Cloud slipped in the contacts that Sephiroth had brought by the day before. Much to Cloud's annoyance the man did apparently find him a friend in his own way. That is to say he had been trying to strike up conversations with Cloud all week.
Genesis almost laughed, in the old time line Sephiroth had never went out of his way to socialize with anyone, now the one person, who wanted nothing to do with him, was the one person he wanted to talk to. The fact that Cloud treated him differently than anyone else on the planet probably helped (or hurt depending on your perspective) this relationship or attempt there for.
"I told you." Genesis said, standing in the door way, watching Cloud prepare to go down to the labs.
"The man won't leave me alone. Does he have a death wish?" Cloud said with a growl.
"He's trying to play nice. Really, this is probably a good thing. He never tried reaching out to someone before. You should be honored at the effort he's putting forth." Genesis said smoothly, coming up and wrapping his arms around Cloud's waist as the last contact was put in place.
Cloud blinked to make sure they sat in the right place. "Just do something, I don't know what, but if he doesn't back off a bit, I'm going to be the one that snaps."
"I'll talk to him." Genesis said, kissing Cloud's cheek. "For now, though let's concentrate on you not killing Hojo."
"At least with him I have the satisfaction of knowing he'll be dead someday." Cloud said, turning around to face Genesis, who just leaned in and gave him another soft kiss.
"Anymore luck in the Reno department?" Cloud asked as Genesis pulled away a bit.
"No, nothing's came up that would require us to meet." Genesis said, "I thought about going to track him down while you're recovering'."
"It would be a little risky, but we need to start moving soon and we need to see if we can get his help." Cloud considered as he pulled the 3rd Class Sweater over his head. Rufus would be laughing at him now. Cloud Strife, back in Shinra's service.
"Hey, do you think that thing with Rufus and the Turks has gone down yet?" Cloud asked, he remembered a story Reno had told him, about how the Turks had their own adventure saving the world. It had been the reason for the Turk's unwavering loyalty to Rufus. Cloud just wasn't sure exactly when the events had taken place.
"I don't think so, from my understanding the major parts happened after I left Shinra." Genesis said as they moved back into the bedroom.
"So Rufus is still a spoiled rich kid plotting against his father and funding AVALANCHE?" Cloud said, shaking his head.
"I'm afraid so, but I didn't think he lost the 'spoiled rich kid' status until after Meteor." Genesis said with a bit of a smirk.
"No, but he did upgrade to 'Spoiled Rich Kids with Turks Following Orders', then to 'Spoiled Rich Kid in charge of a Billion Gil Company'." Cloud said, putting on his boots. "Either way it means a little less heat if he's not our Reno."
"What do you want to do if we approach him and find out he has absolutely no memory?" Genesis asked smoothly.
"I know a few of his secrets that he hasn't told the other Turks yet." Cloud said a bit slyly.
"I thought Black Mail was beneath you." Genesis said, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't want to kill him and Turks don't understand anything else." Cloud said, standing. At the moment he looked like a regular green SOLDIER recruit.
Genesis nodded, "Let's get you to the labs."
"I still can't believe you talked me into this." Cloud said, shaking his head.
"You'll be fine," Genesis said, "I'll be right there."
Cloud just sighed, it was now or never. Too bad Genesis was the actor.
"Lay down on the table, Strife, and we'll get started soon." A man in a lab coat told him. Cloud's skin was starting to crawl, but Genesis stood in the back corner of the room. So far he hadn't seen Hojo.
Cloud did as he was asked, "Don't be so nervous, Strife, I know the first time can be intimating, but if you don't relax, you'll regret it in the morning."
At least the man thought his nerves were for other reasons. It was easier to fool someone if they made up their own excuse for you. He did his best to force himself to relax, taking one last look at Genesis before he closed his eyes.
The process its self was short, 3rd Class SOLDIER only received a small amount of mako.
"Alright, Commander, his process is complete. I'll have him transferred to recovery and you can check him out in a couple of hours." The doctor in charge of Cloud's enhancements stated.
"Actually, I'll take him back up to my apartment." Genesis said.
"But Sir!" The doctor started to protest, but Genesis cut him off.
"I think I'm perfectly capable of caring for someone after their mako injections." Genesis said smoothly, giving him no room to argue.
"Yes, Sir." The doctor finally said, deciding that, just because the commander's attitude towards cadets might have shifted, his attitude towards doctors had not. An early death was not worth it to enforce the rules.
"I knew you'd see it my way." Genesis said, flashing the man a smile, then lifted Cloud up and carried him back to their rooms.
As soon as they entered, Cloud opened his eyes. "As much as I enjoy being in your arms, you can put me down now."
"I thought about keeping you here for a while." Genesis whispered in Cloud's ear.
