Tifa Lockheart rolled her eyes as her friend Aeris Gainsbrough and three other female CADETS sat laughing so hard that there where in tears in their eyes.

Tifa blushed and slapped the boyupside the head and turned away, "I'm never rubbing your back for you again!"

The boy sat up grinning widely, "Ah god Tifa your hands are a Mirical! I mean it, just forget about CADETS and come be my personal Masseur, I'll pay you good promise!"

"Zachary Tanner I'd rather jump off a bridge than work for you!" growled the brunette.

The other girls stopped laughing. Zack just grinned and got up from the couch.

The five CADETS were in the large commons room of the dorms at Shinra Building in Midgar.

It was the first Sunday of the year RECRUITS Day, when the new batch of first year CADETS would be arriving.

Zack frowned, "God I hated my first day! All those damn tests made my brain hurt!"

"The physicals wheren't very fun either, and then that injection!" shivered one of the girls.

Zack blinked, "Actually that was the easiest part for me..."

"Your kidding? Didn't your stoumach and head hurt afterwards?" asked another.

Zack thought for a moment then shook his head, "Nope. Can't say they did."

the girls shook their heads and left, Zack smiled and ran down the hall to the training arena.

Slowly making his way in he smirked at a perticular older CADETS member who had long silver hair...

"YOOHOO! SEPHIE!!! COMON DUDE! WE'LL BE LATE AT MEETING THE TYKES!!!!"

The man turned his head and answer softly, "Then go on, I'll be staying here."

Zack pouted leaning on the railings of the boardwalk and frowning down at his long time bestfriend Sephiroth,

"BOR-ING!! Your gonna turn into a stump! Talk about anti-social! Fine I'll go! But if there's a cutey there they're mine!"

Sephiroth snorted and continued his sword exsercise.

Zack graoned and ran off out of the room.

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

There Raz, you can post now, your characters don't need to go see the new CADETS, they can be where ever you want them, you can move Sephie I just need him for this post.

“Goddamn it Tseng, will ya put that darn brush away” growled a CADETS who was propped up against a pillow on the bed opposite, smoking a cigarette. “Ya got a hot date or something’?”

Tseng looked across at CADETS Cid Highwind, his dark eye narrowed for a moment as he regarded the rough, crude trainee SOLDIER with undisguised contempt.

“Not that it is any of your business Highwind, but I am having an extra class with Verdot…” repiled Tseng coolly.

“Jeeze Tseng, you’re such an arse kisser” retorted Cid in disgust knowing full well that ‘an extra class with Verdot’ meant the young Asian man was going to allow his mentor to screw him.

“I don’t understand why you actually encourage Verdot to f**k you Tseng…” questioned Sephiroth as he strode into the dormitory. “I will never allow anyone to use me in that sickening manner, if Captain Knight even dared try to force himself upon me I would cut it off! You certainly don’t need to sleep yourself into favour, Tseng so I can only concluded that you must enjoy sleeping with your mentor…”

“Awww come on Sephiroth that isn’t right, we all know that Tseng’s a bloody **, he will screw anyone if he thinks they can further his status…” scoffed Cid. “He’ll be throwing himself at Rufus Shinra next…if he hasn’t already!”

“You’re just jealous I won’t crawl into your bed at night, like poor deluded little Vincent” sneered Tseng as he finally put down his brush. “And the only reason Vincent does crawl into your bed Highwind to be comforted from his nightmares is because he knows your pathetic excuse for a manhood won’t let you screw him…”

“Where is Vincent?” asked Sephiroth ignoring the ** between Cid and Tseng , he had heard it all before, it held no interest to him. The tall, slender boy carefully wrapped his katana in a crimson cloth and placed it under his pillow before flopping down upon it bed.

“I think Lieutenant Bane had arranged Vincent’s punishment for handing in his report late to update the filing system in Hojo’s laboratory” said Tseng scooping his long, raven hair back and securing it into a high ponytail.

“Yeah right” snorted Cid taking another cigarette from the packet lying beside him. “Those goddamn creepy sick bastards have probably got Vincent strapped down to an examination table and f**kin’ the poor guy senseless as we speak…”

“Mmmmh you really think so?” questioned Tseng with an unnerving glint in his eye.

“Shut your damn mouth, you sick, kinky bastard…they are bloody abusing Vincent…”

“Then maybe it is time Vincent stood up to them?” said Sephiroth coldly. “If he can’t find the strength to fight back now then he’ll never make it into the Turks, I know it sounds cruel Cid but we all know it is true. If we don’t make it into SOLDIER or the Turks, then our lives are over…we are history!”

"OOOOH CID!!! HAHAAAHAAAHAAA!!!"

"YOU GODDAMN SONOFVA ** RED HAIRED TURKY!!!!" Roared Cid trying to pry the boy off, "DAMNIT YANCY LET GO OF ME!!!!"

"The names Reno." purred the boy grinning devilishly, "And you don't have to yell Gramps, unlike you I can hear just fine."

Reno jumped off the blonde to stand before Tseng "Hey Tseng Tsung Ho, who you doing tonight?"

"You goddamned little bastard get outta here!" Snapped Cid.

"Hey hey be nice! Or else I won't show you this letter I got from Heidegger..." said the you red head softly , hold he letter up.

"Heidegger??" both Sephiroth and Tseng looked up.

Cid growled at the boy's tone, "Your such a damn ** Yancy."

"For the last time it's Reno, and I'm more of a man then you'll ever be Mr. Can't-Ge-It-Up!!!"

Cid sprung forward to tackle the boy, and Reno ran away laughing, Sephiroth snatched the letter from the boy as he bolted past.

Tseng pulled on his pants and walked over, buckling his belt, "What is it?"

"I haven't read it all yet, sounds like a a simple invoice, such and such ordered, budget cuts... why the hell? Hey Reno! Who was this letter for?"

"Holgstine, I nicked it earlier when he made me clean his room, the part at the bottem is the real issue." said the boy from beneath Cid.

Tseng and Sephiroth both raised an eyebrow at the postion Cid had the younger boy in; Lying flat on his back, wrists pinned above his head, with Cid on

top of him with his knees strattling Reno's waist.

Sephiroth skimmed down the page before reaching the bottem line, the teen groaned.

"What??" Both Tseng and Cid asked looking up at him.

"An inspection, meaning tests and...Physicals."

Everyone shuddered.

"Yeah fun fun, get dragged through the training course from hell, do IQ tests til you drop and then you get to strip off in a room with twenty different

people and get groped by ever docter on staff." groaned Reno.

"docters..." Tseng said weirly.

"Hojo." they all said in unison, and shivered.

"God but I hate him... Wonder if Zack's laid Blondie yet...?" pondered Reno, rolling over, knocking Cid off.

"Blondie?" asked Tseng, raising an eyebrow.

"New kid, cute little thing, I wouldn't mind having a go. Zack was bouncing around the kid like a satelite after the welcoming ceremony this morning." grinned Reno devilishly.

Sephiroth looked intriged, it looked like Zack must have found a real winner if the young man was giddy over it, Zack was seldom that hyper in regards of people he liked.

"Which is is it?" asked the silver haired boy.

"What, oh the kid's Type A: SOLDIER CADETS" answered Reno draping himself across Tseng's bed on his stoumach.

"No, no. What gender?" asked Sephiroth.

"Oh, its a boy, Cloud Strife, born in Nibelheim...Hey that's your home town to ain't it?"

Sephiroth nodded and drifted into deep thought.

"Weird, Zack seems to like those Nibelites alot ne?" chuckled Reno softly.

Tseng scowled.

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

Cloud Strife walked down the hall alone, that strange boy who'd greeted him at the ceramony had seemingly vanished into thin air, 'And Yuffie's disappeared to...'

Just then a shadow fell over him, turning Cloud saw five SOLDIERs leering down at him lustfully.

"Well hey there baby! What's a pretty little thing like you doing way over here on this end of the base? Dorms are the other way."

Cloud blanched and tried to back away only to bump into another SOLDIER behind him.

"Hey where'da ya think your goin'? Comon relax, all we're gonna do is have a little fun!" Smirked the Soldier who'd spoken before, reaching out he grabbed the small boy's arm.

Cloud panicked immediately, struggling to get his arms free, "LET GO OF ME!!!!"

"Hey now, don't be so pushy!" growld the lead SOLDIER tightning his hold and twisting the child's arm.

Cloud squeeled out in pain and the SOLDIERS all laughed, "A SOLDIER CADETS who crys like a little girl over somthing as minor as a sprained elbow? You'll never survive here."

Cloud whimpered and tried to pull away again.

"Annoying brat!" snarled the man and backhanded the child roughly several times.

The boy looked up in shock, blood trickling from his split lip, the SOLDIER smirked cruley bending down a kissing the boy roughly, Cloud whimpered again, trembling, tears running down his bruised cheeks.

Suddenly the SOLDIER was knocked away whe a boot nailed him in the side of the head, "YOU BASTARD DON'T TOUCH HIM!!!"

A hand grabbed Cloud's good wrist and the boy was dragged away quickly, looking up at his savior Cloud realised it was the same long haired boy from before, "Who...?"

"Zachary Tanner, but you can call me Zack!" laughed the boy bolting around another corner.

"I'm Cloud..." said the smaller boy shyly.

