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Responsive	By : jessara40k Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 777 -:- 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
- 1-Responsive
- 2-2
- 3-3
- 4-4
- 5-5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-8
- 9-9
- 10-10
- 11-Note
- 6
- 7
- 8
They�d finished training yesterday, and last night Sephiroth
had told Cloud that they would be interviewed to determine which of the groups
who�d requested each cadet would get what they wanted. There were about ten
different groups which kept an eye on the cadets: SOLDIER, O-school, the
scouts, the Turks, flight school, intelligence, sniper school, the marine
guard, the mountaineers and the special weapons squads. And Cloud had been
approached by most of those groups at some point, even the ones notorious for not
bothering to appeal directly to the cadets they were recruiting. He didn�t
quite get why he�d been pursued so much, unless it was more of that �cadet
classes mentored by Sephiroth turn out exceptional�, and the assumption that
the first cadet who didn�t drop out after Sephiroth focused on him would be
even more so.

So Cloud wasn�t that surprised when the whole class
were dumped in a gym and told to basically amuse themselves until they were
called for the day after their graduation ceremony had replaced rifle practice.
His friends weren�t either because he�d warned them, and so the five of them
gathered together in a group.

�Want to do some more practice now? I haven�t had a chance
to spar with anyone for a week.� Since they�d all refused to spar with
him after they�d run through that obstacle course.

�You�ve got to be kidding. We�ve seen how you fight.� Lavan
sounded shocked at the very idea, and Cloud hated that, hated the implication
that he was so different to his classmates.

�How about this then. You�ll be called out soon Alex, so you
sit this out, and the rest of you can spar with me three against one.� Cloud
bit his lip before continuing. �Will that be okay?� They were reluctant, but
eventually they agreed, and when Alex came back from his interview, almost
bubbling over with joy, he decided not to share the news immediately,
and substituted in for Kyu instead.

�We can talk when Marius has had his interview.� The other
two weren�t really aiming for SOLDIER as much as Alex and Marius were, and they
all seemed to think it was a given Cloud would be accepted to the SOLDIER
filter units. Cloud knew it was a given too of course, but that was something
entirely different, since he�d been told that Sephiroth had requested
him.

�All right, but if you�ll give me a moment I can heal anyone
who feels the need.� Cloud didn�t, but he was pretty sure he�d hurt his friends
a lot worse than they�d hurt him. Still, they all demurred, he�d been having
enough difficulties holding then off that they hadn�t been seriously hurt - and
he�d consciously decided not to do what he might have in a real fight, and put
one or more of them out of the fight for good.

�Cadet Kennedy.� Marius was called by Instructor Fury, and
Cloud glanced at Kyu to see if he wanted to join in again.

�No, let�s all take a break.� Alex didn�t have any problems
speaking, but when he looked at Lavan, nodding frantically, Cloud realised that
he�d driven his third opponent to the point where he couldn�t speak and
reluctantly began to clean his sword before he put it away.

�I�m fucking glad I�m not going to have to face you
again, and I pity your poor squad mates once you get into a SOLDIER filter unit
Cloud.� Kyu�s relief wasn�t exactly a surprise, but Cloud was sure that the
more experienced soldiers in the filter units wouldn�t be so easy to beat. Besides...

�Zack said that the filter units tend to act as back-up for
the SOLDIERs if need be, so they train together a lot, and according to
Sephiroth it isn�t unheard of for a SOLDIER 1st to keep up an interest in the
cadets he�s worked with personally from the classes he�s mentored.�

�Yeah, the way he stormed off when you were supposed to be
sparring with someone else made it clear how much he likes working with you.
So, you think he�s gonna keep up sparring with you?� Only Lavan could say that
as if it was normal, but the others were looking at Cloud as if they thought it
was perfectly reasonable for the General to want to spar with him.

�That was a test, and because the instructors had
overstepped their bounds by arranging for me to spar with someone else without
consulting him. He did say there aren�t many people willing to spar with him,
but I doubt he�ll bother with me until I�m good enough to give him something
more like a real challenge - if I make SOLDIER 2nd perhaps.�

�More like when.� Alex sounded slightly contemptuous
about Cloud�s self-doubts.

