Chapter 06 - Crisis of Commerce, Part 2

[whm_koorii]

Part 1

-

Zack stayed quiet, just staring upward and ambling along in no real hurry. He was content to bask in the experience of spending a good time with two of the people he cared about. Above him the underside of the plate was dark and forbidding, but somehow it seemed a little brighter than usual.

“He's a good kid,” he said at length, once he was sure they were far off enough that Cloud couldn't overhear them. It occurred to Zack that he had no real idea how old Cloud was physically or mentally, though he didn't really think it mattered. After what he'd learned, Zack couldn't ignore the urge he had to look after him and make sure he didn't fall to pieces, and that maybe, just maybe, the guy got a little piece of happiness. Zack felt happy with his life, and he was the kind of man who wanted to spread that happiness around to everyone. Cloud, like Sephiroth, definitely seemed like he deserved a little of that happiness. “A little weird, but good."

"Zack," Aerith admonished gently, though she couldn't seem to help but give a small smile in response to his own impish grin. "He's not weird at all. If anything, next to you, he's quite normal!" She swayed into his side, and slid her arms around one of his. "But he is quite sad. I think...I made him a little bit sadder, too."

How could he explain to Aerith that it was because she was special to Cloud? That he'd known her in another time, far away, and lost her, apparently so violently that he'd never quite recovered. He couldn't, and not only because he didn't want to upset her. Zack knew Aerith was a wonderful, strong young woman even if she was a bit shy, and maybe unsure about the world still. He could see the promise of strength in her, had seen it since he'd met her. It was probably part of what had drawn him to her. He smiled faintly as he remembered their first meeting again. The expression dropped after a second. Zack looked down into Aerith's face, taking in the small frown and the insecurity and worry she wore openly, and moved his hand to clasp hers hand in his. He gave it a gentle squeeze, well aware of how his strength could hurt her if he wasn't careful.

“He lost someone,” Zack said carefully, “a lot like you, from the way he described her. I think you remind him a bit of her, but not in a bad way.” He'd never directly lie to her if he could avoid it. A lot of his life Zack had to keep secret from her because it was ShinRa business, and you couldn't go spilling ShinRa business. Just like she apparently didn't want to tell him she was an Ancient yet, though he still wasn't sure what that really meant. It was apparently something special. Zack didn't need anyone to tell him Aerith was special, and he certainly didn't think she was that way for something so material. She was special just because she was Aerith. “I think being friends with you will do him some good.” He smiled at her as they came up short before the church.

Zack studied her face, thinking about all the things Cloud had told him. About how Tseng had kidnapped her-something that still made betrayal fizzle in him-about how Hojo had caged her and tried to do horrible things to her, and about how Sephiroth had killed her. Some part of him wondered how Cloud looked at her, how he felt about her, but Zack wasn't particularly worried about that. He wasn't really the type to get worked up over that sort of thing, and he trusted Aerith. Just like she trusted him to be a bit of an idiot and a flirt and nothing more. More than that, he trusted Cloud, even if he hadn't known him that long. Somehow, it felt like he'd known him all his life. Zack suspected it came from sharing a similar sadness and burden, even if Cloud didn't realize it.

In the future that might never be, Cloud had become his living legacy; had accepted the burden of Zack's pride, honor, and dreams. In the here and now Zack was Angeal's legacy, had accepted the burden of Angeal's pride, honor, and dreams. It wasn't the sort of burden that was carried easily, but it was the sort that was carried proudly and sadly.

His heart remained heavy with the things he knew. He wanted to confide in her, but at the same time he didn't feel comfortable dragging her into this mess just yet. It might be a little selfish but he wanted, needed, someone there who could be genuinely happy when things became too much. Aerith had been that for him since he'd met her. Lifting his hand, Zack lightly touched her hair with his gloved fingertips and pressed a careful kiss against her temple. “Be careful, okay?” he murmured. She smelled of flowers and something like he imagined sunlight and happiness might smell like; a certain indefinable sweetness and warmth. “If I get the chance I'll come visit again tomorrow.”

