Love Changes Everything

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Final Fantasy Okay?

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CHAPTER 2: Another Day

Another Meeting

"I am now
In a world where I
Have to hide my heart
And what I believe in
But somehow
I will show the world
What's inside my heart
And be loved for who I am"

Everything hurts, after his brother was sent to a mission that would last for three days mission this had to happen, he knew that whenever Will would be away the bastards comes out and play…Cloud shivered, his body trembling as the coldness of the surroundings seeped through his drenched clothes, and the rain was unrelenting, hammering his body with continuing pelts of water. Wrapping his arms around his torso, Cloud tried without success to warm himself, but the gesture did provide a small amount of comfort. He knew he had to endure this beating so not to get suspicious, but nonetheless it hurts for his younger body, his 16 years old body is not as hard as his body on the future he came from.

He was now sitting behind a large storage room which was by the side of the Shinra building and situated at the far corner of the training field, partially hidden from view by the building. Cloud leaned heavily against the concrete wall, feeling the rough surface against his clothes. Sighing, he laid his head back and let the rain washed over his features. Clutching his aching side, he whimpered softly.

Really, he shouldn't have rushed out of the training hall like that. It was obvious that he was running away from it all, and Cloud was ashamed of this fact. He should have been tougher, should have handled the situation better than how he had acted. He thudded his head gently against the wall, berating himself. But the action just caused him to feel nauseous and he was vividly reminded of the large gash on his forehead.

He had almost forgotten about it, the rain was washing away the blood and the coldness numbing the pain. But as he brought his hand up to touch it, the slight searing heat prickled his fingers and he felt a sharp stab of pain. Wincing, he let his arm limply fall down by his side. He was just too exhausted to give a damn anymore. He had this strangest urge to cry, and the emotion was pooling in his stomach, making him extremely uncomfortable, but with each choked swallow of his saliva, he managed to keep it down, but it disturbed him nonetheless, the aching feeling of repressed fury, shame and sorrow gnawing away at his conscience.

Cloud shifted his body into a more comfortable position while ignoring the pain throughout his body from the old and new wounds and bruises, gritting his teeth in determination while he did so. After managing this strenuous feat, he sighed again, his youthful, soft and gentle voice sounding awkwardly heavy and coarse, which did not suit him at all.

Trying hard to stay awake even with the cold and pain seeping through his body, Cloud let his mind wander. He wondered if this was really the end for him. As much as he wanted to, he just couldn't seem to find the sheer will to carry on to achieving his dreams as SOLDIER anymore. It just felt like the whole world was against him, and whenever things started to look better, his hopes and spirits will be squashed down into nothingness. And after so many times, he felt that the whole thing was pointless. So what if it was his dream? He couldn't reach it, no matter how hard he tried.

Squeezing his eyes shut and more resolved than ever to keep himself from crying, Cloud clenched and unclenched his fists to keep his emotions in check. The gesture itself was lacking in strength, and Cloud wondered if this was the end. He had no will to carry himself to the infirmary, and as a trainee he had not the ability to cure himself. Even with his bandages, Cloud knew that he had simply lost too much blood and nothing could be done. His mind fleeted to memories of his brother when they were still together before the older one had to go away to be a SOLDIER for him, he could dazedly conjure up fuzzy images of his gentle smile and the soft touch of his hand while he ruffled through his unruly hair, the consolation that he always gave when Cloud was feeling particularly down.

Clear blue eyes fluttered open for a moment, and there was a faraway look on them. Cloud struggled to keep his eyes open, as they kept closing down, and did his best to maintain conscious. But he knew it was a losing battle.

Just as he was about to slip into blackness, he heard the sound of rushed footsteps running towards him, and could hear a muffled voice. But everything was unfocused and hazy, and he gave a final, heartbreakingly sad smile as he let his body slipped from the wall and onto the floor.

Cloud had been anticipating the pain which would come from the impact, but surprisingly, it never came. Everything else faded into inky blackness and became a blank emptiness after that.

There was hell on the hallway as furious snarls of demands were spat out.

