Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 26: Underestimation

Summary: Cloud and Reno return from Junon, Cloud gets some unexpected visitors.

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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"It was like nothing I've ever seen before," The young officer was saying, Cloud hadn't caught his name, but he couldn't help but smile as the Policeman related the events of Reno's and Cloud's monster hunt.

"They look so young…" Officer Ferris agreed, "But they moved like lightning!"

Cloud chuckled softly under his breath, already the tale was being exaggerated! Reno, who was sitting beside him, shot a strange look.

"What's so funny?" The young Turk asked, glancing around the room where they sat in bafflement. Cloud blinked, for a moment forgetting he wasn't actually IN the room with the police who had escorted him. He and Reno were sitting along a bench on the side wall of the Junon Police Department, their 'escort' had disappeared into the Police Sergeant's office for debriefing. But Cloud could see them, and their moving lips, through the window.

"Um…" Cloud began hesitantly, then he mentally shrugged, Reno would probably enjoy it too. "They're talking about us in there." He gestured with a nod of his head to the office.

Reno glanced at the closed, sound-proof door, and back at Cloud, "Yeah…. And?"

"They're exaggerating the story a lot."

"Huh? Wait, … what? … How do you know what they're saying??"

"I can read lips." Cloud admitted with a shrug. It probably wasn't the wisest thing he'd admitted to, but he liked Reno, … he'd never really liked lying to his friends.

"REALLY??" Reno gasped, "You are the COOLEST partner EVER!" He gave a soft whoop, even as Cloud laughingly shushed him. "So what are they saying now?" the Turk leaned closer eagerly, as Cloud's gaze flicked back to the window.

"The little red-head was incredibly fast, and he wielded that baton-thing of his like a pro!" This was the un-named officer again. Reno snickered.

"The older of the two, that's to be expected." The Police Sergeant agreed with a patiently amused smile.

The two younger officers exchanged a glance, "That's just it…" Ferris was explaining, "It was the little blond… Cloud, … I barely saw him move! I didn't think he had any weapons on him at first," The second young officer nodded quickly, "He was using some kind of unarmed style, but next thing I know he's got a sword! I think I saw him pull a gun from somewhere along the small of his back, and I could have sworn I saw him throw something too." Cloud spared another quick glance at Reno, and was a little surprised to see the red-head beaming proudly.

"It was creepy." The second Officer continued, "He moved like a ninja or something."

The moment the words left his own mouth, relayed to Reno, Cloud stiffened, Like a ninja or something? A stream of curses flitted through the blond's head, what moves had he been using? He couldn't even remember! Reno nudged him when the young man continued speaking, Cloud had missed his next sentence, too lost in horrified thought, but Reno didn't seem to notice Cloud's distraction.

"I've never seen two kids fight like that." Ferris finished, "I guess it's not so much of a surprise that they're Turks."

Reno was preening again, and Cloud had to relax, surely the Young Turk wouldn't be so calm if he'd seen something truly out-of-the-ordinary in Cloud… right?

Cloud glanced back at the office window in time to see the police sergeant chuckling. "I called Shinra while you were out." The older man muttered, humor dancing in his eyes, "Turns out… that little blond is just an Intern Turk."

Reno laughed out loud at the stunned looks on the two younger men's faces, he clapped a hand down roughly on Cloud's shoulders as he shook with mirth. "'s'totally worth it! D'ja see the looks on their faces? Ha! They ain' gonna forget THAT in a hurry! Ya totally gotta be a TURK yo!"

Cloud chuckled with him, "I can see the appeal, it IS a lot of fun!" Reno's eyes gleamed, and Cloud felt a pang of regret that he had to let the youth down, "But I really need to be in SOLDIER."

Reno huffed, but was still grinning, "We'll see yo, I'm gonna bet you love the Turks so much you ain' gonna wanna leave!"