Aerith closed her eyes as Zack's lips met her forehead, and looked for a moment like she was about to cry. "Of course I will," she whispered, opening her eyes to give him a fond grin. She raised a hand to grasp Zack's gloved one in hers, and drew it away from her hair to lace their fingers together. Stepping back, Aerith let their hands stretch out between them. "I look forward to seeing you then. Maybe you'll have some time to teach me how to use this?" She gave him a coquettish look, tapping her new staff with a nail. It made a dull, metallic rapping noise, and she wrinkled her nose slightly.

“Absolutely!” Zack said, some of that old cheer returning. “I've never been that great with staffs the few time I used them, but I think I can man-” His words stuttered to a halt as she stepped forward, cutting off him off when she rose on tiptoes to press a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. A moment later she stepped back, face flushed in embarrassment at the bold move.

"Thank you for the wonderful time." She still smiled up at him through her blush. "You'd better get back to Cloud before he thinks he's been forgotten."

Zack gaped, brows flirting with his hairline. His expression melted into what he expected was a rather stupid smile. He couldn't help but reach out and gather her to him in a swift embrace, couldn't help but press another kiss to her forehead. “Alright, I know when I'm no longer wanted,” he teased, happy as a chocobo in a field of greens. “I'll go look after the rather sad looking cat I found and see if I can't get him happy, sassy, and purring.” He pulled back, forehead resting against hers for a moment, eyes crinkled at the edges from the width of his smile, then released her at last. “I'll see you soon.”

Somehow, Zack was starting to think that goodbyes were just too final for him. With a last wave and look, he turned and headed back. He felt a little like he could take on the whole world right now.

-

No one bothered Cloud as he stood waiting for Zack's return. There weren't many people about anyway, but his ShinRa uniform made them take a wide berth around him. Perhaps rumors of the ShinRas had already spread, and the toughs had decided to leave things be for now. Cloud was glad for that, even if he wouldn't have had any trouble dealing with them. He was not in the mood to deal with more thick headed bullies. When Zack did return, Cloud didn't comment on the wide grin. He was merely happy that his friends were happy. The return trip through the slums and on the train occured mostly in silence, Zack distracted and lost in his thoughts. Cloud didn't mind the silence; he was used to it. It was when people started talking to him that he got lost and bewildered.

They exited the train, Zack whistling a tune Cloud didn't recognize and Viri cooing along, and began making their way back toward the ShinRa building. Cloud knew they'd have to track down Sephiroth now, a task he was not looking forward to, but it looked like Zack had forgotten all about their job. Just as he opened his mouth to break into Zack's happy haze, a voice rang out across the courtyard they were in.

"Zack! Hey Zack!" A SOLDIER jogged toward them, one hand waving in the air to catch Zack's attention. Cloud stopped as his friend did, curious as to what the other SOLDIER wanted. When he got close enough, the man lowered his hand. His mouth, visible under the helmet, was stretched in a grin. "There you are, man! I've been looking everywhere for you."

“Hey, Kunsel!”

The SOLDIER’s head tilted toward Cloud then. “Is this the mysterious 'we'?” the SOLDIER 2nd muttered, then shook his head. “That's not important I needed to tell you-”

Zack, obviously choosing to ignore him, had turned to Cloud and said, “Cloud, this is my buddy I mentioned, Kunsel. Kunsel, this is Cloud.”

Kunsel lifted his hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Cloud,” he said, then turned back to Zack. “Are you even listening to me?” Cloud nodded in greeting to the other man, though he needn't have bothered with acknowledging the introduction at all as Kunsel's attention had already returned to Zack in full.

“What?” Zack asked.

“I've been trying to get a hold of you for awhile now!”

Zack blinked, then blinked again. His brows furrowed, lips parting and head tilting in a rather puppyish look of confusion. “...Phone?”

The other SOLDIER muttered something about not expecting Zack to be hard to find, then bulled on. “The construction zone in Sector 3 is under attack by a flock of Ahriman. Lazard sent in a Second and a couple Thirds to take care of it. Unfortunately they just found out there are several griffins nesting in the area too.”