�Hey, I might be refused because of the psych tests, or
because I have a bad reaction to the Mako, you know that happens sometimes.� He
wasn�t convinced he�d do well enough on the physical or mental tests, but Cloud
knew better than to say that aloud. �Where do you two think you�ll be going? I
know you�re not really aiming for SOLDIER.� Lavan wouldn�t exactly mind
if he was accepted for the SOLDIER filter units, but it wasn�t as important to
him as it was to Alex, Cloud and Marius, and Kyu would probably refuse a chance
to get into SOLDIER if it was offered.

�I think that intelligence might have given me their version
of a recruitment spiel.� Kyu sounded excited about that, Cloud had just been
annoyed. �And I know flight school are interested in me, so I�ll get
what I want.�

�Did you get a coded note that you had to interpret,
followed by someone stalking you on your way to the appointment set in it, and
trying not to be noticed?� Kyu didn�t reply, just nodded. �Then yes, you did
get intelligence�s combined recruitment spiel and test. Lavan, what about you?�

�Sniper school�s definitely interested, and so�s O-school.
Don�t know if there�s anyone else who wants me.�

�Which one do you want though?� Alex sounded curious, almost
detached. �If you can�t decide at once you�re allowed to take up to a week to
make your mind up. But it�s probably better to decide quickly, since you�re
expected to report the day after the deadline for deciding.�

�I don�t know, probably sniper school, snipers get rank for
the same reason SOLDIERs do, don�t they?� Why was he looking at Cloud?

�How would I know? I mean there�s no way I�m going to
be a sniper.� Luckily Cloud didn�t have to say anything else, because Marius
came out looking every bit as happy as Alex had.

�I�ve got a chance at SOLDIER! Did you get a chance at
SOLDIER too Alex?�

�Yeah, so you accepted at once?�

�Of course. So Cloud, who are you expecting to want you?
Besides SOLIDER that is?�

�Well, I�ve been approached by everyone but the Turks,
sniper school, flight school and the marine guard.� Cloud really didn�t like
the way everyone was gaping at him so... �Now that you�ve all had a nice rest
can we do some more sparring? I�ll even heal everyone up if I have to.� The
others declined, and this time Lavan sat out while he was waiting to be called,
but at least Cloud wasn�t answering questions about himself any more. Lavan
needed time to think about his options, since he was being requested by
sniper school, O-school and the marine guard.

�Cadet Strife.� Cloud got Instructor Fury too and he was
surprised to see Senior Instructor Wurts waiting in the office.

�We�re required to give you your options in pairs, to make
sure you don�t feel under any undue pressure to accept any one offer.�

�So the General�s giving out assignment options with
Instructor Trepes?� And how could a cadet not feel any pressure to
accept an offer of a place in the SOLDIER filter units with a SOLDIER 1st class
watching them?

�That�s why they�re only dealing with cadets who aren�t
getting an early chance at SOLDIER.� Instructor Fury seemed to know what Cloud
was thinking, and he thought it was funny, not that Cloud disagreed. Normal
troopers and even other �specialists� could take the SOLDIER Entrance
Exams, but not until they�d spent a lot more time in grade than the ones in the
filter units, and they had to be personally recommended by a SOLDIER 2nd or
higher.

�You already know you can join a SOLDIER filter unit if you
want, any cadet who manages to hurt the SOLDIER mentor in a spar gets that. But
here�s a list of your options.� The senior instructor handed a piece of paper
over to Cloud, and not only had everyone who�d approached him followed that up
with a request, but the Turks had an interest in him too. �The offers
that have a star beside them are willing to offer you a place again if you
decide you don�t like your first choice after all, or if you fail the third or
fourth tests for SOLDIER.� Cloud was pretty sure that was unprecedented, well
except for with the Turks, but even if he couldn�t be a SOLDIER the scouts, the
Turks, the mountaineers, the special weapons squads and O-school would still
take him.

�I want to try for SOLDIER sir, but I�ll keep that in mind.�

�Right, well, you aren�t allowed to take the exam until you�ve
been in the filter unit for at least six months. Since the next exam is in four
months that means you�ll have ten months to prepare. You need your captain to
approve of your entry, but all cadets who�ve been working with the class mentor
get the first chance they�re allowed for the exam, and so do all the cadets
from a class the General�s been mentoring. You�re dismissed.�

�Thank you sir.�

o0()0o

�Is it normal for groups to tell a cadet that they�ll keep a
place open for him if he decides he doesn�t like his first choice?� Cloud felt
a bit guilty for the way he sprung the question on Sephiroth, almost
immediately after he�d finished kissing his lover, but...it had been nagging at
him since he�d had his interview that morning, and even the sparring he�d done
after everyone had been released to take their leave hadn�t helped him push it
from his mind.

