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Walking Out on Destiny	By : HarliqueenNight Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2575 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all things associated are owned by Square Enix and Testuya Nomura respectively. I own nothing save for the characters and places created for the sake of this fan fiction and recieve no profit in the creation of this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 31
- 32
- 33
A/N: Um…..wolverines!

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Walking Out on Destiny Season 3

Episode 2: Oh Goddammit!

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"GET THE FUCK UP!"

"Son of bitch!" Cloud fell out of bed at the sound of Conte's voice through the loud speaker.

Rosso was cursing in some crude throaty language as she looked around for the source of the noise. Cloud couldn't help but stare at her bare breasts as she sat up in bed and threw the covers off. She glanced at his beet red face. He struggled to form words.

"We're three guys in here! You sleep topless!"

"Nothing you haven't seen before! We're fellow lab rats, remember?"

"Oh..right…" Cloud got out of bed finding Dom heading out the bathroom with his uniform pants on and a towel wrapped around his shoulders.

"Hey, rise and shine, spike! You supposed to be mountain people, up with the sun!"

"Dom, I've been jet laggin since I got to Midgar! God, Conte has one hell of a shout."

"What's the matter, princess, hurt your widdle ears?"

"Go Fuck a brick, Kyle!" Cloud snarled heading towards the bathroom. He wasn't bothered by Rosso following him though he was still a little distracted by her flaunting around without a bra or shirt. He had to remind himself he'd seen it before. Ah well at least he'd slept well.

Richards was the one to come in to their dorm and round them up. He ended up plucking Rosso in the head for shamelessly flirting with him for fun. Cloud laughed as he stayed in the center of the group. He wasn't sure when it had happened but sometime between leaving their room and heading for morning drill; Cloud had found himself in an entourage formation. Kyler and Rosso at his front, Dom's imposing self at his back. It wasn't that he was bothered by it, he just didn't understand it. When they marched out on the field in their PT clothing, Cloud being in a pair of loose jersey shorts and a tank and Rosso in a tank top and work out pants, they were staggered and stood under the cool dawn sky feeling excited. That was when Conte walked onto the field. Cloud was sure he wasn't the only one who gaped. The man was in the SOLDIER PT uniform which consisted of a black T-Shirt with SOLDIER in white letters stamped across it and jogging pants, but that wasn't the kicker. The kicker was that Conte's chest and arms were making the fabric of that shirt scream in agony.

"Oh my god," Cloud whispered to Rosso. "The man's built like a brick shit house!"

"I admit, he looked much smaller yesterday," Rosso agreed.

"I could take his ass," Dom muttered confidently.

"He'd rape you," Cloud whispered.

"Man would crush you with his ass cheeks, Dom," Kyle said with a chuckle.

"All right listen up! As your SOLDIER liaison and CO of your platoon I'm going to inform you of a few things before we start PT. One, I've been Platoon 2's leader since I made Officer and my team hasn't lost a single competition. You'll hear more about those later. Our mascot is the Fenrir Wolf. We are Fenrir, we are wolves. We scavenge, we hunt, we fight, and we dominate territory, but most of all we're loyal to the pack. Acknowledge!"

"Synced!"

"Good," He began to pace. "The other platoons make nonsensical noises when they are victorious. They shout hoorah, booyah, and other dumbshit like that. My platoon don't play that shit. If you have conquered your enemy out in training whether it be you kickin' their ass in hand to hand, sword to sword, gun to gun or even spell to spell, I better hear you howl!"

Soft murmurs of confusion bubbled from the cadets. Conte cupped his hands around his jaw, tilting his head back slightly and released a very convincing, very frightening wolf howl that Cloud was certain came from deep down in his perfect stomach. Most were surprised at how authentic it sounded while Cloud was fascinated.

"That has to be the sexiest thing I've witness this side of the planet. I love a dominant man."

Well Rosso was fascinated too.

Conte looked at the startled yet admiring faces of the cadets with a smirk. "To make sure we drive this point home. After every set of every drill, you are going to howl. Richards, Parker, demonstrate. Max squats! In cadence!"

Richard and Park pushed their arms out in front of them. "Ready!"

"1-2, 3, 4!"

"ROOOOOH"

"2-2, 3, 4!"

"ROOOOH!"

Cloud watched utterly speechless. It would've been comical if the two troops weren't completely serious and in to it. Their howls were masculine and proud like they were actually enjoying baying like animals. He couldn't understand the appeal of it. Dom leaned over to him discreetly.

"I ain't come down from mining to howl like dog, man."

Cloud nodded in agreement though part of him was curious what was going through the troopers minds.

Conte ordered their set to be over.

"Alright! Everyone Max Squats! In position!"

"Ready!" they all shouted mimicking their sergeants.

"In Cadence!"

