-A Life Full of Strife-
The next morning June is awakened by Yuffie and Denzel, Yuffie walks around the bed squatting down next to June's head.
"Hey girl, time to get up!"
June moans turning away from her, she'd went to bed only five hours before and she had no plans on getting up any time soon.
Yuffie raises a brow turning to look at Denzel, she turns poking June in the side; June squeals trying to move away from her hand but Yuffie comes back doing it again.
"Ok...I'm up!"
June sits up pulling her legs to her chest, Yuffie smiles saying "there is no ignoring Yuffie Kirasagi!"
June nods looking aside, that was something she had learned since she and Yuffie had begun their stay at the bar, when Yuffie wanted something she got it; or at least from June she did.
"Cloud wants you up, he said something about wanting to discuss your plans," Yuffie mutters standing up.
June turns throwing her feet off the side of the bed, "Ok...I'll be down in a few."
Yuffie nods saying "come on Denzel let's go finish our match."
Denzel gasps while Yuffie bends down in front of him wearing a maniacal grin, "remember if I win...I get all your little rods."
"Match...a match at what," June asks standing up and moving over to the dresser.
Yuffie grins turning to June, "a tic-tac-toe match to the death!"
June glances back at them again, Denzel didn't seem to want to be apart of this match any longer if he ever did.
"I already won 50 times and she promised me ice cream, it's not fair that she can win once and get all of my things," Denzel says folding his arms.
June raises a brow pulling a white button up shirt from the dresser followed by a black skirt and leggings, "doesn't sound very fair to me..."
Yuffie scoffs, "well it's not about being fair it's about who wins."
When Denzel goes to speak again Yuffie holds up her hand saying "you know what...I don't want to play with you anymore anyways...you're a sore loser and a cheat and its not fair."
Yuffie rushes past him out of the room and from the sound of the pounding on the stairs to the bar.
June turns to Denzel with a smile, "well at least you're free right?"
Denzel nods before turning and leaving the room, June bumps the dresser with her hip and it closes as she makes her way to the bathroom.
Tifa leans over the bar grabbing Cloud's glass from his side and refilling it, she always made sure to take special care of him whenever he returned home, maybe to keep him coming back.
"Slept well," she mutters pushing the glass at him.
Cloud nods stopping the glass with his hand, Tifa smiles saying "you know Cloud...I think you may have done us a favor having June around has been great...I finally have time to get other things done around the bar with her helping out."
Cloud looks at the stairs, speaking of June what was taking her so long.
"So I know that you said that you want to take her somewhere...but when are you leaving," Tifa mutters her smile falling slightly.
Cloud shrugs saying "Fenrir is fixed so...as soon as possible."
Tifa folds her arms shaking her head, she turns away from him leaning against the bar.
"I honestly don't think you should go so soon, you just got back."
Yuffie sat at the end of the bar watching them, she pouts shaking her head. It always seemed Tifa half begged to keep Cloud around but he never did, it was almost sad to watch him be so oblivious to what was so obvious.
Yuffie shakes her head looking down, she didn't exactly know why Cloud was so intent on helping June but she hoped he wasn't using her as another reason to avoid the inevitable, did he not like Tifa, was he not attracted to her?
Was he scared?
Yuffie looks up hearing footsteps on the stairs, June comes down saying "good morning everyone."
"Good morning," Tifa and Yuffie say Cloud simply nods.
June looks around the room, empty as usual in the mornings, but by about 4PM the customers would come pouring in.
She looks at the group again, for some reason they looked detached from one another, she scratches her cheek.
Was it something she did?
"Um so Cloud, you wanted me," June asks folding her arms across her stomach.
Cloud nods, "come with me."
He stands walking past her over to the stairs but he pauses looking Tifa from the corner of his eye, "Tifa if you need extra help...I'll be able to tonight."
Tifa rolls her eyes looking down, he just didn't understand.
"Ok, great," she says turning to him with a smile.
Cloud nods walking up the stairs with June trailing behind.
He leads her down the hall and to his now open bedroom, June raises a brow walking in behind him.
Spare parts for Fenrir hung on the walls and parts of swords, nothing June really cared for but then she notices pictures and newspaper clippings.
She walks over to the wall reading one, "7th Heaven Grand Reopening: The heart of Midgar restored."
Cloud watches her as she moves along the wall reading, she pauses on a picture of Cloud standing next to a large yellow bird, he held a gold trophy in his hands that read 1st place.
