AN: Thanks soooo much for all the reviews everyone! Please keep it up!

Zack practically ran out of the elevator and onto the 80th floor. He made his way to the General's apartment and paused at the door. Sephiroth had been acting odd lately even for him. Just now he had come from Sephiroth's office, which had been empty. That alone was reason for concern. Seph never left his office before nine in the evening.

In fact the only time he ever did leave the office was to spare and that was only when he had Zack, Angeal or Genesis or all three. Seph never bothered with simulations, they didn't even work up a sweat for the General.

One of the SOLIDERS on the lower floor had said he had seen the General in the hall on the 80th floor. Now here Zack was. Not even bothering to knock he slid his key card into the slot and the door slid open.

Seph had given Zack a key not out of friendship, but because Zack was one of the few people who could handle him when he had his shots. Zack though took every opportunity to make use of the privilege, no matter what pretence it was given under.

The room was completely dark as he stepped inside but with his enhanced vision he could still see everything in the room. The General's quarters was huge! Just the living space alone was the size of Zack's whole apartment, which was saying a lot. You didn't get to be the General's second without having an impressive bachelor pad.

A dark tall figure suddenly rose from one of the leather chairs, the long silver hair seemed to almost shine in the darkness. Zack just glimpsed the intense green glow in the eyes before Sephiroth turned to look out the window, his back to Zack.

Zack strolled further into the room and collapsed onto the long couch. He loved this couch! It was one of the few pieces of furniture besides his bed where he could actually stretch out. Sephiroth after all was even taller than Zack, so all his furniture was made to fit his tall frame. Not that Seph even cared; his rooms were all designed and decorated for him. He after all was hardly ever in them.

Zack stretched out a leg over the back of the couch and yawed, preparing to dig in for the long haul. He knew it was no point in pushing Seph. He would talk only when he wanted to and not a moment before. Thankfully that gave him plenty of airspace, Seph never talked overly much anyway.

"Hey Seph, decided to take an early night off? Guess I'm rubbing off on you."

"Your class? It is going well?"

Zack was surprised. He hadn't expected Seph to talk for a least another hour. He answered normally though not letting his surprise show.

"Same old, same old. Kids all full of hero worship, thinking I'm god's gift or something. Decided I'd share my charming attitude before coming down on them hard in training."

"Anyone with potential?"

Zack was again surprised at the General's show of interest.

"No one that jumps out right now, but it's still early; give me a couple weeks to get to know them more on a personal level. Rush though is something, I've never seen such determination in a kid before. He struggles though with the most basic moves, poor kid."

"What about Strife? Notice anything about him?'

Why the sudden interest? Seph had never taken an interest in a cadet before. Why the change? Of course the kid had slugged him in the jaw, which was reason alone for Seph to notice the cadet, but Zack had thought the attention had been all disciplinary, not personal. Obviously he was wrong.

Zack answered carefully. Cloud was still a mystery to him, and didn't quite want to reveal a lot about him until he was sure about what was going on. Though Seph was his friend and commander, there was something in the glow of his eyes that suddenly made Zack wary, and for some reason he felt the need to protect the small cadet.

"He's quite, doesn't do anything to attract attention. Takes a lot of hits in class, completely normal for someone of his size."

Sephiroth's eyes narrowed and he strode forward and looking down at the SOLIDER, darkly.

"You are hiding something Zackary! What is it?"

Zack sat up, "What is going on with Seph? You're not acting normal? Is it the kid?"

Sephiroth straightened and turned away again, "It is nothing, but you will not lie to me Zack. I will not allow it. Now what do you notice about him?"

Zack sighed giving in, "He is trying too hard. No one is that clumsy on their feet and knows how to stand in every way, but the right way. I can see him slip up once he starts fighting, it is hard to fight wrong when your body knows how to do it right. "

"You think he is hiding something?"

"Things don't add up around him."

"I've noticed that as well."

"What are you going to do?" Zack asked worriedly.

"For right now nothing, but keep a close eye on him. Slowly the pieces will come together."

Zack nodded relieved, part of him had been scared the General would storm out and use the Masamune to get the answers they sought from the boy. Seph wasn't always the most patient guy. Time for a distraction.

"Hey Seph, now that you aren't doing anything. Let's do something!"

Sephiroth's eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Do what? I don't have time for your idiocy Zack; I'm heading back to the office."

Sephiroth started to walk to the door, but was stopped when his second threw his arms around him from behind, winning pitifully.

"Oh, come on Seph! Let's go out, find a nice bar. Drink enough alcohol to make ten men drunk and wish SOLIDERS could actually get drunk. I'll even let you beat up any guys that hit on you, okay?"

