I've got to go away for a couple of days on Sunday (family reasons) so if you review and I don't reply straight away that's why.

Enjoy.

Gathering clouds

Meanwhile, on the other side of the compound, Angeal was sitting in his office looking out of the window and wondering why things could never be simple. The choice he now had to make being one he really didn't like, but the circumstances involved leaving him with no other option. Already he could feel the start of a headache forming behind his eyes, the familiar tension being one he was used to when having to sort out another officers incompetence.

A knock at the door drew his attention away from the setting sun outside and towards the expected visitor, his enhanced sense only needing a minute to recognise the mans presence and know it was the person he had requested to see.

"Just a minute." The commander called out, as his hands quickly straightened his slightly rumpled uniform and tried to make him appear a little more presentable again. "Come in." He added a moment later. His words unfortunately coming out as a mixture of both an order but also an impersonal invitation which, considering the identity of his guest, showed just how tired he really was.

Angeal however had no time to regret the words or the way they were spoken as the door opened and the Turk he had been expecting walked into his office, the calm and professional exterior which was presented to him by the other man unexpectedly betraying a faint display of concern that was rarely seen.

"You wanted to see me." Tseng half asked half stated, the question clearly not being the one he really wanted to say as they held each other's gazes.

"My apologise Tseng, it has been a long day." Angeal offered by way of an apology, knowing that his current mood had nothing to do with the man he was about to make a request from.

"May I ask what has you so troubled?" The head Turk enquired cautiously, his respect for the man in front of him allowing for nothing less than genuine concern and interest.

"I assume that you were aware of the team which was stationed in Junon recently."

"Yes."

"Were you also aware of their purpose there?"

"I was under the impression it was both a publicity campaign, as well as a general evaluation of the soldiers who were assigned to it." Tseng replied casually, his lean body now settling itself comfortably into a chair opposite the commander and relaxing in the larger man's company. "Was this information incorrect?"

"No, that was indeed the main objective of the assignment." Angeal answered with a tired sigh, his broad shoulders now slumping against the back of his own chair as he felt the weight of his next words fall on him.

"The problem is that two of the soldiers who were sent were also up for review and possible promotion, their performance on this mission in fact going towards their chance of being raised from 3rd's to 2nd's if they passed."

"Forgive me for not understanding my part in all of this." The head Turk began, his normally guarded emotions being allowed to surface freely due to the level of trust they had formed for each other. "But as far as I was aware soldier evaluations were not under my jurisdiction."

"They're not, but it's because of this incident that I need to ask a favour of you." The commander began, his chocolate brown eyes flickering with apology but also a sense of unease in what he was about to say. "You see, the problem involves the senior officer in charge and his poor administration skills."

"I see." Tseng murmured softly, a voice within him already guessing where things were going.

"It would appear that certain reports have gone missing and if we are to promote the soldier's in question to 2nd's then we need to find them or re-do certain evaluations."

"I am assuming that Kunsel is one of these men."

"Yes, he is." Angeal agreed wearily, his large sword calloused hand once again reaching up to roughly massage the bridge of his nose. "The young man has proved himself more than worthy of the rank. But without certain paperwork being completed he, they, will be passed over."

This time the head Turk only chuckled in response, his amusement of the situation not being an insult to the men or their circumstances but as a result of the bureaucracy which was involved.

"It would seem that Zack will have another reason to hate reports after this, should he find out that is."

"Unfortunately he will have to be made aware of this screw up because he will need to escort myself and the other two back to Junon, so that this mess can be sorted out." The commander replied resignedly, his drawn expression showing he was not happy about the decision. "Though, given the current circumstances, I would rather not assign him this duty. But unfortunately I have no choice."

Dark almond shaped eyes actually widened at this, the calm composed features cracking slightly as Tseng realised what was indirectly being asked of him.

"How long are you and Lieutenant Fair going to be away?"

"Hopefully only a week."

"And I assume you would like me to keep an eye on Cloud while you are both away?"

The words were spoken evenly as they left the head Turk's lips, the question coming out with no trace of anger or irritation in its query. The ever observant man already confident he knew the answer, but still wanting to hear the request being asked of him just to make sure.

"I know that I am asking a lot of you." Angeal began, a heavy sigh interrupting his explanation as their eyes met once more and a need for understanding passed from warm light brown to dark almost black orbs. "I am just ... concerned ... that our absence will make Cloud an easy target so soon after everything else has happened."