"How cute," she says looking at him then the bird, "twins."
Cloud raises a brow when she turns to him smiling, "tell me again what you want to do?"
June nods saying "get rid of Jenova."
Cloud sits on his bed looking up at her.
"So you're saying Jenova is still around...still alive?"
June nods, "has to be...or I wouldn't be here...Cloud...what do you know about Jenova?"
Cloud leans over on his knees looking at the floor, he shakes his head almost shamefully, June looks down as well; maybe she shouldn't have asked.
"Jenova has caused almost all of the bad things that has happened to us over the years, she-"
"She," June mutters cocking her head.
Cloud nods saying "Jenova."
June folds an arm across her stomach as she brings the other up to tap on her cheek, "most in the Lifestream recognize Jenova as a male is all."
Cloud shrugs, "well...to us its always been female...Sephiroth called it mother...so."
June grimaces, Sephiroth that name reverberated everywhere in the Lifestream, she could remember the peace of the earlier years and then the stir that came with the newer influx of souls, their memories...
June shudders.
"But anyway, there's a lot that Jenova has done along with Sephiroth, we even had to fight them...twice."
June raises a brow sitting at the desk that sat at the side of the room, she turns the seat to face Cloud, they'd fought Jenova and won.
"So...why...why am I here," June whispers grabbing her head.
She leans over when the room begins to spin, this news wasn't exactly bad but it still put her in a confusing place.
She peeks up at Cloud saying "so...what happened...where did he go?"
Cloud sighs leaning back slightly, "last I heard Rufus Shinra had her remains."
June sits up straight letting out a loud rush of air, Cloud raises a brow when she stands moving over to the window.
"Could we go and see him?"
"That's the plan actually," Cloud mutters standing up, "tomorrow."
June turns to him nodding, "ok."
Cloud turns to leave but not before looking back at June silently letting her know that it was time for her to go as well.
June smiles following him back downstairs to the bar once there Tifa pushes breakfast into their hands saying "eat up busy day ahead."
June and Cloud glance at one another before nodding their heads.
`That Night`
"Hey-hey-hey cutie bring another over here!"
June raises a brow at Cid who steadily pounded beers and shots, she glances at Tifa who folds her arms sighing.
"Just one more," she whispers to June grabbing a silver tray covered in filled shot glasses and snacks, she carries them away glaring at Cid all the way.
"What-wha-, what the hell are you lookin at," he shouts glowering at her."
June brings him his beer and he snatches it away without any further word, June glances at the stairs and then Tifa before scurrying over to the refrigerator, she digs toward the back reaching for a small plastic container. Once she reaches it she pulls it out running it to the top of the stairs where Denzel, Yuffie and Marlene sat. Yuffie snatches the container away digging into snacks within it.
"Took you long enough," she grumbles through a mouthful of food.
June sighs, "Tifa's like a hawk...if fact I should be getting back."
Yuffie groans saying "no fair...why do I have to sit up here like some sort of...child!"
June shrugs, according to Tifa Yuffie wasn't of age to drink and she wouldn't be responsible for influencing her into doing such a thing."
As June goes to walk back downstairs Yuffie calls to her, June turns to her and Yuffie grins saying "a couple of soda's yeah...thanks!"
June nods walking downstairs, when she makes it down she observes the room, Tifa was still busy busing drinks, she sighs.
Tifa could be downright scary when angry, just as June goes to stand behind the bar again she notices a large brown box coming toward her, she backs away saying "what?"
Suddenly the box falls to show Cloud standing behind it, June sighs leaning over, Cloud raises a brow saying "what's wrong?"
"Nothing...I'm just-"
"Bar lady...I'm waitin!"
Both June and Cloud turn to see a man at the bar waving his arms their way, just as June goes to help him she catches the eye of Tifa who glared holes into her, yes very scary.
"Coming," June calls running over to the bar again.
"Hello sir welcome to the 7th Heaven bar...what can I get you today," she says waving her hand to show the many assortments of drinks on the wall behind her.
"Aww baby don't act like you don't remember me...it's me...Rudy Rygger," he says putting a hand to his chest.
June cocks her head, who?
She leans toward him to get a better look at him and he grins, well he'd clearly been to other bars because he reeked of alcohol.
"I'm sorry but...I don't remember you...," June mutters shaking her head.
Rudy's face falls and he begins to glare at her, "whatever just bring my drink!"
