The Complete And Utter Madness Of Rivalry And Love

Summary: Cloud, a freshman at Traverse High School, finds himself thrown into a competition with the school's most popular guy, “Ice Prince” Leon Lionhart. Will the prince actually lose this time? At the sight of this possibility, Cloud and Leon’s groups now finds themselves willing to do anything to win and a big rivalry forms between the two groups. How will this end? And what is the Headmaster, Sephiroth, ordering Zack, Vincent, Trepe and the other teachers to do to stop the constant fights? Or will an unexpected sparkle light and turn everything in the most unexpected ways without the Headmaster’s help?

Pairings: Leon/Cloud

Side Pairings: Riku/Sora, Axel/Roxas and a few others.

Disclaimer: Do you see Riku and Sora kissing in the end, explaining their undeniable love for each other? Do you see Axel and Roxas grouping in the middle of the screen? Nope, didn’t think so. So now you know I don’t own! XD So no suing, I make no profit out of this, apart from my crazy stories making it to paper and actually being read! XD Hopefully!

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to my Yami-chan Kkwydragonflame, another authoress here! Thank you for betaing!

Chapter One

Thrown Into It All

-----

Cloud stood in front of the entrance, mako blue eyes fixed on the door as he stared disbelievingly at it. He had actually made it? After everything that could possibly go wrong, and had gone wrong, he had actually made it!?

“It’s a miracle”, he sighed, still in denial as he slid a slender hand through platinum blond locks of hair.

He still had a hard time believing that he was finally here, after the very interesting trip.

First, his mother had gotten the wrong date for the school start and he missed it with two weeks. Two whole weeks! Then, his mother had accidentially booked a ticket to the wrong flight, something he had to admit he was slightly impressed about. Not everyone could manage to do that, especially not when it had to do with their child's future...

He cursed under his breath. Damn his foggy mind in the mornings. Had he not been so tired and dazed during the morning of the flight, he might actually have been able to notice the ticket would take him to the other side of the country. But thanks to his mum and uncooperating eyes and mind, he had ended up as far away as possible from the intended location, mils away. From there he had had to take a train for two nights, unable to sleep from the deep snooring escaping the big, sleeping man across from him. Add to that the fact that a fat lady beside him was crushing him to the windowsill the whole ride, pressing him flat against the wall and occasionally using him as a substitute for a soft toy during the two nights.

And these trains promised the best traveling conditions in the country? Yeah right, as if hell was made of ice. It was a miracle he was actually alive and in one piece. Who would have thought he was able to become that small and thin...

So, with bloodshot eyes and an even foggier mind after the unforgettable train ride, he had set out to find the first flight to Traverse Town. But with his luck and condition, it was given that he would take the wrong flight and ending up five hundred miles wrong than intended. Well, not as bad a mistake as his mother’s at least, but that was little comfort as he stood, yet again, in the wrong city state.

Finally giving up the thought of continuing on a sleeping mind, he had taken in in a Bed & Breakfast for one night, finally having a well needed sleep before taking, what he hoped was the last train ride for this year.

But since life is life and never quite seems willing to cooperate, the problems didn’t stop there. When he had finally reached Traverse Town, he noticed that the bag with all his clothes had gone missing, the luggage way too light for his liking. He had then vaguely remembered the early morning when he had left the Train Of Hell two days ago, thinking that his luggage had gotten noticable lighter. But he hadn't given it much thought back then since he had been all too sleepy to complain on a lighter luggage, simply thinking that it was probably just his mind being too shaked at the time from all the tossing and squeezing as the experience as a plushie earlier.

So when he found out that he had actually lost the bag, he had ended up being forced to call his mother and ask her to transfer some money to his account so he would be able to buy some new clothes for school. His mother was not too happy about it, but glad that he had made it to the right town at last. She never once apologized for putting him on the wrong plane in the first place. How typical...

But now he was finally here, the whole of him, thank god. He would never be able to forget the angry dog in front of his apartment building last night. Cloud shuddered. He was happy, very happy, that little Cloud was still with him, along with his right leg.

He sighed again and looked at the door, hoping the building it belonged to wouldn’t bring him any more unplesant surprises this year. This travel had been enough unplesant to last a lifetime. Seriously, how had everything on the trip managed to go so wrong? Was it even ... theoretically possible?