"And here I was under the impression you were going to chase some other red head." Cloud said, though didn't move to get out of Genesis's arms.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Genesis said before kissing Cloud lightly. A knock then came at their door.
Genesis shifted and set Cloud on the floor, who walked quickly back to the bedroom just in case.
Genesis opened the door once Cloud was out of sight. "Sephiroth?" He asked curiously.
"I was on my way out of the labs and saw you carrying Cloud. I wanted to make sure everything went well.' Sephiroth said calmly as Genesis let him in and shut the door.
"Everything's fine, though, why were you down in the labs?" Genesis asked curiously.
"I missed my appointment with Hojo yesterday." Was all Sephiroth offered as Cloud walked out of the bedroom.
Genesis's eyes narrowed. Sephiroth never missed his appointments, the professor always managed to track him down or, at least from what he could remember, the man did.
"The treatments went fine, here are your contacts back." Cloud said, setting them down on the table next to Sephiroth. He was still a bit wound up from being in the labs, Sephiroth was not helping.
"So what will you do now?" Sephiroth asked.
"I've already booked us a mission to the Western Continent. We can't leave for a few days, though. Mako Injections and all." Genesis said, taking a seat himself. Cloud had retreated back to the bedroom.
"Sephiroth, you really need to give him some space." Genesis said calmly.
"What do mean?" Sephiroth looked at Genesis a bit confused.
"Whether you realize it or not, and I doubt you do. You've been kind of stalking him lately." Genesis said, at one point he would have feared Sephiroth's reaction, but not anymore.
"I am not stalking him." Sephiroth said as his eye narrowed on Genesis.
"Sephiroth, seriously, if I didn't know any better I'd be jealous, threatening you to stay away from my man. I know he intrigues you, you've never met someone like him. He however is still dealing with certain things concerning you. If you want any chance of him ever accepting you as a friend, you have to give him to the time to settle his issues." Genesis said, trying to be kind and blunt at the same time.
Sephiroth sat silent for a moment, "So in the future you turned into a psychologist? I do find his interactions...refreshing, I suppose. I've never met anyone who would talk to me the way he does. Even you before current events didn't act like him."
"Having someone to challenge you can be...invigorating." Genesis acknowledged.
"Is this how you felt?" Sephiroth asked.
Genesis nodded "It gave me something to fight for. A challenge to obtain. A reason to get stronger."
Sephiroth sat still for a moment, thinking on Genesis's words. "I'll give him the space he desires. But I won't sit on the sidelines forever."
"He'll eventually accept you. Once we return and Jenova has been dealt with, I imagine it will be easier for him." Genesis replied. "But I'm currently late for a meeting with a red headed Turk."
Sephiroth nodded and stood, grabbing the contacts Cloud had left. "I'll speak with you later then."
Genesis followed Sephiroth to the door.
Finding Reno was easier than it should have been. That being said, Reno was currently stationed in sector 8. It was no time to reminisce, as he peered down at Rude from the street.
"You mind tell'n me why you're so interested in my partner?" A smooth drawl sounded behind him.
"Actually, it's you I was trying to draw out." Genesis said turning, at least Reno had been smart enough not to pull his Nightstick on Genesis.
Reno's eyes narrowed, but then something flashed in them as he gripped his head. "Just leave me alone, man, I didn't tell anyone about the tape, and I ain't gonna either."
"I believe you, Reno." Genesis said smoothly.
"Then what the heck do you want with me." Reno screamed.
"I wanted to know why." Genesis said, gauging Reno's reaction. Though it seemed like this was no their Reno after all.
"Cuz you and chocobo brains don't know how to watch out for your ass." Reno said out of instinct. As the words left his mouth, his eyes went wide.
Genesis gave him a curious look."Reno, me and Cloud, we remember."
"Remember what?" The Turk looked thoroughly confused as he grabbed his head. "Just stay away from me, damnit."
There was something obviously very wrong with the Turk. "Reno," Genesis said, trying to decide what to do.
"I don't know what the hell you want. Just stop it alright." Reno said, but now he was on his knees.
Genesis glanced down, Rude was still standing in the same place. Then he turned back to Reno.
"I don't know what's wrong. What do you want to stop?" Genesis said, bending down next to Reno.
"The visions, damnit!" Reno almost screamed and Genesis was glad that they were up on a roof.
"Vision?" Genesis pressed, he had to figure this out. He did care about Reno, even if the redhead didn't know him.
"Of your twisted future, damnit! Midgar in Ruins, the monsters and there's you and Blonde and me and the others and death and stop it." Reno cried. The image of Rude's cold dead eyes looked up at him. Tseng and some blonde that looked a lot like Gun being torn apart. Night after night. "You've got to be the cause. I don't know what I did to you, but just leave me alone!"
