AN: Please send me feedback! PLEASE!

And thank you dearly for the reviews, guys. I know you have been waiting patiently, so here's my latest chapter! I hope you like it. Heh. School kinda messes up with your writing a bit. (At least for me, anyway.) Maybe you can't tell, but you will later as I get to the harder parts of the year. Well, enjoy!

Warning: Spoilers, AU and C/S. As for language, of course, I will have no problem in cursing. So please be aware of that.

The Complete Opposite

By Kaz

Chapter IX

Cloud nearly dropped the picture, eyes wide while his face held an expression similar to a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar before dinner. Sephiroth glanced at the picture in his hand and the ring on his finger, his eyes narrowing as his gaze turned to Cloud's face. The blonde froze, hand taking hold of the picture again.

"Where did you get that?"

Cloud blinked. "What?"

"The picture," Sephiroth growled.

Cloud shook his head. "I don't know! I just found it in my things."

Sephiroth's gaze landed on the ring around Cloud's fourth finger. He didn't know where the blonde could've obtained the ring, or even the picture, but to have them both...

He had just come from speaking with Bugenhagen when he heard from Red how Zack had escorted their enemy to the airship and immediately came over. He didn't use the door leading to the bridge, but instead came out from the back, using a shortcut to get outside. He rounded the corner in time to see the blonde lift up the ring and read the words engraved on the inside. His heart paused for a moment when he heard the words drift his way and quickened his pace, steeling himself. The blonde had put on the ring and stared at it.

If what Bugenhagen said was true, then the man shouldn't know anything. He would be seen as a laudable ally, but nothing more. He would not have a need to know of the past, nor mix himself with the troubles of this life. He could just do what he needed to do, and then go home. Sephiroth didn't want him here, constantly in his sight, a pain in his side.

Cloud rolled up the picture and stuffed in back in his pack, closing it and slinging it over his shoulder as he stood. In the time that Sephiroth thought and hissed inwardly, Cloud had regained his composure. He was still vigilant around the man, but just because.

Sephiroth shook his head inwardly. He knew he shouldn't have appointed Zack as one of Cloud's guards... Turning his attention to the blonde, he said, "For the moment, you are not seen as a threat, but will be constantly guarded by one of us. Right now, we're headed for Junon. Got he the bridge."

Cloud scowled at being ordered, but didn't verbally complain. He silently made his way back to the bridge and waited under the watch of Zack, Cid and Red, the last having followed the Ex-General to the airship. It wasn't long until all the other members of AVALANCHE assembled, Cloud surrounded by them.

Sephiroth took the front, back facing the large wall of windows, workers under Cid controlling the ship for the pilot while he joined the discussion. The silver-haired man's left hand rested on the hilt of his sword. He looked around the circle of AVALANCHE members first. "We're headed for Junon."

"Grandpa suggested..."

Sephiroth nodded to the lion. "Yes. He discussed it with me." He paused to turn his attention to Cloud who stood solely in the middle. "He told me of how their methods would be more efficient."

Cloud glared at the man. He didn't like how the sentence sounded, but couldn't do anything against it. He could only stare into the cold gems of his eyes, knowing his own were flaring.

Sephiroth made no reaction to the glow of the man's eyes. "We should be there toward the evening, so if you haven't eaten, it would be wise to. The interrogation will be held immediately afterwards and may take some time," he continued.

Interrogation? Cloud took a deep breath and let it out in a hiss.

"But until then, go ahead and rest."

Cloud waited until only himself, Sephiroth and Red remained before turning to leave. Red automatically went with him and lay down in the room by the door as he fell back on the bed, riding the trip out.

"Do you have room for us?"

A string of slicked back pale blonde hair fell forward as grey-blue eyes met green. "Yes. Of course." There was a pause as the blue eyes roamed off to the side, several clicks heard before attention returned to the silver-haired man on the screen. "Are you already here?"

The man nodded. "I apologize for not notifying you earlier, but I wanted to make sure he was secured and asleep."

The blonde tucked back the stray hair, lifting a brow at the same time. "Him?" he repeated.

The Ex-General nodded. "Yes." He paused to push a button, sending an image to the blonde. At the widening of his eyes and sharp intake of breath, he said, "We believe he is harmless, but cannot be sure. I have already spoken to Bugenhagen and he told me that you would be contacted."