June glances up at Tifa who still looked very busy at the moment, she looks to the side to see Cid knocked out at the bar, she sighs saying "um what is it that you want sir."
"Gimme the Avalanche!"
June turns to the wall, the Avalanche oh how she hated the Avalanche, it was such a tough drink to perfect.
June grabs the base drink before moving over to the counter where she begins to fill the glass, she turns grabbing the chaser and pouring it in, and after in goes a bevy of ingredients.
June thinks back to when Tifa taught her how to make the popular drink, "each of us added something to the drink...Yuffie wanted cookie crumbs but that was quickly put to rest..."
June mixes the drink before bringing it to him, Rudy smirks saying "I like my drinks shaken not stirred."
June turns back getting ready to grab the shaker but he grabs the glass anyway tossing it back, as June turns back to him with the silver bar tool a glass comes flying past her hitting the back wall of the counter and splashing June with alcohol.
"Too damn fruity!"
June brings her hands to her mouth muttering "I'm sorry!"
Rudy stands and she back away but suddenly Cid and Cloud move over blocking the man, Cid grabs Rudy by the back of the neck saying "have you lost your damned mind!?"
"Tell her to make it again," Rude exclaims pulling away, Cloud jerks his head toward the door saying "leave."
Cid snorts saying "not before apologizing!"
Rudy guffaws making Cloud wince at the sharp output of noise, he glances at Cid who nods grabbing Rudy by the neck again pushing him toward the door, Rudy glares at them saying "I'm a payin customer I deserve my order done right!"
Cloud looks back at June who looked down at the floor her eyes glazed over, he walks over to Rudy grabbing him by the hand and putting his knee into his back, he pulls back making Rudy cry out in pain.
"Say you're sorry," he mutters narrowing his eyes at the man.
Rudy shakes his head but Cloud pulls back further making him scream even louder.
"Ok...I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"
Cloud pulls away saying " now leave."
Rudy gets to his feet running out of the bar, Cid pumps his fist saying "serves that punk right...you ok cutie!"
Now everyone turns to June, she nods feeling her face begin to burn with embarrassment, she turns muttering something about changing her clothes as she rushes upstairs.
"Hey June where's the drinks," Yuffie calls as June moves past her and into her room, Marlene sits up saying "what's wrong?"
Yuffie frowns looking at the stairs, there had been a big commotion but Yuffie was too busy arguing with the kids to pay it any mind.
June reaches into the dresser pulling out a new outfit similar to the she already wore, she sniffles wiping away tears, it was humiliating. What he did and how she reacted, powerless and weak.
June tosses the outfit onto the bed before going over to the door and closing it, as she walks back over to her bed she can't help but wonder what would Tifa have done.
Tifa handled the bar with grace but with a firm hand, unlike June who jumped at the slightest thing, Tifa would have fought back at least.
June looks down, even Yuffie would have fought back.
June shudders when fresh tears rush down her face, she grabs the clothes moving toward the shower but suddenly there's a knock at her door.
June hesitates at first but she walks over to the door pulling it open, Cloud stands there with Marlene and Yuffie.
"Can we talk," Cloud mutters folding his arms.
June nods holding the door open, Cloud walks in followed by Marlene but he closes it when Yuffie tries to come in.
"Hey- you let me in you...you...you big meanie!
June raises a brow when he locks the door, he turns to her saying "she's annoying."
Marlene suddenly rushes over to June her eyes wide with worry, "are you ok June?"
June looks away nodding, she sits on the bed saying "I'm ok."
She looks at Cloud trying to look at convincing as possible but he shakes his head saying "you've been crying."
June looks down as the familiar feeling of embarrassment washes through her, he walks over bending down before her.
"Do you know how to fight," he asks trying to catch her eye.
"Fight...," June mutters trying to buy herself time to come up with a good enough answer but that was answer enough for Cloud.
"Magic," he asks shaking his head.
June shakes her head closing her eyes, Cloud narrows his eyes at her.
"I don't believe you."
June gasps opening her eyes, he stands saying "how do you think we got off the train unharmed...you made some sort of...magic wall...it kept us from being pulled out."
June looks down shaking her head, she'd never done magic...at least she didn't think so.
"And you did it without Materia..." Cloud mutters looking aside.
Marlene plops onto the bed next to June saying "wow...that's cool!"
June sighs looking down at her hands, even if she could use magic she'd have trouble actually using it on someone.
"Look."