“And they're not pleased about the ruckus."

“Lazard wants you to go give them a hand, and sends apologies for bothering you on your time off. He said he couldn't get hold of you.”

Zack pulled his phone out and grimaced at what he found. “Alright, I'll take care of it.” He glanced at Cloud and frowned. “Hey, Kunsel, do you know where Sephiroth is?”

Kunsel shook his head. “I know he's in the building. The receptionists were talking about him earlier.”

Zack cast a helpless look toward Cloud. “You don't need to find him, we can do it later. If you want I can just give you the access cards to get back home.”

For a moment Cloud had thought Zack would bring him along before the brief hope was dashed. Of course Zack didn't need him tagging along. It was ShinRa business, and Cloud was not an official part of SOLDIER even if he'd wanted to help out. That left him with the daunting task of tracking down Sephiroth by himself. It was nice of Zack to give him an out, but Cloud knew he'd have to learn to face the man sooner or later. He might as well do it now. Without Zack there, at least Cloud wouldn't have to worry about his friend as well.

"I can find him," Cloud said, turning his head to gaze unseeingly at the building Kunsel had indicated. The Jenova buzz had returned, though it was nowhere near as intense as it had been the previous day.

Zack frowned at Cloud for a second, then nodded. “You sure?” he asked.

"You'd better hurry, before you get into more trouble." His friend still looked worried, so Cloud tried to sound reassuring as he said, "I'll be fine." He hoped he would be. Facing Sephiroth in battle was intimidating and painful, yet somehow facing him over the matter of the chocobo seemed infinitely worse. Cloud had no idea how Sephiroth would react, or even how he himself would.

Kunsel hadn't looked away from Cloud, curiosity apparent despite his impatient stance. Cloud wasn’t sure what to make of Zack's friend, other than wondering what had happened to the man in his own time. Was he still alive, wondering what had become of Zack? Or had he been killed in the disasters that had encompassed the world? While he would never know the answer, Cloud did hope that Kunsel was still around, still remembered Zack as the friend he'd been.

“Alright, alright. But I want you to take these.” Here Zack paused to pat down his pockets again and produced the access cards necessary for traversing the ShinRa building. “If I need to get around, they know me and I can get someone to spring for me, but you....” Zack grinned, then turned toward Kunsel. “Let's go then, you can give me more details as we go.”

“Aw, Zack...you know this isn't really my thing,” Kunsel grumbled even as he trotted after Zack, and the pair headed off.

“You're a Turk in SOLDIER clothing, I'm telling you,” Zack shot back.

Cloud watched Zack walk away, a leaden feeling in his stomach. Just because he knew it had to be done didn't make it any easier to turn around and walk toward the towering ShinRa building. He let Viri down, the little bird's claws tapping against the concrete with two little snicks, before the chick trotted gamely along at his side. Cloud closed his eyes as the faint breeze caressed his face, and gathered himself to face his worst enemy.

He glanced down at the cards in his hand, and recognized one from the previous night that Zack had used to access the apartments. The other was glossy, the ShinRa logo emblazoned in the corner, and looked similar to the floor access cards Cloud remembered from his own adventures in the headquarters. He wondered what Tifa would do, if she were here. Would she have supported him, matching his stubbornness to make sure Cloud didn't falter?

The cool air from outside turned static and temperature controlled as Cloud stepped through the sliding doors of ShinRa tower. When the doors closed with a whoosh of pressured air, Viri warked, nearly tripping over his feet as he whirled around to glare and posture at them. Cloud paused, then used a boot to push the chick further into the building and break the staring contest. Viri complained loudly as he ruffled his down and strutted away with his wounded dignity wrapped around him.

A receptionist looked up at the unusual sound, her eyes first locking on Cloud before inevitably trailing down to the floor and the little chocobo. Cloud expected her to try to stop them, but obviously the rumors had spread this far as well. Instead of demands to leave, Cloud found himself on the receiving end of a smile as she leaned forward for a better look at the chick.

