Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 27: Too Much Thinking
Summary: Sephiroth steps in, but is he too late?
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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Sephiroth sat calmly in the observation room, paying only half-attention to the book in his hands. The rest of his mind was analyzing the movements glimpsed from the corner of his eye. The young Cadet, Cloud Strife, was truly impressive.
The boy moved through a number of martial forms easily, despite his extreme youth, he trained intently, and always appeared completely focused… Sephiroth smiled as he envisioned the kind of SOLDIER the boy might become. Disciplined, intelligent, cool-headed… He could think of more than a few missions where someone like that would have been invaluable. Cloud would make an excellent SOLDIER, and an excellent swordsman… Sephiroth's smirk quickly faded,
Unless Tseng's suspicions proved true, … If Cloud turned out to be the Wutaian Spy Tseng believed he might be… He would never make SOLDIER, Shinra simply couldn't afford to allow their enemies access to their greatest weapon, Mako enhanced warriors… Cloud could be a Turk… even if he were a 'spy'. It would be an ideal placement… somewhere he could be watched carefully while still unawares of the attention.
That was why Sephiroth had allowed the internship.
But if Tseng's theory proved unfounded… Sephiroth chuckled softly in the quiet room.
Angeal and Genesis were both skilled fighters, and great friends, but even they didn't have the potential… This boy Cloud… with Mako enhancements… he had the potential to be Sephiroth's equal. Or perhaps, even as Angeal suggested, he might someday surpass the great General. … Sephiroth still had mixed feelings about that idea. One the one hand, he disliked the thought of someone besting him.
On the other hand…
The idea of testing his mettle against someone as good, or better than himself… it practically made his mouth water in anticipation.
With a sigh, Sephiroth set those musings aside, it would be quite some time yet before Cloud reached that level. He was still learning, still progressing, and he had yet to receive the necessary Mako enhancements.
Sephiroth's contemplations were halted abruptly as the object of his attentions, the small blond figure in his peripheral view, froze. Sephiroth had to forcibly squash the urge to turn and look at what had interrupted the boy's training. As it was, he spotted the six figures entering the room. Green, slitted eyes flicked to the newcomers. The General quickly recognized them as fellow squad-mates of Cloud's. The leader of the boys was speaking, and for a moment Sephiroth wished he had asked Tseng for his laptop. Only the Turk's portable computer had access to the listening devices installed in the room below. Since he did not have it, and since he was uncertain as to the nature of the encounter, Sephiroth waited.
Two of the boys picked up Cloud's belongings from the bench where the blond have left them earlier, … those two boys exited the room. The remaining four advanced. Cloud's posture changed abruptly to defensive.
Ah… a hostile encounter. Sephiroth noted. He started to stand up from his chair and then hesitated, his mind turning back to his earlier musings. For a moment Sephiroth debated, how would Cloud fare in such a fight? Four boys against one, even though Cloud's abilities already surpassed his peers. As a Superior Officer, it was Sephiroth's duty to halt the confrontation, and yet… the opportunity to witness Cloud's actual skills, … in an unguarded combat situation…
Finally his curiosity won out, and Sephiroth settled back down in his seat, the book in his hands forgotten as he turned to watch the brawl. He took pains never to focus his attention directly on Cloud, as his earlier experimentation had already proved the potentially disastrous results of such a distraction. Instead he watched the boys, alternating whom he followed, and taking care to track the fight as a whole in the periphery of his vision. All this practice at 'not' watching Cloud was doing wonders for Sephiroth's awareness.
The confrontation was more than Sephiroth had originally expected. This wasn't just a case of bullying. These boys had carefully planned their assault. Against an unarmed opponent it was a good plan. But the Silver General could already pick out several flaws in their attack. He smiled as he watched, Cloud was picking out openings quickly, though he wasn't nearly as fast as a SOLDIER he moved with confidence. And yet… for as many openings as he claimed, he seemed to ignore just as many. As the battle dragged on Sephiroth began to scowl. Cloud obviously did not have the stamina for a drawn-out fight,… he should have been able to handle his opponents better than this.
