Once More, With Feeling

by Illusor Meaneld

If you could start your life over, knowing how things could turn out, what would you do differently? Cloud is offered this chance, and tries to change the future, but he quickly discovers that fate and destiny play a high stakes game.

15. Too Many Secrets

Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 15: Too Many Secrets

Summary: Zack finally gets Promoted! Tseng is hot on the trail, And Cloud has to reap what he's sewn.

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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During Lunch break the next day, Cloud found himself strangely agitated, though he'd managed to pass on Zack's "message" to Sephiroth without incident, (he did get a strange look from the General before he rushed back out.) he hadn't really seen Zack much since then. Most likely the hyper youth had gotten a mission, or had to start up his training again with Angeal, Cloud actually didn't KNOW how the boy's schedule usually went.

So Cloud ended up wandering the hallways, prowling around the edges of the SOLDIER section, eagerly scouting for any sign of his spiky-haired friend. He did know where Zack's rooms were, he knew where almost everything was in the Shinra building. But he didn't dare sneak into the technically "restricted" area in broad daylight, during LUNCH no less. Half of his hour break was over before Cloud sank with disappointment, he hoped Zack hadn't gotten in too much trouble, surely with Angeal there he'd be alright. But Cloud still worried, Zack was like a brother, a friend, … and Cloud just couldn't help being concerned, despite the fact his rational mind was snickering at him. Finally deciding his 'stalking' was useless, Cloud turned to leave, he took about two steps before the door behind him opened and he heard one very familiar but completely unintelligible squeal before he was forcibly removed from the ground and his chest thoroughly squashed.

Cloud yelped, "Zack!!!" but that was all he got out before he found himself spinning through the air, two arms still clutched vice-like to his torsoe,

"I'VE BEEN PROMOTED!!!!" Zack yelled, continuing his spinning prance.

"Zack! … WHAT??" Cloud gasped, the Teen still hadn't loosened the bear-hug.

"I'm SECOND CLAAAASSSSSSS!!!" Zack then proceeded to squeeze Cloud like a Teddy bear, an affectionate display that was liable to end Cloud's own desire for promotion.

"Can't… breath… Zack… … LEGGO!" Cloud wheezed, clawing futilely at the arms around him.

"Zack! You're going to crush him." Angeal interjected, chuckling. "Little boys can't take that kind of abuse."

"Ooops!! Sorry Spikey!" Zack muttered sheepishly, relaxing his hold but not putting the blonde down. Cloud gulped for breath, his lungs ached a bit from the pressure.

"You… got promoted?" Cloud managed between gasps, Already? He almost added, … Zack wasn't supposed to make Second Class for another few months!!

"YEP!" Zack removed one hand from around Cloud's middle to ruffle his long blonde hair. "I just got promoted to Second Class! Isn't that awesome? Y'know what else? That means I can teach TWO days of your classes instead of just ONE!!" With a happy yip, Zack hugged Cloud tightly again for a second, before settling back into "petting" him.

"Wow!" Cloud managed not to cough somehow, "… Hey Zack… remember the whole 'no squeezing to death' promise?"

"Oh… yeah," Zack grinned, unrepentant, and slowly lowered the blonde to the floor, never actually releasing his hold. "Sorry about that Cloudy."

Now more able to breath, Cloud turned to grin at his friend, "That's awesome Zack! Congratulations!" For a moment Cloud wondered, … had he been responsible for Zack's faster promotion? He had been giving the boy tips… had that really made such a difference? Huh,… how interesting! So… then, if Zack had been gone because he was getting promoted,… what had happened with Sephiroth? Cloud turned his gaze to Angeal, the older man was watching the display with amusement.

"Hey, … I thought Sephiroth was going to murder you." Cloud grinned when the SOLDIER 1st flicked his gaze over, and raised an eyebrow, "You look pretty alive to me," Cloud continued,

Angeal chuckled, "Sephiroth has a flash-temper. … he doesn't stay angry for very long, that's why I always make sure I'm gone for those kinds of things."

Zack sighed, "I wish he'd told me that Sooner!" the now "SOLDIER 2nd" whined at Cloud, "Then I might not have been so terrified of Seph!"

Cloud couldn't help but laugh, "Everything's good now right?"

Zack grinned hugely, "You bet! With my help, you're gonna be the best lil' SOLDIER ever!"

For a moment, the strangest expression crossed Angeal's face, Cloud had no idea what it meant, but it was gone the next time he blinked. Whatever it was, Cloud didn't have the opportunity to ponder it. Zack insisted on dragging the blonde to the SOLDIER Mess-hall, apparently being good on his threat to make sure Cloud ate. The blonde had to admit, they DID have better food on the other side of the doors!

