First up, I'm really really really sorry for the late update. This chapter has been finished for a while, but it got delayed when betaed because spocococ didn't have computer access for a while.
This was betaed by: spocococ -THANK YOU!
THANK YOUs to: Valth001, akatsuki-tenshi-kitsune, Miharu832, Princess Turk & UltimateNinjaOfDoom
Disclaimer/Warnings: see earlier updates, warnings will change later in the story..
[ THE START OF WHAT? ]
Reno grumbled as he made his way to his boss' (Tseng's) office. As predicted, he was suffering from a major hangover, and hadn't had the chance to sleep it off since he had work. The worst part was the fact he was just as Mako infused as Zack, but the SOLDIER wouldn't get drunk unless he really pushed a limit. Looking at the clock, he knew he was late, and as a result, Tseng would have his head. It was likely better to face the problem now, rather than later.
"Yo!" Reno greeted, not too cheerfully.
"You're late…" Was the only reply he got. Tseng didn't even look up from his papers.
"Yeah, yeah... I know."
Reno waved his hand dismissingly, heading towards his partner, Rude. He pat Rude's back and casually asked, "Yo, partner. So what kickass mission are we going on today?"
Rude only shook his head and made no move to inform further. It was then that Tseng decided to take pity on the redhead and reply, but it was seemingly only to make his life more miserable.
"That's right. You will be suspended from missions as a consequence for your latest actions."
Reno immediately looked at Tseng to complain, but he wasn't given a chance to do so. "This is the third time this week you have arrived late, and you're still not dressed according to the code," Tseng cut the redhead off, "You have been an official Turk for a month now, Reno, and if you're planning take on more missions other than flying the helicopters, you had better start taking this seriously."
Feeling dejected, Reno acknowledged the orders, but he couldn't help feeling irritated. As well as that, the need to defend himself was undoubtedly growing.
"But boss-"
"No 'but', Reno," Tseng interjected once again, "Your mission suspension will be temporary, given that you complete your punishment accordingly."
Reno's eyes lit up at the word 'temporary', but dimmed abruptly when the word 'punishment' reached his ears. A punishment from Tseng was like a one-way ticket to hell.
"You will be assisting Commander Hewley, to train the newcomers and find possible candidates that are fitted to join the Turks. I expect a perfect performance from you, Reno, don't disappoint me. You are to meet Commander Hewley at the gym in 30 minutes," Tseng paused, finally raising his gaze to meet Reno's impatiently, "That is all; you are dismissed."
Sighing heavily, Reno blew away a few strands of stray hair in annoyance, before leaving for the gym. What a perfect way to start the day, yo…
/
Zack tried to stand calm and composed beside Angeal. He really tried, but it wasn't so easy. Not when he was overjoyed to see Cloud again. Something about the boy made him so happy that he wanted to hug him tightly. That was why he was in the gym waiting for the new cadets to help training them on his day off. Angeal was delighted, thinking that Zack had matured enough to take his new position seriously. He was, however,suspicious at first, and seemingly with good reason. Angeal would never have approved if he'd known that Zack was only there for the little blond angel.
"There you are, Reno. Right on time!" Zack vaguely heard Angeal say, but he didn't quite register it until the redhead was standing before him and waving his hand in front of the SOLDIER's eyes.
"Gaia to puppy, anybody home?" Reno smirked, enjoying the reaction he got from the SOLDIER.
"Not a puppy, fox," Zack groaned, "So what did I miss?"
"If you're not a puppy, then I'm not a fox. Seriously, even puppies have longer attention spans than you. Anyway, I was asking why you're here on your day off."
"Well, I wanted to see if there's anyone interesting here…" He winked at Reno, and he could have sworn that a faint blush was developing on his friend's face, but it was gone before he could blink.
"So what are you doing here?" Zack asked, taking pity in his friend when he diverted his gaze, and also because Angeal was looking at them with amusement.
"Fucking Tseng, yo! I have to spend all my time helping the rookies train, and find 'potential' Turks!" Reno cursed bitterly, but couldn't continue his rant as Angeal started to lecture him.
"Don't curse, Reno! Tseng is only doing his job, and you should too if you don't want to prolong your punishment."
Angeal was standing facing Reno and held up a digit in full lecture mode, whilst Zack snuck up behind his mentor and made funny faces in the redhead's direction. Reno was trying his best to stay serious, as Angeal really was willing to prolong his punishment if he didn't do so, but Zack wasn't making the task any easier.
"And Zackary," Angeal turned around suddenly, scaring the heck out of the SOLDIER. Zack jumped and nearly fell down, much like he had when they surprised him at his apartment.
"Don't you start playing around too…" Angeal said firmly.
