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Crystal Clear	By : MystIc19 Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1058 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
Disclaimer: I don�t own FF7 or the FF7 characters, just this story and original characters!

�Hey!� The SOLDIER exclaimed as he entered the apartment, spotting the blonde that occupied the couch.

�Hey,� Cloud replied jumping slightly as he shot Zack a nervous smile. He was a little tense, maybe because he was so caught up in his thoughts but he just couldn�t stop thinking about earlier in the day and his run in with Jin. His mind was still reeling with everything the other had told him, but more importantly than that he couldn�t get over Jin�s confession of his feelings for him�and that kiss.

Dropping his gaze from Zack he looked to the television screen not at all paying attention to the images. He felt guilty about earlier even though he wasn�t the one who initiated the kiss� and it really didn�t last long at all. But still should he just tell Zack? It was going to bother him if he didn�t. And he knew he shouldn�t hide things, but then again it didn�t mean anything, so should he really upset his boyfriend for no reason?

xxx

�I don�t�I don�t get what you�re saying,� Cloud spoke as the confused expression never left his face.

Jin closed his eyes momentarily before taking in a breath as if trying to relax and calm his nerves.

�Ever since the start Okuda�s had a problem with you. He knew since the beginning that you would be an excellent SOLDIER, even though he didn�t want to admit it. He didn�t want to take the chance of you doing better than me and he already knew that things were a little difficult for you so he thought tearing into you would crush whatever little hope you had,� Jin explained while looking away guiltily. �And he wanted me to do the same�and stupidly I went along with it.�

What? As wrong as that sounded it was definitely believable to the blonde. Should�ve known Okuda would be so heartless. But that didn�t explain why�

�Why would you listen?� Cloud asked curiously. Of course he himself had a few thoughts of why Jin would listen to the Sergeant. Maybe Okuda had promised him a spot in SOLDIER, or maybe he was just to scared to disobey him. Then of course maybe Jin was just that much of an asshole that he would listen to the Sergeant because he thought it was a great way to torment the other. �And why the hell would he care if I was better than you anyways? What�s it about you that�s so special?� Cloud continued to question while narrowing his eyes at the other.

Jin was silent for a few and his shoulders seemed to slump. And with every passing second he seemed to become more sad. This definitely wasn�t the Jin that the blonde was used to seeing and for some reason that made him even more nervous than he already was.

�He�s�he�s my dad,� Jin finally answered. Just that simple statement answered most of the questions swirling around in the recruits mind. Though it still took him a minute to absorb it.

�But,� Cloud began shaking his head slightly still in a bit of shock.

�My mom and dad split before I was even born,� Jin broke in, �Barton is my mom�s maiden name.�

The SOLDIER continued on telling Cloud everything that he knew not skipping over even one detail. He explained to him how he had found the recruits file in his dad�s office with the results for the SOLDIER examination and telling the reason for his failure was due to him being hypersensitive to the Mako. He even asked the blonde how his infusion was just to make sure that it wasn�t done differently, because in all honesty he wouldn�t put anything past his father. He didn�t know for how long he had been talking but once he figured he had told Cloud everything he became silent before taking a seat on the edge of the blue mats, letting out a long sigh.

�Jin,� Cloud spoke quietly after finally finding his voice again. He took a few steps over to the other before sitting down beside him on the mat. �Why did you tell me all this? If your dad found out-�

�I told you I don�t care,� Jin cut in quickly with a shake of his head. �Just because he�s a Sergeant in Shinra he thinks he has some sort of upper hand over me. And while that used to intimidate me I just�don�t care. You have a right to know.�

He had to admit he felt sort of bad for Jin knowing what he knew now and he had to say that he respected him for finally overcoming his fear of his dad.

�Even having said all that,� Jin continued, �It still doesn�t make up for all of the crap that I did to you. And I�m sorry probably doesn�t cut it�but, I really am sorry�for everything.�

An apology from Jin? This day was just full of surprises. A part of the blonde wanted to accept it and another part just�still couldn�t.

�Truth is,� the SOLDIER began, �what makes it even worse is that I didn�t want to�I know you may not believe it but I didn�t want to hurt you. I never wanted that but I�my dad��

He trailed off while running a hand through his hair and focusing his gaze on the other side of the room, staring at nothing in particular before starting to speak again. �I just�if he knew how I really felt about you, then that would just make things one hundred times worse, for both of us.�

Cloud�s eyes widened briefly and he automatically leaned back a bit wondering if Jin was going to do something again.

