Note: SPOILERS PEOPLE!
P.S No characters are mine, there Square Exic
It had been two years since AVALANCHES victorious fight against Jenova and Sephiroth. Now Cloud lead a solitary life traveling the Planet as a transporter. 'Strife Delivery Service' was apart of Tifa's '7th Heaven', which also was an orphanage for children stricken with Geostigma. Cloud and his teammates were known as heroes but the blonde didn't care for any of it.
"Cloud!"
The ex-SOLDIER looked down at the little brown haired girl known as Marlene. Hugging him tightly she smiled,
"Denzel's been wondering here you've been!"
Picking her up Cloud gave her a gently smile,
"Well I better go say hello then shouldn't I?"
Walking through the bar and down stairs, Cloud made his way to the children's beds where Denzel laid. Tifa looked over her shoulder to see the blonde carrying Marlene.
"Hello you two" She greeted with a smile, turning back to wrap Denzel's fresh bandages around his leg.
"I thought you were going to Nibelheim today to drop those spare parts to Kanae"
The blonde flinched as their hometown was mentioned, helping the girl to her feel Cloud replied calmly,
"It won't take me long to get there on the bike"
"I wish you would take your time on that thing, you'll give me a heart-attack going so fast"
"You don't have to worry about me Tifa"
Their conversation was cut short as the phone upstairs began to ring. Tifa stood from her crouching position when she finished with Denzels wound,
"I'll get that" She said, taking the dirty bandages with her.
"How are you feeling?" Cloud asked Denzel
"It hurts... But it's more bearable than yesterday"
The blonde gave the boy a sympathetic look,
"It will get better, I promise you"
"Don't worry Cloud, I'll look after him while you're gone"
The ex-SOLDIER nodded at Marlene and was about to say something when Tifa abruptly interrupted him, running down the stairs.
"Cloud! There's someone on the phone for you. He's on the phone!" She spoke in a hushed but panicked voice. Cloud gave her a puzzled look before walking past the bartender and upstairs to grab the phone that was laying on the bench.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Strife, I have a problem... and your assistance would be much obliged. How does six million gil sound?"
"... I don't want your money, I don't need it"
"Mr. Strife my problem has very much to do with you... And if you care for the well being of your loved ones and the Planet for a matter of fact... Listen to what I have to say..."
Clouds eyes wided as the man on the other side of the phone explained the whole situation to him.
"Kadaj and his troupe are young, ferocious and extremely dangerous"
"Kadaj?"
"There's no one else but you who can do this... Please Cloud... I'm begging you"
"..." The blonde placed the phone back onto the receiver and was startled as he turned around to see Tifa.
"What does he want Cloud?"
Cloud said nothing as he made his way to the entrance of '7th Heaven'.
"Wait! Cloud where are you going!" The bartender ran over to catch up to him before he left.
The ex-SOLDIER raised his hands as if to say 'don't touch me' and Tifa stopped, watching Cloud helplessly as he hopped onto his motorbike and sped off.
"Cloud... What did he say to you?"
The blonde rod through miles of vast land... Not going anywhere in particular. Just riding. Thinking, no, dwelling on the thought of Jenova coming back. The blondes grip on the handle tightened. It was like his worst nightmare came true. Clones? Sephiroth clones? No. The ex-SOLDIER slid to a halt, clenching at his left arm.
You're sick... You know you're in no shape to fight
Cloud groaned, lifting up his sleeve to reveal the bloodied bandage around his arm. Raising his face to the sky, little droplets of rain began to fall. Cloud closed his eyes and sighed, making his decision.
But you have to... It's for everyones sake, the Planets counting on you
Cloud stood face to face with the man he never dreamt of joining forces with, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
"So it's settled then, you will become my bodyguard and my men will help you in defeating these men. I myself will work on reconstructing Midgar and search for any traces of influence that Sephiroth may have left on the Planet"
"We can either go with you or be backup" Reno held up an ear piece to Cloud,
"This is our way of keeping intouch, it's also a tracking device so we can watch a close eye on you... Just incase anything goes wrong."
The ex-SOLDIER took it from Reno and Rude continued,
"It's best that you go home and rest, tomorrow's going to be a big day for you"
"Could!"
Tifa looked up to see the soaked blonde on the opposite side of the room. She'd been so worried about him and had told the others about the strange phone call he got this morning.
Yuffie rushed upstairs as she heard Cloud's name. Seeing the grim look on his face, she called for the others to come up as well.
"Where have you been you bloody bastard?" demanded Cid, stomping up the stairs.
"Yeah, why did Rufus call you? What did he want?" Yuffie added.
"I think you should all sit down..." The ex-SOLDIER suggested, waiting for everyone to take a seat on the bar stools. Cloud informed them on the three sliver haired men,
"Having obtained Jenova's head, their purpose appears to be to start another reunion"
"And with Jenova's cells, they may even be able to create another Sephiroth"
Everybody turned to look at Vincent standing comfortably in the corner. The blonde nodded,
"Exactly, so the Planets only savior... Is us"
Silience.
"Wait up... Hold your fucking horses here... are you telling me there are three of those goddamn things runnin' around makin' plans... to bring back that thing?"
"Yes"
"I'm finished with that fucking shit man! It's only been two years since we defeated that son of a bitch!"
