Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 12: Best Friends Forever

Summary: It's finally time to let bygones be bygones and let fate run its course.

Author: Illusor Meaneld

Rated T: for Descriptive violence and injuries, No Adult Situations, No Cussing.

Disclaimer: I did not create, and do not own the characters from Final Fantasy 7, They are owned by Square-Enix, and I am simply borrowing them for my own (and hopefully your) enjoyment.

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Angeal stood in the SOLDIER 1st Class exclusive training room, just warming down from his morning work-out when Sephiroth stepped into the room to begin a session of his own. The two SOLDIERs nodded a cordial greeting, comfortable in the generally quiet room. Their third, Genesis Rhapsodos would be returning from a long mission soon, and so the two appreciated the calm while they had it. It was while Sephiroth was warming up, and Angeal finishing the last of his routine that the General explained a curiosity to his lieutenant.

"I've been receiving a lot of gifts from the "Silver Elite" lately." Sephiroth murmered, never one for much preamble.

"Your fanclub?" Angeal clarified, "That's nothing new."

"Yes, it's quite common, … but they've started sending the oddest things."

"Oh?"

Sephiroth frowned, "I've started receiving a number of 'LOVELESS' related items and gifts, including several copies of the book itself." Angeal raised one eyebrow, "I cannot fathom why they would send those to ME." Sephiroth continued, "Surely they were meant for Genesis?"

Angeal hesitated a moment, before chuckling, "Ah, … I think I know why."

Sephiroth turned to fully face the raven-haired SOLDIER, "Do enlighten me,"

"Do you recall when Zack freaked out about Cloud being his 'fan'?"

"I do not see how I could have forgotten." Sephiroth grimaced,

"well… the book I tossed at you to 'pretend to read'… it was LOVELESS… Genesis must have left it in there at some point." Angeal snickered softly, finding the irony of the situation quite amusing, "I imagine either Cloud or Zack spotted the cover and mentioned it, … you know how rumors spread around here."

Sephiroth stiffened and glowered, for a few moments he trained more vigorously, venting some of his frustrations on the unfortunate practice-dummies. Finally he turned back to Angeal with a glare,

"So basically, this is your fault."

Angeal failed to keep the grin from his face, "It wasn't like there was time to be picky."

"You might have warned me,"

"There wasn't time! …" Angeal chuckled softly, ignoring the dark looks from his superior officer. "Listen, if it bothers you that much, I'll see if I can do something about it alright?"

Grudgingly Sephiroth nodded, turning to decimate one of the many inanimate targets placed about the room.

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The next Monday, Cloud trotted into class, feeling lighter and happier than he had in weeks. When Zack stepped into the room, the blond and the SOLDIER exchanged a brief grin, before the older boy turned to address his class and start them on their lessons. Zack was a good teacher, and although he spared glances frequently in Cloud's direction, he never-the-less wandered the room and worked with all the boys instead of lavishing extra attention on his 'fan'. But even the enhanced awareness Zack had of Cloud prevented Cyril from executing any of his usual under-handed moves. Cloud suppressed the urge to smirk at his sparring partner, it was an immature response however briefly gratifying.

Zack had just worked his way towards Cloud and Cyril when a sudden chime from the intercom heralded an announcement. Company-wide communications were rare, so all of the room's occupants turned slightly to listen.

"Good Morning all Shinra Personnel" the Feminine voice of the announcer called, "Sorry to interrupt ongoing work, but SOLDIER 1st Class, Lieutenant Angeal Hewley wished to pass on a public announcement. Angeal says he would like to publicly apologize for any misunderstandings or inconveniences caused by his unthinking actions. And would like to inform the employees of Shinra, most particularly those who refer to themselves as "The Silver Elite" … that Sephiroth, does not, in fact, read LOVELESS. … Thank you for your time."

