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.

35. Pillow Fight

Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 35: Pillow Fight

Summary: Sephiroth is not pleased about the results of the Disciplinary Hearing… But the rest of his friends know just how to distract him.

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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Angeal hesitated at the door, his keycard held habitually in his left hand. From just inside training room 3 he heard another loud crash, followed by a snarled curse. It was going to be one of those days… he decided with a soft internal sigh. He winced at the unmistakable sound of something very heavy being hurled into a wall, … the far wall… judging by the other sounds of mayhem shuddering through the thick door. With another sigh, SOLDIER 1st class Lieutenant Angeal Hewley straightened his shoulders and swiped the card against the keypad.

The door slid open with a barely audible puff of compressing air, and Angeal stepped through quickly, ducking just in time to avoid taking a flying chunk of robot to the head. The training bots were active… Angeal noted calmly, as the door behind him slid shut and locked once more. He assessed the damage around the room in a glance, the SOLDIER training rooms were specifically designed to take damage, but never-the-less this one was looking quite a bit the worse for wear.

Having taken stock of the situation, Angeal leaned back against the doorframe, folding his arms over his chest, raising one eyebrow and waiting patiently for the other man to acknowledge his presence.

Green eyes flicked to his blue ones, and the other figure's mouth twisted in a snarl. Black booted feet harshly kicked one of the sparking bot-pieces across the room, where it clattered into the dismembered chunks of its brethren.

"He LIED!" Sephiroth finally growled, stomping viciously on another ruined robot.

Angeal sighed aloud, "I thought you got this out of your system yesterday…" He murmured gently,

"We should have HAD those insignificant worms! Expelled them from Shinra so fast they'd still be buttoning their pants! But that…. That little… He just LIED? It makes no sense!"

"I personally have to admit, I found Cloud's actions to be quite honorable."

"I don't care." Sephiroth snorted, "I don't see that he gained ANYTHING from letting those pieces of scum get away!"

"It's not always about gain Seph." Angeal tried vainly to sooth.

"We should have questioned all the brats separately." The General continued, striding over to the wall and hastily imputing the code-request for more bots.

While his back was turned Angeal slipped his own phone from his pocket, typing a hasty message and sending it,

-Pillow fight: Training Room 3.-

The PHS had disappeared by the time Sephiroth turned back around.

"I saw the whole blasted FIGHT!" The General buried his sword into the largest portion of bot he could find as he waited for the new ones to arrive. "But because of this infuriating… Operation… I can't call little cretin out on his lies… Intuition I said… the council can't take mere 'intuition' as proof. CETRA!"

When the small door where the training robots entered the room opened, the first one had barely passed the threshold before its mechanical head went flying, compliments of the Masamune. The Silver-haired General thrashed several more bots in vexation as Angeal simply watched, occasionally batting away the flying bot-bits with one hand.

It wasn't long before the training room door opened again and Lieutenant Genesis Rhapsodos stepped through. Sephiroth's gaze whipped to the door, and upon viewing the 2nd Lieutenant, his eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing here, Gen?"

Genesis immediately smiled, "I heard you were having a party, … shame on you for not inviting me."

Sephiroth growled something under his breath, viciously stabbing one of the still twitching bot-pieces into the ground.

Genesis' head cocked sideways at the display, smirking mischievously, "You're not still moping about that Midget-Chocobo are you?"

"It was PURGERY!" The General snarled, whipping the robot chunk he'd stabbed with a quick flick of his sword. Genesis snatched it casually from the air before it collided with his chest, and turned it over in his hands, eyeing it boredly.

"Frankly, I think it's ironic you're so surprised by all this." Genesis half-sneered.

"What are you talking about?" Sephiroth's green eyes flickered dangerously,

Genesis snickered, "Oh Come ON! … I could have told you it wouldn't work!"

