Surprise! I had one more update for you this year! Think of it as an early Christmas Present! Wow, I can't believe this story is over a year old. Many of my stories are over a year old. I'm not too happy that some of the really good ones are so far behind. I blame that on this crazy year. A lot of things have happened. Both good and bad. Hopefully next year will be better. One of my New Year's resolutions is to dig up some of the other stories and work on them. I feel really bad about those of you who have been waiting so long for a Fool's Checkmate or Strife: SG-1 update. Same to those who are following Kindred Spirits and Hell Hound. Present From the Past could use another update as well and it's been far too long since I've updated Light is for Everyone. My gosh, that's a lot of stories to update, but I'll try to get them to you one by one once the New Year arrives.

Until next time, Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and I hope you have an awesome New Year!


Chapter Eight

It was late evening the following day when Cloud exited the mess hall. Supper hadn't been the best and it had left his stomach feeling sour. He was hoping that the other cadets weren't so rowdy so he could get some rest and ease his stomach, which had always been a bit sensitive. The elevator ride didn't help matters any with the odd, slow acceleration of the lift's rise followed by the equally queasy deceleration until it stopped and the doors slid open. Cloud had always hated that feeling. It was more subdued than taking a drop on a roller coaster, but it had a similar effect. Thankfully, he had only experienced rides like that once, when Zack had invited him on a trip to the Golden Saucer amusement park when they were kids.

Cloud sighed, still feeling down from the past few days, Normally Sephiroth didn't affect him this much and when it did, Zack was always there to cheer him up, but the SOLDIER was still out on his mission. A mission that Cloud knew would end up with him eventually facing Powel and Sanders again. Whether it was in the General's office or in a courtroom he had no idea. All he knew was that he was not looking forward to it.

As he placed his hand on the doorknob to the cadet barracks he heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. He looked up, wondering who was in such a rush when a tired, yet determined SOLDIER rounded the corner. When he saw the cadet standing there his scolding frown broke into a grin.

"There you are, Spiky! I nearly turned this building upside down lookin' for ya!"

Cloud couldn't help but smile as he saw his friend; the very one he needed right now. "Zack," he nodded.

The Second Class raised an eyebrow as he saw Cloud's hand on the doorknob. "Not clockin' out this early, are ya? You've got one more assignment before you hit the hay."

Cloud blinked in confusion. As far as he knew he was done for the day. He did normally study at this hour, but not when he knew his upset stomach would probably make it difficult to concentrate. "What's wrong?"

Zack folded his arms as he waited for Cloud to remove his hand from the door, which the blonde did, slowly. "I thought you'd like to hear me give my report to Angeal."

This stunned the cadet a bit, "Why? I'm no high-ranked officer. What do I need to be there for?"

Zack shook his head before he gave an impatient sigh. "I don't have time to explain, just come with me!" With that he grabbed his friend's arm and started to pull slash drag him back towards the elevator. Cloud eventually found his footing and followed, though, Zack still didn't let go until the elevator doors shut.

The ride up was quiet, which was very odd for the normally vocal Second Class. Cloud thought about breaking the silence, but thought better of it. Besides, he had no idea where to even start. When the elevator dinged for the higher-ranked SOLDIER floor, Zack stepped out and held his arm over the elevator doors, to make sure his buddy couldn't back out. Cloud had no intentions, but it was obvious that whatever Zack needed him for was serious, considering he hadn't smiled since he first greeted him. Suddenly Cloud felt more like he was the one in trouble.

As Zack led the way down the hall he was stopped as a voice called to him. "Zack, 'bout time you got back up here. I knew it wouldn't take you long to find your friend."

"Not now, Kunsel," Zack replied. "I need to speak to Angeal and it's too important to wait."

Kunsel only shrugged. "If you say so, I'll probably find out what it is by morning anyway. It was good seeing you Cloud," he added as the cadet passed him in an effort to catch up to his friend. Cloud offered a hasty nod in return before the duo rounded the corner that lead to the general's office.

When they reached it, Zack didn't even bother to knock before entering. Cloud was a little surprised by that, considering it was a big rule that his friend had just ignored. When seeing a superior officer you always, always knocked.

The General was busy typing away at his computer when Zack barged in. Thankfully, it only caused a slight typo, something the backspace key could easily fix. He looked up at his unannounced guests and only sighed before pulling away from his keyboard. "Zack, I'm glad you're back from your mission. Did you find the missing cadets?"