There was a pause and a click as the intercom turned off, but all of the students simply stared,… Cloud was beginning to get the feeling that Angeal was inordinately fond of that particular kind of practical joke. The silence was short-lived however, as just as quickly as the Cadets had surpassed their shock, they broke into a babble of conversation, speculating on what the announcement could have meant, why Angeal had needed to make a public apology, whether or not what he'd said was actually true. All in all, Cloud realized very quickly that Angeal had just made the rumors worse, it was almost laugh-worthy! … Almost, because at exactly the moment it had struck Cloud as funny, the door to the Weapons Training room burst open, and the very devil they spoke of stormed in.

Sephiroth did not even waste a glance at the students, all of whom gaped at him, he strode right up to Zack, and for several moments it was all Cloud could do to hold himself back, Sephiroth looked positively murderous, if not for the fact that in Cloud's own time, Insane Sephiroth had always looked exultant, instead of furious, Cloud would have pounced on the Silver-haired man, whether Cloud was a fourteen year old wimp or not! When the SOLDIER 1st stood the barest distance he possibly could from Zack, while both of them remained perfectly upright, Sephiroth growled,

"Zackary Fair, WHERE is Angeal?!"

Zack paled, fidgeting nervously at the blatant wrath, "Um… He left on a mission! He'll be gone for two weeks… I thought you knew!" the SOLDIER 3rd gulped,

For a moment Sephiroth stood, his hands clenched into fists at his side and silently fumed, finally he reached out and grabbed a fistful of Zack's shirt, "Do you have any Idea what you did? Because you decided to drag that INSIGNIFICANT Cadet into our meeting, because Angeal decided to toss me a book AS A PROP, so I wouldn't intimidate the daylights out of you, now EVERYONE thinks I read that half-baked excuse for a play-writers novel!"

Zack looked positively terrified, but at the same time seemed to be struggling with the urge to pull away, "Um… S-sorry?" Zack cringed,

"Thanks to your MENTOR, now things are WORSE!" Sephiroth continued to vent, ignoring the group around him, "Do you have any idea what will happen now?" Zack shook his head, "My 'Fanclub' will be sending me hundreds of the things!"

"O-oh…"

"Do you know what ELSE?" Sephiroth growled,

"um… what else?"

"They will have PINK RIBBONS ON THEM!!"

Cloud blinked, Zack blinked, … most of the class seemed absolutely stunned by the spectacle. If not for the fact Cloud absolutely DID NOT want to draw attention to himself he might have stepped in. But thankfully Sephiroth did not actually seem intent on harming Zack.

"I HATE PINK!" Sephiroth snarled, "I do NOT like it in the LEAST! …. I like Green, Black, and Silver."

Much to his surprise, Cloud suddenly heard shuffling from the boys around him, apparently Sephiroth heard it too as the General whirled, stabbing a finger in the direction of one boy in particular and snapped,

"If you write that down I will KILL you myself!" for a minute the room fell dead silent, save for the soft rustle of paper dropping to the ground.

Cloud suddenly found himself with the strangest urge to laugh, it wasn't really that funny,… except that… it really was. This was SEPHIROTH! It seemed so, … well … Out of Character for the legendary general to get so worked up over Pink Ribbons. Cloud was sure there was some major pet-peeve or something in there. Once the General had ascertained that no one was "writing down" his preferred colors he turned his attention back to Zack,

"Zack Fair, I want you to inform me the absolute SECOND Angeal returns from his mission, I don't want you to so much as say HELLO before I know he's here. THAT is an Order SOLDIER… Since Angeal cannot train you while he's gone, I will take over your training myself, I want to see you in training room 64, tonight, at 4pm, and DO NOT BE LATE!" Just as suddenly as he'd barged in, Sephiroth released Zack and turned and stalked from the room, pausing for just a second in the doorway to snarl backwards "ROOM 64! 4 O'Clock! If you're not there I'll hunt you down!"