"Gaia, Angeal, you should have been a ninja instead of a SOLDIER… and don't call me that!" Zack whined, while Reno was trying hard to not fall on the floor laughing. The redhead was already snickering really hard behind his hands. Sighing, Angeal was about to fall into another lecture mode, but the footsteps nearing them announced the new cadets' presence, and he let the pair of them off the hook for now.
"Behave, you two! You don't want to make a fool of yourselves in front of our new comers, do you?" Angeal frowned. With that said, the duo was composed and stood on each side of their commander, before falling a step behind.
/
The cadets were gathered in the gym, standing in lines and saluting. There were three, however, that seemed to enjoy making trouble for others, including themselves.
"Attention!" Angeal roared, watching the trio, who was still causing trouble, straighten abruptly. As a result, a blond cadet standing beside them fell over from the abrupt movement. The blond cursed, before righting himself and standing back in the line.
"YES SIR!" The cadets cried in chorus, all immediately standing straight to salute. Angeal shook his head, disappointed. None of them were yet to show potential, everyone stood tensely, and yet they were all trying to keep cool. That was where they failed miserably.
"At ease. I'm Commander Hewley. Before we begin, there are some points you need to know. You guys are not here for a vacation. You are here to prove that you're good enough for SOLDIER. Now, can anyone tell me why they are here?" Angeal paused, looking around at the group before him.
Nobody moved or said anything, and from behind him, Angeal could hear Zack and Reno whispering and chuckling. He turned around briefly, giving them both a stern look, before he once again studied the cadets carefully. None of them looked up to meet his gaze as he walked back and forth between them, except for one.
"What's your name, cadet?" Angeal asked, as the said cadet looked up at him with a steady gaze. It was the blond kid. He seemed to be the only one among the thirty cadets that had the sandy yellow shade of hair. He continued to look up at Angeal, before gazing away, flushing slightly. Then the cadet instinctively snapped to attention, and spoke clearly.
"Yes Sir! Strife. My name is Cloud Strife, Sir."
"At ease, Cadet Strife. Now, can you answer my question?" Angeal kept his voice stern and serious, but his eyes shone with gentleness before he hid it behind a well-used mask. The boy was giving off a weird aura. His nature seemed to be shy and timid, but he had an instinct that he followed without fail. Aside from his nature, whether it was shy or confident, his instinct has highly worthwhile to have in SOLDIER. Being in SOLDIER, you needed to be able to grasp every situation, and act accordingly. However, his small frame would be a weakness. Angeal knew, however, that every weakness could be turned into strength.
"Yes Sir! I want to become a hero, Sir!" The blond said sincerely, making the other cadets laugh. They immediately shut up though, when Angeal turned to them critically, raising his eyebrows.
"And how are you going to become a hero?" Angeal asked the blond directly, ignoring the small interruption that had occurred.
"I plan to do my best, Commander Hewley," the blond nodded. Angeal gave a small nod of approval. At least the boy was honest and had the determination to succeed.
"Tsk, I don't think your best is good enough, Goldie…" A cadet whispered to his peers, and they all snickered quietly. If Angeal had been a normal person, he might not have heard what was said, but with the Mako treatment's that SOLDIERs received, his senses were enhanced.
"What about you, cadet? Do you have a name?" Angeal asked coldly, appearing behind the boy who'd spoken out, and the cadet jumped, looking around furiously as the others laughed at him. Even Cloud cracked a smile.
"Yes, Sir! Shaun Wyard, Sir!" Shaun saluted, watching Angeal as the commander turned away. When Angeal had moved away, Shaun turned to Cloud and gave the blond a glare. Oh, he was so going to turn his life into hell.
"Well, that's enough, Cadet Wyard. Now, we'll divide you all into groups and will begin testing you," Angeal explained clearly, held up a hand stopping any interruption, "I know you have been tested to join SOLDIER and become cadets, but we also need to see what level you're on and if you are in fact fit to be in SOLDIER. Divide into groups of 5."
It was at that stage that Zack and Reno came forward, grinning widely, and showing that they were indeed ready for some action.
"This is First Class Zachary Fair, and Reno of the Turks. They are going to assist you, and are to be followed as your superiors. Is that understood?" Angeal barked.
"YES SIR!" The cadets called out, as the grouping process began.
/
Cloud sighed heavily, eying off the other cadets he was being grouped with. It was just his luck, that Burk and his buddies were in the same group as him, and the last cadet that was in the group just ignored them.
"So Goldie, you think someone like you could impress the Commander and the Lieutenant?" Burk started taunting him, and his followers joined him.
"Yeah, Small and Tiny won't be any fun for them anyway!" Shaun added happily, as he high fived Nathan.
"Did ya know, Strifey? That is Lieutenant Fair; he is the youngest to become Lieutenant in history. He wouldn't care about a little thing like you. Wait, you don't even deserve to be a thing. Even Commander Hewley has a unique history and is one of the three top SOLDIER in Shinra," Burk informed, as if he was the ones achieving the glories.