Surely Sephiroth couldn't have underestimated him THAT badly… The General growled under his breath, every time he thought he had Cloud's measure, the blond would do something to throw off his estimation.
The longer the fight continued, the more uncertain Sephiroth became, should he stop it? … no, Cloud still seemed to be holding his own. Each time the attackers rushed the small blond, he still seemed to come out mostly unscathed. Each time, Sephiroth wondered if he needed to intercede, Cloud still seemed to be handling the altercation, the General finally decided to settle back to watch a little longer.
It wasn't until Cloud dropped to the ground, quickly buried by the four boys, that the SOLDIER became truly alarmed, and yet, even then, when he was a second away from interrupting the Cadets, he saw the boy's attackers start flying. He felt himself relax, Cloud was still managing. Two of the youths were tossed from the pile; one began rolling on the floor in obvious agony. The other seemed to be choking, Sephiroth felt his brow furrow, both seemed significantly more seriously injured than before…
It took several moments before the group cleared enough for Sephiroth to get a good visual of Cloud himself. And when he finally did, Sephiroth started cursing. He recognized the limp hang of the boy's arm, his main sword arm… the way he favored his leg… his defensive crouch…
I waited too long! Sephiroth mentally spat, his book went flying even before he'd finished standing, He cared not where it landed. He was out the door in an eye blink, and down the hall in half of one.
He swiped his card so hard against the keypad at the stairs that it didn't at first register, in the half second it took to read his code the second time, Sephiroth was near ready to rip the door in half. He was down the stairs and swiping at the second keypad before the first door had finished opening. This door barely escaped his wrath.
He spotted the two youths 'guarding' the door before they were even aware of his presence, he'd analyzed their faces, and sorting through his mind to his 'name game' he quickly catalogued theirs. Before Cyril could do more than blink, Sephiroth had snatched Cloud's belongings from his hands. Kyle barely had time to register, his eyes widening in horror, before Sephiroth snapped curtly,
"Both of you, get to your bunks, NOW!"
They skittered away before they could even salute, and Sephiroth paid them no heed as he dashed his card through the last panel between him and his target. The door started to slide open, yet the General had not even stepped inside the room, when he felt that familiar twinge, his instincts alerting him of Cloud's presence. Green, slitted eyes flicked up to meet blue ones. And Sephiroth blinked, Logan was holding Cloud by the throat, … already the small boy's face was turning purple, his head and bare torso were battered and bloody, but even in this state, he turned and stared at Sephiroth the moment he entered the room. His blue eyes flickered in recognition, and a strange noise bubbled up his constricted throat. He saw the youth twitch, and jerk, … though what he was attempting to do, Sephiroth had no idea.
"I hope, for your sakes… there is a very good explanation for this." The words came out without Sephiroth thinking about it. Much to his displeasure, the anger showed in his tone. He quickly reigned in his thoughts, and tried to calm himself. … The older Cadet's next actions did nothing to help the General's composure.
The moment he heard Sephiroth's unmistakable voice, Logan, the leader of the gang, dropped Cloud, and whirled to face the famous General. Cloud fell limply, and it was all Sephiroth could do not to visibly wince as the boy's head thudded audibly against the training room floor.
"You will tell me exactly what you are doing here, and you will tell me right now." Sephiroth had continued speaking, only half paying attention to the three standing Cadets. Cloud had not moved since he'd hit the floor, Sephiroth tracked him intently, even anxiously… Logan had hesitated at Sephiroth's demand, but his few lackeys were too terrified to speak, so finally he cleared his throat nervously.
"We saw Cloud sneaking in here, and… he's not supposed to be up after curfew so…"
"It is not against the rules to train or workout after hours." Sephiroth interrupted coolly, "Cloud has been using this room for some time now, He needed the extra practice, The Shinra staff were well aware that Cloud was training in here, that does not explain what YOU are doing in here." Much to the General's relief, he noticed Cloud blinking on the floor, he started shifting slightly in place, but his relief was quickly dashed when the youth uttered one slow, confused, "Ow…" and stared around the room with little comprehension. He was glowering when Logan tried his next excuse,
"But… Cadets aren't allowed to have weapons!"
