Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 21: Two is Company

Summary: Three is sometimes a crowd, but boys will be boys… and true friendship is made of sterner stuff.

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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Once Reno and Cloud had 'properly' woken, the two of them spent the morning cleaning Reno's apartment. True to his unspoken promise, Cloud was extremely thorough, ensuring that there was no lingering scent of booze, that the carpets were once again their intended color. And that any of the food in the freezer that might have been compromised by the slow defrost was cooked up, and the freezer itself cleaned in detail. Reno insisted that Cloud could arrange 'his' room however he wanted, and after a token resistance the two teens shuffled the furniture around to Cloud's liking. By the time they were finished, both boys were filthier still.

"I need a shower…" Cloud half-muttered as he gazed down at his soiled garments from the day before.

Reno sniffed his own clothing experimentally, "Me too yo." The young Turk cheerfully agreed.

"It's your place, so you can take one first." Cloud shrugged, he'd been dirty this long, a little longer wasn't going to hurt.

Reno frowned, and snorted, "'s'your place too, ya can take tha first one."

Cloud sighed, "You've got seniority here Reno, just take a shower!"

"Ya said it first, don' worry about it yo."

"Reno…" Cloud began warningly, and then laughed softly, "Just take a shower Reno, arguing will get us nowhere, I mean… it's not like we can BOTH take one first."

Suddenly the red-head grinned, "Take one together ya say?" He sniggered at Cloud's sardonically raised eyebrow, before leaning back and putting his hands on his hips. "Ya just wanna peek don'cha?"

Cloud paused only long enough to blink twice at the familiar taunt. Then he choked, turning away and stuffing a hand in his mouth to stifle the harsh laughter that slid unbidden through his throat, Reno gaped at the mirthful blonde in stunned dismay.

"'snot that funny…" the red-head growled, to which Cloud only laughed harder, "Ya don' think I got a bod' worth peekin' at?" Reno spat quickly, the pricked pride was clearly audible in his voice, and it only set Cloud off more, the blonde was doubled over and in tears by the time the red-head huffed and stormed off to his shower.

Just before evening the two of them made their way out into Midgar's streets, a bottle of soda each, chatting amiably as they walked. During the course of the two days, Cloud felt he knew Reno better than he ever had in his old world. Despite Cloud's unintentional "mocking laughter" earlier, Reno was as cheerful and friendly as the first day they'd met.

At the moment Reno was eyeing Cloud's loose hair again, "We need to get your hair trimmed yo." Reno finally said, voicing his thoughts, Cloud raised one eyebrow,

"I don't really want it short," Cloud muttered back shrugging, "It's too much of a hassle to keep it looking nice."

"Tha's fine," Reno chuckled, "That ain't the problem, I mean… It just looks unkept y'know?"

Cloud raised his eyebrow even further and smirked as he glanced pointedly at his partners own attire and hair. "Is that so?"

"Hey, I look like this on purpose!" The red-head hastily protested, "But I take care of ma hair!"

Cloud gave an unconvinced "hmmm" as he continued walking, they weren't going anywhere in particular, just enjoying each other's company. The next thing Cloud knew, Reno had snatched at a lock of his hair, fingering the strands. Instead of pulling away like instinct dictated Cloud tossed him an exasperated look.

"Ya got split-ends!" Reno protested, holding up the blonde hairs for Cloud to see, "Ya gotta take care of your hair if you're gonna wear it long."

Cloud began to argue "Reno I don't GET…" but stopped himself, in his old world he didn't get split-ends because of his mako enhancements, it strengthened the strands… but here, he had normal, unenhanced hair. Pausing Cloud turned his head to get a better look at the blonde locks Reno held, "What exactly are split-ends?"

Reno looked mildly offended at Cloud's ignorance, then he ran expert fingers over the locks of hair he held until he found one strand in particular, holding it where Cloud could see it. "Split ends is where your hairs fork, makes 'em tangle and stuff." Eyeing the yellow strand Cloud could see the truth of Reno's claim, the hair DID split near the end… he frowned at it.

"So… just trimming the hair gets rid of them?" Cloud asked uncertainly,

"You bet!" Reno grinned, finally releasing Cloud's hair entirely.

Cloud sighed and shrugged, "I guess."

"Awesome!" Reno whooped, " An' Then we can get your nails done too!"

"WHAT??!!" Cloud stopped walking and leveled a glare of mild irritation at his partner, "You do NOT get your nails done."

Reno also paused a few steps ahead of the blonde and turned back with a mischievous grin. "I do so too!" He gleefully argued, holding out both hands for Cloud's inspection, "Check it!"