"Well nice to meetcha, we're almost to my friend's room, once we get there no one will bother us, they're all afraid of Sephiroth!"

"Sephiroth?" asked the child wide-eyed.

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

Evil yes, I hated that scene with the SOLDIER but that just show's you how twisted these people are.

And no hohohoo Sephie! Poor little Cloud-chan, I'm almost afriad to leave him with you!

Oh well, still waiting to meet dear Vincent, I have a test to day, won't be around till tonight but then its over no more school ever!

And hopefully we'll be getting broadband soon, no dial-up means I can go on all day during the day! YES!!!

Zack glanced at Cloud, who looked even more pale and totally horrified, causing Zack to feel suddenly protective.

“Don’t worry kid” said Zack trying to sound reassuring. “Stick with me and my friends, we’ll look out for you, okay?”

“Okay” Cloud just managed as he watched Zack stride over the sobbing boy and squatting down next to him placed a hand gently upon the boy’s shoulder. The boy flinched at the touch but didn’t look up.

“Hey Vince…” Zack whispered in a soft, calm voice. “What you doing out here? Where are the others? Does Cid know you are out here on your own?”

Vincent Valentine slowly raised his head, his radiant ruby eyes were watery, red rimmed and his beautiful ashen face streaked with tears.

“Why me?” sobbed Vincent in a silken but mournful voice. He showed no resistance as Zack slung his arm around his waist and gently encouraged him to stand up.

“Hojo” growled Zack as if that word explained everything, he gestured for Cloud to follow him and then guided Vincent towards the dormitory.

“Vincent!” cried Cid as the three CADETS entered the room. Cid jumped up from the floor where he had been wrestling with Reno and almost tore Vincent from Zack’s arm.

“I knew it!” he snarled as he steered the beautiful, frail youth towards his bed. “I f**kin’ told ya all that goddamn sonofabitch Hojo was up to no good!” Cid stumbled over his untied boot laces and fell back upon the bed pulling Vincent down with him.

“You suddenly feeling horny Hightwind?” sneered Tseng as he lazily pulled on his crisp, light grey shirt and started to slowly button it.

“Shut ya f**kin mouth Tseng before I shut it for ya” snapped Cid angrily. “Hojo isn’t something to joke about, the sick bastard…”

Vincent shuddered at the name, he gave a little sob and then buried his face in Cid’s broad chest.

“It’s okay now Vinnie” soothed Cid as he settled back against the pillows, pulling Vincent into his arms and then tenderly started to stroke the boy’s glossy, black hair.

“Who is Hojo?” asked Cloud in a small voice as he stared at Vincent and Cid, he was confused even maybe little embarrassed at Cid’s open, unashamed display of concern and affectionate for the other boy.

“Hojo claims to be a scientist…but in reality he is nothing but a sick bastard…” said a deep, commanding voice that sent shivers down Cloud’s spine, he looked in the direction in which the voice had came to see a striking youth, with long silver hair and dazzling turquoise eyes laying upon his bed. “But the real, most important question Blondie is who are you?” asked Sephiroth with an unnerving smile.

Zack smiled broadly dropping down on the end of Sephiroth's bed, "This is Cloud, some bastards where giving him a hard time so I brought him here."

"Fascinating..." Cloud turned toward the voice only for a redhaired boy to pop up outta no where and scar him half to death.

The small blonde back peddled and bumped into the tall Asian boy, blushing he backed up again, taking pitty Zack got up and grabbed his arm pulling him over to sit beside Sephiroth and himself, "Relax kid, Reno's harmless, well mostly anyways..."

"Hey! What are you saying??" cried the redhead indignantly.

"That your a pervert." said Zack flatly with a cheeky grin.

"Meanie..." smirked Reno lazily Flopping back ontop of Tsengs Bed."Hey Tseng I'm gonna bounce on this bed while your gone."

"Up or down?" Tseng asked running his fingertips over his silken black hair.

"Hey what do you think 'old man'?" snorted Reno grinning madly at Cid. "Oh sorry it's never up with you right?"

"Shut ya mouth Turk boy" snapped Cid who was still craddling Vincent aganist his chest, the boy had finally stopped sobbing and was drifting off to sleep, soothed by Highwind's tender caress.

"Well?" questioned Tseng arching a fine, dark eyebrow. "If you were in Verdot place what would you prefere...my hair tied up or loose, it isn't hard Zack?"

"Yeah Zack..." cooed Reno spinning around to grin at him now. "But I better it would soon be eh? If you were in Verdot place...go on answer Tseng, how do you prefere him?" Reno laughed as he folded his arms across his skinny chest and teasingly waited for the now flushed Zack to answer.

"You been talking cussing lessons from Highwind, Tanner?" asked Tseng smirking.

"Ahh Marrige counciling 101 with Dr. Zack, so tell us docter is there anything you can do for poor Old impudent Cid here?"

"Besides giving me his damn sword to shove up you scrawny **!!!?" Roared Cid, immediately Vincent woke up looking startled.

"Kinky. But I don't do pain and pleasure **, and certainly not with some one as old and decrepit as you." said Reno flatly.

"Oh I know you'd much reather be that Prissy Assed brat Shinra's ** toy!!!"

Cloud started to get up to leave, Zack reached out and grabbed his hand, "Where you going??"

Cloud jerked away, "I'm leaving, I don't like it when people fight!"

"Well then, I'll just shut them up." said Sephiroth calmly and shot Cid a look, "Your scarying Valentine too...."

"That's not fighting Cloud" said Sephiroth cooly as he stared at the youth so intnetly it made Cloud suddenly feel uncomfortable. "They are just bickering, they have no concept of true fighting...the thrill, the danger, the comradeship..."

"Yeah that's all very noble and interesting, Sephiroth" lied Tseng with a yawn. "But I have to be somewhere, see you guys later"

"Yeah right Tseng and try not to wear Verdot out!" Reno smirked after him.

"That guy is unbelievable..." snorted Cid as he watched Tseng saulter out of the room. "F**kin' sex mad and such an arse kisser..."

"Maybe..." repiled Sephiroth still looking at Cloud. "I don't approve of his relationship with Verdot, some mentors abuse their power, look at Vincent, no offence, but at least Tseng is the one in total control, Tseng is very clever, he knows how to use his skills, he is going to go far..."

Zack sighed, "Look if your mentor starts getting too rough with you just tell me and I'll kick his ** for you..."

"Who is it anyway, your mentor?" asked Reno getting up to stand on the bed.

"Your not really gonna-" Zack was cut off as Reno started bouncing up and down on Tseng nicely made bed.

"Hey! A promise is a promise, I said I was gonna jump on his bed and I ment it." said Reno childishly.

Sephiroth and Cid rolled their eyes.

"So?" said Reno bouncing up higher, "Who is it?"

Cloud rubbed one of his poor bruised cheeks, "I don't know yet, they said they'd tell us tommorow..."

“I’m not hungry” mumbled Vincent to daring to look up as several mentors strode into the mess hall.

“Please Vinnie, just a little…for me…please…” begged Cid slipping his hand across to Vincent’s knee and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’ll get you a bar of chocolate with the last of my allowance and we’ll share it tonight, okay?”

“Really?” asked Vincent glancing up at Cid, the sparkle of hope in his deep, ruby eyes was heartbreaking.

“Of course, anything for you” replied Cid giving Vincent a smile and squeezing his knee again. Cid watched feeling a little better as Vincent managed to swallow several mouthfuls of cold porridge.

Tseng was polishing off his second round of toast, smothered with butter and blackcurrant jam, it was disgusting that a youth with such a healthy appetite remained so slim. Sephiroth sipped his coffee and watched the new CADETS, trying to guess which ones had been selected as potential SOLDIERS. His dazzling turquoise eyes narrowed as a tall man with dark brown hair and a goatee approached the table. He smiled at Sephiroth as he stopped behind Tseng and laid his hands upon the exquisite Asian youth’s broad shoulders.

“Good morning Tseng” said Verdot brightly. He lent forward to whispered in Tseng’s ear while gently massaging the younger man’s shoulders with his gloved hands. “I missed you…do you do it to tease me Tseng…sneaking off when I’m asleep when you know I’m horniest first thing in the morning…”

Tseng suppressed a smile and just shrugged, his knowledge and application of power games were beginning to surpass his mentor.

“Why don’t you drop by my room after your first period and maybe we can negotiate terms?” rasped Verdot into Tseng delicate ear.

“There is one thing you might be able to help me with sir” replied Tseng flatly, glancing across to where Vincent was reluctantly eating his porridge.

“Oh yes Tseng and what is that?” asked Verdot as he straightened up and stopped massaging Tseng shoulders.

“A fellow Turk CADETS and myself have a little problem with our assignments…if you could see fit to offer your valued assistant then I am sure I could come to some arrangement, in gratitude”.

“I see…” replied Verdot gazing in the direction Tseng had been looking and then frowning. “Of course I shall do all in my power as your mentor Tseng to help you and your fellow CADETS, come to see me later and we’ll discuss in more detail”.

“What are you playing at Tseng?” hissed Sephiroth once Verdot had left the table.

“Nothing, don’t worry I know what I am doing” answered Tseng picking up yet another slice of toast.

“And what is that exactly?” asked Sephiroth.

“Gathering allies” smiled Tseng.

"What? Poke it again."

Yuffie Kisaragi gentlly poked at the disgusting gray porridge in her bowl with her spoon, a bubble swelled up and popped.