Zack glanced behind him at his friend before addressing his mentor. "Oh, I found something alright." He pulled out his PHS and handed it to Angeal. "Look through the photos. I would have sent them, but those woods had like zero reception."

The general took his student's phone before leaning to the side in his chair to look at the cadet standing behind Zack. "And is there a reason Cadet Strife is in my office?"

Cloud blinked before common sense kicked in and he stood at attention before glancing over at Zack. Angeal tilted his head upward in understanding. "Ah, I see. He dragged you up here without any explanation, did he? Alright, at ease."

Cloud relaxed his stance, but didn't say anything, knowing it most likely was not his place.

As the General looked through the photos his expression changed slightly from normal to confused with each new image. "Explain these to me, Zack." The SOLDIER was only too happy to oblige.

"As ordered, I was tracking the two runaway cadets. From the spot where they had fled after the assault on Cadet Louie, I began my search and kept going. The tracks eventually led to that clearing, really deep in the woods."

"You were gone for two days Zack," Angeal pointed out.

"Well, those two don't know how to navigate in a forest. The tracks I was following crisscrossed several times. At one point the tracks separated and I had to pick which set to follow. One led to a small river and I had to retrace my steps back to the other set. I eventually found where they met back up, whether it was by dumb luck or they managed to find each other is anyone's guess."

As Zack was giving his report Cloud was still standing unmoving in place. He kept feeling like he shouldn't be here and chose to take a risky move. "Um, sirs, I mean to disrespect, but why am I here?"

Zack turned to look behind him, "I'm getting to that spiky," he then turned to look back at the General before calling back over his shoulder, "And don't call me sir! We're pals. I don't care what our ranks are."

"Zack," Angeal said, in an order to continue his report, though, he couldn't help the huff of amusement regarding the way Zack treated his friend.

"Sorry 'Geal, where was I? Oh yeah! When I got to the clearing the first thing I noticed was the rope hanging from the trees."

"It was part of the test. There were traps set for any unlucky cadet who wasn't paying attention," Angeal replied.

"Yeah, except this trap was set far outside of the testing range," Zack pointed out. "That wasn't the biggest surprise though. There was blood on the ground, and not just a little. Someone had been attacked."

Angeal looked through the images again and sent them to his computer for a better look. As he studied them his focused gaze became more and more intense. "This is serious."

Zack nodded. "Yeah, there was an attack, but not from any monster. There's no claw marks anywhere. No hoof prints, or signs of any animal or monster that I know of. Meaning only one thing…"

"They were attacked by another person," Cloud blurted out, unable to help himself.

Zack snapped his fingers with a triumphant smirk, "Exactly." He walked up to his mentor's desk and pulled something out of his pocket, only to let it fall onto the polished wood with a metallic thud. "Look closely at the rope. It wasn't cut by a blade, nor was it torn by the person it held. That rope was cut by a bullet, this bullet. I know because I remember when Reno was showing off his aiming skills. He did the same thing with his gun and I remember the rope looked the same."

Angeal picked up the bullet and looked at it more closely. "And how do you know it was this bullet?"

Zack was waiting for him to ask that question. "I followed its path."

Angeal looked up at Zack as if wondering if his student wasn't half asleep. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he gave a tired sigh. "Zack, how could you follow the bullet's path, without seeing where it came from?"

Zack's smirk only grew. "I started from the rope. Judging from the height of the rope's ending point; I looked around to see if I could spot where the bullet could have gone. It took me a bit, but I found it, lodged right in a tree trunk. It wasn't easy digging it out, but I managed."

Inwardly, Angeal was very impressed. Zack had shown promising tracking skills in the past, but he had really outdone himself this time and needless to say, the general was proud. His student may be the class clown, and he may not always make the right choices, but he was flawless when it counted and this was one of those times. He never regretted taking him as his student before the Turks picked him up. It was truly their loss.

"Well done, SOLDIER."

Zack smiled at the praise, but it slowly faded. "Not really. I couldn't find where the cadets went after that. I don't even know if they're dead or alive, aside from the blood on the ground."

"They could have been merely wounded," Angeal replied. "You did your best and the results were very impressive. I'll have this sent down to our weapon's expert to see what type of gun this bullet was fired from." He then looked back at the cadet. "There's just one last thing I'm curious about, Zack."

"Yeah, what's that?"

"Why did you bring the cadet here?"

Now it was Zack's turn to feel uneasy. "Well, I just…figured he had a right to know. I mean, it was him that they had a grudge against. I thought it was best he heard it this way and not through rumors spread by the rest of his class."

