Ch.7

Sephiroth waited quietly along with the others. He didn't engage in conversation with any of them though after the initial one. He sat down at one of the tables and just waited as best as he could. He had no want or need to talk anyways. As long as he could be left alone, he would be fine.

That was what he wanted of course, but there was always something that would ruin that. Setzer walked over and sat down next to him, and from the look on his face he had a thing or two to say. "So, tell me why."

"You'll have to be more specific, otherwise I don't know what you refer to."

"The new kid and you. Why did you want to take care of him?"

"I did not want to. I never really wanted to in the first place," Sephiroth answered dryly. He knew he was going to have to talk, as Setzer was not one to back down from conversation, but that didn't make explaining it any easier. He had to give it a try though, for he knew it wouldn't be easy to get away from. "But he just followed me, so instant and determined. I think it was because of what I said and that I too have a unique wing."

"Hmm…" Setzer hummed, stroking his chin. "I suppose I can see that. And you let him stick around? Rather than just let another adult watch over him?"

"He only wanted me to take care of him. Perhaps because he never had someone to look up to, I am not entirely sure."

"So despite being already 7-years-old he is like a newborn chick and you are the person he imprinted on," Setzer replied with a chuckle.

Sephiroth hummed but didn't answer back. By this point he just wanted to be left to his own devices. But he wasn't annoyed enough to just get up and leave the table, not yet at least. So instead he closed his eyes and tried to relax, hoping it would be a sign for Setzer to leave him alone.

"Is that really all you have?" Setzer questioned.

"Yes I'm sure."

"Hm, we'll I guess we'll just see how this goes then," Setzer replied before he stood up from the table.

Now alone again Sephiroth tried to focus his thoughts elsewhere. There was nothing more than he really wanted to do other than wait for Cloud to get back. Though from there he wasn't too sure what would be next for two of them to do together. He only knew that Cloud would indeed follow him no matter where he went.

There was the option of preparing him for flight. That was probably the easiest option over the others as learning to hide the wing would still take some time. But on the topic of flight, his mind started to wrap around the idea of actually teaching someone. When he had been taught years ago, he was still not partial to being around others, but there was one sure thing about all of it.

The actual chance to fly for the first time, the exhilaration he felt when he lifted off the ground and found himself to be in the air. Even if he was only able to fly in the underground caverns rather than the sky, it was still more than enough. The feeling was something he couldn't properly describe.

So now he began to wonder, if Cloud was that excited to see someone fly, how would he be actually flying? Sephiroth could only assume that the young boy would enjoy it. He would be thrilled especially to fly along with the others.

Without even realizing it, Sephiroth was smiling at the idea of teaching Cloud how to fly. The idea of watching and teaching the young child learn seemed far different then when he was taught along the others his age. This could be just a personal one on one training, it didn't need to be with the others.

"I actually am wanting to train him… very strange. Maybe or maybe perhaps it's for…" Sephiroth sighed, shaking the thoughts away. "No. No more thoughts of before. It never helps."

Trying to push the thoughts out of his mind, his breathing became heavier. It always did when he actually let the memories plague his mind. He hated it, every moment that flickered and taunted him. Slowly he ran his fingers through his hair, weaving them through it until he reached the end. After that he repeated the motion again and again, trying to find solace in it.

There were times where he thought he should cut his hair again, he had never been the one to do it though. It was always some adult who offered, saying that he shouldn't let it get too long otherwise it would be too unmanageable. But he honestly couldn't have cared less on the length, the longer it was the more soothing the motion felt.

"Seph! Seeeeeph!"

Snapping his head to the side he saw that Cloud was standing besides him now, his eyes were as wide and curious as ever. "Seph? You doing okay?"

"Did that much time pass by already…?" Sephiroth questioned as he looked around the room. He could already see the others leaving with the other young ones, leaving him with Cloud to be alone in the room. "I guess time must have slipped away from me."

"Is everything all right?" Sephiroth asked before placing a hand onto Cloud's shoulder. "How did it go?"

"I was… I was a little scared," Cloud admitted. "But I did as you said I was really good and behaved!"

"I'm glad," Sephiroth answered softly before standing up. "Now come, I feel there is more we could do for today."

"More to do?" Cloud asked.

"We must keep ourselves occupied of course."

"So we can play games or something?"

