"Hey, you have to wake up," Zack murmured, shaking Cloud a little.

"Mmmm," Cloud mumbled back.

Zack rolled his eyes. "Come on, Cloud, we need to get going."

"I don't want to leave," the blonde mumbled.

Zack sighed and waked over to the cave's entrance. He moved the rock and scanned the field to see if there were any soldiers hiding. He smiled, "Good," Zack said, "it looks all clear."

The SOLDIER slowly crept out of the cave and ran off into the far distance, leaving Cloud behind.

X-X-X-X

Hours had passed until Cloud finally woke up and sat from where he was laying. The blonde scanned the room and looked worried.

"Zack," Cloud breathed, "Zack, are you here?" he got up and walked around to the back of the cave. Cloud when he felt a draft coming from the cave's ceiling. "Zack, this isn't funny anymore. Come out, please?"

There was a snap and Cloud squeaked, stepping back a bit until he fell backwards. He grumbled and picked himself up quickly.

Another snap was made and Cloud shook his head. Come on Cloud, he thought, you've been through worse than this, but then again there was a general with my group.

The blonde swallowed hard and started walking back to the entrance. There was another sound that sounded like feet shuffling, and before Cloud could react, someone grabbed him from behind. They cupped his mouth so he wouldn't scream and they also held his arms tightly against his chest.

"Hey, boss," the soldier holding Cloud said, "I got him."

"Good work, man," the leader said with little emotion, which made the soldier slightly disappointed. "Now all we have to do is wait for Zack Fair to come back. We're lucky his friend was dumb enough to come back here."

Cloud struggled against the soldier, but he still felt weak from the poison. The blonde bit down on the soldier's hand, which made him yelp and let go of Cloud. The Shinra scrambled quickly up and bolted for the entrance, but he felt someone grab his arm and pin him to the ground.

"Now we can't have you escaping," another soldier said as he smirked.

"Please, Zack left me. I don't know where he is but he's not here," Cloud choked out.

"We were watching you both the whole time," the man said. "We know that he's coming back, and if not," the soldier took out a knife and held it against Cloud's neck. "We'll just kill you instead."

Cloud's eyes widened as he starred into the leader's dark eyes. He tried to wiggle free but the knife moved closer to his pale neck. The blonde felt the blade pierce his skin and he whimpered as the blood began to trail down him.

"I wouldn't move a whole lot if I were you," the soldier said, grinning ferociously. "You might cause me to slip and cut your neck by accident."

"Don't even think about it," the leader said, walking up from behind the soldier. "We have no intention in killing him until he's served his purpose."

"Then what should I do with him, sir?" the soldier asked.

"Tie him up for now. Keep an eye on him too so he won't run off again."

The soldier nodded and lifted Cloud off the ground roughly. He pushed the blonde against the cave wall and leaned over him. "Just stand still and you won't get hurt," the man grumbled to Cloud.

Cloud choked and nodded. He let the man tie ropes tightly around his small wrists until he winced at how tight they really were. Once the soldier was done, he picked Cloud up and dragged him to his leader.

"Here he is, sir," the soldier said, handing Cloud over to the leader.

Cloud looked up and saw the man's face for the first time. He had dark brown hair and was tall. His dark stormy eyes shinned brightly as he looked at the blonde. Cloud had to keep himself from reaching up and touching the long scar that was sliced across the man's forehead to his nose.

"Don't say anything, you got that?" the leader glared at Cloud slightly.

Cloud only nodded and looked down at his feet. After a few moments, everyone heard a noise at the entrance of the cave.

Cloud's heart stopped for a moment.

"Cloud," Zack called for the blonde. "I'm back. I hope you're not still sleeping, or else I'll eat all the food I found for us."

The blonde was about to scream for Zack to run but the leader covered his mouth quickly with his hand.

Zack walked over to where he had left Cloud and he frowned. "Cloud, hey Cloud, where are you?"

Cloud struggled against the man's grip but it was too strong. He felt tears forming in his eyes as he heard Zack get closer.