"Oh, it's adorable! I'd heard that one of the SOLDIERs came in with a baby chocobo. Are you new, perhaps?" she asked, gesturing with one hand at his trooper uniform. "I know the paperwork takes forever, even for the simplest requests." Around Cloud, other people were taking an interest at the commotion at the entryway, curious glances focusing on him from all sides. He had wanted to just slip in, drop Viri off with his owner, and leave as fast as possible, but it didn't look like he'd be able to get away. He frowned slightly, deciding it would be best to continue with the cover story to try and keep the rumors at bay.

"No, I'm…not SOLDIER. But I need to return him," here he gestured with a hand at Viri, "to his owner. Zack…SOLDIER 1st Fair gave me clearance…" Cloud raised the keycard as proof, wishing he'd just taken the endless stairs to bypass all of this.

"Oh, SOLDIER Fair!" the secretary exclaimed, beaming at him again. "He's in and out of here all the time, isn't he? Is he on duty?"

"Uh…" He hadn't expected his first obstacle to be a gossip-happy secretary. She appeared to already be chattering on, not giving him time to think up an answer.

"No, never mind, ShinRa security and all. I know you can't say. Do tell Zack that Layla said hello! Oh, I never did catch your name?"

"…Cloud," he replied, bewildered at the overly-friendly attitude. His last memories of ShinRa headquarters were of fleeing civilians and gun-happy soldiers, so this experience was unique for him. She smiled, an action he noticed she did often, and waved him by.

"Nice to meet you Cloud! I'm sure we'll see each other again."

He nodded uncertainly, then quickly cut over to the glass elevators. The buzz of low conversation around floated after him, and he even thought he saw someone pointing down at him from the upper balcony. He couldn't be more grateful when the elevators dinged, indicating the arrival of one of the cars. Viri hopped back onto his boot when the door slid open, but Cloud merely walked into the elevator. The momentum made the bird run forward a few steps.

Zack seemed to think that Sephiroth would be hard to find, and if Cloud had had to search the entirety of ShinRa headquarters and risk running into Turks, the President's lackies, or worst of all Hojo, that might have been the case. But Cloud always knew where Sephiroth was these days. He pressed the button for one of the highest floors, his face impassive even as his mind began to race.

All he had to do was deliver Viri and leave. Cloud kept telling himself that, as the elevator rose higher and higher. When the elevators stopped on the sixty-second floor, Cloud spared a moment to be grateful that there hadn't been interruptions. If the elevator had stopped anywhere else, he might have chickened out and gone back to wait for Zack. Now that he was here, though, Cloud stepped forward into the smell of books and ink, mixed with the metallic smell that permeated all parts of the tower.

Sephiroth was in the ShinRa library, and that sent a shiver down Cloud's spine. The last time Sephiroth had been found in such a place.… Viri shot straight across the hall toward the nearest door. The door toward which the insistent tugging at the back of Cloud's mind directed him. Cloud followed after the little black body, his head buzzing unpleasantly as he tried to quell the nauseous feeling in his stomach. He paused for a moment outside the doorway Viri had disappeared through, gathering himself for the confrontation. The peace he'd gathered from his visit with Aerith and Zack buoyed him, and helped Cloud make the final step into the room.

Sephiroth stood near a bookshelf, book in hand, looking as pristine and powerful as he always did. His fall of silver hair shone in the harsh electric lighting, and shifted as the man turned slightly. Green eyes that had been focused on the ecstatic chocobo at his feet turned toward Cloud, and he was caught in the familiar hold of Sephiroth's gaze.

"…Sir," Cloud managed to choke out. Now he really did wish he'd waited for Zack. "…I brought.…" He didn't finish, just gestured obviously at Viri. All he needed was for Sephiroth to dismiss him, and then he could escape and hide himself in Zack's quarters again.

Slowly, Sephiroth looked back to the chocobo chick and frowned faintly. “I was under the impression that you were properly equipped to care for it,” he said, even as he stepped aside to escape the affectionate chocobo.

