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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
- 19
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�Cloud,� a quiet voice spoke in his ear accompanied by a hand shaking him gently. He groaned while slipping further under the covers allowing his blonde spikes to stick up partially out of the blankets.

The SOLDIER chuckled a bit before continuing to shake the other, trying to ease him out of his sleep.

�What?� The recruit finally asked in a slightly annoyed and tired voice while turning around, his back facing Zack as he shifted in bed trying to get comfortable to fall back asleep.

Leaning over the SOLDIER placed a kiss on his boyfriend�s cheek causing the other to open his eyes. He looked around the room, squinting his eyes from his tiredness and noted that it was still dark out. Glancing at the clock he let out another groan when he realized it was just a little after four in the morning.

�What the hell Zack,� he began while turning around to face the raven haired-youth who was smiling down at him, �go back to sleep.�

�I can�t I have to be out of here at five,� he replied while running a hand through Cloud�s disheveled spikes, �you know how it goes.�

The blonde closed his eyes before letting out a small sigh, �well then why are you waking me up? Just because you have to be up early you want me to suffer with you?� He asked as he felt Zack wrap his arms around him.

�No babe,� Zack began with a laugh while dropping a kiss into the others messy hair, �But I knew I would be gone already when you woke up and I wanted to be the first to tell you Happy Birthday.�

There was a silence for a moment as the recruit remained unmoving and then in a second his eyes were open and he sat up slightly still in the other�s embrace. �You�� the blonde began at a loss for words.

�You never told me, but I knew. I saw it in your file,� Zack explained with a smile, �did you seriously think I wouldn�t figure it out?�

�I just,� Cloud began while sitting up completely now, �I guess I just forgot, it sort of slipped my mind with everything that�s been going on lately.�

�Well,� Zack continued, �I�m not so busy that I would forget your birthday.� Leaning in he placed a soft kiss on the others lips before pulling away and reaching over to the nightstand beside the bed. He picked up something which Cloud couldn�t make out exactly before fiddling with a few things for a moment and then he had turned around back to the blonde.

He was holding a cupcake with a single unlit candle in it and in the other hand he was holding a lighter, trying to get the flame to start but it kept dying out every time he flipped the dial.

�Zack,� Cloud began with a smile as he shook his head at the uncooperative lighter.

�Give it a second,� the SOLDIER continued with a grin while trying to still strike up the flame. But after about four more tries he let out an irritated sigh and dropped the lighter back on the nightstand. �Damn, that was supposed to be romantic,� he explained with a bit of a chuckle.

Cloud was silent for a moment before he took the cupcake out of his boyfriends hand and placed it on the bed beside them. �It was,� he spoke in barely a whisper before capturing the other�s lips in a passionate kiss. He couldn�t describe the feeling that he had at the moment, the love that he had for Zack was so strong that it hurt. Nobody had ever gone to such lengths to make him happy, to please him, to just make him feel�important and wanted. This was by far the best birthday he had ever had, and all because he had Zack there with him to share it with.

He slid his arms around the SOLDIERS neck as arms wrapped around his waist pulling him closer as they deepened the kiss. Zack had pushed the blonde against the bed as he placed a few kisses on his jaw line and then a final one on his forehead before pulling back all to soon in the others opinion. �I better go, I�ll let you get back to sleep,� he explained softly as Cloud�s hand tugged at his shirt.

�Can�t you call in?� He asked hesitantly, not really wanting his boyfriend to leave but to instead be able to curl up and go back to sleep with him at his side.

�I would,� Zack began before leaning down and kissing the blonde again, �I really would but Seph already told me he needs me there to cover for him. I guess he has some other stuff he has to take care of so he wants me to fill in for him.�

�Oh,� Cloud began with a nod, �alright.�

�But I want to take you out tonight okay? So think of somewhere to go,� Zack explained before flashing a smile at the recruit.

�Sounds good,� the blonde replied with a small smile.