Genesis sat in shock. What had happened to the Turk? "Reno, I don't know what's wrong. I didn't cause it, but I might be able to help."
"You're doing something now, just go." Reno was worked up enough he finally drew his Nightstick. "You're making me trust you, when I don't know you and you're not a freaking Turk."
"Reno, I want you to come back to my apartment and talk, just talk." Genesis said. He had to tell Reno what was going on. The man was tearing himself apart. Somehow his bits of his memories were filtering back to him.
"Damnit." Reno cursed before standing and looking at Genesis. "Fine, anything to stop this." At least maybe he would find out what Genesis wanted with him.
"Rude." Reno said into his radio, "I'm going with Rhapsodos. Keep up the watch."
Nothing else came back through the line, but it didn't bother Reno, "Come on birdie, I ain't got all day."
"You wanted to talk, so spill." Reno said the moment Genesis's door was closed.
"Cloud, can you come out here." Genesis hollered back towards the bedroom.
"Reno," Cloud said when he walked out into the room. His eyes swept over the man before they went back to Genesis.
"He only kind of remembers." Genesis said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"What's going on." Reno finally snapped. Seeing the cadet that had wiped the floor with Genesis, who in turn wiped the floor with Sephiroth, walking calmly out of Genesis's room startled him a bit. Never mind that the man he thought had been a figment of his imagination was indeed real threw him off a bit. In the back of his mind he had passed him off as just part of the VR program. No way this kid was real.
"I think you're remembering pieces." Genesis finally stated. "Somehow fragments of your memory followed us."
"Start talking straight or I'm outta here." Reno said, hand twitching to go back to his nightstick.
Genesis sighed and Cloud took over.
"He's not going to believe us, Gen, Reno has always been a skeptic." Cloud said, crossing his arms. Reno was the last one to even believe Gaia had a consciousness. Or that Aerith was still alive in the Lifestream. He never did believe in Minerva, especially after the goddess had disappeared.
"Then what do we do? His visions are hurting him." Genesis said.
"I'm still here, you know." Reno snapped. "Now you're gonna tell me what you're go'n on about or not."
"You won't believe us." Cloud said smoothly.
"Try me, blonde." Reno shot back.
"Fine, me and Genesis are from almost 15 years in the future. When we died, we were last living people on the planet. You, being the third to last, died not 5 minutes before we did. Minerva appeared right after our death and threw us back in time. A part of you must of found its way back before the lifestream destroyed you." Cloud said cool and straight faced.
Reno's mouth was gaping.
"You look like a fish," Was all Cloud said before walking over and giving Genesis a quick kiss.
"Seriously?" Reno finally sputtered out before calming down and throwing himself on Genesis's couch. He didn't know what made him accept Cloud's words. The odd feeling that he should trust the man, coupled with the urge to prove him wrong about something. Yes, Reno was the type of person to believe Cloud just to spite him.
"So if the visions I've been seeing are true, how did the world get so fucked up?" Reno said, looking at Cloud.
Cloud schooled his startled expression and Genesis just looked at him with a smirk.
"There was a lot that lead up to it, we are here to make sure none of it happens." Genesis said, before Cloud could reply.
"Elena." Reno finally said, "The blonde chick that looks like Gun, her name was Elena."
Cloud looked to Reno briefly. "Yes, Rude, Tseng, Elena and Rufus were all like a small family after Meteor."
"The Prez's brat?" Reno said, trying to think of any personal interaction he'd had with the kid. He wasn't present in most of Reno's memories of the desolate future. And what he did know of the heir, he wasn't too fond of. Spoiled brat didn't even begin to describe it.
"You're gonna stop it though, right? So none of the shit is even gonna happen?" Reno asked.
"That's what we plan to do." Cloud acknowledged. He didn't mention that part of 'the shit' they planned to stop was the dropping of the Sector 7 plate.
"So what do you want me to do? You wouldn't have risked tell'n me if you didn't want something." Reno said, looking at them.
"I would have." Genesis said, "Just to try and help your mind. There is something you could do for us, if you're willing, however."
"Always something." Reno said, but he wasn't bitter, more playful. "Whatcha want, Birdie?"
Genesis shook his head. Reno had been calling him a bird ever since the day he had meet him in Edge. The fact he actually possessed a wing didn't help. It was nice to see a bit of his old self come out. "Cloud's story depends on a few key things. We'll have more time to work if a few key files are changed concerning him."
"Hacking," Reno said, stretching his fingers. "Easy enough for me. Whatcha want the kid's profile to say?"
"I need connections to the lab. When we were sent back, I retained my mako enhancements. Something to suggest I had been an experiment. Enough for Hollander and Hojo to keep their distance." Cloud said calmly.
Reno whistled. "Most people want shit like that erased. Should be easy enough and I can't see whatcha would get out if it."