Snapping out on his flashbacks, he took a few hesitant steps towards the door, smoothing out the wrinkles on the black, armless tank top he wore along with the black pant. Well, better hurry, he didn’t want to be even more late. Three weeks was more than enough to catch up to.

------------------

Cloud now found himself completely dumbfounded in the entrance hall. This place was huge! It was like walking into a small kingdom.

How would he ever be able to find his class room in a place that made a pharaonic tomb maze and a thousand pieces puzzle look like a piece of cake?

Contemplating a little, Cloud then did the only thing he thought right. He took a Wild Guess to the right.

After a good twenty minutes Cloud slumped against a wall and let out a frustrated sigh. This place was far bigger than he had expected. It felt like he had walked down the right corridor for forever... But maybe he had ended up walking around in circles? Or maybe it was a black hole somewhere, swallowing him and making him walk for hours, just to make his life even more mizerable? Or was Ra messing with him, passing boring time with tormenting him and laughing at him for being unable to make it out of the maze? And where was all the people?! How had he managed to not bump into even one single person in twenty minutes? Life was working against him, he knew it...

Deep in his thoughts, Cloud failed to notice a girl trotting along the corridor to his left. She hummed a happy tune but came to a sudden halt as her eyes landed on the slender blond. She blinked... and blinked again, before squealing in delight and throwing herself at the unprepared blond.

Cloud was unplesantly sent to the ground by a blurr of brown hair and looked up in a daze, groaning in pain as he rubbed his abused head while he tried hard to see what the hell that had landed on him. Wait... He didn’t know they allowed animals inside the school?

But the ‘animal’ then suddenly started to talk, or more ramble about something he didn’t catch, and he realized it was a girl. Cloud also noticed, in slight surprise, that she didn’t even seem to notice he didn’t hear her.

Shaking his head repeatedly for a few seconds, he soon saw his sight returning, eyes focusing while the girl was still obviously rambling.

“...unexpected! You are just way too cute for this world! I’m Yuffie by the way!”, she said and extended a hand as she stood up.

Cloud gratefully took the offered hand and stood up, wobbling slightly as he tried to steady himself, still feeling slightly numb all over. The girl scratched her head and smiled at him apologectically before flashing him a wide grin. “Sorry ‘bout that, just couldn’t control myself. You looked way too cuddly to be able to resist, the way you stood there frowning and deep in thought.”

“Um...thanks, I guess”, Cloud said as he forced a smile, not really sure how he should take the comment. The girl seemed nice,.. nice, but a little crazy...and violent. Not to mention odd.

“So, I haven’t seen you around here before. Who are you?” she asked and looked him over, eyes traveling over his body inch by inch, making Cloud feel like he was some sort of meat on display.

“Oh, sorry, I’m Cloud Strife. I’m attending first year here, starting today.” he answered, trying to fight back an embaressed blush while the eyes were still eyeing him out, her look almost intimidating and... calculating, as if she was measuring him.

Yuffie grinned and suddenly raised an eyebrow questiongly as if she was playfully mocking him.

“Isn’t it a little late starting now? And why, for the life of everything worth blackmailing, are you starting on a Friday when you could be home, getting an extra day off for the weekend!?” she asked dramatically and put a hand to her heart. “What has the world come to!” she finished and sniffed, wiping away an imaginary tear from her eye.

“I, eh... I had some-" Cloud began, trying to explain some of the things that had happened without them sounding like a fiction, but he was suddenly cut off before he had even been able to start.

“Or wait, don't say anything more!" Yuffie shouted in amusement, snickering while she nugged him lightly in the side with her elbow. “Don’t tell me you came today, three weeks late, on a friday, just to make a dramatic entrance! Trying to forever make your existance known to everyone at school!?”

Cloud stared at her dumbfounded, mako eyes wide open in disbelief as he seriously questioned her rational thoughts. But before he was able to question her comments further, the girl poked him in the chest, nodding knowlingly as he leaned in closer to his face.

“I know how you feel, it’s nothing to be ashamed of! Everyone dreams about being popular, especially in these kind of schools! I congratulate you, Spikes. I’m sure you will succeed in making yourself known. No one has ever been this late, ever!”

At that, Cloud felt like he was suddenly hit by a hammer as realization suddenly struck him, his body stiffening and skin turning slightly pale.

“And oh my god! I can’t wait to see the Headmaster’s face! He’s a very strict man, treasuring routine and time tables more than time itself. I would not be surprised if I found out he’s the guardian of time or the mother of routine! I bet his face will be priceless when he hears you have finally arrived, after three...THREE weeks!” Yuffie continued to laugh madly, hitting him in the back a few times.