Cloud smiled anyways, another ache of sadness twinging in his chest. It was going to be very hard to leave Reno when the time came…

His somber thoughts were interrupted when the door to the Police Sergeant's office opened, and the men inside stepped back out, Cloud and Reno stood, and as the situational protocol dictated, the two of them were officially thanked, debriefed and dismissed. A short call to Rude assured them the helicopter was available, and in short order all three 'Turks' were on their way home.

Watching the sun slowly descending in the sky behind the mountains around Junon, Cloud smiled. So many things seemed brighter this time around! He was happy to have the opportunity to enjoy it.

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The quiet tapping of shoes would have been invisible during the noise-polluted daylight hours of the Shinra hallways. But in the still, hush of night, a trained ear could just barely pick them out… if he knew what he was listening for.

Tseng had been very careful orchestrating his schedule today. The youngest Turk 'pair' had been sent out on a mission, with one of the senior Turks, Rude. Cissnei was still assisting Veld with bodyguard duty leaving the senior Turk available for ongoing investigations. Tseng had finished his own paperwork early, everything had been in place when Reno returned and he and his partner debriefed. When they left Tseng's office, the older Turk settled the last of his business for the day, and moved into position.

Now a certain young blond padded down the hallways, so nearly silent he was practically a ghost. From his position Tseng could see the cheerful smile on the young boy's face, what exactly had inspired the bright mood, Tseng could only guess.

The blond moved exactly as Tseng had anticipated, his steps were confident, his path never wavered. He strode up to the door the Turk was so carefully watching, and stood before the keypad. A frown quickly marred, the older man's face as the youth he was watching covered his own motions in a practiced gesture. Agile young fingers danced across the buttons in a blur even Tseng couldn't follow, and the door slid open easily to permit access.

Tseng breathed a silent mental sigh, of course it wouldn't be so easy. But he supposed there might eventually be a first time… He used a code, … the Turk made a few mental notes, not the keycard he'd suspected or hoped for.

The next night found Tseng slipping from the same hiding place in quiet irritation. With the stealth he specialized in, the Turk calmly made his way to the next floor up, where he entered the observation room overlooking the same Training room he'd watched the young blond enter. Sitting in the quiet room was a certain Silver-haired General, The renowned warrior indulging in a few 'turns' of watching their target's late night sessions.

Sephiroth looked up when Tseng stepped in, setting down his glass of iced water, before turning his full attention to the Turk.

Tseng did not need to say anything, a quick shake of his head told the General what he needed to know, and Sephiroth shrugged, resuming the reading of his book once more.

"So you can't figure out his code?" Sephiroth murmured without looking up.

"He is too careful," Tseng returned evenly, "He hides his hands like we teach our own to." Sephiroth just shook his head and sighed, Tseng hesitated for a brief moment before continuing, "I have other 'methods' at my disposal. … But it will take a few more nights to set up."

Sephiroth nodded, and Tseng took his leave, he could certainly understand the level of fascination Sephiroth held for the young Cadet. The blond was a puzzle a keen mind just itched to figure out.

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Cloud was humming again, as he worked through his late-night practice session. Ever since his frustrating 'backtracking' during the mission in Junon two days ago, Cloud had determinedly altered his routine, now he spent the first quarter of his session working only with his sword. He'd been doing so well working out how to maneuver in his younger body, how not to over-compensate for his sudden lack of reach, and yet… he'd started making exactly the same mistakes on the field, when he'd tried to relax and just move how his body told him. It was just… frustrating.

But there was nothing to be done, but more practice! So Cloud deliberately saved any irritation built up during the day to unleash on his imaginary foes. Like always, it did wonders for his nerves, and state of mind.

So he was plenty calm when he switched over to martial arts, moving through the complex motions like a dance. He was so involved in his forms that he didn't notice right away when the door opened. But the sound of movements that weren't his own, whipped his head around to face the intruders. He froze to his spot, stunned by the grinning, leering faces that greeted him.