"What the PLANET are you yammering about?" the General's silver brows furrowed quickly,

"You guys are so blind sometimes," Genesis continued, unperturbed by the slit-eyed glare directed at him. "Here we are, talking about this kid who manages to defy all logic, and what do you automatically expect he'll do? … Act Logically." Genesis laughed, "You assume he'll do exactly as you predict… I mean, it's not like he ever does ANYTHING that a normal boy his age wouldn't do right? Who would possibly expect CLOUD of all people to do something nonsensical?" Dripping with sarcasm, The auburn haired Lieutenant blatantly ignored the murderous looks Sephiroth was directing at him as he continued, "You just painted yourself into a nice little corner with your fibs, and now you're mad that someone caught you. It's so convenient when everyone else does what you want them to isn't it?"

"Genesis…" Angeal warned, "I think that's enough."

Genesis snorted, "If he gets to throw baby tantrums, I can point out how foolish this whole thing was!" He shook his head, before brushing his auburn hair from his eyes, "Seriously! Why would we be paying so much attention to a teenager if he did exactly what every kid his age would do? It's not like we have piles and piles of information leading to the conclusion that the boy makes no sense… so of course he'll do exactly as a 14 year old predictably would, … wouldn't he? Everything new we learn about Cloud just fits SO WELL with what we've already learned doesn't it? So him doing something that we DON'T expect is just so surprising… isn't it?"

"If you knew so much, why didn't you speak up earlier?" Sephiroth snapped, he'd stopped destroying the bots for the moment, and now drew steadily closer to the two SOLDIERs by the door.

"You seemed to be handling everything so wonderfully by yourself." Genesis snickered, "and you never asked."

"It was a discussion. I shouldn't HAVE to ask!" The General retorted,

Genesis paused for a moment, his grin widening, as he leaned back thoughtfully against the wall. "Now, really Sephiroth, let's be honest,… I don't think you could actually be this upset because a couple of Cadets got off easy for being jealous of another kid. I think you're upset, because you… the great General Sephiroth… can't seem to figure out a fourteen year old boy! It just rankles doesn't it? That you can't fit him neatly and orderly into your mental boxes, … that you can't make SENSE of him?"

"Gen!" Angeal interrupted hastily, "Stop!"

The Auburn-haired Lieutenant turned a lazy eye on Angeal, raising one eyebrow. "He needs to get over himself."

"You're one to talk!" Sephiroth growled, rolling his eyes,

"Seph, … I think that's plenty enough of that." Angeal scolded, but his eyes flicked back to Genesis, silently urging the 2nd Lieutenant to see what he did. Meeting his eyes, Genesis smile faded slightly, and his own gaze darted to Sephiroth, finally noting the thin black slits, and the faint green glow in the General's unusual eyes.

"Maybe his mom dropped him on his head one too many times as a baby." Genesis sneered under his breath, his voice just barely audible to the two other mako-enhanced SOLDIERs.

Sephiroth moved without a word, his right fist striking out towards the 2nd Lieutenant's face, he still held the Masamune in his left hand, but it wasn't in an aggressive position yet.

Genesis dodged, but the General's fist still grazed his cheek.

"Sephiroth!" Angeal yelped, lunging forward to grab his Superior Officer's arm, "Get ahold of yourself!" Angeal whirled to face Genesis, hastily placing a hand on his friend's chest. "Genesis! When are you going to learn when to keep your mouth shut?"

Genesis glowered, running two fingers along the length of the red mark gracing his cheek.

"Why do you have to Trivialize everything?" Sephiroth snarled, "You cocky, flamboyant, son of a-"

"Have I come in at a bad time?" Tseng asked calmly from the doorway, even Angeal had been too caught up in the proceedings to notice the quiet Turk's entry.

"How come everyone finds me so easily when I want to be alone?" Sephiroth snapped moodily, jerking his arm from Angeal's grasp and viciously kicking one of the broken robots.

"I was looking for you," Tseng explained indulgently, "and a helpful maintenance worker told me to 'follow the explosions'." Angeal hastily smothered a chuckle, grinning as Tseng continued, "But my method of investigation aside, if now is not a good time, I can return sometime later, or perhaps we could set up an appointment of some variety?"

