AN: Oh my! Bad author, bad author two weeks again!!! Man, am I slipping! I got distracted with some other writing I have been doing and didn't apply myself like I should. Anyway finally here it is! 101 reviews!!!!!!!!! Thanks to all of you who have been reviewing, especially FullMetalPanic. Your reviews are great and keep me going. Also thanks to all you who offered to beta read for me. I appreciate the offers; please don't be mad if I take a while to deicide. It's hard for me to hand my baby over to someone, even though it for the best. Anyway enjoy and please, please review!
Sephiroth after a moment complicating how this new revelation would change things and how he would deal with the cadet, quickly made a decision. Pulling out his cell phone, he pressed the first number on his speed dial. He only had to wait one ring before Angeal picked up his phone.
It always amused him how Angeal seemed to know when it was important to answer him phone and when to leave it. It's not like he could tell from ring tone. Angeal always kept his phone on vibrate and if he pulled it from his pocket he didn't bother even looking at the caller ID. If it was out of his pocket Angeal answered it.
"Angeal, I need you to bring me a cadet's uniform shirt. The smallest they have and bring it to my apartment and I need it quick."
His demand came out half way between an order and request. Though Sephiroth tried to keep it more toward the request end, but it was hard to change his General habits even among his friends.
Fortunately Angeal understood and instead of asking why the heck he would need a cadet's uniform, the cool response that came was whether Sephiroth also needed pants and the jacket to go with it.
Sephiroth gave a huff of amusement.
"Just the shirt and make it quick." He did nothing to hide the order this time around.
Pocketing the phone Sephiroth turned to the still girl on the bed. Funny how the revelation still hadn't completely sunk in yet, with the cadet laying on her stomach back to him it was easy to forget.
A noise a short time later at the door revealed the presence in the hall. Not a knock, but a loud enough noise that a SOLIDER's ears would be sure to pick it up.
Angeal must have realized someone else was in his apartment and didn't want to alert whoever it was of his presence. It was so like Angeal to be interpreting things Sephiroth wasn't even always aware he was showing, but in this case it was hardly necessary. Sephiroth was sure the girl would not be waking any time soon.
Running his hand over the panel the computer immediately recognized his hand print and the door clicked open.
Angeal stood one hand against the door frame, looking both concerned and curious. He tossed a folded shirt into Sephiroth's hand and waited. Sephiroth looked it over once before satisfied it was the same and would do.
"Are you going to tell me what it going on?" Angeal asked looking into the apartment past him.
"No." His response was short and Sephiroth didn't miss the slight hurt look in Angeal's eyes.
Sephiroth signed inwardly even after all these years Angeal at times found it hard to accept the fact that the only person Sephiroth truly trusted anymore was Zack, but it was not a matter of lack of trust in this case, but a matter of bad timing.
"Meet me in my office tomorrow morning, bring Genesis too."
Angeal looked slightly surprised, "Zack?"
"Not yet."
Angeal nodded once, but paused before turning, "All right, but whatever you're going to do trend carefully Sephiroth."
Now it was Sephiroth's turn to feel surprised, though he didn't show.
Angeal continued, "I know you have Strife in there. Whatever you've done or are going to do remember Zack feels very protective of that cadet."
Sephiroth nodded remembering how uncharacteristically angry Zack had gotten when they had first begun to suspect the cadet. He would trend this very carefully.
Once Angeal was gone Sephiroth moved back into the bedroom, the cadet had not moved. Unfolding the shirt, Sephiroth then went through the actions of re-dressing the cadet back into her uniform; hopefully the girl would not know the difference.
Sephiroth had no intentions of revealing the fact he knew the cadet's secret just yet. He now intended to watch the cadet through a whole new set of eyes, and his mind was already coming up with a plan that would put more pressure on the girl and enable him to keep her closer.
After he was satisfied that the cadet would not notice her new change of clothes, he sat down on the edge of the bed. It was big enough that it put a large distance between them, but still enabled him to grab her in an instant if she should do anything.
He must have dozed off sitting resting against the headboard because the next thing he knew he was jerked awake by a presence over him.
He struck out instinctively. Normal a blow from him would kill most people, but it hardly seemed to faze this person. The blow crashed along the side of the shadow's head and Sephiroth eyes just recognized the blond spikes, when a hand grabbed his fist and with surprising strength flipped him across the bed and onto his back at the end of the bed.
Sephiroth felt the small figure land on top of his body and the glowing green eyes appeared over his face. He didn't move, though he could have easily thrown the cadet off.
The dark bruise on one side of her face was already begging to clear. The freshly injected mako explaining the quick healing and super strength, it was at this stage that SOLIDERS became unpredictable; each handled the whirlwind of enhanced emotions and senses differently.