"EWWWW!!!!" squeeled several other first year CADETS around her they all burst out laughing.

"Pass me some toast!" giggled Yuffie loudly.

Cloud raised his eyes from his own untouched breakfast.

Yuffie glanced over at him and scowled, "Its your own falt you don't feel good ya know!"

Cloud pouted, "Whatever..."

"Can you belive this guy!" Yuffie exclaimed loudly to the others, "His first day on base and he's already gotten into a fight!"

"Gosh Cloud, you sure don't waste time!" smirked one of his other roommates a Turks CADETS named Lex.

"So hotheaded, you idiot! What if they'd really hurt you!" Scolded his other roommate a Female SOLDIERS CADETS Mai.

Cloud put his head down, "You make it sound like I wanted ta get beat up..."

Yuffie sighed frettfully and looked at the boy's uneatten toast, "Eat something already! You get any thinner and you'll shrink!"

Cloud blushed.

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

Rude walked over to Tseng and Vincent's table (He could care less if Highwind dropped off a cliff.)

A scowling Reno in tow.

Tseng raised an eye at the usually beaming redhead, "What the hell happened to you?"

Reno growled, "Holgstine decided to have a "Session"..."

Tseng blinked.

Rude looked away uneasially "He me's Holgstine-"

"** ME TILL I COULDN'T WALK STRAIGHT!!!" howled Reno in outrage.

Tseng looked shocked, "I didn't think you two ever have intercourse."

"We don't! That filthy pig! I caqn't stand it, I've bathed three times sence and I can still smell him!"

Rude sighed and shook his head. He then turned to Tseng, "Elena got the word this morning, her Mentor stopped in, she'll be temporarilly transfuring to Galenvia for three weeks for some sort of seminar."

"Hn, they probably just wanted to get her out of here before the inspection..." muttered Zack coming over, the boy looked over at the First years tables, "Shorty seems to be doing well."

Everyone looked over to see a Japanese girl attempting to shove a spoon full of porridge down Cloud's throat while the boy squeeled protests.

"Charming." muttered Sephiroth.

Zack looked at him and then over past him, "Hey look! It's Reno's bestfriend!"

Everyone turned to see Holgstine and Sephiroth's Mentor walking towards them Reno scowled and moved to the other side of the table.

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

There now you set up the part about Cloud being Seph's partner.

“And what’s so f**kin funny” snorted Reno with a open sigh of relief.

“Nothing really, it’s just I find all these sexual power games highly amusing” replied the silver haired SOLDIER CADETS. “It is most fascinating observing how differently people deal with it…you get angry, Vincent just retreats into himself, trying to pretend it isn‘t happening and Tseng…” Sephiroth laughed. “Tseng beats them at their own game…he’s got Verdot so desperate, like a dog on heat, I reckon Verdot would have screwed you across this table if you had suggested it, Tseng”.

“Yeah” snorted Reno, glaring at Tseng who just shrugged with a grin as he rose from his chair.

“It’s alright for you Sephiroth, most of the mentors are scared shitless of you and besides you would probably break Knight’s arm if he even dared try lay a finger upon you…hang on…**…no way…so that was why had his arm in plaster first term last year!”

“I told you…I wouldn’t allow anyone to use me” replied Sephiroth coldly giving his mentor a smile.

“B..b..but why do I have to take the runt?” complained General Blaze Knight suddenly turning away from Sephiroth’s intense gaze and haunting defendant smile. Knight was a short, thin man with thinning, greasy blonde hair that he scrapped across the top of his head in a vain attempt to cover his bald patch, he had a long drooping moustache and watery pale blue eyes. He was a pathetic, bitter and conceited creep of a man, even more so now having been assigned Sephiroth as his CADETS but the fact that he was training the best and more eager to be trained future SOLDIER on all the bases was his saving grace .

“Well I can’t exactly take him” argued Verdot, who stood with his arms fold across his chest gazing over Knight’s shoulder watching Tseng now sitting next to Vincent and whispering in his ear, much to Cid’s annoyance. “I am only qualified to train Turk CADETS and besides all my spare time is taken with giving Ru Tseng extra training sessions…”

“Oh yes…” chuckled Hojo peering over his spectacles in the direction of Tseng and Vincent. “And we all know what training you’re giving the Asian beauty…”

“I don’t like what you are insinuating Hojo…” hissed Verdot. “There is nothing in the regulation handbook that prohibits consensual sexual relationships between those CADETS over the age of sixteen…”

“Yes but I think that is meant to refer to relationships between CADETS not CADETS and their mentors…” interjected Knight with a sneer.

“A minor detail” scoffed Verdot, grimacing as he saw Tseng put his arm about Vincent’s shoulder and give him a quick hug.

“You mean loophole” coughed Hojo. “Ahhh don’t they make a gorgeous couple…maybe I should arrange for Valentine and Tseng to assist me in a little experimentation ha ha?”

“Touch Tseng and I swear I’ll break your scrawny neck…” snarled Verdot grabbing Hojo by the arm.

“Ooooh Donn could it be you‘ve actually fallen for the little **?” teased Hojo, he winced as Verdot increased the pressure upon his skinny arm.

“Donn” snapped Knight as both fellow mentors and CADETS were starting to stare at them.

“Yeah” replied Hojo “Can’t you take a joke? Like I really give a ** about your romance with Tseng, you two can go get married for all I care…everyone knows you’re grooming him to be your successor…”

“Okay…I’ll take the runt, Sephiroth will be able to teach the lad a thing or two anyway...less work for me I guess” snorted Knight. “I’ll see you gentleman on the parade ground after breakfast…”

All the students quickly jotted down the notes.

Reno yawned loudly, there were many perks to being a Turks CADETS, unfortunately World History was not one of them. He looked down at his completely blank notebook, 'Who cares about reactor bombings??'

He glanced over to see Vincent dutifully copying down the notes in his neat, procise handwriting, Reno smirked, 'Mr. Dedicated...'

The bell rang just as Vincent was setting down his pen.

"Class dissmissed!" called the instructor.

"No ** lady..." muttered Reno, several of the CADETS who'd overheard him snickered.

Vincent scowled and walked out of the room.

"What's...His problem...??" blinked Reno, "H-Hey Vinnie! IT WAS A JOKE!!!"

Reno raced down the hall after the boy, finally catching up Reno looked at the pale teen.

"Comon don't be mad..."

Vincent shock his head, "I'm not...I just...I don't feel good...my stomach..."

"Oh!" Reno started. "You hungrey?"

Vincent nodded, "A little."

Reno grinned, "Well then only one thing for it!"

He grabbed the ebony haired boy's hand and moved swiftly down the corridor in the opposit direction of their next class and slipped down a side hall.

"W-where!?" Vincent gasped as they sprinted along.

"We're going out!" smiled Reno brightly.

"Out? Out where!??"

"Out to the city of course, where else would we go out to?" laughed Reno.

"But we don't have clearance!!"

"Screw the red tape bit! We'll go shopping! Go to whatever restraunt you want, we can eat whatever you like, of REAL food not this cheap military base **."

"But won't they notice we're gone?!!" cried Vincent uncertainly.

"Oh please! You know how many CADETS cut class to go snog? They won't miss us a bit!" smirked Reno.

Vincent blushed.

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

Zack glared at His opponant, The other boy made no move to attack, instead continuing to size the lanky raven haired teen up as he'd been doing for the last ten minutes.

Finally Zack had had enough, "For Gaia's Sake man! You've been sizing me up for an hour now! We gonna spar or you waitin' fer me ta die of old age!!?"

The other bigger teen backed away nervousely, Zack heaved a big sigh, "Look if its about Sephiroth, yeah where friends, but my battles are still "MY" battles. Sides this is a "TRAINING" excersize..."

The other boy seemed to loosen up at this and finally took an offensive position.

"BOUT TIME!!!!" screamed Zack rushing forward.

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

There wrote something finally...

I decided Zaracone crystals are the energy sorce they use in this demension, only the rediactive waves that Zaracone crystals pout out when used warp Plants and animals, creating super strong monsters.

They don't use Mako that much exsept from making SOLDIERs or Materia.

“I think Brigadier General Hostine saw it more as the golden opportunity for you to develop your leadership skills Sephiroth” Knight lied. “We all know that you are going to qualify into SOLDIER at an officer rank, besides the kid could do no better than learn straight from the most talented SOLIDER CADETS on the Midgar Base” flattered Knight.

Sephiroth looked down at Cloud and studied him intently for a moment, Cloud felt an icy shiver tremble through him as he suddenly became very uncomfortable with those dazzling emerald eyes peering almost into his soul.

“The kid doesn’t look like he’ll last the week let alone the years of training” snorted Sephiroth as he slammed his hand down up Cloud’s shoulder making him jump and cry out in surprise. “What’s your name again?” asked Sephiroth as he curled his gloved finger around Cloud’s shoulder and gave it a hard squeeze. Cloud winced but bit down upon his lip, drawing blood in an attempt not to cry out in pain. “I’m waiting CADETS” hissed Sephiroth, Cloud glance up at Knight but it was obvious the man was too scared of Sephiroth to intervene.

“C…Cloud…Cloud Strife” replied Cloud in a quivering, pained voice. Before Cloud knew what was happening he yelped out at the hard stinging of his cheek where Sephiroth had struck him.