Cloud became, if even possible, even paler, all color drained from his face while eyes just stared blankly ahead of him.

Looking up, Yuffie noticed his petrified expression from her comments and hurridly added:

“But I’m sure he’s just a soft and really cuddly teddy bear under all that authority aura... somewhere... somewhere deep, deep down... deep, deep, deeeeeep down...hopefully... almost certainly... not...”

Cloud gulped heavily and started rambling as if in trance about it not being his fault he was late, obviously worried about having to face the well known and pretty strict Headmaster. Yuffie could't blaime him really, even Leon was on his guard and kept to the Headmaster's good side.

Suddenly something quite interesting and slightly odd thing caught her ears.

“Wait, wait, wait! ...a fat lady’s plushie?! And you have no clothes?” she asked stunned, raising an eyebrow. "Cloud, what are you rambling on about? Sorry to have to break it to you, but I doubt that will make it to the Headmaster's heart." she added, poking his forehead in hopes of snapping him out of it.

Blinking, Cloud smiled apologectically as he felt his emotinal hurricane calm down. Scratching the back of his head in mild embarressment, the blond soon found himself telling her the whole story again, though this time much calmer and without the girl cutting him off, Yuffie all too interested in finding out all the details to his little trip.

They talked for a good fifteen minutes and Cloud found Yuffie being a rather nice and interesting person, the girl not making him feel that intimidated after he got to learn a few things about her. Yuffie actually had quite many good qualities that Cloud liked a lot. She was open, chatty, crazy, sweet and cared a lot for her friends. Though sometimes Cloud found himself woundering if she was running on crack or something... seriously, this girl didn’t seem to have any limits. All the stories she had told him in a timespawn of twelve minutes only pointed in that direction.

But Cloud was not the only one being happilly surprised. Yuffie was also enjoying herself, feeling like she had found a real gem among stones the more she talked to Cloud, the blond being so much more than she could ever have hoped for. Here she had been, walking to class after a visit to the ladies room, and what had she found in the corridor? A cute and innocent looking little blond slumped against the white wall, looking like a lost little kitten in a snake's nest. Totally and utterly edible if she had been on a hunt.

Every minute that passed, she found Cloud impressing her even more, his good looks really giving his beautiful personality justice. The blond being the perfect mix of everything! He was obviously of the shy nature, but with some attitude that didn't make him too submissive or plain boring, the blond obviously quite strong in his beliefs. He was also funny and had a really big heart for others, caring a lot for other people.

Just perfect! This was fate! Everything she needed was right here! Oh, she just couldn't wait until she could tell the others!

Smiling widely, Yuffie then asked him in which class he was in, praying to every diety out there that the teen was where she hoped him to be.

“Um... 1C, P.E teacher Zackary’s class.” Cloud told her as a worried expression washed over his features, reality slapping him in the face again. “Speakig of class, maybe I should try and find my class room for math...”

”Oh, don’t worry! Math just ended and English doesn’t start in another ten minutes! We have plenty of time to get there!”

Cloud looked at her and smiled a little, hoping what he was suspecting was true.

"We?" he asked, smile widening.

She smiled back.

“Welcome to class 1C, class representative Yuffie at your service!” She said and bowed. “Hope you will like your staying at Traverse High School” she finished and started to walk to the right, the same way as she was heading before she met Cloud.

Cloud just grinned and followed her. Mad or not, having Yuffie in the same class didn’t seem so bad, and now he would also be able to find his way to his classes.

------

Cloud found himself talking with Yuffie about everything and nothing, being slightly amazed over how extremely easy she was to hang around and get along with, despite her sometimes frustrating behaviours and comments.

The corridors had now started to fill up with students as they took a pause before their next subject and Cloud could now understand why the school was so big. The amout of people in the corridors greatly succeeded his whole previous school more than five times over, making his old class look like a tiny family gathering.

“Ok Cloud, I’m just going to ask Rinoa a little about our english essay, so you be a good boy and wait right here until I’m back, okay? I promise I’ll be fast, I would never dream of leaving my little chocobo here all alone...with all the horny students just looking for a tasty meal like you!” she said, snickering.

Cloud just looked at her incredulously, before raising an elegant eyebrow, clearly not agreeing with her comment and questioning her thoughts. Yuffie just smiled heavenly back at him and ruffled his hair, earning an annoyed pout.

