The Beginning is the End...

Beta’d by CaseyAnn’sPrecious

AN: *bows* I hope you all enjoy this new chapter!

Ratings and Disclaimer are still the same.
iWarning! *old included* and Zack/Angeal is going to be within the next few chapters.

People are People
(By: Dope)
Ch 11

It had been a few days since Cloud’s move to the apartments, and the only thing his mentor had him working on was his hand-to-hand skill. They hadn’t begun training with weapons yet, but that was probably because the Lieutenant didn’t want to accidentally harm him, being unenhanced and all.

Cloud was supposed to have gotten the mako shots earlier, but the nurse refused to give any to a SOLDIER who had a mission lined up. The lady explained that the tested shot from before was just to give an insight to see if mako enhancement was possible. There could still be side effects with larger doses, and the possibility of getting makosick during a mission wasn’t worth the risk. It had all gone through one ear and out the other, but whatever else was said had Hewley agreeing.

This really impaired with the plan of getting stronger before Nibelheim’s destruction, and Cloud knew he had to find another way. There wasn’t much time left, and the only thing up for debate was making a B/E into a certain mad General’s home. So all his free time was now dedicated to tearing his room inside out while trying to find something that could pick a door lock, but there was nothing, nadda… not even a paperclip.

And if the embarrassment of being a prepubescent teen again wasn’t enough, his room got so bad that one time Hewley spotted the mess when passing by and told him to clean it up. There was something very wrong about having someone that he considered a peer -if not in social standing, then age-stare at him as if he were a messy child.

Cloud looked over to the corner of the room where Zack’s last piece of luggage lay forgotten. It should have been taken out with the other things, but he could only assume that something came up during the move. He didn’t feel right about going through someone else’s stuff, but he was getting desperate and maybe… just maybe, Zack would have something useful.

With mumbled apologies, Cloud crawled over to the box and dug through it. Going through all of the useless items, he was amazed when he found a small plastic holder containing an assortment of delicate metal tools. Now, as to why Zack had things specially made for picking locks Cloud didn’t want to know. He just felt that it was best to not think about it, give his thanks, and move on.

Another chance was given to him; though, it was in the form of a craft that he was horrible at performing even with Yuffie’s direction… it was still a chance.

Cloud sat against the bed and went over the newly developed plan once more. Taking the broadsword wasn’t an option. Not only would running around unarmed appear less threatening, but he could probably get off with just a warning if he were actually caught before he did anything. Then there was the fact that he wouldn’t be able to swing it effectively inside an enclosed area. He’d have to improvise when he got there.

He took a shaky breath to gather his wits, and then began to initiate step one: sneak out of the house undetected. He made sure to be especially careful in case Hewley woke up, since he didn’t know how light a sleeper the man was. Creeping slowly down the stairs to remain undetected, he safely made it through door and out into the night.

It was long after curfew and against Shinra’s policy, but he strolled along the street anyways as if it were midday. Being seen wasn’t an issue as long as nobody actually stopped him from completing his task, and it was highly unlikely that any of the security sat there staring at the cameras all night long. It was also highly unlikely that any of the soldiers or cadets were up because they’d be wasting precious sleeping hours by watching the windows, and their mornings started early.

When he reached the targeted building, Cloud cautiously peered inside to check if anyone was at the desk. It was a case of dumb luck that the entrance was unguarded and kept unlocked, and he went inside. He found the first available staircase in the middle of the hall and adjacent to the elevator, which he was dismayed to find in use and on its way to this floor. Cloud sprinted in hopes of getting to the stairwell before the doors opened, but when he reached the handle he found the entryway locked. He gave a soft curse, his plan wasn’t really that thought out after all.

A ding sounded behind him, and Cloud knew that he couldn’t run down to the other end of the hall fast enough to hide. So instead he attempted to make himself appear as normal as possible, like he had every reason to be waiting there.

When the metal doors slid open, he came face to face with President Shinra. They stared at each other for a moment before the man gave a disgusted shake of the head and moved on. Cloud paused and wondered what was going on in that dumb skull as the man turned and left the building, but his attention was quickly refocused to the elevator and he slipped passed the doors before they could close.

