Disclaimer: I do not own any Final Fantasy ideas or characters, but Akira and a few of the upcoming SOLDIERs are my creations.

A/N: I've done one (horrible) fanfic before and this is my first try at romance, so I guess we'll see how it turns out. I think there needs to be female SOLDIERs at Shinra, instead of all boys so I added an OC with creative family ties. I tried to keep people in-character as much as possible but Cloud's a little off. He's a little OOC so he can seem more…fatherly.

SOLDIER Girl

By: AbariChick

Chapter One: New Beginnings

"Happy Birthday Akira!" roared a little crowd.

Sitting in the middle of the group was a now 17-year-old girl. She was dressed in a black tank-top and black corduroy pants and had short black hair, which was obviously dyed. Her bright blue-green eyes sparkled listfully. Everyone showered her with gifts, with an average boy that stood out in the front. His long brown hair covered his eyes but his huge smile could still be seen. His real name was Jean but everyone called him Havoc to the irony of the show, "Full-Metal Alchemist." He had a relaxed and silly personality which is what Akira was first attracted to when they met.

Akira spent the next few hours opening gifts and eating cake. Most of the people there were people Havoc had invited. Akira was a loner, but by choice. After moving to Edge, she saw no point in friends. They'd all leave her anyway. The only real friend she had was Havoc. It was sort of an accident really. Havoc was like all the others. He decided to play a trick on the new girl on her first day. When he jumped out at Akira, she socked him in the chin. They've been friends ever since. It's not like she's the odd one out though. Everyone seemed to like her. And at least half of the guys at school had somehow gotten her number.

It was ten o' clock, Akira had to admit she was tired. She and Havoc went to her room and "talked anime" for a while until his mom picked him up. She was in a dampened mood to begin with, and her birthday didn't help as much as she had hoped it would. A bitter ache was in her heart, like something was going to go horribly wrong. Akira closed the door behind Havoc and hopped onto her bed. After Havoc left it was almost eleven. For some reason, sleep did not come easy. She figured it had something to do with that bizarre feeling. Akira watched the blades of her fan spin until she was whisked to sleep.

Awakening the next morning was no better. If anything, the feeling had gotten worse. But Akira got up and went to school none the less.

"Still feeling down?" questioned Havoc as he caught up to her in the hallway.

Havoc swung an arm around her shoulders, trying to lighten the dark mood. But Akira didn't smile, didn't even glance in his direction.

"I know what'll make your day!" he exclaimed, jumping in front of her.

"What?" she groaned.

"Itachi marathon! All weekend!"

Akira grinned a little but kept her gaze downward.

"Come on. Anime is your crack! Itachi's name always makes you smile!" complained Havoc.

"Not today…" she mumbled.

Havoc was about to say more when his common sense actually stopped him for once. Deciding he'd just make things worse, Havoc walked off with a nearby friend who was calling his name.

"Bye Akira! Feel better, okay?" he shouted after her.

A tall man took Havoc's place and stepped in Akira's path. He was bald and proudly wore the school colors on his unique tie.

"Akira, can I talk to you?" he asked.

Akira bounced her head up and nodded.

"Yes. Of course Principal Wickman," she replied.

"I had a look at your scores on the ACT. Almost flawless. I have to say I'm pleased Akira."

"Thank-you sir…"

"Anyway, Tifa's here to pick you up. Some family emergency…"

"Dad…" Akira moaned to herself.

"Thank-you sir," she said again.

Akira turned around, not so surprised by her short day. A younger boy in a nylon school jumpsuit interrupted Akira on her way out.

"Yo, you playin' this weekend?" he asked, tossing her a football.

"You know it! Someone has to pick up your slack!" Akira replied.

She tossed back the football with pinpoint accuracy.

"You'd better watch the mouth Strife!" finished the boy as he ran off.

Akira's smile quickly faded as she saw Tifa waiting by the door.

"What'd he do this time…" asked Akira.

"Not him…they…" mumbled Tifa. She ran a hand through her long brown hair with a

sigh. "Looks like we'll be in Midgar for the weekend…"

Akira groaned in agony.

"Come on," ushered Tifa as she and Akira left.

Akira watched the clouds as they walked, taking a glance at her reflection in a nearby puddle. The blonde in her black-dyed hair was starting to show again and she found her natural muscle mass anything but flattering. She watched as the life of her new home in Edge disappeared, and the ruins of Midgar made their way into view.

"Why does dad come here? It's such a dump…" wondered Akira out loud.

"Brings back memories I guess," Tifa answered with a smile.

"What's the smile for? Dad is here right?"

Tifa nodded and giggled.

"Please tell me he isn't throwing a birthday party with all his weird friends again. Last year's birthday was enough…" moaned Akira.

"You'll see," was all Tifa said in reply.

Akira frowned and continued walking. Her unhappy mood only worsened as she noticed how many eyes she was attracting. Every citizen from Midgar glared at her cruelly, whispering amongst themselves.

"I hate it here…" started Akira.