"Come on out," Zack called, laughing slightly. He turned over by a wall and dropped everything in his hands. He growled as he saw two soldiers and their leader, and in the middle of them was a terrified looking Cloud bounded by ropes. "Cloud!" Zack yelled.

"Don't move, Zack Fair," the leader said. He pulled Cloud closer and looked at Zack with fury in his eyes.

"Who are you?" Zack snarled.

"My name is Squall Leonhart. I've been given a mission to hunt you down, Zack Fair. Now, I suggest you come with me or your friend here will pay the price."

"What are you gonna do?" Zack challenged Squall.

Squall frowned and pulled out a gun, putting next to Cloud's head. "You can watch as I blow the blonde's head right off."

"You wouldn't dare," Zack breathed.

There was a click and Cloud let out a sob as Squall placed his hand on the trigger. "Don't test me; once I've been given a mission, I see it through till the end. It doesn't matter if I have to kill a few people here and there to complete it either."

Zack growled and looked down, "What do you want me to do?"

"Don't, Zack!" Cloud yelled. "Just leave me! Save yourself and just leave me behind. I don't want you to-"

"Shut up," Squall said, tugging Cloud hard, which made the blonde wince. "Now, Zack Fair," he said as he looked at the SOLDIER, "drop all your weapons and come here."

Zack did as he was told and took off any weapons he had hidden within himself. He looked up at Squall and frowned. "Let Cloud go first before I do anything else."

"I'll let him go, but you need to come towards us first," Squall said.

"Fine," Zack grumbled as he walked up to the brunette and Cloud. He smiled when he made eye contact with the blonde.

Zack dropped all his weapons and held up his arms. "Alright, now let Cloud go."

Squall starred at the SOLDIER for a few seconds. He smirked, "Why do you care so much for this guy. He's just an infantryman, isn't he?"

"Like that matters," Zack shook his head. "He's my friend so I have to watch his back, don't I?"

"I doubt that. You don't have to risk your life just for one friend."

"Then it shows you don't have very many friends," Zack smirked.

"Whatever," Squall shrugged. He pushed Cloud away from him and pointed his gun at Zack's heart.

Cloud stumbled a bit before looking up at Zack, who had caught him in his arms. "Zack," Cloud began but was cut off.

"Just get out of here while you still can, Cloud," Zack smiled as he pulled off the ropes on Cloud's wrists.

"What, I can't just leave you here to die!" Cloud exclaimed.

Zack laughed softly, "Don't worry," he said, putting a hand on the blonde's hair. He ruffled it a bit like Cloud was a little kid. "Everything will be okay."

Cloud felt tears coming to his eyes as Zack pushed the blonde back. He began to walk away until Cloud felt something sharp to his back. The blonde turned and saw a soldier pressing his sword right at him.

Zack growled, "I thought you said you'd let him go."

Squall shrugged, "I'm not in charge of these men. They can do what they please; I just have to take care of you."

Zack heard Cloud yelp as the man pulled him into a choke hold. "Damn it," Zack murmured.

"Now," Squall said, "let's get this over with, shall we?"

"I should have expected this from cold hearted bastards like them," Zack grumbled.

Squall held his gun up to Zack. "Are you ready to accept your death?"

Zack heard Cloud whimper as the soldier tightened his grip on the blonde. Zack looked back and felt a surge of anger, seeing Cloud so helpless, starring intently into Zack's Mako filled eyes. That was when Zack knew. He didn't have himself to worry about; he had to watch Cloud and keep him safe as well.

There was a click and Squall moved his gun again. Zack grinned and turned to face the brunette. "Sorry," Zack said, "but I don't plan on dying today."

"So you'd rather watch your friend be killed instead?" Squall asked, pointing towards Cloud, who had a knife to his throat.

"That's just it. He isn't dying today either."

Quickly, Zack ran towards the soldier holding Cloud, knocking the man backwards. Zack tugged the blonde down just when Squall shot at the two of them.