�Okay,� Zack replied while sliding off of the bed and grabbing a few last items. Cloud watched as he slid back down under the blankets but not before turning and grabbing the cupcake and taking a small bite out of it. Maybe not an ideal breakfast but it was his birthday so who cared. Setting it on the nightstand he turned back around just as Zack re-approached him and placed one last kiss on his lips, �I�ll see ya later.�

With a small nod the blonde blinked his eyes slowly as he felt sleep starting to overtake him again. �I love you,� he mumbled quietly. Sure they said it enough to each other, but still he wanted to say it, without any reason behind it to utter those words, or not to say it to reconcile a fight. But just to say it because he wanted to.

Zack�s smile widened even further as he ran his fingers lightly over the boys cheek, �I love you too,� he replied. Cloud gave him a sweet smile as his eyes closed slowly, though he tried to blink them open a few times within seconds they remained closed. �Bye babe,� Zack whispered when he saw that the other had fallen asleep and exited out of the room and made his way out of the apartment.

The blonde�s eyes fluttered open again when he heard the soft click of the door being shut and he shifted in bed once more, trying to get comfortable. His eyes fell onto the desk across the room, focusing on the computer and the colorful designs that bounced around on the screensaver. Something seemed different about the spot, but he wasn�t really sure what as his eyes began to close again. Maybe it was because it was more spacious seeing as how the vase of colorful flowers didn�t occupy it anymore.

************************************************************************

Flipping through the channels the blonde glanced at the clock. It shouldn�t have been too much longer until the SOLDIER came back. His day had been pretty lazy actually, not that that was a bad thing. He was glad that he hadn�t had anything to do, no watch shift or any other random assignment that his colonel might�ve thrown at him. He took the opportunity and just slept in late and ever since had just been lounging around the apartment. He had gotten a phone call from his mom wishing him a happy birthday though that conversation began to take a turn that he wasn�t much prepared for. Of course he knew his mom would bombard him with questions as her worry and concern got the best of her, asking him questions like �are you eating alright? Are they giving you a hard time there? Are you happy with this?� He had to answer one quickly right after the other, but after enough questioning he figured she gave up and was content with his answers. Things would�ve been fine if she hadn�t brought up Tifa.

�She asks about you a lot you know, she really misses you. You should write her a letter,� she had explained to him with that certain motherly tone that gave off the vibe that she wanted something more to happen. It was strange though because if his mom had told him something like that within his first two months of being in Midgar he would�ve been completely excited and probably hung up right away to go and write Tifa a letter but�now that just didn�t matter to him.

He told his mom he would, but he guessed there was a certain tone to his voice that she could pick up on, after all she was his mother and she knew when he was lying.

�Oh I see,� she said with a chuckle, �you must have a girlfriend there already. You should�ve told me!�

It was at the moment that he was grateful that they were talking on the phone because he was sure the expression that crossed over his face would�ve been a dead give away. He instead just said no that wasn�t it and tried to switch the conversation to something else. Though there was something strained on it after that, maybe it was him being paranoid, or maybe his mom really knew that he was trying to keep something from her. He hated lying to her, but really he didn�t know how she would react...to the truth. She always wanted the best for him and if she thought it wasn�t right he wouldn�t hear the end of it, and he couldn�t deal with that now. He would tell her though, explain why he wouldn�t be writing Tifa a letter, he would tell her one day�but it wasn�t something he wanted to do over the phone.

The phone ringing snapped him out of his thoughts and he walked towards the kitchen to retrieve it.

�Hello?�

�Hey babe,� Zack�s voice spoke on the other end.

�Hey!� Cloud began with a smile, �I already know where I want to go, I thought you would be back by now.�

�Yeah,� Zack began, his voice lowering as he continued, �so did I but it looks like I�m going to be tied up for the rest of the night.�

�What?� The blonde asked slightly disappointed.

�I�m sorry Spike, Seph is busy with something else and I still have tons of stuff to do here, I know I won�t make it back at a decent hour.�

�Oh,� Cloud replied with a bit of a sigh, �alright.�

�I�m so sorry,� Zack continued, his voice heavy with guilt.