June looks up to see a swirling blue orb in Cloud's hand, it convulses before turning solid, June looks at Cloud; his eyes glowed strangely as the ice suddenly evaporates into his hand.
"H-how," June whispers sliding off the bed before him to sit in front of him.
He reaches into his pocket removing a glowing green orb, "magic Materia."
He places it in her hands saying "next time someone does something like that...use this."
June nods pulling it close to her body, Cloud stands suddenly making her gasp, he walks over to the door but June stands rushing over to him and grabbing him by the wrist.
"Thank you...Cloud."
He looks at her hands before gently pulling away, "mm-hm."
He looks back at Marlene saying "come on."
Marlene scurries over to him saying "good night June."
June nods waving to her, she turns back to the bed when they leave out closing the door behind them.
She could feel the Materia turning cold in her hands, she places it on the bed staring down at it, it had such a familiar aura. She picks up her hand turning it toward the ceiling, "Ice," she whispers closing her eyes.
Waiting...waiting...waiting...
"Nothing," she whispers pulling her fist into her chest.
She sighs grabbing the clothes and walking into the bathroom.
The next morning Cloud wakes her up bright and early, or at least he sent Marlene to do it, June yawns when Tifa hands her a large green duffle bag filled with supplies.
Cloud sighs saying "we're only going to the Healen Lodge."
Tifa folds her arms looking at the bag as June hoists it onto the back of Fenrir, she shakes her head, "you know how I worry...especially since you rarely come back when you say you are."
Cloud looks away saying "but I'm always around when I'm needed."
Tifa nods saying "true."
June sits against the back of Fenrir gazing at the sky, she could feel the familiar damp feeling of impending rain, she glances back at Cloud who turns away from Tifa reaching under Fenrir to retrieve a helmet. He holds it out to June but she shakes her head, "no it's ok."
Marlene comes outside just in time to pepper June with something she'd heard 1000 times over, "if you're going to ride on the back of Fenrir with Cloud...it is a rule that you wear the helmet for safety."
June sighs taking the helmet, it was black and bulky and...ugly.
Cloud gets on and June gets on behind him, Marlene goes to run over but Tifa pulls her back.
"You guys are coming back soon, right!?"
Cloud nods and June says "yes."
Marlene smiles grabbing Tifa's hand, Tifa smiles saying "be safe."
Cloud nods his head before starting up the motorcycle, June gasps feeling it rev up under her, Cloud glances back at her saying "hold on...and put the helmet on."
June grimaces plunking the heavy helmet on her head, Cloud turns back as she wraps her arms around him before pushing forward and propelling them ahead.
After a while of driving they make it to the outer reaches of Edge and onto the flat dry plains of Eastern Continent, June shakes her head trying to lift the glass eye protector so that she could get a better look but it just kept getting in her way. She pulls an arm away from Cloud grabbing at the helmet, she grunts lifting it away from her head.
"Wow," she whispers when the world comes into her view, large mountains surrounded them that reached higher into the sky than any building she'd ever seen in Edge.
Water lay at the edges of the Continent, lapping at the thirsty land that surrounded them, June closes her eyes taking a deep breath even the air was different, not so stiff.
June opens her eyes stretching her arm but as she extends it she loses her grip on the helmet and it tumbles backward into the wind, June grimaces ducking her head.
However, her mistake is short lived as she loses herself in the scenery again, she reaches up pushing her hair behind her ear because now it had become the deterrence. She squints into the distance at the sight of a large metal structure that protruded from the ground.
"Cloud!"
He glances back at her saying "what is it...hold on."
June sighs wrapping both of her arms around him again, he hadn't noticed the missing helmet.
"What...what's that?"
He looks over at the grounded piece of metal, he shakes his head, he'd noticed it as well but he didn't know what it was.
"I don't know..."
But he planned to find out, the only people capable of constructing such a thing were the Shinra.
June nods turning back to the front, she gasps when she sees a large see of gold and feathers, "ooh Cloud what are those!?"
He glances over saying "Chocobo's."
June clasps her hands together only to nearly be dragged backward so she grabs hold of Cloud again, "their so cute!"
She looks at the back of Cloud's head saying "what are they all doing out here?"
"Chocobo's usually live in the wilderness but those are tagged Chocobo's they must come from the Chocobo Farm..."
June nods looking at the again, "uh but Cloud...why are they out here then?"
Cloud sighs making June cringe, she didn't want to annoy him.
"I don't know."