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Tseng did not turn when the Helicopter rose behind him, it would return in one day's time, after the Turk had finished his business here. Tseng's dark eyes scanned the scenery around him, the fields were dry this time of year, and the pale yellow dirt left a fine coating on everything. The villagers, what few of them there were, had gathered outside to stare at the Shinra marked Chopper, watching it disappear into the sky. Just like his records had stated, Cloud came from a very small town. Nibelheim… the isolated folk eyed him warily, but that did not bother Tseng, he was quite accustomed to it. As his dark gaze traveled over the gathered people, one man in particular stepped forward.

"Can we help ya?" Tseng's eyes flitted to the speaker, it was a taller, muscular man, and his face matched the photograph of the town's Mayor.

"Mr. Lockhart," Tseng took one small step forward, "My name is Tseng." He nodded to the man, who frowned,

"What's Shinra doin' in these parts, Mr. Tseng?"

"A young boy named 'Cloud Strife' was said to have come from here to enter the SOLDIER program. Is this correct?"

Lockhart scowled, "Tha's right, is Cloud in some kinda trouble? Wha'd he do this time?"

Tseng ignored the possible accusation for the moment, "Cloud Strife is doing very well in his studies, and at his current pace, very well could place in SOLDIER, I am simply finishing the proper background check and procedures." The Mayor looked startled, and the other villagers began to mutter, Tseng's face did not change, he was far too experienced for that, but he took careful note of their reactions. They seemed mildly surprised, but surely if Cloud were as smart as he appeared it would be expected. Tseng stepped up to the Mayor first,

"Just for records, Cloud Strife was born here, is that right?" The Mayor nodded, explaining that he remembered the very day the youth was born, "Did Strife, at any time, leave Nibelheim for a significant period?" The Mayor affirmed that no, Cloud had never left, … the other towns folk agreed with the assessment. Tseng spent the next while ascertaining what sort of boy young Cloud had been at home. It actually surprised him to learn the boy had been average, clumsy, and considered determined if not bright by his fellows. He had never left, but he had been involved in a small accident with one "Tifa Lockhart" … when the young girl was questioned she eagerly vouched for Cloud's character. At Tseng's request the girl explained the local Martial Arts taught by one "Master Zangan". When demonstrated, Tseng discerned it was, in fact, the same martial arts displayed by Cloud Strife during his late-night training. Tifa was more than willing to lead Tseng to her Master Zangan, when asked.

"Master Zangan," Tseng gave a short bow to the renowned master, the aging Martial artist nodded in greeting, "My name is Tseng, I come from Shinra to initiate a background check on one Cloud Strife."

Zangan raised on eyebrow, "Cloud eh? … small boy he was, very stubborn though."

"Yes, … Master Zangan, you are the only Martial Arts teacher in this area, is that correct?"

"Yes, I'm the only Instructor around here."

"Did you ever take Cloud on as your student? Or teach him in any way? … or do you know if he ever received prior training of any sort in Martial practices?"

Zangan frowned in confusion, rubbing at his chin for a few moments before answering, "Naw, I never took on Cloud, … he was too small, and he didn't have the kind of focus for Martial Arts, … kid always had his head in his dreams, I figured he'd grow up with a harsh lesson from Shinra."

Tseng simply nodded, "Did Cloud ever observe your lessons?"

"Not that I recall, … like I said, he was always off in his own little world, easily distracted that boy." Zangan eyed Tseng warily, "Why do you ask?"

Without batting an eye Tseng pulled out a small notepad, writing down a few notes, "Cloud is doing very well in his classes, I just wanted to ascertain how much of his progress was his own, whether or not he had outside influence."

Zangan nodded, it was a very understandable explanation, and the Martial Arts Master might have done the same thing himself with a new student. With a few parting words Tseng left, he spent the rest of the evening speaking to Cloud Strife's Mother, the woman was thrilled to hear of Cloud's progress, and cheerfully divulged information concerning the boy's habits and temperament during his childhood.

The next morning the Helicopter returned, and Tseng left. He had found no answers, only more questions, and a disturbingly solid alibi for a boy who had too many of those already.

