New chapter time! Sorry for the wait but finally got it going!

Chapter 6

Sephiroth came by the table soon enough and sat down next to Cloud. He placed down a tray that had an assortment of different food on it. Carefully he passed out different things to Angeal, Genesis and then Cloud before going to eat from the last food left, which was just a bowl of cereal.

"Hi Seph!" Cloud grinned happily. "We were talking about wings and stuff with Lightning and I'm learning a lot more!"

"Is that so?" Sephiroth glanced at the other two at the table. He had no real reason to be sitting with so many others as it was usually just Genesis and Angeal, but he wasn't about to rudely leave.

"Yeah! There are a lot of different colors with the wings, even if you can't really tell at first. But still only you and Genesis have black wings, but there are a lot of colors for the others. And people have different colored hair with their wings sometimes having the same color," Cloud said eagerly.

"That's right. You are learning," Sephiroth replied. "You'll learn more after some time and see the other wings soon enough. I am sure you will find it just as fascinating."

"Yeah, but I want you to teach me more! That's what I am looking forward to the most. I bet you can explain a lot about it, right?" Cloud said as he stared more directly towards Sephiroth.

He could hear light snickers from the others at the table. So much attention was being brought upon himself even if most of it was from the two of his friends. Such attention was still not what he was a fan of. But with Cloud being the way he was, he knew that the attention was never going to cease anytime soon.

Sephiroth cleared his throat. "I can teach you yes, I did agree to that."

"I can't wait!" Cloud grinned happily before going to eat his food.

After a few minutes the speakers clicked on. There was a brief moment of silence as the entire cafeteria quieted down. Once they were quiet, that was when the voice from the speakers came.

"Since today is the second day that the new winged ones arrived, that means we can begin testing. Bring the new five to the center room after your meals. Do not waste any time though, I'd prefer to keep my schedule on track."

The speakers clicked off after that and conversations resumed. Though Cloud couldn't help but wonder as always what everything meant. He turned to Sephiroth a moment after. "What was that about?"

"That was Hojo… the man who runs this place. After new children come in… he runs tests…" Sephiroth answers quietly before trailing off.

"Don't just leave it at that," Genesis said. "You'll only scare him more that way." Genesis then looked at Cloud. "There is nothing to worry about. These tests are just like when you would go to the doctor. Nothing scary about that."

Cloud seemed to look a bit concerned at first but he relaxed after hearing Genesis's words. "So it really isn't that bad?"

"Not at all," Angeal answered. "As long as you don't make Hojo upset. That man…" Angeal paused, thinking over what he wanted to say. "I wouldn't know how to explain it…"

"Maybe I can," Lightning interjected. "He has very low tolerance for those who don't listen to him. With his family running this place for years he has his strict way about things. All he cares about are his viewpoints in science and has no compassion for our kind or even his own."

All of the boys were now staring at Lighting who seemed perfectly content with her answer as she went to going back to eating her food. Eventually Sephiroth sighed and looked to Cloud, who was starting to look more worried before. He placed a hand on top of Cloud's head and looked at him with a relaxed gaze.

"She may have been too harsh with her words. I assure you that you don't need to be afraid, okay?" Sephiroth said as he spoke slowly.

"Okay," Cloud replied quietly. While he was still really confused by what had been said, he knew that he could trust Sephiroth. Sephiroth had the right words to things so he knew it would be okay in the end.

After breakfast, Cloud followed right by Sephiroth's side. They walked back to the large room that Cloud had first been brought to. In the center of the room now stood the men who wore the armor, still and unmoving as Cloud and Sephiroth approached.

Looking around Cloud realized that Lightning and Tyler were close behind, but there were also others. The other children he has been brought in with all were walking with someone who seemed to be from Lightning's age or older.

Mizari walked with a man who also had silver hair, but his hair did not seem as long as Sephiroth's. Aside from that, he also had a scar that ran over his left eye. With Luna, a slightly older woman walked alongside her. She had blue hair that was pulled back and small glasses that rested on her nose. Finally with Skyler she was with a man who also wore glasses, but he had short dirty blond hair.

All of the children still had their wings sticking out, some of them moving slightly with others tucked up against their back. Cloud stared, seeing all of them with their feathered wings… and then he looked at his own. No feathers at all… but instead black and smooth in texture. Such a contrasting difference and he still felt a little unselfconscious about it. But then he glanced up to Sephiroth and reminded himself of what the boy had said. He remembered how Sephiroth said that his wing wasn't to be feared and just was really unique. It really did give him a good sense of comfort to know that.

But no the armored guards stepped forward. "The children will come with us now, to be taken to the tests."