The room sat stunned, the quietest Cloud had ever heard them, Even Zack was too shocked for words, several minutes of absolute silence passed before the other boys of Squad Sekhmet began shifting in place, eventually they began whispering quietly to each other speculating on the sudden and rather explosive appearance of the "Great General Sephiroth." Zack looked around for a while, white faced and nervous, for a moment he looked like he was going to try and start up class again, and finally he just waved the boys out the door, with a mumbled "Class Dismissed." Most of the Cadets filed out in a daze, but Cloud intentionally hung back, walking up to Zack and standing next to the SOLDIER 3rd while he composed himself,

"What… what just happened?" Zack asked, sounding slightly lost, Cloud sighed internally, well… if he was going somewhere in a hand basket… he may as well hop in with both feet firmly planted.

"Apparently Angeal pressed the wrong button on Sephiroth." Cloud answered evenly, Zack looked up in horror,

"But…. He's… He's gonna KILL me!" the black-haired teen squeaked,

Cloud chuckled, "Well… it's not ALL bad…" Zack raised one eyebrow skeptically,

"Oh? What's the up-side?"

"Think of it more like this," Cloud smiled, noting that his 'teacher' was already calming down, "Instead of deciding that Sephiroth is punishing you for what Angeal did, Why not think instead on the idea that YOU… Zack Fair, are going to get personally trained by THE General Sephiroth!"

Zack blinked twice, digesting that information and suddenly his face brightened, his cheerful demeanor snapping back into place like a rubber-band. "Hey! That IS a good thing! Wow! That's cool!" He grinned back at Cloud happily before another thought brought the frown back to his face, "Oh, … but Sephiroth said I'm not supposed to talk to fans…"

Cloud laughed, So that was the one who had told him that! "I'd really prefer if you thought of me as a 'friend' instead anyways." With a happy yelp Zack pounced, hugging the blonde tightly,

"REALLY??"

"You bet!" Cloud grunted, "Just don't squeeze me to death okay?"

"I think I can do that!" Zack beamed, when he finally released Cloud from the hug he draped a companionable arm over the Cadet's shoulder and the two began walking from the room, "So how'd you get to be so smart?" Zack chirped,

"My mother was always very wise," Cloud responded smoothly, for a second he paused, that's right! He actually still HAD a Mother here! … It felt strange, knowing he had a parent when he felt like a great-grandparent himself. Maybe when he'd sorted things out here he'd go say hi, sit and chat, enjoy one of her home-cooked meals… A warm smile slowly spread across his face at the thought, and Zack, who was watching him, grinned,

"Ya feelin' homesick spikey-head?"

Cloud returned the smile, "Just 'Spikey' is fine Zack."

Since Zack had released his class early, and Cloud had absolutely no desire to return to his squad-mates, the two of them spent the next short while walking and talking. Or rather, Zack chattered on happily, explaining his dreams, talking about his Mentor Angeal and how much he admired the man,… Cloud listened contently, just the feeling of Zack's arm around his shoulders was plenty, … it wasn't quite the same as Cloud remembered, both of them were shorter, but Cloud more so comparatively. And of course, this Zack acted even more childish (if that was possible) than the Zack Fair Cloud remembered. It was a difference, but it just made Cloud love his friend even more, Zack was Zack, no matter what happened or where he'd been.

All too soon their extra time was through and Cloud had to attend his next class. During their walk, Cloud had learned more about SOLDIER 1st Angeal, than he could have picked up from raiding Shinra files, the collected and reserved Lieutenant was very intelligent and clever, with a great eye for detail, and an excellent mind for strategy. In other words… a man Cloud should be wary of! Angeal sounded like someone more than capable of ferreting out too many of Cloud's secrets. Unfortunately, this probably meant he'd have to watch what he said to Zack, the boy was a chatter-box and more than likely to repeat anything his 'friends' told him. Ah well, Cloud still thought it was worth it. He was happier now than he'd been in months! And all of that just from a scant hour of time with Zack.

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