Author: Hi, just a few author's notes before we start. PLEASE REVIEW THIS STORY!!! IF YOU DON'T THEN A HORRIBLY ANNOYING PERSON (one that you know) WILL STALK YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIVING DAYS!!!!!

#1: ~Disclaimer~ I own none of the Final Fantasy characters even though I wouldn't mind having Sephiroth :) *drool*

#2: Aeris was stabbed by Sephiroth on the alter, but she lived through it and has a scar to prove it.

Sephiroth: I find it very unfair that I don't even get to be in this chapter!

Author: Oh shut-up, no one asked you. Anyway, enjoy the 1st chapter and if peoples like it then I'll add more soon.

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::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Five Years Later:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Cloud rolled over in bed and stretched his arms, yawning. Leaning on his side he smiled at Aeris' sleeping form and gently stroked her hair. How long has it been? At least five years now. He carefully got out of bed so he wouldn't wake her and showered and dressed. Sighing, he inspected himself in the mirror.

"Man, I gotta get a new outfit." He straightened his belt and grabbed his sword from the case. He lovingly kissed Aeris goodbye and she stirred from sleep.

"Cloud?" she mumbled sleepily, "you're going already?" Cloud sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I have to. I'm going to see Squall today about the job. Rinoa's really been bugging him to get a second in command, so to speak and he asked me to come help him out."

Aeris laid her hand on his arm. "I don't want you two in the same district, let alone working together. You're both bad influences on each other."

Cloud grinned. "I'll be on my best behavior." Aeris sighed and shook her head slightly.

"Well if there's anything on the news to do with explosions, disasters or any other thing you two have done you'll pay, you understand me?"

He leaned down and kissed her deeply. "Yes, oh love of my life." She hit him gently.

"Don't be cheeky." He smiled, "what would I do without you?" Aeris sat up and hugged him. "Honestly, sweety, I don't want to know."

Cloud looked at his watch. "If only you'd woken up sooner because I've gotta go now. I'll make it up to you when I get back." He grabbed a jacket and headed out the door.

"Yah, you wish!" she called after him.

* * *

Cloud walked into Belamb Garden and spotted Irvine and Selphie near the entrance, flirting as usual. He headed over to them, "don't you two have work to do?" Selphie flipped her hair over her shoulder and glared at him.

"Well excuse me Mr. High and Mighty look-at-my-big-sword. Mind your own business." Cloud shrugged.

"Easy there. Calm down, but I still think that gun boy here is out of your league." Irvine smirked and clapped Cloud on the shoulder.

"I think Squall's waiting for you, you better get a move on." The look Irvine gave him made Cloud smile.

"Okay then, see you guys later."

Making his way over to the elevator, he groaned at the "out of service" sign. "Stairs it is," he sighed to himself. Staggering onto the second story, someone knocked him onto the ground.

"Cloud! I'm so sorry!" A familiar beautiful face peered down into his. Rinoa helped him to his feet. Cloud brushed himself off.

"S'okay. I'll live."

Rinoa smiled and hugged him tightly. "I'm so glad you're here! Maybe you can talk some sense into that husband of mine."

"Not likely," he grinned. The two of them took the lift to Squall's quarters. Rinoa knocked and opened the door, gesturing for Cloud to follow.

"Honey, Cloud's here! I'll leave you two alone to talk okay? I'll be in the Library with some new recruits if you need me." She turned to Cloud. "It was nice seeing you again and next time don't wait three years for an invitation to visit us."

"Will do," Cloud nodded. Rinoa went out the door and Squall sighed with relief.

"Thank god you're here," he said, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes. Cloud sat down on a chair in front of Squall's desk.

"She's really getting on your case huh?" he smiled sympathetically. Squall ran both hands through his hair.

"You have no idea." Squall leaned forward again and clasped his hands. "It's best before we start, that I discuss something with you."

Cloud raised his eyebrows at the expression on Squall's face. "What's wrong?"

"Well..." Squall stood and walked over to his office window, facing away from Cloud. "We've picked up a passenger that we found in the Northern areas. He was critically injured, but we've managed to revive him and he's doing pretty well now."

Cloud stood as well. "What?!"

Squall fidgeted with his ring, "um, yes...and he claims to know you. I kind of got the impression that you might not want to see him, but he seems genuinely sorry for any trouble he's caused. He's been helping out with the SeeD training and he's an awesome cook as well, you should taste the hotdogs he makes! I want you to come and meet him."

Cloud gritted his teeth and clenched his fists tightly. "You're letting him stay here?! With the students' lives at risk?! Are you insane?! You might as well just kill them all yourself!"

Squall grabbed his friend's arm. "Will you please calm down?" Cloud glared, but sat down quietly. Squall kneeled down beside him. "Listen to me for just a minute. We've known each other for what, sixteen years now? You need to trust me about this."

Cloud crossed his arms and thought for a moment. "Fine. I'll trust you. But if he so much as looks at a student the wrong way he's toast."

Squall smiled. "Agreed. And don't worry. We're keeping tight surveillance on him at all times. We may be hospitable, but stupid we're not. Now come on. I want you to at least give him a chance."

***

Cloud nodded wordlessly and followed Squall to the now repaired elevator. The two entered the elevator and Squall pushed the button for the first floor, while Cloud stood tensely in a corner. Could it really be who he thought it was?

A "ding" sounded and the doors slid open. Squall smiled reassuringly at Cloud. "Let's go." Cloud followed him to the training center nervously. As they entered the door the sound of weapons clashing rang out in the air. Cloud shoved pass Squall and ran towards the sounds.

The sight of a masemune flying towards a student's head made his blood boil. He threw himself in front of the attack and blocked it with his blade, the clang ringing out loudly.

"Get back!" Cloud yelled to the student and recovered quickly, swinging the sword back to strike Sephiroth...

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Author: Thanx so much for reading my story!! Or at least the beginning of it! Sorry for leaving you guys in suspense. I already have the next few chapters ready to post!! Just for you!! :D If you didn't like it then a thousand moogles will die a horrible, painful death (what a bad person you are!), but if you did like it then you're A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!!!!!!!! So please, please review and then I'll give you guys the second chapter! Fun fun fun.

Sephiroth: Please, please, please put me in the next chapter!!! I need the exposure or FF won't renew my contract! *sniffles pathetically*

Author: Oh for god sakes, SHUTUP you whiny pansy!

Sephiroth: *pouts* Fine, but you better put me in.

Author: *sighs* Okay, okay. Quit yer whining already! Anyway, thanx you guys. I love all my adoring fans (and my non-adoring ones) and it would be great if you REVIEWED the instant you read this. PLEASE. Or I can't add my next chapter. :(

Thank you thank you thank you. Bye for now.