"Cadet Strife is a Turk Intern, and as such is permitted the use of weaponry. YOU are not allowed possession of HIS weapons." There was just a little snarl in his voice this time.
Logan took a step back, his foot colliding with Cloud's limp arm, eliciting a soft grunt, from the diminutive blond.
"Sir I…"
"Get Out." Sephiroth strode forward, towering over all three boys, "All of you are to report to the infirmary, You will take your friend with you, and you will stay there until I decide otherwise." All three standing Cadets visibly cowered, Sephiroth's eyes narrowed dangerously, and suddenly they couldn't scramble from the room fast enough. Wyatt loudly protested to the jarring movement when they tried to drag him from the room. But as injured as he was, Cloud was by far the most serious.
Once the door had closed behind the four Older Cadets, Sephiroth kneeled as carefully as he could next to Cloud, the boy stared up at him stupidly.
"Cloud?" Sephiroth murmured, "Cadet Strife?" He scanned the boy up and down, bruises were already forming all over his torso, his legs were still covered by Turk suit pants. His left ankle was swelling badly, as was his right shoulder where it had been dislocated. That would have to be looked at quickly. When he moved as if to touch him, Life suddenly flickered back into the blue eyes,
"Wait…" Cloud managed shakily, his voice a little odd and distance, Sephiroth paused and looked at him, "Wait…" Cloud repeated, his good hand twitched and lifted slightly to present one finger, an emphasis to his statement. Sephiroth waited, and for several seconds the blond seemed to drift off into his own thoughts. "I … I think I have a concussion."
Sephiroth blinked, and the boy smiled, as if he'd had a sudden epiphany, "I think I have a concussion!" He repeated with mild enthusiasm.
Sephiroth had suspected as much, he barely stifled a sigh, "Cloud Strife? You know who I am … right?"
"I think my left ankle is twisted," The youth continued, frowning a little, "and my shoulder… well,.. not twisted, but I think it's dislocated." His blue eyes, a little unfocused still, flicked back up to Sephiroth, "And I think have a concussion."
"Cloud." Sephiroth repeated intently, "Cloud Strife," … it was important to catch and hold the attention of an individual suffering from a concussion. The faster their mind became cognizant of its surroundings, the better.
"Hmmm?" The boy finally paused,
"Who am I."
"Huh?" The blond frowned at him again, "Don't YOU know?"
Sephiroth felt his lips twitching, "Yes I do, … do you?"
"Uh-huh." Cloud smiled, "I think I have a concussion though, so I might be a little out-of-it."
"Ah." Sephiroth nodded sagely, "I see…"
"Yeah, I hit my head… er…"
"You hit your head?" The General prompted, … Cloud's eyes were slowly focusing better, his body shifting slightly as he spoke.
"No… I mean… someone hit me in the head….One of the kids… they, ..." Cloud suddenly chuckled, "They totally wiped the floor with me."
"Ah." Sephiroth shook his head and sighed, "Cloud? Listen…"
"I'm pretty sure that's what gave me a concussion."
"Cloud." The SOLDIER repeated, a little exasperated,
"Yeah?"
"I'm going to pick you up now."
"I don't think I broke any bones." Cloud dutifully informed him, "but I twisted my ankle, and my shoulder is dislocated. I think I got a concussion too."
Ignoring this latest tidbit of information, Sephiroth lifted him easily into his arms, taking special care not to jostle the young boy's head. Cloud kept right on talking during this procedure.
"I don't think it's a second degree concussion. I can remember things, I remember getting beaten up."
"Mmm-hmm." Sephiroth agreed non-committally as he strode towards the infirmary.
"Have you ever had a concussion?"
"No."
"I'm pretty sure I have a concussion, my head feels funny and half of my mind is arguing with the other half."