Cloud….had never felt so sick and so exhilarated in his life by the time they got to chow. Squatting, crunching, jumping, lunging, FUCK THOSE PUSH-UPS. He was so damn tired he didn't even want to go eat; he wanted to go back to the dorms and pass out. However, his adrenaline was pumping and he was burning hot. It must've been the injections because he was starving even though his throat disagreed with whether he would be able to eat. He'd howled so much that his voice cracked. Rosso had lost her voice, Kyle sounded like a prepubescent child, and Dom…well Dom couldn't say anything above a whisper. The C-hall was packed with the other platoons who whispered as they walked in. The older cadets snickered when they came in muttering about new blood. A boy from platoon 3 "yipped" at Cloud mocking his platoon as they passed. The young cadets of platoon 2 wasn't actually sure how to respond to the jibes. That was until there was a loud collective of experienced howls that entered the hall. Conte nodded to them in greeting and to the female Troop officer who walked with them. The hall was silenced and Cloud stared in awe as the 4th year cadets, fresh and ready for their final SOLDIER exams with mako shine in their eyes, passed them by. Some smirked at them confidently; some waved and patted then on the shoulders encouragingly. One in particular saw Cloud's dumbstruck expression and winked at him, the mako still fresh and green in his eyes. The other platoons moved out of their way as they sat down to chow. They waved for Cloud's platoon to come over to them and join them.

"First day huh?" the one that had winked at him asked.

"Yeah…not sure about this whole howling thing."

"Hey howling is what makes em all scared of you!" a bigger one said.

"Hell yeah! When we howl, they know who the fuck's coming. Conte's platoon is always the best and he's never had a cadet fail the SOLDIER program."

"Never," Cloud parroted.

"Never! He takes his time with us and makes sure we know everything. Heh, he could've been SOLDIER 1st Class by now but he didn't want to because he preferred being right here, turning the likes of you into home grown ShinRa SOLDIERs."

"To tell ya a secret, he trained Zackary Fair, Angeal's protégé."

"He was a Fenrir?" Cloud exclaimed.

"Yep, don't worry about it. They're just all jealous because you're in the best platoon there is!"

Cloud looked at Dom suspiciously. "How did you know to go for platform two?"

Dom looked at him with a mouth full of food and swallowed, his voice still abused from other. "Actually it was your friend Zack that pulled me aside and told me to make sure I got my ass and YOUR ass into Platoon 2. He said if we didn't get in there he'd find my ass and do…something. I didn't argue, Zack's a SOLDIER, no tellin' what 'something' is!"

Cloud rolled his eyes but felt warmed at the thought that Zack had made sure he was in the best of the best. Though it bothered him a little that Zack didn't advise him directly. Why didn't he just tell him to go to platform two? He would've listened.

Conte came and sat at the table and began eating. "Hope you guys enjoyed chitchatting. You got until I'm done eating to finish your chow."

Cloud looked at the man dubiously, believing he was joking. However, he realized that the older cadets were eating like…well like ravenous wolves suddenly and took the hint to stuff as much food down his throat as possible. Seven minutes…seven minutes and Conte was getting up with an empty plate.

Cloud swallowed what little food he'd gotten and looked longingly down at the rest of his plate. "Life of a SOLDIER I guess."

By the end of the day…Cloud believed that Conte was seriously and utterly trying to kill them. He and his comrades poured into the dorm for down time looking like haggard old people. Cloud's feet were screaming, his ankles hurt, his back felt like someone and kicked him in it. Oh wait, Conte had put his foot in it when Cloud wasn't dropping for pushups fast enough.

"I would like to be the first to say, fuck Conte," Cloud said with as much conviction as his exhausted body could muster. "No seriously, fuck everything to do with that guy."

"Amen to that," Kyle groaned, collapsing on his bed.

"If I do even one more squat my balls are gonna split right down the middle," Dom whined as he made it to his bed.

"Not even my tribe is this brutal," Rosso hugged her abused breasts. "I'm going to need sports bras."

They all lay on their respective beds being silent so as not to disturb one another. They immediately groaned when Sergeant Parker waltz in.

"What's the matter? Not so fucking tough now that you know what this place is really about. Get your shit together and move out, its dinner time. MOVE!"

They reluctantly rolled out of bed. They didn't even want to eat, they just wanted to sleep, but they knew Parker wouldn't give them peace unless they got up. Cloud let out a surprised gasp of pain when his back popped and he tried to stretch it out.

"What the hell wrong with you Strife. I said move! Ain't got time for you to be posing."

"It's just my back, Sergeant. I'm fine."

"I'll do more than that to your back if you don't get your damn boots on and move out. That goes for you too, little girl!"

Rosso stared at him as if he was a bug not even fit for her boots to squish but she thankfully remained quiet. Cloud quickly threw on his shoes.

"Cadet Strife!"

"What, sergeant."

"Step out in the hall right now, the rest of you stay in here."

Dom stood up. "Ain't no cadet supposed to be in the presence of a sergeant alone!"

"At ease, I know you Corel people ain't too bright. We're just going outside the damn door!"

Dom moved to say something when Cloud interjected, not wanting Dom to get in trouble. "Yes sergeant. I'm coming."

Cloud followed the man into the hall and closed the door as he was told. Dom, Rosso, and Kyle gathered around the door anxiously trying to listen. Cloud stood before the man feeling smaller than he normally did under Parker's scrutiny.

"Strife, I know what your file says. You got Commander Rhapsodus and General Sephiroth as your mentors, and I also know what the file don't say about your relationship with Lt. Zackary Fair."

Cloud tilted his head a bit. Was he supposed care that Parker knew?

