Going beneath the plate was allowed and something all cadets did, however he also knew that secrets were rarely kept in the military ranks. Which was precisely why Cloud was sneaking around the way he was.

Of course, it also had to do with the fact that he didn't react like most cadets do upon their first visits to the slums. He remembered; hell, he'd been in worse. There was only one problem though, he needed to find someone who could tell him where there was a good arms supplier. There was a great difference between the weapons shops that were approved and those that had the really good stuff.

Catching a glimpse of red hair in front of him made him stop short. No way, what would be the odds? As he neared the person, he couldn't help a small smile steal across his lips. Reno, while he'd never quite been a friend, had always been there in the background of his life in some way. How to use this situation to his advantage though?

After pondering a moment, Cloud pasted on a wide-eyed, almost horrified look and walked straight into the Turk trainee's back. Unfortunately, he hadn't exactly planned on the other boy turning at the half-second and both of them losing their balance and tumbling to the ground.

Cloud found himself staring, dazed, into blue eyes before jerking to his feet, face bright red.

"Shit! I am so, so sorry! Are you hurt?" He sputtered, using the fall as the perfect excuse to get the other to trust him a little. After all, he knew how much people thought of him as a teen. Adorable with bright blue eyes and tiny, innocent.

"Nah, 'm alright yo. How bout you?" Reno's voice was not only higher than he remembered it but the accent was much thicker. Cloud grinned to show that he wasn't hurt.

"Just a bit lost, maybe you can help me?" He looked up at Reno, widening his eyes and putting a slight pout onto his face. He watched as the redhead stared at him, considering, before a bright smile crossed his face and an arm was slung over his shoulder.

"Come on, little 'un. Stick wit Reno an I'll show you the world." Reno exclaimed boisterously, pulling Cloud along a bit, "What ya lookin for?"

Grinning inwardly, Cloud bit his lip a little nervously. He make a big show of glancing around warily, then back at Reno and lowering his voice.

"You wouldn't happen to know a good place I can get a sword by any chance, would you?"

As Reno's expression closed off a bit, Cloud hoped he hadn't miscalculated. He hated manipulating people but in this case it would not only get him what he needed, but maybe he'd make back an old comrade?

He released a sigh as Reno began leading him further into the slums, bright grin once more on his face.

"I kno' jus the place for a wee chococadet to get himself some illegal weapons!" the redhead exclaimed softly, seemingly pleased at his corruption of someone so young. Cloud couldn't help another smile from escaping, he really had missed the excitable and infectious attitude of the other. Before now, it had been about 3 years since seeing the Turk in his own time.

"What's ya name little chococadet?" The redhead questioned him, arm still around his shoulder.

"Strife. Cloud Strife. You are Reno?" Cloud questioned lightly and it was answered with a wink and a soft scuff at the back of his head.

He followed, for the first time feeling vaguely content in this past, as they wound their way deeper into the slums past places he'd never seen. Finally they ended up standing in front of a shop with books in the front window. He eyed Reno warily, but followed him inside.

Well, he sure hadn't expected this. He watched with shrewd eyes as Reno chatted with the shop owner, Pax, friendly enough. As his gaze wandered around the shop, he noticed it was set up like an armory inside. Weapons lined the walls and shelves, and he eyed them closely; they did seem to be good quality weapons. No doubt stolen or acquired in not exactly legal ways, but he didn't mind that.

He jumped as a hand latched onto his wrist and Reno dragged him to stand in front of the shop keeper, who sized him up.

"Any idea whatcha want?" Pax was a gruff looking man with numerous piercings and lanky hair. However, Cloud got the feeling that he wasn't as scary as he was trying to make himself. He cocked his head to the side and pondered a moment.

"I'm not entirely sure yet. Could I look around and think about it?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed Reno and Pax exchange glances. Probably thinking he was some rookie that had no idea what he was getting into. The reality of it was…. He wasn't sure what kind of sword really fit him.

He'd first taken up Zack's Buster Sword, and then First Tsurugi was a homage to Zack. A way to remember his friend and a way to remind himself of how he failed and how far he'd come. Even if it had been too late. This time though, he wouldn't fail, he would save Zack and he'd save Sephiroth, even if he died trying.