He waited curious how Strife would handle it; Sephiroth wouldn't put it past him...her to be the violet type. In fact out of everything he had learned about Strife he expected it. Girl or not the cadet had a strength and rage that was deadly if provoked or unstable. He had been witness to it after the death of Strife's friend.
So it surprised him when the glowing eyes suddenly softened and he felt hands brush the long hair around his face.
"Sephiroth," A voice breathed above him and he was surprised by the female caress lacing it.
"You are so different from the last time I knew you."
The voice continued, "I was frightened of you at first, but we are not so different. You carry the same pain, the same torment as us and you have not given in to her pleas."
A forehead suddenly rested against his and he could feel the warmth of her breath against his lips as she spoke, "I am going to save you. Save both of you!"
Hands suddenly clasped either side of his face and he stiffened ready, but she only starred hard into his eyes, "Do you hear me witch? You cannot have him!"
From deep within Sephiroth's being he felt it rise in response, and his eyes widened in panic as her voice again began to whisper to his mind.
Jenova!
Sephiroth ground his teeth, trying to force her persuasive voice back, trying to shut her out.
"Be quite Jenova! It is not time for you to come yet."
Jenova listened!
Sephiroth could feel her retreat, the whispered getting quieter until they vanished completely. Strife smiled and a thumb gently caressed the side of his face, "That's right; he will never be yours to command again. He's mine now! Do you hear? Mine!"
The cadet suddenly seemed to sway, as if what she had done had taken a lot out of her. She suddenly pushed away from him confused, but then her eyes rolled back in her head and her body went limp overtop him, her head resting on his chest.
Sephiroth didn't move for a long time. A part of him mulling over ever word the cadet had uttered. Another more carnal side of him taking pleasure of the feeling of the small body cradled over top of him and the smell of the hair against his face.
Rain woke up feeling confused and slightly ill.
Where was she?
The last thing she remembered was Hojo. Hojo!?
She sat straight up and immediately regretted it, bringing a hand up to her pounding head. It felt like her heart had moved from her chest to her skull and was pounding away at her skull. She wondered if this was what a hangover felt like. It sure seemed similar to what Barret and Cid went through in the morning after they had had one too many.
It was then that she noticed she was sitting in a bed and her abrupt sit up hadn't caused her skull to crash into the overhanging metal roofing like it would have in her bunk.
Pulling her hand away from her head, her eyes widened. She was sitting in the middle of the biggest bed Rain had ever seen. It was covered black sheets and bedding and the whole room seemed very crisp and clean, but with a decided male taste, like it had been designed for a man.
This was not good! Rain looked down at herself and was relieved to see her cadet uniform still remained on and unmoved. Now where the heck was she and who brought her here?
It was just starting to tug at the back of her mind when the door at the far end of the room opened and Sephiroth himself walked. He did not seem surprised to have a cadet in his bed. In fact there was no emotion what so ever in his face, even his body language was natural.
Rain paled visible as it all came back. She had collapsed in a closet on the SOLIDERS quarter floor and Sephiroth had found and brought her back to his apartment.
Rain didn't remember anything else after that except pain. No, wait there was something else! The sensation of familiar firm lips overtop of hers then agony. Oh, Minerva!
Though he had been forcing her to breathe the thought of him being that close...she couldn't make up her mind if she was disturbed or found it appealing.
"General, sir!"
Rain finally regained her composure and saluted sharply.
Sephiroth's lip twitched, not in a smile Rain didn't think he was capable of that, but it might be a smirk.
"At ease, cadet."
Rain lowered her arm, but did not relax her position. She waited for instruction, but none came. The General only starred at her as if daring her to speak first. Finally after she could not stand the silence or his gaze anymore she did.
"I'm sorry for any trouble I put you through, sir. It will not happen again."
This time a silver brow rose, "As I see it Cadet, I did not really give you a choice in the matter. I trust you will take this as a warning and never venture into the lower labs again, no matter who orders you there. If someone ever does so again, you are to report to me understand?"
She nodded mutely; slightly relieved that was all he was going to say at least for now.
Sephiroth tilted his head motioning toward a door at one end of the room, "The bathroom is at your convince if you wish to wash up before we discuss things further."
Rain nodded so quickly she almost gave herself whip lash. She clung to the chance to escape from his presence like a drowning man does to a life preserver. She had witnessed how desperate that could be personally when Cid had once accidently fell on outcrop of rocks into a lake below. It would have been funny if not for the hysteric scream of profanity. Apparently the pilot could not swim.
Shutting the door behind her she leaned against it and breathed a sigh of relief.