"It would be a pretty faced little queer like you to be fucking his way to the top instead of relying on your own damn merit and skill. Let me give you a warning. I'm going to be watching you. I catch you trying to get "sympathy" from the CO or any other officer at this establishment and I will make you wish you hadn't been born."

Cloud stared dumbfounded at the man before outright laughing at him. "Holy shit, you think that's what I'm doing, Sergeant. HA! I thought you were going to rape me or something. God, um understood, Sergeant. Can we all go to Chow now?"

Parker didn't really appreciate being laughed at and before he could check his anger, he'd through his fist across Cloud's face. Cloud stumbled back but to his merit he did not fall. His jaw however had shifted painfully and blood welled from his split lip. He wouldn't cry, it hurt like a bitch but he took harder beatings than that from his childhood bullies. Fuck this dude.

"Feel better, Sergeant? You got to ruin my meal ticket, now my face won't get me any sympathy points. Now can I please go to chow before I make me comrades late?"

Parker stared down at Cloud's resolve in shock; he had nothing he could say to the way the boy had snapped back. "Get your squad moving Strife! I better not see you for the rest of the night. Cloud stood still until the man left and his friends burst out of the door in outrage having heard the conversation. Cloud was happy in a way. He'd stood his ground, took that punch because Parker wasn't shit, but then the pain kicked in fully as the adrenaline wore off. His cheek was swelling up fast and he couldn't move his jaw much. He lowered himself to the ground as the pain mingled with the exhaustion of the day weakened him. Dom lifted him up while Rosso pressed something cold to his face.

Kyle gave him a critical eye. "Hey man, we need to get him to the infirmary. I think that fucker cracked his jaw!"

Rosso fumed, cursing in that thick, guttural language of hers. "I'm going to kill him."

"Not now, Rosso, we gotta get him to the Doc. This shit ain't gone slip by not by a long shot!"

Cloud couldn't hold back anymore. He let silent tears fall down his face from the pain of his jaw and the humiliation of not being able to stand on his own two feet. What the hell was he doing here?

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"Why did you do this to me?"

Hojo lifted his eyes from his coffee at the soft question that for once since the morning started, held no malicious bite. He looked Vincent's weary downtrodden face and it actually caused him to hesitate in his answer. He chose to simply tell the truth.

"I owed you a life. So I did it to save your life so that perhaps you could…"

"I was dead, Kanaye. You couldn't leave it at that?" Vincent shook his head. "I've missed…so many years of their lives…how can you expect me to even…"

Hojo was surprised that the gunman still used his name. "I brought you back. Vincent I don't care what you think of me. I've never cared. You're opinion of me has never mattered in the time that I have existed and it will continue to not matter because I know what I am. I am a monster, more so than you can ever be. You think I wanted to experiment on you for my pleasure? Vincent I have more than willing subjects lined up to me every day, since my return to ShinRa. I could charm any woman or man into letting me slip a needle into them. You think I would choose you specifically to do this to? What makes you so special!"

Vincent stared him in the eye, the intelligence and malevolence of four different creatures and an angry human boring into him. "Because you hate me, Kanaye. You've always hated me. Every time I was between Lucrecia's legs you resented me because I took the one thing away from you that made you feel human. Every time you had to see Sephiroth growing up a truly happy child and Lucrecia spurned you because her greatest triumph walked away and you couldn't do ANYTHING about it, you resented me. Now, knowing that, from what you told me, I am the only one who can help you stop this madness, you've never loathed me so much in my entire life or even death. Who the fuck do you believe you are fooling, Kanaye? I'm as much a monster now as you are…and even that is pissing you off."

Hojo wasn't sure what came over him, where the bubbling of anger had overflowed, but as he glared into those violent blood orbs, his control slipped. Vincent didn't even have the time to completely register the jade filtering through Hojo's eyes when he was suddenly was lifted from his chair and slammed against the wall. The arm that held him there was large, deformed with talons so thick they were akin to iron. Vincent however was not afraid. He stared down into the maddened eyes of Hojo. The longer he stared into them, the jade abyss, the more his anger drained away. Hojo's eyes bore into his, his mouth drawn into a thin line.

"Why do you push so, Vincent?" he snarled through gritted teeth. "Why do you wish for me to hate you? Do you think that by me hating you it will quell the guilt you feel from stealing another man's wife, another man's child, another man's world?! Is that it…do you think by proving me the monster everyone believes I am, it will justify all the things you've done and things you will do? Vincent, I've never lied to you, I had no reason to hide what I am. But you…all those sleepless nights, pining over your own foolishness. All those lovers in your bed, Helena, Veld, and even the good Captain who had the pleasure above all of them to be conquered by your thighs. Yes I knew all about you. Taking on Tseng because he reminded you of the child you would NEVER have because you couldn't let go of one sadistic, immoral bitch who you were so, so wrong about. Vincent, I don't have it in me to hate you…because I pity you so. I pity you because you could never understand what it's like to love someone truly and deeply, to have them love you back despite your quirks and complexes and you could never understand what it's like to watch them whisked away for a younger dick!" Hojo leaned closer to Vincent. "Or to go through the same cycle again except this time you watch the person grow to hate you because if they didn't hate you, they would hate themselves. You are that person, Vincent Valentine. You are that person and you hate me because I have always been the one to see it."