“Ok, well I’m off! Behave my little child!” she said in a over-motherly tone as she sprinted off.

‘Where does she get all her energy from?’ Cloud wondered, amased. Though, he wasn’t completely sure he wanted to find out either... you never seemed to know when it came to that girl.

Now finding himself alone, Cloud went for just surveyed his surroundings, trying to memorize all the paths they had taken to get here as he leaned against the wall, feeling a little misplaced and abandoned. Hopefully the brunette wouldn’t be gone for too long...

He then jumped suddenly when an angry voice shook the corridor, the yell powerful and dominant, yet it was mostly ignored by the others, the students probably used to things like this. But being curious, Cloud looked around and found the owner of the voice, sitting by a table in front of one of the windows a little further down the hall.

“For Christ’s sake Axel! Quit burning your god damned hair, it smells like hell!” the voice said angrily again, belonging to a brown haired male with piercing eyes and a black leather jacket. The teen gave off an aura of respect where he sat, glaring at the spiky red head sitting next to him.

“Oh, excuse me Your Excellency Leon. I didn’t know it disturbed His Highness!” Axel said mockingly, irritation barely tinting his voice.

“Well, now you do! So quit it already!” Leon growled, glaring at the youth at his side, still burning his hair.

Axel looked at Leon, an unreadable expression on his face as he eyed the other, the look making Leon question if he wanted to know what the other one was up to...

“Well...in that case...” he said and suddenly ripped a good amount of hair from Leon’s head, earning a good amount of curses from the brunet while he clutched his sore head.

“What the hell are you doing! You messed up pyromaniac! That’s my hair dammit!”

“Well, you said my burnt hair smelled horrible, so I thought that I could try your hair out. It might smell better...” Axel said, grinning innocently as he once again turned his attention to the lighter, setting the few strand of hair on fire.

Leon looked like he tried to set something on fire too, though his object was in the size of a human being.

Cloud looked the read head over, an elegant eyebrow raised. They... sure seemed like an interesting and... unique bunch.

A silver haired youth sitting beside Axel gave a sigh before smirking.

“If you keep that up you will most likely set your whole head on fire.” he said and casually leaned against the window.

The fire obssessed male turned to look at the silver-haired youth and flashed a wide smile.

“Never” he said and waved his unoccupied hand. “I’m too skilled for that, you should know that Riku. I’m the master of flames!”

Riku looked at the shocking green eyes of the other and pointed to his hair, smirking knowingly as he did so.

“So, then please tell me, Oh-Master-of-Flames. Why is your hair on fire then?” he asked and watched on in amusement as Axel’s face changed conciderably, paleing drastically.

“You’re kidding me...” he said weakly, almost pleadingly.

“Nope” came the simple reply.

“...”

And a sudden shout filled the whole school as the male darted up, faster than lightning, running along the corridor.

“Water! Now! Someone!” he yelled as he ran along the corridor, earning shocked and frightened yells from people as he passed.

Another boy, currently stationed at the water fountain, looked up at the scream, eyebrows rising disbelievigly as he saw the burning red head running towards him. He sighed heavily, an eye twitching slightly while he shook his head.

‘What a hopeless moron’ he though exasparated.

Reaching a hand out, he roughly grabbed the passing male by the collar and yanked him backwards.

-----

Surprise washed over Axel as he found himself flying backwards, his head being harshly yanked into the water fountain, welcomed water putting out the fire in his hair. He sighed in relief and looked up as he heard his saviors footsteps leaving. Intrigued, he peered over the edge of the water fountain and smirked lightly when he saw who his savior was.

“Thanks Rox, my knight in shining armour! I thought I was finally done for!”

The other turned and glared at the other, obviously not too happy about the nickname.

“It’s Roxas. Just give up the stupid nicknames already you fire obssessed freak.” he growled low, glaring even more at the soaked male who just winked at him in return.

“Love you too Rox!” Axel just called at the retreating blond.

Roxas ignored him as he kept walking, his hands turning into fists as a vein visibly pulsed while he disappeared behind a corner, happily escaping the other who he had just saved because of temporary black out. Or that was what he told himself...

Axel just continued to grin, very pleased as he turned around to walk back to his two friends. But before he had made it over, he suddenly came to a halt, noticing a new, innocent face.

