Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 13: Change of Plans
Summary: Cloud only knows half of the trouble he's in now…
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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Tseng was, of course, too busy to stop by and watch the young S.P. Cadet every night, and this time it was several nights before he had the opportunity to put his listening devices to use. The boy had finished whatever it was he had done with the camcorders, and as the boy practiced his sword techniques, Tseng could already notice a significant difference. His strokes were fluid, practiced, like second-nature. With the planted recorders active, Tseng had them direct their feed to his laptop, and as he watched he listened. The boy called off his own numbers and named each stance before he executed it, there was never any stumbling in those words. Cloud finished his sword maneuvers without incident, and replaced his practice sword on its rack. Then, as Tseng watched, he dropped into a martial arts stance. This one was a fairly standard martial-arts, and from what Tseng had divulged in his investigation of the boy, one that was actually taught in his hometown of Nibelheim. Just as easily as he'd completed the Sword moves, Cloud walked himself through this hand-to-hand combat set.
When he was done with the Martial Arts the boy paused, he had worked up a sweat and was panting slightly. Tseng watched as Cloud walked over and picked up a water-bottle he'd brought with him, using a towel to dry the sweat from his brow and neck, Before sitting cross-legged on the ground. What Cloud said next had Tseng absolutely floored, he had to triple-check the settings on his laptop to make sure it hadn't just started translating something weird. But sure enough, Cloud was softly chanting Wutaian Meditations, and not just ANY Wutaian Chant…. He was softly muttering a very particular set of phrases that Tseng recognized as being "Royal Wutaian". Tseng did not know what Cloud was saying, only those of the royal house of Wutai knew the Royal Wutaian sub-dialect, and yet… here was some Puny Cadet from a Middle-of-Nowhere town talking to himself in the most sacred Oriental tongue.
Tseng had only intended to stay for a portion of Cloud's training tonight, but now the Turk settled in to watch the entire spectacle. Cloud continued to speak Wutaian, but he quickly moved on to some of the more standard Chants, and, … whenever he faltered on a particular phrase or intonation, he'd pause to curse in some of the most guttural street-wutaian Tseng had ever heard. It was a conundrum, and an unnerving development. Tseng had to admit to the very real possibility that Cloud Strife was a Wutaian Spy.
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Now that Cloud and Zack had begun/renewed their long-standing friendship, Cloud happily greeted the SOLDIER 3rd when they passed in the hallways, Cloud might have liked to spend more of his free time with the older teen, but with Sephiroth giving so much personal attention to the young SOLDIER, Zack was often exhausted, so aside from a cheerful greeting, and a wave he often disappeared in the direction of the SOLDIER floors.
So Cloud had to keep to his usual routine, dodging his Squad-mates as much as possible, and try to progress as quickly as he could in his classes, … as a matter of fact, Cloud was just about to "test out" of some of the last academic classes SOLDIER Preparation offered. Cloud wasn't entirely sure what would happen after that, … would he just get several hours of free-time? Were there other classes he could take? He wasn't done with the physical classes, … not for a while yet. None of his teachers had mentioned anything… He'd have to remember to ask someone about that. Cloud was just pondering which of his instructors to ask as he trotted down the hallway to his next class when he felt eyes on him. It wasn't the instinctive warning twitch he often got randomly in some of his classes, (usually Weapons Training.) … no, he was being watched, but not by something threatening. Cloud slowly walked up to one of the class-rooms, not his own, and peeked in as though curious. From the corner of his eye he spotted Fisk, the large boy was 'leaning nonchalantly' against a wall, pretending that he wasn't watching Cloud.
Hmmm, … interesting, … Cloud never would have believed Logan hadn't put Fisk up to it, while the thickly built brunette wasn't stupid, he also wasn't the sneaky type. Logan and Cyril however… they were very much the sort to spy.
More alert now, Cloud noticed when he left his next class for lunch that Wyatt was talking to some other S.P. boys of a different squad outside his class, in the lunch hall, Cyril was sitting where he could strategically see Cloud's usual places and all the doors. They were watching him … like Nibel Wolves liked to… those great lupines would sit outside the light of the fire and watch, and wait… looking for an opportunity. That was exactly the kind of calculating patience displayed by the small band of Sekhmet boys. Cloud was very cautious between classes, not that he hadn't already been… he thought about it carefully, reviewing his own routine, when was he most vulnerable? … He was never alone enough between classes, … and in Classes there were always instructors, the other boys were always asleep when Cloud left at night, plus he was in a room they couldn't access anyways. Ah, … the only time Cloud was ever alone… was in the morning, … during his shower…
It took Logan and his gang a few days of watching before they made the predictable choice. Cloud was in the shower, like he did every morning, he wasn't about to change that habit yet, if he didn't have to… but he was listening, and he'd made very certain to fill as much of the room with steam as possible, (he'd briefly turned on all the showers for just that purpose.) Because of that, he saw the shift in the hot mists when the door was opened, the cold gust of wind that angrily sifted through the cloying heat. Cloud left the water on, hastily rinsing his hair and stepping out of the spray, he toweled himself no more than was absolutely necessary, and pulled on his pants in quiet haste. He just tucked the shirt into his waist-band, and tossed everything else he had into his amenities bag, not even bothering to comb his shoulder-length blond hair. He wrapped the towel around his shoulders and fingered the pepper-bombs he'd left in the "dressing" section of the shower stall, they were dry, … Cloud was always careful about that. The little packages would be useless if wet. He waited… the thundering shower behind him drowning most, but not all of the sound. When he heard them getting closer he stepped out of the door, turning to come face-to-face with his would-be assaulters.