“That’s SOLDIER CADET Cloud Strife, sir” hissed Sephiroth with the faintest quiver of a twisted smile threatening to play upon his thin, pale lips. Sephiroth arched a silvery eyebrow questioningly.

“SOLDIER CADET Cloud Strife, SIR” answered Cloud managing a salute. Sephiroth chuckled obviously amused.

“There is no need to salute me just yet” smiled Sephiroth glancing over to Knight who just beamed and nodded in fearful agreement

“You’re a natural leader Sephiroth…you’ll be commanding SOLDIER in the future, I just know it” chuckled Knight nervously.

“I have no doubt” answered Sephiroth, he was being arrogant just stating a fact. “But just you remember this runt…if you put one foot out of line, if you don’t trained and study so hard that you have to crawl into your bed at night exhausted , if you screw up then it will reflect bad upon me…I am the best here and I won’t have my reputation or perfect record sullied by a pathetic, little runt like you, Strife…got it?”

“Y…yes sir” replied Cloud suddenly wished the parade ground would open up and swallow him.

“Good” smiled Sephiroth coldly. “I am so glad we understand each other”.

Vincent felt his heart quickening his chest as Reno dragged him along the corridor by the hand. Vincent could feel his cheek burning and the little voice in his head, which strangely sounded just like Cid Highwind’s, scolding him for quitting class and be lead astray by the attractive, amusing and seemingly carefree red head. But that was the main problem, beside the excitement and adventure of sneaking off base into the city Vincent was hopelessly infatuated with Reno and just spending time alone with him no matter how much troubled they were going to get into, no matter how jealous and angry Cid would be, Vincent could help himself!

Okay that was nasty Sephie...but later when he comes across a upset/bullied Cloud he is going to be nice Sephie...only to be nasty Sephie later...so poor Cloud will be so confused bless!

"Okay, now the cool part!" said Reno letting go of Vincent and silently slinking forward to the wall.

Reno glanced back grinning at Vincent and then streched his right arm up over his head as far as it would go, and rapped steadily three times against the wall, "Knock. Knock. Knock!"

Then never shifting from his position, he the streached his left arm as far out as it would go to the side, and again rapped steadily on the wall three times, "And, knock. Knock. Knock!"

Vincent blinked in astounishment as Reno spun around quickly to face him.

"And now..." started Reno his eyes stairing into Vincent's peircingly.

Vincent suddenly became nervous, "R-Reno-o??"

Reno started to take a step toward Vincent, "BAMM!"

Reno slamed his foot down on the floor, the tile depressing slightly, Reno grined brightly the warmness returning to his eyes.

The a panel in the wall slid open revealing a passageway.

"We go down here to get out!" smiled Reno, gently taking Vincent's hand again, "Comon..."

Vincent followed him slowly down the passageway, five paces in however they stopped again.

Reno reached in to his CADETS uniform to pull out a small flashlight with a looped cored at they end he slipped the looped end over Vincent's small hand.

vncent looked at the flashlight, the cored was just long enough for him to hold the flashlight comfertably in his hand, which he did, his thumb resting upon the power switch, which he clicked on.

He looked up to see Reno had taken out another flaslight and hung it on his wrist. Reno clicked his on just as a grinding was heard behind them.

Spinning around Vincent watched helplessly as the pannel slid shut plunging them into pitch darkness save for the beams of their flashlights.

"Relax, there's a switch back there to reopen the pannel when we get back, now comon! The city is this way, this tunnel catacombs throught the mid section on Midgar."

"The what section??" asked Vincent curiously.

"The mid-section, we're below Midgar Upper level inside the plates." answered Reno as he held Vincent hand leading the way.

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

Cloud walked beside Sephiroth in off the parade grounds, arms held tightly at his sides so as not to tremble.

Looking up the tiny blonde spotted a person who made his heart raise and then plummit again, Zack Tanner,

'He said Sephiroth-senpai was his friend...So maybe he was just actin' nice last night and is actually really mean too??'

Zack walked up and smiled at Cloud warmly before raising an eyebrow at Sephiroth and Knight, "What's up? Why's "Tiny" here with you two?"

Cloud flashed a nervous glance at Knight and was a little surprised and confused that the man allowed Sephiroth to openly criticise his superiors like that.

“Come on Seph” chuckled Zack still smiling warmly at Cloud. “Surely training Tiny here isn’t going to cause you much trouble…you were only saying yesterday that basic training was boring and you wanted more of a challenge…”

“I guess” returned Sephiroth with a snort, he never liked it when Zack got the better of him in an argument. “Come on runt, let’s get to the training room and see what you are made of…” And without waiting for Cloud to reply Sephiroth strode off towards a large grey building.

“Do you really think CADETS Strife is ready for combat training yet considering it is his first day?” asked Knight scurrying along side Sephiroth.

“No” said Sephiroth coldly. “But I could do with something to amuse me!”

“I’ll see you at lunch then?” smirked Zack gesturing to Cloud to follow Sephiroth. “Just do you’re best kid that is all anyone can be expected to do on their first day especially when up against Sephiroth!”

Vincent allowed Reno to drag him through the gloom as they made a dash for freedom, if only for a few hours, along the inside of the plate. Vincent had only ever ventured out into the city when on training exercises or with Highwind, the thought of wandering the streets of Midgar with Reno made him feel a little dizzy. Vincent bit his bottom lip as terrible, shameful thoughts of finally being alone with Reno drifted into his head. Vincent like the idea of shopping or having a decent meal in the company of the handsome, red head but he craved spending the few stolen hours they had together hidden away in some rented room or a dark, smoky bar that no one from the base would visit and just snog Reno. Vincent blushed surprised despite all the cruelty and abuse he suffered at the hands of his twisted mentor and Hojo that he could want to be loved so badly by anyone, but Vincent adored Reno and desperately dreamed that his fellow Turk CADETS might

feel the same way!

Okay next post Cloud verses Sephiroth...you just know it isn't going to be pretty...poor Cloud maybe Zack will nurse you better?!!

And will Vincent get his snog and maybe more besides?!! I hope so but if Cid finds out there will be trouble hehe!

Zack hummed along the corridoors flirting with afew of the girls as he went, suddenly a fimiliar mop of ash blonde hair came into veiw.

"Well if it ain't Cid!" smiled Zack widely, however he then noticed something was off, "Where's Vince?"

Cid looked around at him saying nothing for a secound, "Don't know...He's just vanished...I came to walk him to his next class but..."

Zack's expression darkened, "You think Bane might have took him somewhere?"

“Ya reckon” snapped Cid not bothering to disgust his hatred of the Asian Turk CADETS.

“No…I know” returned Tseng with an arrogant coolness.

“Don’t let him get to you Cid” warned Zack grabbing Cid by the arm, he could see Rude striding down the corridor towards them, he might not have the combat training of a SOLDIER CADETS but the guy was still huge and strong, Zack didn’t really want to get on the wrong side of Rude.

“Yeah so who is Vincent with then?” goaded Cid.

“You really want to know?” asked Tseng arching a slender raven eyebrow in mock surprise. He turned to smile at Rude, who just nodded and then hovered silently by Tseng’s side. Zack frowned, Rude was a man of very few words and the fact he worn sunglasses most of the time, his hazel eyes sensitive to bright light, made reading his emotions difficult but it seemed to Zack that Rude had for some unknown reason appointed himself Tseng’s protector and second in command.

“Ya haven’t a clue where Vincent has gone” snorted Cid.

“Correct I haven’t a clue where your little, pretty lover boy has gone…” replied Tseng with a smirk.

“See I told ya” laughed Cid.

“But I do know WHO he has sneaked off with…Yancy Reno!” chuckled Tseng.

“WHAT?!!” roared Cid lunging at Tseng not to be pulled back by Zack before Rude who had stepped in front of Tseng was tempted to punch Highwind hard in the face with a leather gloved hand.

“You heard me” hissed Tseng his dark eyes narrowing. “Valentine and Reno left class together, running down the corridor holding hands”

“That’s a goddamn f**kin lie” snarled Cid trying to struggle free form Zack’s arms. “I don’t bloody believe it, ya f**kin’ arse kissin’ **!”

“Call me all the names you want Highwind, it won’t change a thing, if you don’t believe me than ask Yuffie, she saw them too. What have we got next Rude?”

“Political Affairs” growled Rude.

“Good…” said Tseng as he turned to head back up the corridor. “Hey Rude, if Reno’s bunking off you can sit next to me…”

Zack forced Cid to watch the two Turk CADETS safely disappeared down the corridor before he released his grip upon him.

“Ya don’t think Tseng is right? That Vincent has bunked off with that goddamn red head?” asked Cid sounding worried.

“I honestly don’t know mate” replied Zack with a shrug. “But even if they have…well…that’s doesn’t have to mean anything…they are in the same classes Cid, both training to be Turks, I guess they are just friends mucking about…”

“I f**kin hope so” muttered Cid under his breath, trying to dwell upon the way he had caught Vincent gazing at Reno over the past few months.

climbing up squinted at the bright sunlight befor flicking off his flaslight and turning to help Vincent out.

Reno pulled at the boy's wrists, yanking him out, and they both toppeled over, Vincent landing on top of Reno.

Reno smirked and wrapped his arms around Vincent, petting the boy's silken eboney hair, "Mmm I could get used to this!"