�I wouldn�t know. There was never any other option
but SOLDIER for me. Shiva�s tits the entire SOLDIER program was implemented
when I was two years old to make a proper back-up for ShinRa�s newest weapon.�
Sephiroth looked almost ashamed for some reason, and he was trembling ever so
faintly. Cloud didn�t know why explaining this was enough to make his lover
start to break down, but he knew what to do about it. He stepped forward,
pulling Sephiroth into his arms, and kissing him hungrily.

�It�s alright, you don�t have to think about this if it
bothers you.� Cloud reached up to stroke Sephiroth�s hair and manoeuvred him
onto the couch as all the tension left his body and he went almost limp. �I
love you, for who you are, not because of some stupid reputation. You are mine,
and I never want to hurt you.� He kept on whispering reassurances between kisses
and light bites to Sephiroth�s throat until he was certain that his lover wasn�t
going to break down on him.

�I�m sorry, I shouldn�t be so weak.� Cloud hated it
that the first thing out of Sephiroth�s mouth was an apology, when he hadn�t
even done anything wrong.

�You don�t have anything to apologise for. I don�t know what
I said to upset you so much, but it isn�t your fault. And besides, if you can�t
be weak with your lover who can you be weak with?�

�You...don�t mind that I�m acting weak? Dr. Hojo always said
that I couldn�t afford to show weakness, ever.� And Sephiroth had believed him?
Cloud�s disbelief must have shown on his face, at least a little, because
Sephiroth whimpered quietly and buried his face against Cloud�s shoulder. �I...never
dared risk looking weak before. There�s a lot of political infighting in ShinRa�s
upper echelons, and Hojo knew I�d need to be able to function here if I was to
be anything other than a tool. He wasn�t going to supply an inferior weapon to
them after all.�

�You are not just a weapon.� Cloud would not let
Sephiroth go on thinking that-

�I know, but...sometimes I forget, and...that is how they
see me.� That was better at least, and much as Cloud hated to admit it...

�Dr. Hojo was partially right, anyway. You can�t risk
anything that the ShinRa vultures will see as weakness, not in front of them.
But you don�t have to bottle everything up and hide it either. When you�re
alone with your friends it�s safe to show your emotions, we won�t think you�re
weak or anything.�

�Thank you.� Sephiroth�s voice was full of quiet gratitude,
so full that it was just a touch unnerving. �I...if anyone got the same offers
you implied you got Zack would have. Should I call him and ask?�

�No. He�s not on duty, or supposed to be, so we should leave
him to enjoy himself. He�s a lot more social than we are you know.� Sephiroth should
know, he�d known Zack a lot longer than Cloud had.

�Yes, that�s one reason I thought it would be okay to spend all
of what free time I have with you at first.� Sephiroth sounded just a little
guilty about that, and Cloud kissed him, reassuring and distracting him.

�I made the same mistake, and I should have known better.
He...knows that we don�t have many friends, and so he almost seems to feel a
sense of responsibility when it comes to our social lives.� Cloud realised how
that came out, and tried to think of a way to reassure his lover. �It isn�t
pity, he genuinely likes to be around us, but he doesn�t understand us, or get
how we can be happy to be alone mostly, and just have one or two close friends,
keeping the rest of the world at a distance.�

�I don�t think he realises that it�s a choice for us, he
thinks we�re so socially inept we couldn�t make new friends without him.�
Sephiroth nuzzled Cloud�s neck as he spoke. �Never mind that I didn�t actually
get on very well with the people he tried introducing me to, that you became my
friend without any help from him.�

�Or that I actually had four friends almost from the
very start of training. I�m not as close to Alex, Marius, Lavan and Kyu as they
are to each other, but closer than they are to anyone else, and their
friendship will probably break up a bit now that Kyu and Lavan are assigned
somewhere else.�

�Would you like me to make sure you�re all assigned to the
same unit? I can�t do anything about the squad, but the new privates are always
split more or less equally and at random between the two filter units.�
Sephiroth shifted so they were less tangled together and he could look into
Cloud�s face as he spoke about the more professional issue.