Sephiroth hesitated, "What do you want?"

"I was hoping for a moment to speak with you." Tseng murmured, "I have something I think you'll be interested in."

"Is it about Cl-er…" Sephiroth turned, glancing at the still-open door, "Is it about the 'weatherman'?"

Genesis snickered softly, but Tseng continued before the auburn-haired SOLDIER could add his two-cents worth, "Indeed it is."

Sephiroth gestured at Angeal, silently motioning for the lieutenant to close and lock the door behind the Turk. Angeal did so with a quiet smile.

Still chuckling softly Genesis turned towards Angeal, muttering audibly under his breath, "At least Cloud's predictable in ONE way,…"

Angeal rolled his eyes, but couldn't resist a smile, his gaze darted to Tseng, "So is this a Weatherman meeting then?" He mused aloud,

"The only missing Operative is Zackary Fair." Tseng returned, raising an eyebrow at Angeal,

"Ah," Angeal chuckled, "I'm sure we can fill him in later."

"Speaking of Zack, where exactly IS your protégé Angeal?" Sephiroth murmured with a frown,

"Zack is with Cloud, at Reno's apartment." The raven-haired SOLDIER returned with a grin, "I called him earlier, he's watching over our little… 'weatherman', he and Reno have plans for some… 'get well soon' presents or something tonight."

"Don't you usually train your puppy during the day though?" Genesis smirked,

Angeal just laughed, "Pscyho Mother-Hen remember? … I couldn't peel Zack away from Cloud with a crowbar! And even if I did manage something… he'd be completely useless! I won't get any serious work or training outta him until Cloud's off bed-rest… maybe even longer, I'm certainly not going to bother trying right NOW."

"No need for a Formal Weatherman meeting then." Tseng decided with a nod, "Most of what we do is conjecture anyways."

"Alright then," Sephiroth quickly settled into 'business mode', walking over to one of the side benches against the wall, he draped a towel across his lap, and briskly removed his sword polish, settling to work almost immediately. "Tell me Tseng, what has Cloud done now?"

"It isn't so much what he's done, … as what has been said about him." Tseng clarified, "I managed to coax Reno into talking to me about Cloud."

"Heh," Genesis snorted, interrupting the Turk, "So is that noisy little red-head going to join our Conspiracy now?"

"Actually, no." Tseng merely glanced at the Lieutenant, "Reno would not make a very good addition to Operation Weatherman. He's too clever, … Unlike young Zackary, he would not be content to simply find evidence against our theories. … I would not put it past Reno to falsify information, or tamper with evidence to shed a better light on Cloud."

Sephiroth winced, "As if Cloud isn't already confusing enough."

"Exactly." Tseng nodded, before continuing, "So as I was explaining, I spoke to Reno earlier this morning, during the time he has spent as Cloud's partner, he's observed a number of very interesting habits and tidbits concerning our subject. According to Reno, Cloud can both read lips, and pick locks with skill and efficiency."

"Lip reading and lock picking…" Angeal mused aloud, "Sounds like support for your Spy theory."

Tseng nodded again, "It could very well, yes."

"What else did Reno say?" Sephiroth asked almost impatiently,

"Cloud Strife, apparently possesses some kind of 'pen-pal' in Cosmo Canyon. As of yet we do not know the identity of this acquaintance. … According to Reno, Cloud mailed what he claimed were 'Endangered Junon Rarabs' to this pen-pal."

"So, Cloud was found rescuing the Rarabs near Junon?" Sephiroth repeated in puzzlement, "What does that tell us, if anything?"

Angeal shrugged, "That Cloud's a closet environmentalist?"

"Dang tree huggers…" Genesis snickered,

"Until we have identified his pen-pal, we might simply assume he has some sort of hobby…" Sephiroth shrugged, patiently ignoring his lieutenants.