Hojo could tell everything he was saying had hit deep and wounded, no flayed everything that was Vincent Valentine's being. He didn't know why he felt the need to do it. Perhaps the monster in him took pleasure in pulling out all of the Turk's flaws and forcing him to look at them as if seeing his own internal organs cut out from his gut. It satisfied him, and the darkening of those Sherry tinted orbs gave him a feeling of triumph and lust he'd never had before. He wanted to break Vincent, break the Turk so that just for once he could see the very center of this man and discover exactly why he…why these feelings…

"…you're right…" Vincent whispered. "I am all these things…I am that person. I can admit it just as clearly as you can admit you are inherently evil. But you…" Vincent shook his head. "What do you want from me, Kanaye?"

"You…truly do not remember, your rage has repressed everything of the past ten years…" Hojo gave a defeated laugh. Hojo's eyes faded to a somber black and he loosened his grip allowing Vincent to slide harmlessly down the wall onto his feet putting them face to face. They stared at each other quietly, inches apart in a gaze more intimate than either of them had shared with the woman they both loved with all their being. Hojo looked into those questioning eyes, seeing everything that he'd gone through to see them staring at him with such clarity, all those foolish little emotions he was beginning to have for someone who had been a reoccurring natural disaster in his life. He almost gave in…almost admitted defeat and said what was truly on his mind. But instead, his silvered tongue and rational brain filtered the truth down to its base honesty.

"I want you…to take back what's left of the world you stole from me."

"…Is that all you want?"

Hojo pulled away from Vincent and walked away towards his bedroom. "That will never be all I want, Turk."

Vincent watched him go, feeling strangely guilty about having the pushed the man this far. What did he mean by that? He remembered everything perfectly and there was nothing in those memories that should've made him feel guilty…or make Hojo look at him like that. The voices in his head rejoiced at having toyed with the man's resolved…all save one.

I will never understand you humans…you're foolishness knows no bounds.

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Sephiroth had just walked into the loft to pick up Aerith for dinner when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He quickly dug it out and answered. "Hello?"

"General Sephiroth? This is Ilfana Gast, the tending doctor at the SOLDIER Facility?"

"You don't have to be so formal, Dr. Gast. I'm housing your daughter remember."

"Right," she giggled in that same way that Aerith did and it made him smile. "But this is not a social call I'm afraid. I was asked to call you by one Cadet Cloud Strife. It appears he was in a bit of a brawl of some sort, though…to be honest he's not seeming so well. I wager you'd be able to get through to him."

"Cloud…yes, I'll be there soon."

"Ok, I'm ready. I couldn't do a thing with my hair today!" Aerith said cheerfully before pausing at the grim look on Sephiroth's face. "Oh my, something's happened?"

"I need to stop by your mother's clinic. Cloud got hurt and I need to find out what's going on."

"Then by all means, what are we standing around for?!"

"You don't have to-"

"Oh hush, what's important to you is important to me. Besides, I want to meet this boy that makes you so day dreamy!"

Sephiroth sighed and open the door. "Put your jacket on, it's windy."

"Yes father!" she teased.

He grimaced.

Cloud was propped up in the hospital bed, his jaw bandaged so that he was not able to move it. It had been healed but as a precaution Ilfana said she'd be back with a new Cure materia after she called Sephiroth. He didn't know why that was the number he picked. He supposed it was some instinctual process of elimination. Zack was not here, neither was Angeal. Genesis always turned his phone of around this time. He didn't feel comfortable enough to bother Tseng and he knew Professor Hojo was having his own difficulties at the moment from what he'd heard. So it was only natural for Sephiroth's name to fall out of his mouth. Well that was his excuse. His friends had been sent on to chow while he was sent on to here. He was tired, he was hungry and his jaw was killing him. He leaned back against the pillow and shut his eyes again trying to blot out the bubbling of negative thoughts. However, they persisted as they always did and unfortunately Professor Hojo was not here to pick them up and reason them away. Hojo had always known what to do when his depression came calling, but right now, he couldn't do anything. His phone was back at the bunk and he wasn't sure the professor would be available for his petty mental issues anyway. Crap, he depressed himself more.

Cloud groaned and tried to relax, his hand falling on the tingling of the lightening material around his neck. Just breathe, he thought, just breathe.

"Cloud?"

Cloud's eyes snapped open at the deep voice calling his name in that strange low tone that made even his plane jane name sound amazing. He looked towards the door seeing Sephiroth standing near it, concern and relief in his eyes. He was in casual clothing today, which often still surprised Cloud. Having grown up as a mere fan of Sephiroth's greatness, he'd grown into the idea that the man wore nothing else but his uniform. Seeing him casually dressed in slacks and button up shirt was a bit of a jaw dropper. The true blue dress shirt was draped over his body perfectly and Cloud wondered if all of Sephiroth's clothing was custom made. Either way, the man looked amazing as he always did and Cloud didn't know what to do with his inner fanboy. Sephiroth offered a relieved smile and came to the bed.

"What happened?"

Cloud shook his head trying to be as nonchalant as he could. "Nothing…just got into a fight."

"Without punching back?" Sephiroth said, his voice slightly colder.

"What?"