"I only went away for at least three days and this happened! Who the fuck is responsible on this mess?!" that was the voice of a Furious Older Brother of Cloud Strife.

"Second Class SOLDIER Wilmar Strife, Calm Down…" One of the Doctors called out nervously.

"Calm down? Calm Down?! How could I calm down when it was my Younger Brother is the one lying there!" The said SOLDIER stated angrily and in coincidence his Temper equalled the thunderous weather.

There was a thunderstorm outside, Wilmar hadn't been in a good mood after some idiotic Cadet decided to show off and nearly got them crushed inside the cave. His Mako Blue Eyes shone like a wild fire, he had just arrived a while ago and Kunsel had informed him an incident where Cloud was involved, his heart nearly stopped knowing that his Brother's young body is not strong enough to endure beating yet, his enhancement is yet to rise out of his body, just not now…he began running towards the main infirmary only to find his brother still bruised and unconscious body and his temper dropped to zero and thus he began snarling. Whoever did this is going to pay.

A large hand dropped down to his shoulder trying to stop him from glaring the already frightened doctor.

"SOLDIER Strife, you need to calm down or you'll give the poor Doctor a heart attack." An awfully familiar voice called out calmly.

Without looking back…

"Tell me Commander, What does Shinra Stands on bullying?"

"Zero Tolerance…" Angeal answered.

"And if this goes on without the instructor putting a stop on this course of action?" Wilmar asked icily.

"It will never go unpunished…" Angeal answered.

"Well, does that count?" Wilmar hissed pointing at his unconscious younger brother who was lying down the bed.

"When did that happened?" Angeal asked.

"About three days or so when I was away from a mission, it seems some rats took advantage while I was away…" The older Strife hissed. "The next time I find out who it was you better prepare a funeral mass!"

With that Wilmar is out of the Main Infirmary, he was about to go to the VR Room to release his tension, his exhaustion is long forgotten, when a Cadet whom he recognized as Ilion Stratus came to him and look frightened. His Purple eyes wide and looking scared his Indigo hair was framing his young face.

"What is it Cadet Stratus?" He asked lightly so not to scare the Cadet, his angry face is enough to shake a First Class SOLDIER.

"A-About th-the incident w-with C-Cloud Strife, S-sir…" The young man answered trying to calm his nerve.

"What is it about the incident you know about the involvement of my younger brother, Cadet Stratus?" The Older Strife asked calmly keeping a keen eyes one the young cadet if he was lying or not. No lies can escape him.

"I-I know wh-who did it, S-Sir…" Cadet Stratus answered shakily.

Wilmar looked at the young cadet sharply.

"And you didn't inform any of your superiors about this why?" he asked in a tone dripped with discipline.

Ilion flinched from where he was standing and lowered his head in shame.

"Head's up Cadet and look at me when you are talking, do not look down because the floor is not the one you are talking to." Wilmar stated firmly.

Angeal was witnessing it all, that this SOLDIER somehow not acts like a Second Class at all, but a…Mentor scolding a student? Had this SOLDIER mentored someone before? The look on the Young SOLDIER's eyes telling him that this SOLDIER is a Veteran…soon and Silently both the General, Commander Rhapsodos and First Class SOLDIER Zack Fair was standing beside the Dark Haired Commander, watching in silence.

"Well, Cadet?" The Older Blond asked firmly and giving no rooms for lies.

"I-I got scared if I tell what they did, they'll hurt me like the way they hurt Strife…" Ilion answered in a small tone.

Wilmar snorted and stated "You'll never be a SOLDIER if you have no Courage…and so you waited for my arrival, then? Because you knew it'll be safe if I'm the one you're going to talk to about this incident?"

"Y-Yes Sir…I-." Ilion answered tears starts to gather at the corner of his eyes.

"Then care to tell me who the perpetrators are?" Wilmar asked softly he couldn't bear seeing an innocent Cadet in tears.

However whatever transpired outside the Main Infirmary, Cloud was having a dream…a dream about him and Zack

-Cloud's Dream-

"Is this okay?" He asked timidly, blushing as his cheek met Zack's warm chest. Luckily for him, the shirt Zack had worn to bed had left the area around his collar bone exposed. Awkwardly, and unsure of himself, he cautiously placed an arm around the older SOLDIER lying in bed with him.