Cloud frowned and glanced down at Viri as Sephiroth took another step away from the happy chick. Obviously Sephiroth had expected to wash his hands of the chocobo, an idea that made Cloud scoff to himself. Cloud, with his experience with the creatures, knew that not even Sephiroth's cold attitude would do more than inconvenience Viri in the long run.

"…It's not a matter of care, sir," he said quietly, forcing himself to take a further step into the room. "Viri has imprinted himself on you." Almost against his will, Cloud found himself amused at the sight of a tiny ball of fluff lovingly rubbing up against Sephiroth's leather boots. To distract himself, Cloud let his eyes trail up to the book still held loosely in the man's hands. He couldn't see most of the title, and Cloud wondered how long Sephiroth had been researching about his past before he'd stumbled upon Hojo's trap.

Sephiroth's frown deepened, brows furrowing slightly before he turned away. With a black gloved hand Sephiroth gestured for the Cloud to come further into the room. “Come here.”

Cloud felt an icy ball of dread drop into his stomach at those words. It was hard enough just being in the man's presence, why did Sephiroth seem insistent on prolonging the uncomfortable meeting? He took another few hesitant steps forward, coming to a stop again in the middle of the room. Sephiroth had turned his attention back to the bookshelves. Cloud felt the weight of Zack's sword on his back, the burning desire to at least draw the weapon in the presence of this man nearly overwhelming. He kept his hands at his side, unwilling to give Sephiroth more reason to be interested in him.

"…The chocobo's provisions have been taken care of. Zack is coordinating with Director Lazard for the continued support," he said in lieu of following Sephiroth's order completely. Cloud hoped, rather futilely he knew, that Sephiroth would lose interest and just let him go.

Sephiroth glanced over his shoulder at him again, then turned back to the bookshelf and began to pull a selection down. “I expect Lazard will inform me of it,” he said, and turned expectantly toward Cloud. “Your name was Cloud, correct?”

"…Yes sir," he mumbled in response to the query. Sephiroth barely waited for acknowledgment before he held out the books to him, obviously expecting Cloud to hold them for him.

Having no other choice but to move closer, the implicit order clear, Cloud reluctantly crossed the rest of the room. Sephiroth barely gave him time to take hold of the books before he released them and turned back to the shelves. Cloud had to lurch forward to keep the topmost book from sliding to the floor. That brought him closer than he liked to the man. The smell of leather and something floral invaded Cloud's senses. He froze, eyes focused desperately on a small patch of Sephiroth's coat he could see through the curtain of silver hair. Cloud wasn't sure what would draw more attention to himself; staying still, or stepping away. Unable to stand the hair-raising feeling of being so close, he took a few quick steps back, the books clutched to his chest protectively.

Sephiroth finished collecting several more books before turning. “Bring those with you,” he said and strode out of the room.

Cloud followed silently after the intimidating form, keeping his gaze locked on the ground at his feet. The entire floor was remarkably empty, and he put it down to Sephiroth's presence. No one would want to hang around and risk incurring the wrath of the legendary General. Cloud was struck by a sudden pang of sympathy for the man. It couldn't be easy, he knew, to be so isolated. As far as Cloud knew, Sephiroth did not have any close friends anymore, aside from possibly Zack who was friends with everyone.

They entered the empty mayor's office. There were stacks of books strewn on the desk indicating Sephiroth had been at his research for a time. Cloud glanced down at the books in his arms. The subject matter appeared to be as he feared-biogenetics and similar subjects. So Sephiroth really was already heading down the path that would lead to his madness. Was there anything Cloud could do, then?

Sephiroth deposited the books in his hands on the desk among other stacks. “Put them here." He turned and leaned back against the desk, arms crossed over his chest. The books made a soft thump as Cloud set them on the desk. He was hyper aware of the man leaning against it only a few inches away. He backed up again, unwilling to turn his back to Sephiroth even though there had been no hostility yet, even when Cloud had all but disobeyed an order. He doubted it was something Sephiroth encountered often. And, Cloud thought with self-deprecation, had probably piqued the Sephiroth's interest again.