�No,� the recruit began with a shake of his head. �It�s okay it�s not your fault. We�ll do something another time.� He didn�t want Zack to feel bad, it wasn�t his fault and he knew that the SOLDIER wanted to spend time with him, but again Zack�s time was always spread thin, he knew that and accepted that.

�Yeah of course,� his boyfriend replied.

�Well I�ll let you go, I know you�re busy,� Cloud continued while glancing at the clock.

�Okay, I�ll see ya later.�

They exchanged their goodbyes and hung up a second after. Placing the phone back on the stand the blonde sighed while walking back into the living room. Sure he was used to Zack having to cancel on things and he was used to him getting tied up at the office or some other type of assignment, but he was hoping�just hoping that tonight he could be selfish and keep him to himself.

He glanced at the television, he really didn�t want to watch anymore shows and he was still hungry. His plan had been for him and Zack to go grab something to eat but since that was out�

He knew there wasn�t anything for him to eat at the apartment, so he grabbed his coat and decided to head to the cafeteria. Sure it wasn�t the best food but it was still food none the less and they had just opened the hall for the lunch hour.

He made his way back to the main facility, it was kind of strange being back in this part again, ever since he had moved in with Zack he didn�t really come to this side much. He wondered who was staying in he and Kyo�s old room now. A small smile touched his lips as he thought about his friend, he hadn�t seen him since he had moved out. The Mideel assignment had come to a close about a week ago but Kyo had been reassigned to another mission right after that. It looked like he was doing well with all the SOLDIER stuff, of course the blonde really wasn�t too surprised by that, maybe he would make it to first class soon.

Stopping in front of the cafeteria the recruit frowned when he noticed the doors were locked. Glancing down at his watch he let out a sigh, he must�ve gotten the hours confused.

�Dinner hall is at six now, not seven,� a voice spoke in the empty corridor.

Turning slightly the recruit nodded already recognizing the voice before glancing back to the cafeteria.

�What are you doing down here?� The SOLDIER asked as he approached the blonde.

�Well I was coming to the cafeteria but,� Cloud began with a shrug.

�Oh,� Jin replied with a nod, �I just�since you left the barracks I don�t usually see you around here anymore.�

Looking from the cafeteria once more to the other the recruit gave a simple nod before turning to walk back down the corridor.

�I uh,� Jin continued while stuffing his hands into his pockets, �was kind of hungry too. Did you want to�� he stopped mid-sentence while nodding his head in the direction of the two entrance doors.

Yeah right. Stopping the blonde gave the other a bit of a strange look before shaking his head. �No I�m fine.�

�Your day off?� Jin quickly asked while glancing at the floor.

�Yeah,� Cloud replied just as he had started to walk away again. �You too?�

�I have a lot of days off,� the SOLDIER explained with a laugh.

�What are you talking about?� The recruit asked curiously.

�I�m suspended, that�s a mark on my record,� Jin began while looking off down a hall, �Zack told my commanding officer that he didn�t give the okay for me to come back from the Mideel assignment�apparently I needed him too.�

Cloud was silent as he stared at the other for a moment and then shook his head a bit, �I�sorry.�

�Since I�m a third class and that was my first assignment the board has to discuss what they�re going to do with me. I could easily get demoted,� Jin continued with a sigh before shaking his head, �but not much I can do about it. In the meantime though I�m on suspension�

�Why didn�t you just stay in Mideel I told you that you would get in trouble,� Cloud added shocked while taking a step closer to the current maybe soon to be ex SOLDIER.

�It wasn�t fair,� Jin spoke while looking at the blonde with narrowed eyes.

Looking away from the other the blonde felt slightly guilty. Maybe he shouldn�t have told Zack about Jin coming back early after all. Sure they weren�t the best of friends but he wasn�t trying to get him kicked out of SOLDIER. He knew Jin worked hard to get there, hell maybe even more so than everyone else because of his dad.