Angeal was no fool. While he did believe his student's reason he knew there was more to it. "It also wouldn't have anything to do with Strife's recent demeanor, would it?"

"What demeanor?" countered Zack, utterly confused.

Angeal looked right at Cloud as he replied, "As of late, Strife has been far less enthusiastic. His classmates have noticed as has his instructor who brought it to my attention earlier this afternoon in the break room while we were getting coffee."

Zack sighed as he turned to look at his friend, "Spiky," he moaned. "I thought I had cured you of the guilt - especially since it wasn't your fault."

"But it is," Cloud replied. "They went after Louie because of me."

Angeal sat back in his chair. "Did you order them to attack the cadet?"

"What? No!"

Zack smiled at the panicked look his friend had. "Then it wasn't your fault. There. Case closed. Now, let's head over to the SOLDIER mess hall and get some grub. I'm starving!"

Cloud was about to decline, since his stomach was still bothering him from his previous meal, but Angeal beat him to the punch. "Zack, you still have work to do and the cadet doesn't look up for a second helping of dinner."

Zack's shoulders sagged a bit, feeling dejected. "Oh," he replied, sounding disappointed. "Okay well, maybe next time."

Cloud nodded, "sure."

Angeal nodded to the cadet, "Dismissed."

Cloud gave him a salute, "Sir!" and took his leave.

Zack waited for Cloud to leave before carefully closing the door and turning back towards his mentor who only responded with a tired sigh. "I had a feeling there was more."

The Second Class nodded before returning to stand in front of the general's desk. "Not only did I track their footprints, but I paid attention to the woods around the tracks itself. There were broken shrubs and trampled bushes, sure, and a few times where they tripped on some tree roots and whatnot, but there was no place that I saw where it lead to when they obtained a firearm. They didn't just find one. Someone else had it and used it on them; at least that's my guess. I collected a sample of the blood stains and sent them to the lab already. There were two of them, meaning it's a possibility that both cadets were…"

He stopped himself there, unable to finish. Angeal looked up from the photos on his computer and looked hard into his pupil's eyes. "We don't know what happened. There is a lot of blood, but that doesn't mean it was a fatal injury. What we need to focus on is the one who pulled the trigger. Were you able to follow their tracks?"

Zack slowly shook his head. "No, and I tried. It was like there was no one else there. Whoever it was knew how to cover their butts."

Angeal nodded and sighed. "I couldn't ask more of my pupil. You did well. I think it's safe to assume whoever it was that injured the cadets may not have been alone. That forest is dense and it would have been difficult to travel with two bodies out of there in such a short time. I think we're also dealing with someone smart as they knew how to do so without leaving a trace. You've done all you could, now I believe this matter is best left to the Turks to solve."

Zack felt a bit deflated at that. While he didn't really mind the Turks, as he was friends with one, but it would have looked better if a SOLDIER problem had been handled by SOLDIER and not from the Turks to whom they had a rivalry with.

"Also," Angeal continued, "I think it's best if you didn't tell the cadet about this."

"Why'd you think I sent him out first?" the Second countered.

"I'm also referring to Cadet Louie," the general replied.

"How is he?"

Angeal sat back in his chair. "That question is harder to answer than you'd expect. Physically he's going to be fine. He did suffer a concussion, but it's not as severe as it first appeared, thankfully. However there are some secrets he's still keeping and while I don't want to force him to come clean, I have a responsibility as the General to make sure that all those under my command have nothing that would endanger themselves or the company. So, I have another mission for you, Lieutenant…"

Cloud had been waiting at the elevator for a good while now. Wondering what was taking Zack so long. Had his friend forgotten that only those with a SOLDIER issued ID card were allowed access from the SOLDIER floor? He would have taken the stairs, but his stomach was letting him know how much of a bad idea it would be and that his supper would end up doing a fine job of redecorating a few steps if he tried. Instead he merely stood post by the elevator doors. Nodding to the Thirds and saluting the Seconds who passed him by.

"You don't look so good."

The cadet nearly jumped two feet forward at the voice that came from right beside him. Kunsel only smirked, but kept his laughter to himself. "At ease Cloud. It's after hours. No one cares if you salute them or not."

"Sorry Sir," was the blonde's reply to which Kunsel only rolled his eyes, though it was impossible to tell with his helmet on.

"Sir, I don't mean to step out of line, but may I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead, Cadet."

"Have you always worn your helmet? Even as a cadet?"