"You're knuckles, they aren't torn up. They aren't even bruised. For a fight brutal enough to do this kind of damage, you certainly didn't try to defend yourself."

"Oh," Cloud tried to think fast to hold up his lie. "It was…" the blond sighed in defeat. "It was kinda onesided…"

"You didn't hit back or you couldn't?"

"I…I couldn't."

Sephiroth nodded. "So, a superior did this to you?"

Cloud looked up with a jolt. "I didn't say that!"

"Don't lie to me, Cloud." Sephiroth sounded almost angry and it caused the blond to cringe. This was not the type of conversation he wanted to have with the man.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Sephiroth's face softened and he took a seat on the bed. "Cloud, I have never given you a reason to lie to me in the time we've known each other. Do not betray that now."

Cloud lifted pained blue eyes to meet Sephiroth's feline jades. Sephiroth's brow furrowed when he caught an obvious fury behind that pain but he wasn't certain if it was directed at Cloud's attacker or at Cloud himself. The boy turned and looked away.

"Sergeant Parker…he's the NCO for my platoon. He's been kinda picking at me. I thought it was because I was the smallest one here. I mean look at me! I don't even look like I belong here much less think it! But no, that not the only thing wrong with me. No, his problem was not only that I was small like a girl, its that I'm apparently FUCKING THE FENRIR PRODIGY! Oh, and I'm fucking Genesis and you, too. Might as well throw Angeal in there and make a it an official train huh?!"

Sephiroth remained silent allowing the boy to vent.

"Rumor has it I've been giving Conte,"

"Commander Conte."

"I've been giving Commander Conte the eye. I might as well worm my way up and get on my knees for him too! I mean have you seen the guy, built like a train, might as well indulge! That's me, I'm a SOLDIER slut thanks to Parker and whoever the hell else is turning the goddamn rumor mill! And you know what the worst part of it all is? The very worst part? I've only been here for a day! In one day, I've pissed off a sergeant, gotten my jaw broken, and rumor spread fast that I'm some kinda pretty whore who only got into SOLDIER on the length of the dick in my mouth!"

Sephiroth's brow rose at the vulgar expression. Cloud had the decency to blush and mutter an apology. They sat in silence for a while, Sephiroth allowing all that Cloud had told him settle. He'd been told valuable information through all of it and if he informed the others of the Devil's Triumvirate they would not be pleased. He knew who Bauss Parker was, an honorable man on the field but a lousy human being when forced to be one. He knew Conte had most likely heard no rumors of Cloud meaning the rumor mill was turning among the cadets. But which, the ones heading in or the ones head out for testing? The next step would be to find the source of it and he was certain questioning the testers would yield satisfying results. He filed away his strategy for later and looked at Cloud openly, doing his best to seem kind though he was unsure if he was succeeding. He needed to be sure of Cloud's conviction before he backed anything the blonde did.

"Cloud, I could help you with this."

"No please don't do any-"

Sephiroth held up his hand to silence the boy. "I could do something, I could have Parker removed from your platoon, I could have the rumor mill shut down. I could remove you from training and rear you myself putting all other cadets at a severe disadvantage when SOLDIER testing came around. I could judge your skills with leniency, have Angeal and Genesis write recommendations that would skyrocket you to the fame and glory you deserve…I could start you down such a path and make it easy for you. You know that I could and that there would be no objection."

"What would that accomplish?" Cloud said immediately, with a glare.

Sephiroth's brows rose in surprise.

Cloud shook his head angrily. "You think that's what I want?! For you to wave a magic wand to make it all better for me?! I told you, this is what I want to do! This is my life I'm trying to change and I don't need you to do anything for me! Don't you realize that doing something like makes everything about me they say true! No, if I'm going to do this I'm doing it by myself! I don't need your influence, I don't need any of you to defend me!" he cringed at the ache in his jaw but didn't stop. "I volunteered on my own, I passed that test on my own, I came here to Midgar ON MY OWN. Whether or not my dreams come true or I go back to that stupid town with my tail between my legs it will be on my own, Seph! I thought you understood that."

Sephiroth nodded with an amused smile and Cloud blushed a bit when the man chuckled. "It was merely a suggestion Cloud. So what do you plan to do about your situation Cloud?"

Cloud paused and shrugged. He sat in silence for a moment giving it honest thought. Sephiroth waited patiently. "You…you all said not to let them see I'm afraid. Well, I'm not. I'm not scared now that I know that the bullies here aren't any bigger or badder than Nibelhiem. Tifa hits harder than Sergant Parker. If he wants to have something against me, then I'll give him something to have against me."

"Don't go getting into trouble."

"Seph, I'm a bi-curious gay boy in the military. I'm already in trouble. But that's who I am. I'm not here to impress anyone, Seph. I came here to be a SOLDIER and…that's what I'm going to do or at least try to. I'm going to be who I am and if Parker or anyone else doesn't like it then, forgive my language, they and this entire compound can suck my dick!"

Sephiroth laughed outright. "Good, Cloud. I still need to have a talk with Conte about Parker's behavior since what he did is severely against protocol but I won't use any more of my power than necessary on the situation. This is your life and your dream, you deal with the problems."

Cloud nodded, determination returning to his face. "Thank you, Seph. Um…by the way, how have you been?"