"That could be one thing, come let's go," Sephiroth said as he began to walk out of the current room.

Cloud trailing right by his side, looking just as cheerful as before. Soon enough before they were even in the hallway, Cloud already had grabbed his hand again. Like before, Sephiroth chose not to say anything and just let Cloud have his enjoyment of the hand holding. He was still a child after all and Sephiroth thought it was best in the end to just let the kid be himself. After what happened the day prior he didn't want to leave Cloud upset again.

Eventually they made it back out to the outlook over the caverns. Clearing his throat, Sephiroth pulled his hand free from Cloud and turned to face him. "As I promised I will help you start training to use your wing."

"Oh!" Cloud shouted, his eyes beaming with excitement. "I forgot you said we could do that! This is going to be so fun! I get to fly!"

"You may not be able to fly right off at the start, but we can try to prepare you," Sephiroth answered before he brought out his wing and began to stretch it.

"Ooh? Is that what you did? Did it take you a few days to learn to fly?" Cloud asked as he stepped closer. Sephiroth could practically see the curiosity flowing through Cloud's eyes and into his words.

"Yes, it does take time to get used to. But I will be here as your guide," Sephiroth answered and he could see how happy his words made Cloud. The smile on the little boy was even making him feel a small warmth in his chest. "To start though you need to become in tune with your wing. It is a new extension of your body after all."

Cloud tilted his head to the side. "New exten… sion?"

Sephiroth sighed, realizing that his knowledge in vocab was clearly going over Cloud's head. "The wing is a new part of your body, you need to train it to work like how you use your arms or legs. Focus on the wing, try to feel it there… and uh… feel how it is, and try to extend it like this."

Sephiroth demonstrated while internally he grew frustrated how difficult it was to explain something that was so simple to him now. He had gone through seven years learning and refining how to fly. All of it was second nature to him as it was to everyone by that point, barely even remembering what it was like without his wondrous wing that gave the ability to fly.

But the only thing he could do was hope that Cloud could understand in time. As of right now his eyes were closed, scrunched together along with his nose. From the look of it it either looked like he was trying to hold in a sneeze or was deeply concentrating. Sephiroth hoped that it was the latter of the two.

Slowly he could see that Cloud's wing was moving ever so slightly. It was contracting and then expanding to the smallest degree, but it was in fact something. With a deep breath Cloud opened his eyes, looking to his wing first and then to Sephiroth.

"Did I do it? I think like I was. I felt really weird but I could feel the wing? And I tried to move it and stuff."

Sephiroth nodded. "Yes you started just fine. Keep trying at it, but don't work yourself so hard."

"Aw but this is boring…" Cloud pouted. "I wanna fly already…

"You need to practice first. It is what I did and everyone else here. You can do it."

"Can you take me flying first?" Cloud asked, his eyes growing wide.

"Take you… what do you mean by that?"

"Carry me! And then you fly around so I can feel how cool it is to fly! Cause that'll make me wanna fly even more"

Sephiroth sighed a little, trying not to show his frustration. "I doubt I can support your weight to fly you around."

"Then just float off the ground or something? Like just a little? Please? Pleeeeease?" Cloud asked as he clasped his hands together.

Knowing that Cloud would no doubt persist, Sephiroth decided to just give it a try. There was no harm in just hovering above the ground by a few feet. The cavern could be for another time anyways since Cloud would probably ask again. He opened his arms and waited for Cloud to wrap his arms around him and hold on tightly.

"All right, fine. Are you ready?"

"Hmm yes!" Cloud declared.

Breathing in slowly, Sephiroth started to flap his wing. He wasn't entirely used to the extra weight that clung on to him, but he did his best to not give into it. He pushed a little further and moved up into the air, a couple of feet off the ground. He could hear the gasp and amused chuckles coming from Cloud as he rose up a little higher, trying to stand within the same area he started.

"This is so cool! We're flying! We're really up in the air flying!"

"Hovering to be correct, but yes we are," Sephiroth replied.

Cloud grinned and rested his head on Sephiroth's shoulder. "Thanks Seph, this is really cool."

With a smile gracing his lips, Sephiroth shifted one hand to cradle the back of Cloud's head. "You're welcome, Cloud."

Here we go again with this story, building up the brotherly feels between the two of them. I am glad I finally got a move on through this story. Hope you all enjoyed!