As if on cue, a ding was heard in the background. The blonde on the screen sharply turned his head to view something to the side. As he scanned the lines, he sighed, closing his eyes. "I see. But do you really believe it, Sephiroth?"

Sephiroth simply replied, "I only wish for the peace of the Planet. Gaea would know if it was meant to be."

The blonde lowered his face to one of his white-gloved hands, rubbing at his eyes. "This is not easy for me." He looked up and smiled wryly. "But I shouldn't be talking. Excuse me."

Sephiroth shook his head. "It's fine. Just... We wish to start immediately after dinner."

The other nodded, resting his chin on his hand. "Of course. But Sephiroth—"

Sephiroth waved a hand dismissively. "I don't care."

The blonde frowned. "Still... If Gaea, as you say, wished it, then I hope you end up happy."

Green eyes narrowed slightly.

But before the Ex-General could snap back, the blonde spoke. "You'll be able to land on Number 6. And head to Level 3 to Hall 36. Your rooms will be prepared for you and meet in Hall 12 for your dinner. We won't head for Room 112 till later, of course. ...I'll see you in a bit." And with that, the screen turned black, leading a well informed, yet vexed Ex-General to glare at the monitor.

But it wasn't long until the ship landed at Junon. Workers from Junon helped to tie Highwind down as AVALANCHE got off the airship. They took the elevator down to the third floor, reaching Hall 36 to dispose of their things before heading over to the private dining Hall meant for them. Cloud, who was forced to share a with Red and Sephiroth, was watched constantly by soldiers and guards set at almost every corner, hands consciously tightening their grip as he passed by, even though he was surrounded by the strongest warriors of the Planet. He was annoyed by the constant staring and hissing behind his back, but thankfully was relieved of it once they entered the dining hall.

Unfortunately, that was the least of his worries.

As soon as he stepped into the dining hall, his eyes met with silver-blue eyes 1 nearly identical to his. His breath caught in his throat, heart seeming to stop for just a moment. The assembly in front of him already gathered at the table was a group of people who were very well seen as dead in his world, with some added personnel here and there.

The blonde with identical eyes stood up, waving a hand in greeting, gesturing to the empty chairs at the long table. "Welcome."

Sephiroth stepped up and bent forward slightly, answering, "Thank you for having us and doing us this favor."

The blonde smiled. "Not at all." His eyes riveted on Cloud. "After all, it's for a special cause."

Sephiroth caught the younger man's gaze and nodded.

The blonde turned his attention back to the silver-haired man and continued. "If you would like, we can head straight into the meal. Or should we introduce our new members?"

Sephiroth shrugged minutely. Obviously, he didn't care. Really, he didn't think it mattered if Cloud was introduced to the members of the Force before dining with them when he would get a chance later at more appropriate times.

The blonde noted the man's bodily language and allowed them to sit down and enjoy the meal he had prepared for them. He noticed how the air of the room was tense, for several reasons. It was obvious that one of the main reasons was the supposed resurrection of their enemy, but it was 'supposed' because of a few voiced doubts. He would've liked to believe these comments and opinions were true, but only for the lighter note. If there was any negative to it, he would greatly regret ever thinking everything was fine.

But it's always a habit to hope for the best in the worst situations... he thought absently as he glanced around the table, seeing how some AVALANCHE and Force, as well as one or two Shinra workers sent glares and negative looks toward the one known as Cloud Strife. He sighed and shook his head at the mannerism. Not everyone has the same opinion...

He looked up to catch Sephiroth cast a quick glance at the blonde before returning to his meal. The other seemed to have either caught the glance or sensed he was being watched for he looked up quickly, staring at silver-haired man before looking at his surroundings at those who didn't bother in looking down as they glared at him. Something flashed in his eyes before he bit the corner of his lower lip and bowed his head, refusing to look up for the rest of the meal.

He shook his head inwardly, raking a hand through his slicked-back hair. You will never get over it, will you, Sephiroth? Hopefully, —he paused to laugh— everything will turn out all right. But first, we'll have to... Only you would want to make sure, my friend, only you.