This time he was going to get something that fit him. His eyes trailed the many weapons slowly. He wanted something understated, nothing too long or too broad. He wanted something that would make people underestimate him and his sword.

He wanted a reminder that this time would be different. His hand closed on the hilt of a small curved Wutaian blade but after he gave it a careful swipe, it didn't feel right either. Putting it back, he made his way to the front where Reno and Pax were watching his every move.

"I want something different than usual, but well balanced and sharp as hell, not too long or broad. Something that will make people underestimate the weapon's strength but at the same time it's elegant in design." His voice was soft but sure and completely at ease with what he wanted.

Cloud watched in surprise as a sharp smile slid across Pax's face, the man grinning was off-putting. Probably what it would look like if Vincent grinned.

"I think I might have jus' the thing for you, hold up one tic." As he shuffled into a door to the right, Cloud's gaze met Reno's and he grinned a bit. The young Turk looked flummoxed at him but still smiled a little, but Cloud could see the calculating gaze in his eyes. He wasn't too worried about getting Reno's attention, for all his oddities aside, the redhead knew when to shut his mouth and when to blab. Reno would be so wrapped up in the mystery before his eyes he wouldn't even think to tell anyone until he himself discovered the answers.

"Here we are!" Pax exclaimed, exiting the backroom and holding a covered sword which he carefully set down on the table. He unveiled it and waited expectantly.

Cloud stared at the weapon. It was a rapier of some sort. About the length of his arm from tip to the bottom. Thin, and it looked sharp as sin. The hilt was something to be admired, definitely; delicate filaments of steel wrapped around it in a way that would surround the hand of the person who wielded it.

"Tha's it? What th'fuck, yo! This thing looks like it would be crushed in a instant!" Reno exclaimed loudly, ignoring both dark looks from Pax and Cloud.

"It's the strongest sword I've ever come across," The shop keeper's voice was reverent and boasting, "no one is sure exactly what it's made of, but it's stood up against weapons longer and broader than it without giving an inch. Sharp litt'l bugger too."

Cloud picked it up and gripped it tight. Stepping back, he fell into a stance and did a few movements. The sword flowed with him in a way that would take some getting used to, seeing as it also had weight to it. He could build himself up with this weapon, it could become an extension of himself. He grinned and grabbed the sheath and slid the sword home. He wasn't sure it would hold up against a Buster blade or anything, but it definitely was sharp and strong enough for what he needed it for.

"I'll take it."

After he'd paid for his new weapon he allowed Reno to drag him out of the shop and into an ally. He looked up into the light blue eyes and frowned.

"You aren't going to rat me out?" he questioned lowly, hoping he hadn't read the other wrong. He watched as a very… predatory grin spread over Reno's lips.

"Course nawt Chococadet! O'course this means you owe me."

"Anything Reno," Cloud promised, and he meant it. The first time around, he'd been so annoyed with the redhead he'd wanted nothing to do with him. Now though… he missed him, missed being around people he knew. He'd gladly put up with any of Reno's, and Zack's, crazy plans without complaining.

As he and Reno parted ways, his mind was a million miles away. He still had no idea what to do, how to make things better and different. Right now he was just trying to stay alive and become someone who could make a difference. Perhaps that was all he could do presently, go with the flow and hope when the time came…. things would be different.

Making his way back into the Shinra building with a sword strapped to his back wasn't easy and took some hiding. He was finally nearing his room though, where he could stash the sword until he found somewhere else in the building to keep it.

Turning the last corner, he was brought to a halt and jumped in shock as a hand fell on his shoulder. A rather large hand that brought one thought to mind.

Busted.


Author's notes: 1699 words. Much better then the last chapter! Hopefully you all enjoyed it. I hit some writer's block in the middle. Hopefully you can't tell too much.

For those wondering what Cloud's Rapier looked like it looks very similar to this Italian Swept Hilt Rapier

tinyurl . com / 6jdw37r

Thank you to RegenesisX for the betaing this for me! She's also agreed to beta my other chapters for me! YAY