It has been a long time but I finally made it to update this story! Please enjoy!

Ch.8

Throughout the years Sephiroth had spent at the facility, each year seemed to go by faster than the last. So when six months passed since Cloud, it really wasn't supposed to be that hard to believe. With the time speeding by he should have assumed it would have been all the same now that Cloud was in the picture, but it also felt like a blur.

Sephiroth had spent the past six months getting to know Cloud better. He got closer to him and taught him the ways of their people. He had to admit he was impressed by the young 7-year-old, who learned to hide his wing within the first three months.

Overall the change in his life was very pleasant and he did find joy in teaching Cloud everything he could. Even if he was teased by Angeal and Genesis, he was willing to put up with it for Cloud's sake.

Currently, Sephiroth was just waking up when he noticed none other than Cloud snuggled up in bed with him.

"Cloud…?" he asked as he shook the young boy's shoulder. "Tell me why you are sleeping here with me."

Cloud woke up, blinking slowly. "Oh. I had a nightmare."

"And? Why are you here in my bed?"

"Cause I was scared. But, I know when I'm near you I'm safe."

Sephiroth hummed softly, starting to smile. It still had taken him a while, but he had grown used to Cloud's young brother tendencies. He placed a hand on top of Cloud's hair and began to ruffle the already messy bedhead.

"You can wake me if you wish. If you are afraid, you should let me know."

Cloud nodded. "I'll try and remember. So breakfast time?"

Sephirth nodded. "Yes, I think some food should be in order."

The two got out of the bed and changed into their clothing and headed out of the room. Angeal and Genesis were clearly already out, but Sephiroth didn't mind, it would be one less moment where they would tease him about his big brother tendencies.

He still didn't really care what they said, he knew they were only joking around, but deep down he would still feel that unease pang. He hated the feeling and tried his best to shove it away every time the feeling tried to resurface. If he could just focus on everything else but that, then he would be able to keep doing this with no problem at all.

If he could just focus on his care and feelings for Cloud now, then he could be perfectly fine. But he knew that Angeal and Genesis would still joke and tease on the occasion. It wasn't their fault though, it wasn't like they actually knew the reason, and Sephiroth wasn't planning on telling them any time soon.

"So what should we do today? Could we play more today? Like some fun games? I got some ideas I want to play," Cloud said cheerfully.

Sephiroth hummed in agreement. "I think we could manage that."

"Great! And I wanna try flying more! Can we do some more of that? We could fly in the caverns!"

With a sigh, Sephiroth shook his head. "I told you before, we won't go flying in the caverns until you have the stamina to fly for a long duration of time."

Cloud pouted. "Aww, but are you sure? Can't we just try? I could really do it. I've been practicing a whole lot!"

Sephiroth stayed firm to his words and shook his head. "Not yet, Cloud. Practice balance and stamina first."

He saw Cloud's shoulders slump. "Okay… I'll keep doing that. But we can still play, right?"

"Yes, I have nothing opposed to that. But first, breakfast."

Cloud smiled as he leaned against Sephiroth. He hummed happily all the way to the eating area and then ran up to gather his food. They soon had what they wanted to eat and found the table where Genesis and Angeal were. Cloud ran over to them and propped himself up at the table next to them.

"Morning Gen and Angeal! Are you two going to play with us today?"

"Has Seph already agreed to that today?" Genesis smiled. "Everyday he seems to agree sooner than the last."

"You're really gotten him wrapped around your finger," Agneal smirked.

"He hasn't done that," Sephiroth said as he set his tray down. "I'm only living up to what I promised and keep him entertained."

"And being the best big brother ever," Cloud grinned happily.

"That as well," Sephiroth nodded before going to eat his food. He lowered his head enough to cover the smile he was having from Cloud's words.

"How you ever did it Seph is still beyond me. Six months and you two are practically inseparable," Genesis replied, brushing back his hair.

"Inseparable?" Cloud asked.

"It means that you two are rarely without the other. You are always following each other around," Angeal answered.

"Or really Cloud follows Seph and he never stops him," Genesis laughed.

"And what reason would I have to stop him? You know how well that worked out before," Sephiroth replied.

Genesis snickered. "Aw you've just gone soft, that's all."

Sephiroth hummed, not caring to give another reply and went back to finishing his food. Just as he was about to finish, the speakers overhead clicked on and of course the voice that spoke belonged to Hojo. Sephiroth was ready to tune out whatever it was that he had to say, knowing it was probably just another one of his annoying rants

"All of you winged ones should remember six months ago… we brought in only five of your kind. Two were unable to be located… and so we had to send out those who would hunt them down. Finally, we have come to gather the other two of your wretched children. Please make sure to collect them, they will be dropped down there shortly."

Sephiroth exhaled slowly. It wasn't something he had thought about, in fact, he had nearly forgotten that this year they only had brought in five children at the start. There always was, and always had been seven children every seven years. There was never a year where that wasn't the case.

While at first it did seem odd that only five were brought in, part of Sephiroth hoped maybe they really had gotten away or something had changed in their kind pattern. He wasn't one to give it much thought, but he did always think about how their kind worked and why things were the way they were.

"Seph?" Cloud asked, leaning onto his side.

"Yes? What is it?"

"What did Hojo mean? About two other children?"

With a slow side, Sephiroth turned to face Cloud, seeing the questions building up in his expression. "Do you remember what I've told you about our kind? Every seven years there are seven new winged ones born."

"Oh yeah! And then when they turn seven their wing shows up, right?"