“Heeeey, what’s this?” he asked outloud, voice curious as he started to walk closer to the surprised blond who backed a few steps, trying to escape him, but ending up hitting the wall behind him.

Cloud gulped as the boy named Axel towered over him, his face just inches from his own, green eyes watching him closely and with great enthusiasm.

“Interesting...” he said smuggly, a grin forming at the corner of his lips.

Cloud felt himself shrinking under the other’s scrutinizing gaze, his back pressing against the wall even harder as two hands came up to rest at each side of his head, trapping him.

“Um...” was all he managed to get out before his voice failed him, his blue eyes staring fixed back at the green ones.

The red-head opened his mouth as to say something, but before he could even voice the first letters of the word, the man went flying to the ground, tackled mercilessly by a blurr of brown hair.

“Hey Cloud, my little charge! Missed me!” Yuffie chirped as she straightened herself, grinning at him.

Glancing back, he couldn't help but feel relieved as he was dragged away by the arm towards the classroom. What was up with that tall teen?

“Sorry ‘bout that Axel!” she yelled over her shoulder as a pained groan reached her ears as she entered the classroom.

-----

A tall man stood by the black board, gazing out at the class. Long, black hair cascading elegantly down his back, gently wrapped in a low pony-tail. The man looked at the blond male, his red and brown eyes locking with Cloud’s mako ones.

So this was the english teacher, Vincent Valentine.

“Well, as you can see, we have a new student here that has finally decided to grace us with his pressence.” the english teacher informed while adjusting his glasses, voice indifferent but gentle. “What’s your name?”

“Cloud Strife.” he answered as he looked around the room, trying to locate a place to sit later. A lot of girls were eyeing him, winking and giggling at him as his eyes glanced over them.

He felt himself mentally roll his eyes as he tried to ignore them. Girls sometimes...

“I see. Well, good to finally have you here Cloud. Your seat will be in front of Leon Lionhart in the back while in my english and religion classes. Leon, raise your hand, please.” Vincent said, looking over the edge of his book he had been looking through temporarily.

Cloud found his eyes falling on the brown male he had seen at the table just moments earlier, the leather jacket and those fierce eyes hard to forget.

He resisted the urge to visibly flinch as Leon looked up at him, his ice cold blue eyes looking him over.

‘Well, he seems like a happy prick’ Cloud thought sarcastically before their eyes locked and he found himself fear that the other knew his thoughts as the ice blue eyes burned into his own.

Cloud smiled a small, nervous smile before looking away, unable to hold that solid, hard gaze.

“But before you can take your seat and join us...” Vincent spoke again. “ The Headmaster wants to see you.”, he finished and lightly pushed him towards the door. “Just walk to the right and then turn left when you reach the administration. It’s just up the stairs there, second floor.”

“...yes, sir.” Cloud found himself answer before he found himself once again, outside in the corridor, alone.

The Headmaster wanted to see him...

Great.

Mako eyes then widened as he remembered Yuffie’s words. “ I can’t wait to see the Headmaster’s face! He’s a very strict man, liking routine and time tables more than time itself”

He momentarily considered breaking his arm. Surely they wouldn’t send him to the Headmaster if they found him with a broken arm after having fallen down the stairs? They would definitely buy it...right?

Sighing, he started dragging his feet towards the Headmaster’s office.

Who was he kidding? He would, without doubt, have to face the Headmaster sooner or later anyway.

‘Just get it over with’ he scolded himself.

But he couldn’t hold back the fear that so nicely started creeping it’s way into his mind. Well, at least he didn't have to deal with Leon's icy eyes on him right now...

-----

P.E teacher Zackary, though preferably called Zack, was currently positioned inside the Headmater’s office, gazing out the window at the P.E grounds. He was leaning against the wall, calm written all over him as he stood with arms crossed, though his eyes told a different story. Turning his head, Zack looked to his left and eyed the Headmaster who was tapping away on his computer. Sephiroth sure could be soooo boring sometimes.

Sighing, Zack blew a few strands of black hair from his eyes before he started humming a happy tune to himself.

“Zackary, please stop that.” a rich voice called out after a few seconds, the tapping slowing down slightly. Zack could almost hear the buttons sigh in contentment, their work slowing down and their hope for rest increasing with the black haired's.

“Awww man, Sephiroth. You sure know how to be a grey figure sometimes!” Zack whined as he pouted. “Talk to me man. I have been bored the whole morning, seeking some company in you. And what do I get!? Scolding!” he said, faking hurt.