"Don't pay any attention to them. It's nothing to be ashamed of," Tifa replied sweetly.

Akira huffed at the statement and stared hatefully at the reflection of her bright blue-green eyes.

"Tifa? What's wrong with me? Why does everyone turn the other way when they see my eyes?" asked Akira sadly.

"Well…"

Tifa paused and looked around as if she were searching the ruins for an answer.

"Why don't you ask your father? I'll bet he knows more than I do," suggested Tifa.

Akira looked down sadly and kicked a lone pebble.

"I've tried…He never wants to talk about it," replied Akira.

"Maybe he just doesn't think you're ready."

"Not ready? For what?"

"He'll tell you soon enough. And remember there's nothing wrong with you, you're just different. You should be proud of your strength and beautiful eyes."

"You mean freakish strength and stupid eyes," grumbled Akira. "I just don't get why he hides everything from me."

"Akira…Your father loves you. He's just a little…"

"Why doesn't he ever act like it then! He's always running off and hurting himself! If he really loved me, he'd try and stay alive at the least!"

Tifa sighed, "You know that's not true. He'd be lost without you…"

"Just watch, he won't even be here," stated Akira firmly.

"I'm sure he'll be here this year."

Akira ignored her and walked ahead. The two stopped at what Akira recognized as Cid's big, old garage.

"Cloud…You'd better be in here…" said Tifa to herself.

Tifa lifted open the door, revealing a decorated room, full of familiar faces. Everyone from spunky old, Cid Highwind to laid back, Vincent Valentine.

"Hey birthday girl!" exclaimed Cid loudly.

Akira smiled faintly as Cid made his way toward her.

"Wow, those eyes of yours have gotten brighter! Turning into your dad aren't ya'?"

"Fantastic," Akira replied sarcastically.

Akira looked up at Tifa but she just shrugged. Akira looked around, even though she knew he probably wasn't there. Her assumption was confirmed when Vincent walked her way.

"Sorry kid…he's really wanted to be here…" Vincent explained.

"Yeah, I know. That's what he says every year," Akira replied.

"But just wait until you see what he got you," said Yuffie, trying to be cheerful.

Cid and Tifa walked over to a big object hidden under a large cloth. They counted down from three and ripped it off.

"OH MY GOD! NO WAY! HE DIDN'T!" Akira rejoiced.

Under the cloth was a brand new, black motorcycle.

"It's just like his only slimmer in size. Asked me to make one for you. He noticed how you always gawk at his," explained Cid.

"Yeah! I've always wanted one! This is so cool!" Akira exclaimed.

She ran to her new bike, inspecting every detail.

After more cake and some birthday wishes, Akira decided to take her new bike out for a spin. She admitted she loved the feeling of the wind in her hair, but she still felt depressed. So, she decided to head over to the old bar…

Her eyes watered at the sight of it. She took her time walking through the main part of the bar, looking around and remembering old times. Every picture that hung on the wall brought back more precious memories. She finally made it to the stairs and headed to her old room with a sad grin. Everything was just as they had left it. Her bed was in one corner by a window while Cloud's sat in the other. An old desk sat against a wall covered in old books and dust. All her textbooks from the year before lied underneath some delivery forms her father had left behind. A small TV finished off the room's decor as it sat in the corner by Cloud's bed. Looking from the TV to Cloud's bed across the room, she saw a box underneath it. Akira grabbed the box and jumped onto the bed to rummage through it.

"I never knew dad kept a memory box…" Akira muttered to herself.

She pulled out a video camera and curiously plugged it into the television. After she made sure it was rewound, she pressed play…

A little blonde girl, not even old enough to say a word, kneeled by a pile of toys. A younger Cloud was across the screen smiling.

"Come one Akira. You can do it," exclaimed a woman's voice from behind the camera.

The baby hobbled to her feet, holding on to a barstool from what appeared to be downstairs, for support.

"That's it! Now walk to daddy!" cooed the woman, the camera bobbing with her voice.

The baby giggled and slowly made her way across the room. She collapsed happily in Cloud's arms.

"There you go!" exclaimed Cloud, lifting her into the air.

The tape stopped and hissed as it rewound again. Akira's eyes watered to the point where she couldn't see. She grabbed her knees and began to rock back and forth, tears

streaming down her face.

"Hey…I'm not dead yet you know," said a male voice.

Akira glanced up and saw Cloud standing in the doorway. He set his buster sword against the wall and took a few steps forward.

"Dad!" Akira cried in surprise.

She wiped away her tears with her sleeve and ran over to him. She jumped into his arms and they embraced each other for a long time.

"Happy Birthday," he hummed, letting Akira go.

Akira quickly put on her tough guy act and got rid of any tears that were left.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"I'm sorry. Rufus called and I just…"

"…Forgot…"

"Look, I'll make it up to you. I promise," stated Cloud.

"How?" Akira asked.

"How about we go see mom and talk. You've always wanted to talk, right?"

"Yeah," replied Akira with a weak smile.

Cloud messed up her hair and they left.