"That might be prudent." Tseng nodded, "In addition to Cloud's strangely environmentally friendly activities, he mentioned to Reno at some point that his best friend was a man named 'Vincent Valentine'."

"Oookay…" Genesis raised an eyebrow, "and we care… why?"

"Vincent Valentine?" Sephiroth repeated, frowning, "That name's familiar somehow, … I think I read it in a report somewhere."

Tseng smiled, "With your memory, it would not surprise me."

"So who IS Vincent Valentine then?" Angeal prompted,

"Vincent Valentine was a Turk." Tseng answered smoothly,

"There is no 'was' amongst the Turks." Sephiroth scowled,

"Unless he's dead." Genesis added.

"Which he is." Tseng nodded,

"So Cloud used to be friends with a Turk?" Angeal smiled at the thought, "That might explain a few things right?"

Tseng sighed, "It might have… except that 'Vincent Valentine' has been dead for almost 30 years."

A sudden pause dropped over the Training room, with several pairs of eyes widening, "Cloud is only 14…" Angeal muttered what he was certain they were all thinking.

"Are we certain that this Valentine character is dead?" Sephiroth asked quickly,

At that question, Tseng pulled a few slender folders from under his arm, passing them around to the room's occupants. "I anticipated some questions along that line, and took the liberty of printing out all the information I could uncover concerning Vincent Valentine."

The packets were accepted with interest, even Genesis took his without complaint and began immediate perusal of the information.

"Interesting to note," Tseng continued, while the SOLDIERs read the print-outs he had brought, "That Vincent Valentine's body was never recovered… he was reported Killed In Action during an extended bodyguard mission in Nibelheim. His death report was filled out by Professor Hojo himself, who was in charge of the Project underway at the time."

"What project was that?" Sephiroth frowned,

"That information is Classified." Tseng returned quickly.

"Okay," Angeal murmured, glancing up at Tseng as he spoke, "Let me see if I understand this. … Vincent Valentine was helping with a top-secret project in Cloud's home town, where he was killed. And yet, … 30 years later a mysteriously well-informed 14 year old boy shows up who claims said KIA Turk is his best friend? … IS not WAS right?"

"That seems to accurately sum up the situation." Tseng affirmed,

Suddenly Genesis started snickering, "Hey Seph!" The Auburn-haired Lieutenant turned with a mischievious grin, "This Vincent guy practically disappeared on your birthday!"

Sephiroth rolled his eyes, "I'm sure that's fascinating Gen."

"27 years ago, almost on the dot!" The Lieutenant continued to chuckle,

Ignoring the auburn-haired SOLDIER, Sephiroth's attention turned to Tseng, "Is it possible, that Valentine somehow survived? … and if so, would it explain Cloud's abilities if such is the case?"

Tseng pondered this for a moment, "While it is extremely unlikely, there is some possibility that Vincent survived somehow, … and that might well explain a number of Cloud's abilities."

"So this Valentine was a good Turk then?" Genesis grinned,

Tseng's eyes flicked to the red-clad Lieutenant, "Vincent Valentine was one of the best, … He was Veld's partner, and on the few occasions I had the opportunity to work beside him, I have never seen his equal."

Genesis whistled, "That's quite a recommendation!"

Angeal couldn't help but grin, "Does this solve our puzzle then?"

Tseng sighed, "I'm afraid not. … Vincent specialized in sharp-shooting, tracking, and stake-out maneuvers, but he did not know martial arts, nor was he familiar with anything Wutaian. … He's also a Technophobe… so I don't see that he could have taught Cloud everything."

"Technophobe?" Genesis repeated with a chuckle,

"A Fear of, or aversion to technology." Sephiroth explained,

"I know what it means!" Genesis snapped back.

Angeal scanned over his own papers again, a new idea itching in his mind, "Could Vincent Valentine be Cloud's father? He's certainly old enough…"

Sephiroth snorted, "No, we know who Strife's father is."