Vincent pulled himself up immediately and blushed.

Reno laughed at the boy and stood up "Aww and here for a secound I thought you'd "fallen" for me!"

He then turned and sprinted away down the Alley.

Vincent stubbled to his feet scammpering after his friend, "Reno! W-wait!"

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

Zack walked down a side hall to the loading area of the base, Cid still thought they should atleast check around to see if Reno and Vincent where still on the base.

If they we're still here Zack hoped he would be the one to find them, he didn't like to think about what would happen if Cid found them Snogging somewhere...

A fimilar voice to his left caught his attension.

"Ah my dear beautiful one."

Zack poked his head out around the corner to see none other than Hojo of Shinra standing admiring a large wooden crate that sat near a truck.

"Be sure your careful bring this to my lab, Lieutenant Bane would be most displeased if any these "Materials" spilled before we could use them on the "Specimen" you know." said Hojo smiling cruelly.

Zack shivered, "Materials? Bane? Specimen? What-"

Suddenly an image of Vincent huddled up crying in the hallway flashed through the Raven haired boy's mind.

"Vincent...."

Suddenly a hand landed on Zack's shoulder.

Zack spun around to See Bane smiling down at him coldly, "Well if it isn't Mardux little prodigy...Come on boy!"

Bane tightned his grip shoving the boy foward roughly to stand before Hojo.

"It would seem we have a little evesdropper." snarled Bane.

"Ah good. I was hoping to aquire another sample to try this Hepotocorbulin-sulfate on before giving it to our dear Specimen,

wouldn't do to have nasty side effects now would it." smiled Hojo grabbing Zack's chin and studying the boy's feature's,

"Hmm, the eyes are nice but I perfur Vincent's overal looks..."

"Vincent! What the hell are you-" Bane knocked Zack in the back of the head rendering the raven haired teen unconcious.

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

There.

Cloud stood in the combat arena feeling frail, vulnerable and totally exhausted. General Knight had seen fit to leave him on his first taste of combat training with Sephiroth. And although the class was in reality half an hour it felt like an eternity to Cloud. The new SOLDIER CADET tried desperately not to quake as his gloved hands gripped the small Katana in front of him. But the weapon just seemed so heavy and cumbersome in his hands compared to the silver haired CADETS who wielded his longer sword with such unbelievable speed, strength and terrifying accuracy. It was approaching the end of the lesson Cloud although fit and healthy found himself panting heavily, his whole body drenched in sweat and muscle aching terribly. He felt dizzy, sick and exhausted while Sephiroth was so cool, composed and looked as if he could continue training all day with out breaking into a sweat. Cloud gulped as Sephiroth came at him again, slicing his sword through the air, Cloud thrust his blade upwards to defend himself, staggering back with the force as the two blades clashed and sparked. Cloud crashed back against the wall but before he could react Sephiroth was there with the edge of his Katana at his throat.

“Never allow anyone you back against a wall, runt” hissed Sephiroth pressing the blade just enough to indent the soft, pale flesh without it slicing into the surface. !I can not abide cowards so I would not recommend you ever run away…but even the bravest, most skilled SOLDIER would be insane not to allow themselves the option of a tactical retreat”.

“Yes…yes Sephiroth” Cloud gasped, his heart pounding wildly against his chest and his weary legs shaking. “I’ll remember”

“Are you afraid of me, runt?” asked Sephiroth moving closer until his slender, toned body pressed hard up against Cloud, there was a unnerving, hungry glint in those glowing emerald green eyes that made Cloud shuddered.

“Yes Sephiroth” Cloud just managed to mutter as Sephiroth lower his sword a fraction and reaching up with a leather gloved hand caressed his cheek.

“It amuses me…that everyone here fears me so much…” smiled Sephiroth as he lent forward, his fingers sliding down Cloud’s face cupping his chin, titling the younger man’s head upwards to expose his redden throat so he could kiss it. Cloud flinched, cracking head against the wall as with a disgusted groan he tried to escape the cool, pale lips. “Fear is a powerful weapon …fear and vulnerability in another is something I find extremely intoxicating…and you are just so afraid and vulnerable…”

Cloud shuddered as he felt Sephiroth’s lips cruel into a smile upon his flesh, then the older CADETS stepped back. “That will do for today, now go take a shower Strife…you stink…” snarled Sephiroth before he strode away from the combat arena as if nothing had ever happen, leaving Cloud trembling and sickened to the pit of his stomach.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Zack woke with a desperate groan, it seemed as if a thousand tiny white stars were torturously exploding before his eyes. Zack groaned again trying to focus his blurry vision in the really bright, artificial light, but the return of his conscious also brought a stabbing pain at the back of his skull that sent a wave of dizzying nausea through him. Zack tried to turn over, afraid that he was going to lose his breakfast as fractured memories of last being in the company of Cid Highwind in the loading area.

“What the f**k?” growled Zack as he found his movements severely restricted, with some difficulty due to the pain hammering through his head he managed to twist it a little and glanced downwards to discover to his horror that he couldn’t move because he was strapped to a table!

“Ahhh sleeping beauty awakes” mocked Professor Hojo looking up from where he was bending over the table peering down at Zack’s restrained left arm. Zack grounded his teeth together as a dull, hot sensation seemed to be ebbing from his wrist and slowly down the length of his arm.

“What are you going to do to me you bastard?” demanded Zack as he vainly struggled against his bonds.

“Nothing my dear boy” chuckled Hojo as he straightened up with an unnerving smile. “I’ve already done it…now lay back and let me observe the effects of the substance now seeping through your veins…”

“What if he doesn’t survive Hojo?” questioned a deep, rasping voice that Zack recognised as belonging to Lieutenant Bane, Vincent’s loathsome, abusive mentor and Hojo’s best friend. “What will you do then?”

“You’ll dispose of the body and I will have to rethink how I can safely introduce more entities into the specimen…”

“More entities?” coughed Bane still in the shadows, out of Zack’s vision. “Goddamn it Hojo you’ve introduced two entities already how many more are you intending to integrate with the specimen?”

“Four at least” replied Hojo with a smile. “Valentine might appear very frail and pathetic but that injection of contaminated Mako has had the most wondrous and inexpert upon his system”.

“You sick bastard…ahhhh” Zack screamed as something like a sudden flash of raging heat swept through his body, he curled his fingers in to fists, arching his back off the table as every fibre seemed to be on fire. Zack thrashed and convulsed, his eyes rolling back in their sockets as the excruciating, scolding pain torn through his veins like molten lead, his body was drenched with sweat, his heart raced at an alarming speed and his breathing became ragged, agonizing rasps.

“He certainly isn’t as beautiful as the specimen” mused Hojo as he calmly penned a note upon his clipboard.

“I know” agreed Bane, he had moved closer to savour Zack’s agony. “I knew I had to have Valentine the moment I saw him…and of course that he would be perfect for your experiment”.

“Yes” Hojo sighed wistfully. “There is just something so exquisite about Valentine beautiful face…sometimes I find it almost impossible to tell if the divine creature is lost in the grip of agony or ecstasy his cries and expressions are so rapturous, it is almost as if he enjoys the pain and deeply as the pleasure…”

“And when he begs for mercy, for you to stop to the experimentation or for me to end the glorious abuse of his delightful, fragile body…such bliss” mused Bane.

“You f**kin’ bastards” spat Zack desperately fighting against the unbearable pain but finally lost the battle as the darkness swallow him up and drag him back out into the black pit of unconsciousness again.

“Good” remarked Hojo as he noted something down upon his clipboard before turning away from Zack and striding over to his desk. “The human body can withstand an inject of the substance, we’ll arrange to inject the specimen as soon as it is located and then I shall be able to integrate the third and fourth entities very soon…”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Vincent finally catch up with the swift, skinny red head at the end of the alley. Reno was standing outside a dilapidated, sleazy looking bar with a huge grin upon his handsome face.

“I think you need a drink Vin, it’s loosen you up a little” smirked Reno holding out his hand and gesturing toward the gloomy door way of the bar.

“We can’t go in there!” gasped Vincent his bewitching ruby eyes widening with fearful surprise.

“And why the hell not?” asked Reno still smirking. “No one in that ** hole is going to give a damn about our age or who we are as long as we can pay for our drinks…come on Vin just a couple and then we’ll go shopping…I want to buy you something!”

“I..I don’t know Reno that place look really rough…hey did you just say you wanted to buy me something…why? It’s not my birthday” said Vincent with a puzzled frown as Reno dragged him towards the bar.

“Awww you look so damn cute when you pull that confused face Vin…Why do I want to buy you something?” said Reno his pale cheeks suddenly colouring. “I’ll tell you later, right now I need a stiff drink!”

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Cid Highwind searched the loading area for the third time and then came to the angry conclusion that Zack had either giving up on looking for Vincent and Reno or that he had found them a incriminating clinch, warned them that they were being sought and then fled himself.

“Goddamn you Zack” growled Cid as he made his way back to the main part of the training complex. He was just heading down the corridor planning to go back to his dormitory for a sneaky cigarette before his next class when he saw Yuffie Kisaragi sauntering in his direction.