Cloud mentally frowned as he assessed the group before him, he had four pepper bombs, enough for each of his usual aggressors, but they'd been recruiting. A quiet young boy with grey eyes and auburn hair now stood with the pack. Cloud remembered his name was "Lucas Parker" … he was a boy that probably wouldn't make SOLDIER, Cloud had been fairly sure he'd drop into Special Ops when he failed the test. Cloud had a brief moment to wonder why Lucas had decided to join Logan's group, … scanning those steely eyes Cloud found them filled with jealousy, He knew he wasn't going to make it! And he'd figured out that Cloud probably would! … well… ouch! … poor boy. Cloud knew the feeling, the thought of "not being good enough" … but as much as he pitied little Lucas, it didn't change the fact that there were now 5 boys, and Cloud only had 4 pepper bombs… who should be the priority? Logan was an obvious choice, … he was the 'alpha', the leader… Fisk and Wyatt were both big and determined enough to give the slime Strife problems. Cloud debated whether or not to throw the last one at Cyril or Lucas?
The group of bullies had been startled when Cloud just walked out of the shower, more so when the small blonde didn't seem the least surprised to see them there. But they quickly overcame their shock and Logan stepped forward.
"You've been kissing up brat! You think that makes you better than us? Perhaps the baby needs a lesson! Little chicks don't belong in SOLDIER, pack up, and go home midget!"
Ye gads! It was so Cliché!! Cloud resisted a snicker, now wasn't the time to antagonize them. He must have smiled a little however as Logan's face turned suddenly red with rage,
"You think I'm joking brat?"
Oh well, he'd made him mad… different tactic then, … time to let the bully make the first move!
"Naw, I think you believe you're serious," Cloud leaned back and slouched slightly, doing his best impression of Reno's cocky grin. Dang but that red-headed Turk could tick off anyone. "I just don't believe you fully understand the situation."
Logan snorted, smirking maliciously, "And what does the baby chick think the situation is?"
Cloud raised an eyebrow, … slowly, … how would Reno have said it? … ah yeah, "I think you all came in here to get a peek," he tsked slowly, stretching a little as if he were showing off his chest, "Sorry boys! I don't swing that way," Cloud let his eyes slowly drift to Cyril, hmmm, that one was still a wild-card, on the one hand, Cyril was definitely more threatening than Lucas… but on the other, Cyril might well be skilled enough to fend off the attack… what to do… what to do… apparently he was better at imitating Reno than he'd thought, … for letting his own eyes rest on the platinum-blonde sword prodigy seemed gave the impression he thought THAT youth MIGHT "swing that way." … it was also apparently a sore subject for the lithe and attractive blonde. Cloud's time for pondering was up, Cyril wordlessly launched himself across the small gap.
Cloud had been counting on that and dodged backwards in a quick leap. Since he hadn't removed hardly any of the water from his skin, there was a significant puddle where he'd been standing. His first assaulter skidded for a moment, arms flailing. It was all the moment Cloud needed, with a flick of both wrists he tossed the pepper bombs. Logan, Fisk, and Wyatt reared back screaming, Lucas cursed as the extra powder puffed towards him, but much as Cloud had feared Cyril instinctively wrapped both hands over his face, blocking the worst of it. Whirling in place Cloud bolted, there were always two exits to the bathrooms, and Cloud had made certain his shower stall was halfway between each, just in case. He heard two sets of footsteps approaching behind him, Cyril was one… Cloud would recognize that boy's movements anywhere after so many weeks of sparring with him. The other one was unfamiliar, … which meant it had to be Lucas… the second boy was fast. … Faster than Cloud… this explained why Logan had wanted to recruit him.
Cloud was out of the bathroom like a rocket, careening down the hallways, it was early enough there wasn't anyone else about just yet, and Cloud could hear Lucas quietly cursing behind him. Cyril wasn't far behind that, and judging by the furious yells echoing out of the open bathroom door, Logan and his two goons had also taken up the chase. There was no help for it then… there were too many of them for Cloud to fight, he was good, but he was just too small! … Cloud rushed up the stairs, losing some ground to the longer-legged Lucas, but the boy wasn't close enough, with long-practice Cloud rushed to the doors to the SOLDIER section, typed in a code on the door lock as fast as he skidded to a halt and slid through the doors in time to slam them in Lucas' face. The boy cursed fruitlessly on the other side, his rage heavily muted by the thick doors.
Cloud wasted no time, he wasn't stupid, Logan's gang could easily figure out that he was in a section restricted to S.P. Cadets, … if they couldn't attack Cloud, they'd sure love to get him in trouble. Cloud navigated the hallways with the expertise one only gained from experience, (Planet knew he'd gotten lost here enough before.) So by the time Logan's pack DID bring in one of the "Conduct Officers" claiming a Cadet was in the restricted section. Cloud was not only NOT where he wasn't supposed to be, he was sitting, showered, and dressed, … Comfortably reading a book on his own bunk and chatting amiably with Gavin, the small friendly boy was happy to vouch that Cloud had been in the room most of the morning. (which as far as Gavin knew, Cloud had, since the blond had had to wake his enthusiastic 'friend'.) Logan and his crew were not happy to be scolded by the Conduct Officer, who accused them of "trying to falsify information." They glared murderously at Cloud, who had gone back to ignoring them. Ah well… he'd liked his early showers, but it looked like he'd have to switch to showering with the rest of the group from now on… There were a lot more boys than just Squad Sekhmet in the shower rooms during the usual time-block. Logan's gang wouldn't dare attack him there, … but Cloud already mourned his lost peace.
Cloud spent the next few lunch breaks replacing his pepper bombs (and adding a few more in anticipation of future recruitment.) Cloud didn't believe for a second that Logan had given up… but one didn't live to be over a century old without preparing for the worst!
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