Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 16: Something New, Something Blue
Summary: Sephiroth, Angeal and Tseng Conspire, Cloud gets a new assignment.
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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"YEOW!" Cloud yelped as a particularly harsh jolt pressed Zack's arms against the bruises on his ribs. The over-protective SOLDIER 2nd had taken one look at the two battered Cadets and had promptly picked up both boys. He was now running down the hallways yelling at the top of his lungs,
"ANGEAL!! HELP!! CLOUD is HURT! And CYRIL is HURT TOO!!"
Fortunately for Cyril, he was still completely unconscious, and did not have to suffer through the humiliating and jarring journey. Cyril had been tossed over Zack's left shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Cloud on the other hand, was held under Zack's right arm, His short stature just keeping his feet from dragging on the ground.
"ZACK!! The Infirmary is THAT WAY!" Cloud shouted furiously for the third time, trying to gesture with one hand, while the other was vainly attempting to give him better stability on Zack's arm.
"ANGEAL HELP!!" Zack continued to cry, dashing through doors as fast as he could open them.
"ZACKARY FAIR!!" Cloud yelped, trying to gasp for breath, "Put me DOWN!"
"Don't worry Cloudy! It'll be okay!" Zack whined,
"MY LEGS ARE FINE!!!" It was almost tempting to bite Zack in hopes the boy would release him, but Cloud doubted it, and he just couldn't bring himself to do that to his friend, … no matter HOW insane said friend was acting right now.
"Angeal will know what to do I'm sure!" Zack continued, Cloud was now thoroughly convinced that the youth suffered from selective deafness. Though the trip was painful, Zack's speedy pace actually brought them to the SOLDIER section in record time, and thanks to his constant panicked shouting, the SOLDIER 1st whose name he called managed to intercept them before they'd gone too far.
"ANGEAL!" Zack yelped in relief, "Help!! Cloud and Cyril are HURT!! Cloud's BLEEDING!"
"Angeal!" Cloud said with almost as much enthusiasm, "Tell Zack to Put Me Down!! PLEASE!!" Angeal eyed the spectacle silently for a few moments, then one eyebrow raised, followed by the corners of his mouth. Finally he sighed, shaking his head derisively,
"Zack … we need to take these two to the infirmary," Angeal explained patiently,
"Right!" Zack said back, listening intently,
"You also need to be more careful, they're injured remember? Why don't you hand me Cloud, and we can GENTLY carry them both there alright?"
"My legs work just fine!" Cloud snapped back, he really didn't need medical help, he knew how to handle it! Not to mention, having to be carried there in anyone's arms was just mortifying.
Angeal chuckled and winked at Cloud, "Just humor me."
Cloud sighed heavily, but allowed himself to be transferred into Angeal's arms, he couldn't help but scowl when the SOLDIER 1st shifted to hold him, "bridal style". Noting the wide grin on the man's face, Cloud knew he found the situation terribly amusing. He held his tongue however, when Zack mimicked Angeal's carry hold on Cyril, at least the boy would be less likely to throw up in that position. Angeal walked calmly down the hallway, forcing his protégé to keep the same pace. Cloud fidgeted minutely, before snorting another sigh,
"Is Zack always this crazy?" Cloud muttered, well aware that the Lieutenant could hear him, Angeal chuckled,
"He gets a little over-protective sometimes." Angeal admitted, soft enough, that the subject in question couldn't hear them.
"He doesn't freak like this on the field does he?" Cloud raised a skeptical eyebrow,
"Actually, he has a surprisingly calm head in battle situations, it's only when everything's calmed down that he goes psycho mother-hen." Angeal snickered under his breath, "He did it to me once,"
Cloud's eyes widened, "What happened to you?"
"A wutaian Ninja stabbed me in the shoulder,"
Cloud winced, "Ouch, … and Zack freaked?"
"Yes, He had to go to one of my subordinates, and was completely convinced I was poisoned or something."