“Hey Yuffie have you seen Vincent?” asked Cid scratching the back of his head with a nervous smile. He remembered Tseng protesting that he hadn’t been the only witness to Vincent and Reno running down the corridor hand in hand, just the thought of his beautiful, little lover spending time with Reno made his stomach sicken and blood boil.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Rude had gladly welcome the rare opportunity to sit next to Tseng, the beautiful, elegant Asian youth normally shared a bench with Vincent, while Rude sat with Reno. Rude couldn’t help but sneak a sly sideways peek at Tseng as he bend over his notebook and wrote down the dictation. Tseng’s long, raven hair was loose, it rippled down his back, straight, glossy and almost glinting in the sunlight that streamed through the classroom window. Rude fought back the desire to reach out and feel those dark, silken tresses beneath his fingertips, silently scolding himself for even daring to imagine how exquisite it would feel if that beautiful, black hair brushed against his naked flesh. Silently, secretly intensely studying Tseng from one step behind him, protect but in the shadows Rude could now close his eyes and picture Tseng perfectly from memory. Yet still he couldn’t help himself, sitting so close to Tseng the temptation to just lose himself and stare at him was far too great.

“I don’t mind you looking…” whispered Tseng, glancing at Rude with a knowing smile.

“What? I…I wasn’t looking at…” protested Rude casting his sunglass shrouded eyes down at his own notebook.

“Sure you were…but I don’t mind really Vincent is always copying from my notes” replied Tseng returning to his dictation.

“He does?” asked Rude suddenly relived but at the same time disappointed Tseng hadn’t noticed that he had been studying him and not his notebook.

“Yeah” nodded Tseng with a smirk. “Vince has got lovely, neat handwriting but he is painful slow, so I let him copy my notes and in return he gives him extract firearm training, I’ve never seen anyone with an aim over long distant like Vincent…he’s going to make one hell of a sniper!”

“Oh” replied Rude. “I’m not a huge fan of guns myself, I much prefer using my fists”

“Yeah I’ve noticed” chuckled Tseng turning back to smile at his friend. “And tell you what Rude, I would always pick you to cover my back in a bar brawl…you’ve got a bastard of a right hook”.

“Thanks” chuckled Rude hoping that he wasn’t blushing too badly. “You know I’ll always be there to watch back Chief, that’s a promise!”

“Whoa, Rufus where’s the fire?” teased Tseng with a chuckle as he confidently regained his balance and turned to watch the young heir of the Shinra corporation stride into his private room, slamming the door shut.

“What was that all about” asked Rude a genuine hint of concern in his deep, rich voice. Rude couldn’t claim a close friendship with Rufus, but he had a great deal of sympathy and respect from his future boss.

“How the hell should I know?” shrugged Tseng with a sigh as he glanced at the door to Rufus’ room and then back at Rude. “But I am going to find out…sorry Rude it look’s as if we’ll have to have that chat another time ”.

“No problem Tseng…it can wait” replied Rude softly. “Our future boss has to come first, right”. Rude gazed at the beautiful Asian, thankful that he could hide his disappointment and hurt behind his tinted shades. ’It’s always going to be this way…’ Rude thought stoically. ‘Even more so when Tseng eventually becomes the Head of the Turks, he’s first loyalty will always be with Rufus Shinra…’

“He is the future of Shinra Rude…let the others think I am ** kissing but he’s still just a kid…and right now it looks as if he’s in need of a friend” said Tseng giving Rude an apologetic smile and gently brushing him upon the arm. “I’ll see you at lunch, okay?”

“Yeah” replied Rude as he continued down the corridor toward his room, alone and a little dishearten.

“Rufus!” cried Tseng as with cat-like grace he dodged a thick, heavy text book that the angry blonde youth had hurled at his head. Tseng stared at the destruction, anything the heir of Shinra could throw, kick over or tear up had been use to sate his bitterness and anger. It pained Tseng to see his friend suffering, this seemingly harmless mutilation of his possession was all very well, it would merely be dismissed by the mentors as the temper tantrums of a spoilt little brat seeking attention. But Tseng worried about Rufus, he secretly feared that without the love and comfort the boy craved he might start turning his angry upon himself and Tseng could bare to see that happen, the way President Shinra treated Rufus was just as unforgivable and sick as Hojo with little Vincent, it made Tseng furious and extremely protective.

“I hate him” snarled Rufus as he threw a box file at the wall. “Bastard…I hate him…I hate him and wish he was f**kin dead”.

Rufus kicked his bed only to yell out in pain and collapse onto the floor sobbing, clutching at his foot.

“Come on” whispered Tseng, crouching down next to Rufus. The older boy gently laid an arm about his friend’s shoulders and brushed the floppy golden fringe from his tear stained blue eyes. “He’s not worth it”.

Rufus turned to look at Tseng, the beautiful Asian youth quirked his thin, pale lips into an encouraging, understanding smile. Rufus shuddered back his sobs suddenly feeling foolish but comforted, Tseng always had that effect upon him, he never questioned or judge him, Tseng was just there to listen to his troubles and ease his painful loneliness. Rufus let Tseng help him to his feet, he guided him to a bed and gestured for Rufus to lie down. Rufus complied allowing Tseng to remove his boots, the dark haired man silently gently rubbed the injure toes then went to rise from the bed.

“Tseng, where are you going? Don’t leave me” rasped Rufus trying to disguise the need in his voice as he grabbed Tseng’s arm and pulled him back.

“I’m not going anywhere, if you don’t want me to” smiled Tseng as he lifted Rufus’s hand from his arm and then slipped off his jacket. Tseng righted a kicked over chair, carefully laid his jacket over it and then sat back down on the bed to slip off his boots. Rufus struggled out of his own jacket, handed it to Tseng who placed it with his own and then pulled a blanket off a near by bed. He tenderly draped the blanket over Rufus and then settled upon the bed beside him. Rufus sighed and crawled into the older boy’s embrace, snuggling against his chest.

“It’s alright Rufus” whispered Tseng as he gently brushed his slender fingers through the silken mop of golden hair. “I’m here for you, always”.

“I know” replied Rufus with a little sob as he reached out towards a glossy black strand of Tseng’s hair and started to curl it about his finger.

After a while Rufus gazed up through his long fringe to see Tseng’s exquisite features so peaceful, his dark eyes closed as he drew just as much comfort from this mutual, loving embrace as Rufus. Rufus often ponder over the strangely natural way his initial friendship with Tseng had slowly blossomed into something more intimate and special, neither would probably claim their were in love but they did possess a deep, loving affection for one another, a bond that in time would strengthen their future destinies as the President of Shinra and his right hand man, Head of the Turks. Rufus crawled up Tseng’s chest to seek out the intimate reassurance and tenderness of Tseng’s soft, pale lips. Tseng responded to the kiss with a tiny moan, then the two of them slipped into their familiar, languid and loving kissing.

Tseng could have spent all day just kissing Rufus, but as the youth pressed himself closer, stirring his passions Tseng finally surrendered and slid his hands under the woollen fabric of Rufus’ polo neck jumper, inching his fingertips up Rufus’ spine, making him shuddered and groan.

“Let me love you Tseng…” rasped Rufus his kisses become more desperate and fiery, his fingers fumbling at the beautiful Asian’s shirt buttons.

Aeris was stairing balnkly at the papers in her hand as if not even really seeing them, "Zack..."

Yuffie bumped her nose into tho older girl's, "Who??"

Aeris jumped back startled, "Oh Yuffie! Don't do that!"

Yuffie put her hands behind he head casually, "Not my fault you were playing "Space Cadet" when you where supposed to be working."

Aeris sighed, "Your right. I'm sorry, lets get back to work."

Yuffie shrugged sitting back down, 'How dull... Wonder what Spikey-Chan's doing...'

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

Rufus gently ran his fingers through his bestfriend's long silky raven locks, kissing Tseng's collar bone and trailing up his neck, before kissing his lips softly.

the carrot topped boy then snuggled closer to Tseng, Allowing the older boy to have his way with him.

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

Cloud slowly walked down the hallway keeping as close to the walls as possible as tho they would protect him from all the leering eyes around him.

Cloud trembled as one of the older CADETS purposely brushed by him roughly, Cloud felt brusied from the rough treatment but continued on down the hall.

The next hall was empty save two SOLDIERs Cloud froze one of them was the lead SOLDIER who'd attacked him the other day!

Major Liam Bartley with his droppy left eyelid and large boney nose stood at the far end of the corridor with another man talking, Bartley stopped and looked at Cloud.

"Well well! If it isn't the Baby!" Smilked the man cruelly.

Cloud froze up unconciously he covered his bandaged wrist and took two steps backwards.

"So little one tell me; where's your friend now that saved you the other day." Bartley sneered moving foreward the other man followed suit.

Cloud turned and tried to run but Bartley was too quick for him grabbing up the small boy by the scruff of the neck.

"Where are you going precious? The fun's just starting." Bartley sneered, with that the man slammed the child roughly against the wall, knocking him unconcious.

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

OKAY

Rude (I called him Raul! Had to edit! XDXDXD) Needs to save Cloud now if you please.

“What the hell do you think you are doing” growled Rude as he turned the corner only to see the much larger Major Liam Bartley holding a young, skinny, blonde boy up against the wall. The youth’s head was lolling forward, there was no signs of struggling so rude guessed either the kid enjoy being throttled or the bastard SOLDIER CADET had knocked him out cold.

“What’s it to you Turk?” sneered Bartley, he thought Turk CADETS were inferior to SOLDIERS.