Zack pulled Cloud up as he looked at Squall, who was holding the gun to them. Pushing Cloud behind him, Zack, blocking the blonde from view, starred into Squall's stormy eyes.

"What are you waiting for?" Zack asked. "Aren't you going to shoot me?"

"Zack," Cloud warned, touching the SOLDIER's shoulder.

"I would listen to your friend if I were you," Squall said.

Zack cursed under his breath as a few soldiers formed behind Squall. Well, Zack, you better think of a way out of here fast, Zack thought. I could get away easily if I was alone, but, Zack turned to look at Cloud. I've got Cloud here to worry about.

The two Shinras were about to be cornered when Zack's eye caught a quick glimmer of light. Squall noticed this too and looked up. When he did, a large figure landed before him and the other soldiers.

The person held a long sword and slashed at Squall, sending him backwards into the wall. The person pursued them and attacked a few soldiers, killing two of them.

Squall grunted and turned to the rest of the men. "Let's retreat," he said.

The soldiers nodded and began to retreat as Squall followed them. Before he left, the brunette turned to Zack. "Next time you're mine, Fair," he said as he finally disappeared into the darkness.

The figure stood there for a few moments until Zack spoke. "Hey," he said, "thanks for the save back there."

"Don't mention it," the person said.

Zack turned back to the blonde. "Are you okay, Cloud?" he asked.

Cloud nodded slightly. "I'm fine it's just this," he said, pointing at his bloody neck.

Zack touched the spot where the blood was oozing out of Cloud's neck, which made Cloud wince in pain. Zack frowned, "That looked like it hurts more than what you said. Come on, we need to find a good doctor to fix you up."

"That won't be necessary," the person said. "I have some Cure with me right now."

Zack looked up at the person; he almost forgot about. "You do?" Zack asked. "Great, thanks again, um," he paused.

"I'm surprised you haven't realized who I am yet, Zack," the person said, stepping out of the shadows.

It was a man with long silver hair. He wore a long leather coat that a general in SOLDIER would wear. His eyes glowed as he looked at Zack and Cloud.

Zack's eyes widened. "Sephiroth?" he asked shocked. "Sephiroth, is that really you?"

Sephiroth smiled slightly as he walked towards the other two. He knelt down in front of Cloud as he looked at Zack. "I know you have a lot of questions, but let's heal you friend first, alright?"

"I have no argument with that," Zack nodded.

The general nodded back, turning towards Cloud. "Stay still for me," Sephiroth said.

Sephiroth touched Cloud's neck, which made him wince again at the touch. Zack winced too as he watched Sephiroth heal Cloud's wounded neck.

Once the general was done, he pulled away from Cloud, who was gasping for air. Zack knelt down beside the blonde quickly. "Cloud, Cloud, are you alright?"

Cloud looked up into Zack's eyes. "Sorry, I'm not used to Cure. I never really had it used on me when I worked for Shinra."

Zack smiled, "You'll be okay. You just need to give it some time and you should get used to it quickly."

"I hate to break up the moment, but we should leave this place before those guys send in backup," Sephiroth said.

"Alright," Zack said. He turned back to Cloud. "Can you walk?"

"I think so," Cloud said as he struggled to stand up.

Zack grabbed his hand and helped him up so Cloud was on his feet. The blonde began to sway and soon fell forward before Zack caught him in his arms. Cloud gasped as he felt a shot of pain go through him.

"Here," Zack said, turning around, "climb on my back. I can carry you on the way."

"O-okay," Cloud mumbled as he mounted onto Zack's back.

The SOLDIER smiled, "Comfy?" he asked.

Cloud felt his cheeks get hot as he nodded his head and buried himself into the back of Zack's neck. He closed his eyes and let his body relax in the other's arms.

"Okay, we're ready when you are, Seph," Zack said.

Sephiroth starred at the two others for a few moments until he turned around. "Follow me," he said as he began to leave the cave.