�Cloud,� Jin spoke while turning to look at him, �I know it�s probably strange for you to hear but�I do�care a lot about you.�

The recruit couldn�t believe his ears and still probably would�ve thought it was all some sick twisted joke if he hadn�t noticed the sincerity in the SOLDIER�s eyes.

�I guess I tried to ignore it for a while but I was only kidding myself,� Jin admitted as his eyes darted around nervously for a moment before finally landing back on the blonde.

Cloud was stunned, not really knowing what to do or say. After all this was completely different from his previous Jin interactions, all he was used to saying to the other was something smart or sarcastic or getting ready for a possible confrontation. But now, after all this�what was he supposed to do?

It all began to fall in place however, make sense. When Jin and his friends were in the cafeteria and he was there with Zack Jin would never actually say anything to him then. Cloud always thought it was just because he was with Zack that Jin backed down, but he did catch the looks that were thrown his way. But were the dirty looks not really aimed at him so much as they were to�Zack? Was Jin jealous of the first class SOLDIER? He remembered to their last fight back in the hall when Jin had brought up Zack and Sephiroth. The look in his eye then was of anger but maybe it was because Jin was upset at the idea that Cloud was in fact really with someone.

The recruit thought that he and Zack just appeared as best friends to others around the facility. Not that they were trying to hide their relationship or anything it just kind of happened like that. But then again maybe some people did know, after all Kyo had figured it out a while back so maybe Jin had picked up on it too.

He was shaken out of his thoughts when he felt a hand cover his that was resting on the mat beside him before snapping his eyes back in Jin�s direction. He caught the sad almost begging look in the other�s eyes and slipped his hand away from his while moving back a bit more. �Jin I,� he began softly while shaking his head. He didn�t know exactly how to word what he wanted to say. He had never had anyone like him before besides Zack and that was totally different, that he could handle, that was mutual but this�this was too weird.

�Zack,� Jin spoke quietly while dropping his gaze to his hand that just a second ago had been holding the blonde�s. �Right?�

Cloud nodded before looking away a bit uncomfortably before rising up from off the mat. �I should go.� He couldn�t stay in there a minute longer, it was becoming way too strange, and he didn�t want to give Jin the wrong idea.

�Cloud,� Jin blurted as the recruit made his way towards the gym doors. �I don�t regret telling you�about everything. I�m glad I did.�

Xxx

�Babe?�

�Huh?� Cloud asked while shaking his head slightly and looking at Zack. He had said something to him, asked him a question but he didn�t catch it.

�Are you spacing out on me already?� Zack asked with a bit of a chuckle while ruffling the boy�s hair. �How was your day?�

The blonde�s stomach dropped at that question as simple as it was , he just replied with �fine.� Nothing more, nothing less. Zack started to chat away as usual talking about his day as he moved down the hall into the bedroom. Cloud remained on his spot on the couch biting his lip nervously as he only partially listened to what his boyfriend was saying. He got up from the couch and walked down the hall into the bedroom where he saw Zack fumbling with a t-shirt that he had just pulled from out of a drawer. Turning his focus towards Cloud he gave him one of his grins and that only made the recruit feel more guilty. Before he knew it he was attached to the SOLDIER, his arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

Zack returned the embrace still holding onto the shirt in his hand before placing a kiss on top of the others head. �Are you okay?� He asked after a moment in a concerned tone.

�Yeah I�just missed you,� Cloud replied. It was true though, Zack�s schedule had gotten pretty hectic lately which resulted in him coming back later than usual. It was that combined also with the guilty feeling he had eating away at him.

�I missed you too,� Zack spoke soothingly as he caressed the boys back.

Cloud looked up just as soon as Zack�s lips descended down upon his. It was a sweet kiss, the kiss that Cloud always looked forward to when Zack would come back at night. He really did hate Zack�s long hours, and now that he was only going to his academic classes it left a lot of his day open. Time that he wished he could spend with Zack, but he knew he was busy. It was one of the things that came with the territory of going out with a first class SOLDIER, the second to Sephiroth himself. His time was spread thin and as of lately Cloud only fitted in on the night slots.