“Explain this to me,” Sephiroth said, gesturing at the chick that was tugging insistently at his coat.

"…Chocobos become attached to the first creature they see, upon hatching," Cloud explained slowly, and let his gaze focus on Viri again. Anything to avoid the cat-like green eyes that still bore into his soul. "I assume…you were it for Viri. They…chocobos have to stay with their…parents, for a while." It was probably good that Zack was not here. He wouldn’t have been able to resist addressing the issue with his new favorite term for Sephiroth. "He'll…get sick, if he doesn’t stay with you." Cloud brought a hand to rub at the back of his neck. The Jenova buzz was giving him a headache, not something he experienced often with his mako enhancements.

“And this chocobo views me as its parent?” Sephiroth said, a hint of bafflement creeping into his voice. He stared down at Viri, and the chick stared back with adoring, dark eyes. Sephiroth frowned. Viri merely cooed up at him, and nibbled the hem of his coat. Almost unbidden, Cloud found his gaze rising up to study Sephiroth's face. It took him a moment to decipher the expression on Sephiroth's face, but Cloud realized the man was actually uncertain about the little chick. Viri seemed happier than he'd ever been, and that small act of adoration had clearly disturbed Sephiroth.

"I…" he found himself saying, before he stopped and clamped his teeth together. All Cloud had wanted to do was drop the bird off and leave, but somehow he felt he couldn't just leave things like this. For Viri's sake, at least, he'd have to somehow help Sephiroth long enough for the chocobo to grow up. "…Zack will probably help…and…I can too," he said unwillingly, letting his gaze travel off to the side so he didn't have to see Sephiroth's reaction.

The heavy tread of boots and a faint sigh jerked Cloud into motion. He turned sharply as Heidegger walked in. “Sephiroth,” Heidegger grumbled.

“Heidegger,” Sephiroth responded flatly.

Cloud backed up a few steps to get out from between the two men when it became clear they were going to ignore him. Cloud wasn't sure which was more surprising; Sephiroth's visible exasperation, or the appearance of Heidegger.

“What's this I hear about you taking one of my soldiers?” Heidegger's dark eyes were narrow beneath his thick, angled brows. The head of the army looked as Cloud remembered; large, loud, and offensive.

“The papers are on your desk then?”

“I saw them, but I haven't signed them yet. You've never taken much interest in the regular personnel before.”

“It's not a matter of interest, but of necessity. We can not have someone that may be enhanced running around unleashed. If he proves himself worthy he would be integrated into the SOLDIER program regardless, and thus out of your hands entirely.”

Cloud was a bit affronted that they were talking about him while he was still in the room. Heidegger was doing it unknowingly, of course, since Cloud doubted the man had done more than take a cursory glance at the report on Cloud's accident. Viri had left Sephiroth’s side to edge forward, tiny feathers ruffled up and beak open to hiss angrily.

“I'm sure it's got nothing to do with Fair taking an interest either,” Heidegger muttered snidely. The insinuation that Sephiroth had done Zack a favor set Cloud's hackles up. The statement itself wasn't particularly condemning; in any other situation, the special treatment of a normal trooper would lead to questions. But it was Sephiroth, which right away should have told anyone that cheating the ranks was the last thing on his mind. Heidegger was a slimy bureaucrat through and through, and couldn’t understand Sephiroth's complete disinterest in such petty games.

Sephiroth merely stared Heidegger down for a second longer, until Heidegger turned to leave, obviously aware that he was in a battle he'd already lost. Cloud remembered too late Heidegger's bad habit of taking out his frustrations on others, and only had time to take a single step forward when the man's boot raised to kick Viri. Sephiroth moved faster, and after a blur of movement Cloud found his sword in his hand, bewildered as his brain tried to catch up with what just happened. The attack hadn't been directed at him, and the sight of the Masamune buried in the carpet in front of Heidegger had Cloud bringing his sword to a less provocative position. He would have to work on the reaction of fight or die when it came to Sephiroth.

