A/N: Thanks to the one person who has reviewed this so far. I'm glad that you're at least intrigued. Anyway, I know it started out pretty... I dunno. It's gonna get better, though. Anyway, thanks for reading, and I hope that you enjoy.

Chapter Three

Explanations and Bad Guy Clothes

"This is it," Marlene told him, as they stepped inside, "Make yourself at home... I guess."

Kadaj just stood in the doorway, watching her. Marlene rolled her eyes, "Sit down, will you?" she sighed.

He finally took a seat in the only arm chair that they had, but he continued to look at her curiously as she shut the door. "I'm right, aren't I? You do hate me."

"Hate you? No, Kadaj, I don't hate you. How can you hate someone who was manipulated?" she turned to face him, "Do I resent what you guys did? Very much, but... I think that maybe if you had a mind of your own back then you probably wouldn't have done all of that. Who can be sure, right?"

He narrowed his eyes, "I care nothing for Jenova now, so you're probably right. All I care about now is what Aerith sent me to do. Which is protect you from Scarlet. I had a choice, you know. I chose to come."

"How could she have survived that explosion. Cloud said that..."

"Whatever big brother thought he saw was wrong. Scarlet is alive. She's after you all, but mostly you. Because..."

"Don't say I'm weak again," she raised an eyebrow, as she took a seat on the couch, "I think I got enough of that kind of flattery back in the classroom. Do you think that Shinra knows about this?"

"The President? Probably not. Wouldn't he have said something?"

"How much did he say about Jenova's head?"

Kadaj leaned forward and grinned, "That's because he was trying to keep it from me."

"Guys and strength... You'd think they would find something else to be arrogant about."

"Either way... you're safe as long as I'm here."

Marlene rolled her eyes, "There's that arrogance again. Look... do you think I should tell them?"

"Tell who?"

"Cloud and the others. I really think that they should know. If they don't... they're wide open from an attack. They won't know what hit them until it's too late."

Kadaj hadn't thought about that. He was really nervous when it came to Cloud finding out that he was back. Marlene was right, though. If they didn't tell them, and they were attacked, he would be responsible. "You probably should."

"Now, that was admirable. I totally expected you to say no."

"Yeah? Why?"

"I know that you're afraid to see Cloud. Why wouldn't you be? And I completely understand why. I don't mean to sound cold or anything, but... the last time you saw him you were trying to kill each other."

'No,' he thought, 'The last time I saw him he took pity on me. That's when Aerith came.'

"So... should I call them now? If I do, you know they're going to want to come down here, or bring me home."

"I think you should call them now," he nodded, slowly.

"Okay. You know... you should really change out of that outfit."

Kadaj looked confused, "I've always wore this."

"There's a nice thought," frowned Marlene, remembering that it had been twelve years.

"Why should I change?"

"Well... there... bad guy clothes."

Again, he looked confused, "Bad guy clothes? Wearing these makes me a bad guy?"

"No, you just... they're bad guy clothes! You wore them back then. You aren't a bad guy any more... wear something new."

"I have nothing else."

"Then we'll have to borrow, or buy you something else."

"Very well," he sighed, "Marlene?"

"Yeah."

"Before you call big brother... Cloud... I have something I want to ask you. It's about that Professor. He knew exactly who I was. Who is that man?"

"He's a former Turk, but he hasn't been one for about fifteen years. He chose teaching over spying and kidnaping. Not that the Turks do that anymore. He wasn't a Turk twelve years ago, but I'm not surprised he knew you. The man is good. He was probably in Edge twelve years ago. Professor Mason is my favorite. He's a really good person, despite his past... like present company, I suppose."

"I see."

"I'm going to call them now, okay," Marlene said, reaching for the phone on the coffee table in front of her.

She had the phone on, and was about to dial, when the door burst open. Kadaj instinctively went for the sword on his back, and jumped to his feet. He heard Marlene shout, "Whoa!" as she threw the phone to the floor.

He held the sword out in front of him at the intruder... a young woman with shoulder length blonde hair, and green eyes. She had a look of horror on her face. "Marlene, are you being held hostage?" she asked, backing against the wall.

Marlene sighed, frustrated, "No... Kadaj, put that damn thing away. This is my roommate! Dina!"

Kadaj hesitated, but he did what she said. He narrowed his eyes at Dina. She was clutching her chest with one hand, and breathing hard. Marlene went over to console her. She led her to the couch, and Dina took a seat, not taking her wide green eyes off of Kadaj. "He almost killed me! I was almost shish kabob! Who is he?"

"He's... a friend. His silver hair is what I've been seeing lately."

"Uh-huh... does he always greet people so courteously?" Dina glared.

"When they almost break the door down," Marlene gave a little smile.

Dina sighed, "Oh, that... I'm sorry. I was worried, and mad... you haven't been telling me anything. I thought we were best friends! I mean... you're my best friend... whether I'm yours or not..."

"Dina, you are," Marlene nodded.

"Well, you haven't been talking to me. I was scared and worried..."

"Dina, I'm so sorry. You're absolutely right. I haven't been a very good friend, have I? Listen... there's something I need you to do for me."

"What?"

"Kadaj here needs some new clothes. Do you think you could go and get him some? Remember... he likes black a lot."

Kadaj rolled his eyes. Dina glanced at him, and then a smile crept onto her face, "He's cute... for a psycho with a sword," she whispered.

Marlene's eyes widened, "Shhh! Can you do that for me?"

"Sure. I'll just run to one of the shops. I shouldn't be too long."

Marlene gave her some money. Dina said, "See you guys in a few," and then she was gone.

"I thought she might have been..."

"I understand, but Kadaj... you really need to practice some restraint. She's right. You could've hurt her."

"Don't you have an important phone call to make?" asked Kadaj, annoyed.

"Yeah, I guess I do."

Marlene turned on the phone, and dialed the number. It didn't ring long, before she heard a familiar, "Hello?"

"Tifa... hey. It's..."

"Marlene! Hi, sweetie! How are things?"

Marlene glanced at Kadaj, "Not great, Tifa. Where's Cloud?"

"Right here," said Tifa... there was an air of worry in her voice, "Hold on."

She could here a quiet conversation going on between Tifa and Cloud before finally hearing, "Hey, Marlene."

"Cloud, are you sitting down?"

"No, I'm standing. What's wrong?"

"Sit down first," Marlene sighed, "Or you're going to wish you did. You won't believe the day I've had!"

Kadaj sat and listened to her as she was talking to Cloud. A nervousness began to wash over him. 'How will he react?' he wondered, 'The rest of them... what will they do? What will they say? Will they act like Marlene... scared at first? Or worse.'

Marlene hung up the phone. "I didn't tell him everything. I didn't tell him about you. They should hear some of it in person... him, Tifa, and Dad. They're coming here."

"Great," Kadaj gave a fake smile, "I'm really... glad."

Another A/N: Yeah, I know... there were some pretty corny things in there. Cloud and the others are coming in the next chapter, so maybe that will give you guys who are reading this something to look forward to. Again, thanks for reading.