Cloud laughed softly, happily imagining the scene. After a few moments they reached the Infirmary, and both Cadets were placed on beds. After a brief inspection, the doctor confirmed what Cloud had been trying to tell Zack all along, both boys were fine. But despite these reassurances Zack continued to hover nervously, asking if Cloud needed anything, repeatedly trying to fix the pillows and blankets until Angeal finally ordered the SOLDIER 2nd from the room. The lieutenant rolled his eyes at Zack's reluctantly retreating form before turning back to Cloud.
"So, Cloud… care to tell me what happened?"
Cloud paused glancing at Cyril's still unconscious form, "We were sparring, and it got a little out of hand." Angeal raised one eyebrow pointedly, before grabbing Cloud's wrist with one hand, raising the bruised appendage he eyed the criss-crossing purple marks that spanned it.
"So he sparred with a sword,… and you with your bare hands?" Angeal snorted sarcastically, letting his eyes flick to Cyril's much rounder bruises and back to Cloud's notably oblong ones.
"Good practice." Cloud continued evenly.
"So, … then how come your sparring partner is unconscious?" Angeal continued,
"He collapsed from exhaustion." Cloud didn't miss a beat,
"exhaustion?" Angeal's eyebrow shot up again, and the corners of his mouth twitched, "And he got the bruise under his chin…?"
"From when he fell to the floor after he fainted." Cloud finished.
"I see…" Angeal covered his mouth with one fist, as if trying to hide a smile, "Do you two,… ah… 'spar' often then?"
"We're sparring partners." Cloud managed to keep a straight face, but it was getting difficult.
Angeal sighed, and finally chuckled, "Alright Cloud, you win… but try not to let this kinda thing get out of hand again alright?"
"I'll try not to." Cloud agreed with a grin.
"And if you ever need help, let me know alright?"
"I'll try not to." Cloud smirked, Angeal laughed.
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"Zack is attending Cloud's bedside." Angeal was explaining, having finished filling Sephiroth in on this morning's fiasco, the Black-haired SOLDIER chuckled at the memory. "That Cloud is quite the character, nothing really seems to faze him." Angeal continued, shaking his head, "Actually he kind of reminds me of you."
Sephiroth frowned, "I thought Zackary said Cloud reminded him of YOU, Angeal."
"He's just… very mature." Angeal paused, choosing his words carefully, "In truth, he acts like a Veteran, as though he's seen it all before."
Sephiroth sighed, rubbing his forehead with one hand. He might have said something else except that both of them heard the distinctive tapping of footsteps coming down the hallway. With their Mako-enhanced hearing the approaching individual was still a ways off, but anyone approaching this direction was more than likely to be heading towards Sephiroth's Office where the two SOLDIER 1st's sat. So both swordsmen fell silent, listening to the approaching footsteps.
"Turks" Sephiroth mouthed, Angeal listened and nodded. The clack of expensive shoes could have heralded anyone, but only a Turk would have such a particular and even pacing.
"Tseng?" Angeal mouthed back, Sephiroth cocked his head and smirked in response. Both men paused to wonder what the stoic Second-In-Command Turk could want with the illustrious SOLDIERs. They were not left pondering long, as the expected knock sounded on the door shortly.
"Enter." Sephiroth called, his face becoming the impassive mask Angeal saw most of the time in public. Angeal allowed his own face to smooth, both hiding their thoughts once more.
Tseng stepped in without hesitation, and paused only to bow slightly. "Greetings General," He turned to nod to Angeal, "Lieutenant."
"What brings you to my office Tseng?" Sephiroth intoned,
"As you are aware, the Turks often scout recruits and Cadets for possible additions to our Team." Tseng said without preamble.
Sephiroth nodded, his face unchanging, "I am aware,"
"It has recently come to our attention, that a very promising youth has entered the SOLDIER Preparation program. I have come to request your permission to try and transfer said youth into Special Operations." Tseng continued,
"If the youth is so promising…" Angeal added, one eyebrow rising, "Then wouldn't it be best to leave him in his chosen program?"
Tseng's gaze flicked to the Lieutenant, "According to his records, the Cadet in question displays skills much better suited to Special Operations, and eventually, the Turks."
