Summary: Leo is stuck in another world without a way to return home. H must join Shinra in order to try to find a way but along the journey he encounters new friends and the like. Leo needs to do what he needs to do before his time is up. His secrets must stay secret, he needs to find out what's up with the planet, and Jenova isn't what they thought.

AN: I'm going to trying to balance out my writing, ok. I'm trying lol

"There's a significant drop in recruits. The recruiters have reported that the people just aren't interested anymore, sir. Some say that the populace is afraid and considering the circumstances… I'm not surprised." Tseng said, as he lowered his report to the marble table.

Rufus sighed and rubbed his face with a gloved hand. "Honestly, I expected this to happen but I didn't expect it to be at this rate. A forty percent drop in the recruit average, funds being drained dramatically, repairs and it just goes on…" Rufus sighed again.

Tseng hesitated a bit, not sure whether the idea he had in mind was good or not. "Just say it, Tseng. What do you have in mind?" Cloud said, arms crossed over his chest. He was leaning against the wall where he was previously looking outside the window in the meeting room.

Genesis perked up. He had been previously drawing imaginary figures on the marble table everyone was gathered around. "Oh goodness, please let it be something good. We've been here for hours. Frankly, I think that anything would be a good idea better than none."

"Genesis…"

"You know I'm right Angeal." Said person just sighed, much like Rufus.

"I was thinking that we should get them, the Soldiers and us Turks of course, to do some recruitment ourselves and not have someone do it for us. I know we still have some people interested, sir. Also, by going out ourselves it might send a message to the populace that we aren't what the media depicts us to be."

"You mean crazy?" Zack said, leaning on two legs of his chairs. Beside him, Vincent merely pushed the chair back a bit, sending Zack sprawling to the floor who yelped indignantly. "What the hell was that for?" "If you're going to use a chair then actually use it." Vincent said bluntly while Zack just stuck his tongue out at him. "You guys are mean!" he pouted.

"Well I think boss man is right, yo. Maybe if we put on a few demonstrations then we might get some more people to come in yo. We'll need to be careful about how many we bring in yo. We can't have our hands too full." Reno said as he attempted to light a cigarette but Elena kept on putting his light out. She glared at him and he promptly put his lighter down. 'Damn, she can be scary when she wants to…'

"It's decided then."

Many eyes turned to him. Sephiroth was sitting up in attention, poised and elegant as ever.

Rufus just huffed and turned to Reeve. "Any matters on your end Tuetsi?"

The man in question looked serious and as others noticed they paid more attention. Cloud quietly made his way over to the table, standing sentry beside Zack who quickly sat up. Turks, Elena and Cissnei took out something to write on sensing that what was to be said would most likely be very important and be investigated. It didn't hurt to have something to go off on. Genesis, Angeal and Sephiroth mentally took note. Vincent, stoic as ever, merely bowed his head down a bit. Rude just stood silent.

"Recently there have been a few… anomalies going on. Director Lazard has been helping me investigate these proceedings by assigning a few available SOLDIER's to help…" Reeve hesitated, but continued with nonetheless, " There have been unusual amounts of mako showing up. Nilbeheim, for example. The mako levels were lower than what was previously recorded, down by about thirty to fifty percent. Areas that were also reported to have mako were checked as well, and they too have been severely decreased."

"Has someone been taking it?" Sephiroth questioned, his voice startling a few.

"I am sure that is not what is happening, as there are security measures around the area as well as the locals not having noticed any suspicious activity. However the cause of the depletion of mako has been undetermined, we need to find out why and how immedietly."

"There's more to it then." Vincent noted.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. It is true that mako is very dangerous, especially in its raw form, but it is also very essential to the Planet. It must be understood that mako is basically and without a doubt, the life blood of the Planet. The effects are already beginning to be seen." The lights suddenly dimmed and a projector came on. It depicted pictures of a storm.

Reeve stood up and motioned to the picture. Urgency practically oozed from him and the atmosphere was tense. "Do any of you recognize this?"

"Uh, no? Is it near Wutai?" Elena asked, her voice soft as she scribbled on her notepad no doubt taking notes.

Reeve shook his head. "This is actually off the coast of Costa del Sol." Gasps could be heard and immediately the room filled with noise.

"That can't be. Costa del Sol known as a resort town, that being said, the weather is usually sunny or perfect. I've been there enough in that town to know what the weather is like there." Cloud stated, his eyes hard and Vincent narrowed his eyes.

"I wish it was that way Cloud but I'm afraid it isn't. The storm came in unexpectedly and what was really strange was the fact that there had been no sign of an approaching storm whatsoever. No dark skies, wind, clouds… nothing."

Loki sighed for what seemed like the tenth time. It had been a while since he had settled in, but it still felt strange and very, very lonely.

