AN: So, chapter six and it all begins to start going a bit wrong. I have taken liberties with how Sephiroth slowly loses his mind because it's really not clear as to when he starts going a bit crazy, was he on his way before talking to Genesis at Nibelheim or was he fine up until that moment (I doubt it but it's possible)? Also, I am never sure whether Sephiroth is aware that Hojo is his daddy, I assume he was only a 'guardian' to Sephiroth and he never knew his parents until later because it seems totally out of character for Hojo to admit that he sired Sephiroth. He doesn't care, he only wants him for his own purposes so why would he admit that? Anyway, enjoy the latest instalment and thank you to my single reviewer! I hope I get more soon.

Chapter Six: Training

Cloud's eyes slowly opened, everything seemed to be made from bright white light, he sighed heavily and turned his head from left to right, his vision was clearing but far too slowly. His body felt heavy, his mind sluggish and words were virtually impossible. All he could make were the odd incoherent sounds, he attempted to move a limb but his arms refused to do his bidding...no, that wasn't quite right, there was leather surrounding his wrists. The thought lit the embers of slow burning panic in his mind, his hands clenched into fists and he lifted his head as best he could, staring down the length of his body. He was hooked up to machines, he could see a bag of strange liquid attached to a pole at the bedside as well as a table with wheels containing a large array of pointy needles and scalpels. The panic turned into terror. Cloud tugged at the restraints, his head falling back onto the table with a thud, he fought as hard as he could but then he heard voices drawing closer. His eyes darted around the room and he continued to fight, he licked his lips and saw the door handle rattle as it was opened and two people in white coats walked in. They looked at him and their eyes widened but before they could so much as move Cloud snapped the bonds holding him prisoner, he leapt up and tore the IV line from his hand, not even wincing despite the agony. He stumbled towards the two white coated men who backed away, moving out of the door and trying to close it again. "NO!" Cloud screamed, trying to stop them from shutting him in again.

"H-he's awake...Call Hojo!" The other fled as the one who stayed behind tried to close the door and lock it.

"No...please, let me go!" Cloud whispered in a hoarse voice, his vision turned grey and he had to hold onto the door frame to hold himself steady. He felt sicker than he had ever done in his life and everything he looked at had a weird greenish tint to it, as if he were gazing through a filter. The terrified scientist tugged at the door until it was almost closed but before he had time Cloud stuck his foot in the door and forced it open, he was briefly surprised at how easy that was before he stumbled into the hall. He blinked around and realised there were now a large group of people standing around, along with three of his own fellow infantrymen. Cloud shook his head and put his hands to his hair. "Please, let me go!" He moaned but a loud, bone chilling cackle made him freeze.

"Take him back to his room, he has not recovered yet." Hojo ordered the men in blue, Cloud watched as they drew closer warily, he turned around with wide eyes like a hunted animal.

"No. No please! I don't...I don't want to go back there! Please!"

"Take him." Hojo ordered, more firmly this time.

Cloud was grabbed by the three soldiers and pulled backwards, he fought. He struggled and kicked and screamed as if he were losing his mind, and, he wondered if he really was. He heard a soft whisper, the voice oddly familiar yet he couldn't place it. "Cloud, come on, you're recovering still...just go back in and you'll get better." Cloud kicked the man in the shin, hearing his grunt and sliding from his slackened grip, he tried to run down the hall but heard the familiar sound of gun fire, agony ripped through his arm and he felt his vision darken. Slowly he fell forwards and hit the ground, conciousness slowly fled but not before he saw a pair of heavy black boots and the hem of a familiar leather coat.

Sephiroth stared down at Cloud, he saw the end of a dart sticking out of his arm, they had obviously had to tranquillise him. He lifted his eyes and met Hojo's who was smirking and watching to see what he would do, slowly Sephiroth bent and lifted Cloud's limp body into the air. "He needs rest." He said softly, gazing around at the gathered scientists and infantrymen, daring them silently to disagree. "I will take him to the Medical ward." He turned but stopped when Hojo spoke.

"You will do no such thing, Sephiroth." Sephiroth looked back over his shoulder, he shifted Cloud's weight so that he was holding him with only one arm and with his free one he lifted it and his sword materialised from black smoke, causing mutters and gasps. He turned and lifted his sword so that the point touched Hojo just under the chin, Hojo stared back at him impassively.