It was still as cold as he remembered inside the building and this particular floor wasn’t much different. When he made it to Sephiroth’s door, he put the torque into the keyhole and slid the pick in. Locating them was the easy part, finding which ones to push in first was another matter. He finally got the cylinder turned within only an hour of screwing up, and Cloud winced from the noise he made while turning the knob. It was a little louder than anticipated, but seeing as how the resident of the household wasn’t coming to investigate he figured it was still safe.

Though it was dark inside the room, he recognized the shapes of the objects from the previous time he was here and he slowly ventured into the bedroom.

And there he was, his mark. Sephiroth was asleep in bed, facing the door, and the blankets were strewn about his midsection while silver hair pooled from somewhere behind. Cloud swallowed as his hands shook from nerves, and halfway into the room he mentally cursed as he realized that he’d forgotten to grab something to finish this with.

Cloud carefully backed up and went to look around in the kitchen. Making sure to keep his silence, he found the culinary knives in the third drawer and immediately picked up the first one that looked good enough for the job.

Returning to the bedroom, the unguarded form of Sephiroth was back in his line of sight. He thumbed the knife’s handle as he recalled all the times that the madman had tormented him, caused chaos and panic throughout the streets, and murdered innocent civilians. This was probably the only way to finish everything before it could begin again.

Slowly going closer, he stopped rubbing the weapon as uncertainty washed over him. Cloud’s memories were proof that the man had awakened into an earlier time, though he didn’t know when exactly, but he was sure that Sephiroth had plenty of opportunities to end his life. Instead the man did things that was just short of bullying, but… even after doing all that, Sephiroth had still saved him from drowning.

Cloud paused and stared down at the sleeping face. There was always a different light within those eyes whenever the man would smirk… like it was all just entertainment, and the General didn’t really seem too insane. Could he really kill a guy who…

‘NO’

‘NONONONONO!’ Cloud screamed into his head and forcefully pried his eyes away from the figure. He couldn’t afford to hesitate, and he was not going to talk himself out of this! He had to recollect his thoughts. He had to do it now -right now, in cold blood- or there might never be another chance! Sephiroth could just be bidding time, waiting in patience for the moment he’d be able to go to Nibelheim. That’s where the alien was! That’s when the General...

Cloud shook his head and forced himself to focus, ordering himself to just turn around and do it.

“Are you done procrastinating?”

He froze at the voice coming from behind him, and when he turned his eyes connect with an open pair of glowing green orbs. The cold tone didn’t leave any trace of just waking up, and Cloud wondered just how long Sephiroth had been waiting for him… since he came into the bedroom, before that?

The hostile glare promised a significant amount of pain and the movement that followed could hardly be seen as he was kicked to the ground. Cloud gasped in breaths while pain spread in his stomach from where the blow was delivered, and he tried to scuttle into the other room to get distance as Sephiroth rose up from the bed.

When lights came on, the fury coming from the General was only made more visible. The man looked livid, and all Cloud could do now was use all of his fighting experience to dodge the other’s lunge as Sephiroth gave chase across the living room floor.

Cloud tried to escape, but he wasn’t given the chance to get anywhere near the door this time. He could only navigate through the surroundings while he tried to find another way out, but the only thing he saw was the window. The apartment was a few stories up, but these buildings always had escape routes, right? Unfortunately, Sephiroth must have noticed his shift in vision because the moment he moved the man dove and intercepted him midway.

They grappled around the room for a while, during which Cloud tried his best to keep out of Sephiroth’s grasp, but it was over too fast. The other’s quick moves had him overpowered, and he yelped when his shoulder collided with the table as they tumbled to the ground. It was all too soon before Cloud was forced on his back and straddled to be kept from moving. This was bad. He couldn’t break out of it, it was over.

Sephiroth had the upper hand and looked down in mocking triumph as Cloud laid there in his defeat. He could only catch his breath and wait for the other to start, to either torture him with a slow death or end it quickly.