June raises a brow looking ahead as the Chocobo's fade out of sight, soon they make it to a mountainous region with long rising slopes, as they move up the slopes June looks up to see a sign that read :The Healen Lodge.
Cloud pulls off to the side of a large upward bridge, June hops off teetering to keep her balance, Cloud grabs her by the wrist pulling her behind him, June nods in thanks to him, he pulls her up the ramps toward a large beige cabin.
As they make it to the top two figures come into view, a woman and a man stood at the door.
"Cloud my man where ya been," Reno calls waving to him, "didn't know you were coming...did ya make an appointment?"
"Don't need one," Cloud says shortly dropping June's arm.
Reno leans over smiling at June who peered down at the waterfalls that surrounded them with wide shining eyes.
"Hey it's the cute one!"
June turns to him saying "hi Reno."
"Aw you remembered my name-"
"Reno cut it with the BS, now Cloud...you do know that we don't take walk-in's you must have an appointment with Rufus if you wish to talk with him, he's a very busy man," the woman says pushing her blonde hair back.
"Elena...you always ruin the fun...," Reno mutters slumping over. "bu-t she's right...you have to have an appointment."
Cloud glances between them before pushing through them and into the cabin, Elena gasps rushing into behind him, "Reno grab the girl!"
Reno wraps his arms around June saying "gladly."
June pulls away saying "I have to get in with Cloud," but Reno shakes his head.
"No-no...it'll be alright...come on why don't we go talk," Reno says smiling.
June grimaces when he begins pulling her down the ramps...
"Cloud Strife you stop right there," Elena roars when they make it to Shinra's room.
Rufus sat at a desk pouring over large stacks of paper, in the corner of the room was a clay model of Gaia with small red and blue flags covering the surface.
Elena skids to a halt when Rufus looks up at her with a frown, "I-I'm sorry sir but...he just rushed in I'll remove him right away, she grabs Cloud's arm but Rufus shakes his head.
"No-no let him stay...he must have something very important to say to me if he's coming here...Cloud never comes to visit."
Elena begrudgingly drops Cloud's arm before leaving the room, Rufus looks at Cloud saying "what brings you here today Cloud?"
Cloud looks over the room once more, "I've come to ask you about Jenova."
Rufus raises a brow, "what about Jenova."
Cloud folds his arms saying "what did you do with the remaining pieces of her."
Rufus sits back in his seat eyeing Cloud with a bit of suspicion, "Jenova is no longer a threat Cloud...we're taking care of it."
"But how," Cloud asks dropping his arms.
Rufus pushes back into his desk looking over his work again, " now that's government business."
Cloud glares at him now...
June peers over the edge of the ramp she stood on watching with mild interest the water below, Reno steps next to her saying "so uh tell me...what brings you and Cloud here?"
June looks at him saying "we're looking for Jenova."
Reno suddenly looks taken aback, he turns to the ramps railing nodding his head, "so uh...did you guys hear anything at all...ya'know about Jenova."
June quirks a brow, all of a sudden Reno looked nervous but very inquisitive.
June shrugs, "um...I can't really say Cloud wouldn't like it."
Reno's eyes widen, he grabs June by the arms saying "don't tell me you know...damn Cloud always pokes his nose into everything...he always has to be the hero!"
June shrugs her shoulder similar to the way Cloud always did and this seems to bother Reno to no end, "the Underwater Facility don't play dumb now!"
"Oh yeah...that Underwater Facility...the one near-"
"Near Mt. Corel, yeah that one," Reno shouts shaking her now.
June gasps, "oh-oh-oh...I thought you meant...the..."
She pauses now thinking back to the things she'd heard in her short time with the group, she gasps holding up a finger.
"I thought you meant the new attraction at the Golden Saucer!"
"Huh," Reno says slouching over.
June clasps her hands together, now that she had some sort of lead it was time to reel Reno back in.
"Yeah I heard it's pretty fun I really want to go," she says turning back to the waterfalls.
Reno slaps his forehead muttering "dammit...got all worked up and spilled the beans."
June quirks a brow watching him from the corner of her eye, she grabs his arm saying "oh cheer up...maybe you can take me one day hm-"
Reno smirks looking up at her, she smiles brightly back at him and abruptly he stands straight.
"Yeah, I could," he says as coolly as possible.
"Hey-hey-hey, what's goin on here," they hear someone ask from their side, June leans over to see Rude standing there supported by crutches, she pulls away from Reno saying "hey you lived."
He smirks nodding his head...