Obligingly Cloud examined the fingers presented him, the nails were quite even and neatly manicured, … his face paled "Are you wearing nailpolish?" It was clear nailpolish… but still!...His eyes darted to the other youth's face, "RENO! What is WRONG with you?"

The red-head hastily waved both hands disarmingly before him, "Wait! Wait!! Here me out yo!" Cloud glowered, but settled back and folded his arms over his chest. Grinning, Reno leaned in conspiratorially, "The nail place s'totally filled with Hot Chicks! They'll massage your hands an' feet and 's'completely awesome! Not a straight guy IN the place! Ya get the girls all ta yerself!"

Cloud stared for several long seconds, then he heaved a sigh and dropped his face into one hand. "Reno… there's a REASON 'straight men' don't go there."

Reno waved his protests off dismissively, "So you're comin' right?"

Cloud looked up sharply, "No."

"Awwww c'mon! No one'll know!" the older Turk whined,

"No Reno, I am not going to a nail salon just to check out girls."

Reno snorted, "You're jus' chicken."

Cloud raised one blonde eyebrow, slowly… "Yes Reno, I'm chicken." He deadpanned "I'm objectively terrified of submitting myself to the mercy of random females in an environment in which the only reputation I could gain is one of homosexuality."

Reno rolled his eyes, "Oh please, everyone knows you ain' straight."

Cloud sighed and shook his head, "Just no, Reno."

The blonde stubbornly ignored the other boy's protests, and the red-head finally settled down in disappointment. Despite Reno's antics, Cloud found he was reluctant to return to his SOLDIER Prep. Squad bunk when night finally fell. It was good to have friends, even one as hyper-active and strange as Reno.

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Angeal and Sephiroth found themselves both sitting once again in the observation room overlooking Cloud Strife's morning Weapon's class. They rarely actually watched the boy anymore, content with observing casually from the corners of their eyes. There had been no new information about the break-in over the past few days, and with no leads the investigation had died down. Sephiroth had pushed the thought to the back of his mind as he chatted amiably with his Lieutenant. The activity which had become a relaxing routine, was abruptly interrupted when the sound of angry footsteps ended outside their room. And the door was roughly thrown open.

Glancing up in surprise Angeal quickly took in the reddish hair and bright red jacket, but the sullenly angry look on the other Lieutenant's face halted all conversation in the wide room.

"WHAT are you two skulking about for?" the auburn-haired man snarled gesturing at the two SOLDIER 1st's where they were seated.

One of Sephiroth's silver eyebrows shot up, "Skulking?" He repeated,

"You've both been avoiding me since I got back!" Genesis snorted, "You're both acting suspicious, I keep seeing you conspiring everywhere! Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

Angeal sighed and slowly stood from his chair, "We're not conspiring on anything Genesis."

A sneer darted across the red-cloaked SOLDIER's face, "Is that so?" Both Sephiroth and Angeal nodded hastily, "Then what in GAIA is THIS?" Genesis snarled, tossing down a manila folder he'd been holding out of sight at his side. It smacked against the table the papers inside sliding out a little from the impact. Before either of the two original occupants could move Genesis continued, "WHAT is 'Operation Weatherman'?"

Angeal and Sephiroth both hesitated, the former leaning forward to glance over the paper packet. "Where did you get this?" Angeal murmered, Genesis' face darkened, the perceived betrayal evident in his eyes,

"I found it in Sephiroth's office," the auburn-haired SOLDIER growled,

"You went through my desk?" Sephiroth returned in mild surprise,

"I was LOOKING for YOU!" was Genesis' dangerous reply. "You weren't there!"

Angeal sighed, quickly holding up his hand to halt Sephiroth's inevitable rebuke. The raven-haired Lieutenant glance sharply at his superior, "Sephiroth… perhaps we should include Genesis in Operation Weatherman."

"Why wasn't I included from the start?" Genesis grumbled angrily,

Sephiroth shrugged, "You weren't here." He explained evenly to Genesis, before turning to Angeal. "I don't see any harm in it."

Angeal nodded, "Perhaps we should also bring Zack in completely at the same time?"

"His PUPPY knew and I didn't?" Genesis suddenly spat,

Sephiroth whirled with a glare, "You. Were. Not. HERE!"

"You could have CALLED me!" Genesis hissed,

"You were in WUTAI! There aren't a lot of Secure phones in Enemy Territory!" the General snapped back

"You could have at least tried!" the red-cloaked lieutenant grumbled, but his fit of pique was already waning.