Akira rode her bike next to her father, looking down at the road ahead. She glanced at Cloud and saw he bore a small smirk. Akira smiled as they turned toward a sign that read, "Keep on rockin' in Midgar", a sign that they were near the heart of the old city. Another sign passed saying, "Midgar Cemetery" which is where they made their next turn. They got off their bikes right away and headed to the back in silence. They stopped by an old oak tree. A small, blue-marble grave sat underneath slightly damaged from the calamity's assault in Midgar. Akira went and sat by the tree while Cloud loomed glumly over the grave. It's not like Akira didn't like her mother, she just didn't want to mentally relive the incident. Especially when her father was right there next to her. Akira never came to the graveyard. Cloud always did it alone. She always told herself it was her mother's own fault. While every other woman and child left for the new city of Edge, she stayed behind with Cloud at the bar. Just to fight for their home and their freedom. Her mother had forced Tifa to take her along to Edge. She never saw her mother again. It was so stupid. Why people risked their own lives for other people's freedom or even their own was beyond her understanding. Cloud always said she'd understand when she was older. She was seventeen! How long was it going to take for her to understand?

After a few quiet minutes, Cloud walked over and sat by Akira.

"What was mom like? She died when I was 5, right?" started Akira.

"Yeah, to think it's already been twelve years," replied Cloud.

"So? What was she like?" Akira repeated.

"She was gentle, beautiful, and very strong…"

"That's what you always say. But what were we like?'

"Well, a lot of things changed when your mother got here. She caught on to how things work around here real fast."

"Who loved who first?"

"She was first. She wouldn't leave me alone until I talked to her."

"Did you even love her back?"

"Of course, after a while…"

Cloud sighed and rested his head on the tree.

"Dad? Who was that guy who used to come over a lot? He had dark hair and would play with me all the time. Even if he were here for something important," wondered Akira.

"You remember Zack?" Cloud questioned in bewilderment.

"Yeah, that was his name. Whatever happened to him? One day you came home with Vincent and just told me he left for work."

"…Hmph…"

"What?"

"You remember what I looked like that day?"

Akira pondered the thought for a moment before answering.

"You were wet…Shaking a lot. You look like you'd seen a ghost. And you're clothes were torn…Blood was everywhere. And you had to be carried in the house," explained Akira to the best of her memories.

"And you never wondered why?" asked Cloud.

"No, I guess not…I figured it was just a bad assignment…right?"

"…Yeah…"

"I thought I saw him in Edge a couple days ago."

"I see him a lot myself too, but it's like he vanishes into thin air.'

"So, he's still gone on that assignment?"

"…Yeah…" stuttered Cloud.

Cloud's eyes watered as he shifted his gaze to the sky. Akira glanced at him strangely. It had been only a day or so since she had seen him last, but some things had already changed.

"What's with the sleeve dad? That's new," wondered Akira, tugging on the fabric.

Cloud didn't answer for a while, struggling to break out of his daze.

"Oh…It's nothing," started Cloud.

"There you go hiding everything again," she complained.

"Sorry. I just thought it would look good, I guess."

Cloud gave her a reassuring but unconvincing smile. He had changed so much these past few years. He was normal at first, at least as far as Akira could tell. Then he went around in that weird red cape with that nasty old sword. Finally, he got rid of it and got a new sword. There were seven pieces to it. They could all be used separately, or all together…like a puzzle. Then, he got the new outfit, which she liked a lot. Black jeans, black boots, a black sleeveless sweater, and a piece of black clothe that hung from his waist. Akira always thought the shoulder guard was weird with its big wolf "door knocker" on it, but she never questioned it. He had just recently got his ear pierced with the same icon. And since his old harness only fit one sword, he got one that could hold all seven on his back. Two belts crossed over his chest were needed to hold them all in place. The best addition was Fenrir, his black beauty on wheels. Honestly, who names their motorcycles? But Akira never questioned that either. But this sleeve caught her attention quickly, for it only covered his left arm.

"So, you ready to head back?" asked Cloud, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I guess," Akira replied.

"Well, we've got one more surprise…"

"And that is?"

Cloud stood up and brushed off his pants.

"We're moving back into the bar," he finished.

"What? But what about Edge, Havoc, and school? You know I hate it here dad!" Akira shouted angrily.

"I know. But it's easier to work the delivery business there. Don't you miss living in Midgar with all the others?"

"Dad, I have actual friends now! I'm not a fighter anymore, I don't fit in here."

Cloud didn't answer. Akira growled angrily and stood up.

"Let's get out of here. This place is starting to give me the creeps."

"You head off to the bar. I'll catch up," Cloud replied softly.

Cloud resumed his position, looming over the grave, as Akira walked to the front gate and hopped onto her bike.

End of Chapter One

A/N: So, I hope my fanfiction isn't too rough so far. I'm still sort of new at this but I will get the hang of it! I'm not much of an action writer so I decided to try more of a romance route. Don't' worry! It is a Zack fic! He'll be showing up real soon! Read x reply!