They were both distracted by the sound of footsteps running toward them from within the hall, and Cloud caught Sephiroth with an odd look on his face as he glanced at the knife in Cloud’s hand, to the door, to Cloud, and back to the knife again. Whatever the man was thinking had come to a quick decision as the weapon was swiped from his hand and hastily tossed before the newcomer appeared, and a security guy entered through the open door just as it disappeared from view.

“Sir!” the guard exclaimed, startled by the sight of the General holding down an unknown male. “We heard of a disturbance in your room. Are you alright? Do you want me to detain him?”

“I’m quite fine, thank you,” Sephiroth said and calmly stood up, acting as if everything were normal. “Cloud was just playing a joke… weren’t you, Cloud?”

The guard looked skeptical, and Cloud was too stupefied to answer and stood motionless as Sephiroth continued the bullshit tale.

“I told Cloud that I’d help him with some techniques as soon as the day began. I didn’t think that he’d take it literally and want to start at 0100 hours.”

Cloud was dumbstruck and could only keep nodding in response to the story as he tried to find out what kind of game the madman was pulling.

“Well, alright. I’ll let this go with a warning, but don’t create so much ruckus next time,” the security guard warned.

“I won’t,” Cloud replied.

“It won’t happen again,” Sephiroth reassured, and the guard left them to be alone once more. Unsure of what to do, Cloud continued to stand in place as if remaining stationary would help him blend in with his surroundings while Sephiroth crouch over by the couch and searched for the knife.

“Sit,” the man commanded, and Cloud immediately sat in the closest chair available while he waited. He strained his ears, listening intently while the man placed the knife back in the kitchen. He only hoped that the trip wasn’t just to replace the weapon with a bigger one, but then Sephiroth came back empty-handed and took the opposite seat. “I guess explanations are in order…”

Oh, terrific, now Sephiroth wanted Cloud to explain the reason as to why he was trying to kill him. Like the obvious wasn’t enough. Yet this could be the only thing that’s keeping him alive, or still in Shinra at least. Cloud wondered if the man felt uncomfortable at all sitting there in pajamas while he remained fully clothed… just the sight of it made his whole time here seem crazier by the minute.

He was about to try and come up with some form of ridiculous apology when the other continued.

“I’m sorry. You really have nothing to fear from me. I’m not following her anymore.”

Cloud’s first reaction was denial.

“You tried to kill me!” he exclaimed, referring to the time in the gym when Masamune was headed right for his throat. That was the most ridiculous, untruthful apology he’d ever heard!

“That was an accident, I got careless. Besides… you tried to rid of me multiple times before that. I’d say I’m justified.”

Cloud was appalled. Sephiroth, one-winged evil tormenter of creation itself, was trying to use logic to defend his actions… and it wasn’t even that good! Yet the silver-haired man continued to sit there, patiently waiting for a reaction, and he couldn’t help but grab onto that slim chance that maybe Sephiroth was telling the truth.

“So, you’re not gonna kill me?” He immediately wanted to smack himself for how hopeful that must have sounded.

“Wasn’t planning to,” came the reply and the room somehow became even more uncomfortable, both sitting silently together as they knew Cloud had wanted to do just that.

“And Jenova?” he curiously asked, but paid careful attention to the man’s reaction to the question. A simple movement could give away any lie that Sephiroth had about not following his ‘mother’ anymore.

“Shouldn’t be an issue; during our mission I’ll go around the mansion and reactor.”

“Why?” Cloud wondered, feeling a bit more secure now that he didn’t find any dangerous signals coming from the other when he mentioned the monster. “I don’t get it…”

“Why? I don’t know,” Sephiroth retorted and leaned back. “You and your ‘friends’ probably have more knowledge of that thing then I do!”

“…”

He didn’t really know what else to say, but now he wondered… how much knowledge of Jenova did Sephiroth have? How much was he going to hide, and how much was kept secret from when the mansion burned? Cloud figured that their talk was over when Sephiroth got up to clean the mess, and so he started a mechanical walk to the door. He really needed to rethink all of this in a safer place.