"That's not something you should gloat over…" Cloud muttered under his breath, trying hard not to give the bullies more pleasure by reacting to their mocking.
"So how is it going here, fellows?" Sergeant Fair smiled, as he came walking towards them. His hands were tucked into his pockets, and he had a broad sword resting against his back. The five of them immediately straightened and saluted. One of the bullies didn't quite hold back, however, and gave Cloud a sneaky push, making him falling forward. "Woah, easy there Spiky..." A voice said. Instead of finding himself falling, Cloud was caught by Sergeant Fair. Their eyes met again, and when Cloud recognized him, he found himself flushing. And… did he just call him 'Spiky'?
"S-Spiky?" Cloud stammered, and the sergeant grinned widely.
"Well, you hair is full of spikes. It kinds of remind me of a chocobo's."
The teasing ended quickly though, much to the First Class SOLDIER's dismay, and Cloud didn't know if he should be happy or sad.
"Sir, what are we suppose to do?" Burk boldly walked forward and asked the Sergeant. Why did the sergeant catch that Strife kid anyway? He wasn't worthy enough to be touched by him, or even talked to or watched by Fair, in Burk's opinion.
Cloud wasn't sure if he was hallucinating, but it looked like the seemingly brave Burk shrank back a little when Sergeant Fair gave him a cold look.
"Of course, Cadet Wyard. I want you guys to go into pairs and then start wrestling. And since you are five, I'll pair off with Spiky here," Zack said, whilst taking a hold of Cloud and dragged him a couple of feet away.
/
"So your name was Cloud, right?" Zack smiled, grabbing Cloud's shoulders and making the blond's eyes widen like saucers.
"Y-Yes, Sir…" He stammered out weakly, "Eh... what are we suppose to do?"
Cloud just stood there dumbfounded; he really had no idea of what was expected from him.
"What did I say first time we met, Cloud?" Zack asked, but upon receiving no answer, he continued.
"No calling me, Sir," Zack chided, "No thank you, I'm not old."
Zack seemed like a nice guy, but maybe a little too nice; because Cloud found that he was still wary of the SOLDIER. It didn't stop him from smiling in front of him though, as the said First Class continued his whining. He just looked like a hyperactive kid, Cloud mused.
"Right, eh, Zack… Is it really okay for me to call you that? And what are we doing?"
"Well of course," Zack waved off his concerns, but returned to his position and grinned, "And we are going to wrestle."
With that said, Zack pinned Cloud to the ground effortlessly, and the blond found himself staring up at Zack's victorious grin. Glaring at him, Cloud immediately tried to flip him over, and somehow managed to succeed at catching Zack off guard.
"Okay, you got me, but this isn't over yet!" Zack exclaimed with a grin, and the wrestling continued.
Their wrestling match ended shortly afterwards, however, and they turned to sparring. During the whole time the two were fighting, Zack had been joking and trying to make Cloud smile each time he opened his mouth. So far, the sergeant had succeeded. Any doubts Cloud had previously had about Zack were slowly fading, and he found himself drawing comfort from the man. For the first time since leaving Nibelheim, Cloud felt at ease. He never had a friend before, and was starting to think that this might be what he had been missing all this time. The words spilling from Zack's mouth afterwards only assured him that it wasn't just his imagination.
"So have you been making any new friends here?" Zack asked, smiling, though his smile faltered when a frown crept across Cloud's face.
"I guess not, huh? Don't worry about; I'm sure you'll get to know lots of people soon," Zack beamed, "And since you haven't made any new friends yet, I'll get the honor of being your first friend here."
Seeing the big grin on Zack's face, Cloud couldn't help but give a grin himself.
"I guess..." Cloud shrugged awkwardly. He kind of wondered what Zack would think if he knew that he was his first friend ever.
"Well then, as your friend, I'll show you around and introduce you to the best places Midgar has to offer! It'll be really fun, Chocobo-head!" the sergeant exclaimed happily.
"Chocobo-head? Hey, as my friend you can at least call me by my name," Cloud muttered before he looked away timidly. It was kind of hard to talk to Zack so casually when he was still his superior.
"Awww, but it is a cute nickname, isn't it?" Zack asked. Another glare from Cloud gave Zack the answer. It was cute the way the kid went from being timid to glaring at him the moment after.
"Well then, I still have Spiky, Spike, Chocobo, Blondie, Cloudy-" His rambling stopped when Cloud hit his arm, making Zack break out into laughter.
"Okay Cloud, I'll still show you around after this," Zack announced, casually draping an arm around Cloud's shoulders.
NEXT: JEALOUSY
I'm sorry that the updates are so far apart. I'm not a fast writer, and I tend to get writer's block all the time. So sorry for the wait and thank you all for reading despite the lack of updates! In the next chapter Cloud will meet Seph :D