Sephiroth ground his teeth together. Zack was the only one who could touch him in such a manner. Not even Angeal and Genesis were that gusty.

"Zackary, get your hands off me!"

Zack only tighten his arms around the General and rubbed his cheek against his back,

"PLEEESE!!"

"ZACKERY..."

"Well, well if it isn't two lovebirds. Don't they look sweet together Angeal?"

A familiar voice hummed from the doorway. Sephiroth froze and Zack suddenly release him with a loud shout.

"ANGEAL!"

The ravine haired man just had time to brace himself before he was pounced upon by what Genesis had amusingly named the Zack attack.

When Angeal finally managed to detangle himself from Zack's embrace, he fondly patted the head of wild hair. "Hey, pup."

They then all three turned to look at Sephiroth who had not moved from his place, simply watched the exchange, emotionlessly.

"Hello Sephiroth." Angeal greeted quietly.

Sephiroth nodded in response. Emotions not being one of Sephiroth's strong suits and though his response seemed cold, they could all see the way his body relaxed which was rare for Sephiroth.

"How are things at the front?"

"Always straight to business, huh Sephiroth? All right then..." Genesis moved farther into the room to stand in front of the General. "Currently there's a lull in actual fighting, we're attempting to negotiate a peace-treaty. So there's no need for SOLDIERs to be in the field, … if, pardon me, when the negotiations fail, then that will change, of course."

Angeal sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. It was a habit they all did now, but it had originated from him. Genesis's tone was dutiful and respectful, but the information was nothing that the General didn't already know and was not what he wanted. Genesis's personality as such that always liked to irk a reaction whenever he could and from Sephiroth that was rare, therefore it required twice the effort. It was strange sometimes they were as close as they were.

Angeal closed the door that had been left open upon their arrival, then moved to stand next to the Genesis.

"We lost three squadrons in the last week of fighting."

Sephiroth nodded thinking and doing the math, "That means the top three training squadrons will be sent to replace them as soon as they are ready."

Genesis sighed, obviously annoyed at Angeal for ruining his fun.

"How are the new recruits this year anyway?" Angeal asked and Sephiroth caught a slight something in Angeal's tone.

"Same old, same old." Came Zack's response.

"Really," Genesis inquired, collapsing gracefully onto the couch. His red clothes a dark contrast against the dark fabric, "there is no one say... interesting this year?"

Both Sephiroth and Zack starred at him, neither responding.

"Because," Genesis continued despite Angeal's glare, "we saw something quite interesting today. Two of the new recruits, practicing alone in one of the simulation rooms."

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow and looked at Zack, who shrugged obviously just as surprised as he was. It was forbidden to practice alone without an instructor or officer, for safety reasons along with other things. Whoever it was would be in deep trouble if caught, which they obviously were.

"It was quite interesting to watch, I must say. One was training the other and he was obviously quite talented. Therefore you can imagine our surprise when you say there are no interesting recruits this year."

There was a pause in the room as Angeal looked hard at Zack, who glanced over at Sephiroth.

"This boy, what did he look like?" Sephiroth's voice was soft, but intense.

Genesis smirked, "Like he had a Chocobo on his head."

"Cloud." Zack muttered quickly.

Angeal nodded, "That is what the other called. What is going on, you two?"

"Ask Sephiroth," Zack shrugged, "He's the one that's all weird about it. The kid is different in class. Yes he holds back, but why all the fuss?"

Angeal raised an eyebrow. His pup sounded defensive of the cadet, which wasn't odd. Zack stood up for people, but what was odd was he seemed to be avoiding the facts about the boy.

"What does his file say, Zack?"

Zack looked relieved, "Nothing, he is just a country boy from some forsaken town in the mountains. His reports and tests are all average."

"What about his testing for speed?" Genesis asked sharply.

Zack looked annoyed, "Average, like I said."

"Huh, that sounds interesting."

"What does?" Zack practically shouted, causing everyone to look at him. Zack rarely lost his temper, and to lose it at these men was almost nonexistent.

"Zack," Angeal said patiently, his teacher side coming out, "didn't you notice his results might be too average. That kid is fast."

"So?" Zack defended.

"SOLIDER fast, Zack! And he wasn't even going full out!"

Everyone was silent as they took this in.

"So," Genesis asked lightly, "what have you noticed. It's obviously he's been on your radar Seph, or why would the pup be so defensive."

Sephiroth spoke first, "The boy first came to my attention...when he... struck me."

The two SOLIDERS starred at him.

"Say that again." Angeal finally spoke

"Cloud punched him alright." Zack said sounded exasperated.