�If you can do that without any suggestions of favouritism I�d
be grateful. But don�t do it if there�ll be talk about it.�

�There won�t. I normally sign off on the assignments for the
cadets going to the filter units, and since we got seven this time I can easily
put three of the four top cadets together and the other four in the other unit.�
Sephiroth frowned for a second. �That is, I assume Alex and Marius are Cadets
Cochrane and Kennedy?�

�Yes, Cochrane and Kennedy. Thank you.� Cloud kissed
Sephiroth again, feeling his lover�s arousal, and reaching between their bodies
to stroke him. �I think perhaps we should move this to bed. Is there anything
you�d like in particular?� This probably wasn�t the best time to ask that
question, but Cloud felt like indulging his lover, even if there was a hint
that it was a reward for what Sephiroth had just offered to do. �I can�t
guarantee I�ll give you what you want, but if you want something more...�

�I...you implied that if you didn�t have to use your hand
you�d be willing to spank me?�

�What do you want me to use then?� This wasn�t anything
Cloud was unwilling to give, he knew that it turned Sephiroth on, and it wasn�t
enough to really hurt him.

�The back of my hairbrush will work well enough.� Cloud
could tell that Sephiroth wasn�t entirely happy with that option, but he
apparently hadn�t been able to think of another, and he seemed to want this
pretty badly. �And...last time you blindfolded, collared and leashed me and
tied my leash off to the headboard. This time...could you...use a scarf to tie
my hands? To the bed frame or to my collar, I don�t care.�

�I won�t make love to you when you�re tied up, not in any
way.� Cloud hated the flash of shame and pain that entered Sephiroth�s
eyes at that. �At least I can�t do that yet, give me time to work my way into
it. But I don�t have any problem tying you up for other things.� He did, a bit,
but at least the scarf wouldn�t hurt Sephiroth, and he was pretty sure he
couldn�t actually tie him properly with it. �I�ll tie you while I spank you,
and untie you before I take you. Will that work for you?�

�Thank you. I don�t mean to push you...�

�You aren�t. Go and get cleaned up.� Sephiroth seemed a bit
reluctant as he rose to his feet, and Cloud searched for something he could use
to cheer him up. �Hey, I can spend every night this week with you, can�t I?�

�You should probably go back to your barracks a couple of
nights.� But the comment quickened his steps, and Cloud went to get things set
up for what his lover wanted. The hairbrush was already lying on the bedside
table, and Cloud bit his lip as he looked at it, trying to think of another
option that would work without doing too much damage to Sephiroth. But he
couldn�t, and when Sephiroth came in Cloud blindfolded him first, before
guiding him to lie facedown on the bed, hips raised by a pillow. The collar
came next, and Cloud used the leash to tether Sephiroth to the headboard, then
he looped the scarf over one bar, guiding his lover�s hands so he could tie
them. Then he lifted the hairbrush and paused as an inspiration hit him.

�I want you to count the blows for me. Do you understand?�

�Y-yes Cloud.� Sephiroth�s voice was a moan of excitement,
and Cloud knew that his idea had been right. This time he didn�t bother as much
about building up to hard strikes, and by twenty Sephiroth�s counting was
stuttered out in a voice trembling with arousal. He stopped at twenty-five,
since Sephiroth�s ass was a nice pink all over by then, and reached up to untie
his hands.

Reaching around as he prepared his lover he could tell that
Sephiroth was excited, Cloud was too, and this time he decided to add something
else, and stayed dressed, except for opening his pants and getting his cock
out. Sephiroth moaned and pushed back as Cloud entered him, and somehow Cloud
managed to keep enough control not to climax until after his lover had,
hard as it was. Once he�d pulled out Cloud swiftly removed the collar and the
blindfold and rolled Sephiroth over, kissing him.

�H-how did you know? To...m-make me count for you?�

�I didn�t. I guessed.� But it had been a good guess
from the worshipful look in his eyes. Cloud pulled back a bit to give his lover
room to move. �Why don�t you undress me now, then we can go and shower if you
want?�

�I�d rather just sleep the way we are, please.� But
Sephiroth was obediently removing Cloud�s clothes, and when Cloud checked they�d
stayed clean somehow.