"So you'll help us?" Genesis asked, still a bit suspicious. This wasn't their Reno after all.
"Of course, just, I don't know, treat me to a drink when this is all over." Reno said, leaping to his feet. "I could really use a beer."
"I'll get you a whole case of Junon's Special Reserve." Cloud said with a smile.
Reno just looked at him. "You know I'd ask how you knew about my favorite beer, but I'm just gonna chalk it up to the time travel thing."
"Anyway ,I better get back to Rude, later Birdie, Chocobo Brains." Reno said and was out the door.
"Well, that could have been worse." Cloud said, putting his hands on his hips.
"Finally" Cloud said, standing just outside the Shinra building in a third class uniform. He had ditched the helmet some time ago.
"I have a surprise." Genesis said with a smile.
"What?" Cloud said, raising an eyebrow.
"Clouuuuuuuuuuuud." Zack's voice rang out as he ran around the corner. Angeal right behind him, holding something rather large in a wrapped bundle.
"You have to let me hold it!" Zack exclaimed.
"Hold what?" Cloud was still confused, looking between the two.
"I believe this is for you." Angeal said, handing the cloth over.
As soon as the weight hit his arms, he looked up at Genesis. "Impossible." It had taken 6 months before.
"The process wasn't as long as you remember. A lot of technology changed." Genesis said, trying not to speak of the future in front of Zack.
Cloud quickly undid the rags and almost cried as he grabbed the hilt of First Tsurugi, "That's where my sketches went." He had been up for 3 nights in a row re-drawing the plans. He was pissed when the disappeared and he didn't have the time to start again.
"You designed that thing!" Zack said, staring at it, he had only got a glimpse before Angeal had wrapped it up.
Cloud looked over to Zack, still not used to the man's presence. "Yes." He nodded.
"You have to design me a sword!" Zack said, almost dancing.
Seeing Zack without the buster sword seemed odd. But at the same time, if things went well, he would never have a reason to wield it. "I would be honored." Cloud said quietly.
"Well, we have a transport to catch. Thank you Angeal, I wouldn't have gotten it in time otherwise." Genesis said with a smile.
"No problem...just be careful." Was all Angeal said before walking away with Zack. The puppy was still gushing over Cloud's awesome sword and how Cloud was going to design one for him.
"Thank you Genesis, I mean really." Cloud said softly. 2 weeks, that was all the time Genesis would have had to pull this off. He forgot how much they had lost when Meteor had fallen.
"I feel a lot better with that sword at your side, too." Genesis said with a smile as Cloud socketed his beloved sword with materia.
"How does this work though? I didn't think 3rds could carry their own weapons." Cloud certainly couldn't remember any that carried something other than the standard issue weapons.
"It's not so much of a rule as a deterrence. Shinra won't provide anything outside their standard issue equipment. You can have a specialized sword, you just have to pay for it and that includes all maintenance costs. Not something normal 3rd classes are able to do." Genesis explained as he made his way to the cargo truck that would take him and Cloud to Junon. They were acting as escorts on the way there. Luckily there were only crates of supplies with them in the back of the truck.
"I'll still have to have the harness remade, but I can deal with that later." Cloud said, hefting the sword over his shoulder before stepping up into the back of the cargo truck.
"So what are we going to do if Jenova isn't in Nibelheim?" Genesis asked, making himself comfortable.
"Then we'll go to Hojo and force him to tell us where she is." Cloud said, sitting next to Genesis.
Genesis just nodded, turning his thoughts to his own plan as a contingency if Cloud's failed. Cloud's instincts often served him well. When they failed however, Genesis's strategies were there to back him up. It was part of the reason they worked so well together.
"Reno did what he said he would." Cloud said, crossing his arms. He had checked his profile this morning. The phrasing the redheaded Turk had used was perfect. Everything was vague enough and lacked details, reminiscent of many of Shinra's cover ups. It would also keep Hollander and Hojo guessing. Possibly spending vital resources trying to figure out Cloud while staying miles away from him.
"Did you doubt he would?" Genesis said, looking down at his blonde lover.
"It's Reno. I never know what to expect from him." Cloud admitted.
Genesis just let out a small laugh. "I suppose you have a point."
"I always have a point. Thank you for Sephiroth, too, by the way. He hasn't come near me since my enhancements." Cloud said, leaning up against Genesis.
"He can be patient. Just keep your end of the bargain." Genesis said, relaxing a bit himself. It would be a long ride.
Cloud just sat silently. They were finally off to save the world, thinking about Sephiroth was the last thing he wanted to do right now.
Genesis just smirked a bit. Cloud was stubborn, but so was he and so was Sephiroth.
Finally done with this chapter, hope it was worth the wait. Reno's part has been brought in and what actually happened to him will be dealt with a little later on. Please Review- DHT