Sephiroth sighed and massaged his temples. Sure, he appreciated Zack and didn’t mind his pressence very often, but sometimes the man really knew how to get on his nerves. He really needed to get these papers done and Zack didn't really help his work.

“Please, Zackary, you know I’m busy.” he stated as a matter of factly and returned to the writing, pale fingers working their way skillfully over the keyboard.

The black haired man fell silent for a while, snorting to himelf as he could imagine the buttons agonicing screams. Sure he could let Sephiroth do his job, he wasn’t a complete moron.

Or well... he wasn’t if he chose to, but he didn’t really feel like it today. He grinned on forehand, knowing the reaction he would get.

“Hey, Sephiroth? How about I brush your soft silvery hair?” Zack teased, knowing Sephiroth was very proud over it, hating when Zack made fun of it.

“Don’t push your luck, little man.” came the dry answer, the tapping turning somewhat harsher. Zack chuckled lightly, shaking his head softly in amusement.

“And I’m expecting a student very soon. So if you don’t mind I would like you to leave soon.” the Headmaster voiced out, glancing at the clock.

“Aww, where’s the appreciation! You just want to get rid of me all the time.” Zack wailed.

“You know that’s not true.” The silver haired man stated firmly as he peered over the computer screen. “But I know your tendencies of scaring new students when you get the chance, and I don’t feel like that would be necessarry if I can avoid it.” he stated simply.

Zack looked back at Sephiroth as he man returned to his writing once again, feeling a grin spread across his face.

“So he’s new?”

“You don’t sound surprised... Is there something I should know?” Sephiroth asked as he kept working, light tapping floating in the air, buttons praying for a break.

“Well, I just overheared a few girls on my way here. They had seen him in the corridor talking to Yuffie. I heard he’s a real cutie. And judging from the description, I can’t deny the information.” Zack said and smirked.

Sephiroth raised an elegant eyebrow and looked over at him, stopping in his writing.

“I do hope, Zackary, that I don’t need to tell you to let him be. I don’t need one in my staff molesting a new student.” he said firmly, though a tint of something unknown lingered in the tone.

Zack laughed, getting the joke.

“No worries Seph. But I will still hold on to the fact that he is a real cutie.”

Sephiroth just shook his head lightly.

Then a soft knock on the door could be heard.

“Enter” came a solid reply and a lithe frame came into view, innocent blue eyes scanning the room worriedly.

A blink.

‘Damn. He is a cutie!’ Sephiroth’s inner mind said in disbelief.

The Headmaster was never one to aknowledge or care about beautiful things in life, and definitely not a student, but he still couldn’t hold back nor deny the fact that the new student was the embodiment of beautiful.

Zack, reading the Headmasters tiny change in expression just grinned at him before turning his attention towards the new occupant in the room.

------

Cloud stepped hesitantly inside and was momentarily knocked back by the thick air of authority that resided in there. It almost felt like running into a stone wall.

Looking around nervously, his gaze landed on a black haired man stading by a window, grinning at him.

“Hello there, kiddo!” he said happily, walking over and offering a friendly hand.

Cloud took it and shook it hesitantly.

‘I didn’t know it would be another student here? And what’s up with the “kiddo”!?’ he thought bewildered as he looked the other over, feeling slightly jealous at the other's muscular and wellshaped features.

“I’m Zack.” the male said, grinning at him.

“Cloud.” He voiced back, smiling softly.

Cloud then turned his attention towards the Headmaster and tried desperately not to stare. The man was sitting in a black leather chair, silvery hair framing his face and a black suit fitting the man’s body perfectly. His piercing green eyes were gleaming in the sun’s light, a soft gleam surrounding his whole body as he sat there and Cloud found himself straightening subconsciously when the man’s eyes locked with his own and a sudden, deep feeling was washing over him like cold water.

Adoration.

The man deserved nothing less, his aura of respect radiating as bright as sunlight.

So this was the Headmaster...

“Welcome to Traverse High. Cloud Strife I presume?” he said, the man’s rich voice clear and formal.

“Yes, Sir.”, he found himself responde, equally formal.

“Good to finally have you here, Cloud. Now, I would like to know why you are this late. It has been three weeks since the school started and we heard nothing from you.”

Cloud fell silcent for a while, feeling frustration grow and wash over him. So his mother hadn’t informed the school even once that he would be late thanks to her?

