A/N: This is a story I'm writing for a contest on The Muse Bunny. Please Read and Review.

Enjoy

"Nice shot, Alaina." Came a call from behind her. Alaina set down her silver 9mm on the table in front of her, next to her extra ammunition and magazines. She took out the orange earplugs out of her ears. Turning around, she smiled at the person who called to her. He had spiked black hair that hung in his face, cut short at his nape. He stared at her with a fixed gaze, his narrow ice-grey eyes calculating but, at the same time, loving. Alaina smiled, pulling her safety glasses up into the top of her head.

"Hey Dwayne. What are you doing. . ." Alaina looked him over. He wore a black, sleeveless shirt with a high collar, a buckle at the hem of the neck of his shirt. Over the top of his shirt, he wore a sleeveless, white, jacket. Three black buckles trailed down the right flap to connect the two pieces of fabric together, though Dwayne didn't bother to buckle his jacket. Hanging by thin black cord, he wore a, faintly glowing, light blue crystal. He wore a mess of tan belts over top of his dark denim pants. His pants hid most of his black leather boots. His hands were gloved, a black leather to his elbows with the pinky and ring finger of both gloves missing. Slung across his back was his black sword. There was a cross at the end of the blade, just before it met the handle. Just under the cross, was a red gem, a powerful and high-level materia. Alaina frowned and looked back up into his eyes, now standing in front of her. He was about six inches taller than her, making him about 6' 2".

"Why are you wearing that?" She asked, though she feared the answer. Dwayne's eyes clouded a little at that. Alaina gave him a sad look.

"You going then?" She asked him. He looked down at the grey tiled floor of the shooting range and nodded. Alaina felt tears prickle in her eyes. She grabbed his arm and looked up at him, much like a frightened child.

"You can't go! It's dangerous out there! Tell Shinra you can't go!" Dwayne gave her a sad smile. He gave her a pat on her head, trying to smooth out her long, waist length, charcoal colored hair.

"You know I can't do that. Besides, we need the money. I'll get paid extra for going on this mission." He said. Alaina knew he was right. She looked down at her clothes. An old worn, black, sweater that was too big on her, the top of the sleeve resting loosely on her shoulders. Under that, she wore a plain white spaggetti strap t-shirt. Her plain jeans wear once her mothers, who was taller than her by a few inches, so they were cuffed so she didn't trip over them. The knee of her left pant leg was torn. The lower part of her right leg was as well, though it had a blue and white checkered patch over it. Her feet were covered by old and worn grey tennis shoes. Alaina was rather skinny as well, more muscled than fat. The gun she'd been using was on loan to her from the owner of the shooting range. He was an older man, scruffy with dark brown hair. He wasn't overly muscled but he was by no means small. He treated both Alaina and Dwayne like his own children. Dwayne's sword and crystal were both passed down the family for a long time. Other than that, the clothes Dwayne wore and the apartment they lived in, was paid by Shinra for his work on different missions. Food and others, they had to pay for themselves. Dwayne didn't make all that much money. He was only a third class SOLDIER and didn't make that much but he was very skilled and climbing up the ranks. He was starting to get notice. Even some of the first class SOLDIER had their eyes on him.

"Yo-you're going then?" She asked, her voice quivering. She never really liked it when he left for his missions. Today, however, was worse. She had this horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"I have to. They said that they'll consider me for second class if I do well on this mission." He said, a slight twinkle in his, rather dull, ice-grey eyes. Alaina still didn't like it one bit.

"You won't get that if you die while you're trying to finish!" She said, rather loudly. Dwayne gave her a sad smile, petting her head.

"You know we need the money. I'm strong. I'll be fine." He answered, trying to comfort her as best he could. It didn't help. The horrible feeling in her gut was still there.

"At least let me come with you and help." She pleaded. Dwayne shook his head.

"I'm not going to let my little sister out on the battlefield where she can get hurt." He said. Being her older brother, he was always a little over protective. However, he was now even more over protective. Ever since their parents died he'd done everything to protect and care for his little sister. After they'd died Dwayne had been so paranoid. He hardly ever let her out of his sight. He only stopped watching her so obviously when she learned how to protect herself and started carry her gun around wherever she went. Dwayne was still paranoid but he hid it better now then before. Alaina figured it was because Dwayne didn't want to lose her like their parents. In a way, Alaina felt the same way, though she wasn't nearly as paranoid as he was. So, this feeling in her stomach, the same one she had when her parents had died, scared her more then normal.

"Please, Dwayne. Let me come with! I don't want you to get hurt." Dwayne bent down a little closer so he was looking her straight in her eyes. His expression was strict, as if he wanted to make sure she understood.

"How do you think I feel? You know why I can't take you along." He said, his tone serious. He stood back to his full height and pulled his sister into a tight hug.

"I can't lose you like mom and dad." He whispered softly into her hair. After a moment, he pulled away, holding her at arm's length and looking her straight in the eyes.

"I'll be alright, Alaina. I'll protect the both of us. I always have." Dwayne then pulled Alaina closer to him kissed her forehead. Alaina looked up at him, tears prickling in her eyes again. Before Alaina could say anything to counter him, he pulled her into another hug.

"I'm going Alaina. I'll be fine. I'll be back before you know it." He said, pulling away again and giving her a small smile. Giving her another pat on the head, he turned around and walked back towards the door. Alaina's eyes widened.

"You're going now?" Dwayne turned to her and gave her an apoligetic smile.

"Yeah. I was suppose to be going there right away but I wanted to stop by to tell you before I left." She frowned a little.

