now being spoken with an annoyed tone. "These guys have brute strength and yours is more about speed and strategy."
"So you don't think I'm good enough for soldier?" The cadet asked, the darkening of his mood easily distinguishable in the evenly spoken question.
"I'm not saying that." The Sergeant countered quickly, the storm he now saw brewing within the deep pools of blue in fact making him feel a little uncomfortable. "I just wondered if you'd maybe consider trying out as a Turk."
"But I want to be a soldier." The blonde pointed out firmly, his eyes never leaving the older man's as he spoke.
"Yea, I thought as much." The soldier sighed, his expression softening as he tried to ease the blow he knew was coming. "But maybe you're more cut out to be a Turk."
"And why would that be Sergeant?" A deep and welcomingly familiar voice cut in before Cloud could reply.
"Commander Hewley, Sir." The man responded as he snapped into a formal salute, his actions being instantly followed by the cadet beside him.
"At ease, both of you." Angeal ordered sternly, his expression blank and hard to read. "Now if it's not too much trouble would you care to explain why you would be discouraging someone, who in your own words shows great potential, from being a soldier?"
"I mean no disrespect to you or Lieutenant Fair sir, I know you've both helped the boy when I couldn't."
Cloud only just managed to keep the faint smirk of satisfaction off his lips when the commander didn't argue the comment, the Sergeant's small self-criticism not being denied as he stumbled on with his reasons.
"I just thought that his skills might be more appropriate within a different field."
"While I am not overly pleased with your technique for approaching the subject, I cannot help but feel that you may be right." Angeal replied calmly, his response causing the other soldier to blink in surprise and Cloud to openly gasp in shock.
"What?" The cadet managed, his earlier amusement at the Sergeant's humiliation now completely forgotten as he fought not to be disrespectful towards the commander. "I mean ... Sorry Sir ... I meant, could you please explain?" He managed, his teeth grinding together to keep the rest of what he wanted to say trapped inside.
"The Sergeant is quite correct Cloud, your traits do make you a good Turk candidate." Angeal began, his soft brown eyes instantly picking up how the cadet's shoulders tensed.
"May I ask how?" The blonde managed politely, the very air around him taking on a menacing feel.
"Your fighting technique is good but relies on cunning and surprise, on the fact that your opponents underestimate your abilities." The commander continued, his own mind now debating the idea a little more as well. "You are certainly fast and responsive to a demanding environment such as the obstacle course and ..."
Here Angel stopped as if uncertain to say more, his face turning to examine the Sergeant beside them before he chose to finish saying whatever was on his mind.
"Perhaps it is best if you leave us to have this conversation in private." His deep rich voice suggested, the tone implying that while it wasn't an order there really was very little choice in the matter.
"Of course Sir." The soldier replied, a quick formal salute being given before he quickly turned and walked away.
Cloud watched him go in silence and was not surprised to see the man glance back just before he passed through the door, the Sergeants eyes briefly connecting with his and actually showing an apology before he was gone.
"While I cannot say that I like the idea of you joining the Turks, his idea does have some merit." Angeal noted evenly, his lack of expression contradicting the turmoil which Cloud sensed floating within him.
"I know." The cadet sighed, his shoulder's slumping as he turned to look away. "It's something I ... I've thought about as well."
"Then why did you get so defensive just now?"
"Because it's one thing to think it yourself, but completely another to have someone else point it out to you." The blonde admitted wearily, the words seeming to drag the energy from his body as they passed over his lips.
The commander had just been about to question Cloud's comment when he realised just how much it had taken for the cadet to admit such a thing, the blonde now allowing all formality to slip away as he sunk back down onto the bench he'd previously been sitting on. Understanding what was needed Angeal allowed there to be a few minutes of silence between them as Cloud packed up his things, as he shifted the small mountain of paper work into one pile and appeared to sort it out while actually pulling himself together again. Once it appeared as if the cadet was sufficiently organised, and the time he'd needed to gather himself was over, Angeal gave a small deliberate dry cough and smiled kindly when Cloud looked up at him.
"Do you have many more forms to fill in?" He asked, his gaze going down to what even he considered to be an overly large amount.