�Even if you thought that,� Cloud started, �you should�ve just stuck with it. You sometimes have to do things that you don�t always want too right?�

�I think I�ve done enough of that,� Jin replied easily with a smirk.

Blinking the blonde dropped his gaze from gray eyes as he shook his head. �You�re an idiot, this wasn�t worth losing your rank.�

�Yeah well,� Jin replied quietly just as Cloud looked back up to him. �I haven�t talked to my dad since this. If I get demoted he�ll probably disown me so at least something good will come from it right?� He joked with a smile, though he wasn�t fooling the recruit. He could tell it was forced and the hurt and sadness was lying beneath the casual voice he was trying to use, not to mention his eyes told it all.

�I,� Cloud started, �I don�t think they�ll demote you.� Of course he didn�t really have anything to back that statement up with besides just hoping that it was true. But he thought it was the best thing for the other to hear.

�It doesn�t matter, I�m tired of worrying about it,� Jin began while looking off to the side and out of a windows in the hall, �whatever happens, happens.�

There was a silence that fell over the two as they both went into their own thoughts. �When will you know what they decide?� Cloud finally managed to ask.

�They didn�t tell me,� the SOLDIER began while leaning against the wall. �Zack didn�t mention anything to you?�

�No,� the blonde replied quietly while looking out the window as thoughts ran throughout his mind. He couldn�t help but feel guilty about this, as much as he didn�t want to. He shouldn�t give a damn about Jin Barton, the arrogant jerk who gave him so much hell and yet�knowing he may get demoted somehow made the recruit feel bad.

�I�m surprised,� Jin continued, �I thought he would be ecstatic to share that bit of information.�

Lifting glowing eyes towards the SOLDIER the blonde shook his head. �Jin it�s not like that.�

�Yeah, alright,� the other replied while turning his head in the recruits direction. Though his tone clearly showed that he wasn�t buying what the boy had just said.

�You know,� the blonde began ,�you can�t blame anyone else for whatever happens here. It�s your fault, you knew you were breaking the rules when you left! What did you expect to happen? Zack was in charge of the third class, and if you break a rule you�ll get the same treatment just like anybody else! Even if it wasn�t Zack any other officer would�ve reported you so stop making it seem like he�s singling you out!�

Narrowing his eyes a bit Jin pushed himself away from the wall, �Of course you�d say that. You have to defend your boyfriend.�

�That has nothing to do with it!� Cloud shot back.

�That has everything to do with it Cloud! Are you really so dense that you can�t see that?� Jin snapped while taking a step closer towards the other. �You seriously think he would�ve gone to such lengths had it been any other SOLDIER!? Like what, your friend Kyo? If you say anybody would�ve gotten the same treatment would he have?�

�Don�t try to flip this it�s your fault!� Cloud shouted back angrily, whatever feelings of guilt he had before for the other seemed to quickly be melting away.

�Bullshit! That assignment was bogus and you know it! Just because your boyfriend is insecure about the two of you I get the short end of it! Where the hell is the fairness in that!?� Jin shouted back just as angrily.

Sucking in a breath the recruit clenched his fists. How the hell did Jin figure he could talk that way about Zack in front of him!? Insecure? Like hell! Of course Zack had every reason not to like Jin, but everything that had happened recently wasn�t some sort of retaliation against the third class SOLDIER. Zack wouldn�t do that, he put professional things aside from his personal life. It was what it was, Jin had broken the rules and like anybody else would was suffering the consequences. Didn�t he get that? Was there anyway to get that through to him? The blonde was betting probably not. The easiest way was just for him to blame others, just like he blamed his dad for him being an asshole towards the recruit at the beginning. Maybe the situation was more black and white than he made it out to be.

Without another word the recruit turned and began to make his way out of the facility before he heard rapid footsteps behind him and a hand grab onto his arm, spinning him back around to meet gray eyes.

�You know I�m right!� Jin started, his voice still laced with anger.