�In that case wake me early enough that I can shower with
you.�

o0()0o

Cloud couldn�t believe he�d had to hunt Alex and Marius down
to do this. They�d agreed it would be a good idea to get some extra practice in
before they reported to the 3rd Sword Company, he�d given them the first full
day of leave to do whatever they wanted, and he�d even agreed to play
instructor if they wanted him to. At least this was going to give him some
practice in tracking people down, it would be useful if he ended up with the
Turks for some reason - not that he wanted that, Sephiroth and Zack had told
him what they really did. And now instead of attacking him like reasonable
people they were standing around, swords in hand, looking sulky. He hadn�t even
asked them to do physical conditioning first...maybe that would work.

�Look, you two can spar against each other while I do some
laps.� It wouldn�t just be running, but the weight machines were in a different
gym, and he had the feeling they�d probably wander off if he left them by
themselves. Couldn�t they see he was doing this for their sake? He could
get anyone he needed to spar against him, but they couldn�t, not yet.

�All right. But, look, you�re not going to try and make us
do this every day are you?�

�No, you can have tomorrow and the day after to do whatever
you want, then we�ll do another day of training the day after that. I can
probably talk some SOLDIERs into sparring with me on the other days.� They
gaped a bit at that, and Cloud heard Zack clearing his throat behind him.

�Yeah, you could. Or I can show you three a great
alternative for after you�ve reported to your unit.�

�You mean we need you to come with us this time, but once we�ve
reported to our unit we can do it by ourselves, if we�re not on duty?� Cloud
needed to make sure he understood Zack�s suggestion correctly.

�Yes. We�re going monster hunting, for some of the lesser
monsters. You can take any of your issued equipment that won�t be used up, so
your sword, your armour, that sort of thing, you�re allowed to keep the
profits, as long as you do it when you�re off-duty.� Zack found the perfect
argument for Cloud, and probably most cadets, but Alex and Marius still looked
a bit doubtful. �Since Sephiroth�s going to be sponsoring Cloud I figured I
might try my hand at sponsoring one of you two, and I could use this to help me
decide which one?�

�You won�t bug us to train with you again on leave after
this Cloud?� Alex�s plaintive tone was the very last straw for Cloud and he
turned to snap at them both.

�I�m doing this for your sakes. In case you hadn�t noticed I
can get higher calibre opponents easily enough, everyone who�s serious about
their training knows that I am too. The only thing I can�t ask for help with is
fighting alone against two opponents. Zack, personality wise Alex is probably a
better match, if you�re after the more skilled of the two you should work with
Marius. Should I take my weights out for this like I did on the display course?�

�Good idea. I�ll accompany you back to your barracks. I�d
like a chance to make my own judgement of you two, but I can rely on Cloud�s
just as easily.� That seemed to be enough to motivate them, and they followed
Zack and Cloud to their barracks. Cloud wasn�t quite sure why Zack�s comment
about relying on his judgement was seen as a threat, he wasn�t going to lie
to Zack about them or anything.

Zack�d grabbed one of the ShinRa vans, explaining that they�d
need it to bring back the bits of the monsters they could sell, and use to
collect the bounty paid on most monsters. �You won�t be able to do this
yourselves, so find one of the places there�s a monster problem under the
Plate, or somewhere pretty close instead. I know the nearer monsters are worth
less, but they�re weaker too, so you�ll be safer.� Cloud shrugged mentally at
the explanation, he didn�t really care, fighting the monsters was more about
training for him, but he pulled out his Ice materia, fitting it to his left
bracer in an unlinked slot next to the Restore.

�You two, take one of these each. This one�s Fire, and this
one�s Lightning.� Marius took the Lightning without any need to consult, he was
better with materia than Alex was, and Lightning was his best materia - at
least that they knew so far. Cloud didn�t say a thing as he watched, just bit
his lip for a moment before slotting his Speed Plus materia in his back-up
dagger. �Here, put these in your other bracer Spike.� Zack handed him two
materia, one blue, with a weird...probability curve for lack of a better term
in place of power levels, and Cloud got the sense that it was almost monitoring
his health, and might retaliate for any injury if it could draw on the right
materia. And once he slotted it the probability curve settled down to a much
simpler form, almost a simple straight line, but with a sense of fluidity. The
other materia was green and it felt almost like a venomous snake, or a
poisonous plant, only just first level. Cloud tried to remember which materia
were closest to what he was seeing/hearing/smelling/tasting/feeling, and then
he worked it out.