"And who is going to stop me?" Sephiroth hissed, he had always hated the man, despite the fact that he had raised him. Hojo had controlled his life, right down to who he socialised with and Sephiroth had had enough. The infantrymen stood around, unsure what to do until one of them moved subtly to Sephiroth's side of the hall, the others followed with only a little hesitation. "I am the General, I control this army. If I order it they will kill you."

Hojo stared Sephiroth in the eye for a long time, anger etched into every line of his face. "Sephiroth, put the boy back in his room." He said quietly, he ignored his fellow scientists backing away from the scene and concentrated his full attention on Sephiroth.

"No." Sephiroth said and felt a small thrill at the firmness of his voice. "Too long have I blindly followed your orders, I will do it no longer! I should have stopped Angeal from going to your aid when Genesis wanted to kill you!"

Hojo smirked. "You could no more kill me than you could kill a member of your family."

"I have no family!" Sephiroth hissed but at the look on Hojo's face his voice faltered.

"Oh? I do not think that is true, do you?"

"What...what do you mean?" Sephiroth breathed, eyes wide as fear and hope warred within him.

"Your mother is Jenova."

"My...mother...?"

"Your father is..." Hojo laughed, that horrible chilling sound that sent ice into Sephiroth's gut. "I could tell you if you put the boy back in his room and come with me." He saw Sephiroth's uncertainty, even if no one else did, he had raised the boy and knew his every expression and every mood. "Come, Sephiroth, stop this juvenile rebellion and come with me."

Sephiroth moved Cloud into a more comfortable position and lifted his sword again, his eyes seemed to glow in fury. "Tell me who my father is!" He demanded in a hissing whisper that made everyone in the vicinity back away, one person ran off to get help in case Sephiroth lost it.

"Ah-ah-ah." Hojo smirked, laughing once again. "Your fury is impotent, boy. I do not cave to base demands."

"Fine. Then I shall find out myself!" Sephiroth turned on his heel, his sword fading away as he carried Cloud down the hall, away from the hell hole of the Science department. Still, his mind was awash with this new information about his past, he wondered who Jenova was, what she looked like and if she had ever loved him once upon a time. Despite his persistent efforts to push all these thoughts from his mind they refused to leave him. It had been so much easier when he had thought his real family had abandoned him utterly, this new information scared him.

XXX

Cloud awoke slowly, his memories blurry and indecipherable. He sat up and rubbed his head which was pounding, his mouth was dry and his tongue thick and heavy. He looked around and saw that he was in a soft bed with plain white sheets, beside him was a side table with a jug full of fresh water and a nearby glass. He reached out and poured himself some water with shaking hands, slowly he brought it to his lips. That was when he noticed Sephiroth watching him, his silver hair pushed over one shoulder and his glowing green eyes intent. "How are you feeling?" He asked quietly.

"A bit sick...sir." Cloud replied, looking away.

"That is to be expected." Sephiroth paused, his gaze unwavering and Cloud felt it like a cold blade at his throat. "What do you remember?"

"I...I fell into a Mako pool."

"Is that all?" When Cloud nodded Sephiroth cocked his head to one side. "Then I will tell you you have been out for a week."

"What?!"

"You got a full dose of Mako and were suffering Mako addiction, the doctors managed to stop any of the more terrible side effects." Sephiroth lied smoothly, he wasn't exactly sure why he was keeping the truth from Cloud but something held his tongue.

"I...I see." Cloud sighed and took another long drink of the water, it felt good on his sore throat. Sephiroth's eyes were on his throat as he swallowed, he seemed fascinated. "Um...sir?"

"Yes?" Sephiroth blinked and moved his eyes to Cloud's face. "Have you seen Zack?"

Sephiroth's fingers curled on the arms of the chair he was sat in and a dark look crossed his face, Cloud felt a bubble of fear rise into his chest. "He is busy."

"Oh."

"I can retrieve him if you wish?" Sephiroth asked somewhat reluctantly.

"No, no it's fine. So long as he's ok." Abruptly Sephiroth stood, he loomed over Cloud who had to tip his head back to look up at him. A long fingered hand reached out and tipped his chin, Sephiroth leaned closer so that Cloud felt his breath on his face. The scent of vanilla filled the air, it was oddly intoxicating.