�I know you�re wrong!� Cloud shouted while trying to snatch his arm away but the SOLDIER had a pretty strong hold on it.

�You can�t seriously believe that,� Jin continued, his eyes searching the others.

�Well I do! Believe it or not Jin not everything revolves around you! Zack isn�t out to sabotage you, he�s not jealous of you he doesn�t have a reason to be!�

Without warning the blonde felt himself being jerked forward as Jin leaned down and kissed him roughly. Before when they had been in the gym and Jin had sneaked a kiss, it was completely different, more hesitant and unsure and not as near as overbearing. But this one seemed to be more of a power trip, just for the feel of being able to dominate.

With his one free hand the blonde pushed against the other�s chest while trying to turn his head but Jin was holding it in place to make sure that that didn�t happen. He pulled back a second later before moving close to the recruits ear.

�Maybe he should rethink that,� he spoke quietly before letting go of his grasp on the boys arm and turning and walking away. He pushed open the doors of the facility forcefully causing them to swing back far and make a loud crack sound before falling closed again as he exited.

Standing in shock for a minute the recruit quickly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He somehow thought that this just wasn�t some casual crush anymore but instead more of an ego trip. Maybe Jin was more like his father after all than he would want to admit.

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Stepping into the laboratory the General scanned the room. The sounds of beeping monitors and the harsh lights caused a wave of memories to wash over him, some memories that he would like to stay buried. He narrowed his eyes as he walked further into the place glancing at the small trays of syringes and other various items that the professor used. He looked away quickly as his eyes settled onto a desk, he moved over to the area carefully as he examined the contents that lay scattered about. He picked up a few papers and read over them, though they weren�t of anything valuable so he tossed them back onto the desktop.

�Excuse me you�re not authorized to be in here,� a woman�s stern voice filtered the air as the sound of heels clicked on the hard floor. She stopped short while raising a hand to her mouth in surprise when she realized who it was that she had been speaking to.

�Where is the Professor?� Sephiroth asked while turning jade eyes to the assistant.

�Uh,� Kasumi began, �he�s taking care of some business�I don�t think he was expecting you General.�

Looking back to the desk he shook his head, �It wasn�t planned for me to stop by.�

�Um,� the woman began while glancing at a clipboard that she was holding in her hands, �I can let him know you came by when he gets back. I�ll tell him to report to you right away if you�d like.�

�You�re present when all of the Mako infusions are done correct?� The General asked, completely ignoring her last statement.

�Sir?� She began a little puzzled before continuing, �well if you�re referring to the last test run than yes. It�s usually procedure that an assistant is here to help.�

�And what is normal procedure for such a test?� The man continued while finally looking back to the other.

Kasumi was a little confused, she didn�t know why General Sephiroth would be so interested and besides she assumed that he knew how everything was already done.

�It�s basic really,� she started, deciding that she shouldn�t question anything but just go along with it. �Each patient is injected with a few cc�s of Mako and their heart rate and other vitals are monitored briefly to make sure everything is stable.�

�And if it�s not?�

�Well�in such a case then we wouldn�t proceed with any further dosage of Mako. It would be then that they would be deemed highly sensitive.�

Highly sensitive�It was what had been stated in the recruit�s file. However there was still another factor.

�Kasumi,� the General began before pausing to think of the right way to word his question, �what is the dose that SOLDIERS are given?�

�Oh that�s a little more difficult,� she began while walking over to the desk and shuffling some papers around, �it�s not given all at one time but over intervals.�

�So it is still the same,� Sephiroth spoke, more to himself than anything.

�Of course General, the way you went through procedure is still how it is for the new SOLDIERS,� Kasumi explained while glancing up at the man.

Though she wasn�t as close to the truth as she thought. True Sephiroth had been infused with Mako, but it was that along with many other experiments that made him �the perfect SOLDIER.� Those experiments had began when he was all too young�some he couldn�t even remember fully, and maybe it was better that he didn�t.