"It would appear that you have taken this boy under your wing just as much as you did with Zack." Tseng noted calmly, acceptingly, his soft lips quirking up into a faint reassuring smile as he continued to speak. "But I believe it is something I can sympathise with given our shared past and what I have also witnessed of his troubles."

"Then you'll watch over him for us?"

"I will do my best to make sure he is looked after, but you know that I can't guarantee anything."

"It's all I can ask for and ... thank you."

"You are an honourable man Angeal and I have no doubt that you would do the same for me, should I ever request it."

"Indeed I would." The commander agreed warmly and with more confidence now, his whole body seeming to relax as some of the tension bleed out of him.

"Good." Tseng replied, as he started to rise from his chair and brush the slight creases from his trouser legs. "Now, if my presence here is no longer required I should go and work out Reno's schedule so that he can supervise young Strife's training while you are away."

"That's very kind of you." Angeal mumbled in surprise, his expression clearly showing he had not expected this offer in addition to the request he'd made.

"To be honest it will make keeping an eye on him easier and raise less suspicion this way. After all, I dare say that Cloud will be ... bothered enough by this as it is." The head Turk pointed out, their eyes holding each other's now and communicating an understanding of what both were expecting to happen once the cadet was also made aware of the situation. "From what I have seen Cloud is a very independent young man and does not accept help lightly. It would be foolish of me to think that he will just agree to have some random stranger following him around all the time."

"Tseng I ..."Angeal began, the uncertainty of his next words causing them to catch in this throat and falter before they were given a voice.

But the head Turk was now curious by what the commander had been about to say, the fact that the great man could be silenced in such a way raising his own level of intrigue greatly.

"Yes Angeal?" Tseng asked gently, his patient and curious tone letting the commander know that he would find out what was on the man's mind one way or another.

"I have some ... notes; I would like you to look over." Angeal finally admitted, his chocolate coloured eyes filling with that apprehension and uncertainty again even as he rose from his desk and moved to the locked filing cabinet against the far wall. "I've been ... collecting ... data ... on Cloud." He explained, the object in his hand now making a bit more sense to the Head Turk. "I believe there are some skills and traits in here which might be supported better by a Turk's style of training."

"Interesting." Tseng murmured, unable to hide his own surprise now as he accepted the folder which was handed to him. "Does this mean you are recommending him for a transfer to our department?"

"No!" The commander quickly blurted out, his need to correct the misunderstanding before it went too far forcing him to say the next words before he'd had a chance to think them through. "Cloud wants to be a soldier and it would break both his and Zack's hearts to take that away from him, but ..."

"But?"

"But ..." Angeal continued reluctantly, his previous conversation with both the blonde and his sergeant from a few days ago instantly filling his mind again. "But some of his talents are more suited to Turk training and his fighting style requires techniques which perhaps Reno would be able to help him develop."

"I see." Tseng hummed, his ever observant eyes now glancing down to look at the folder in his hands once more. "Am I to assume that neither Cloud nor Zack are aware of this?"

"No, they are not." Angeal confirmed hesitantly, the look he now gave being a more serious one. "And I would prefer it if you didn't say anything about it to Reno."

"You do not trust him with this information?"

The commander sighed heavily and gave a small glare at the man before him, letting his mildly offended expression say what his words had yet to do for him.

"I have no doubt in your men's abilities to keep things to themselves, but this is Zack and Cloud we are talking about." Angeal began, his large frame now leaning back against the top of his desk for support. "We both know how close our former pupils are and I believe that Reno will find it hard to keep such things from them."

"He has more control than that commander." Tseng bristled, the implication of the commander's words bothering him greatly.

"I am aware of that Tseng, but you have to understand my concerns." Angeal sighed, his tone now being apologetic as he continued to speak. "Zack has a way of getting people to open up and in turn drawing information from them. I have seen him do it a number of times with complete strangers and with the bond he and Reno already share I believe it wouldn't take much for him to work out something was wrong and start digging until he found the answer."

"Perhaps Fair should be considered for a position with the Turks as well then." Tseng mused thoughtfully, his dark eyes seeming to glow slightly in amusement as the commander visibly flinched at the comment and scowled in response.

"Are you saying that my bouncy and extremely energetic pup would have made a good Turk?" Angeal countered suddenly, his previous expression cracking into an equally amused one as the tables were turned and this time it was the head Turk's turn to look mildly horrified at the idea.

"Zack makes a fine soldier, of that there is no doubt." Tseng replied calmly, as he schooled his features back into a composed but friendly smile once more. "But I believe a summoned Bahamut SIN would have more luck at becoming a Turk then Lieutenant Fair."