"Well if it isn't the teacher's precious pet." Logan spat. Cloud said nothing, his eyes darted around the room, but his martial arts practices had ranged him far out of reach of his belongings. The precious weapons and his amenities bag were on the other side of the room. Already one of the youths behind Logan stepped forward to scoop up the potentially dangerous items. With a slight shock, Cloud recognized Kyle McKinzie, … so the boy didn't have a cold after all… The usual lackeys were all present, Burly Wyatt and Fisk, lithe and angry Lucas, and the quick, dangerous Cyril. But much to Cloud's surprise, when Kyle left the room after gathering Cloud's belongings, Cyril shot one indecipherable glance at Cloud and followed, shutting the door behind him. Cloud stood silently in the center of the room, wearing little more than his Turk pants.

Glancing over the remaining four boys, Cloud heaved a mental sigh. You haven't been paying attention! He scolded himself, just one more thing he needed to work on.

The four boys were moving closer, Logan was still speaking, but Cloud was only paying the barest attention to his words, the boy was throwing out taunts and jeers, explaining how Cloud needed to 'learn a lesson' and other similarly typical teenage bully cliché phrases. Cloud had heard it before… his attention was on their body language, they moved slowly, hesitant, and yet determined. Four against one, they figured good odds, so they moved as they'd been no doubt told, spreading out slowly to surround the small fourteen year old blond. And yet… despite outnumbering him, their eyes were wary, nervous, he'd defeated Cyril, their best fighter, and apparently Cyril wasn't interested in a rematch.

But of course, the odds won out, … their courage bolstered by their numbers, they rushed him.

Cloud dropped a stoic mask over his face instinctively before he could smirk, he was warmed up, his muscles loose and ready, even though he was a little tired. He was used to fighting under far worse conditions.

The first boy, Wyatt, lunged in with a punch, Cloud ducked instinctively, whirling away to dodge a low kick, aimed by Fisk. They were decently coordinated. Cloud noted as he dropped his crouch lower and swung his foot out into Lucas' incoming swing. The boy yelped and stepped hastily back. Cloud swayed forward in time to miss being cracked in the back of the head by Logan. His small size was an advantage in dodging, the four boys randomly took turns trying to strike, ducking away from Cloud's retaliations, or moving in faster than he could pick a target. They've been paying attention! Cloud smiled at the irony, they were listening to their teachers, to better learn how to beat up their peers. Regardless of why, they were pretty good at what they were doing. Cloud briefly wondered whether or not Logan had really orchestrated this strategy. It was well thought-out!

Despite his superior skill and experience, Cloud was hard-pressed to keep the other boys at bay. His body was tiring faster than he liked, he'd already been training for over an hour before they came in, and he'd had a full day of classes before that. He ducked another blow from Logan, but moved just a little too slow, and the knuckles grazed his cheek. As if on cue, Fisk and Wyatt both struck simultaneously, Cloud managed to block one, but the other landed hard on his back.

With no more than a grunt to show the pain, Cloud whirled, swinging his foot outward and up to crack the larger boy across the jaw. Wyatt's grey eyes widened and he staggered backwards. Lucas ducked in at that moment and tried to grab Cloud's arms. Cloud felt a smirk twitch the corners of his mouth before he slithered downwards, out of the lean boy's grasp, next the boy's legs flew out from beneath him as Cloud swiped them, and the blond dropped his weight, elbow-down on the boy's stomach.

There was no more time to attempt to incapacitate the youth, as Cloud rolled hastily out of the way of Logan's kick. It was well aimed, and once again the burly lad hit a glancing blow across Cloud's face. Cloud rolled as far as he dared and was on his feet again, watching the boys around him as he panted. Wyatt was rubbing his jaw and blinking rapidly. Lucas had rolled away, and was gasping on the floor trying to recover his breath. Logan and Fisk were still relatively unharmed. Cloud was breathing slowly, trying to keep his stamina. He noticed when Logan glanced significantly at the other boys, and did his best to brace himself for 'Round 2'.