�Thing�s will level out soon,� Zack began once they had broke their kiss, �and then I�ll be back on my normal schedule.�

�I know,� Cloud replied with a smile. It was hard for both of them only having a little time available for each other, but Cloud never wanted Zack to feel guilty because of it. It wasn�t his fault.

He leaned up and placed another kiss on the SOLDIER�s lips before wrapping his arms around his neck.

Strong arms tightened around his waist and the shirt that Zack had been holding onto fell to the floor without a second thought. It didn�t take long for them to get completely lost in the kiss as their hands began to wander. They moved towards the bed and in a minute Cloud was on his back with Zack settled on top of him as articles of clothing were peeled away. Welcomed kisses and caresses were exchanged as the two drowned in the familiar pleasure of their lovemaking that they had time and time again.

They rested after in a messy but comfortable tangle of arms and legs, their heavy breathing somehow soothing and satisfying.

Zack stroked blonde spikes as Cloud lazily ran his fingers across his lovers strong chest.

�Zack?� The blonde asked softly, not really wanting to break the peaceful moment but knowing that he had to sooner or later.

�Hmm?�

�Have you�is there anything you�ve kept from me?� He questioned hesitantly.

Zack stopped stroking his hair and looked down to the other who was cuddled up beside him. �What?� He asked confused while shifting a little.

�Just,� Cloud started while looking up to meet his boyfriend�s concerned gaze, �Is there anything you�ve kept from me? Like something you didn�t tell me because you couldn�t but�at the same time felt you should? If you thought I had a right to know would you tell me?�

Zack blinked a few times before running a hand through his hair. His first response was going to be that he hadn�t kept anything from him since the whole Aerith thing, but then a thought hit him and he swallowed the lump in his throat that had suddenly appeared.

�I,� he started while moving a little more and propping himself up with his elbow. �Well there is something that I know�that I didn�t tell you.�

�Really?� Cloud asked a little shocked. He had asked that question in regards to his situation earlier and was expecting to get a hypothetical response. He didn�t know that Zack really had been holding something back from him.

�Yeah,� Zack replied with a quick nod, �It�s about your results for the SOLDIER exam. The next day after the results were issued I talked to Seph about you, I was trying to figure out what happened and why you didn�t pass and he told me the reason�or showed me the results.� He paused for a moment glancing away and then continued on, �You didn�t pass because your Mako infusion showed that you were hypersensitive to it. And with those kind of results it�s just�well they wouldn�t allow it. I wanted to tell you but I thought it might make things worse, I just didn�t want to upset you anymore.�

�You knew too?� Cloud asked in surprise rather than the upset tone that Zack was expecting.

�Yeah but I,� Zack began before stopping mid sentence, �wait what do you mean too?�

�I�m just wondering who all knew that besides me. I just found out earlier today,� Cloud explained. He wasn�t mad at Zack for not telling him though, he understood why he did it he was just concerned for his feelings.

�Who told you?� Zack asked curiously.

�Jin,� Cloud replied while letting his eyes travel to the other side of the room, �he told me that� along with a lot of other things.�

�Jin?� Zack started with a raise of his eyebrow, �what, how did he know?�

Looking back to the SOLDIER Cloud reached his hand up to brush away a few strands of hair away from the others eyes before he let his fingers gently caress the side of his face.

�He found the results in Sergeant Okuda�s office,� Cloud replied.

�Sergeant Okuda? Why would he,� Zack began before trailing off once he noticed the nervous expression on the blonde�s face. �What other stuff did he tell you?�

Cloud let out a sigh before biting his lip briefly, something he seemed to do often when he was nervous and he was sure Zack had picked it up by now. He wanted to tell Zack what happened though, he needed to. But when it came to the moment and he was trying to find the words he couldn�t help but be a little nervous. What was Zack going to say, what was he going to do? He didn�t want him to think wrongly and get upset with him. And to make matters worse Zack had lost that carefree happy look that he always was wearing and now it was replaced with a more stern and questioning expression. �Well,� he began while turning his gaze up to the ceiling for a moment, he figured it would be a lot easier to say without looking in his boyfriends eyes. �he told me that and he told me everything about Okuda. About why he was so hard on me and why he didn�t want me to make it to SOLDIER. Then he told me the reason behind all of it was because Sergeant Okuda is actually his dad and he just couldn�t stand the fact of me being better than his son. And Jin felt forced into the whole thing, I guess he had to play a role he didn�t want to for his dad and he really didn�t have anything against me�actually he told me he liked me.�

�What?� Zack asked while pushing himself up a bit more. Cloud had run through the whole thing so fast that he felt like he was only able to grasp bits of it, although the last part he was sure he had heard clearly.