The older man was slightly startled by the question. "How have I…I've been as well as can be expected, Cloud."

"You just…you look calmer that's all," Cloud murmured, the blush returning to his face. "It's like something good is happening for you right now. You like lighter."

"I believe it's in anticipation to watching you grow. I have not felt the desire to see a cadet succeed before, perhaps it is affecting my physical appearance as well."

"Oh…well for a minute, I was going to say you looked like you were in lo-"

"Seph! I finally found the coffee station. God this place is so confusing!"

Both Cloud and Sephiroth looked towards the door. Aerith stepped in barefoot, her skirt brushing the floor. She haphazardly held three steaming mugs in her hands with various vending machine goodies piled in her arms. Cloud blinked at her and then looked to Sephiroth whose expression softened to something almost warm when the girl giggled as she did her balancing act. Cloud felt a pang in his chest at that face. Aerith waddled over and carefully passed around the mugs, one for Cloud and one for Sephiroth. She placed her own on the stand near the bed and dumped the snacks on the bed. Sephiroth raised a brow.

"Where are your shoes?"

"Oh you know I can't stay comfy in shoes for long!" she replied cheerfully before turning for Cloud. She stared at him for a long time, with her mouth slightly agape in wonder. "Oooh," she said with an enthralled sigh. "You're Cloud."

Cloud tilted his head in confusion. "Um, yes ma'am."

She smiled and hugged him to her. "I've been so excited about meeting you. Sephiroth has told me a lot about you."

Cloud rested against her bosom and was strangely comfortable with it. She was soft like he'd come to expect girls to be, but her touch was so gentle and warm, motherly. He simply lay there feeling much of his concerns dissipate. Aerith rocked him a bit and it made him feel like nothing bad had ever happened. She released him and held him at arm's length.

"Oh yes, you're Cloud. You're going to do all kinds of good things. Do you feel better?"

"Uh…" Cloud noticed the ache in his jaw was gone and he carefully slid away the bandages. "Yeah, actually. Um you are…?"

"Cloud, this Aerith Gainsburough. She's Dr. Ilfana and Professor Gast's child but she prefers her nom de plume."

"Huh? Why?"

"A princess likes to go out into disguise once in a while! Eat, eat, you're scrawny!"

Sephiroth shook his head. "You're very excited, Aerith."

"I've just…been waiting all my life meet him," Aerith said distantly with a warm smile. "Well, I mean it feels that way since Seph told me about you."

Cloud blushed a little and Sephiroth had the decency to look embarrassed. Aerith giggled. "So Cloud, what's got you in here like this."

"Meh, getting picked on because I'm little. But, I'm not going to let it stop me. I get hit harder by my frienemy back home!"

"Frienemy?"

"Friend/enemy. We kinda love to hate each other."

"Ah I had one of those once. I don't even talk to that slut anymore."

Sephiroth's brow rose at the insult. "Mind if I ask what happened?"

"She gave my boyfriend a," Aerith made a hand gesture so her mother wouldn't hear.

Cloud snorted on his drink and choked. Sephiroth did his best not to laugh, though a smile did break through.

"On that note, you shouldn't worry Cloud. You'll make it. Trust me, you were born to do this, you just don't know it yet. It will be okay."

Cloud smiled. "I know, and Sephiroth, remember what I said. Don't help me, ok."

Sephiroth held his hands up in a gesture of acquiescence. "I promise I will not."

"I believe you."

"Just…do me a favor."

"What?"

"Don't cry."

Cloud felt his eyes immediately water but he blinked them back. "Yes, sir."

Aerith looked between the two of them with a knowledgeable smile on her face. "We're going to be wonderful friends."

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Tseng flipped Rufus onto his back for the third time and glared down at the boy. "You're distracted and it's making you useless. I told you either you focus or you leave my training floor."

Rufus panted staring up at the ceiling. It had been a long process but there was a light glow to his azure eyes that learned to hold a controlled glare. Tseng made a frustrated sound and rolled Rufus roughly away from him. Rufus quickly got to his feet thanks to practice and watched the Wutain walk to the other end of the mat, his high ponytail swaying almost like an angry tail. Tseng wore regular training clothes, tight black t-shirt and loose fitting athletic pants. Rufus snarled at the grace in which Tseng carried himself in something as primitive as grappling. Tseng turned around and took a fighting stance.

"Again!"

Rufus's eyes narrowed and he quickly charged. He faked Tseng out and quickly dropped sweeping the older man off his feet and attempted to pin him to the map but was grabbed by his hair and shoved face first into the map. It wasn't as painful as it could've been but it didn't stop it from hurting. Tseng snatched one of his arms as it came out to elbow him and twisted it behind his back straining his shoulder. He cried out and ceased his movement.

"You give up then?"

"What choice do I have?" Rufus spat angrily.

"You have plenty choice. You still live!" Tseng snarled rolling Rufus away once more and standing. "Again!"

"What's the point!" Rufus shouted, sitting up.

Tseng paused and looked down at him coldly. "What?"

"What's the point?! My mother is ok again, my father is running scared! Lazard's bruises don't show up as much anymore and my father only hits me once in a while now and it will soon stop when mother is completely healed," Rufus punched the mat glaring at it as if it were the sole object of his disdain. "She'll save you! She'll save all of you and fix this company! What the hell is my purpose now?!"