After the meal, those of AVALANCHE, Force and Junon had a moment to rest and chat a bit before they would head to Room 112. The air was still tense and the conversation forced, but the noise was far better than the silence that would've occurred if no one spoke. Cloud kept his gaze lowered, staring at his hands folded in his lap. The ring was still around his finger, and if he rubbed his thumb over it, he would be able to feel it against his skin. He didn't dare take his gloves of for fear of the reaction he would get from Sephiroth or the others who saw it. Really, it was amazing that they didn't force it from him in the first place — especially the picture. The picture, he figured, would be taken from him in the least. But no, they didn't touch him or his belongings. They didn't do anything to harm him, nor rob him of his things. He was grateful, but slightly suspicious about the action.

And with the announcement from the Ex-General about heading to Junon, finding out that the prince of Shinra Inc. was alive... Speaking of, Cloud lifted his gaze a bit just to look at the blonde with silver-blue eyes named Rufus Shinra sitting at the head of the long table, hands clasped under his chin as he wore a small smile on his face while he conversed with those nearest to him. Rufus looked in his direction and their eyes met for a second before the blonde looked away casually. Cloud looked back down at his hands. Rufus Shinra was supposed to be dead to him. And yet, here, he was alive. Again, there was another twist in the world.

Cloud laced his fingers together and sighed quietly, slumping in his chair. What more will be different? ...What did you want, Gaea?

The sound of loud, sharp claps interrupted his thoughts, drawing his attention to the other blonde in the room. "If we are finished here, let us continue with the night's activities. But please, if you are tired or do not wish to participate, you are welcome to resign to your rooms or wherever you wish to be." His gaze landed on Cloud at the last moment. "However, there is a small group of people who are required to stay."

Cloud lifted his head and met the gaze of the blonde. The blonde stared back blankly before giving out short instructions and leading the way out of the Hall to Room 112. Cloud was positioned toward the front of the line of people, but not too close to Rufus alone. Two Force members flanked the blonde man while Red and Cid were in front of him. Sephiroth alone was behind him while the other AVALANCHE members trailed behind, a Force or Junon member in between.

Room 112 was a fairly large room, big enough to fit three-dozen people easily with all the equipment lying around. But just in case there wasn't enough room, another was fixed beside it, a large window that looked like a mirror in the original room. Most of the members of Junon and Force accompanied that room while AVALANCHE members, Rufus and a few other men stayed in the larger room.

Cloud sat down on the bed off to the right of the room as he was instructed, miffed at being ordered but still obliged. He sat on his hands as they worked and set devices on him and around his head, watching carefully. When they asked him to open his shirt, he couldn't help but growl slightly before nimbly working the buttons open and let them continue to work. He took off his right glove to let them attach something to his index finger and lied back when instructed to. He turned his head to the side to watch the men work before closing his eyes as a sudden drowsiness overcame him. His head rested on the pillow, lips slightly parted, chest rising slowly with each breath.

Sephiroth tossed the materia to Cid who caught it and stuffed it in the small traveling bag he had slung over his shoulder. He stared at the sleeping blonde before turning to the other with silver-blue eyes. "Is it ready?"

Rufus cast a look at his workers before nodding. "Yes. The large screen should show us what we need to know." He gestured to a large monitor the length and width of Sephiroth's body.

All attention turned to the black screen on the wall. Soon enough, they would all know what this man was hiding and what he thought.

AN: Thank you for staying with me! I'm sorry it's short too! I feel so drained from tiring work I just finished with. Saa- My legs are dead and my arms are like dead weights, especially my hands that ache. Not to mention I had to sleep on the couch in the most uncomfortable position ever because some wretched ants invaded my room through my window. Zax rolls his eyes. "It's your own fault, you probably left some kind of food item in there and they found it." I did not! I swear I didn't! T.T I feel so sad without my room! I have to wait for the fumes to die down before I can sleep in there again. sigh

1 There's proof that Rufus doesn't have silver-blue eyes when the office gets blown up and you see a close-up of his eyes, but as it goes in my story, where I have small twists and interesting differences, Rufus has those stunning eyes. ... shakes head I say 'stunning' because if you ever meet someone with that color of eyes (and I have, though it's hard to explain the exact color I used as a model), you'll understand.