Angeal picked up the folder, eyeing the title before handing it to Sephiroth, the General accepted it gingerly before turning his stoic gaze on the other Lieutenant, "We shall have a meeting to discuss this tomorrow at Noon."

Angeal nodded, "I'll invite Tseng so he can explain his part of his own accord."

Genesis eyes snapped wider in fury, "A TURK was in on this?" He choked, "You told a TURK before you told ME?"

"TOMORROW!" Sephiroth barked, Genesis glowered at the silver-haired SOLDIER, flicking a disgusted glance at the folder he held.

"Cetra Curse your stupid 'Operation Featherman'." Then the auburn-haired SOLDIER spun on his heal, the red cloak fanning out behind him as he stormed from the room.

A sudden silence fell in the absence of the excitable Lieutenant, and both Sephiroth and Angeal sat quietly for several long minutes. Finally the Raven-haired SOLDIER spoke,

"What do Feathermen do?" Angeal mused, rubbing at his chin with one hand.

Sephiroth drifted into thought for a moment before slowly grinning, "They watch Chocobos." He returned just as evenly, Angeal's eyes widened, and he snorted, both of them couldn't help but laugh.

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It had been several days since Cloud and Reno's "slumber party", and the blonde had become fairly close friends with the red-head. However, Zack, sensing the tightening bond had become increasingly over-protective of his little student. Whenever Cloud wasn't actually IN class or running Turk errands Zack tried to be by his side. The result was a quietly intense rivalry between the two sixteen year old boys. Cloud found the drama of it all rather annoying, but he ignored it as much as possible, and hoped fervently that the two boys would grow out of this particular stage quickly. Today was no exception, Zack and Reno were both walking with Cloud through the hallways, shooting glances over the short blonde's head whenever they thought Cloud wouldn't notice.

"So Cloud." Reno began, Cloud glanced at his partner, "What kinda weapon you gonna pick?"

Before Cloud could answer, Zack snorted, "Cloud's just a Cadet, they're not allowed weapons yet."

Reno's smug smile caused one of Cloud's eyebrows to slowly rise, "He's a Turk, we get weapons yo."

"He's just an Intern." Zack responded with a frown, a little uncertain now,

Cloud sighed, "He's right Reno, Cadets can't have weapons."

"Turks can though! And you've gott'an appointment to pick out one next week!" The red-head hastily protested.

Cloud blinked, pausing in the hallway to turn his full attention to Reno, "What?"

"Next week you getta picka weapon." Reno insisted, "We gotta go on real mission y'know? I can't have ya all unarmed and wussy." Cloud refrained from reminding the young Turk that Rude fought unarmed all the time...

"Really?" Zack's petulance vanished, replaced immediately by an eager grin, "That's awesome! What kind of weapon you getting Spikey?"

Cloud rubbed the back of his head unconsciously as he thought, finally his gaze flicked back up to his Turk Partner, "What are my choices?"

Reno grinned, "Jus' about anythin' ya want! We gotta whole armory an' stuff."

Cloud gazed off at nothing in particular again, he hadn't known about the weapons, … did this put a kink in his plans? Being an ARMED Cadet certainly made him more suspect than before, but refusing the offer would be even stranger… finally with a sigh he stepped back to look at both his sixteen-year-old friends. "I'd have to see what they have first." The blonde informed them both with a grin, two pairs of shoulders sunk in disappointment. With a soft laugh Cloud clapped both of them on the shoulder, "I want to be a SOLDIER, so I'd probably look at the swords first." Zack grinned hugely, and Reno sighed in resignation, "BUT," Cloud added hastily, "Since I'm still a small, wussy Cadet… I'd have to pick something practical for Turk use." Reno chuckled, Zack just slung an arm over the blonde's thin shoulders.

"I can't wait to see what you get Spikey!" Zack enthused, still smiling broadly. Cloud grinned at the both of them. They were both great fun to be around… now if only he could convince them to get along…

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(( … A note to all of my concerned Reviewers.

It's really my fault for spoiling you guys, … I had so much fun writing this story when I had a lot of free time that the once-a-day updates were a great drive! … HOWEVER! … as much as I would LOVE to update this fanfiction story EVER SINGLE DAY… I simply do not have the time. … Technically I didn't REALLY have the time before, but now I have to buckle-down and make sure I finish my homework, and commission work so I can eat and graduate.

That said… I will TRY to continue updating once or twice a week to the best of my ability.

Also, in regards to the inspiration for "Operation Weatherman"… No, that was not my idea, as much as I'd love to take credit for it. The genius of that gag rightly belongs to my brother Khodexus … Author # 1838585. ^_^ … there are several talented writers in my family. ))