He found himself comparing this city, Edge, to Magnolia. Often he noticed that there was a distinct lack of color, as weird as it sounded. Everything seemed so dull. It seemed like everything came in shades of grey or brown. He missed the scent of freshly baked goods and flowers in the air. Now all he smelled was carbon and smog polluted air. Though he could see that there was some effort to change the city and from what he could see, Midgard had been worse off. Loki would have never believed that a city could be so divided as well.

'Who the hell goes and divides the fucking city into sections. It's ridiculous. Magnolia was never like this. Sure some had more than others, but at least everyone was happy. The only time Magnolia ever really did something drastic is when Gilldarts rolls into town, and that's not very often.' Leo thought as he scowled.

"Hey! Loki! Loookii!"

"Hm?" Loki stopped in his leisurely walk through the slums. It was raining hard and it was kind of hard to see, but he could distinctly make out the small form of a female.

"Ah, Leiko-chan." He said to himself as he smiled and calmly made his way over to where she was standing under the protection of a rooftop.

"Huwy up Kitty! Wha are you doin! You're gonna get sick!" A little girl came into view. She looked no more than two years old. A happy and playful child she was, and Leo was wrapped around her little chubby fingers. 'She reminds me of Asuka more and more everyday…'

"What are you doing out here?" Loki said as he knelt down to her level.

She gave him a gap toothed smile. "I saw you Kitty! Lei wanted to gets you outta the rain!" she beamed at him. She tugged him inside the shabby shop.

"Who is that Lei?" A gruff voice called out as a man came into view.

"Daddy, its Kitty!"

Said man snorted at her answer.

"Ah Leiko-chan, you wound me. Why don't you just call me Loki?"

"Because all the kitties likes you and because all the animals likes you!" Loki just sighed at her answer.

"Ah Loki, what brings you here?"

"Your daughter brings me here, Valdir. She wanted to get me out of the rain and I couldn't say no." He said sheepishly.

Valdir Valelir, a Wutain immigrant who came to Midgard about ten years ago with his wife and daughter. He was a strict and quiet man, and the very definition of a warrior. The man had a scar that ran from the left side of his temple down to about his clavicle and Loki didn't doubt that he had more. The man also loved his family dearly and he would do anything to protect them.

Laos was a very proud woman and as much of a warrior as her husband. She was a very beautiful woman with the grace and kindness befitting of an angel. She was trained in various arts, especially medicine.

Together, Laos and Valdir ran a small grocery shop. Their goods were a wide variety but it was a place that was also more or less exclusive towards Wutains as it was one of the places where Wutain products could be found. But what they ran was more than what met the eye. It was kind of a known secret among the community, that their grocery shop also doubled as a weapon's shop and much more. The only one's who didn't know of course was Shinra and the higher-class, pompous assholes.

"Leiko, please don't wonder off on your own. I do not want anything to happen to you." Valdir lowered himself to Leiko's level and held out his pinkie, "Promise," he said in a totally serious voice.

Leiko, the pigtailed little princess that she was, nodded rapidly and she completed the pinky promise. "I promise, daddy." Valdir smiled at her as she placed a sloppy kiss on his head. "Why don't you go play with your toys, princess?"

Both Loki and Valdir smiled as they watched the girl skip out the room. 'Ah, what a happy little girl... I wish there were more children like her around here, but...'

"So Loki, tell me what's on your mind then." Loki blinked as he was brought out of thought.

"I don't have much on my-"

"I haven't known you for long Loki, but I can tell that's something is bothering you my friend." Valdir interrupted, and face serious. Loki just sighed and looked away from the man, opting to look out the window.

"You know you can trust us dear." A soft voice said as a towel was draped over his head."Come we don't want you to catch a cold now do we?" Laos, said as she smiled gently at him and as he took in her face he was reminded briefly of Mirajane.

Loki just wiped the rain from his face in response. "It's nothing serious really. Don't worry about it I just need to figure some things out." He said as he gave them what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

Bot Laos and Valdir exchanged looks, but said nothing.

"I should get going." Loki said, as he stood and made to walk out but he was stopped by two pair of hands.

He tensed his back was hugged and he saw Valdir stand in front of him. Soon Loki was in the middle of a hug sandwich as Valdir hugged him firmly. He heard Leiko's giggles soon enough as he felt little grubby hands wrap around his leg.

"You know your always welcome here Loki. Whenever you need something or someone... just come here." Valdir whispered.

"Please Loki, come whenever you want. The door is always open for you. You know how grateful we are for everything you've done for us we want to return the favor." Laos said, as her forhead rested against her back.

"Kitty-cat can come home and play with Leiko! She'll share her toys with Kitty!", she giggled.

Loki fought down tears as he smiled brightly at them. "Yea... I know. Thank you." For everything. Your company is enough for me, he thought as stepped out of the embrace and walked out into the freezing rain again and began his long trek home.