�Yeah,� the blonde replied, �and then he kissed me. I don�t know if that was the exact order of things but�something like that.�

�He,� Zack started as his eyes widened, �kissed you!?�

�Yeah,� Cloud replied while sitting up, �I wasn�t expecting it. I don�t know everything happened so fast, one minute we were sparring and then the next he�s spilling his guts and then after that he�s kissing me.�

�Cloud, whoa wait,� Zack began with a shake of his head.

�It was quick,� Cloud continued ignoring Zack�s comment, �he kissed me but I pushed him away!�

�Well yeah I hope you would,� Zack replied while shooting the other a look.

�Of course!� Cloud snapped back.

Letting out a long sigh Zack started to say something before scuffing a hand through his hair and looking away.

Cloud kept his focus on the other for a bit more before glancing down at the blankets. He wanted to say something, but he didn�t know what. In all of his time knowing Zack he hadn�t been able to render him speechless, he always had something to say. The silence filled the room until it became deafening and then the blonde spoke up once more. �Zack,� he started nervously while bringing his hand up and placing it on the others arm, �are you mad ?�

The SOLDIER instantly looked back to him when he heard him speak. �No,� he started with a shake of his head when he looked into the worried face of his boyfriend. �Babe no I�m not mad, not at you,� he explained softly while pulling the blonde into his arms where he heard him let out a sigh of relief.

�You know I wouldn�t,� Cloud began quietly before Zack cut him off.

�I know babe,� Zack began, �that thought didn�t cross my mind. I�m just�I don�t know. Why would he tell you all of this now anyway?�

�I guess,� Cloud started with a sigh, �it just finally got to him.�

Yeah�sure. Zack wasn�t buying that. Yeah maybe a guilty conscious did have a little to do with Jin telling Cloud everything, but it was probably more of a way for him to score brownie points with the blonde. If he liked Cloud then of course he would try to get on his good side by playing this victimized role all of a sudden. Even if what he told Cloud was true about Okuda making him do all of that, Zack still didn�t trust Jin, not in the slightest. And he seriously couldn�t pin all of the stuff he did to Cloud on his dad! Sure the Sergeant may have told him what to do but in the end it was still Jin who followed through with it. Cloud understood that didn�t he? Zack wasn�t about to let Jin play off of Cloud�s sympathy. He had been one of the main people who made Midgar hell for the recruit, and made Cloud feel worthless more times than he could count. So he definitely wasn�t one of Zack�s favorite people, and now that he had some strange epiphany he wanted Cloud to himself? That wasn�t going to happen, no way in hell.

�It doesn�t matter though,� Cloud continued, his voice tinged with sleepiness.

�Yeah,� Zack replied with a nod as the blonde pulled away and laid back on the bed, his eyes falling closed briefly before opening again as he gave the SOLDIER a small smile. It was a comforting feeling to Zack, a reassurance of sorts even though he knew it wasn�t necessary. But it was still perfect none the less, a symbol of their intimacy, that smile that only Zack was privileged to see, that was saved specially for him.

He leaned down and kissed the blonde deeply as a certain feeling surged through him. He felt the need to protect Cloud, he always had but something different just stirred inside him. He was the only one who could touch Cloud like this and he would make sure that it stayed that way, and if Jin ever tried to touch his Cloud again�

�I love you,� the recruit whispered once they had broke their kiss. And it was those words alone that completed everything. Zack was his, and he was Cloud�s. Nothing, or anyone would ever ever come between that.

xxx

�You wanted to see me sir?� The blonde asked while ducking his head into the general�s office door that was already slightly open.