"Wouldn't a Bahamut SIN be just as disruptive to your organisation?"

"Indeed." Tseng agreed with a soft chuckle, his soft lips actually curling up a little at the edges as he smiled faintly. "But at least it would pay more attention to what was going on."

"Zack's not that bad." Angeal sighed with a hint of exasperation, his own warm brown eyes unable to hide his own humour at the light-hearted banter which had now formed between them. "At least, not these days." He amended, unable to argue in the young soldier's defence when he was also chuckling gently now.

"I must admit that I have missed times like this Angeal, when we would meet to talk about our pupils so freely. It is not something I was expecting."

"Does it bother you?" The commander asked curiously, having realised that the head Turk now looked open and perhaps even a little vulnerable as he admitted to things he would probably never speak of to any other.

"No, but I fear that it should."

"Why?"

"It is not wise in my profession to form ... strong friendships."

"You allow Reno and the others to have such a thing." Angeal began, his brow furrowing as he tried to work out why the man in front of him now looked uncomfortable. "Surely you are entitled to it as well."

"I allow them because without it they would be nothing more than machines, something which I will not let happen to such good people. It is hard enough to live a normal life, in our line of work, and I will not deny them something so simple when the next job they do could be their last."

"But you won't allow yourself that pleasure."

"My position is too senior in rank to take the risk."

"And yet you have just admitted to missing these times when we would meet to discuss our students."

"It was not ..." Tseng started to argue, his words actually faltering on him much to their combined shock as he realised that the commander was right. "It would seem that the one thing I have been avoiding all along has in fact been happening right under my nose."

"What? The fact that, somewhere along the line, we became friends?"

"You make it sound so easy Angeal, almost child-like in its innocence."

"It was not my intention to be patronising." The commander replied calmly, his instincts quickly picking up on how the head Turk's controlled facade was slipping back into place. "But I am tired of watching those around me suffer, whether they realise it or not. I have seen what happens when someone has no one to turn to and it pains me to think that another person I have grown to care about is alone."

"You have a big heart Angeal, be careful how much of it you share with others." Tseng replied calmly, coolly, but with a hint of something else in his voice.

"I am not reckless with my emotions Tseng, but I will try and give what I can to those who I chose to. Just as I believe you secretly do for the men and women under your command."

This time, instead of responding verbally, the head Turk simply smiled again. The faint show or happiness and understanding instantly brightening up his previously guarded features as a comfortable silence settled around them.

A few seconds later and Angeal spoke again, his mind having used the time to flash up a memory from a past incident to draw on and use to their advantage in this situation.

"Do you recall that day when we had to deal with Kane and the other two soldiers?" He asked confidently, already knowing that the man across from him was unable to forget anything that happened in life.

"Indeed I do, it was a most ... memorable ... introduction to Cadet Strife."

"Then you'll also recall how you suggested examining Reno's schedule to include some time with assisting Cloud's training."

"Are you suggesting we use that as our cover for what is about to happen? Or are you hoping it will ease the sting of what you are about to do?"

"In all honesty I'm not sure." Angeal sighed, his rugged face now turning away to look back out of the office window to take in the view of the night's sky which had settled around them. "But it does fulfil our requirements and help to continue Cloud's training while we are away."

"I must admit that, after hearing Reno's reports about him, I am also curious to see how well he performs." Tseng confessed reluctantly, his words instantly drawing the commander's attention as he'd expected.

"And what reports would they be?" Angeal asked evenly, the spark of something dangerous and protective flaring in his brown orbs as he spoke.

"Perhaps reports was the wrong word to use." Tseng amended quickly, the look he was being given showing that the young cadet was now considered just as important to the commander as his pup was. "I merely meant that when they took the tour of the facilities' together and sparred lightly, Cloud appeared to do well and that intrigues me."

"And the fact that he managed to hit Sephiroth has nothing to do with it either?"

"I will not insult you by pretending otherwise."

"I had a feeling it would have been brought to your attention." Angeal replied, the strength which had been returning to his body now appearing to escape him again along with the words. "How much attention has it drawn?"

"I think you already know that." The head Turk responded evenly, unable to reveal anything to the commander but also not about to lie to the man whom he had come to respect so much over the years.

"According to the general Cloud has begun to ... stand out ... from his peers." Angeal aired carefully, his gut clenching tightly in response to where their conversation was now going.

"That is one way of looking at it." Tseng replied calmly, the neutral expression he wore not able to mask the subtle warning which flashed within his dark eyes

"He also implied that ... certain individuals ... have taken an interest in him." The commander probed hesitantly, that uneasy feeling in his chest steadily growing as the head Turk looked away, sighed heavily, and then answered in a way which almost confirmed his worst fears.