What to do now?
There was one thing for sure there was no way she wanted to stay and discuss things further with the General. She looked around desperate for an escape, but she was in the bathroom! What chance was there in a windowless bathroom? Her gaze immediately locked onto something!
Wait that might work!
Sephiroth waited until he heard the shower turn on before he moved out of the bedroom and into the living space.
He checked the clock, Genesis and Angeal were probably waiting in his office already, but he would wait until he could escort the cadet out and give strict instructions before letting the girl off on her own.
He waited for almost half an hour and still the shower had not turned off. Sephiroth didn't know much about females and their grooming habits, but the girl had been posing as a boy for the last mouth. He doubted she took the risk of being that long in the shower.
Moving to the door, he listened carefully, nothing. He heard nothing!
Grabbing the handle it gave under his grip, the lock snapping free.
The room was filled with steam and he quickly turned off the shower. As he suspected the room was empty!
His eyes immediately fixed on the ventilation shaft that pumped cool or warm air into the room and Sephiroth's lip twitched in amusement.
The cadet could get herself in the most awkward of positions and choice the most bizarre ways to get out. He honestly didn't seem how a person, no matter how small, could get down a shaft that small.
The cadet must be a contortionist, but then she was after all a girl.
Angeal sat on the edge of Sephiroth's desk. It being the only piece of furniture he could comfortable lean against, since Genesis had taken the entire length of the couch, his head resting at one end his feet dangling over the other, eyes closed.
Angeal was slightly surprised at how little of a fuss Genesis had put up at being here first thing in the morning. Genesis was a night creature by habit and did not enjoy mornings and always treasured his sleep when it could be afforded to him, meaning whenever he was not at the front.
Genesis had been acting usual lately and nothing Angeal said or did could bring out what it was, but Genesis was obviously enjoying it, which was reason enough for Angeal to be worried.
Angeal was just about to move from the desk to the chair behind the desk, despite knowing how Sephiroth hated it when people sat in his chair, when the door opened and Sephiroth strode in with quite and decided steps.
"We don't have much time, so I'm going to make this quick. Zack will be here soon and he will be bringing Cadet Strife. I not sure how long it will take him to find him, but knowing Zack probably not long."
"Why would Zack have to find him? Shouldn't he be in classes?" Angeal asked.
He noticed with interest how Genesis suddenly sat up.
"No, as you already know Angeal. Strife spent the night in my apartment last night."
Genesis smirked and even Angeal looked surprised at the open admission.
Sephiroth's gaze darkened, "The cadet had been sent down to the lower labs on an errand by one of his superiors."
Immediately Angeal's and Genesis's expression turned to match Sephiroth's.
"Strife was injected with an abnormal amount of mako by Hojo and was suffering symptoms because of it when I found him."
Angeal drew in a breath, "So the kid survived I take it?"
Sephiroth smirked, "More than survived, his body absorbed it. All of it and surprisingly fast too, besides a headache this morning. The kid was fine."
"So he has a usually mako tolerance? Interested." Genesis muttered.
"More than that, Strife is a girl."
Silence filled the room.
Angeal starred at Sephiroth. If he didn't know that Sephiroth never joked he would swear Sephiroth was trying to pull one on them.
Surprisingly it was Genesis that broke the silence.
"Woman actually."
Both men turned to stare at him and Sephiroth voice was dangerously low, "Excuse me?"
Genesis slyly, "Woman, she's actually a woman not a girl. Come on Sephiroth! You must have noticed those hips don't belong to girls. I didn't get a chance to look at other defining aspects, did you?"
Again that foreboding silence, before Angeal finally voiced the thought, "You knew! You knew all along the cadet was a girl and you didn't tell us."
Genesis shrugged, "I thought it would be interesting to see how long it would take you to figure it out for yourself."
Angeal quickly put himself between his two friends. From the cold expression of Sephiroth's face Angeal knew Sephiroth was ready to kill Genesis.
"Easy Sephiroth, no need to kill him."
"How about scare that face he's so proud off." Was the cold reply.
"Genesis do not say anything!" Angeal snapped seeing his red haired red ready to open his mouth again.
Genesis amazingly obeyed, and after a moment Sephiroth seemed to get control of himself, for he turned and walked back to his desk and sat down.
"So what is your plan on handling this?" Angeal finally asked when the trio was once again settled.
"Simple, we make Strife a SOLIDER."
This time it was Genesis's turn to look surprised, and Angeal was the one who looked unfazed.
Angeal nodded thoughtfully, "You don't plan on revealing her yet do you? You want to keep her close."
