...Sakura's Part!...

"Hey! Sakura!"

My director called to me as I sat in front of one of the many mirrors back-stage preparing for my big night. How does my hair look? Good! Make-up in place? Check! Are we forgetting any jewelry, you know how much the director hates it when you forget at dress rehearsal! Good, in place! Phew! This was my time to shine, and shine I would! I had trained for 6 months for Loveless. I had to make sure to get all my lines correct, the steps, and improve my vocal range for this big night. It was exciting, but at the same time very nerve-wrecking. People were already expecting so much from me, and I didn't want to them down. Along with all those expectations I had heard negative outbursts mainly due to my age.

I was only 13 years old. I didn't look like I could pass for anything older, and that to many of the critics, especially was not a good thing. I never really understood what the big fuss was about age. Isn't it just nothing but a number?! I snapped out of it. I had heard my director, and turned away from the mirror as I heard the footsteps come in the left-side direction towards me.

"What is it? Sorry, I'm just a little antsy right now. Y'know…I have a lot of people to impress tonight. Heh heh…" I was making excuses for myself. I wish I could quit it. The director looked at me and smiled, leaning over to pat me on my head. Treating me just like a kid. Sigh…

"Well then. I hope this won't make you any more nervous then. We have a special guest tonight, it kind of struck me by surprise." With that she pulled out a piece of paper, it was a picture of a man. I didn't recognize who it was exactly. She pushed it towards my direction and I took a hold of it. As I looked down at it I stared at his features. He had short blonde hair, and the most amazingly bright blue eyes I had ever seen. He appeared a bit gruff, and I could totally spot his 5'o'clock shadow…oh, and not to mention. The cigarette dangling in his mouth. Guessing roughly, I'd say he could have been anywhere between Mid 20's to early 30's.

"Who is this man? Is it someone I should know?!" I looked up from the picture finally, and towards her. She was scratching the back of her head, laughing nervously. Finally, she responded.

"Sakura. Don't you ever watch the news or read the paper?"

I just looked at her oddly, what did SHE think? With all the rigorous training I had put up with in the previous months, I hadn't had the chance!

"No…I can't say I have as of late. But please, tell me who he is! I'm curious!" I really was! Why did I need to know?

"That's Cid Highwind. Sakura, he's going to be the first man in space, Jeez! --And tonight! We have him sitting up in the front row, smack in the center to watch the show. ShinRa is givin' him this little gift of seeing the new lead actress before he goes off! Quite the nice thing of them to do, eh? "

I wasn't too happy. …As if I didn't have enough people I needed to impress. Now on top of that, I had the to-be first man ever in space. Regardless, I tried to emit a positive attitude about all of this. What could I do?

"Yeah, that's great! I'll try my best to impress him and everyone else out there! I promise!" I smiled and gave a nod. I set the picture of the man down on my dresser. Looking at it once more, as my director patted me on my back and replied.

"That's what I like to hear. Knock them dead, Sakura. You are on in 5!"

...Cid's Part!...

!#$! This isn't exactly what I had in mind of my final night on the planet before department. I was in line, waiting for my ticket to be taken, because apparently these slowfucks didn't know it wasn't a good thing to keep the captain waiting. I heard this damned play was the talk of Midgar currently because of some new hotshot young actress. I looked up at the sign as I light my final cigarette from the pack I had hidden in my coat pocket. There were posters of the new lead plastered up all around the building. It was strange to see such a young thing like the girl in the picture already throwing herself into such a career. My mind drifted into thoughts I had no idea why I was thinking. Did she ever attend school? What did her parents think? Shit--if I had little brats her age I don't think I'd let them become something like that. Hell, usually when people rise to fame they start thinking their shit doesn't stink.

"Excuse me, are your Mr. Highwind?"

I heard the voice of female calling my last name. Making me jump and my cigarette fall to the ground. Shit shit shit. That was my last one…sigh. I wanted to pick it up and continue smoking it anyways, but I worried about how much of a dumbass I'd look if I did so. Turning my head, I saw the spitting image of the girl I had saw up on the poster. It had to be, it was her…the lead for loveless. I'll admit it to myself, but not out loud. I'm not going to acknowledge it in the open because I'd get arrested most likely. But damn, if she had looked good in the poster she was even more of a cutie in person. Even so, I wasn't going to treat her special.

"Yeah, what's it to you?"