�Strife,� Sephiroth began while lifting his gaze towards the other, �yes come in, shut the door behind you.�

With a nervous nod Cloud slipped into the room shutting the door quietly. His heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest and he had to keep wiping his sweaty palms on his pants. He had been trying to figure out why the General would call him to his office. All throughout his last class he had been trying to come up with a reason for why a note was delivered to him from one of the secretaries telling him to report to the General�s. That didn�t help him out much for concentrating during class. Did Zack say something to him? No, if Zack was behind it he would�ve told Cloud.

�Have a seat,� the General spoke while keeping his eyes locked intently on the blonde. Cloud did as he was told after realizing he had been standing in the middle of the room awkwardly. Sephiroth�s gaze was only making him more nervous as every negative thought ran through his mind.

�I understand you haven�t been to Sergeant Okuda�s class since you received your exam results,� he explained while narrowing his eyes a bit but keeping an unreadable expression on his face.

Dropping his gaze Cloud fidgeted in his seat uneasily. He knew not going to an assigned class was against the rules but at the time he really didn�t care. Honestly, how the hell did they really expect him to? Sergeant Okuda hated him, and after everything that Jin had told him it only made things worse. That man never had his best interest at heart so why go back into something that he knew was set up for disaster?

�That�s correct sir,� the blonde replied, his voice sounding more quiet than he intended. Sure he had his reasons about not going to Okuda�s but could he really tell the General? He would probably just tell him to stop making excuses or something�he really didn�t know what to expect from him.

�You do understand that it is mandatory to report to all your assigned classes,� Sephiroth continued, his voice both calm and intimidating.

Cloud only nodded, not really trusting his voice at the moment. This was it, he just knew he was going to get in trouble, he had been expecting it and at the same time hoping he was wrong. What was the general going to do? Would he put him back in Okuda�s? Or come up with something worse like�discharge him from Shinra altogether and send him home.

�You seem to have a knack for rule breaking Strife,� the General said while leaning forward slightly, �breaking curfew, fighting with your peers, getting suspended from your classes. The list goes on as I�m sure you are aware of. And I believe I have been more than tolerant wouldn�t you agree?�

Remaining silent for a few moments the blonde finally nodded. After all Sephiroth was right, he had let him slide on numerous things, things that he knew he should�ve gotten in trouble for.

�Yes sir. I agree with you completely and�there really isn�t a valid reason for me not attending class aside from my own personal feelings towards my instructor, but I know that doesn�t make it right,� Cloud explained keeping his eyes level with the desk in front of him. He knew the General probably thought he really was pathetic. He had given him enough chances and the blonde wasn�t going to try to dodge this one. He had to take responsibility, he broke the rules knowingly no matter how he tried to justify it.

�Look at me recruit,� Sephiroth spoke and in an instant Cloud lifted blue eyes to meet green. �You won�t get sympathy from me. You may not have liked your instructor but to cower away isn�t the answer, no matter how hard he may have been on you. It may not have seemed fair but not everything in life is, the earlier you realize that the easier things will be for you.�

They kept their gaze locked while the General spoke and even though his words may have been a little icy they were straight to the point, and the way he said it sounded almost as if he meant for it to be encouraging rather than the opposite.

�Do you understand Cloud?� Sephiroth asked, his voice still holding that stern and forceful tone but also seemed to be underlined with something else that the blonde couldn�t exactly put his finger on.

Cloud. Had the General ever called him Cloud? It had always been very formal between the two that a first name just sounded completely alien.

�Yes sir,� the blonde replied with a quick nod.

Dropping his gaze to the desk Sephiroth opened a folder, scanning over its contents before speaking again. �I�m sure Zackary told you the reason behind your exam results,� he began while looking back to the blonde.

Cloud nodded and the General continued, �Usually this information isn�t disclosed with others but I suppose it was inevitable. However this does change your current situation.�

�Sir?�

�Had you not been so sensitive to Mako it goes without saying that you would�ve been in SOLDIER. Knowing that I really see no reason to keep you in Sergeant Okuda�s unit since it�s not your performance that you need to work on,� Sephiroth explained while closing the folder.

Cloud practically lit up at that. The General was agreeing that he didn�t have to return to that class! He thought for sure that Sephiroth was going to place him back in there along with some other punishment, but it looked like he was wrong.

�I�ve thought about what to do with you as far as placement goes. And while I cannot place you into SOLDIER I also won�t keep you at your current ranking when you�re obviously more advanced. So I�ve decided to put you into a Special Operations unit.�

�Really!?� Cloud blurted out while leaning forward in his seat in excitement.