"Who are you?" Sephiroth breathed.

"Me, sir? I-I'm...I'm just a country boy...I'm no one." Cloud answered in confusion. Silver hair slid over Sephiroth's shoulder and fell to obscure their faces, Cloud felt it brush his cheek and shuddered. Excitement and fear trickled down his spine as Sephiroth's eyes captured him and held him still, he felt as if he had been bound in chains of steel as Sephiroth's lips drew closer to his own. "You are not 'no one'...there is something about you...you are not all you appear to be." Slowly, as if the movement was costing him, Sephiroth drew away and released Cloud who took a breath as a wave of dizziness washed over him. "Meet me in the Holo-training rooms when you recover." He straightened and turned away, leaving in a creak of leather.

XXX

When Cloud had been given the all clear he spent a day back at his barracks to read and relax while he debated about going to meet Sephiroth. His dorm mate, Johnny, was oddly quiet around him, continuously giving him odd looks. Finally Cloud snapped his book shut and turned to his friend. "What's wrong?" He asked firmly and saw Johnny avert his eyes.

"I just...well, you look better."

"Of course I do, I just got out of the Medical wing after a week." Johnny gave him another funny look, opened his mouth as if to speak and then changed his mind.

"Yeah, that's true. Hey, um...are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine." Cloud insisted and returned to his book, ignoring Johnny's constant glances. After another minute or so of this Cloud lowered his book and raised an eyebrow, finally Johnny sighed heavily and dug around in his pocket. He held out a key card for Cloud with an odd look on his face, Cloud took it and looked at it. "What's this?"

"It's the Key Card for the SOLDIER Holo-rooms." Johnny said, his face falling into a look of concern. "Sephiroth gave it to me to give to you."

Cloud didn't look up, he stared at the card in fascination, he could have sworn that he could smell the lingering scent of vanilla on it too. "Why?"

"I thought you'd answer that question." Johnny replied. "Look, the guys are talking...I overheard them in the showers the other day. They're suspicious about how you're getting so much attention from the SOLDIER's...I mean...no one else in our Unit has been. They're speculating that you're using your looks to get promoted."

Cloud did look up then and snorted. "My looks? What looks?"

"You really have no idea do you? Half the men in the barracks have wanted to fuck you since you first arrived here! They're jealous because you're pretty and you're getting so much attention from the top levels. Seriously, Cloud, i'd watch your back."

"What? Don't be ridiculous. They hate me."

Johnny shook his head. "A bunch of men all shut up in one place together with restricted access to female companionship leaves them feeling pretty frustrated and then there's you with your blond hair and big blue eyes, they're jealous and angry that you're ignoring all their advances." Cloud had little to say to that, it was new information to him, if his Unit mates thought that their brand of bullying was flirting they were highly mistaken and there was no one he worked with who held any interest for him anyway. Only Zack and Sephiroth had ever given him those shock-wave feelings that stirred up hitherto undiscovered desires inside of him. "That's stupid."

Johnny shrugged. "I never said that the feelings of a bunch of muscle heads were exactly logical." Cloud snorted and put the card into his pocket, Johnny watched him warily. "You're not...are you?"

"Not what?"

"Fucking the general?"

"No! Who the hell do you take me for?" Cloud exclaimed angrily. Johnny said nothing, he turned away and went to the desk to write a letter back to his parents, Cloud stared angrily at his back for a moment before returning to his book, but suddenly it no longer held his attention.

XXX

He stood outside the door to the Holo-room, the key card felt unusually heavy in his hand and he swallowed the tight lump in his throat before lifting it and running it down the slot. There was a beep and a swish as the door opened, Cloud stepped inside and gazed around himself in awe. He was standing upon the Junon Canon, the view across the sea was mesmerising, he was astounded by how real it all looked. Then he spotted Sephiroth, he was stood at the end of the canon, his sword dangling loosely in one hand as he gazed out to sea, his back to Cloud. "Come in, Cloud." Sephiroth said softly, still not turning around. Cloud did as he was told and the door shut behind him, he glanced back, feeling suddenly nervous at being trapped in a room with the most powerful man in ShinRa.

"Sir, why did you ask to meet me here?" Cloud asked, trying to be polite but failing to hide the curiosity in his voice. Sephiroth turned his head and smiled, the look chilled Cloud's heart and he froze on the spot.

