The room was dim and the only noise was coming from Cloud. His heavy breathing seemed to echo through Zack's mind. They were the only two people in the room as the other SOLDIER trainee was keeping guard downstairs. His shift was going to end soon and Cloud was going to have to go outside by himself. Maybe I could go out and keep him company, Zack thought. He rolled over to face the window and he fell asleep without realising.

At the break of dawn the next morning, Zack, Cloud and the other trainee made their way into the mountains. It was a new training program where a First Class SOLDIER would take a few trainees and practice combat skills. "I don't see why we couldn't have done this in a training room. It's not necessary for us to be trekking the mountains for monsters." Zack complained.
"But sir, every First Class SOLDIER has to do it. We will both work hard." the trainee stated causing Zack to roll his eyes. He was a typical trainee- the type to get into everyone's good books and seem like he knows more than everyone else. Surely I wasn't like that... he thought. Cloud was quiet, as always. It made him different to everyone else and it made him stick out in Zack's eyes. As they turned the corner, two small pigs were lying next to a rock at the side of the path. Once they saw the three men approach, they charged. The two trainees brought out their training swords.
"Hey you! Take the one on the left. Cloud, I'll help you with the one on the right." Zack yelled.

The SOLDIER trainees did as they were told. Cloud ran towards the pig and tried to stab its back but the attack sent the blonde backwards. Fortunately, Zack was behind and managed to catch him. "It's too bad that this guy's weak point isn't his back. Try the neck." he suggested and took hold of Cloud's wrists. He ran forward, taking Cloud with him, and attacked if it were him by himself. "If we hit him right there, he's sure to go down easily." Zack smiled and let Cloud go, who was still in a daze. "Right! Lesson over! Maybe we'll be able to get back to headquarters by nightfall." he announced before heading off back down the mountain.
"Thank you, sir!" Cloud shouted and followed the other two men. Wow. His touch was so gentle even though we were in the midst of battle. Well, it was hardly a battle but we were fighting. He was fighting. But it was for me, he thought. He wasn't looking where he was going so he bumped into the other trainee. "Oh, sorry, Adrian. I wasn't paying attention." was all that Cloud could say.
"Well Strife, just because your Fair's favourite doesn't mean you can just zone out like that. Getting into SOLDIER's going to be difficult for you. How did you not know that you hit the pig on the neck? We read about it just last week! Honestly, why does Zack like YOU so much? That's the third time he's helped you like that..." Adrian replied under his breath but still loud enough for Cloud to hear. Zack was completely oblivious to everything that was going on behind him. He just wanted to get back to his room as this training seemed pointless. All three of them soon reached the Shinra van and they loaded up into the back.

My first ever fan fiction! I think it went alright! Thank you for reading and if you review, please be kind! It is my first after all!
I do not own any of the characters.