All of them traveled until they finally reached an area where there was an old fire pit and a few other objects lying around. Zack looked around with Cloud still on his back. "Is this where you've been staying lately, Sephiroth?" he asked.

"I've been here for a few weeks now. I was making some rounds today and that was when I found you and your friend in that cave. Good thing I found you too. If I hadn't, you'd both be dead."

Cloud shivered slightly and Zack frowned. "I would have found a way out of there, but still, thanks."

"You should rest here for the night, so that way he can recover fully," Sephiroth said. "I'll be leaving for Midgar tomorrow morning."

"Why are you going to Midgar? They probably have soldiers looking for survivors everywhere."

Sephiroth shook his head. "Everyone's been dead for months. I'm hoping to find some information on why exactly this happened."

Zack frowned again but stayed quiet. He walked over to a stone and gently set Cloud on the ground. He smiled and ruffled his hair. "You'll be okay," he whispered. The SOLDIER sat down next to the blonde and looked up at Sephiroth. "You don't mind us staying here?"

"No, since I'm leaving, you can stay as long as you want to."

"Alright," Zack turned back to Cloud. "You should get some sleep, Cloud. We'll have a long trip tomorrow morning."

Cloud looked up at Zack and shivered as he hugged himself tightly. "I'll try," he whispered.

"Are you cold?" Zack asked.

"No, I'll be fine, Zack," Cloud said as he shivered again.

Zack sighed and pulled the blonde into his lap. Cloud blushed and starred at Zack wide eyed. "Zack, what are you-"

"Just sit here and you'll stay warm," Zack smiled.

Cloud just nodded as his face grew redder.

Soon enough, Cloud began to breathe softly and evenly to show he was finally asleep. Zack smiled slightly as he pulled Cloud closer to him. He stroked the blonde spikes as Sephiroth looked at him. "So, how did you find this one?" Sephiroth asked.

"He was being attacked," Zack said. "He would have died if I didn't find him in time. Cloud was infected with poison and he's still recovering, so this little mishap didn't help too much in the recovery."

"I see. He's a lucky one to have met you."

"I take after Angeal, don't I?'

"I suppose you do. Zack, have you been looking for him?" Sephiroth asked.

Zack nodded, "Ever since the attack on the Shinra Company and Midgar, I've been looking for Angeal. Seph, have you seen him at all. I need to talk to him; I need to tell him something important."

Sephiroth shook his head, "I can't say that I've seen him, but he shouldn't be too hard to find. You found him when he needed you the most, so maybe it'll work in reverse for you two."

"I just wanted to help him," Zack said, remembering the incident involving the Jenova cells and how Angeal had called himself a monster for having the wings of an angel. "Hopefully I'll find him, but I have Cloud to worry about too."

"Why don't you just leave him? He doesn't know you well enough to understand, and he'll just hold you back on your journey."

Zack looked up angrily, "I can't just get up and leave him. Cloud's my friend and I don't just abandon them, so don't go saying something like that."

Sephiroth shrugged, "I hope you know what you're getting into."

"I think I know," Zack said.

"Alright," Sephiroth said, getting up, "get some sleep. I'll take the watch for tonight. You know what to do when you're done here, right?"

"Yeah, I'll make sure it was like nobody was here. Thanks again, Seph."

"Just get some sleep."

Zack nodded his head as he slowly felt himself nod off until he finally fell asleep with Cloud still tightly held in his arms.

X-X-X-X

Morning came and Cloud's eyes fluttered open. He stifled a yawn as he scanned the area around himself, but he felt as though he couldn't move. Panic ran through the blonde as he tried to find what was holding onto him so tightly.

Cloud was about to call for help until he turned and saw Zack, leaning against the stone, sleeping heavily with Cloud in his arms.

How long have we been sleeping? Cloud thought. Were we like this the whole ti-oh, I remember now. The blonde blushed as he remembered the SOLDIER taking him into his arms. They seemed to have fallen asleep in the same position the entire time as well.