“Stay.”

“Huh?” Cloud looked back, wondering if he had really heard that right.

“You should stay. It’s past curfew and wondering around at night isn’t allowed,” Sephiroth replied while moving the cushions off of the couch, and Cloud found that the odd piece of furniture folded out into a bed. The General turned away and headed toward the bedroom. “There are sheets in the closet if you want any.”

He didn’t begin his search until after the man was out of sight. Inside he did find a set of sheets, but only pulled out a pillow and blanket instead. He didn’t think he’d be able to get any sleep with the person of his nightmares sleeping in the room right next to him anyways, and the only things that kept them separated were a wall and an open door.

“Hey, Cloud.”

Cloud moved around to see if he could spot the other calling him from inside the dark room, and he wasn’t sure if he should be worried or grateful that he couldn’t. He thought of just feigning sleep, but Sephiroth would probably know if he was awake or not.

He decided to answer. “What?”

“I’m tired, so please keep your insatiable urges of murdering me in my sleep in check. Goodnight.”

Cloud groaned at the warning in the sarcasm laced in the voice. He knew he shouldn’t have answered that. Without responding, he buried his face into the pillow to try and forget where he was. It had a unique smell, the pillow, and he took another deep breath while he tried to place its origin. He immediately stopped when he realized that it was of Sephiroth and dropped the thing over the arm of the couch. Now that he noticed it, the entire place gave off the same faint scent. He should have just snuck back out the door... He was certain that Sephiroth wouldn’t call out to him again, awake or not, but fatigue suddenly swept over him and he fell asleep.

--

*Days prior*

Zack was busy moving his things out to Genesis’ place. At first he didn’t know how to respond when Angeal opened the door for him, but apparently all the confusing feelings that Zack had were one-sided because the man easily gave him free reign of the house. Angeal even offered to help, which somewhere inside he was glad for, so the work went twice as fast. During it all Zack tried to think of something to talk about, but nothing came to mind. He hoped that Angeal would break the silence and start up a conversation, or even say something about the weather… anything really. He’d even be happy if the other congratulated him on his promotion. Though it would be kind of late in the delivery, but people always say that it’s the thought that counts.

Yet the lack of communication was wearing down on Zack, and they kept working in silence. He was beginning to have doubts that Angeal ever even liked him and was probably just glad to be rid of him, but during the last trip the taller finally spoke.

“Did you teach Cloud any swordsmanship?” Angeal asked, and Zack held back a childish pout as it seemed the basis of their conversation was going to revolve around someone else.

“No. I helped him out some, but I didn’t teach him any weapon skills,” he answered and continued to walk on ahead, but his movement was halted when a hand grabbed onto his shoulder. He was forced to turn around to see Angeal glaring down at him, and Zack suddenly became self conscious as he mentally made a checklist of all the things that he could have possibly done to deserve that look.

Which was weird… because the list had nothing.

“Zack, you know that you’re not supposed to use your weapon outside regulation.”

“I know, and I never do,” he replied. Angeal really didn’t think that he’d carelessly swing that thing around anywhere, did he?

“I told you at the start of the program that you weren’t allowed to use those skills to teach others. It could have endangered someone if they weren’t ready.”

“I haven’t,” Zack said, and a light bulb clicked on as he thought he knew what was going on now. “Angeal, if this is about Cloud, I thought I told you that I was just going to help him with his workouts and basic moves.”

“You did, but I thought when you said ‘basic moves’ it would only be hand-to-hand combat.”

“It was!”

“Zack, don’t lie to me.” He stood in shock as the words were growled out. Angeal had never been this mad at him before, and he didn’t even do what he was being accused of!

“I’m NOT!”

“Then tell me; why does Cloud’s right foot do the same turn that yours used to do! He’s developed the same habit of mishandling his weapon while executing swings and the battle’s overall flow is exactly like yours. He’s even doing the same mistakes that I still see you making when you get sloppy!”