�Magic Counter and Poison? You want to take my Restore
instead then? I�m taking enough of a strength hit already.� Removing all of his
weights had been enough to compensate for the strength hit of slotting one of
the green materia, not two, and certainly not three. �And you�ve got the
reserves to cast any Cures we need.�

�I�ve already got one equipped. It isn�t quite mastered, but
it doesn�t need to be, not to cast a Cure.� Cloud shrugged mentally and put his
Restore away without saying any more, feeling stronger at once.

�But Cloud said-� Then Marius cut himself off, looking
embarrassed to have tried to contradict a SOLDIER 1st class, especially based
on something Cloud had said in passing almost.

�No, tell me. I�m curious.� Zack�s voice was pleasant, but
Cloud could tell it was on the edge of turning dangerous. And the others could
sense that as well because neither of them spoke. �I want to hear Cloud�s
wisdom on the subject of materia. Or, no, I can get it straight from the
source. What has Sephiroth taught you that he�s never taught anyone else?� That
was why Zack sounded pissed, he hated the idea that Sephiroth had taught Cloud
more about using materia than he�d taught Zack, and if it had happened that way
Cloud wouldn�t have blamed him for his anger.

�It isn�t something the General taught me. It�s something I
figured out for myself, something I expect anyone outside of SOLDIER who uses
materia knows, if not in the same terms I�d use. The higher level the materia
you use to cast a spell is the more energy it supplies towards that spell. You
lot don�t really notice it because the difference in energy requirement�s
pretty small and you�ve all got pretty large energy reserves to start off with.
But Marius, a mastered materia won�t mature any further, so it�s a balancing
act. And Zack needs to mature his Restore materia more than he needs to save
that little bit of energy.� Zack looked calmer now, and more than a little
guilty, and Cloud smiled at him gently, hoping he�d understand that Cloud wasn�t
angry or anything. �Actually, I�m not sure...Marius, Alex, was it easier or
harder to use the materia you had in the obstacle course compared to the first
time you used that particular materia, in terms of energy drain that is?�

�Harder, but that made a bit more sense after you explained
about the energy supply thing.� Marius was calm as he answered Cloud, and for
some reason Cloud was sure he�d wanted to address him as �sir�, even if Cloud
didn�t know why.

�I didn�t really notice, but I think it was harder.� Alex
hadn�t heard Cloud explaining things to Marius of course.

�Right, now, how many spells do you think you can each
manage?� Zack was looking at all of them, but Marius and Alex both turned to
Cloud, holing out their bracers for him to check.

�Umm...I managed a Bolt and a Cure from that Restore materia
Cloud has when we were on display, so...two I think?� But Marius was still
looking at Cloud and he trailed his fingers across the Lightning materia.

�This is almost third level, the Lightning materia wasn�t
much past first, yeah, you should be able to manage two Bolts, as long as they
aren�t too close together.�

�One.� Cloud nodded in agreement with Alex�s
self-assessment, even though his Fire actually was third level, if only barely,
Alex had managed to get through the course without using his materia once, and
the one time he had used it afterwards had wiped him out, totally.

�And you Cloud?� He really didn�t want to say anything, it
would make his freakish ability with materia way too obvious, but...Zack was
waiting for an answer from him.

�Depends on if I end up using the Poison or not. The p-�
Cloud caught himself, realising what he�d almost just said. �As long as I don�t
have to use the Poison I think I can pull out seven Ice spells, especially if I
have time between them. Otherwise probably a total of six. But the Magic
Counter is immature enough that I doubt I�ll have to worry too much about using
the Poison without consciously choosing to.� Hopefully that sounded like
something a normal human would be able to sense about the blue materia, more
than what he�d started to say about the probability function in the Magic
Counter coming out pretty low would have. Zack just nodded and continued driving
in silence.