"Oh." Angeal almost sighed, it would have been terribly ironic…

"Supposing that Valentine is alive, and somewhere close enough to Nibelheim to have mentored the boy, … surely Shinra would have become aware of his existence?" Sephiroth mused,

"One would assume," Tseng murmured,

"Unless he was hiding somewhere," Angeal returned, "Cloud did 'fail to mention' something of interest in the Nibel mountains did he not? Perhaps he met up with an Ex-Turk in hiding there?"

"An interesting theory." Tseng smirked, "However, if Vincent Valentine yet lives... his loyalties to Shinra would be compromised, else why would he fail to report in?"

"So if he IS alive, he probably has some sort of vendetta against the company." Sephiroth said thoughtfully, "Which begs the question, why his protégé would join Shinra in the first place?"

"More than that," Genesis added with a sneer, "Why would he discourage Cloud from joining the Turks… why SOLDIER?"

"In point of favor," Tseng interrupted, "Cloud does not seem to have any particular aversion to the Turk organization."

"hmmm…" Angeal pondered, "If Valentine felt somehow betrayed, one would expect him to instill some of the same dislike into one he taught."

"But that does not seem to be the case." Sephiroth confirmed, "Cloud Strife seems very … amiable, towards Shinra."

"But not towards Hojo!" Genesis gleefully reminded them, "He responded very coldly to the professor when observed… if you recall?"

Sephiroth nodded, "Perhaps a personal vendetta against Hojo himself?"

"Perhaps." Tseng agreed, already deep in thought.

"So…" Genesis added with a mocking grin, "Does this contribute somehow to our existing theories? Or do we need to get a new folder?"

Sephiroth sighed loudly, but it was Tseng who answered, "It seems some investigations are in order… until we can confirm the existence of an 'Ex-Turk Vincent Valentine'… this information probably has little bearing on our current investigation."

"One more for the 'makes no sense what-so-ever' folder then." Genesis laughed,

"It's like a soap-opera!" Angeal chuckled, shaking his head at the thought,

Tseng sighed loudly, folding his arms behind his back, "In my experience with investigations, I have occasionally come across situations, in which I feel like we're missing the key to the puzzle."

"Key to the puzzle?" Sephiroth frowned, "Care to explain that a little more?"

"Well, some puzzles, like a jig-saw, each piece connects to the pieces next to it… making sense." Tseng continued, "While in other puzzles, all the pieces connect to a central 'key' piece… thus nothing fits together at all, unless you have the 'key piece'. … Call It intuition, but this feels like one of those cases."

Angeal's eyes widened a little in sudden understanding, he grinned, "Gotta get me one of those puzzles…" He muttered under his breath,

"Well look at the evidence," Tseng expounded, ignoring the Lieutenant's interruption, "Every single theory we have concerning Cloud, contains some pieces of information that support it, and others, that seem to prove it impossible. All of these theories can't be both 'probable' and 'impossible' at the same time. All of these pieces have to fit together somehow, yet they don't support each other. … we're missing the key, … Something that ties this all together, and explains all of these… impossibilities."

Angeal rubbed his chin in thought, "I can see what you mean… it could be something that's been right under our noses the whole time."

Genesis snorted, "Or maybe we're just over thinking this whole thing again."

Sephiroth sighed, "Either way, it seems we're not much closer to uncovering Strife's mysteries…. Though perhaps we have a possible clue to investigate now."

"Indeed." Tseng added with a nod.

The room fell quiet again, as all four men puzzled over the new information, when no one spoke for several moments Angeal stretched with an audible sigh, "Anyways, if that's all you've got for the moment… I was hoping to give our favorite little blond a visit."

Sephiroth turned to stare, raising an eyebrow at his raven-haired Lieutenant, "Why are you visiting Cloud?"

"To give him a get-well present of course!" Angeal grinned, before turning with an almost cheeky wave as he strode through the door. "I'm not going to let a couple of teenagers have ALL the fun." He chuckled as he felt the confused stares of the other SOLDIERs as the door shut firmly behind him. Never a dull moment… he thought to himself.

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