"That's right. Six months ago only five of you were found… with the other two who knows where. But now we know…"

"Can we go see?"

Sephiroth shrugged. "If you wish too. I don't see why not."

"Don't come back with more children trailing after you," Genesis laughed. "Otherwise we'll need a larger room."

Sephiroth rolled his eyes before briskly getting up from the table. He moved towards the exit to the room and he saw that Cloud caught up to him, grabbing his hand like always.

"So we go to where we were when we first met, right? That's where we end up the first time when we come here?"

"Yes."

"Oh I see! And now there will be more kids to play with!"

Sephiroth hummed, not wanting to give much thought to it anymore. Cloud was too young to understand the truth of the impact of this life. Or maybe he did understand from what Sephiroth had told him, but he chose to remain positive throughout it. He always had that bright and cheerful smile on his face, and tried to find the best outlook.

Maybe to someone that young, things were easier. Or maybe when Cloud had someone like Sephiroth caring for him, it was much easier to pretend their life wasn't a foreboding prison. There was also the possibility that Sephiroth was the one who over-thought too much of it. Most others seemed to be content in their way of life.

When they entered the open room, Sephiroth and Cloud saw a few other adults and two kids, standing around. No doubt they were there to see the kids, and then people would step forward to take them in. It was just another way of life that they were all accustomed to.

Soon, the guards came in pushing along two children and Sephiroth moved forward to get a closer look at them. It was a boy and a girl, and they were staying close to one another, practically clinging to each other.

After a few more moments of looking his eyes widened when he realized just how similar they looked. They both sported the same messy black hair and green, curious eyes. What was most intriguing though, was the wings on their backs. Just like their hair, it was a matching shade, though their wings were a light shade of grey. The girl had her wing on her left side while the boy's was on his right.

"They're twins," Cloud commented. "Right?"

"They are…"

"Even their wings are identical. Has that happened before? Winged ones having the same exact wings?"

Sephiroth closed his eyes, shaking his head lightly. "I've never heard of it. It probably is possible, but it's something that is an unlikely chance."

Cloud looked at the newcomers and watched as one of the adults stepped forward. It was Vincent who came closer to them, squatting down before them. "No need for worry," he spoke softly. "You're with friends here. Can you tell us your names?"

"I'm Hikari," the girl answered. "And this is my brother Tyler."

"Tyler? That's my name too!" Cloud turned to see the other boy that had been in his group when he arrived. He ran right up to the two and smiled.

The twins seemed to look at him with worried eyes, and slowly their gazes shifted around the room. They still clung onto each other tightly, refusing to move from their spot.

"Give them some space," Lightning, Tyler's caretaker, said. "They've been evading being brought here for six months, but it's still shocking."

The light blond Tyler sighed and gave a nod. "Okay. But we can talk later, right?"

"When they are more adjusted, yes. Now come along, let's give them their space."

Lighting took Tyler's hand and they headed out of the room, leaving the rest of the adults to watch the twins with empathic eyes. They all started to whisper quieting, wondering about the situation at hand.

"Where is Rinoa? She's usually the best at this?" someone asked.

"I think she may be unavailable to come at the moment."

"Well, who will take the children and explain everything? I don't think I'd be very good at it."

Out of everyone from the group, Vincent stepped out and moved closer to the children. "I will."

He moved closer to the twins and sat down in front of them. "Here is a place where you can live. It's our little community here and we will take care of you. More specifically I will look after you. If you are alright with that."

The twins looked at each other and then at Vincent again, their bright green eyes still wavering. "So we're just going to be stuck here?" the brother asked.

"Tyler!" Hikari hissed. "Be nice!"

"I'm just asking!"

"You will have plenty of questions but first come along with me, and I will explain the rest."

Sephiroth and Cloud watched as Vincent took both children by the hand and led them off into another room. Soon the rest of the others spread out and went back to doing their own things and it was just back to normal as it was.

Cloud looked up at Sephiroth, squeezing his hand a little. "Are they going to be okay?"

"Of course they will. I trust Vincent will be a good caretaker for them."

"Good like you? Cause you are the best at taking care of me! Like a really good brother should."

Sephiroth smiled slightly. "Not quite like me. But still good nonetheless."

"Can we go and practice flying now? Then we can go and play!" Cloud said, bringing his attention span right back to where it was before.

"Very well. That was the plan after all."

"Great. Come on, let's go," Cloud said as he pulled Sephiroth along.

The two went along, back to their regular schedule, and soon they came to the point where they would practice flying. Cloud breathed in deeply and summoned his wing, watching it stretch out besides him.

"You've gotten quite good at hiding and bringing your wing out," Sephiroth commented.

"Well you taught me and you know everything! Are you going to stretch your wing out too?"

"You just want to see it, don't you?"

Cloud laughed. "Of course I do!" You have one of the best wings."

Sephiroth hummed before stretching his own wing out. "You may be the only one who believes that."

"No. Gen and Angeal also believe it too. And the three of you got the best wings of them all."

There was no arguing with Cloud. When he had his opinions, he was going to stick to them. Sephiroth didn't really mind at this point. In the past he really only had Genesis and Angeal to support him about not hating his wing. Genesis was even in the same boat as him with their wings being nearly the same shade.

Over the past several months Cloud was always praising their wings though. While he did think everyone had their own cool wing, he always would say that Sephiroth's was the best. It was just another thing that Sephiroth had gotten used to over all this time. It was honestly rather pleasing to hear someone look up to him in such a way; like a true little brother.

Tyler from tmart.x13
Hikari&Tyler Hika-neko-chan