It made sense. As a SOLIDER Sephiroth would have more direct access and control over her movements without it appearing out of the norm.
Sephiroth nodded, "Also as soon as Hojo realizes the she's not dead from his mako, he'll want her for his own use. As a cadet he'll have easy access to her and it will only be a matter of time before we are short one cadet. Not even Hojo could take a SOLIDER without eyebrows being raised within Shinra. They are too valuable in the war, for Shinra to let them be for Hojo's use."
"So you're protecting her."
Angeal sighed. Genesis was determined to have Sephiroth kill him today, but Sephiroth only relied calmly, "For the time being yes."
Despite the calm appearance that did not mean Genesis was in the clear. Sephiroth was at his most dangerous when he was at his calmness. There was nothing more frightening then an anger Sephiroth then maybe a calm one, both here equally terrifying in their own way.
"Are you okay with letting a girl into SOLIDER Sephiroth?" Despite Sephiroth current mood the question had to be asked and it would do no good coming from Genesis.
Sephiroth was quite for a moment then, "She has the skills required. I would not suggest this otherwise. Hojo or not I would not let a cadet in unless they already had what it takes for SOLIDER."
Angeal nodded understanding where this was going. Sephiroth was not asking as much is words, but was still requesting their permission all the same.
During the war, protocol had been changed due to the urgency of the war and need for SOLIDERS for the extensive and lengthily tests required to advance to SOLIDER to be skipped. A first class SOLIDER or General could immediately promote a cadet into the position of third class, but only with the approval of two other first class SOLIDERS regarding the cadet's skill and character. Sephiroth needed both their approval in order to promote the cadet.
Angeal hesitated, "What about Zack? Are you going to tell him?"
Sephiroth shook his head, "Just because I let Strife in SOLIDER does not mean he does not need more training and supervision. I want Zack to mentor her, get her to show her true strength. She trusts him the most. If we tell Zack of her true gender, he will act different around her and her suspicions will be aroused. No, he needs to act normally around her and for that to happen he can't know. Not just yet."
Angeal sighed, he didn't like hiding this from the pup, but Sephiroth was right. Zack though not an open book, would always show some sense of what he was feeling in his actions and words. It's was what made people trust him so much. He was honest.
"All right." Angeal gave his approval and Genesis nodded.
Their only thanks was a slight incline of the head from the silver haired man and just in time too. A loud knock sounded on the door right before Zack barged in dragging a reluctant cadet behind him.
Rain for the thousandth time that day was kicking herself!
Her actions the last day and night had been nothing less than stupid! First in letting herself be ordered to the lower labs and how she had handled her encounter with Hojo. Then letting Sephiroth of all people find her, when she was less than thinking clearly, and to top it all this morning actions!
Why had she run?
Why couldn't she had just taken a nice, private shower for once, and then gone back into that bedroom with a fresh mind and dodged the General's questions and inquiries?
Instead when she saw the even small hope of escape she had taken it without thought. It was only after she was crawling through the tight shaft almost getting stuck at every turn that she realized the stupidity of her actions.
What was she going to do now? Desert Shinra?
Sephiroth would not let this go. Did she think she could avoid him simple by escaping his apartment? The man was the freaking General! The only place in the building she was probably safe was in was these venation shafts, and only because no one else could fit in them.
How she had wanted to stay in those shafts forever! Eventually thought she had had to come out and face whatever was to come. Things were too far along for her to just pack it all up now.
She had been surprised when it was Zack that had been storming up and down the halls looking for her and not a silver haired murdering General.
Her relief was short lived, when no sooner had she managed to detangle herself from his Zack attack, which he was soo famously known for, when he was dragging her through the halls.
It was only once they were in the elevator and Zack had pushed the floor number in the control panel that she knew where they were going, but then again she sort of already knew. She had been holding on to the slim hope that Zack wouldn't turn her in.
It had been when she had refused to leave the elevator that Zack finally clued into her pale face and clenched fists.
"Come on, Cloud. It wouldn't be that bad I promise. Sephiroth just wants to talk over a couple of things that is all. I'll be there the entire time."
Zack's attempt at making her feeling more at ease fell flat, thought the attempt was appreciated. She eventually let him drag her into the General's office. Maybe Sephiroth wouldn't kill her with him Zack in the room.
Rain came to a dead halt when she saw both Genesis and Angeal standing at one corner of the room. Even Zack appeared surprised and a little apprehensive at this, but he quickly shut the door before the part of her that wanted to again run took over.
Rain instead stiffened to attention and offered the three men a salute.
"At ease cadet." The General's voice was characteristically void of any emotion or feeling.
"Cadet Strife, we have been watching you for some time now." Sephiroth continued.