"Pick up that sword Cadet." He ordered and pointed with the tip of his sword at the weapon leaning against the wall. Cloud reached out and wrapped his fingers around it, it was a standard issue second class sword, most first classes usually got to design their own weapons. The balance was perfect, the edge a little blunt but it was usable, Cloud looked back to Sephiroth in confusion. "Sir? What's this about?"

"You have been training with Zack Fair, am I correct?"

"Y-yes sir...a-a little..."

Sephiroth finally turned to face him, smiling a little as he raised Masamune. "Then show me what you know." He said and Cloud's eyes widened.

"Wha-!" Sephiroth's attack was so fast Cloud could only lift his weapon in defence, he was blasted straight into a wall of solid metal, pain erupted in his back and he fell to the floor with a gasp. Sephiroth gazed down upon him with a small frown. "Stand, Cadet." Cloud looked up, breathing heavily after only one attack, he looked into Sephiroth's face before his fingers curled around the sword and he struggled to his feet. "Excellent." Sephiroth's smirk returned and he moved so fast Cloud could barely even see him, he only just managed to dodge, rolling away as the point of the blade sliced straight through the metal by his head. He struggled valiantly to his feet again and held the sword in a ready stance, watching Sephiroth through narrowed eyes. "Your files said that you wished to enter SOLDIER and this is all you are capable of?" He snorted derisively. "Pathetic."

Cloud's eyes widened in horror as Sephiroth once again went to attack him, he brought the sword up just in time to parry a blow so heavy it drove his feet deep into the metal beneath them. He struggled to push the heavy blade away but somehow managed it and stepped back, Sephiroth gazed at him, eyes glowing in the dying holographic sunlight. "You are weak." He whispered, aiming his sword and gripping it with two hands. Cloud swallowed hard and he had time to widen his eyes as once again he was thrown brutally into the floor, he gasped as a heavy boot kicked him in the chest as he rose to his knees, he rolled over and climbed unsteadily to his feet.

XXX

"Zack! Zack!"

Zack turned and lifted an eyebrow as Kunsel ran up to him puffing and panting, "What is it?"

"You're friends with a cadet, yeah?"

"Yeah, and?"

"Come with me." Kunsel grabbed hold of Zack's wrist and dragged him to the elevator, he was dragged inside and he punched the button to get to the SOLDIER floor. "Kunsel, what the hell's going on?" Zack asked, surprised by his friends obvious distress.

"That kid is currently in the middle of a battle with Sephiroth!" Kunself gasped.

Zack froze, eyes wide. "What?!"

"It's being broadcast on the ShinRa Network, everyone's watching. The kid's losing...badly."

"Shit!" Zack swore and stared at the numbers on the elevator as they slowly moved upwards, he felt panic restrict his chest at the thought of Sephiroth murdering Cloud. "But...why? Why is he doing it? He's never shown an interest in Cloud before now!"

"No one knows." Kunsel said. Zack thought about Sephiroth's mental state, he had been on the edge since Genesis went MIA and, although he had appeared normal on the outside Zack had noticed that he was spending more and more time alone shut away in his office. It spelled bad news, he knew something was going on and that the general was suffering badly with the demise of one of his best friends and the rejection of the other. But that did not explain why he was currently fighting a Cadet who he could easily kill. The lift doors opened and Zack ran into the SOLDIER lounge where several people were gathered around the TV. It depicted Junon canon and two people fighting, Zack moved forward and pushed his way to the front as his eyes landed on the screen. "No...Cloud..." Zack turned and made his way towards the Holo rooms, Kunsel followed him.

"They're locked from outside intrusion, Sephiroth's used his master code to prevent any one from interfering."

"Then i'll kick the damned door down!" Zack growled, breaking into a run.

XXX

Cloud's muscles protested angrily as he once again lifted the sword, he could feel sweat break out across his skin as he panted and tried to guess Sephiroth's next move. The General was smiling, but it was utterly humourless. Cloud shook sweaty hair from his eyes as Sephiroth moved again, this time he grabbed Cloud by the front of his uniform and lifted him into the air, the sword dropped from his numb fingers and Cloud grabbed Sephiroth's wrist. "S-sir..." Cloud panted, staring in wide eyed horror at the death in the man's eyes.