o0()0o

Zack had a wide grin on his face as they piled into the van,
all covered in mud and blood, including some of their own, and despite their
obvious exhaustion Alex and Marius were grinning back. They�d each managed to
get at least one monster, and Alex had managed to cast his one Fire spell
without collapsing from exhaustion. Cloud attributed that mostly to the higher
level of the materia he was using but since Alex was feeling good about that he
wasn�t going to say anything, in case he ruined his friend�s mood. Marius had
cast both of his Bolt spells and Cloud himself had cast four Ice spells, and
Zack had decided they�d done enough as soon as his linked materia had cast Bio
against the latest monster. Zack had let Cloud deal with most of the monsters,
stepping in when he felt that the monster was beyond Cloud�s capability, or if
Cloud asked him to, and pitting Alex and Marius up against steadily more
dangerous opponents, as a way to assess their ability for himself.

�I�ll show you three how to turn this into cash, then we can
get ourselves cleaned up and I�ll take you all out for a nice dinner.� As
compared to the ShinRa issued rations they�d had halfway through the day. Cloud
hadn�t thought about bringing rations, and neither had Alex or Marius, so it
was a good thing Zack had brought enough for all four of them. �Take your money
in cash this time, we can open new accounts for the three of you. ShinRa pretty
much ignores it when we do this, but it�s pretty hard to get your money from
them if you want much of it in cash.� More than they�d need for a night or two
of drinking and getting laid Zack meant. Cloud wanted to be able to buy
Sephiroth a birthday present that measured up to the ones he�d received, but it
had to be something that mattered, not just something expensive, and he wasn�t
sure what would qualify. He�d have to think about it, but he was sure he�d come
up with something closer to the time.

�I think we�d do best to get the money, get cleaned up, then
open the accounts. Banks tend to prefer customers who look neat and tidy. Or we
could open the accounts tomorrow.� Cloud smiled as Alex said what he was thinking,
he was showing the sort of initiative that would help counteract his
comparatively poor showing in the monster hunt today.

�I won�t have time to come with you tomorrow, but I can show
you where some banks are, and you should wear your uniforms and go together
when you take your money to open the accounts.�

�We�ll do that Zack.� Cloud felt confident enough to speak
for his friends in this matter at least, but he pulled back after that, and let
Zack get to know the others better without Cloud�s interference. They ended up
letting Zack bargain for the prices on all of their monster parts, but Cloud
made sure to watch how he did it, and then they made their way back to the
ShinRa complex.

�I�ll return this and we can meet back here in an hour.�

Cloud wasn�t quite sure how to hide his money, he didn�t
feel right carrying it around with him, but he wasn�t comfortable leaving it
just lying around the barracks either. If there�d just been him to think about
he might have considered the option of leaving it in Sephiroth�s quarters, but
he couldn�t exactly suggest that to Alex and Marius.

�I�ve got a safe box we can keep our money in until
tomorrow. We can count it out together and write it down.� Cloud wasn�t sure
how to react to the implication that one of them might not be entirely
trustworthy, but he agreed to Marius� suggestion and ended up being the one to
write down how much they�d each made - almost a month�s salary as a regular for
Cloud. After a brief mental debate Cloud decided to dress in his �best� civilian
clothes, dark grey dress pants with a thin dark green jumper, but even so he
looked like a poor relation compared to his friends and he decided to get some
money from the quartermaster�s office and buy himself some new clothes during
his leave. He had enough saved up to do that and still have money left over as
long as he didn�t go for something too expensive, and he wouldn�t do that, his
tastes were pretty simple anyway. Sometimes Cloud felt a bit guilty about not
sending money home to his mother, but...she did have a job, even if it
didn�t pay much, and her wages would stretch further now that she didn�t have
to support him, or scrape together the money to send him off to try and join
SOLDIER. If this monster hunting worked out he�d see about sending her some of
his salary as well, since all he really needed to spend money on here was �luxuries�
like eating out or going drinking. At least Alex and Marius didn�t look at him
in pity or say anything, but then, he knew Lavan came from under the Plate, was
a lot worse off than he was, and that was why they�d all gone drinking in their
training, or utility, uniforms.

�We should wear our dress uniforms tomorrow.� Those didn�t
change unless you were promoted to an officer, or transferred to a specialist
unit, except for some alterations in the insignia, so Cloud didn�t think anyone
would realise they were still, technically cadets, and that would help add to
their image when they were opening their new accounts.