Narrow green eyes landed on Heidegger, whose face had gone a pasty shade of greenish gray. Sephiroth didn't bother to say anything, just yanked Masamune free with a metal grating sound. As Heidegger all but stumbled hastily out of the room, Cloud turned his attention back to Sephiroth. With no way to hide the sword in his hand, Cloud pretended he hadn't overreacted to the sudden attack, and that it was completely normal for him to have the weapon out. He met Sephiroth's eyes challengingly as he sheathed the blade without a word.

“You said supplies for Viri were taken care of?” Sephiroth asked, voice perfectly calm as if he hadn't just threatened one of ShinRa's top executives.

"Yes. There's a supplier in the slums, who has contacts with the Chocobo Ranch," Cloud said evenly. "They won't short us. I made sure of that."

A movement at Sephiroth's feet drew his gaze down again, and Cloud could see Viri huddled against Sephiroth's boot, looking droopy in reaction to the scare he'd had. Glancing up at Sephiroth briefly, Cloud knelt on the floor, holding out a hand to the little chick. Viri perked his head up, but didn't move from Sephiroth's side. Cloud frowned, closing and opening his hand again invitingly. It took another moment, but finally Viri trotted over, accepting Cloud's caress with a disconsolate coo.

Cloud straightened again, Viri in his arms, and regarded Sephiroth coolly. "Caring for a young chocobo isn't complicated. The only issue I see is how much time Viri will demand."

Sephiroth turned his back on him and set Masamune aside as he rounded the desk. “If your assistance is further required, I will find you,” Sephiroth said. He sat and pulled one of the books toward himself. “Have someone tell maintenance that the floor will require repairing.”

The curt dismissal grated on Cloud's nerves. He knew he was supposed to be a simple trooper, but it was too ingrained in him to not bow to Sephiroth in any way. Despite his better judgment, Cloud found his boots moving across the floor toward Sephiroth rather than away. Without ceremony, he dumped Viri into Sephiroth's lap, ignoring the startled squawk from the bird at the abrupt movement.

"Of course, sir," Cloud said shortly, already turning on his heel and striding for the door. "I'll just leave Viri to you, then."

As he passed out the door, Cloud couldn't help but glance behind him through the cover of his bangs. Sephiroth looked down at the chick in his lap, a hand hesitantly raised over Viri's head, before it descended in a tentative pat. The sight disappeared behind the door frame as Cloud's momentum carried him out of the room. His steps slowed to a stop a few feet away. The vindictive pleasure of leaving the chick in Sephiroth's care so abruptly melted away in the face of that awkward exchange. Cloud had never thought to see Sephiroth so gentle, and it squeezed his heart to see what Zack had preached so fervently. Sephiroth was just a man. The madness of Jenova hadn't yet touched him. He was cold, and aloof, but it was to be expected considering how he was raised and how his life had turned out.

With silent steps, Cloud continued down the hallway toward the elevator. He didn’t know what he'd expected of this meeting, but this twisting feeling of guilt and hope was not it. What he needed now was Zack's comforting presence. With that in mind, Cloud pressed the button to call the elevator back. While his friend probably had not returned from his duties yet, Zack's apartment was still open to Cloud. He could collect himself there, and maybe figure out this enigma Sephiroth had presented.

When the elevator reached the bottom floor, Cloud exited swiftly with the two other ShinRa personal who'd shared his journey down. He kept his head down, raising a hand to acknowledge Layla's cheerful greeting as he passed through, but managed to make it outside without being stopped by the energetic woman again. When the doors slid shut behind him, Cloud straightened up, tilting his head back to stare sightlessly into the cloudy sky above.

