A lone man ran through the very forest where a great assassin fell in one of the bravest assassination attempts merely three years ago. His eyes darted in all directions searching for the man ordered to take his life. His breath was coming in desperate gasps. He stopped for a second to catch his breath and figure out where he was…then he heard it. He heard the slight rustling of leaves above him. The man had no time to look up before another dropped gracefully from a branch in the tree above and sliced a blade across his neck. As the man fell to his knees clutching his neck, his killer pulled back the hood of his dark cloak. Blonde spikes bounced forward after the hood was down. The assassin stared at his blood covered hand.

To think…that once the blood on my hands bothered me.

Cloud turned and walked back to the great stone city. The job was done, but the target never should have gotten the chance to run. Sloppy. Larxene's words came back to him. The target never should have known he was there. Damn creaking staircases.

By the time Cloud returned it was almost dawn. He made his way to Shinra's office. Though he felt like the world fell apart when Alexis was killed, life went on. Merchants continued buying and selling, beggars still stalked the alleyways and backstreets, the assassins continued their fight with Hollow Bastion's warriors. The world continued. For a while Cloud resented that fact, people went on with their lives, while he grieved and pined for his best friend.

He knocked on the door to Shinra's study and it was opened almost immediately.

'I assume it is done.' Shinra said confidently.

During the three years following Alexis' death, Cloud had thrown himself into his work. Over the years he became one of the greatest assassins of the clan. He took on the more dangerous targets, or the ones that were the greatest priorities.

'I am aware of the fact the I have been giving you many targets lately, you may think nothing of it…but there is reasoning behind it.' Shinra paused and considered Cloud for a moment. 'I have been testing you.' He paused again. Shinra walked to the large window behind the great mahogany table. 'This may be our last hope. Our future rests in your hands.' He turned to Cloud again. 'Will you throw it away? Or will you fight for it?'

Cloud stared at the man for a long moment. 'What do you want me to do.'

'This mission is unlike any I've ever given before. It involves infiltration and assassination. You are to travel to Hollow Bastion, find out all you can about the warriors, about any plans they may have to attack us, the layout, strengths and weaknesses of the city anything that will help us crush them for good. Once you have valuable information, kill Leonhart. His death will cause chaos and in that chaos, we will destroy out enemy.'

Just the mention of the man's name made Cloud's blood boil. He didn't need to be asked twice.

'I'll do it.'

'You're going?' Aerith said quiet yet frantically. Cloud and Aerith had lived together since Alexis' death. Over the time the two had become extremely close friends.

She kept her voice low to prevent her daughter Kairi from waking. Kairi was nearing three years old. She had her fathers eyes and her mothers hair. Cloud had promised Alexis he would take care of Kairi and Aerith, so he did. He never understood fully why Alexis went ahead with the suicide mission, until now. His desire to protect his daughter from harm drove him to take the mission, it was either that…or let the warriors attack Midgar.

'I'm going.'

Aerith shook her head, tears filled her eyes. 'He killed Alexis…and you're going to walk right into his city?' Hollow Bastion now truly belonged to Leonhart, the old king had died after a long, drawn out illness, he had no heir…though before he passed he made sure he chose a successor. Leonhart.

'Once he's dead-'

'What! It'll be over? The war will end? That's what was said about Laguna Loire when he was in command of the warriors, and guess what? The war hasn't ended Cloud. Even if you do kill Leonhart…it won't stop, the war will go on. You just probably wont be here to see it.'

Cloud's eyes flitted to the other side of the room where he thought he saw a slight movement. A small brown haired girl stood rubbing her eyes.

Cloud walked to the child and picked her up.

'Hey sweetheart.' He said.

Aerith stood and walked over to Cloud and Kairi. She took the child from his arms.

'You still have blood on your clothes.' She whispered.

The next morning Cloud made himself busy by gathering the few supplies he needed to make the journey to Hollow Bastion. This was his chance. His chance to defend his people and to avenge Alexis.

'So you're really gonna go?' Cloud looked over his shoulder to see Aerith standing in the open doorway.

'I have to.'

'No one's forcing you!'

'No…I have to go…for me. I need to kill him.'

'Need?'

The was a pregnant pause as silence filled the room.

'Is Kai awake?'

'No.' Cloud realised now that tears filled Aerith's eyes. 'Go up to her.' Cloud nodded and walked away from the brunette.

He walked slowly into the girl's room, making sure he did not wake her. He padded over to her and pushed the hair from her eyes gently. He knew he should have just left. Standing there now, looking down at the girl that was like a daughter to him, he began to doubt whether he was doing the right thing. He contemplated going to Shinra and telling him he couldn't go. His moment of doubt was brief as he thought of Alexis last few words.

'Promise me…you'll look after…Aerith…and…the baby.'

If he did this mission, if he succeeded…that could mean the end of the war. Kairi would be able to grow up free from the ever looming worry of an impending attack. He kissed Kairi on her forehead and walked back to Aerith.

He gathered the last few items he needed and looked to Aerith. 'I better go. It's a three day journey to Hollow Bastion….better to start early.'

Aerith refused to let any tears fall as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the blondes shoulders. Cloud returned the hug.

'You better come back to us alive.' Aerith's voice was strained as she spoke.

'I'll try.' Cloud said as they pulled away and he headed for the door.

He made his way to the city gates where he would acquire a horse and set off.

Larxene sat on a bench holding the reins attached to a white mare. Once she caught site of the blond she stood up slowly and made her way over to him. She handed Cloud the reins to the horse.

'The sooner you get out of here, the sooner this war could be over, I thought I'd help get you out of here quicker. Her name is Saffron.'

'How thoughtful.' Cloud muttered as he climbed onto the mare. He made himself comfortable on the leather saddle and stared down at Larxene.

'Don't get all sappy on me now, Strife.' She sneered. 'Go.' She waved her hand as if swatting an irksome fly. 'Don't get yourself killed before Leonhart is dead. Though, if you did, think Rufus'd give me the job?'

He nudged the mare into a trot and then into a into a run once he passed the city's gates. He stopped periodically to allow the horse to rest. He spent his days travelling, from dawn until dusk. He had been travelling for three days, he knew he was nearing his destination, but night was falling. The journey was taking longer than he expected. He decided to set up camp for the night. He set up his makeshift bed of animal skins on the ground. He started a fire away from the skins, close enough to heat him, but far enough that the skins would not be set aflame. Saffron was secured to a sturdy tree nearby. After eating a small meal he made over the fire, Cloud lay on the skins and shut his eyes.

He had not slept properly since he had accepted the mission. This was his chance for revenge…but to commit regicide. The chances that Cloud could be walking right to his death were very high…but his actions could put an end to the war. He tried to ignore the turmoil in his mind. He concentrated on the sounds around him, the crackling of the fire, Saffron's slow, deep breathing, the rustling of leaves. Cloud opened his eyes. How could leaves rustle like that without a breeze? He listened closer. He heard twigs snapping, the sounds were getting louder, closer. He stood up and picked up the sword he had set beside him. He stared out into the darkness, watching for shadows in the darkness. He saw a movement in the bushes in front of him. He readied his sword.

Someone pushed past the bushes and made their way into the clearing. Cloud could see that this someone wielded a sword of his own.

'Who's there?' Cloud growled.

'Who's there?' A voice sneered back. Cloud's eyes widened. He knew that voice, it was like velvet, but it was lethal. The voice's owner stepped forward and Squall Leonhart came into view.