Worlds Apart

Disclaimer: The Final Fantasy franchise belongs to Sqaure Enix, it staff and investors, I in no way profit from this story.

Summary: Sir Cloud is the most respected but heartless knight of the Shinra Kingdom, but when he sets his eyes on the lovely Princess Tifa, it's enough to melt his cold,cold heart. A shame she is betrothed. Cloti.

The Shinra kingdom was the most richest and prized kingdom of them all, it was ruled by the late kings elder son Prince Rufus; whom many had proclaimed king already, King Rufus's personal guards were the Knights of Round, four of the fiercest warriors in the land that followed the trait of the dragon, they were Lady Elena, Sir Reno and Sir Rude. They were led by Sir Cloud, they were all orphaned but raised by the Knights of Round, Cloud was proclaimed the leader because of his longer years with the Knights.

And so after the recent battle with the Wu Tai Nation, which the Shinra Kingdom had won proudly a knight on a black horse wearing entirely silver shimmering armor rode through the village that led up to the castle, the villagers knew him all to well.

Sir Cloud was feared, for he was merciless with those who dared cross his path, many of the older villagers bowed before him, the women begged for his attention while the young stared in aw.

"Raise the gates!" Sir Cloud ordered the watchmen of the castle, the watchmen trembled at the sound of his voice, and scrambled to open the gates as fast as they possibly could.

Cloud gave no gratitude, the watchmen were beneath him after all. Feeling that his presence was needed else ware, Cloud made his way into the castle.

Almost immediately, he was greeted by Lady Elena, who appeared calm, but in hurry.

"Sir Cloud" Lady Elna said as she greeted him, her right arm crossed over her chest; the sign of the dragon hood "Our future King, has summoned us"

Cloud returned the greeting "What does his highness need Elena?"

"I do not know, but I know it is of most urgency" she informed him promptly "Come, The rest of the knights are expecting us as well"

Cloud nodded and followed Lady E;ena through the halls of the cold dark castle, as they neared the throne room the walls were decorated with bright crimson silks, with red and gold banners .The image of a gold dragon,was imprinted on each one of those banners. it was after all the royal crest..

"Announcing, Sir Cloud and Lady Elena" the guard announced them as they entered the throne room. As Lady Elena had said the other knights were already standing before the future king. Sir Reno, and Sir Rude were ahead of them as always.

King Rufus eyed them all, quirking his upper lip he addressed them "Cloud"

"Mi lord" was Cloud's response as he bowed for his king " What task are you honoring us with today?"

The future King smiled "As you, and your fellow Knights already know" He started "In the following month it will be my twenty-fourth birthday"

"And so?" Cloud asked, unsure of where the Prince was going with this.

"My promised, Princess Tifa of Lockhart is as pure as the newborn sun" he continued "And I would like her to be kept that way until our wedding night"

"And what does my lord ask of us?" Cloud had heard of this princess, he had learned of her betrothal to Rufus several years ago.

Rufus looked pleased "I would like for you four, to go to the kingdom of Lockhart, and bring my promised to my kingdom, where I can keep my eye on her"

"As you wish sire"

Rufus sat back on his throne "Bring her to me as soon as possible, there are many who seek out this princess, her safety is should be your first concern"

"It will be your grace" Cloud accepted his task and stood up "Our future King has spoken" Cloud spoke to his troupe sternly, as the three stood up straight "We leave now!"

As soon as the afternoon sun fell, the four Knights, being led by Sir Cloud were riding proud through the woods, the journey to the Lockhart kingdom would not be a long one at least three days worth of traveling on horseback.

"What do you think the Princess looks like?" Lady Elena asked curiously,her eyes sparked with interest.

"She is probably a spoiled brat, she might even be ugly since no other king or prince has taken her for a bride already" Sir Reno, who was the most crass out of the four, his comments angered Si r Rude and Lady Elena.

"That is not a nice thing to say of our lords future bride!" Rude yelled at Reno.

"Rude is right Reno" Elena defended the princess..

"Well don't act as if it is not true!" Reno went on "From what I hear, she has driven away at least seven suitors, and to top things off, I also hear she is a witch!"

"Reno!" Rude and Elena snapped.

"Reno, please because your are jealous of another woman taking your place of dominance, do not insult her for you do not even know her, let alone have ever even met her" Cloud qupped, his tone calm and confident.

Reno's face turned a beat red as Elena and Rufus laughed, It was a joke of Cloud's to compare Reno to a woman, Reno was extremely loyal to Rufus, almost like a queen would be to her king.

"It's not funny!" Reno yelled " Do I look like jester to you?!" He barked angrily, afterwards; the quartet rode on with laughter and many arguments until camp.

As the others slept comfortably Cloud stayed on guard, it was naturally his duty, he could never really sleep a full nights worth.

For now Cloud decided on their Itinerary, which rodes to take and which rivers to cross, Cloud was as well a bit of a traveler, he had raided so many enemy lands that he practically remembered every route there and back.

Cloud then stood up and covered his black steed with his blanket, his horse needed it more than he did, he was his only true friend aside from the other knights, his steed had accompanied him through so many battles with him. Many vicious ones, and still he lived on, just like his master.

The horse nibbled on his cape as he covered him with the blanket, "You deserve it old boy" Cloud said as he patted the horse's stomach, the horse was the only one who could truly see him like this.

"get a good night sleep dear friend, tomorrow we continue our journey"

Cloud then put out the campfire.

-

I wrote this story several years ago, I think I was fifteen, wow three years now! I would have updated it some...but...I was too lazy teehee!.