"It's fine," Zack replied, calm and collected as usual.

He felt completely paralyzed as his heart raced inside him. He could tell Zack was smiling slightly just by the way he spoke and it made him feel flustered. He tried to catch his breath, still finding it hard to believe that Zack had allowed him to get this close.

"Relax," Zack instructed, pulling him closer as a sign of comfort. "You worry too much."

He frowned at that comment. He felt slightly justified in his anxiousness. "B-But what if my mom comes in to check on us? Or your Mentor?"

"Hmph…Angeal won't mind…" Zack sounded amused as he pulled away from him so he could look him (Cloud) in the eyes.

"What would you do if they did?" He asked, slowly sweeping his bangs away from his face to get a better view. It sounded like Zack was issuing a challenge.

His eyes met Zack's and the moonlight shining in from the window off to the side of them made it hard for him to look away. Zack's smirking face looked absolutely gorgeous.

"What would you do if he walked in right now and saw us?"

Feeling even more embarrassed now, He lowered his eyes and absently began tracing his finger along Zack's soft, ash-colored shirt before closing his eyes and resting his forehead against it with a deep, heavy sigh.

"I'm not sure," he said against the fleece.

Zack gave up on that train of thought and once again took the boy in against his body.

Despite the tension and paranoia that he had felt since Zack had joined him in his bed, He finally started to relax. It was getting pretty late. He was sure that the others had already gone to bed. His thoughts now started drifting off toward other things.

He smells good, He noted to himself, slowly taking in a deep breath.

Zack's alluring scent seemed to fill some sort of void he felt within his chest. It made him feel whole. He smiled against Zack's chest knowing his scent was imbedded in the sheets around them and it put him in a state of total relaxation. He thought he would fall asleep at any moment, but he didn't want the night to end yet. It was like a dream come true.

"Zack, I..." He paused, desperately clutching onto the shirt that hugged Zack's back.

Zack slowly let go of him and started pulling himself up off of the bed, taking him by surprise.

"I guess if it worries you that much, I should go sleep on the floor." Zack spoke, his words holding little emotion.

His eyes widened at Zack's sudden reaction. With the gentle warmth and soothing smell around him that brought him so much peace starting to vanish, he panicked.

"No, it isn't that!" He tried his best to keep his voice down as he reached up and grabbed Zack's wrist. He had never been one to be so demanding, but he couldn't help latching onto Zack. He loved him. Everything about him. He blushed at the realization that he didn't care if they got caught as long as they were together for just a little while longer.

Zack turned his head toward him (Cloud).

"You sure you're okay with it?" He asked. "You've been nervous all evening just being alone in the same room with me."

He felt too shy to look up at Zack as he released his wrist and responded, "Yes. I want you here." He slowly lay back down, trying his best not to look Zack in the eyes.

"Well, then..."

Zack quickly positioned himself above him, a menacing grin now on his face.

"If that's what you want, I won't hold back."

He twitched instinctively as Zack slowly bent down to whisper in his ear.

"Z-Zack..." He gasped lightly as he felt Zack's breath tingle against his ear.

"Cloud," Zack whispered.

Hearing his name in such a pleasant tone coming from Zack sent a comforting chill up his spine… He felt a rush of blood to his face as Zack's lips gently ran down his neck. It was soft at first and then a little more dominating once he got to the boy's shoulder and let his tongue take over as he pulled down his shirt.

"Z-Zack, I...I'm not sure if-"

Zack backed away for a moment, listening to what he had to say.

Noticing that Zack was waiting for him to continue, he (Cloud) took in a deep breath, trying to keep calm.

"I don't know if...if I can do this." He eventually said, looking away.

Zack sighed, closing his eyes and re-adjusting himself above the young blond so that he was stable as he spoke.

"You know, this was your idea. If you're not ready, tell me and we can stop this right now." He sounded a little let down.

