Just a heads up for anybody reading the story, this story is non-yaoi all the way through. Any feelings between guys in this story is strictly friendship. Just though I would let you guys know, but now that you know, enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I do not own any final fantasy VII characters.

It was the middle of the summer in Midgar. The sun mercilessly beat down on all who dared to venture out on a day like this, and very few people did. Except for Cloud Strife who was passing the day by exploring the ruins of the old Shinra building. So many painful memories were held within these ruins. Soldier, Zack, Genova, and worst of all, Sephiroth. Chills fell down Cloud's spine as he thought of that monster. Cloud moved on with his exploring to help ease his thoughts. Cloud then came across the remains of the Shinra science department. No way he was going in there, those guys were nuts. Cloud then stumbled across a library that he had never seen before. Curiosity taking over, Cloud decided to look around. Most of the books were still in tact, but were scattered almost everywhere but the shelves in which they belonged. Cloud was getting ready to leave when a neatly placed book was found sitting on a make shift table. Once again being curious, Cloud reached over and picked up the book. The book was leather bond, and had very obvious evidence of wear. The book was a faded blue that lead Cloud to believe that the book had once been a deep royal blue. The spine groaned as Cloud opened the cover, and was hit with a large wave of dust and a strong musty odor. After the dust settled, Cloud read the book's title, or should he say, journal. The large, bold printed letters introduced themselves. Cloud looked further down the page to see who it belonged to. Sephiroth. Cloud threw the book from his hands with a yelp as if it caught fire. How could that monster have a journal, and why did Cloud have to find it? He began to walk away in anger before an idea struck him. What is Sephiroth had written down his secret plans, and Cloud had found them? Cloud walked back to the book and reluctantly picked it back up, and with a sigh opened it up to the first entry.

Today began like every other day here. With Genesis hogging the bathroom and Angeal drinking up all the milk. Why I live with such uncivilized people, I'll never know. Anyways, We had a brief sparring session this morning, of course I won, but enough bragging for now. It was recruitment day. Once a month, Mr. Shinra has us ( by us I mean Genesis, Angeal, and I ) test a small group of potential SOLDIER candidates. Usually out of the twenty so-called candidates, only a small handful make. We started out the inspection like usual, by intimidating them as we slowly walk by, sizing them up. I enjoy this part, because it always makes picking out the cowards of the group all the easier. Every boy there was about 17 or 18 years old, except for one who was head and shoulders shorter than the rest. I reached this boy and stared him down like I had done everybody before him, but this boy just stared right back at me while ever so slightly moving up and down in a bouncing like fashion. This kid was not afraid of me. But the opposite, he was looking forward to the challenge of being a SOLDIER. I asked him what his name was. He told me, Zack Fair. Maybe this kid will have potential, maybe.

Cloud threw the journal down again. Somebody was playing a joke on him. There was no way that monster was capable of writing such things, he's not even human. Cloud plopped to the ground. And how dare he speak of Zack. Cloud continued to pout until curiosity once again took over, and he looked and the fallen book. Was there once a man behind the monster? Cloud reached over and picked it up, he just had to know. He opened up the journal to the next entry and continued to read.

I have not been able to write within the past several days due to testing SOLDIER candidates, which has completely worn me out. The young one, Zack Fair, is nothing but a bouncing ball of pure energy. I can feel myself being drained by just looking at him. Anyways, we have finished the training, and have successfully agreed on the candidates who qualify and the ones who did not. Zack Fair is among the ones who made it, even though he can not be over the age of 14. He is now the youngest SOLDIER ever, aside from myself. Seeing how young he is, Angeal has decided to take the boy under his wing and be his mentor. I wish Angeal the utmost of luck. Angeal is not getting any younger, and that boy is going to wear him out good. This is going to be entertaining. I am going to end this entry here so that I may get some rest before tomorrow.

Cloud was getting interested in these journals now, and wondered what kind of information they contained. He quickly glanced up at the sky, and made note of the sun beginning to fall beyond the horizon. He had time for one more entry before heading to Tifa's place.

I have just arrived back in Midgar. Shinra had sent me to inspect a mako reactor out in the country about a week ago. It turned out that some of the local youth had been tampering with the reactor. Foolish children. If I had not stopped them from their tampering the whole town would have been destroyed in a meltdown. After the reactor was fixed I sat down the boys and gave them a stern lecture about how lucky they were I had been there, and that they could have killed everybody there. They retorted by telling me that they did not even want the reactor in their town. I informed them that trying to tamper with it will only get them killed, and if they really wanted it gone, then they should take it up with Mr. Shinra. After I got back to Midgar, I was hoping to go to my room and sleep until tomorrow, but why would I ever be allowed such a luxury here. The moment I stepped into the building, I was nearly run over by a spiky haired Zack, and then his frustrated mentor. Angeal continued to chase Zack around the room until he finally caught they boy by his shirt and lifted him off the ground. Angeal then proceeded to scold Zack for taking something that was not his, and that he should return it to. Zack whined that Angeal knew hoe funny it was to steal Genesis's hairdryer, and then watch him panic. Before I knew it, a small snort of laughter had left my mouth. Angeal and I have both stolen Genesis's prized hairdryer on numerous occasions. Even though I tried to hide it, the boy still heard my laughter. He told Angeal, "see even Sephy knows how to have fun." I glared at Angeal, and demanded to know how Zack knew that annoying name he and Genesis had given me years ago. Angeal just gave a sigh and said Genesis had told him. At that point I decided to inform Angeal to allow his little ball of mischief to continue with his quest. Angeal inquired as to why as Zack ran off with his prize. I just smiled and told Angeal it was all in good fun anyways. Angeal just sighed and said there was no way he was going to take the heat from Genesis. I let out a laugh this time, and told him I would deal with Genesis and that he should be more worried that his pupil did not fall off the mako cannon or anything. I think there might have been some truth to my words, because as soon as I uttered them, Angeal face lit up with shock and he quickly sprinted off towards the cannon. I chuckled to myself. Looks like Angeal is going to have to keep an eye on his student at all times, just like a puppy. Hmmm, that's a good one. I will have to inform Angeal after he returns from his quest, but first I need to get some rest. I have another mission tomorrow, who knows how long I will be this time.

"Cloud, you're late." Tifa stated as she washed dished behind the counter as Cloud entered the Tavern well after dark. Cloud glanced at the journal in his hand.

"I was busy."

"Well you might want to get some sleep. You have a job tomorrow."

"What is it?"

"Just a delivery to the other side of Midgar."

"Oh, well good night, Tifa." Cloud walked up the stairs to his room, and laid down on the bed. The journal was puzzling him. Sephiroth, laughing? This concept was way too far fetched to a joke. Cloud picked up the journal and studied its cover. Did this book really contain the secrets of Sephiroth thoughts? One thing was for certain, Cloud was going to find out. Cloud set the book on the night stand just inches from his bed, and rolled over, hoping to get some rest.

AN: I hope you all liked chapter one, please review and chapter two will come out very soon :)