Once again they lunged, Cloud moved, sliding back enough to brace himself, ducking the first blow and dropping nearly to the ground, both of his feet shot out as he braced his hands against the floor, he felt both heels connect solidly, and heard a pained cry that could only belong to Wyatt. He rolled with the momentum he'd built, and came up with a solid punch at Logan's sternum, the older boy stepped back with a hasty yelp, Lucas chose that moment to re-enter the fray, his breath still rasping, and eyes clouded with fury and pain. Cloud reeled backwards, thrusting an elbow behind him, and noting the surprised cry from Fisk as it grazed the older boy's midsection. He crouched low, balancing on the balls of his feet as the four boys pulled back again. They were all angry, and surprised, Fisk and Wyatt looked concerned, and Lucas was simply enraged. A little too hot-headed, that one! Cloud noted; He'd have managed poorly in SOLDIER. Cloud was breathing heavily now, rapidly blinking sweat from his eyes, and intently focusing past the light-headedness of over-exertion. … He wasn't going to outlast them.

Cloud didn't wait for Round 3, He launched himself at Logan, ducking in with several high kicks and punches that would have made Tifa, or her Master Zangan proud. Logan blocked as well as he could, but Cloud was just faster, landing several painful blows on the stomach and neatly dropping the boy with a kick to the chest. He whirled as the other three advanced, ducking Lucas' first blow and punching Fisk in the gut. The boy's breath left in a hiss and he pulled back, Wyatt taking his place. Lucas managed to land a kick against the back of Cloud's knee, yanking him off-balance long enough for Wyatt to knee him in the chest. Cloud jerked back striking out at both boys long enough to slither backwards out of the way. Cloud was wheezing now, Logan had picked himself back up, and Fisk was quickly recovering. Cloud took the moment he could to recover his own breath.

Round 4, was apparently also "Plan B". Once again they rushed him simultaneously, but instead of randomizing the attacker, they surrounded him and aimed four different blows at once. Cloud twisted past one, and hoped over the leg swipe, and blocked a solid punch. but Fisk managed to kick him in the ribs, drawing another soft grunt from Cloud. The blow throbbed painfully, but it felt like no more than a nasty bruise. They switched heights faster than Cloud could regain his balance, a different boy aiming at each potential strike-zone. Cloud spun again, but he was quickly tiring, and his foot slid on the sweat-slicked floor. Wyatt's kick struck him in the side of one leg, Lucas' blow, aimed for Cloud's sternum, grazed a shoulder instead as he lurched. Fisk missed entirely, but Logan finally got in the hit he was aiming for, the 'leader' compensating for Cloud's loss of balance, and managed to solidly strike his fists against the back of Cloud's head. The small blond felt himself gasp, for a moment the he was deafened by a strange ringing noise, and the world seemed to suddenly move sluggishly, he blinked slowly twice, then the sound came rushing back, and everything snapped into real-time.

He felt himself falling, his legs too far out to support himself, and instinctively he twisted to compensate.

At the same moment, the four boys dove, throwing themselves bodily onto him as he dropped. He hit the ground hard, the breath thoroughly crushed from his body, his attempt to compensate his balance had placed one leg awkwardly under him, he now felt a particularly searing pain in his left ankle, it's sprained, his mind informed him numbly. His body was screaming, but his older mind had already turned off acknowledgement of the damage. He'd had worse… He felt the heavy bodies on top of him begin to shuffle, and he was suddenly aware of his own pained wheezing gasps, as he struggled to pull oxygen into his abused lungs. He couldn't move just yet, his body still half-crushed by the weight. But his mind felt detached, … so he noticed when Logan grabbed his right arm, Cloud tried to twist it, but the boy gripped tighter, with both hands. He noted in mild alarm when a foot pressed against his collar-bone. Oh Sh- And then Cloud was screaming.

