b Author/b Synister

b Title/b Exquisite Dysfunction

b Disclaimer/b If only I owned the people in the game, and squaresoft(squareEnix)

b Fandom/b FFVII, before the game.

b Rating/b NC-17, in later chapters.

b Pairings/b Zack x Cloud, others will be mentioned, I'll add them, after they are mentioned.

b Warnings/b This is my first attempt at a Final Fantasy story. Everything might not be as accurate as it should be. So, I apologize in advance if I f-up the story a bit. :). Oh, and we can say Cloud is 15, and Zack is 19.

b Summary/b They say be friends before lovers. ( short summary, sorry. )

b Author's note/b This story is un-betaed, I do have a wonderful co-writer though. And it is spelled/grammar checked. Still could be a bit, f-ed up, seems my little checker thing isn't alwaaays accurate.

b Chapter One: Welcome to Midgar. /b

Cloud was seated at the back of the bus, on his way to what you could call boot camp for Shinra SOLDIERS. He was happy he was going, he wanted to prove to everyone back in Nibelheim that he wasn't the scrawny, short boy they all thought him to be. Yes, Cloud was a lot smaller and shorter then half the guys who were on their way to become a SOLDIER, but size doesn't matter, right? He glanced around the bus, looking at all the other boys who were seated in their seats. Cloud wrapped his arms around himself, suddenly feeling insecure, and wishing the bus would turn around and take him home. No, that's what everyone was expecting back home, for poor Cloud Strife to wimp out. Cloud pulled a picture of Tifa from his pocket, smiling down at it. He was surprised when she had given it to him, before he left. Before Cloud had even decided to become a SOLDIER, Tifa wouldn't give him the time and day. Now that he was on his way, she was interested. Cloud didn't mind it though, he was happy the girl of his dreams was finally talking to him. She also said that she'd write to him every other week, and try to come to visit. Placing the picture back into his pocket, Cloud turned his head to look out the window. Once arriving in Midgar, the bus came to a halt in the middle of a field. Cloud lifted his head, looking at the front of the bus when a sergeant stepped on.

He flashed a smile to everyone, "Welcome to Midgar's SOLDIER trainee program. If you could exit the bus in a orderly fashion and please follow me."

Cloud rose from his seat, standing in the back of the line, and slowly moving as everyone filed out of the bus. He followed behind everyone as they lined up where the sergeant told them to. The man who was previously driving the bus was now pulling bags out from the cargo. He placed them on the ground, beside the bus. The sergeant called over a SOLDIER, but not just any SOLDIER, this man was a first class SOLDIER, who had been outside helping some of the third class SOLDIER'S with their training. Cloud looked around, watching as most of the other privates around him started to disappear inside the building.

"Private Cloud Strife." Cloud looked over at the sergeant who was calling his name. He slowly made his way over to the sergeant, who handed him a uniform and some papers. He then pointed over to where the first class SOLDIER was standing. Cloud turned and reached out his empty hand, to take his bag from the SOLDIER.

"Welcome to Midgar." The SOLDIER smiled at Cloud and handed him his bag. A blush started to appear on Cloud's face, and he quickly turned his head, taking his bag and following the sergeant inside the building.

The first class SOLDIER watched as the blond boy turned his head and began following the other privates inside the building. He started walking backwards, a grin forming on his lips as he watched the younger teen disappear from his sight. He laughed and shook his head, turning around and jogging back over to the spot he was at, before he had been called over by the sergeant.

Cloud followed along with the other privates, listening to the sergeant assign rooms. Once his name was called, he stepped to the front, took the key from the sergeant and walked inside his room. He sighed, glancing around at how small and cramped the room was, and he had to share it. He placed his stuff down on the bed, jumping when he heard the door close.

"Hi, I'm Jiro!" Cloud turned to be met face to face with a boy who stood at least a foot taller then him. He looked up at the snow white blond, raising his eyebrow. He turned his attention back to the hand that was stuck out in front of him. Hesitantly he took the hand into his, shaking it.

"I'm Cloud." The other teen smiled, shaking Cloud's hand.

"Pleasure to meet you. Guess we're roomies, huh?" The boy took his hand from Cloud's, moving back over to his bed. Cloud nodded and sat down on the edge of his bed, this was the first time anyone had ever been so kind to him.

Cloud started to put his stuff away, talking with Jiro about why he decided to join SOLDIER. After unpacking, Cloud laid down on his bed, watching Jiro dance around their room as he sung some stupid song. Cloud shook his head and laid back on the pillow, sighing at how uncomfortable the bed was. i Oh well, guess I'll just have to get use to it. /i He thought while bringing his hands up, and placing them behind his head. He closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep, thinking about what tomorrow would have in store.

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Authors Note: Yes, this chapter is rather short. It's more of an introduction into the story, I suppose. Tell me what you think of it, and if you'd like me to continue. Oh, and if you have any suggestions/requests for things you'd like to see in later chapters, please let me know.