“I don’t like bullies” growled Rude as he pulled out a pair of soft black leather gloves that he worn when battle training. “I’m in a ** mood…and could do with releasing my pent-up tension…” Rude flashed a rare and extremely unnerving little smile that sent shivers through Bartley. The guy was all mouth, it was much easier and safer to pick upon the smaller, weaker new CADETS and Rude looked ** off.

“Yeah well this little one isn’t worth fighting over Rude…” sneered Bartley as he let Cloud slump to the floor. Bartley gave the blonde boy a nasty kick in the leg before grinning at Rude, then swiftly turning on his heels left before Rude could retaliate.

“Come on little one…” said Rude and he crouched down and hauled the unconscious boy to his feet. Cloud groaned and sagged against Rude, he held so light and frail. “You’re coming back to my dorm, you’ll be safe with me until lunch…”

(LOL Kage and I are calling Raul Rude by mistake! And Rufus has to love Tseng!)

Mardux walked down the hall in a fit, Zack was supposed to have come for their afternoon spar hours ago! And Zack was never late for it Sparring was his favorite class.

Anytime he could get extra sessions Mardux usually got complaints from the other instructors about him leaving class early to go meet Mardux!

Mardux turned a corner to see Hojo and Lt. Bane talking in hushed tones.

Mardux scowled, he didn't really know Hojo that well, the man had alway came off as peevish and perversive to him.

He knew Bane alright, he'd never liked the man; Mardux worked under him several times before as a CADETS and made himself a quick enemy of the older man be refusing his sexual advances.

Zack had told him about how Bane abused his apprentice... Vince Valenteen was it? It didn't surprise him...

Mardux walked up to them, "Sir. Professor." he said nodding to each.

"Mardux ...What do you want?" sneered Bane in a bad temper.

"Have you seen my apprentice?"

"How would I know your damn apprentice Mardux??" snapped Bane.

"Oh I don't know, you've only made several passes at him in the past." Mardux said calmly staring peircingly at the older man with his unnervingly pale luminous green eyes.

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Reno sat sipping his drink, he glanced over at Vincent who was stairing at his own untouched mug.

Reno didn't really know what to say other then he was in love, he looked at Vincent's pale deliqate face, his soft peach lips, his long dark lashes, those damn eyes!

Reno smiled, "You really are perfect you know?"

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Rufus got sick of waiting for Tseng to speed up, flipping the older boy onto his back he grinned, "Here Tse, let me show you a trick!"

bending down he nipped at Tseng's ear and begain gentaly sucking on the lobe making Tseng drop his gaurd he then thrust swiftly electing a scream of pleasure from the older boy.

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Okay I'm a VIRGIN so that's why I usually avoid sex scenes like that, if it sucked: que sara.

Poor Sephiroth is SOO neglected XDXD (forgot all about him didn't you? Me too. XDXDXD)

“RUFUS!” Tseng cried out as he writhed in ecstasy, his long hair spilling out across the pillows like ripping ebony silk, his dark eyes half closed as his lover withered against him with a shuddering groan. Their loving making had been hard, fast and extremely passionate, either one of them aware that their final exquisite moment of ardour had been witnessed by Donn Verdot.

Ru Tseng’s mentor somehow managed to bite his tongue, forcing down the bile rising to burn his throat as he stumbled out into the corridor. He grabbed the door, stopping it banging shut that would have alerted the lovers to his discovery. He collapsed, sweating and trembling against the wall, sicken and enrage by his apprentice’s betrayal, with the hated Rufus Shinra. Verdot heard the sound of Marduxe's voice, inquiring upon the whereabouts of his own wayward apprentice from further down the corridor, he guess the fellow mentor was intending on checking the dormitories. Verdot took a deep, steadying breath, he walked back down the corridor toward M he was scheduled to have a tutorial with Tseng after lunch. Once they were safely alone in his office Verdot would be able to question his apprentice, discover the reason why he had broken his promise never to allow anyone else to make love to him and make it up to Verdot with a hot, steamy session over his desk.

“What?” gaped Vincent his lustrous ruby eyes widening in surprise at he swiftly looked up from his drink.

“Duh…I said you really are perfect, you know?” Reno grinned a pink tinge colouring his cheeks.

“Huh…no…no” muttered Vincent shyly his ruby gaze feeling back to the contents of his untouched mug. “I am far from perfect…”

“Awww Vinnie” whined Reno desperately trying to remain positive and upbeat although deep in the pit of his stomach there was a sickening, fluttering feeling of despair. “You’re not making this very easy on me…what do you want me to say? That I am madly in love with you? Well Vincent it is true…I love you2.

“Y…you do?” asked Vincent in a small, strained voice glancing up again to meet Reno’s dazzling blue eyes with his own glowing ruby orbs. “You truly love me?”

Rude sat in stony silence, his arms folded stiffly across his muscular chest as he sat in a chair beside his bed and watching the small, frail blonde slumbering upon it. Rude sighed despondently, there he was after weeks, no months desperately waiting to be granted a few precious moments alone with Tseng but instead he was stuck ‘babysitting’ Cloud Strife. Rude glance down at his watch, twenty minutes and it would be lunch, at least then if he was lucky him might get to sit next to the one to whom he had secretly lost his heart, the beautiful, gifted, ingenious and so sensuous Ru Tseng.

“No…no I haven’t seen Vincent” giggled Yuffie. “Well not since Reno dragged him off down the corridor…but to where they were going is anyone‘s guess”.

“So it true, mah Vincent run off with that goddamn, good for nothin’ Turk” growled Cid glaring at Yuffie as if it was all her fault.

“I do not believe that Vincent Valentine is solely yours” came a cool, deep voice from behind him. “However much it might grieve you Highwind, you do not own him”

“Sephiroth” gasped Cid as he spun around to see the tall, sliver haired SOLDIER CADETS standing behind him, his handsome, pale face fixed with a serious expression.

“Yeah I know but darn it Sephiroth I thought Vinnie and I were a couple, that we would be faithful to one another”

“Just because Vincent and Reno have disappeared off together…” said Yuffie

“They’ve skipped class Yuffie! Vincent has never done that before, I don’t care if they have only sneaked off to play cards or something’ that goddamn red head is a bad influence on him” snapped Cid.

“True” agreed Sephiroth. “But of no real concern to myself…however the whereabouts of Zack Tanner is…have you seen him upon your travels?” Sephiroth directed the question at both Cid and Yuffie.

“Nah…sorry buddy I haven’t seen him” said Cid.

“Me neither” shrugged Yuffie. “I saw Tseng and Rude heading towards the dormitories about thirty minutes ago maybe they’ve seen Zack…I hope he is alright…I mean he should be…Zack can look after himself…I could come help you look for him if you like…er…perhaps not then” said Yiffie when she saw the stern look of disapproval upon Sephiroth’s face.

“I do not need your assistance…but it would appear that the whereabouts of several of our fellow CADETS is in question” mused Sephiroth with a frown. “Something is going on here and I do not like it”.

(Okay Sephie looking for Zack...can we NOT skip lunch as I have a scene I want to write borrowing Rufus...pretty please...Verdot Tseng show down to follow that...maybe Cloud could wake up and talk to Rude? Will they become friends? Rude will kick that guy's ** another time when he does something worst to Cloud...Hope rest is okay?!!!)

Verdot growled softly under his breath as Tseng laughed at one of Rufus’ jokes, then he felt a burning stab of resentment at his heart as the raven haired beauty gave his companion such a warm, sensuous smile. Tseng pushed his empty plate away from him with a smirk, then sitting back in his chair he combed his pale fingers through his thick silken tresses. Scooping his dark hair back he held it up into his customary high ponytail, then shook it loose, he seemed to enjoy the feeling as it tumbled about his shoulders.

Tseng blew a strand of hair from his striking face with a smile, Verdot felt his stomach violently tighten, gripping his knife so hard his knuckles blanched white with the strain, it was as if Tseng was purposely taunting him. Verdot shuddered as the imagine of how beautiful his apprentice looked writhing in ecstasy beneath Rufus Shinra, that glossy, long hair streaming out over the pillows. But betrayed, Verdot had coveted that pleasure as solely his own, he thought constantly of burying his face in Tseng’s hair, feeling the silken tresses against his flesh, catching the linger scent of his shampoo. Tseng twisted a strand of hair about his finger again and it only served to enraged Verdot all the more, he was convinced now that Tseng was teasing him now by playing so seductively with his long, magnificent, dark hair.

Tseng glanced down at his watch with a sigh, then leaning closer to Rufus he whispered in the young man’s ear making him chuckle. Tseng then rose from his seat, he pulled back his hair again this time to tie it up for his meeting with Verdot. But a wayward strand fell into his dark eyes making him blink, Rufus reached up and tenderly tucked it behind Tseng’s ear, his fingers lingering upon his lover‘s cheek for a moment. The two young men exchanged a magical smile, the perfect reflection of the immense close, intimate friendship and understanding they shared that just twisted the knife even deeper into Verdot already shattered heart. Verdot no longer cared about his unfaithful apprentice's exuses or lies for the reason he had allowed Rufus Shinra to screw him, it didn't matter if Tseng had been seduced, blackmailed or even loved the spoilt, little brat, now he just wanted revenge!

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Chapter Title: A Bad Omen?