There was a moment of hesitation from all of the children, even Cloud. None of them wanted to move towards the scary men before the. Cloud turned to Sephiroth and frowned. "Can't you come with me? Please?"

Sephiroth shook his head, but knelt down to Cloud's level. "I am afraid I can't. But just remember what was said. Listen and behave and I'll see you as soon as possible okay?"

"Okay," Cloud replied before hugging Sephiroth quickly.

After he let go he turned around and slowly moved towards the men. Once he stood beside the men, the other children followed after him, all being quiet and not speaking a word.

When the children were all lined up they followed out of the room and the door was closed shortly after, leaving the older winged ones behind. Once it seemed they had their time to themselves the older silver haired man walked over to Sephiroth.

"So it's really true as Rinoa says?" the silver haired man, Setzer, asked.

"Yes, and what about it?" Sephiroth replied.

"It's just that you are a bit young to raise a child?" he asked before crossing his arms.

"I am not raising him, just looking after him."

Setzer scoffed slightly. "I see no difference."

Before Sephiroth could think of something to reply with, Ignis came over, pushing his glasses up as he usually did. "There can be quite a difference actually. For Sephiroth taking care of Cloud, it is more along the relationship of friends or brothers rather than the parental type that we play."

Brother. That was the second time it had been said to Sephiroth. It still lingered in mind and heart, the mere thought of the word pushing against his chest. But he didn't refuse the thought, despite the feeling it was causing. He wasn't sure actually how he wanted to deal with it but he knew trying to shove it away was the wrong answer.

"Well I still would not have suspected Sephiroth of all of the teens to step up and take on the job, " Setzer replied.

"Well you haven't seen enough then," Lightning interjected. "You only saw briefly how he talked to Cloud. He was doing that gentle way of speaking beforehand. So I can attest that he can handle it."

Finally the last one of the group, Harley, spoke up. "And you shouldn't forget that I myself first took care of one of the new winged ones when I was only 21." She chuckled lightly. You are never too young to help look after others. Besides after that very nice speech Sephiroth gave yesterday, I think he has what it takes. Wouldn't you agree, Sephiroth?"

Sephiroth sighed a little. "I guess. Cloud just kind of took a liking to me and stuff. I guess my words really must have affected him."

"But of course," Ignis replied. "With such a new style of wing he was scared to be outcast. But you were the first to stand up and defend him, giving a good impression on his young mind."

"Yes, I know that. I never would have considered him to follow after me though. But…" Sephiroth thought over the matter. It was still hard to place his feelings directly over which way he felt. He thought that he wouldn't care, yet things kept happening that left him open to these emotions. But he knew Cloud had his mind set in following after him. There seemed to be no other way for the child now that he had made his decisions. "I suppose it can't be all too bad. He isn't a bad kid at least."

Harley smiled fondly. "That's great to hear Sephiroth. I'm glad you have made a new friend at least. Though you know if you ever need any help or tips, don't be afraid to ask."

"I know and understand," Sephiroth said with a nod. "I will do what I can to help him. It's just mainly flying training among other things that he will need. I know there is more to it than that, but it's what he seems most excited about."

Setzer nodded. "Most children are, but I still have to wonder about the boy's wing." He could see Sephiroth was giving him a suspicious glance, making him laugh. "I'm not saying or thinking anything bad about it. But it is something to wonder about with the rareness that is his wing."

"I agree, it is a bit puzzling that he is the only one with a wing like that," Lighting added.

"Well I say there is still a lot to learn about our kind. We still don't know the full reason behind our genetics and if there is a factor there," Ignis said as he pushed up his glasses again. "But I'd like to believe there is something that can be applied like that."

"Maybe," Sephiroth responded.

He had his own feelings over the matter, but he never spoke them out loud. He was sure all the rest would agree anyway but to talk about it publicly was a risk… for it was all about Hojo. Everyone there knew that these 'tests' were just ways for him to further his studies and experiments. He wanted to discover the hidden traits and reasons for the winged kind, and he would go to any measures he could to achieve them. But speaking out against Hojo too often would only lead to trouble. Sephiroth knew that it was too much of a risk even if he wanted answers.

But that always led him to thinking other things as well. Thoughts of the future and what could be done. He despised Hojo and hated this oppressed life. Everyone else did as well, but Sephiroth assumed none of them thought about their stolen freedom as much as he did. He wanted to get out… to be free again with no one to confine him. There were always secret thoughts and plans he had that he hoped one day he would try… that maybe one day he could escape. But now Cloud was factored into the mix of his plans. There could never be an escape attempt of any kind if he had a child following him every minute of the way… but maybe with some thought there could be. Maybe one day...

More various FF cameos lol. Hope you enjoyed!