"I'm not backing out, I'm just not sure what to do." He fought back.

A sly smile stretched across Zack's face as he chuckled lightly to himself. He would've expected as much.

"Just relax." He said lightly. "It'll come to you."

Once again, Zack leaned in. As their foreheads touched, he added, "You're still okay with this, right? I won't force you into it."

"Mm," He nodded bashfully.

With his approval, Zack carefully found his (Cloud's) lips with his own and was surprised by how natural it felt for their first kiss.

He gasped as their lips parted for a brief moment and then tried his best to keep up as they joined for yet another kiss. This time, more vigorous.

He felt lost in another world as their bodies did the talking. He let Zack lead and gladly submitted until he felt the older man reach for his pants.

"W-wait! Zack!" He pulled away from the older SOLDIER, fearful of the feelings welling up inside of him. He'd never felt this way before.

Zack felt the younger start to tremble beneath him and stopped, instead running his hand through the blonde's hair before gently kissing his forehead.

"It's alright. I got a little ahead of myself. We won't go any further tonight." He said soothingly.

For some reason, He felt ashamed of himself. Zack was clearly wanting more and here he was, denying him. Deep down, he wanted it too. Something just told him he couldn't.

"I'm so weak," He said sadly. He closed his eyes tightly, fighting back tears. "I can't do anything."

Zack re-positioned himself so that he was once again lying beside the young blond and took the shaking boy in against his chest.

He was grateful that Zack hadn't given up on him. He nudged his face against Zack's chest and sighed as his shivering slowly went away.

"You'll get better," Zack whispered, playing with his hair. "Like with all things, it just takes practice."

"Like training?" He asked, sheepishly.

"Mm," Zack responded with a smile. "Just like training."

He let out a sigh, letting Zack's familiar scent calm his nerves.

"It helps to imagine in situations like this too," Zack added playfully.

He blushed. There had been plenty of times where he had imagined Zack. He thought about all the times he had imagined himself in Zack's arms just as he was now. All the times he spent dreaming of clinging to him the way Zack cling to his Mentor.

Before long, he found himself drifting off, his mind full of dreams that he hoped soon might become a reality.

"Good night, Cloud." Zack whispered, kissing the boy on his head one last time before drifting off to sleep.

-End of Dream-

Cloud woke up from his sleep and doesn't know where he was, it was dark outside and stormy…

"Spikey! You're awake!" Zack called out happily and bound beside the bed.

Cloud looked up at the Dark Haired SOLDIER…and blushed…

"Err…Spike? You okay? Please be okay, I don't want to be the receiving end of Williekins' wrath!" Zack whined as he witnessed the Older Blonde's wrath an Hour ago and it wasn't really pretty in sight, he saw how the Older Strife's mood Darkened along with the weather.

"Zack…I think I should be the one asking if you're okay, you look like you had seen Commander Rhapsodos in a dress and pink apron…" Cloud said in confusion. (A/N: Sorry for the Mental Image)

Zack gaped at his blond friend as if he had grown two heads all of a sudden.

"Damn, Spike now I can't get that image out of my head!"

"Umm…Zack…a while ago…I heard, Will snarling…is he mad?" Cloud asked.

"Not at you, Spike. Heck he went out in the storm to retrieve the guys responsible for you to be here…Spike, you nearly scared me back there, I thought you're going to die…" Zack said with his soulful eyes.

"It will take more than that to bring me down, Zack…but thank you for your concern…I'm glad." Cloud said with a smile.

Zack brightened at Cloud's smile, it was so pretty, Cloud's smile is so beautiful, and Cloud has the most beautiful smile in the world! He unconsciously reached out and touched the younger Strife's cheek.

"Damn, you had the most beautiful smile in the whole Planet…" He murmured.

"Not, true…Will have a beautiful smile too…and…and…" Cloud muttered. 'You as well…'

"Really? I thought he was all scowl and no smile at all…" Zack teased.

"AHEM!"

The two jumped and looked at the door and saw the Older Blond there leaning on the door post with a raised brow.

"Err…How much did you heard?" Zack asked scratching the back of his head.