Cloud tried to move away from Zack as quietly as possible, but Zack suddenly groaned softly and tightened his grip on Cloud's waist. The blonde sighed and mumbled to himself. "It can't be help I guess."

He rested his head back onto Zack's chest and sat there, listening to the SOLDIER's breathing. Cloud felt himself rise and fall by the slowing intake on air Zack was making. Cloud moved slightly again and felt Zack chuckle. He looked up, but he was still fast asleep.

After awhile longer, Zack groaned and stretched his arms out beside him; but when he did, he felt something scramble off of his lap. Zack almost jumped before he looked and saw Cloud sitting on his knees as a faint blush crept onto the blonde's face.

Zack cocked a smile, "Good morning to you sleepy head."

Cloud looked at the ground away from Zack.

"Um, did I do something wrong?" Zack asked confused.

Cloud shook his head, "No, no, it's nothing. Sorry, I guess I'm still a little tired."

"Don't worry about it. How are you feeling, by the way? You were shivering so I thought if you and I sat together, then you would be warmer."

"I'm okay, thanks," Cloud said.

Zack nodded and looked around. "I guess Seph's gone just like he said he would," Zack sighed.

"So, what do we do now?" Cloud asked.

"Hmm, I guess we should try to get to our destination."

"Which is where exactly?"

"I think that maybe the safest place we could go is a village far from Midgar, and I think I know just the place."

"Huh? Where could we go that's far enough?"

"We can go to Gongaga," Zack said. "It's my home town, and since most of those soldiers think I'm dead, they'll never think to look there."

Cloud was hesitant to agree, but he bit his lip, silently doubting Zack's plan.

Zack caught onto that. "Hey," he said, "what's up?"

"It just seems risky, that's all," Cloud whispered.

Zack sighed, "Well, if you have any better ideas then tell me."

Cloud shook his head, "I don't see any other options, so I guess we go to Gongaga?"

Zack grinned widely and lunged at the blonde, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Great," Zack said in excitement. "Then we should get going."

Once Zack pulled away from Cloud, the blonde tried desperately to cover up the blush that was forming quickly on his face. He looked up at Zack, who was already walking towards a road. "This guy is just too optimistic," Cloud sighed, shaking his head.

"Hurry up, Cloud," Zack waved to him.

Cloud scrambled to his feet, running over to the older man. Once the blonde made it over to Zack, Cloud saw the SOLDIER holding out his thumb, leaning slightly into the road.

"Uh, Zack?" Cloud asked.

"Hmm?" Zack murmured as he concentrated on the road.

"What are you doing?"

Zack turned to the blonde in shock. "I'm hitchhiking. Haven't you ever heard of it? Or, are you one of those city boys?"

Cloud couldn't help but let out a small giggle within him.

"Did I say something funny?" Zack asked amused.

"It's just," Cloud paused as he stopped giggling. "It's just that I'm a country boy too."

"Really, from where?" Zack asked.

"I'm from Nibelheim," Cloud said proudly.

Zack suddenly let out a loud laugh, dropping his thumb to clutch his stomach. He began to laugh even more as he saw Cloud's pouting face.

"What's wrong with Nibelheim?" Cloud huffed.

"Sorry, I just never thought you would be coming from such a backwater town," Zack chuckled, wiping away a tear from laughter.

"Well, isn't it the same as Gongaga?" Cloud asked. "There's a reactor there just like the one Nibelheim has, right?"

"Fair enough," Zack shrugged. "So we're both country boys. Now we have something in common."

"Like we didn't before?" Cloud asked confused.

Zack waved the blonde off. "Being in SOLDIER and working for Shinra doesn't count as having things in common."

"Okay, so I suppose all we talk about is the country life and what we do?" Cloud said.

Zack laughed again. "We can find more things in common than the country life too, you know, Chocobo Head?"

"What did you just call me?"

"Hmm? Oh, well, you see, your hair kinda looks like a Chocobo's head, so I thought 'Chocobo Head sounds like the perfect nickname!' how does it sound?"

