Nibelheim came into sight as the mountains began to encompass all sight and, in the distance, Shinrai Corp. became just another tree on the horizon. The cold air flowed through Clouds' body, rejuvenating every muscle and fiber; lifting him up from the smog of the city, to the serene sights of the country, untouched by the ways of big business.

The sun teased at Clouds' body. His hair the same golden corn, eyes still a placid blue and a face reminiscent of childhood days lost. Sephiroth gave a smirk and looked away, deep in contemplation, thinking of how he would run away with Cloud. How they both could find a small town, much like Nibelheim; except, Shinrai wouldn't exist. A small town where their appearance together would mean nothing to those looking on. A small town where things would be perfect.

Both Cloud and Sephiroth were unsure of the true nature of their last mission. The only instructions: Travel to Nibelheim. Neutralize and resistance.

"Neutralize any resistance. What do you think it means?"

"I am not sure..." Sephiroth paused, he could see panic growing on Clouds' face, "It will most likely be nothing." Cloud nodded. Still a look of grimace took Clouds' features and he just wanted it to be over with before it started. He wanted to be back in Midgar, back in his bed with Sephiroth asleep next to him; not here, not here where the memories of his lost love could resurface and threaten his and Sephiroth's relationship. All the pain and misery of those days came creeping back as Nibelheim grew closer.

'Kissed any guys lately?' Tiggs voice came first. Of course it would, why wouldn't it. That melodious voice taunted and echoed endlessly in his mind, 'How would you like to kiss me?' His mind curled up as the image of those days slowly meandered back into his mind and placed themselves squarely behind his eyelids, giving no rest.

"Off to school Cloud!" His mom was always so cheery, that's what ignorance does to you. How could she have known how he was taunted? The teachers kept it a secret, the kids kept it a secret. Cloud kept it a secret.

"Hey Cloud," that mocking voice teased his ears, "what were you doing last night?"

"Nothing." Cloud's face turned scarlet as the events of the night before were thrown back into his mind.

"Oh yeah? I saw you go into the woods. Why?" Last night seemed like a blur. It had happened so fast; yet, he could remember every single detail. Every instance of ecstasy, the passion and the pure joy of it all came flooding back into his being; however, Cloud couldn't think of all that now, he had to protect his ego, what little bit of ego was left for that matter.

"Shut up Tiggs!" The same scarlet features remained but with a new force hidden behind them.

"You saying you wanna fight?" And why wouldn't Tiggs want to fight? He hated Cloud, everyone knew that.

"Yeah." That was a lie, Cloud didn't want to fight Tiggs, he needed to. He needed to either obliterate every reminder of Tiggs, or, at the very least, make him wish he never messed with him, "Meet me out in the woods, after school."

"Yeah sure." Tiggs paralleled Cloud and neither would break the symmetry until Tiggs blushed quickly ran into the school.