�Good idea. Not that anyone working for ShinRa would ever
have problems with any of the banks around here.� Marius sounded almost bitter,
but he shrugged it off quickly enough. �Come on, let�s go and meet the
brigadier.�

�He invited you both to call him Zack.� Cloud rolled his
eyes as they set off together. �The General explained that outside of duty
hours a certain degree of informality is expected between a SOLDIER 1st
class and whichever of us mere regulars he chooses to sponsor.� Sephiroth�s
sponsorship of Cloud was an expected thing, since he was the cadet Sephiroth
had chosen to focus on, and he hadn�t dropped out, but nothing forbade Zack
from taking up to five regulars under his wing. He could even continue the
sponsorship if they proved incapable of becoming SOLDIERs, so long as he wasn�t
sponsoring more than five of them, and they were all still in the SOLDIER
filter units, or on special duty working directly with SOLDIERs. �And if I can
call him Sephiroth without adding a title compulsively you can
certainly refer to Zack by his given name.� Alex and Marius seemed to take that
as a reprimand, and Cloud took the opportunity to arrange for the early
training he thought they could use before joining the 3rd as they�d learned
they would last night. �I want to get one more day of training in with you two,
but if you don�t want to put in a full day I�ll settle for an afternoon where I
can spar against the two of you together. When are you willing to do that?� Kyu
and Lavan had both refused Cloud�s invitations to train with him so
emphatically that he�d given up on them, at least so far as training went. Alex
and Marius didn�t look happy about Cloud�s insistence, but at least they seemed
to recognise that it was more for their sakes than for his.

�One in the afternoon, the day you suggested before Zack
turned up.� Alex�s voice was resigned, but as long as they were getting that
extra bit of training in Cloud didn�t really care. He didn�t think this was
going to destroy their friendship or anything, if he had he�d have stopped
pushing the way he had with Kyu and Lavan.

�Cloud going on about how you should train more again?� They
all jumped, since no one had noticed Zack coming up behind them. �I
think that�s why he gets on so well with Sephiroth, they both have the same
solution to any problem, train. And they both try to get their friends to train
the way they do.�

�I don�t train as much as he does.� Cloud�s protest wasn�t
very strong, he knew that the only reason Sephiroth trained more than he did
because he needed so much less sleep. Zack didn�t even dignify that with a
comment, leading them to the restaurant he�d picked out.

�Wow, I�ve never been somewhere this fancy.� Cloud knew that
it probably wasn�t really fancy, he�d heard about how you had to have a
reservation for the really upscale places, but it was above the Plate and a
proper restaurant, with waiters and a Maitre d�, and there were less than a
hundred people living in Nibelheim. At least his friends didn�t laugh at
him outright, and he�d managed to wait until they were at their table and their
waiter had left them with the menus before he said anything.

�Thinking of bringing your girl here one day?� Cloud scowled
at Alex�s teasing question, but Zack looked interested, grinning at them all.

�Cloud�s got a girl?� He really didn�t like, or trust that
grin on Zack�s face, but he couldn�t really interfere.

�He has to, he never sleeps in the barracks when we�ve got
leave any more.� And now Marius was getting in on it, and Zack was playing
along even though he knew the truth.

�So, want to tell us about your girl Spike?� Cloud scowled
at him in response.

�A gentleman doesn�t kiss and tell Zack. Explains why you
stick to short term flings.� Then he focused on his menu looking for something
he�d like. �But shouldn�t we decide what we want before the waiter comes back?�
That was enough of a distraction for his classmates, and Cloud�s glare at Zack
seemed to remind him who they were really talking about.

Once they�d ordered and the waiter had left Cloud asked the
obvious question.

�So, is it normal to take someone you�re sponsoring on hunts
like this?�

�Yeah, but...you know Sephiroth can�t really take you
hunting with him?� Now Zack was looking a little nervous.

�Of course he can�t. The rare occasions he gets the chance
to do anything like this are the only times he�s really challenged. No friend
could ask him to give that up.�

�So I�ll be taking you out hunting along with whoever I sponsor,
and he�s offered to tutor whoever I choose with materia in exchange.� Good,
someone else might learn that he was human.

o0()0o
- 6
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