�So the test run, if the patients body rejects the Mako what are the side effects of that?�

�Minimal,� the woman began with a shake of her head, �we may see some small problems during the actual procedure but shortly after it should be alright.�

�Is it possible for their eyes to hold the glow of Mako with just such a small dosage?� He continued to question.

�Like a SOLDIER? No, a small dosage isn�t enough to notice like that,� she replied while raising an eyebrow, �why?�

�He said that my eyes are like a SOLDIERS, and I only had a small dosage of Mako and I just�I don�t know that�s not normal.�

Letting out a small sigh the General dropped his gaze, it seemed like Cloud�s concerns were in fact valid. But to what extent was the actual problem?

�I need to know what happened the day of Recruit Strife�s infusion,� Sephiroth suddenly spoke up while letting his green eyes pierce right through the woman�s.

�Recruit Strife?� Kasumi began while furrowing her brows in thought, �oh you mean Cloud,� she continued as her eyes widened briefly, �he ended up being hyper sensitive to the Mako. It had a pretty strong effect on him.�

�His dosage must�ve been too much,� Sephiroth continued while glancing around the lab before his eyes fell onto a filing cabinet. Without another word he crossed the room towards it with Kasumi quickly following.

�What do you mean too much? Professor Hojo wouldn�t make that mistake,� she started before stepping back when the general whirled around to face her.

�Who said it was a mistake?� He questioned bitterly before trying to open the cabinet, but it was locked.

�General I can assure you, I was present during the whole thing, Recruit Strife was just sensitive to it,� she continued on.

�Open this,� the man commanded while stepping aside.

�Sir?� She began a bit nervously, �I�m not permitted to access this without Professor Hojo�s consent.�

�It�s an order,� the man replied, his gaze set dead on the assistant as his tone held no room for argument.

With a small nod the woman grabbed a set of keys from her coat pocket while sifting through a few until she found the appropriate key. She placed it in the lock and pulled open the cabinet drawer before looking for the recruits file.

She retrieved it a second later and handed it to the General who quickly flipped it open and scanned over it�s contents. His eyes narrowed and Kasumi cleared her throat, wondering if it was safe to speak up.

�Has this been altered?�

�No,� the assistant began quietly, �Only Professor Hojo accesses these files, they are the absolute originals.�

�Then what was the file that was presented to me?� Sephiroth spat while dropping the folder on the table.

�What do you,� Kasumi began before moving over to the table and glancing at the file. Within a few seconds her eyes had widened and she clearly understood what the General was talking about. This wasn�t the same file that she had personally delivered to the General, the information in this one was different than in the other and clearly stated the dosage that the recruit had received, which excelled more than the normal procedure required.

�I thought you monitored these procedures,� Sephiroth began while giving the assistant a cold stare.

�I do I,� she began while glancing up to the other, �I don�t understand, it doesn�t make any sense why would��

Her break in sentence caught the General�s attention and he took a step closer, �what is it?�

�This is,� she started with a shake of her head and flipping through the file, �he wouldn�t be so careless,� she continued in a bit of shock.

�What?� Sephiroth asked again his voice more forceful this time.

�I,� she began shakily, �according to this I don�t think it�s the Mako that had such an adverse effect on him. It�s the fact that it was combined with�something that it shouldn�t have. I don�t know why the Professor would try this, he knows how dangerous it is��

�Combined with what?�

�Jenova cells,� Kasumi replied with a sigh of frustration, �that hasn�t been used since,� she stopped quickly before looking at the General, �I had no idea he did this.�

Frowning the General snatched the file away from the assistant as he skimmed through it.

�How serious is this?� He asked sternly while allowing his eyes to drift from the folder towards the woman.

Shaking her head she remained silent for a moment as she ran a hand through her hair nervously. �I�ve never dealt with someone who has been exposed to actual Jenova cells�and the amount that he was injected with�I just�I�m not sure.�

Closing the file the General turned and began to make his way out of the laboratory.