Cloud wasn't eatting he was looking around for Zack, the boy had sat by Sephiroth that morning,

but Sephiroth was missing too, as was the hyper red haired boy, Yancy Reno, and the Dark haired boy who Zack had found crying in the hall.

Cloud looked at Rude, the older teen had saved him, He'd been scared of Rude when he first saw him talking with the Reno in the shower that morning,

but after talking for a while Cloud had found himself in awe of the older man.

Rude was in alot of ways just like him, didn't show emotions cause people teased him if he did,

perfured to listen as to talk, they hadn't said much to eachother but they hadn't needed to both seemed to understand eachother naturally.

Cloud sighed and looked at the untouched roast beef, carrots, and potatos on his plate;

he wondered if he could sneak up and dump his tray and then sneak out of the hall without Yuffie or Knight-Sensei catching him,

He really wanted to find Zack.

Cloud slowly stood upand walked over to the trash cleaning his plate off he walked calmly toward the door, a key rule when trying to sneak off is to not look like your sneaking and NEVER run.

Reaching the doors to the Canteen and slide out into the hallway.

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Reno smiled as he lead Vincent along the back alleys of the upperlevels of Midgar.

Vincent was starting to worry, it was bound to be lunch time by now, Reno and he had yet to stop anywhere for food but Reno had promised they would right after he took Vincent somewhere speacial.

Reno lead him down an alley past people in raggy clothes many stared hungerily at the two young boys, Reno ignored them, "It should be right ahead."

"Reno I don't know aqbout this place...Comon lets just head back, Everyone will be wondering where we are." Vincent fretted the street people kept getting closer it seemed.

"Oh relax Vinnie!" smiled Reno cheerfully.

"But what about our instructors and Master Holgstine and Master Bane?" Vincent trembled moving closer to his slightly insane companion.

"GOD they don't own us!!! Like I said relax I do stuff like this all the time! Besides I doubt Holgstine would noticed I'd left if I walked out the frount door stark naked." Reno growled in disgust.

"Maybe your mentor won't notice you gone, but mine is sure to have realised I'm not anywhere on base by now." scowled Vincent worriedly.

"Here we are!" cried Reno ignoring Vincent's last statement.

The stood at the end of a dirt street infrount of an old, old, two story building, the yellowed paint that at one time must have been white was chiped and peeling from the weathered old wooden walls, and two of upstairs windows were boarded up.

"Reno?" asked Vincent in an unsure tone as he was lead up to the building, as the got closer Vincent spotted a faded Sign: "Santerria" a old wooden sign on the door read "OPEN FOR BUSINESS"

"Santerria?" asked Vincent.

Reno grinned, "You'll see, be polite."

Vincent gulped.

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Vincent was in awe and stopped dead upon entering, the shope seemed much bigger than it had outside, The walls where lined with shelves full of bottles filled with dried herbs and oil, and candels, there was a table in the ceter of the room filled with crystals and stones and bottles of sand.

in the back was a bunch of empty jars bowls and clay pottery and crockery.

The upstairs seemed to be filled with books and stationary.

and sprinkeled throught the store was an asortment of weird oddities:

Vincent cringed upon seeing a basket full of tiny shrunken heads and mummified limbs.

There was a yellowed human skull in the corner of one of the shelves that Vincent had a sinking feeling was real.(1)

And the the was the Materia, Vincent couldn't belive it all, it was sorted in to basket and labled, Reno walked him over and picked up a Red Materia, he turned and leading Vincent over to a shelf still holding the Materia in on hand.

Reno pointed at one of thr bottles filled with dry herbs: "See this? They say if you boil this and drink the broth and then lay down on your bed naked you'll get a really hot vision of your future soulmate."(2) Reno pressed up against Vincent making him blush.

"Heeheehee, Young Reno, telling fibbs again are we?"

Vincent spun around at the sound of the voice there stood an man about in his late fiffties, early sixties with a well trimed white mustache and beard and an amazingly thick pompador of white hair.

"Joss! Good to see you!" smiled reno hugging the old man, "This is my good friend Vincent." introduced Reno.

"Who is very jumpy, but that's okay, Reno you should come see my new merchandise, I just got a very rare item, you friend should come too." said Joss, turning he walked in through a door behind the counter.

Reno nodded at Vincent and the two walked into the back room.

Inside the room was stacked with dusty cardboard boxes and crates, Vincent covered his face from breathing in all the dust that was floating in the air then suddenly his head exploded with pain he staggered his stoumach twisting into knots.

Reno stopped and looked back, "Vinnie? You coming?"

Vincent nodded stopping and shutting his sore eyes as another wave of pain and Nausea swept over him, still he staggered on over to where Reno and Joss now stood.

Vincent looked at the object, a rectanglular object with a thick velvet cloth, his head was spliting by now, and it was all he could do to not throw up.

"See this, I got it from a explorer friend of mine, killed the little bastard while hiking near Gelenvia Base out on the Great Glacier."(3) Joss explained inthusiastically.

He pulled back the velvet drape, "**!" cried Reno backpeddling a few steeps.

There was a glass display case and inside was the most horribley twisted creature either boy had ever seen, it looked to have one time be a wolf or dog even only it had no fur.

The creature had two fully formed heads and necks and a thired muzzle and pair of eyes just behind its frount leg on its side, the creatures claws where deformed,

long and twisted and sharp. The beast had three rows of teeth like some twisted Dire Wolf, its teeth were long yellowed and jagged.

Vincent took a sharp intake of dusty air and started coughing and then threw up Reno and Joss rushed to his side.

"Vinnie!!! What's wrong??!" Reno panicked, Vincent had passed out, Joss lifted the fragil dark haired teen and carried him out and upstairs to a small bedroom laying him on the only bed in the room.

After cleaning the sick off the boy's face and covering him up Joss motion to Reno to follow him.

Reno obidiently followed the old man down the hall and into another side room that served as the kitchen.

Joss motioned for Reno to sit down, and then went to put on the kettle for tea, along silence streched between the two.

Joss came over finally and handed Reno a cup of tea, it was only then that Reno relised just how bad he himself was shaking.

"What...What was that "Thing" Joss??" asked the boy.

"An abomination...Its what comes of using Zarcone crystals for an energy sorce." said the man darkly.

"But Instructor Variss told us Zarcone crystals are harmful." said Reno defencively.

"It's not the crystals themselves that are the problem, its the energy waves they put out, it twists whatever organic matter it comes in contact with; Plants, Animals, and even Human's if they're exposed long enough.

There is a lot of stuff The Shinra don't tell people.

Why do you think they only mine Mako energy here in Midgar reactor even though Zarconian energy is more stable and less difficult to obtain?" Joss said sipping his tea.

Reno sat in silence for a long time after that staring down at the tea in his cup.

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When Vincent awoke Reno paid Joss for the Red Materia and they left the shope Reno lost in thought till the reached the main roads.

It was weird but the further from the shope and that creature they got the better Vincent felt.

Reno stopped finally and turned to Vincent, come on we'll go get some take out to bring back to the base for later...Lets go home."

Vincent nodded and started to walk again, but Reno reached out and grabbed his shoulder.

"Vinnie...Here." he said pulling the red materia out from his pocket, "Its Bahamet, he'll protect you...When I'm not around to do it okay?"

"Reno..." Vincent said, but Reno just gave one of his carefree grins and walked off down the street,

"Come on there's a candy store just down the street from here I'll buy ya all the chocolate you can carry!"

Vincent smiled softly down at at the red materia and carefully slipped it into his CADETS uniform before chasing Reno down the street.

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(1) This is an average occult shop only without the ** looking alien heads.

(2) This is loosely based use of Cannabis by Indians.

(3) This is all a pre-runner to TRAPPED! I figure the stories have to tie in somewhere.

Tseng entered the office to find Verdot already waiting for him perched upon the edge of his desk, arms folded across his chest.

“Ahhh my seductive little apprentice…” Verdot hissed softly as he got up and gestured for Tseng to place his manual down on the desk.

“Senpai…something has been praying upon my mind for a few days now and I really need to speak with you about it…” said Tseng as he obediently did as Verdot has requested him, he need to talk to his mentor about Vincent before anything else interrupted his thoughts and stole his courage.

“I bet you have…” hissed Verdot his dark eyes flashing with bitter contempt as he stalked around Tseng.

“Senpai?” asked Tseng with a puzzled frown, arching a slender dark eyebrow questioningly.

“I bet you’ve got a lot of things you need to speak to me about…you filthy little **…” snarled Verdot as he reached up and grasped Tseng’s sleek ponytail, entangling his fingers in the dark, silken hair and giving it a sharp tug, yanking Tseng backwards against him so he dip his head and steal a forceful, rough kiss.

Tseng struggled but this mentor much stronger and swifter grabbed the younger man’s right arm and twisted it hard behind his back.

“No Senpai” Tseng gasped as managed to tear himself away from the kiss, trembling as a searing hot pain shot up his arm, burning his shoulder. Tseng winced Verdot gave his arm another savage twist.

“Don’t try to deny it Tseng” rasped Verdot into Tseng’s ear as he let go of the sleek ponytail, his trembling fingers now fumbling, clawing at the buttons on his apprentice’s shirt,Tseng tried to stop him with his free hand but Verdot slapped it away with a growl. Verdot ripped the shirt open sending most of the tiny, white buttons pinging off and bounce upon the office floor. “I saw you with HIM…that spoilt, conceited litt