He already felt completely exhausted, and it was only mid-afternoon. Cloud wasn't used to spending so much time in close contact with people. Months of solitude and avoidance were catching up to him all at once. His promise to Tifa, to do better, to remember his friends were there to support him, weighed heavily on his mind. This probably wasn't what she'd meant, yet Cloud found it so much easier to rely on Zack, and even Aerith. Zack had never needed Cloud to be a hero, or a leader. All he'd ever asked of Cloud was his friendship, without ever asking Cloud to be who he wasn't. As dear as Tifa was to him, she had built up a vision of Cloud as her knight in shining armor, and it hurt every time he failed to live up to her vision.

"Speak of the devil, and he appears before us in all his poofy-haired glory!" a boisterous voice cried, making Cloud's head snap around. A group of men were turned in his direction, and Cloud recognized the caller as the trooper named Sparo. Around him were the other members of the impromptu group that had accompanied him, Zack, and Sephiroth back to Midgar. Jac was waving enthusiastically at Cloud, grinning widely and gesturing him to come closer. The hesitation was more out of confusion than anything, but after a moment Cloud made his way over to the little group.

"I see you managed to scrape most of that slime out of your hair," Edge said in greeting, reaching out a hand to ruffle said locks. Cloud batted the hand away in annoyance, wondering where the fascination with his hair was coming from.

"…What did you need?" he asked quietly. Sparo grinned at Connally, whose shoulder he had his arm thrown over. Connally looked uncomfortable, though Cloud wasn’t sure if it was from the proximity of the other trooper or something else. He almost seemed guilty when his gaze locked on Cloud.

"We found out Connally here has some interesting gossip. We were going to head down to LOVELESS Avenue for some good old fashion recreation and relaxation," Sparo said smoothly. "A reunion, maybe?"

"We only met a couple of days ago," Gibbs rumbled, though there was a faint smile on his face.

"Details," Sparo scoffed, brushing it away with his free hand. He released Connally and put his hands on his hips as he regarded Cloud critically. "You," he said, jabbing a finger into Cloud's sternum, "are going to accompany us."

Cloud raised an incredulous eyebrow at the man's audacity. "Why would I do that?" he asked levelly, batting the hand away from his chest.

"Oh come on, Cloud! It'll be fun," Jac said, mouth still spread in a wide grin. Though it dropped a bit a second later. "Unless you gotta go somewhere? We all were given leave, but no one's heard what's going on with you."

"I…don't have to be anywhere, but-" Cloud began, shifting uncomfortably in the face of the group's unanimous desire to have him accompany them. As Gibbs had pointed out, they'd only met a few days ago. Cloud had no idea why they were so eager to continue associating with him.

"Great! If our esteemed superiors would accompany us, then, let's go get smashed," Sparo said before Cloud could muster further protests.

"You underestimate the effect of mako and alcohol," Gibbs sighed, then gestured the group to begin walking.

Sparo gave the Third a challenging smile. "What, can't hold your drink then?"

"Now you're asking for it. I'll drink you under the table, and we'll see if you like where you wake up tomorrow," Edge said with a rough laugh. He pounded Sparo on the back and sent the trooper staggering a step.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Sparo crowed.

"You doing okay, Cloud?" Connally asked, scratching the back of his head nervously. Cloud had been swept up into their group without a chance to protest, and found himself walking between him and Jac.

"'Course he is," Jac said, nudging Cloud in the side with his elbow. "He was just as awesome as SOLDIER Fair and the General, after all."

"Hey, he did get covered in mako," Connally said. "Who knows what that stuff does to a person, right?'

From behind them, Gibb's low voice said, "We do know what it can do to a person. Why do you think the SOLDIER selection is so rigorous?"

"I've heard a bit about it," Connally said, his face brightening as he seemed to come to life. He craned around to get a look at the Third. "What was it like? I mean, if you can say."

Cloud's input wasn't apparently required as the group chattered on, leading him into the brightly lit streets. With no idea what else to do, Cloud followed, and mildly hoped that Zack wouldn't worry when he didn't turn up until late. He had the feeling they wouldn't let him go until they succumbed to their own vices. He sighed softly. At least he'd managed to get rid of Viri. He could imagine all the trouble the chick would have cause in a group of drunken soldiers.

Next time on Counter Crisis it's a Crisis of Carousing!