"How long are you going to be gone?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"A few days, that's all." He said, smiling softly. Alaina stared at the floor, crossing her arms in front of her and linking her fingers together. The sound of Dwayne's boots on the tile floor alerted Alaina of his approach but she didn't look up at him, her tears threatening to spill over. When she could see the top of his boots, she felt his gloved hand on her chin. Alaina grabbed his hand to keep him from making her look up. Dwayne sighed.

"Alaina. Look at me." She hesitated, loosening her grip on Dwayne's hand. Dwayne took this chance to tilt her head up.

"I'll be alright, kiddo. I'll come back in a few days." He said softly. For a moment Alaina didn't say anything. She only looked at him, trying to keep her tears from spilling.

"Dwayne? Where is this mission taking you?" She asked. The hand on Alaina's chin tensed. Alaina's eyes widened.

"No! Please don't tell me you're going to Wutai!" She said, her voice cracking once or twice in fear. Dwayne gave her a sorry expression but said nothing. Alaina clenched his hand in both of hers. Wutai was dangerous. They would hurt him. There's no way he could go there without her.

"Alaina. I know what you're thinking. I have to go. Like I said earlier, I'll be alright. I can take care of myself." As much as she wanted to argue, she knew her brother to be stubborn. When he made up his mind, there was no stopping him. Clearly, he'd already done just that. Reluctently, Alaina let go of her brother's hand and let her own fall limply to her sides.

"Oi~! Hurry up! We need to go now, yo." Came a call from the other side of the door. The owner sound way too cocky for Alaina's tastes. Dwayne looked over his shoulder at the door for a second before turning back to his sister. He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I'll be back before you know it. Be good." He whispered, giving her yet another kiss on the forehead. Alaina just nodded and watched, solomly, as her brother rushed out the door to meet whoever was calling him. As much as Alaina wanted to deny it, she couldn't get rid of the feeling in her gut that told her that something bad was going to happen. Staring at the door her brother had just come from, Alaina hoped against all hope that he would be alright. Still, the feeling just wouldn't go away.

It's been week now. Alaina stood in front of the Shinra building. Her heart was beating in her throat. She was so nervous. Usually, she would wait for him at home or at the range, but, for some reason, something told her to come today. She had no idea why, but she couldn't help but come. However, she had no idea why she was here. She'd been standing there for almost an hour without a clue as to what she was going to do. The guards were starting to get suspisous of her. Alaina didn't pay them any mind, however, her eyes fixed on the large building in front of her. Alaina went over it in her head many times but she couldn't find a reason to be there, nor could she bring herself to leave.

"Ma'am? Is there something you need?" Came a voice behind her. Alaina jumped at the sudden sound and turned on her heels. She looked the man in front of her over. He had spiked black hair, unruly but attractive at the same time. He stared at her with worried blue eyes, reminding her of a puppy. He wore a uniform similar to that of the normal second class SOLDIER, though it was in black and he wore no helmet. The large sword he had clipped to his back was different from normal as well. It looked rather large and heavy to Alaina.

"You're in SOLDIER, right?" She asked suddenly, her eyes twinkling with as much hope as she would allow. The man smiled, puffing out his chest proudly.

"Yep! SOLDIER Zack, second class." Alaina smiled. It was quite possible that he might know something.

"Do you know Dwayne Stevens, third class?" She asked, stepping a little too close to the man in her egerness. He stumbled back a little.

"Oh Dwayne? Yeah I know him." The man said, his happy demeanor dimming a little. The light in Alaina's eyes dimmed as well.

"Do. . . do you know him?" The man asked, seemingly nervous at Alaina's sudden saddened mood. She simply nodded, her eyes falling on the ground.

"Did. . . Did something happen to him?" She asked, her voice no more than a whisper. When she didn't get an answer, she looked up at him. He stared at her with wide eyes, his jaw hanging open a little.

"N-No one told you?" He exclaimed, a little louder than he intended, startling the both of them. Alaina stared at him for a moment before shaking her head, hesitantly. Suddenly, the man grabbed her hand and practically dragging her through the gates before her, or the guards, could say anything. Alaina thought about pulling out her gun, sitting on her hip and hidden under her oversized sweater. However, she didn't feel any fear for this man. He seemed nice and she was a pretty good judge of character.

After a while of pulling and tugging on the man's part and many turns later, the two of them ended up standing in front of a door to, what had to be, a medical part of the Shinra building. There was no sign on the door but Alaina was certain of who was on the other side. She looked up at the man, her expression sad and frightened. The man let go of her wrist and pushed at her shoulder softly.

"Go on in." He said softly, trying his best to give her a comforting smile. Alaina, even more unnerved, nodded and pushed the door open with tentive fingers. Inside, laying on the bed, was her brother, as she'd though. He was covered in bandages and hooked up to a bunch of machines. She rushed over to his side and placed her hand on his shoulder. His eyes opened instantly.

"Alaina." He said, his voice husky. Reaching up to grip her hand, he looked her in the eyes.

"Please. . . take the sword and crystal." His voice was just above a whisper as he looked into her eyes. His eyes were far duller than they usually were. She looked down at him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"P-please, Alaina." He said His voice seemed so weak to her ears. Alaina nodded at his request. Dwayne sighed and laid back against the pillow, closing his eyes. After a moment, he looked back up at her. He gave her hand a soft squeeze.

"You'll be alright, Ali." He said, using his old nickname for her. He let go of her hand to cup her cheek in his palm. His hand was cold against her flushed skin.

"You're a strong girl, you'll do be alright. Promise me?" Alaina nodded. Her tears came faster, seeing the light start to leave her brother's ice-grey eyes. Letting go of her hand, he grabbed the chain around his neck and yanked it free. He grabbed her hand again and placed it in her palm. With tears in her eyes, she watched the light leave his. He was gone.