Suddenly, Sephiroth smiled, "You wouldn't happen to be speaking of one 'Cloud Strife' would you?"
Tseng blinked, and his eyes narrowed, "You are familiar with Strife?"
"We have been watching him." Angeal broke into a grin, "As you are aware, SOLDIER often scouts recruits and cadets for possible additions to our team."
"…" Tseng was silent for a few moments,
"Angeal and I believe that Cloud has great potential for the SOLDIER program." Sephiroth informed him,
"I am not sure I can allow that." Tseng murmured softly,
One of Sephiroth's silver eyebrows rose slowly, "Is that so? … Do you know something we don't… Tseng?"
"Cloud seems to know things he should not, I would like to keep a closer eye on him than his current schedule permits." The Turk reluctantly explained,
"Knows things he shouldn't?" Angeal repeated thoughtfully, his gaze drifted over to Sephiroth, who shared the glance, "Perhaps you could explain that?"
Tseng sighed, "I do not have any proof to my theories, to accuse a Cadet prematurely, could damage his career, and my own."
"We have a few… theories… of our own." The General said slowly, "Perhaps a trade? I assure you, your theories will not leave this room." The Turk considered this for a few moments, before nodding.
"Yes, a Trade."
"Good." Sephiroth leaned back in his chair with a smirk, "You first."
"Actually," Tseng held up a forestalling hand, "I would still like the option of transferring Strife to Special Operations."
Sephiroth chuckled, "How about an Internship instead?"
Angeal blinked, "An Internship?" the Lieutenant looked puzzled, "He's not ready for that yet."
Tseng smirked slightly, "While it is true that Cloud Strife is not yet a suitable candidate for a SOLDIER Internship… he does actually qualify for Special Operations… or… even for the Turks themselves."
Angeal barked a laugh, "A TURK Internship? You just want to steal the boy for yourselves!!"
"Perhaps." Tseng said quietly, "Now let me begin, … Please excuse the farfetched nature of a few of my theories…"
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It was "Test-Out" day again, and Cloud found himself sighing for the fourth time, Economics was one of his last classes. When he'd asked, his teachers had simply said that his progress was unprecedented, and the higher-ups would figure out something for him to do once he passed the last of his academic classes. Now he was waiting just outside the classroom door. His current instructor had pulled him aside, and said he'd be returning momentarily with more information for Cloud, and as the elderly teacher finally made his way back down the hallway with an envelope in hand Cloud managed a smile.
"So what do I do now professor?" Cloud chimed, as the old man smiled kindly at him.
"It looks like you've been assigned to an Internship Cloud." His instructor explained, handing him the envelope and patting him on the back. "You need to go right away though, you've already been excused from your other classes so you can go through an orientation."
"What?..." Cloud was flabbergasted, of course he'd looked up the Internships when he'd scouted out the rest of the classes and requirements, but he also knew he didn't yet qualify for one. "But my physical scores aren't good enough for that." He gazed down at the envelope in his hand turning it over. As he slipped the paper out he frowned, the destination listed on the informal letter was not in his usual section of the Shinra building, in fact… "Hey! This is the Special Operations section!!" Cloud yelped, his gaze snapping back up to his teacher's.
The professor grinned, "Your test scores are more than high enough for Special Ops. Congratulations!"
"I … I didn't know they could do that." Cloud stared at the paper, a Special Operations Internship? He really hadn't seen that coming!
The Economics teacher chuckled, "Apparently they can, and I suggest you hurry along Cloud, you don't want to be late!"
Almost dizzy from the sudden turn of events Cloud waved at the professor and took off down the hallways, not that he'd have any problem navigating to the rooms in question, but really… a SPECIAL OPS. Internship? It was like the Turks were just out to get him!