"And this didn't perk your interest how, Zack?" Angeal now sounded annoyed.

"All right, all right I give." Zack surrendered under his formal mentor's gaze, "Something is up with the kid, I agree. I just thought I could figure it out without arousing suspicion."

"Why Zack?" The question came from Sephiroth.

Zack looked uncomfortable, "I don't know. The kid reminds me of someone, something but I can't remember what. It's like I knew him before and I suddenly feel very protective of him."

Angeal nodded taking this revelation in, masking his worry, "And what about you Sephiroth?"

Sephiroth tilted his head slightly, "Similar, I too felt like I have seen the boy before."

He didn't tell the others that the feelings the cadet stirred in him was completely different than Zacks. Sephiroth had managed to push those feeling down earlier that afternoon by locking himself up in his apartment, but that didn't mean they still weren't there somewhere.

"Well," Genesis muttered, "Seems like things will be interesting here after all."

Just then a low buzz alerted their sensitive ears, and Sephiroth frowned annoyed, but dug into his leather jacket and pulled out his cell phone. He flipped it open not bothering with a greeting. Everyone watched as he listened for a moment, then his hand got tight and the phone crumpled in his fist. He looked down at it in disgust, before throwing it across the room. The others looked at him worriedly.

Angeal finally dared to speak, "Trouble?"

Sephiroth glanced darkly at them, before muttering, "Fans."

They looked at him suspiciously, but didn't say anything.

"So what are we going to do about this kid?" Genesis finally asked.

"Watch him...." came the response, "especially you, Zack. We need to know what is going on and you have the most contact with him."

Zack nodded seeming to realize they were all in this together.

"And," the General continued, "I think we need to make sure we don't miss their next private lesson."

"Your terms are outrageous! There is no way Wutai will ever accept that, Shinra!"

Cloud hid back a sigh of irritation. The negations had been going like this for weeks, both sides refusing to give ground. Wutai would not allow Shinra willingly on their continent and Shinra was not willing to leave the rich mako pools that lay just below the surface of the continent.

Godo sat back, red faced after his rant. Shinra's representative looked across the table at him in distain. He was a thin man with greasy hair, and a voice that Cloud thought if he was ever suck in close quarters with him, would shoot himself rather than endure the first hour. Unfortunately the man was shrewd and had a way of infuriating Godo without seeming like he meant to and talking in circles. Which when it came down to it was the only thing these negations were ever meant for. To give the each side a chance to recuperate before the next set of onslaughts began.

Godo though was letting himself become uncharacteristically worked up and Cloud thought it was probably time to call it a day. Cloud always attended negotiations with Godo, but only as his personal guard. Not his real position among the Wutai.

Therefore he was standing proactively close to Godo, which allowed him to commutate silently him. Moving his fingers slightly, he let them just brush Godo's arm. Godo took a deep breath and stood.

"These negotiations are over for today!" He announced.

"As you wish!" the other smirked at him from across the table.

As Cloud ushered Godo out, he tilted his head up. He knew Wutai was not the only ones to have people positioned around the assembly room, but the person who met his eyes was someone he had not seen in over fifty years if you included that past life. Tseng!

Cloud held the Turk's leader dark eyes for a brief moment before lowering it again. It would do no good to gain the interest of Tseng, though he suspected it might already be too late.

Tseng starred thoughtfully at the back of Godo's blond haired guard. He had seen him at these negations before, and saw how just the slightest touch seem to impact the Wutai leader, like he had some influence over him. Just now he had picked out Tseng's hiding spot, which said something. Turks were nothing if not discrete when they choose to be.

There was something else besides that when the man had met his eyes. Tseng swore for a brief second he saw a flash of familiarity cross the man's face before he turned away.

He took out his cell phone; he would get Reno and Rude to follow the guard. The man was hiding something and he would find out what.

"Come on Rush! Hit me!"

Rush almost smiled as Cloud dodged another attack. It was a narrow miss, he had almost had him.

Thanks to these extra training sessions, whenever they both could fit them in, Rush was getting better and better as each day passed. It now got to the point where he could actually hold his own in class, and Cloud had been right. Zack didn't mind him his altered fighting position as long as Rush could hold his own.

Their private training sessions were getting more and more advanced as their classes did. Cloud was very carefully not to go beyond what they were learning in class, though he was sure his friend was more then capable off it. Today Cloud was working on getting him to use more than just his sword as a weapon. Apparently that was what they would be learning in tomorrow's class and Cloud had decided to give him a head start on it.

"Your sword is not the only weapon that you have Rush. Your entire body should become one." Cloud hand shot out demonstrating. "If you see an opening and can't get your sword there, lash out with something else a kick or a punch. If executed correctly they can do just as much damage as a sword. It is hard to fight while injured."