�Yes,� the General replied calmly not seeming to mind the boy�s outburst, �I�ve rearranged your schedule, you are to report to your new colonel first thing tomorrow,� he finished while handing the blonde his new schedule.

�Yes sir,� Cloud replied while taking the paper from the man, �thank you.�

�You�re free to go now,� the General began while turning to his computer monitor.

�Yes sir,� the blonde replied while standing up from out of his chair. He wanted to say something more to the General, once again he had let him off the hook and had gotten him out of Okuda�s fairly! Maybe the reason why he kept letting him slide on things was because he knew that he was Zack�s friend�or well at least the General thought they were just friends�or maybe not. Was the reason why he was so tolerant of Cloud because he knew that he was Zack�s boyfriend? The blonde sighed, he was tired of guessing who knew about them and who didn�t, maybe everyone did and he was fine with that.

He turned and left out of the office not wanting to bother the General any longer than he already had and made his way to the elevator. He was practically beaming as he rode the elevator down to the main floor. He glanced at his watch as a smile spread across his face. Kyo should�ve been back in the room and he really hoped he was because he needed to tell someone about being taken out of Sergeant Okuda�s unit. He wasn�t even all that sure what the Special Operation unit was or what it was like, but he just knew that he wasn�t in Okuda�s and that was enough for him.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding and the blonde bolted out in an instant as he made his way down the halls while every so often glancing down at his schedule. The place was pretty crowded seeing as how it was afternoon and he almost bumped into a few people seeing as how his eyes were glued to the paper. Finally however he reached his room and swung open the door quickly while scanning the area to sadly find no Kyo.

Frowning he turned back around and left out of the room. Knowing his roommate he was probably out with Lana so he guessed he would just have to wait and tell him later. And he was sure Zack wasn�t around with the hectic schedule he had been on lately. He folded up the paper and placed it inside his pocket as he continued down the halls before looking up and noticing Jin amidst the disappearing crowd of people. The SOLDIER was walking in Cloud�s direction, his gym bag slung over his shoulder lazily. He seemed to be paying attention to others around him, his eyes moving this way and that before landing on the blonde just a few feet away from him.

Cloud dropped his gaze away from Jin quickly as a nervous feeling overcame him. He didn�t really know how it was going to be to see the other again after�well everything, but it seemed to be making him feel a bit off. After all when your rival and worst enemy suddenly told you that they actually liked you and that they were more or less forced into doing something well�you just didn�t know exactly how to take that.

The blonde was preparing to just continue walking as if he hadn�t noticed the SOLDIER, even though they had looked dead at each other he was still willing to pretend that he hadn�t seen him. And he would�ve done so if Jin hadn�t spoken once he got close enough.

�Hey,� Jin said casually.

What? How could he just be so�normal? Was he going to try to act like nothing ever happened? Even though maybe that would be best.

�Hi,� Cloud replied trying to sound just as normal as the other and hoping that it had worked.

�I usually don�t see you out here anymore around now,� Jin continued with a bit of a smirk.

That�s because I�m not here half the time but instead at Zack�s. �We have different schedules now remember,� the blonde replied with a short nod.

�Right,� Jin began nodding in acknowledgement, �well even if that is the case, won�t be seeing me around here anymore anyways,� he finished with a laugh.

�What?� Cloud quickly asked.

�Yeah, I�ll be in the other wing,� Jin responded with a gesture of his hand back in the other direction, �moving out of the underclass barracks. Though I don�t know how much better the new one�s will be.�

�Oh,� Cloud replied. For a moment he thought that Jin was leaving the facility because his dad had found out about him telling Cloud everything. He really had to stop being so paranoid. But then if they were having room reassignments then�

�Everyone�s switching?� He asked curiously.

�Well, the SOLDIERS are. Just found out earlier today,� Jin explained.

No way. Cloud didn�t want some other recruit moving into his room, he didn�t want Kyo to leave. He had completely forgotten that the SOLDIER�S got room reassignments. If Kyo kept on the way he was maybe he would make it to first class where he could actually get his own apartment like Zack. And in the meantime he would remain back in their room with some idiot recruit that he was just sure would be moving in with him.