"There are many things which he has done, that a normal cadet should be unable to do."

"Does that mean I should be worried?"

"The fact that we are having this conversation, and that you have already spoken with Sephiroth, tells me that you also know the answer to that question Angeal."

"How much do you know? About their ... his ... intentions I mean?" Angeal asked warily. The uncomfortable and harsh tone of his voice easily revealing who he was talking about, even though he'd not actually said the man's name.

Tseng wasn't normally one to show uncertainty when he spoke, the aura of confidence he maintained being his shield against letting people see any trace of doubt or suspicion in the things he said or did. Yet now he openly hesitated before replying, needing the commander to see the truth of his words reflected in his eyes as they were spoken.

"If it is Hojo you are worried about then don't be, for now."

"For now?"

"The professor has other ... interests ... to keep him busy at the moment, but we have been ordered to keep an eye on 'the cadet' after what happened in the gym."

"Why?" Angeal demanded to know, his heart rate steadily increasing as the general's reassurances about Cloud being safe were pulled apart in front of him.

"To be honest I am not sure and know better than to ask questions unless the situation demands it. In this case we were told to observe and report back anything unusual in the boy's behaviour."

"Is he considered a threat to ShinRa?"

"In our eyes no, but the professor has a way of manipulating the facts. As a result the president now believes that a boy who can strike someone as powerful as Sephiroth should be monitored."

"You know Hojo's only doing it this so that he can gather more information about Cloud, to see if would make a good project for him?" Angeal replied bitterly, his hate for the man who labelled himself as a professor coming through loud and clear.

"As I have already said I'm not a fool Angeal. I have seen and heard many things in my time as a Turk and, though I will not get into a debate about them with you now, I want you to know that I also share your concerns."

"Promise me you won't let anyone else see the documents I have just given you."

"Will they reveal too much in the wrong hands?"

The question was asked calmly, evenly, but also with a touch of concern. The voice it was spoken with being both worried about hearing the answer but also needing to know it as well.

"They track Cloud's development since he joined ShinRa, his exam scores, tests results and additional observations I have made of him. The material is supposed to support his progress towards soldier, but to someone like Hojo it would simply be more data for a new experiment.

"Then cadet Strife shows great promise for being a soldier?" Tseng half asked half stated, the look of pride which now shone on the commander's face letting him know that such a thing was almost a certainty.

"He excels in everything he does, both academic and physical, when compared to his peers. It would be a mistake to not consider him for such a position in the future."

"It is strange but I almost envy you right now." Tseng admitted with a sigh, the exchange between them bringing more out of him than he'd ever let happen before. "To have your own student achieve so much in life, under your supervision, and then have them in turn guide another so competently in the same quest. It must be quite a joy to see your teachings being imparted onto another with such love and devotion."

"Do you wish for this as well Tseng?" Angeal asked gentle, his tone soothing and non-intrusive as he inquired about something which was clearly a personal matter.

"I cannot lie and say that I would not be honoured if Reno were to mentor another as Zack has chosen to do. But with so few things left to choice in life, especially like ours, I will not force it upon him."

"Perhaps his time with Cloud will help in this matter as well now. After all, what better way to get a taste for mentoring than to experience it firsthand?" The commander suggested politely, his full lips spreading into a warm friendly smile as the head Turk's eyes actually widened for a moment at the idea.

"You have an interesting perspective of things Angeal." Tseng noted with a touch of amusement, the thought of Reno and Cloud training together now giving him hope for something else. "It would be a slight manipulation of both young men on our part, yet could prove fruitful in the end for each of us."

"Cloud would be protected and able to continue his development without interference, while Reno would be given a chance to sample the role of a mentor without having to accept the responsibility on a full time basis." The commander stated in a relaxed manor, the way he rationalised the new plan making both men smile despite the underlying serious nature of the arrangement.

"So when should I inform Reno of this arrangement, before or after you have spoken to Zack and Cloud?"

"It would probably be best if you only informed him of our planned absence at this point and my request for him to supervise Cloud while we are away. That way when he meets with us to discuss his altered schedule he'll know not to ask too many questions."

"And in turn you will inform Zack and Cloud of your mission and reveal that it would be a perfect opportunity to asses Reno's potential as a mentor for the internship programme."

"Exactly." Angeal replied, their eyes meeting in perfect understanding that this could either work out well or go horribly wrong.