"Oh I heard everything…" Wilmar answered with a deadpanned look. "Now that you two are done dissecting about my smiles would you two stop being so mushy?"

The two blushed in chorus.

The Next Week had gone by and now The Strife Brothers, Commander Hewley, Zack and some Infantrymen were now walking down the dangerous road at the side of the cliff that newly formed somewhere at the side of Mideel Area as they were sent to investigate the place.

"Watch your step, it's slippery…" Angeal called out as he took lead.

Zack was in the middle, the Infantrymen with them are behind Zack, as Cloud was in front of his Older Brother, sticking close to the man as always. The cliff was like a huge crater and below them is a deep chasm, even a SOLDIER like Zack would die if he fall down there Gaia knows what's down there. They reached a livable cave when they reached the half of the area, they got samples of plants and any life forms in the place. That night fire cracked at the camp fire as the few Infantrymen gathered around for warmth, Cloud had warmed the already made soup that his brother had cooked back at their quarters, it was enough for all of them, Zack was at the mouth of the cave on a look out as Angeal looked for a firewood, there had been a lot hanging at the walls of the ravine, Wilmar was outside looking out for any monsters that will attack them. He saw Hippogriffs flying around the area, but wise enough not to attack seeing the two Big Swords that the Second Class was carrying (A/N: Refer to Mithril Great Sword and SIG Metal Great Sword). It was a wonder how he had carried two big swords without stumbling? Zack had wondered how much strength does Cloud's Brother had, carrying two Great Sword that look as heavy as Angeal's Sword let alone carrying two of it. But in all truth the two swords were light only to those whom are chosen wielders.

Cloud was glad that Zack hadn't realized it yet that He and Wilmar are not from this time line and he was grateful, Wilmar had a very good timing too intervene too. Somehow he got this inkling feelings that his brother is manipulating something or so, but he didn't care he knew his knew what he was doing and he is ready to intervene if something's going to happen or bound to happen.

Wilmar was able to mask their identity on the dreams so all those had connections on them won't realize who those people (Which was him and Cloud) are, with the help of his Ancestors in the Lifestream he was able to do so, but he cannot manipulate dream and concealing their identity is only a one chance of a lifetime. He can hear murmuring in the lifestream that he should meet a Flower Girl in the Church down the plate…Aerith was the name of that Flower Girl, he know, she was the last of her kind…the Cetra, Healer of the World…a Gainsborough the Ancient Clan of Cetras…Strifes were Known as the Guardians.

It was said the First Strife Guarded the Cetras from harm, but that ended a long time ago after Jenova came, the Last ones that were alive now is the Two Brothers, much like the Flower Girl who was the last of her kind.

"Even if the morrow was barren of promises, Nothing shall forestall my return, Forth the passing of the world from the future, Heroes of the Dawn returns, through time for the World's Salvation…" Wilmar murmured lightly.

Unknown to him a Certain Commander was listening to his melody. Back at Midgar somewhere under the plate at the Church, a brunette girl stood up from where she was sitting as she tends on her flower, She looked up to the dim ray of light as she heard a clear Voice even if it sounds like a whisper somewhere.

"Even if the morrow was barren of promises, Nothing shall forestall my return, Forth the passing of the world from the future, Heroes of the Dawn returns, through time for the World's Salvation…"

She knew they were here, she knew for the Planet had told her that two travelers of time had arrived, one she knew all too well while the other is not, and he was the rebirth of the Cetra Warrior that had tried to protect her kind a long time ago.

One was the Guardian of the World, whilst the other is the Guiding Warrior Light to the Guardian leaving forth the other four the spectator.

"Touch the Planet, Touch the Stars, for a new Power Shall be Born, as we Touch the Life…The Blue Planet…" The Voice recited again and disappeared.

"Touch the Life…The Blue Planet…" The Girl Murmured. "Warrior of Light…"

She held both of her hand and prayed to the Planet…

To Be Continued

Please Review

Sorry about the Chapter...Gomanasai! and about the Poem Wilmar Recited I picked a Bits of LOVELESS and Combined it with mine own Version...