�General you�re taking the file with you?� Kasumi asked nervously. Not only did she know Professor Hojo would be upset with her for already disclosing so much information but when he saw that she had went through the file cabinet without authorization and there was a file missing, she knew it wasn�t going to be a pretty picture.

�Yes,� Sephiroth replied casually, �and please let the Professor know I came by. I�ll be needing to speak with him.�

************************************************************************

Stretching the SOLDIER leaned back in his chair before glancing at his watch. Finally he was finished with all of the boring paperwork and could finally get out of the office. Seph had been occupied lately and he wasn�t saying with what, but all Zack knew was that he was having to do all of the work that the General usually would�ve been doing. And while he did it, he wasn�t as patient as Sephiroth was. Staying in an office for hours would drive him crazy, he preferred to be out in the field and on assignments, but he had to take the good with the bad. He had just stood up from his seat when his office door flew open. He quickly snapped his gaze towards the sound, he knew it wasn�t the General, he always knocked softly. In fact, everyone knocked, even Cloud when he told him really didn�t need to.

He frowned a bit when he saw Jin staring at him, tight lipped and breathing heavy.

�How did you get access to this floor?� Zack asked calmly while placing his hands on the desk in front of him.

�Sergeant Okuda sir,� the other replied while stepping inside more.

Go figure. A smirk appeared on the SOLDIERS features as he narrowed his eyes a bit. �And what brings you here?�

Hesitating briefly Jin took in a breath before continuing, �Permission to speak freely sir?�

Zack gave a simple nod as he rounded the desk, leaning back on the front of it, his arms crossed over his chest.

�I spoke with my commanding officer not too long ago,� Jin started, �he let me know that I was no longer a part of SOLDIER.�

The other raised an eyebrow before giving a nod, �I guess the board reached their decision then.�

�Based off of what you told them,� Jin instantly replied.

�Yes,� Zack began, �They asked me who was assigned to Mideel, I told them and they went off of that. Of course when I told them you were assigned and you weren�t accounted for there then�yea that�s a problem.�

Jin let out a long sigh while glancing away from the SOLDIER, �Then shouldn�t a suspension suffice?�

�I guess they didn�t think so,� Zack replied calmly.

�You could tell them though right?� Jin asked as his voice rose a bit in aggravation.

�I don�t have a part in this anymore,� Zack began, �it was out of my hands after I made the assignments. However your officers feel fit to handle it then that�s their decision.�

�They,� Jin started before taking a breath, �my commanding officer was fine with it. He let me leave Mideel, he knew I was leaving, it wasn�t until you found out I was back that this whole thing started.�

�He let you leave under false pretenses,� Zack replied.

�This isn�t serious enough to take away my position in SOLDIER. I�m a good asset to the Shinra Military,� Jin continued while glaring at the other.

�Were,� Zack simply spoke while moving away from the desk.

The other couldn�t stand the way the SOLDIER was so casual about it, he was growing more upset by the minute.

�On what grounds is demoting me valid!� Jin suddenly snapped.

Zack looked at the other for a moment before laughing a bit and shaking his head. �On what grounds? You lied to your superiors, not one but two. Deliberately disobeyed a direct order, all because you didn�t want to be there? That�s not how this military works.�

Shaking his head Jin scoffed, �You act like you�re doing this because you�re following procedure but I�m not dumb.�

�I don�t have to explain myself to you,� Zack began as his voice turned more forceful, �but if you�re really being this stubborn about it then fine. If you knew anything about how these missions work then you would know that there has to be an extra amount of SOLDIERS. Shit happens, so if any other SOLDIER were to get injured or something worse then there is backup. You plan ahead instead of getting caught short, you may have thought it was pointless for you to be there but it was necessary. Make sense?�

Jin was silent as he held the others gaze, a deep anger flashing in his eyes.

Zack looked him up and down once before turning back towards the desk, �you can leave now.�

�I guess,� Jin spoke up causing the SOLDIER to turn and look back at him lazily, �if there isn�t a spot for me in SOLDIER, they can�t send me back to a remedial course. Maybe they�ll place me in Special Ops. I don�t think I would mind that,� he finished while turning towards the door.