Rush had protested that it was dishonourable. Cloud had stared at him with the wieldiest and slightly frightening expression on his face, before he spoke.

"Are you kidding? Listen kid, once you are out there, you do what it takes in order to survive! Dishonour?! It would be dishonourable if you didn't use the recourses available to you and you died because of it. Every monster, every Wutai you are going to meet does not care how you fight, because they are going to be using every means available to take you down, and trust me Ninja's are not big on fighting fair. They are rough and will take you out if you're not ready to go full out. Understand?"

Rush nodded and Cloud's face softened, "All right, now take your sword and come at me again. This time we are not going to stop until you hit me."

Rush opened his mouth to protest, but Cloud cut him off smirking, "Don't worry about me. I'll make sure not to allow you to hit anything important. Now come on, use whatever you got!"

Zack looked intently at both his students and had to admit he was shocked. Rush performed levels above what he did in class. It was like here he was free to let loose without fear of failure, but what truly startled him was Cloud.

Cloud was always so quite whenever Zack was around him, publicly or privately. Now to see in control, in charge, giving directions like it came naturally to him, was surprising. Also the way the boy moved...he wasn't just fast, he was graceful. Further proof that the boy was hiding something. There was no way the same person that moved like that, could also be a clumsy as the cadet he had in class, unless he was doing it on purpose.

He heard movement behind him and turned to see Angeal getting off his cell phone, from where he had been busy informing Sephiroth of the cadets movements. Simulation room 17 had been under careful observation by the four SOLIDERS the last few days. Zack and Angeal had been in the observation room when the cadets had crawled out of the air vent.

Angeal came closer, "Sephiroth will be here directly!"

Zack nodded not taking his eyes the cadets, "I wonder what Seph will think of this, I know I don't."

Rain had to admit, she loved this! Having the freedom too, at the very least move a little more at her own speed after almost a month of holding back. She now knew how Cloud felt in their younger years in Nibelheim.

Rush had been attacking and Rain dodging for about ten minutes, when suddenly the hair on the back of her neck stood on end and that awareness that someone was watching hit her like a hammer. Causing her to pause and looked up for its source.

That splint pause was all Rush who was still in the heat of the fight needed. A fist suddenly connected with her jaw, snapping her head back and into the steel wall behind her. She saw stars and dropped to her knees.

Sephiroth had hurried to the simulation room as soon as he received Angeal's call. Genesis who happen to be in his office when the call came, was with him. His eyes immediately locked on the cadets as soon as he stepped through the door. The cadets were busy, already in the middle of fight. As he got closer, Zack looked up.

"Pretty impressive for cadet's who just started not even a month ago. One's got natural talent for a blade. The other... well I still not quite sure what to think. I can't believe these two are in my class and I didn't notice this."

Angeal shook his head, "Don't blame yourself pup, you suspected, you just didn't know to what level."

Sephiroth now was standing in front of the glass window. His gaze drilling into Strife's form as he moved across the room, suddenly the cadet paused as if sensing his gaze and looked up, right toward the observation room.

Sephiroth was surprised, but quickly saw Cloud was in trouble when the other cadet's fist flew connecting with his face. The sound of the Strife's head slamming against the steel wall could be heard even from where they were, causing Sephiroth to flinch.

Zack jumped up to his feet as Cloud dropped to his knees and Angeal put a restraining hand on his shoulder, while Sephiroth debated what to do. Cloud had not gotten to his feet and was still on his knees, when Sephiroth made his decision.

"Zack, follow me." He headed for the stairs leading down into the training room, Zack close on his heels.

"Well that didn't go as planned." Genesis mused as they were left alone in the room.

"What plan Genesis? There never was a plan." Angeal said irritably.

Rain's vision slowly cleared and the ringing in her ears now consisted of Rush's worried voice.

"Cloud! Cloud, can you hear? Oh, man, I'm sorry! I didn't think I would actually hit you!"

He sounded on the verge of panic.

"Cloud say something!"

"Hulp, mea up," She managed to gargle between the pain in her jaw. It was not broken, but certainly dislocated. Rush was much stronger then he looked, if it didn't hurt so much she would be impressed.

She felt Rush's arm slip around her, helping her stand.

As she brought her head up she stiffened. She hoped what she saw was the result of smacking her head against a steel wall and nothing real, for coming through the retractable doors on the far side, looked to be a worried Zack and emotionless Sephiroth.

Rush's reaction though confirmed her fear. He started visibly and muttered the exact thing Rain had been thinking.

"Crap! We are so dead!"