Cloud was… doing things like him? Zack was lost and for some reason kept his gaze to the ground because he couldn’t look his old mentor in the eye. He didn’t know how to reply to that. He knew from experience that no two swordsmen fought the same unless they sparred with each other constantly, and even then they had to study under the same instructor for months to get that symmetrical. Did Cloud see him practicing? Zack immediately shook the idea out of his head. He only used his sword during missions and in the training room, those were Shinra’s rules, and Cloud had yet to have access to either of them. So why would…

“You promised me that you wouldn’t,” Angeal’s voice dropped to his familiar gentle tone, but it sounded so different, defeated. It made something inside Zack flinch and wished that the sharp edge was back.

He did make that promise, and it was one of the many promises to Angeal that he made certain to keep. Zack had never taught anyone about the weapon skills that he had learned, but any arguments would result in a losing battle. If what Angeal said was true, about Cloud’s fighting being a carbon copy of his own, then how could he prove it differently?

Something inside him broke just then when it seemed like his word wouldn’t be enough, and Zack realized that Angeal would only ever think of him as just a kid, never to be seen as an equal. They were on two different levels of ground, and this just made it more obvious. It hurt.

“At the start, you told me that you needed my absolute trust… and you had it, but I guess I’m just not good enough to have it returned, am I?” Zack hoped that his vocals didn’t sound as stretched as they felt, and he left without another word.

--

*Morning*

Cloud’s stomach growled as he woke up to the smell of bacon, and he gave a soft moan in appreciation. He had missed listening to the way it fried in the pan, sounding like distant applause as if the strips knew they were just that good. He’d almost forgotten the difference between the stale military rations compared to the quality of a home cooked meal.

For a moment -wrapped up inside an unfamiliar blanket and on an unfamiliar bed- he couldn’t quite remember where he was. So he sat up to inspect his surroundings. One look toward the window made him gasp as he recalled what had happened the night before, and Cloud jerked his body up higher to find the General in the kitchen.

Sephiroth was hovering over the stove, and Cloud was in awe of just how normal the man appeared to be while making breakfast. He wasn’t really looking earlier, but the simple clothing choice complemented the other’s build quite nicely. The white cotton t-shirt was snug, blue monotone-striped boxers defined strong, toned legs, and the long silver hair that was usually so tidy was still unkempt from sleep. Sephiroth seemed just like any ordinary guy, completely human, and not some crazed killer alien. Then, Cloud realized, he was looking.

When the other turned, Cloud dove back into the blankets and hoped he hadn’t have been caught.

“Breakfast is ready,” Sephiroth called out and thankfully it was the only thing said.

Inching his way up to the table, Cloud thought of giving an apology for last night… or even a thanks for the breakfast, but Sephiroth quickly slid the bacon and eggs onto the plates and turned back around for the toast before he could really voice anything out.

Cloud wondered if it was really alright to be eating together with their past experiences and knew he needed to stop staring… right now, but he couldn’t help it. The General looked so different with bed hair.

He focused onto the plate before he actually was caught looking and forced himself to keep preoccupied.

“Toast?” Sephiroth asked, only to glare down, and Cloud immediately stopped checking his water for poison. For the most part the other didn’t seem concerned about the events. If the roles had been reversed, Cloud was sure he wouldn’t be feeding his would-be-killer breakfast. Then again, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why the General was more relaxed.

“You don’t see me as a threat,” Cloud voiced his theory aloud.

Sephiroth, seeming to catch on to just what was going on in his head, sighed out. “I don’t.” And both slowly began to battle on through the new awkwardness of which was breakfast.

They were both glad when the weirdness ended by the ringing of the phone, and Sephiroth got up to answer it. Cloud just took the time to rearrange food on his plate in the way he was used to getting it. He was eating together with someone he considered an enemy for years, and then in one night they turned into a… a what; a comrade, coworker, friend? Whatever it was, it was nice to be able to sit back and breathe… in discretion.

“SEPHIROTH!” Zack’s voice came in, yelling as the door burst open, and then the older teen caught sight of blond hair and pointed in the direction of his question. “HUH?!”

