Chapter 1: He Has Another

I sat up, heart racing, head pounding. Not again! Another vision. I realized I was crying. Not bothering to wipe off the tears, I got up and went down stairs to the kitchen.

I opened the fridge door, got out the milk, and took a swig. I put it back in and closed the door back.

"You should be in bed." I turned to face Cloud. I admired how he could sneak up like that without you knowing. His face was sympathetic when he looked at me. "Have another one Zoe?" I nodded. He held out his arms and I gratefully accepted the embrace. He pulled me close and kissed my forehead. Then he bent down to look me in the eye. Both our cool blue eyes locked on to each other. He ran his hand through my hair, which was the same shade of blonde as his.

"It's okay Zo. I promise we'll sort this out. We're all here. You're not alone. Now let's go back to bed." He took my hand and led me back to my room.

I crawled into bed and waited for Cloud to tuck me in. I knew I was a bit old to be tucked in, but Cloud always did it. Just like a big brother or father. But this time, he didn't. Instead, he laid down beside me and put his arm around me, pulling me closer.

"Now go to sleep, I'm right here if you need me." With that he kissed me on the forehead and stroked my hair one last time. I closed my eyes, feeling safe that he was right here with me. The rest of the night was all peaceful sleeping. Which I thank Cloud for.

The next morning when my alarm went off I looked to see that Cloud was gone. He'd probably went back to his room sometime in the night. I got up and headed down stairs for breakfast.

"Morning," Tifa chimed happily.

"Morning,' I said back.

Denzal, Marlene, and Yuffie were already at the table eating. Barret wouldn't be up for another hour. I sat down as Tifa laid my plate down in front of me. After I finished eating, I started to get up when I felt hands on my shoulders. I glanced up to meet the demon red eyes of Vincent.

"Cloud told me you had another one last night."

"Uh-huh," I looked down at my folded hands, ashamed. My visions weren't unheard by now, but it was embarrassing to have everyone worry over you every time you had one. Not only that but it was my fourth just this week. And like always, all eyes were trained on me.

"Again?" Reno asked as he came through the door. I nodded. He gave me the look of concern everybody gave me. It annoyed me so much. "You know we worry with you getting sick every time you have one of those stupid things."

"It's not like I can control them. And besides, they're not that bad. I only get a little sick and they help us predict stuff. That's important. So I know something big is gong to happen like the times before. But I'LL be fine." He raised an eyebrow at me. "Seriously."

"Whatever," he mumbled as Tifa handed him a coffee.

"Oh.Vincent?"

"Hmm?"

"Where'd Cloud go anyway?"

"Out. Didn't say where. But he looked pretty mad."

"Oh. Hope nothings wrong. Tifa I'm going upstairs to get dressed for school." She nodded. I ran up to my room and put on my uniform. I was a rare case of Midgar children actually attending school. On my way back down I heard shouts coming from the living room. Now what's going on, I thought to my self? Rolling my eyes, I tuned the corner of the stair case to see an uproar between Cloud and a girl I did not know, who happened to look oddly like me.

"Where've you been? I thought you were dead all these years. But now I get a letter saying to come get you. Where the hell have you been all this time?" Cloud's face was red with anger. I'd never saw him this way before.

"Humph. Me? What about you?" the girl snapped. "You're my older brother. You should have been looking for me."

Older…brother?

"I did look. After a while though, I lost hope that you were still alive."

"No! Sorry I'm alive then."

"Don't talk like that! I'm glad you're alive.

"Who's she?" the girl pointed at me as she spotted me staring at them.

"That's Zoe. We took her in about a year ago." Cloud's voice was softer now.

"Cloud, what does she mean older brother,"I whined.

"Oh, I see that I've been replaced," the girl snapped.

"What does she mean," I said in a small yell.

"I guess you don't need me?"

"Wait! Yes Zoe, she's my younger sister, Tasha! And yes I need you stupid!"

"Obviosly not!"

"Shut up! I do!" Cloud growled.

"Whatever! Did you feel guilty about abandoning me and find her.? Looks a lot like me huh? You needed a replacement didn't you?"

"No!"

"You've got a sister?" I was really yelling now.

"You're a terrible brother, Cloud you abandoned me, and then replaced me!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"You lied. You never said you had a sister! You called me little sis."

"See? You never mentioned me! You don't care and you nev…"

SMACK! Everything went silent.

"JUST SHUT UP!" it was Cloud. Tasha rubbed her sore face. Cloud had slapped her! He was breathing heavily. "Tasha, go to your room."

"But I don't..."

"Find one." He hissed through gritted teeth. She ran upstairs crying fiercely. I had never

seen Cloud this way. I don't think anybody had. Everybody was stunned.

"Cloud I…"

"You too!" he snapped at me. Tears stung my eyes. I turned to go. He'd been so kind and understanding last night. One girl changed him this much. I didn't like it. I over heard Tifa attempt to say something.

"Cloud, are you…"

"Tifa just shut up." To her, his vice was not raised.

On my way to my room, I heard sobbing behind the door of a spare room. Tasha. I locked myself in my room when I got there and didn't come out. It was the first day since I'd been here that I didn't go to school. I just cried into my pillow all day and into night and then, till the next morning.