Here is comes! Rain winched.
"And given recent events and the fact that we will undoubtedly be heading back to Wutia in the near present, a decision regarding you and your future here at Shinra has been decided."
A pause and Rain waited, half expecting to hear commends to report for her own execution.
"As of tomorrow, Cadet Cloud Strife you will be promoted to position of SOLIDER third class and the duties that come with it."
Time seemed to stand still.
Her mind did not register anything, not even Zack's surprised whoop and the arm he threw around her shoulders in congratulations. Then his cry of outrage at why he had not been informed before this!
Rain didn't register any of it, nor the intense stares of the three men who watched her reaction closely.
The only thought registering in her brain at the moment was a single profanity that would have even made Cid turn crimson.
Tseng looked down at the body and gave an annoyed sigh.
He knew when he first walked into the room that it would end today. After all negations like these were never meant to accomplish anything. How could it, when all Shinra sent was ambassadors to meet with the Wutia leader. That fact along let the enemy know they weren't serious about negations.
This one though had surprisingly lasted longer than any one previous and it had nothing to do with Shinra's ambassador.
Godo for some reason had kept his cool remarkably well during the last few weeks. Something which was odd for him, but over the last week that patience had steadily been growing shorter and shorter, ever since the blond guard had disappeared taking two of his men with him.
Tseng had sent others in search of them, but he could not afford to spare many of his men in that area as such as he may want to. They after all were Turks, which demanded the need to know how to take care of one's self and not to except rescue if captured. It was the way the Turks worked and both Reno and Rude knew that.
Still that hadn't stopped Tseng from attending the negations with a desperate eye, hoping for even a glimpse of the blond haired guard. Tseng would have dealt with him personally if he did, but he never did show up again which was fortunate for the blond and now probably never would.
Tseng look one last look at the dead body of the ambassador.
The man had been an idiot and cocky, pressing Godo and pushing every button he could find, confident of his position and protection. Unfortunately the man did not know his own fate in this game.
He was never more than a tool used by Shinra, meant to push Godo's hand into committing the final blow. In doing so enabling Shinra to gain the public's sympathy and make it look like Shinra wanted peace, but bloody Wutia had ruthlessly murdered any hope of peace.
What would be failed to be mentioned was the Shinra's ambassador's crude remarks regarding the Wutia leader's daughter and his family. Remarks offensive enough to make even Tseng want to murder the man, he after all had grown up in Wutia and knew how they regarded their family. Though Tseng knew the man was not in the closest relationship with his daughter, it in fact was rather strained from the reports he got, no one besides Godo could ever be allowed to insult his daughter.
Godo sat utterly still as such vulgar terms were used to describe his daughter that Tseng now knew that this guy was nothing more than punk picked off the street and groomed for the position he was now in.
So Tseng didn't even blink an eye in surprise when with a simple flick of the old man's wrist, almost too fast to see, imbedded a kunai through the other man's throat.
Everyone in the room now went utterly still in shock as the Wutia leader stood up.
"People like you talk too much." He told the dead man and walked from the room, leaving Tseng in the position he was now, dealing with the mess.
After giving orders, Tseng pulled out his phone and ordered a chopper. He needed to get back to Midgar immediately. He personally wanted to inform Rufus of events that had transpired.
"Cloud!"
Avalanche was once again in the air, and Cloud turned from his position at the glass window on the bridge of the Highwind as Barret came rushing in followed closely by Yuffie.
"Cloud," Barret roared again, but before he would say anything further Yuffie took over.
"The negations failed Cloud!"
Yuffie rolled her eyes, "Like we knew they would, but anyway the war is back on people!"
Barret hit her over the back of the head with his hand, "Shut up woman and let me talk."
Yuffie stuck her tongue out at him, but remained quite.
"She's right Cloud," Barret continued. "The fight is back on and Wutia is calling for its General and the Crescent Unit is demanding the returning presence of its commander."
Everyone shifted uncomfortable at this last part and looked uncertain at Cloud.
Cloud's face turned dark and he turned back to look out the window, hiding his expression from his friends, though it still came out clear in his voice.
"Inform Godo that his General will contact him directly."
"All right!" Yuffie shouted pumping her fist in the air. "The great ninja Yuffie is back in action."
Cloud though wasn't finished, "Also inform the Crescent Unit that the Wutia General himself will be leading their Unit this time."
Cloud now turned and mako in his eyes glowed with a dangerous glint. "I've had enough hiding in the shadows."
AN: Well, there it is let me know what you think! I finally got Cloud back in the game; the next chapter should be interesting for you, hard for me. I always did struggle with writing battles (little hint on upcoming chapter).