“Sorry, Seph, I tried to catch him,” the redheaded Commander apologized when coming in, and then noticed why Zack was pointing. “Cloud, what are you doing here?”

“Um,” Cloud tried to think of a response while he looked to Sephiroth and slowly got up from the table. They both tried to think of what to say that would explain why a Third would be in a General’s home.

“Awkward,” Sephiroth replied.

“Huh?” Zack and Cloud echoed.

“Cloud said it was awkward in his new room,” Sephiroth said as the first plausible bullshit story came to his mind.

“Why?” Zack asked.

“Because…” Cloud started when Sephiroth looked at him to finish, “your stuff is still there!”

“Oh, crap! Sorry, Cloud,” Zack apologized. “I should have gotten it before I went out last night, but something came up. Do you mind if it stays there until I get the time to retrieve it?”

“Not at all.”

“So how did he come to be in your apartment?” Rhapsodos inquired, not fully believing the tale.

“I caught him wondering around outside. He told me his story so I offered him my couch.” Sephiroth said as he caught the look coming from the other.

“Really…” Rhapsodos raised a brow.

“I was feeling generous,” Sephiroth further explained.

“I heard from Shinra that he caught a blond headed up this way,” the redhead countered, and before either of them could respond a new voice came from the doorway.

“Cloud?”

“Lieutenant Hewley,” Cloud responded and tried not to swallow too noticeably. This was not the outcome that he had in mind when coming here, and for some reason he felt a childish dread rise up inside him at the presence of his mentor.

“I heard there was a disturbance in Sephiroth’s room last night,” Hewley said. “So it was you.”

“I’m sorry, Sir.” Cloud apologized, he was sure this all had to be an omen of some kind.

“At least I found out where you were hiding,” Hewley replied and glanced over everyone. “What’s with the gathering?”

“Zack ran off to see if Seph was alright as soon as we heard there was trouble,” and the Commander added with a mumble, “as if he couldn’t handle himself.”

That’s when Cloud noticed the strange silence coming from Zack’s direction and turned to find his dark-haired friend staring silently at the floor.

“I’ll let it go only this once, but from now on you’re to stay in the room I have for you,” the Lieutenant said while heading out the door. “I’m also going to be sent out on a mission, but keep practicing those workouts I’ve shown you while I’m gone.”

Cloud nodded in understanding.

“I guess now that we know you’re not a damsel in distress,” Rhapsodos gave a smirk to Sephiroth while Zack loosened up enough to laugh.

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Zack apologized and waved goodbye while they too departed. “See ya around, Seph, Cloud!”

“Glad that’s done.” Cloud turned to finish his breakfast, but was stopped when Sephiroth’s glare focused on him. “What?”

“You couldn’t have been a little less obvious when coming over here to assassinate me?” the General questioned, as if asking about the plans that were put in place to bring about his demise was totally normal. Which, for him, it probably was…

“Well, I figured I was going to get caught anyways!” Cloud huffed and crossed his arms. He didn’t want to talk about how many people would have known if given the chance he’d succeeded.

“Yes, but from all the people that had seen you coming up here, you might as well have had a sign attached to your back!”

“Like stealth really matters around you!” Cloud exclaimed and dug into the piled food. The conversation was over, and Sephiroth just rolled his eyes as he sat back down at the table. To say breakfast was peaceful after that would have been a lie.

To be continued…

AN: I’m sure people are wondering how I know how to open locks. I have a lock on my bedroom door (it was to keep my sister from stealing my stuff) and I accidentally locked myself out once. I had to make a call to a guy to get it open for me, and it cost $75 (he’s the only guy in town, so he can set his own price). So instead of bashing my head and worrying about the next time I do something stupid, I studied on how to open that type of lock. For those of you who have easy inside-house locks, you can also open them with a safety pin or paperclip (to find the pins) and use a screwdriver as a tension/torque wrench. It takes a lot of patience if you’re new to it, but Cloud just fails naturally.

Have any questions? I might have matching answers!

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