"You are a disappointment." Sephiroth said softly, holding Cloud out over the great expanse of sea. "I was expecting more. If you intend on joining SOLDIER you must improve, your guard is weak, your foot work needs an extensive overhaul and you have to learn to read your opponent more efficiently."

"S-Sephiroth..." Cloud gasped as fingers closed around his throat, he winced and bared his teeth, struggling violently but to no avail. "Please..." He gasped, his feet hanging uselessly as darkness encroached on his vision and Sephiroth's impossibly strong fingers closed around his throat like a vice.

"Hm." Sephiroth released Cloud who fell into a heap on the oddly solid floor, Junon flickered around them before turning back into walls. The room was deceptively small as Sephiroth turned his back and began walking purposefully towards the door, he reached out to unlock it but just as he did so the door burst inward. Zack stood there panting, eyes searching the room and finding Sephiroth staring at him in mild surprise. "Zack? What are you do-" He fell abruptly silent and spun around, Cloud's coughing had ceased. His eyes widened in surprise as Cloud slowly stood, the sword dangling from one hand, his head hanging low and his whole body encased in raging blue fire. "What on-" He had no time to finish the sentence as Cloud rushed him with a cry, his eyes narrowed in anger and both hands on the hilt of the sword. Zack gasped and stepped out of the way, his hands reaching for the buster sword on his back while Sephiroth stared in surprise and barely got Masamune up in time to deflect the surprisingly powerful blow. "Cloud?" He muttered but the boy wasn't listening, he rained several impossibly fast blows on Sephiroth's sword and pushed him back into a corner. Zack gaped uselessly from beside the ruined door. "Cadet Strife, cease and desist!" Sephiroth snapped, stepping back once again and sliding gracefully aside to avoid yet another blow aimed for his chest. Then he heard a voice in the very back of his mind, amidst the laughter it told him what he needed to say...

"WAKE UP!" Sephiroth snapped and Cloud froze, his face went blank and the sword fell from limp fingers to clatter to the ground at his feet. Sephiroth blinked and lowered his own sword, he stared at Cloud's vacant expression and noticed his eyes, a perfect imitation of his own. "Impossible." He breathed, only a little out of breath from the attack, he moved forward and lifted Cloud's face to his with one hand gripping his chin. "No...This cannot be..." He released the boy and stepped back again, possibilities of why this was so ran through his head at lightning speed until he thought it would explode.

"What...what the hell did you do?" Zack whispered, still standing by the door and watching with wide eyes.

"I...I do not know." Sephiroth breathed and moved away from the blank faced cadet, he had too much to consider. The ramifications were staggering and he knew that he could not face a conversation with Angeal's puppy. He turned and strode away, forcing Zack aside roughly as he escaped the holo room.

"Sephiroth...Sephiroth, wait! HEY!" Zack called after him but the man didn't even acknowledge his presence. "Shit!" He swore and turned to Cloud, he walked over to him and watched as Cloud unfroze and shook his head, lifting a hand to it as if he was developing a headache. "Cloud? Hey, Cloud, you all right?"

"Uhn...Y-yeah...I think so...Zack, what happened?" Cloud turned bright blue eyes to Zack with a terrified expression."I think I just blacked out...I don't...I don't remember anything after Sephiroth dropped me."

"You...er...you kinda lost it and attacked Sephiroth, had him cornered and everything." Zack replied, looking a little impressed.

"What?! Stop messing with me, I don't have that kind of strength, he was kicking my ass."

Zack shook his head and smiled a little as he ruffled Cloud's hair. "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself, you're a hell of a lot stronger than you think."

"Yeah, right." Cloud snorted, pushing Zack's hand away but a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Why did Sephiroth call you out here any way?"

"At first I had no idea but he said some stuff after he'd beaten me about my skills...I think...I think he was testing my abilities."

"Huh...everyone thought he was going to kill you."

"So did I." Cloud breathed, gazing at the sword in his hand as if he had only just noticed it, he wasn't sure when he had picked it up. "Did I...did I really...?"

"Yeah, you did. Come on, let's get you in the shower, you can use my apartment seeing as everyone's going to want to question you on what happened." Cloud numbly allowed himself to be guided out of the room, his eyes still wide and slightly unfocussed as he wondered just what had happened to make him attack his own general.