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It was perhaps because he had been distracted by Zack's Good news earlier in the week, but on Friday, Cloud found himself blindsided. Apparently there had been a notice going around that the Shinra building was going to be making some modifications and repairs to the SOLDIER Prep. Mess-Hall. Or at least, so said the notice on the door as Cloud stared at the blocked off room. He couldn't remember hearing anything about it, perhaps they'd mentioned as much during one of his skipped lunch hours? He'd spent several lately in the SOLDIER Mess with Zack and Angeal. With a sigh Cloud turned, the temporary lunch room was half-way across the building, in one of the training rooms, there were two ways to get there, one of which was faster. Cloud jogged for the longer route, it was the one least likely to be empty.

…Or so Cloud had thought. He cursed under his breath when he reached a section of his path where the whole hallway was blocked off, plastic sheets everywhere to protect from dust and paint. Plucking a few of Cid's choice frustration reliefs from his memory he spat them uselessly at the barricade. By the time he reached the new lunch hall he probably wouldn't get any food at this rate. With a sigh Cloud turned to retrace his steps, only to find another boy standing in the empty hallway behind him.

"Missed the Memo, eh Strife?" Cyril sneered, in one hand he held a wooden practice sword, the same kind Cloud and he sparred with. Cloud frowned, and Cyril grinned, the boy apparently had known of Cloud's ignorance, … when had the information been given?

"That's what you get when you think you're equal to your betters." The boy continued, tapping his wooden weapon against his shoulder. Ah, then the 'memo' had come around during one of the lunch periods Cloud had skipped. He sighed, Cyril had taken a very strong exception to Cloud and after his insinuation about the youth's sexual orientations, it had become a personal vendetta. This confrontation was bound to have happened eventually.

"Alright Cyril, you obviously got the upper hand, … shall we get this over with?" Cloud slid into the sword-fighting stance they always practiced with in the mornings.

Cyril snickered darkly, mimicking Cloud's stance. "I'm really going to enjoy this Strife, … just don't forget to scream okay?" Then the platinum blond launched his attack. Cloud swayed sideways to dodge the over-hand blow, one hand whipping forward towards the hand grasping the weapon. Cyril dodged backwards, but quickly pressed the attack right back. Thanks to his training, Cloud was faster, and he knew exactly what moves Cyril had learned. Cloud weaved around the wooden blade, ducking small jabs past his opponent's defenses, painful hits on the most sensitive areas Cloud could reach. Cyril was bigger and stronger, and certainly no push over with a sword, Cloud received more than a couple bruises. But Cloud knew this dance, and no teenage boy could take the lead. He let himself take hits, grabbing the boy and initiating throws, the sword was wooden, there was no edge to the blade. Bruises were something that could be lived with.

Cloud ducked another swing, this time managing to grab Cyril's good arm, twisting the appendage before jumping back from a kick. The boy was panting, one arm already badly twisted, the blade held in shaking fingers. Cloud's moves left only a few marks, but the muscles underneath the skin were strained and tired.

"Give up Cyril," Cloud murmured, "Just go to class, … it's not worth it." He didn't really expect the boy to listen, but it was always worth a try. Cloud was aching a bit himself, but he knew how far he could go. Cyril, apparently, didn't.

His opponent spat on the ground before tightening his grip on his weapon, charging at Cloud with a snarl. The strikes were furious, Cloud let most of them hit, returning strike for strike with his fists. He blocked those aimed for his head and vital areas, his arms screamed from the treatment. But he could deal with that later. Cyril's breath was coming in short gasps, sweat poured from his face which was scrunched in pain. But still he continued. Cloud almost sighed internally as he blocked another over-head strike that was intended for his skull. He hated fighting with children! But Cyril wasn't giving up, and Cloud needed this to STOP. At the next strike Cloud grabbed the wooden sword in one hand, lunging forward to snap a punch at the brown-eyed boy's jaw, the teen's head snapped up, his eyes widening for a moment, and Cloud issued a successive punch to the Solar Plexus. Already short on breath Cyril gaped, he stared at nothing for several moments as he collapsed downward. Slowly the boy slid to the floor, his eyes finally sliding reluctantly shut.

Cloud sighed, his body was shaking. Cyril would make an excellent swordsman one day… if he ever learned to improve his attitude. With a grunt Cloud picked up the wooden sword, tucking it through his own belt. Next he grabbed one of Cyril's arms. The boy was an absolute dead-weight, and Cloud's tired body protested to the movement, but slowly he managed to drag the boy from the hallway, there was a small spattering of blood behind them, Cloud had several cuts on his arms from the force of the wooden sword, and a particularly annoying cut over one eye that bled with the gusto only head-wounds could. He'd dragged the boy almost past their own Squad's rooms before Zack found them.

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