He just yanked my arm from my socket. The detached, warrior portion of Cloud's mind calmly noted, They're trying to cripple me… His body moved before Cloud even realized what he was doing, He twisted out from under the mass, ignoring the pain in his useless limb. His foot shot upward, catching Logan solidly in the throat. He thought he heard choking, but he was already moving on to the next boy, Wyatt took Cloud's next kick solidly in the knee-cap. The boy dropped, screaming to the ground, he wasn't going to get up again soon. Cloud twisted in his half-crouch, his left ankle unable to support his full weight. Fisk was coming in from the side. Cloud twisted to get out of the way, slowed by his injuries, the toe of Fisk's boot still caught him in the stomach. Lucas… Cloud rolled, grabbing the foot aimed for him and twisted harshly. The smaller attacker dropped with a yelp.

They're on my 'radar'. Cloud's mind noted helpfully, irony of ironies… his subconscious had finally decided the boys were a threat, now that they had successfully crippled his movements and he doubted he'd be able to do much more damage. He started to chuckle, Lucas' expression had gone from angry, to unnerved when Cloud began to laugh, the boy skittered away hastily, even as Logan returned to the fight. Cloud slid backwards to the best of his abilities, but Logan and Fisk kicked at the same time, Cloud twisted, both boots hit him, but not as hard as they might have. Don't let them break any bones… His mind seemed to warn. The three boys swarmed in on him, he kicked and punched wherever he could reach, but he was down, and they knew it. In a few seconds he had curled up protectively, wrapping his good arm around his head and writhing to lessen the impacts of the kicks. NO BONES! They would take too long to heal, and broken bones could turn lethal with further injury! So he took the hits in more painful areas to protect his ribs, he moved out of the way of the worst damage. At this point it was all he could do. When the kicks stopped raining, Cloud had a mere moment to wonder why, before he sensed Logan leaning in, a thick hand wrapped around his throat, and Cloud's hand quickly moved to wrap around Logan's wrist as the larger boy lifted him off the ground. Blue eyes flicked open as Cloud assessed his surroundings once more. Logan was breathing in a painful rasp, his throat already purpling from where Cloud had kicked him. Cloud couldn't see Wyatt from his position, but he could hear the cries and whimpers from the boy, there was no doubt he was still on the floor in pain. The other two looked pretty roughed up, but I'm sure I'm much prettier… His mind, sounding oddly like Zack for a moment, muttered.

Logan was saying something again; Cloud didn't know why he expected to be heard. Even with his good, left arm struggling to relieve the pressure, Logan's grip was cutting off his air, his hearing was already fuzzy, and the black splotches were starting to eat the edges of his vision.

There was a pretty good chance they'd beat him up a little more if he passed out. Cloud mused resignedly. But just as his ineffectual clawing at Logan's wrist was weakening, the strength in his arms giving out before the lack of oxygen, his instinct senses went crazy. The three boys surrounding him were suddenly nothing, and Cloud found his wide eyes darting passed his captor to the doorway behind him.

Silver… Black… He was making a strange choking noise, his half-conscious mind rousing to face the threat. His good arm latched back onto Logan's wrist and the boy winced slightly. Fisk, who was standing just at the edge of Cloud's vision, turned visibly pale, muttering something hastily to Logan.

Cloud heard none of what the boys were saying, but he did hear when the man in the doorway spoke. His voice tinged with displeasure, his eyes flashing with veiled anger.

"I hope, for your sakes… there is a very good explanation for this."

Cloud wasn't given the chance to process what was really happening. Logan dropped him at the first sound of his superior officer's voice, whirling in horror to face the silver legend.

Cloud collapsed, no part of him capable of saving him from the fall. He crumpled to the ground unceremoniously, the pain of jarring his bad shoulder stabbing through his torso, … but only for a second before his head impacted next.

He heard Sephiroth speak as he fell, "You will tell me exa-" Then Cloud hit the floor, … and blinked… "-ell aware that Cloud was training in here, that does not explain what YOU are doing in here." He blinked again. His vision focusing sluggishly, he was staring sideways through the legs of the boys. He could see black leather boots standing in front of them. He realized that he was in pain, … his whole torso seemed to throb, but his head just felt fuzzy.

"Ow…" Was all he could think of to say.

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