�Well that�s good�for you guys,� the blonde began while clearing his throat, �anyway I was kind of on my way somewhere,� he added while beginning to walk away.

�Cloud wait,� Jin protested while stepping in front of the other.

Cloud instantly took a step back putting some distance between he and the SOLDIER, call him crazy but he had this thing now about the two of them being close. He glanced around the hall briefly noticing that it had quickly become empty, where the hell did everyone vanish to all of a sudden? At this moment he was wishing he could vanish too once he looked back up and into Jin�s stormy gray eyes. He couldn�t exactly explain why he felt so guilty and sad when he looked into the SOLDIER�S eyes. Jin had always put on the façade of �the tough guy� but when Cloud really looked deeper he couldn�t see that at all�at least not in the guy standing in front of him now. All that was in his eyes was sadness, regret and sorrow.

�Jin maybe you shouldn�t say anything else,� Cloud replied with a shake of his head. The SOLDIER had told him enough, at least in the blonde�s opinion and honestly he didn�t know if he could handle any more surprises.

�I just,� Jin started to say before another voice broke in calling the blonde�s name.

Cloud instantly turned around in the direction of the voice already knowing it was Zack before he even caught sight of him.

�Zack,� Cloud started while stepping back a bit more from Jin. He didn�t know why he had done that but for some reason he felt the need to be as far away as possible from the third class SOLDIER. �Uh, what are you doing here I thought you had a full schedule today?�

�Yeah so did I but I guess I got lucky,� Zack explained with a grin keeping his focus on the blonde as he approached the two. Only when he was right next to Cloud did he turn his gaze to Jin, albeit a very unfriendly gaze, his smile vanishing within a second.

�Sir,� Jin nodded to Zack in acknowledgement. They might�ve both been SOLDIERS but Zack was still first class and he was still Sephiroth�s second�enough said, that demanded respect.

�Jin I meant to tell you, I added you to the unit for the Mideel assignment,� Zack spoke, his whole demeanor changing from that carefree happy person that he usually was to something completely opposite. Maybe this was what you called �SOLDIER mode.�

Cloud glanced from Zack to Jin not speaking at all but simply staying close next to Zack. He knew what assignment they were taking about though, after all Kyo had been ranting on and on about it seeing as how he was going and it was his first assignment.

�Oh,� Jin began with a raised eyebrow, �I was assigned to something else during that time.�

�Yeah, you were, but not anymore,� Zack spoke keeping his gaze firm on the other, �we needed a few more people in the unit so I changed some things.�

��.Right sir,� Jin spoke after a moment while adjusting his gym bag.

Zack gave a bit of a smirk before looking beside him to Cloud. He didn�t even think twice when he placed his arm around the boys shoulders and kissed him on top of the head.

Cloud�s eyes widened briefly in surprise and he looked up to meet blue eyes and a wide grin.

�I thought we could go out for lunch, sound good?� Zack questioned.

�Yeah sure,� the blonde replied with a small smile before the SOLDIER began leading him down the hall. He caught Jin�s gaze once more as he was being ushered away and now saw something else in those gray eyes before he turned away quickly and continued down the opposite way.

Zack had started chatting away but the blonde was still wondering what was going on. Was Zack jealous? He had no reason to be, Cloud would never do anything to hurt him. He trusted him didn�t he? But why all the sudden the assignment switch? Did Zack put him on the Mideel assignment just to get him away from Midgar, the facility a.k.a Cloud? No, maybe that was already planned before Cloud had told him about Jin. Zack was the instructor for the third class and the blonde didn�t want any problems to surface, no, not because of him.

�So what do you feel like?� Zack asked once they had exited the building.

�Uh,� Cloud began while snapping out of his thoughts, �I guess Wutainese sounds good.�

�Perfect,� the SOLDIER replied before placing a kiss on the others cheek.

Cloud smiled and immediately felt stupid for his thoughts. He was sure Zack wasn�t harboring over what happened with Jin the other night, besides Jin was irrelevant. They weren�t in the same classes anymore and pretty soon they wouldn�t even been in the same barracks. Now he was just a part of his life in the chapter that was quickly closing. There wasn�t going to be anymore Okuda in his future and Jin could be out of it too.
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Authors Notes: Sorry for the late update everyone, forgive me? Until next update�which should be sooner than this one ^_~ ja ne!
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