"There's still a few but I can do them later." The blonde replied, a long deep breath helping to create a pause between his words so that they would come out more collected. "I'd rather use this time with you to train and then do the rest of the reports at home after dinner."
"It would mean more work for you later, but it is your decision." The commander agreed, his choice to let the possible argument go earning him a faint smile from the blonde. "So what did you observe in class today and do you wish to go over it again?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"It's something Zack taught me weeks ago so you were right about ... about me being ahead." Cloud replied, the possibility of such a thing clearly still surprising him. "I wouldn't mind going over it a little just to practice, but it'd be a waste of time to spend our whole session on it."
"Then you feel confident with this manoeuvre already?"
"Yes." The cadet replied firmly, his confidence in the answer pleasing Angeal more that he was willing to let on.
"Very well." The commander accepted without questioning it. "Then you should warm up and we will spend half an hour working through that before trying something else."
"May I ask what else?" Cloud enquired, his feet shifting slightly as he hesitated to move to where he needed to be.
"Something which will help me to assess your senses." Angeal informed him happily, his own face now relaxing into a smile which seemed to draw a brighter one from the blonde. "I believe it is something we spoke about doing once before and have not yet had a chance to do."
"We did and I'd like that." The cadet agreed, a small nod of his head giving a silent word of thanks before he walked towards the mats and began his warm up.
An hour later and Angeal was smiling happily at what he'd seen, the blonde's skills and instincts more than surpassing his hopes or personal expectations. They had worked on the technique from class for the allocated time and as Cloud had said he was quite confident in it already, meaning that there really wasn't a need to go over it any longer than necessary. It had been at this stage that the commander had introduced the activity he wanted them to do, the task being more of a game in Cloud's opinion which had made Angel laugh when he said it. In truth the challenge had been designed this way to test Zack's abilities, the soldier having always been more motivated by a challenge when it was presented in a fun or amusing way.
Unfortunately the cadet hadn't been as comfortable with the idea as Zack had, his dislike for the blindfold element of the assessment clearly putting him off when they had begun. But after some time adjusting to the situation, and the commander's words of reassurance and encouragement, the blonde had slowly relaxed into it and his reactions steadily became more precise each time.
"Very good." Angeal congratulated Cloud, as once again his position within the room was located by the cadet. "You are getting quicker at this with each try."
"It would be easier if you stopped ... jumping about all the time." The blonde replied, the sword he was using as a pointer for the activity now tapping absently against his leg. " I mean, it makes it harder to work out where you are."
"I believe that is the whole point." The commander noted with a soft chuckle, the exasperated sigh he got in response making him laugh a little harder.
The sound of the door opening across the room drew Angeal's attention immediately, the faint sound barely disturbing the relative quiet of the room yet making Cloud instantly snap around and raise his sword defensively. For a moment no one spoke as both commander and general looked at each other, the cadet remaining poised on the mats between them and ready to strike should anyone approach him.
"Who's there?" Cloud's cool voice demanded to know, his question being mainly directed at Angeal but open for anyone to answer.
"Merely a friend." Sephiroth replied calmly, his smooth tone sounding oddly light and casual given the circumstances. "May I approach?" He added as an afterthought, the words earning him a questioning look from the commander.
"Why?" The blonde asked firmly, his stance adjusting perfectly so that they remained facing each other as the general took a few more steps into the room.
It was impossible for Cloud not to know who he was now speaking with, the two having only meet properly once before but with one holding a reputation that allowed the other no doubt as to their identity. Yet still the cadet held his stance against Sephiroth and let the question hang waiting for an answer, the slight tremble in his small frame not being missed by mako enhanced eyes which watched him intently. And for a moment the two seasoned warriors simply looked at him and then each other, Cloud's unexpected behaviour to the situation making the commander stare in silent disbelief while the general became even more intrigued with the blonde.
"I would like a moment to speak with Angeal, if that is acceptable to you?" Sephiroth teased softly, his eyes now glowing with amusement. "Or am I required to challenge you for some of his time?"
"We both know that I wouldn't stand a chance against you." Cloud noted evenly, his grip on the sword handle tightening a little as he spoke.