Cloud was slightly breathless when he reached the Special Operations Office, striding up to the secretary behind the counter. "Hello Ma'am, … my name is Cloud Strife, I was asked to report here?" He handed her the letter he'd been given. The young woman took one glance at him, the barest flick of the eyes at his letter and smiled,
"Ah, Cloud Strife! I've been expecting you." She reached under the counter and pulled out a small brown paper package, tied with twine. "This is for you, you'll need to put this on and report here right away," on top of the package she set a folded piece of paper. Cloud nodded, not pausing to go to one of the side-rooms the young woman had indicated. His curiosity got the better of him and he tore open the paper. Cloud gaped, his hands shaking for a few moments as he stared,
"This…. This can't be right…" He muttered, the woman looked up, and Cloud thrust the brand-new Dark Blue Suit under her nose, "THIS isn't a Special Operations uniform!" Cloud squeaked, "Where's the black shirt?" Special Ops. wore black, long-sleeved collared shirts and black slacks, NOT Blue Suits!
The receptionist raised one eyebrow at Cloud's frantic argument, and picked up the folded paper from the counter where he'd set it. After her eyes scanned the note she set it back down and smiled professionally at Cloud. "No, that's the right uniform, it says here you're supposed to report to Tseng, you're going to be partnered with Reno for the duration of your Internship."
Cloud just stared, … A TURK Internship? He'd never even heard of such a thing, partnered with RENO?? … Did Interns usually get partners? … and… just… RENO???
"Are you okay?" The receptionist leaned forward eyeing Cloud with some concern, Cloud realized he'd started shaking, and his skin was turning pale,
"Um…" Cloud cleared his throat and took a deep breath, Collecting himself, he could do this! "Yeah … I uh… It's just a bit shocking is all."
The young woman smiled, "You must be something special if they dragged out of SOLDIER Prep. for an Internship!" Cloud gulped quietly and cursed himself silently, He wasn't SUPPOSED to be something special! … At least… not to other people…
"T-thanks…" Numbly Cloud wandered to the side room to change, he had to snap back into focus though to handle the suit, it was VERY well-tailored. Gazing at himself in the Mirror Cloud was surprised that not only was the outfit comfortable, it looked like he was made to wear it! He strode back outside, holding his SOLDIER Prep. Outfit in one hand. Anticipating his needs the receptionist had a small bag in which he could place his usual uniform.
"I'll have these sent to your room." The young woman informed him, winking encouragingly, "You can change back when you sign off for the day."
"Sure…" Cloud muttered, lifting the small folded note to his face so he could read the instructions. It all seemed absolutely surreal as he trotted off down the hallway. Thankfully his auto-pilot needed no help and he made it to Tseng's office uneventfully. Taking a breath he knocked on the door before him, startled when it just opened. An arm shot out, and the front of Cloud's shirt was grabbed, with a startled yelp he was yanked inside.
"Nice ta meet'cha yo!" The enthusiastic greeting of his assailant reached Cloud's ears moments before he would have instinctively struck back. Eyes wide with disbelief Cloud stared. Sure enough, a 16 year old Reno stood before him slapping a hand against his shoulder. "Suit looks good on ya!"
"R-Reno?" Cloud blinked, and finally shook his head to clear it,
"Good Guess! … That's me Yo! I hear I'm gonna be partners with you Choco, Sounds like we'll have lotsa fun together." As Reno grinned, Cloud found himself returning the smile, seems like Reno hadn't changed much over time either, … he was just as annoying as Cloud remembered.
"Choco?" Cloud managed, finding himself relaxing for the first time since he'd heard of his Internship,
"It's yer new name kid! I heard that Zack likes to call ya 'Chocobo-head', but I figured that name was just way too much of a mouthful, so 'Choco' it is!" Cloud laughed, and Reno's grin widened,
"Call me Cloud," Cloud returned, Reno's smile became instantly mischievous,
"Else you'll do what?"
"Or else I'll call you Razz."
Reno paused, confused, "Razz?"
"You know, short for 'Raspberry'" Reno paled, Cloud knew that Reno's mother used to call him that, "Like the color of YOUR hair."
"… Cloud it is, yo." Reno said solemnly, Cloud patted the boy before him on the shoulder,
"Good to hear Reno." And the two boys exchanged a grin. This was going to be FUN Cloud realized. And he felt a surge of delight at the prospect of trying something absolutely new. … At least… until he saw Tseng walk into the room from an adjoining door.
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