Sephiroth couldn't resist raising an eyebrow at that statement, "Oh really?"
"Yeah, I'm not sure why." The boy was frowning again,
"What are they saying?" Sephiroth prompted when Cloud fell silent,
"Well, part of my head keeps wondering if I have a concussion."
"And the other half?"
"The other half of my head keeps saying I'm blabbing, and that I have a concussion."
"I see." They had reached the Infirmary by this point, and Sephiroth pushed the door open with his foot, even as they entered the room, Cloud glibly asked the General to confirm his suspicions as to whether or not he had a 'concussion'.
Sephiroth's face went carefully blank as the smell of disinfectants and chemicals reached his nose, and much to his surprise, Cloud stiffened in his arms.
It only took a few seconds for the nurse to look up, she was tending to one of the other young Cadets Sephiroth had ordered here, but hastily approached the General when he glanced in her direction.
"General Sephiroth Sir?"
"Heh, She knows who you are too!" Cloud relaxed, grinning cheerfully.
The nurse blinked, and focused suddenly on the blond in Sephiroth's arms, "Oh…" She murmured, "Is this another one?"
Having already noted the other boys, Sephiroth nodded, "He has a concussion." He stated simply, and wasn't much surprised when Cloud leapt on that admission as an excuse to begin his catalogue of injuries.
The nurse nodded seriously, and gestured for Sephiroth to bring the boy to one of the vacant beds. Beyond them, the General could still hear the pained cries of the Cadet with the dislocated knee, Wyatt… he believed his name was.
With brisk, efficiency, the nurse checked Cloud over, assessing the injuries as Cloud listed them once again, and turned back to Sephiroth.
"General… Sir." She began hesitantly, he nodded for her to continue,
"Would you mind holding him steady? I need to reset his shoulder, before I can administer any potions or restorative magic."
Without a word Sephiroth stood, and braced the boy, he had relocated a number of joints during the battles in Wutai, it was not a new experience, … but …
"Where is the rest of the staff?" He bluntly voiced the thought aloud.
The nurse sighed, even as she moved carefully, adjusting Cloud's arm to the right angle, grabbed his arm firmly, and put her weight into it. With a final 'pop' the joint slipped back into place. The blond blinked, once… twice… then he frowned.
"That hurt…. a lot." Cloud muttered, softly grunting as he winced.
Sephiroth shook his head, feeling a smirk daring to grace his lips.
"Usually they scream when I do that." The nurse muttered curiously.
"The staff?" Sephiroth prompted,
"Well…" The nurse beside him shuffled uncomfortably, "One of them called in sick, and the other skipped out early… We're not usually very busy at night, … he didn't think he'd get caught."
Sephiroth said nothing, but privately he vowed to personally dress-down the medic who had skimped on the night shift. "So it's just you?" He asked, she nodded, and then bit her lip.
"Um… General… Sir." Having relocated Cloud's shoulder, she was now carefully bandaging it in place.
"Yes?"
"I don't suppose… you would…"
"If you need help, just ask." Sephiroth insisted, "I am a General… I am not squeamish."
The young woman seemed to sigh in relief. "This Cadet really does have a concussion, even after I give him a potion for it; he's going to need to stay awake for at least two hours. … Could you stay that long?"
Sephiroth felt one of his eyebrows raise, "If he has a concussion… he's going to have to be woken every two hours after that… all night long."
"Er… yes." Suddenly she refused to meet his gaze. "But… I can wake him, in between caring for the other boys."
Sephiroth sighed. "I have nothing particularly important to do tonight. I can watch him. Please take care of the other Cadets."
Blinking at him in startlement, the young nurse stuttered her gratitude, whirling quickly to fetch the promised potion for Cloud.
Watching her leave, the blond in question smiled, "She thinks I have a concussion too."
Torn between exasperation and laughter, Sephiroth shook his head, covering his face with one leather gloved hand as a snicker slid past his lips.
If only all concussion victims were so amusing…
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