"So what? You're gonna let them just destroy the Planet because you couldn't be bothered? Tell me Cid what have you been doing lately that's sooo much more important than saving the existence of mankind? Oh right! That stupid plane you've been working on, hey can you start it yet?"
"Listen you little shit! You don't know anything about my life so why don't you just go back to that hole you call Wutai and stay there"
The conversation turned into a raving argument as everyone started bickering amongst each other. Only Vincent and Cloud were responsible enough not to turn this serious matter into a bitch fight.
"This is serious! If you don't want to help than go!" Cloud suddenly felt faint, swaying forward.
"Cloud!" Yuffie jumped from her seat and held him still so he wouldn't fall.
"I-I'm fine..." The blonde insisted, ignoring the worried looks and went into the male bathroom.
Splashing cold water onto his flawless face, he lend over the sink and inhaled deeply.
Snap out of it Strife
Cloud woke up on the couch with a frown.
Did I sleep here?
"Good morning sunshine" The blonde jumped at the sudden voice, looking over at Yuffie and Marlene as they started to giggle.
The ex-SOLDIER groaned, covering his arm over his eyes to escape the bright light.
"Clooooooud... Tifa's made breakfast downstairs, you better hurry before Cid and Barret come and demolish it "
The blonde swung his legs over the edge and sat up.
"After breakfast can I brush your hair?" Marlene asked with hopeful eyes.
Cloud couldn't help but smile, even at this stressful time,
"I guess"
"Harray!" The little girl grined up at Cloud and ran down stairs to get her things.
Yuffie giggled, "Cloud, you're such a sucker for kids. If I hadn't seen you kill, I'd think you wouldn't even be able to hurt a fly" leaning forward the Ninja placed a soft kiss on the blonde's forehead. Running down stairs to catch up with Marlene.
Cloud pouted.
I am not a sucker
"Eat up everyone! We'll need our strength for the long day ahead"
Scraping more scrambled eggs from the frying pan, Tifa poured it into the large plate in the middle of the table.
"Mmmm-mmmm! Oh Tifa I love your cooking!" Yuffie shouted with a mouth full of food.
"Jesus! Close your mouth" Cid whined, a grossed out look on his face. Yuffie opened her mouth in Cid's direction for his viewing pleasure.
"Take a hike grandpa!"
Tifa smiled, "Thanks Yuff... Now come on you two don't make me separate you"
She looked back at Cloud who had a piece of toast in his hand,
"Is that all your eating?"
"I'm not that hungry"
Tifa frowned. It upset her to see the one she loved like this, he'd been acting so strange lately. And the whole incident with him nearly passing out last night. He wouldn't even let anyone check if he was okay.
The blonde put his toast down and looked over at the bartender,
"Tifa, I want you to stay here and look after the children while I'm gone"
"But Cloud--"
"Please"
Tifa closed her mouth and nodded understandingly.
"Yuffie, I want you to come with me"
"Me and my materica won't let you down!"
"Cid, I need you to keep close. Never know when I'll need the Highwind"
"Hell yeah!"
Cloud felt a hand tug at his arm,
"Cloud, have you finished yet?"
Looking down Clouds serious face softened as he saw Marlene's innocent face.
"Cloud gettin' his hair done by you hey? Lucky guy, she did my hair earlier this morning didn't ya?" Cid ran his fingers through his hair, a smug look on his face.
The little girl giggled, "I'll do your hair too!" She said, pointing to Nanaki. Cid and Barret started pissing themselves laughing.
"Come on Cloud!" Marlene grabbed the blondes hand and lead him to the bar stools.
Tifa looked down at Clouds plate and saw the poor attempt of a breakfast, a bite out of the corner of toast.
"Hmmm..."
After Marlene played around with Clouds hair he got ready for the day, equipping his best materica and getting his weapons prepared. He said good-bye to the kids and told his teammates he would meet them at the front of Shin-Ra and left.
"I think we should start in the canyons"
"No, Forgotten Capital"
"No! City of the Ancients"
"Yeah, yeah that's good"
The ex-SOLDIER raised an eyebrow
This isn't very professional
Reno turned away from the map to look at the blonde,
"Have you got your ear piece in yet?"
Cloud took the part out of his pocket and the red head took it off him,
"Here let me do it, these things are tricky" Reno clipped it on and paused briefly before slowly tracing the outside of Clouds ear with his fingertips. Leaning in closer to whisper in the other,
"Does it feel comfortable?"
The blonde felt his face blush as Reno nibbled at his earlobe.
The Turk pulled back and looked at Cloud, "Well we'll keep intouch with you Mr. Strife!" As if he had done nothing, Reno turned back and walked towards their communication van. Expressionlessly, Rude unfolded his arms and followed the redhead.
Cloud was speachless.
That wasn't very professional
As soon as the door closed Rude and Reno burst into a fit of laughter.
"That was bold Reno"
Reno hoisted himself onto the control panel,
"Yeah, yeah come on pay up"
Rude took the wallet out of his back pocket and passed over the bet gil. Reno smiled triumphantly, and growled roughly pulling Rude into a passionate kiss.
Authors notes: There you have it folks! I know nothing much happening in this chappie but the next one should really get kickin' . Reviews would help me write sooner! eeeee! Reviews are sweeet explodes