Guess whose back? Yep…well it's just past midnight and I felt the urge to write a story I thought would be fun. Hope you enjoy

Cloud jabbed the punching bag repeatedly. He let out a grunt with each strike. He had to get this frustration and bottled up tension somehow. Soldier training was running him into the ground and he had to take it out on something.

"Hey Cloud, does that bag owe you money? Cuz you're really laying into it" he heard a familiar voice say behind him as he continued his punches.

Of course it was Cloud's fellow soldier and best friend Zack. He always had a wise crack for Cloud, regardless if it was positive or negative. Cloud had grown to just tune him out most of the time. It helped him focus easier.

"Go away Zack, I'm busy man…." Cloud trailed off as he continued practicing. Zack walked around him and watched him pound the punching bag with more force with each punch. Eventually Cloud punched it so hard it nearly flew off the chain holding it to the ceiling, leading to Cloud taking a break and leaving the bag barely hanging. After a whistle, Zack had another crude remark.

"Dammmmnnn, someone's worked up. What's on your mind man? " Zack pestered him as he took off his wrist tape and packed his bag to leave.

"Nothing….I just needed to release some stress. Training is killing me" Cloud answered back.

"There are other ways to relieve stress than nearly breaking the gym equipment man" Zack tried to add some humor the conversation. "Ever thought of doing something with someone else?"

"Like what exactly?" Cloud asked as the two walked out of the gym to the practice field.

"Oh I don't know…physical time with females? Haha" Zack laughed as he hoped over the fence as Cloud followed and put his bag down.

"I'm not just going to shack up with some random girl at the bar Zack" Cloud answered back while putting on his sparring gloves.

"I didn't mean it like that man, but what I have in mind involves a bar girl" Zack's eyes drifted to the side of the field, where the owner of the 7th heaven bar, Tifa Lockheart, was practicing her fighting skills.

"What are you getting at Zack?" Cloud asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Simple man, we kill two birds with one stone and get Tifa to practice with you" Zack said as he ran over to talk to Tifa. Cloud stood there with an open mouth, trying to say something but Zack was too quick. He was a bit apprehensive to have to practice hand to hand with one of, if not the best, hand to hand fighter in town. He always was impressed of Tifa's skill in combat, even more with the fact she could hold her own against any of Soldier's best. Cloud tried to prepare as the two walked his way.

"So Zack here tells me you need to let off some steam, and I just so happen to need a sparring partner…so spiky….what do you say?" Tifa said looking at him with a smirk on her face and fire in her eyes. He couldn't look away. Something about her spirit drew him in. He knew he couldn't say no to her, no matter how hard he tried.

"uh…su…sure no problem." He stumbled on his words…he hated when he did this. He would have to hurt Zack for putting him through this later.

"Great!" She said with a smile on her face, "Zack, get clear, this is going to get intense" she said as she prepared her fighting stance.

"Oh boy" Zack said as he quickly jumped back.

"Hey, wait-"Cloud was struck directly in his chest with a solid punch from his fair haired partner. He gritted his teeth as the shot sent him off his feet and he hit the ground. He had forgotten how hard she hit.

"Wow…is it over before it's even started?" Zack commented from the sidelines.

"Come on Spiky, one punch can't put you down," Tifa said down to him, "unless of course, you're out of shape and I've just gotten better than you" she said sticking out her tongue.

Cloud growled and gritted his teeth as he began to get back up. He wouldn't allow himself to get caught off guard again. Not by Tifa…no…he wouldn't give Zack the satisfaction of seeing him lose. He raised his arms and prepared for a counter attack as he stared down Tifa.

Yes the first part is done. This is only the start if the reception is good, so please review and let me know you like it. It gets more…heavy…later haha. Play fighting can lead to things when the two know each other. Stay tuned.

-BM