"Perhaps," The general replied, his lips curving ever so slightly to form in what Angeal's stunned mind could only be interpret as a faint smile. "But it would certainly be an interesting experience for me, after our last encounter."
"Sephiroth." The commander quickly spoke up, the slight flinch he'd seen in the blonde's body making him feel the need to change the subject immediately. "Was there something important you needed to see me about?"
"Actually there is." Sephiroth replied, his attention lingering on the cadet for a moment more before coming round to face him. "It appears there is a small problem in Junon which I would like to go over with you."
Angeal didn't bother to hide the sigh which formed within him, the fact that his assistance was required meant that the situation was probably more than just a small problem.
"Allow me one last attempt at this with Cloud and then we can deal with it." He half requested, half told the general, the look he gave clearly saying that this one was for his benefit as a demonstration of the cadet's abilities.
"Very well, if you must." Sephiroth agreed, an intrigued glint in his eyes accepting the commander's offer for him to be the one to test the blonde.
"Are you ready Cloud?" Angeal asked, the slight shift he saw in the cadet's posture showing that the blonde was already adapting to the new element of another presence within the room.
"Yes Sir." Cloud answered, the formality bothering the commander but not being something he was going to bring up right now.
They gave him a moment to ground himself again, a few precious seconds to centre his body and adjust his instincts to account for the sensation of two people near him. And then the general moved from his place, the leaps and changes of position being confusing to watch let alone feel even for the commander. Yet to Angeal's surprise Cloud seemed to be following it all, the barest twitches showing that he was focusing hard to keep up with each lingering step until the general stopped moving altogether.
Once again the room remained deathly silent as both men stared in pleasure at the blonde, his sword held out confidently and pointed straight at where Sephiroth had chosen to rest. Neither spoke as they shared a look of equal amusement and contemplation, the questions which both knew they wanted to ask being inappropriate right now in front of the cadet himself.
"Well done ... Cloud." Sephiroth praised the blonde, his faint smile increasing a little as he heard the cadet gasp softly at having his name spoken. "Your natural instincts are indeed quite ... impressive."
"Thank you, Sir." The blonde replied nervously, his voice shaking a little as he realised that the general had once again used the word impressive when referring to him.
"Perhaps we could play this game another time when things are not so ... busy." Sephiroth suggested, his offer surprising Cloud enough that he now ripped the blindfold off his head and blinked large questioning blue eyes at the great man.
"You'd ... you'd do that ... again?" The cadet stammered, his expression one of conflicting hope and uncertainty.
"If you can follow my movement's then anything less would not be a good test for your developing skills." The general noted blandly, the comment being so matter of fact that Cloud couldn't tell if he was being praised again or merely spoke to.
"Angeal is ... I mean commander Hewley is a wonderful teacher and Zack ... and Lieutenant Fair has been an amazing mentor ... is an amazing mentor." The blonde replied, his slips of name, rank and tense all in one go making him bit his tongue in self-chastising anger.
"And you must be a noteworthy student for them to spend so much time working with you." Sephiroth replied, a slight hint of amusement in his tone making Cloud finally look him in the eye.
From across the room Angeal watched in stunned silence as the cadet and general stared at each other, as both seemed to weigh up the man before him and assess their strengths and weaknesses through sight alone. It was not something he had seen before and now understood why Sephiroth found Cloud to be intriguing, the blonde indeed able to meet the great man's face without apparent fear or hesitation.
"Commander Hewley, Sir." The cadet spoke up uncertainly, the sound of his voice in the eerily quiet room breaking up the strange tension which had begun to form.
"Yes Cloud." The commander replied, once again choosing to ignore the formality and mentally logging it for another time.
"May I be excused now, please?" The blonde asked, his request not really being necessary considering Sephiroth had already come to end the session
"Of course. I will see you tomorrow." Angeal replied calmly, the cadet barley waiting for permission to be granted before he moved off the mats and began to collect his things.
"An interesting young man." Sephiroth noted as Cloud left, the blonde's departure allowing them both to speak more freely.
"You have no idea." The commander replied, his hand already reaching for the phone in his pocket to call Zack and warn the soldier about all the paper work that Cloud would be bringing home with him that night.