She looked a little surprised. Was she expecting me to jump for glee because I got to see her up close? Looking around quickly I noticed whispers and pointing at her. She, herself appeared to be out of breath…as if she had been scrambling about before rushing to find me. Her small chest was heaving up and down underneath her solid white dress. Before speaking, she tried her best to regain her posture and smiled up at me.

"Ah. Well…I'm Sakura. I'm sure you know that already, though. I apologize you've had to wait so long in line, I doubt that's what you had in mind for your last day here. My director wanted me to come and greet you personally and take you to your seat. It's an honor to meet you, Sir."

Hm. The kid seemed surprisingly nice and polite. A rarity it seemed, nowadays. Although, it did make me feel too much of an old fart when she called me Sir and Mr. I knew the kid was just trying to show some respect. As she finished talking, a waved a hand up in front of my face and grinned.

"An honor? Hm. Do you really even know a thing about me or was that something your director told ya' to say to flatter me, eh?"

I heard her squeak. I was guessing I had hit dead on. She placed her hands over her mouth as she spoke, making her speech sound muffled. Her cheeks glowed a light red as she did.

"I--I'm sorry. To be quite honest, I don't really know anything about you. Just that you are to be the first man in space. I--I don't exactly g-get to read the newspapers much or watch TV with all my stage practices.. I hope you don't think too bad of me."

How nervous was she? Why? Kid's were too easy to see through and tell when they weren't being sincere. But what she had said then, was nothing but.

"Heh. It's alright. You got to do, what you got to do, huh? I mean, #$! At least you appear to listen to your elders. I can't tell you how many brats don't these days….Anyways, care to take me in?"

Was I being too nice? Why did I feel the need to if I was? I couldn't figure it out--and here I was telling myself I wasn't going to be. I felt a hand be placed down against my arm, she had walked over and began taking me past the doors and the ticket checkers without any hassle.

"Sorry if I'm pulling a bit too hard or fast…just I have to be up on stage soon or the show can't start. I'll take you to your seat though, sir."

This girl kept saying sorry, I noticed. It was as if everything she had done in the few minutes we have met had been her fault. Although, it was a bit relaxing not having to worry about myself doing something dumb, I'm sure even if I did she'd claim it to be her fault.

"Don't worry, no reason to. I'm sort of glad you came then, the crowd was getting a little too big for my tastes and I don't so well in em', so thanks kid. Just get me seated and go on your way…don't wantcha' to be late."

Finally, she looked more at ease. A smile slowly played upon her glossed lips as she slipped her frame into the large double doors to entrance of the Auditorium. Her hand was still placed upon my arm as she walked down the steps with me following behind her, carefully trying not to step on the flowing white dress that hit the ground all around her. It appeared she was taking me to the front row, and as she did so I looked around to see many of the seats filling up. It was sold out. Although, that was to be expected for a debut. Luckily for her, it was rather dark and the only light was coming from a dim lighting of lights that went all around the auditorium. We finally came to the front row, and she pointed to the seat in the very middle, cheerfully speaking.

"Here you go! Please relax and I hope you enjoy the show…and Sir?"

I sat down as she had started to speak, looking towards her I blinked.

"Yeah, what is it kiddo?"

She placed her hand against her other arm and nodded off to me. She looked a little embarrassed as she said her final words before turning to rush off. I realized then, a very odd marking on her left cheek…I assumed it was a bruise, but there was heavy makeup applied all over it. It hadn't been distinguishable when she was farther away but up close now, I finally saw it.

"I apologize for not knowing more about the special guest of my debut."

I couldn't get another word in. She had picked up the fabric of her dress and held it up over her knees as she rushed back up the stairs. Sighing, I placed my hand against my head and scratched a bit. What a weird kid…She didn't need to feel so bad. Most children were completely oblivious to everything around them and I didn't really blame her for it. But--why was I worrying? Why was I thinking about her still? Shouldn't I just sit back and relax--and hopefully not fall asleep? Damn…

End Chapter 1

Authors Note: So what do you guys think so far? This is my first Final Fantasy 7 fanfic and Cid Highwind has always been my favorite character. I always wanted to do something like this that showed a gentler side of him, LOL! Any ideas were Sakura got that bruise of hers from? Is Cid going a little too soft n' sweet on the gal? Why do both characters seem to be such worrywarts? All this and more were be identified in the next chapter! THE PLOT WILL TOTALLY THICKEN, I PROMISE! Please don't forget to leave feedback! I love and cherish every ounce of responses I get back!