�Jin!� Zack called sternly as he felt his heartbeat speed up. No way would he get into Special Ops just to further pester the blonde and try to make a move on him, not if Zack could help it anyway. For the time being he had played it cool with the ex SOLDIER, even though the sight of him was enough to make him boil over in anger. He kept it professional, but if Jin wanted to make it personal�

Turning back around the other glared back at the SOLDIER. If he was intimidated or scared he hid it pretty well, but that didn�t matter to the other.

�If you�re smart you�ll let this go,� Zack began while moving back towards the other.

�Let what go?� Jin asked as he pretended to be confused.

�I�m serious,� Zack spoke his eyes looking straight into gray.

�I didn�t realize you were so intimidated by me,� Jin began as a cocky smile spread across his face.

It was taking all of the SOLDIERS strength to not hit the other, he wanted nothing more than to wipe that expression off of his face.

�Stay away from Cloud,� he said in a tone that was far from joking.

�Or?�

This kid was more of an asshole than the SOLDIER had thought. Not only was he stubborn and arrogant but he was way too confident.

�I don�t like being threatened by my superior,� Jin continued.

�Well you know what?� Zack began while glancing at his watch, �I�m off the clock, so I�m not your superior right now. So I�ll say it again, you stay away from Cloud. Touch him again and I swear I�ll answer that �or� for you. Got it?�

�Hmm,� Jin began, not flinching from the others harsh words or gaze as he stepped up closer to the SOLDIER, �maybe it�s not a matter of me staying away from him as it is for him staying away from me.�

Of course Zack didn�t believe that, it was just a pathetic excuse of Jin trying to get him upset. And while the accusation itself didn�t upset him, just the fact that he would even insult Cloud and his relationship was enough to push him over the edge a bit.

Without a second thought Zack grabbed the other by the collar and slammed him against the office door. Surely any passerby�s outside would�ve heard it he but he didn�t care.

�You don�t know when to stop do you?� Zack questioned while looking at the other with a look full of pure hatred, which was rare for the usually happy carefree individual.

He was a little surprised to see the worried almost fearful look on Jin�s face. Was he really shocked? Did he think Zack was just bluffing? Maybe the ex SOLDIER was just full of talk after all.

�I don�t want you to even so much as look at him? Understand!? If you can�t get that through your head Shiva help me, if you do anything I won�t hesitate to kick your ass! You think I�ve been hard on you? I�ve played fair so far, but don�t push me!� Not breaking his gaze he quickly let go of the boys collar letting him fall against the door a bit before he pushed away from it, glaring at the SOLDIER before muttering something under his breath and quickly exiting out of the room.

Running a hand through his hair Zack let out a sigh. As much as that felt good to yell at that jerk he wondered if he really got through to him. Maybe, just maybe if the other was smart enough he�d understand how serious the SOLDIER was and would stay away from the blonde.
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A/N: And here is chap 20! With four breaks, I don�t usually like to do that in one chapter but this chap is mainly to tie up loose ends and also has some foreshadowing and such. I was going to make this longer but I decided it was a good ending point because of the future chaps! Cloud is 16 now, so hopefully you all know what that means! The age thing was crucial which is why I did that part�and I thought Zack would do something cute like that ^^. Seph is finding out more about Hojo which leads up to some other stuff�like I said with the foreshadowing, ya know he�s beginning to question stuff which will lead to his inevitable snapping later on. Oh! And the part with Cloud�s mom I wanted to do something fun with in a future chap! ^^ a little drama I guess. Anyways, the plan to keep this under 25 chaps is still in effect, I actually think it may be 23, 24 with an epilogue because those chapters will be longer than my previous ones just because I can�t really break them up and have them flow well. And that�s the end of Jin? Zack scared him off? Hmm. Thanks for the reviews guys, you all are awesome! This author note is getting long so I think I�ll end it here! Will update soon!
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