‘Thank you mother’ he thought dryly. The Headmaster could not be happy with him...

“I’m sorry sir. A lot of things happened... It was not my intention to be this late.” He found himself answer and looking down at the floor, unable to hold the Headmaster's gaze.

Sephiroth looked at him, resting his chin on his intertwined fingers, waiting for a continuation. That was when Zack stepped in.

“Now now Sephiroth! At least he’s here and have apologized! No need knowing why as long as he’s here now!” Zack rambled and grinned at the Headmaster.

Sephiroth narrowed his eyes at him while Cloud looked at him incredulously. How the hell did the black haired dare speak like that towards the Headmaster?

‘He must be crazy...’ Cloud though, unable to hold back the growing feeling of awe for the other.

Sephiroth then started his answer, growling a bit.

“Zackary, it’s not your place to deci-“

“So Cloud! What do you think of the school so far? Met any new friends?” Zack continued, completely ignoring the silver-haired man.

Cloud gulped nervously as he glanced at the Headmaster who didn’t look too happy. But he suddenly locked eyes with the other, black haired male, realization striking him as he had heard the name Zackary.

His eyes widened as he asked:

“Are you the P.E teacher Zackary?”

“Yupp. The one and only!” the other answered as he flashed yet another grin. “And if I remember correctly, a boy named Cloud Strife was going to be in the class I’m in charge of?” he added.

“Um, yeah.” was the only thing Cloud could voice. This was his P.E teacher? This was Zackary? He sure was a young teacher, his face looked no more than twenty one at a maximum.

“And don’t mind this grumpy man behind us.” Zack joked, motioning with a tumb in the Headmaster's direction.

“Zackary!” Sephiroth growled, louder this time. But Zack just continued, totally unfaced by his friend and boss.

“Sephiroth isn’t that formal all the time, he just seems very strict with his aura of authority. But I can promise you from a top and first hand source, that Sephy here is really a big cuddly panda! He just doesn’t like to show it. No need to fear him, he’s completely harmless!” he finished as he looked at Sephiroth, who even under all of his mass of self control, looked like he was ready to cut the other one in two.

“That’s enough Zackary!”

“Fine, fine!” Zack said as he raised his hands in defence. “I was just helping my student to understand his Headmaster a little more. Seriously Seph, you need to loosen up more or you’ll burst a vein.” Zack said and fell silent, giving his cheif a calm look.

Sephiroth massaged his temples for a while before looking up at Cloud again.

“I want to inform you that the staff and I had a meeting this morning, after rumors had started spreading about a new student.” Sephiroth informed.

‘Wow, things sure spread like wildfire here...’ Cloud thought amazed and a little scared, unsure of what to expect to hear in the next sentence.

“We made up a studying plan for you to follow. With that you should be able to catch up to the other students in a week or two.” Sephiroth continued, eyeing Cloud with a look of expectation.

“And just come to me if you have any problem, kid! I’m glad to help. And as your mentor I might actually be of some help!.” Zack cut in, earning another glare from the Headmaster, having obviously stole one of the Headmaster's lines.

“If you have any problem, talk to Zackary.” Sephiroth finished and handed Cloud the schedule of his homework.

Cloud took the offered paper and forced a smile. Seriously, it was rather hard to not do anything but salute the silver haired man and and bow before him. The man just naturally deserved all the respect you could muster.

Turning when he exited the door, Cloud found Zack waving at him happily and he waved back.

As the door shut close Cloud could hear Zack laugh madly as Sephiroth probably tried to kill him, something that Cloud assumed was a book hitting the other side of the door, the Headmaster obviously throwing various objects at his coworker.

‘Well, this was an experience.’ Cloud thought, giving a sigh of relief.

This could be an interesting school year...

-----

And That, people, was the end of the introduction chapter! And to makes things clear right now... I know Rinoa, Vincent and a lot of other characters don’t show up in Kingdom Hearts, but bear with me on this. I just couldn’t resist having them in here, they suited too good in this fic! XD And NO! This fic does not have a Zack and Sephiroth pairing. I have no problem with people who would like to view them as a pair in this fic, but just for the record: When I write them, I write them as best friends. But you choose, cause I realized that you could look at their relationship in two ways. XD

And forgive me for this boring introduction chapter! I hate writing these, but they are always necessary. Hope you’ll read the next chapter!

And a ZackxCloud fanfic is up now! Yay!