"It's just not important for you to know right now Cloud," Rufus says shaking his head, "but what I will tell you is we've managed to contain all of her pieces and even found items and pieces of land that had been contaminated by her cells...all is well for now."
Cloud grunts looking aside, he wasn't going to get anything out of the Shinra now but he had other questions.
"What's that metal construct next to Midgar," he asks narrowing his eyes.
Rufus grins now, "oh the first steps to our new space program...it's coming along quite nicely."
Cloud raises a brow, "why a new space program."
Rufus sighs saying "why do you insist on asking questions I can't answer at the moment?"
Cloud glares at him as he turns leaving the room, he didn't have time to play childish games with the Shinra.
As he makes his way down the ramps the sound of June's laughter floats up to him, Elena stood at the second level watching Cloud with sharp eyes.
"Next time...," she whispers when he moves past.
When Cloud makes it to the last ramp he finds June surrounded by Reno and Rude, they seemed to be having a very amusing conversation.
"Come on you have to choose one of us...which one is better looking," Reno says leaning toward her.
June smiles lightly but she notices Cloud standing there, she grimaces at the expression on his face, not happy.
"Cloud is," she sings rushing over to Cloud and touching is arm.
Reno and Rude look at one another before Reno bursts out in laughter.
"Oh come on June...his whole cockatoo thing is so- outta style...it died in like...0008!"
Cloud grabs June's wrist pulling her past them and down the remaining ramps, "bye Reno...bye Rude hope you get better," June calls as they go.
Once they make it to the bottom June pulls away putting her hands on her hips, "so did you speak with the guy?"
Cloud nods moving toward Fenrir, June cocks her head saying "well...".
"He didn't tell me anything," Cloud mutters looking over Fenrir, June grins now rubbing her hands together.
She had something that he didn't, information.
"We-ll I learned something from Reno," she says turning away and folding her arms, "wanna know what it is?"
Cloud shakes his head making her gasp, "nothing Reno says has any credibility."
B-But...uh-huhh...he told me about an Underwater Facility near when I mentioned Jenova," June stutters moving over to him.
Cloud gets on Fenrir, saying "not worth checking out...he just willingly told you that...he could be trying to steer us in the wrong direction."
June takes a deep breath putting her hands on the top of Fenrir, she leans close to him saying "not true...I tricked him into telling me!"
Cloud cocks his head when June begins nodding her head furiously, she presses closer saying "we don't have any other leads...we have to follow this one."
Cloud leans over shaking his head, "you're not going to let this go...are you?"
June shakes her head saying "it's the only thing we have!"
"Ok, we'll go check it out but you have to promise me some things," Cloud mutters looking at her again.
June nods saying "ok."
Cloud stands saying "I know that you don't have much experience with this world so you're prone to careless mistakes...like what you just did...Reno didn't have to know anything about what we're doing."
June 's smile falls, "but-"
"Rule no.1: No talking to Turks their trouble for the most part...only rarely are they any help," Cloud says cutting her off.
June nods ducking her head.
"Rule no.2: No running off where I can't find you...if you get lost and run into something I won't be able to save you, and trust me a single Ice Materia won't get you far."
June sinks even further down.
"Rule no 3: Listen, I know you have thoughts and feelings about things but I've dealt with this longer than you have. If I tell you to run and hide you do that, if I tell you to take my sword and fight you do it."
June gasps but the stern look on his face keeps her from saying anything.
"We're going to have to get you a weapon before we go," he mutters turning back to Fenrir, "come on."
June rubs her arm getting behind him on Fenrir, Cloud glances back at her frowning when he notices how glassy her eyes looked.
"It may have sounded harsh but that's how it has to be...I've...lost...I've lost someone on my watch before...and...I'm not going to let that happen again," Cloud says looking ahead.
June looks at him, he'd lost someone already..., she looks down.
Why did it feel that she already knew that, June looks at him again, maybe that's why his eyes were always so sad even when he laughed with the kids.
She wraps her arms around him burying her face in his shirt, if he needed these things from her she'd have no choice but to oblige and besides his rules showed that maybe he cared, the first person ever to truly care about her.
This makes her hold on tighter, even if she failed her mission and could never go home, maybe when all was said and done, she'd have someone; she wouldn't have to be alone.
Cloud revs the Fenrir to go but before he pulls away he looks back at her, "where's the helmet."
June smiles into his back, and maybe silence would be the best answer for his question.
Next: The Underground Facility