Tseng stormed over to Rufus and backhanded him hard. "Tch! What is the point boy?!"

Rufus held his jaw and glared at the man. "Don't call me that!"

Tseng hit him again. "You came to me! You asked for our help! All we asked in return is that you let us make you into the leader you are meant to be. Now that someone is able to do the work for you, you cower and shirk the responsibility! You useless boy!"

Rufus lunged at Tseng tackling him to the ground and pinning him there. "Stop calling me that! Yes! I'm cowering! My mother and father are the two greatest superpowers in all of ShinRa. What's my place in their fight! Mother doesn't want me involved, father thinks I'm weak and useless and I AM! All this I've been doing to become stronger doesn't have any use now that my mother is back!"

Tseng lay beneath the boy; his eyes falling to the healing black eye the boy had received a couple of weeks before. "You are ShinRa, it doesn't matter who the superpowers are. You have as much right to that power as those who have always held it. If you chose to abandon your goal, abandon your mission then you are no better than your father who forgot what it meant to have power! You're a weak excuse of a human being not even fit to exist."

Rufus gasped as a gun was pressed to his temple. He didn't even know where it had come from much less seen Tseng pull it. Tseng's steely grey eyes glared into his own and suddenly he was very, very afraid for his life…and it pissed him off.

"See, even in your upper hand, the fact that I am beneath you, you fear me because you know what I will do to you. You know I will kill you and I will sleep peacefully with one less burden. Is that what you want, boy? You want to die, right here on the Turk training room floor and let it be known that you were too cowardly to fight for your right to this company, to fight for your right to exist and have that existence acknowledge. Tell me now, because I have better things to do than to waste my time on weak willed little boys."

Rufus trembled, his hands wrapping around Tseng's neck just beneath the collar, not caring that the gun cocked. He was afraid, and he hated himself for it. He was afraid and he hated Tseng for making him that way. He squeezed Tseng throat thinking that any moment the Turk would pull the trigger but knowing that he wouldn't because Tseng didn't see him as a threat. He wasn't anything to this man…he was just some snot nosed brat too afraid to grasp what was right there in front of him and he hated himself for it. He squeezed tighter until Tseng's breath cut, but the Wutain made no move to shoot him. He did sense the subtle movement in Tseng's arm as he slowly put pressure on the trigger. Rufus smirked and it surprised Tseng.

"Weak willed?" Rufus whispered. "Are you forgetting that this simpering little boy holds your life contract in his hands? That I could kill you now and no one would say anything. That I'm the one who put that collar around your neck! No," Rufus shook his head. "You're not going to kill me, Tseng. Not my father, not my mother, not even my brother or this stupid fucking company will beat me!" Rufus's hands loosened from Tseng's neck. "…not even you Tseng. No matter how bent or beat up I get…you won't break me. I won't let you. You Turks are all broken people, relics of something that used to stand for everything amazing about ShinRa, everything powerful about it. Now look at you, begging for help from a kid who can't even efficiently dodge his father's blows. You're just as pathetic as I am and because of that I won't let you talk to me as if you're better. You won't treat me as if you're superior. Because as long as I hold your life in my hands, I'm the master! You won't look down on me, dog!"

Tseng was silent, no response came from his lips, but Rufus was granted with the cruelest and deadliest smirk he'd ever seen from Tseng or any Turk. A cold, amused chuckle escaped from the Wutain's lips and though it caused a shiver to run up Rufus's spine, he was not afraid. In fact, he found it alluring. Tseng lay the gun down and lifted Rufus off of him with ease. He rose to his knees and smoothly stood.

"Again, Rufus," Tseng ordered, the chuckle still tinting his voice.

They trained a few more times and Rufus showed real improvement now that he was able to focus. Strangely, he felt better after the outburst and Tseng showed no sign that any of what transpired between them was relevant. It was almost like Tseng knew he needed this. After they trained, Tseng ruffled his hair and praised him for his improvement while at the same time informing him of his flaws. Rufus felt a certain pride in himself that he did not get from his family, not even from his mother. He watched Tseng pull his hair down and slip on a jacket ready to leave and smiled. This man was his adjutant…everything he did was for his benefit.

"Hey, Tseng?"

"Yes?" Tseng responded but did not turn as he adjusted his jacket.

"Um…wanna get something to eat? It's kinda late and I don't think I can go home yet?"

Tseng blinked and smiled. "How about I cook you something that doesn't involve cow smothered in lard?"

Rufus huffed. "You're just mad cause burgers are better than Wutainese."

Tseng chuckled and gestured for the boy to follow. "We'll dine at my home, my final offer."

"You're lucky I like your cooking, dog!"

"Woof," Tseng's monotone bark made Rufus laugh.

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Cloud returned to his bunk very late, feeling both better and shitty at the same time. He approached his bed and stared at it with a complete lack of interest. He was happy that his jaw was healed, that there was no damage, but…something else was on his mind. The way Sephiroth and Aerith interacted did something to him and couldn't understand what. They were friends, it was obvious. Nothing sexual was going on between them. Aerith was practically his sister, hell they even looked a little a like when you stared at them long enough. They were good for each other and Aerith was making Sephiroth lighter, happier. So why was it hurting him to think about it?