"I don't like it," Cloud murmured.

"You want me to call you spike?" Zack asked.

"Neither one sounds good!" Cloud exclaimed, raising his hands in the air, which made Zack burst into laughter again.

Zack finally stopped laughing and turned to put his thumb up again. "Hopefully we'll get a ride soon," he said. "But you know, it's kinda nice to get to know someone."

Cloud turned away quickly to hide another blush on his face. "You're really weird, Zack."

"So I've been told. I wonder why we never met in SOLDIER before. You really stick out with that hair of yours, but then again, you also kinda don't show because of your height."

"Who asked you?" Cloud growled with the blush deepening more on his cheeks.

"Well, you are pretty short for you age," Zack smiled.

Cloud sighed. Then, something caught his eye. He turned and saw a vehicle coming their way. Quickly, Cloud waved for them to stop, which surprised Zack since he didn't see the truck coming.

The truck came up and stopped immediately in front of the two Shinras. A lean man leaned out in the passenger window, grinning at the two. "Well, where are you two headed?" the man asked.

"We want to stop at a nearby town," Zack said, looking at the ground.

"Whatcha wanna do that for? Ya'll know those dirty SOLDIERs are runnin around the place right now. I wouldn't want to be caught with those suckers roamin the area and what not," the man said. "Take my advice and don't go to the nearby town. In fact, just find an open town to stay in."

"We want to go to a more open town, but me and my friend need to get more supplies," Zack said.

The man eyed Cloud for a few seconds. "I was talking about you two not going into town for this little one's benefits more. Those SOLDIERs will eat this kid up in a second. Those Generals especially will just take Blondie down in a second."

"No worries," Zack said pulling Cloud close to him. "I'll be watching over him." Zack grinned, closing his eyes at the man. "So," he said, "do you think we can get a ride to town?"

The man shrugged, "Get in the back," he said.

"Thank you, sir," Cloud smiled.

"Yeah, sure thing short stuff," the man smiled back.

Zack and Cloud walked over to the back of the truck, and Zack hoisted Cloud into the back as he climbed in himself. The two of them sat next to each other as Zack told the man to go.

Once they were on the road, Cloud turned to Zack. "Why didn't you look at that guy?" he asked.

Zack moved closer to Cloud, leaning into his ear he whispered, "Because of my eyes."

"Your eyes?" Cloud asked confused.

Zack pulled back and starred into Cloud clear blue orbs. Their faces were inches apart from each other. "Yes," Zack said, "my eyes. My eyes are infused with Mako energy, which is a sure sign of a SOLDIER."

Cloud looked into those glowing eyes. He starred at them for the longest time like Cloud was hypnotized by them.

"They're pretty, right?" Zack said, snapping Cloud back into reality. "I'm going to by some dark contacts so I can actually look at people."

"Or I can treat you like a blind person," Cloud said.

"You know, that could work out for our benefits," Zack said, rubbing his chin in thought.

"I was kidding, Zack!" Cloud said, looking shocked.

Zack laughed, ruffling the blonde spikes, "I was too, man. At any rate, you should probably stick by me if what that old man says is true about this town."

"What do you mean?" Cloud asked.

"Like or not, Cloud, but you are adorable," Zack said. "Some guys want that sort of thing. We need to be careful so that way nobody suspects something if we attract too much attention."

Cloud sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "I can take care of myself."

"I don't think you can," Zack said.

"Who says so?" Cloud asked.

"Just forget it. All I ask is that you stick by me, deal?"

"Sure," Cloud said.

"Hey, you two," the driver said. "We're here. The town of pure hell."

To Be Continued...

A/N: A long wait? Yes. Do I fail at updates? YES! I hope you enjoy. Sorry it's short but there are plenty of fluffing scenes lol I hope that updates go faster since "Lusting Love" is done now. YAY! Sephy gets his big entrance along with Squally XD

I'm glad people still stay with me even though I take forever to update. I have a lot of school work to do D8 Thanks for all the support!