"I want that…" he whispered. One of his main goals in coming to Midgar, to joining SOLDIER, was to be at Sephiroth's side. He wanted to support him, be that friend that said "I got you" no matter what the situation. He wanted to be the one to make Sephiroth smile the way Aerith did. Cloud shook his head when he realized how that sounded in his head. Where was Zack when he needed him? He wanted comfort, to be held. He needed someone to be there for him right now when he was so close to giving up. Cloud took out his phone from his bedside table. He sat down and texted Zack.

R U awake?

Beep! Yeah, its mornin here. Whatcha doin' up, chocoshit?

Im…so confused…

…?

Sorry, I just had a bad day. I want to talk to u.

Then call babe. I always answer.

Cloud smiled and hesitantly dialed. He only had to wait one ring before Zack's voice came in and he felt warm and comforted.

"Hey, Cloud."

"Hey, Zack."

"You ok?"

"Yeah I just…it was a long day. But no big deal. First days are always the worst no matter what your getting into."

"That's true…but you ain't gotta handle it alone."

"I know…Zack…?"

"Hmm?"

"I…I miss you." I love you…

He could practically feel the smile on the other end. "I love you, too, Cloud."

Cloud chuckled as tears rolled down his cheek.

"Don't cry."

"I'm sorry."

"Try to get some sleep. You got a long day tomorrow."

Cloud made an affirming sound. "Goodnight Zack."

"Night chocobo."

Cloud kissed the phone feeling much better but when he laid on his bed, he found that he couldn't get comfortable in the cold sheets. He shuffled around and groaned before sitting up again.

"Cloud?" a sleep Rosso called with a yawn.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Yes, but it's alright. How do you feel?"

"…like I got punched somewhere worse than the jaw."

Rosso stared at him, her beautiful ruby eyes glowing in the dark. She gave a warm smile before scooting back and lifting the cover for him. Cloud managed not to blush at her being only in her underwear. In fact, he didn't feel much about it other than grateful for the invitation. He got up and shuffled over to her bed, crawling into it as quietly as he could and curling close to her. She wrapped a secure arm around his middle and pressed her breasts against his back. It reminded him of nights he slept with his mom who still sometimes cried in her sleep for his father. He would hold her just how Rosso was holding him. If only he were stronger.

Rosso pressed a gentle kiss to his temple. "Sleep, darling. Dream and wash away the sorrow."

The next morning Cloud was already out of bed before Conte's shriek came through. He didn't know why but he felt energized. He had something to prove today. No not just an ambiguous something. He had to prove that he belonged here and dammit he would.

Sergeant Parker arrived to round them up. There were collective glares in the room, but none so harsh and determined as the one on Cloud Strife's face. Parker snarled and barked at them to move out. Cloud walked out last pausing at Parker.

"Just remember," he said boldly to the Sergeant. "I'm not here for you; I don't have to prove anything to you! So keep your thoughts about my personal life to yourself if you don't like it. I'm a cadet, and I'm supposed to learn from you! How about you teach me something useful today!"

With that Cloud walked out with his platoon and filed out on the field with them. Cloud was angry, determined, and ready. His howl was distinct and it inspired the others in his platoon to show their best. None howled as loud and aggressively as Platoon 2, not even the senior wolves. Conte smirked. He would have something good to report to the General.

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A/N: we're going to start seeing a lot of conflicting feeling from Cloud as far as his affections for Zack and Sephiroth go. As for his relationship with Rosso, they are are…well they're Cloud and Rosso. I really feel bad at this point for the Vincent and Hojo scenarios and now we got Chaos putting in his two scents, fun fun. I hope you like how Tseng dealt with Rufus's mini identity crisis, I wanted them to have a scene before I skipped any time that would set up their relationship with each other. I believe next chapter we will skip a couple of weeks maybe a month into training and show some real progress from Cloud, Sephiroth, Vincent, Tseng and Reno, and Rufus. Also, any people concerned that Aerith and Sephiroth's relationship will turn into something more than plantonic you're barkin' up the wrong tree. The original developers notes had Aerith and Sephiroth planned out as siblings, that Aerith was the younger and that Sephiroth was born when Hojo experimented on Ilfana with the jenova cells, hence the original reason she died from her injuries was that Jenova hindered her healing. So yeah, technically, Aerith and Sephiroth were half siblings. It sure as hell explained why they resembled each other as far and character design went for the original ffvii. Anyway, ever since then, I can't read any fiction that is Aerith/Sephiroth related unless it's some healing going on and no sex. It's just…incestuous to me thanks to that tidbit.

On a lighter note, Cloud is going to have quite a few complexes but he's going to keep his head up. You'll see when the development moves further. Also, I'm going to be starting another Cloud and Seph fic pretty soon. Been trying to work out the idea in between work and my stupid part time job. Been so exhausted lately. At any rate, you guys know what to do. Review, tell me what you think, tell me your secret wishes for Cloud and Seph or Tseng and Reno, or hell even Hojo and Vincent, I'm more than game for that pairing these days. You guys seem to love it.
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Walking Out on Destiny