Kunsel had been confused by the cadet's attempts to not offend him, but now he knew why and he smiled in return. "You're thinking about Cadet Louie, I presume?"

Cloud nodded.

"There's no rule saying you can't wear your helmet, since it is part of your uniform. Most in the company despise wearing them. I have my reasons and so does Louie. Whether or not he chooses to share them with anyone is up to him. Unless given an order to remove it, he's free to wear it anywhere he likes so long as it's kept presentable."

Cloud nodded, feeling better after hearing that. After this whole mess, he had been so wound up with stress that he would often worry about several things, including Louie's helmet. While Cloud was just as curious about what was under the helmet as anyone, he wasn't about to try and back him into a corner to find out.

A beeping sound followed by opening elevator doors alerted him to look over at the elevator as Kunsel stepped back with his ID card. "Go get some sleep, Cadet. I'll let Zack know when he gets out of the General's office."

Cloud nodded his thanks as he stepped inside the elevator and selected the Cadet floor. "Thank you, sir."

"Goodnight Cadet," Kunsel replied as the doors shut.

The next few days went by at a slow pace. Cloud was finding class to be a bit easier with the absence of Sanders and Powel and none of the other cadets seemed to miss them much. Cloud's lunch table was no longer lonely as McKenzie and Stevens both made it their permanent table, to which Cloud didn't really mind. They were nice guys and while Cloud did want to call them friends, he was also being weary. His brother's words echoing in his mind every time he started thinking of them as friends. He didn't doubt that those two were tough, but he didn't want to risk another incident. Louie had been targeted simply for being Cloud's friend. He was not about to repeat that mistake.

Zack's appearances had been surprisingly scarce. Cloud was used to seeing him at least twice a day, or whenever the Second and Cadet had a few free minutes to just kill some time and talk about anything other than SOLDIER. Now it had been three days since the older teen had been around. As far as Cloud knew he wasn't on a mission and was in the building, so what was holding him up? Little did he know, he was about to find out.

Cloud headed to the infirmary to visit Louie again. Part of him was hoping it was time for him to finally be released. Most of his injuries had healed that last time he visited, so the chances of him checking out today were good. As Cloud neared Louie's door he stopped when heard another voice inside.

"How can you be this good?!"

Cloud knew that voice and quickly turned the handle. Sure enough, there was Zack, playing chess with Louie who was sitting on the edge of his bed and sporting a big grin from under his new helmet. He was dressed in his cadet uniform once again and he looked much better. Zack looked Cloud's way and pouted.

"Can you believe this guy? I'm the one who taught him how to play and he repays me by wiping the floor with me!"

Cloud only shrugged, "Chess never really was your game, Zack."

"Yeah, I know, but for a first-timer to beat me that quick? Somethin' just ain't right." He scowled at the cadet. "You sure you've never played this before?"

Louie merely shrugged and shook his head. Zack let out a defeated sigh. "Oh well, you win some you lose some."

Cloud closed the door behind him as he approached the two. "So I take it Louie's signing out today?"

Zack's smile returned instantly. "Sure is! We're just waiting for the nurse to return with the usual doctor's note. You know the drill, only eat certain stuff, do this, watch out for these signs and so and so, all the annoying doctor jibber."

"Well, at least you didn't miss much in class. Our instructor's had us studying Shinra history for the past several days," Cloud told Louie. "Stevens and McKenzie have already formed a study group for you when you get out of here."

Louie only tilted his head at Cloud and Zack figured out what he was implying. "What about you, Spiky? Aren't you in the study group too?"

"They haven't said anything, but I'm sure they'll drag me along anyway. They've pretty much taken over my lunch table I'm sure once you get back it'll be covered with books."

Louie smiled at this and so did Zack. "Haha, see? I knew you'd make some new friends."

"They're not friends they're comrades," Cloud was quick to respond.

Zack raised an eye brow. "What's the difference?"

"A comrade is another word for team mate. A friend is someone you do crazy stuff with."

"Like when we tried to tame that Nibel wolf and it chased us through town?" asked Zack.

"Yes, like that," Cloud replied, "Though, you're the one who tried to tame it with a strip of bacon. I just ended up being the prey."

Zack snickered at the memory and Louie couldn't help but to crack a grin of his own. Once he got his laughter under control Zack sighed and shook his head. "Look Cloud, I get you're trying to look out for others by not getting too close to anyone. Its classic heroics 101. But, that's a very lonely road to take and it's already closed to you."

"Why's that?" asked Cloud.

At this Zack only smiled. "Because you already got me, you dork," he looked over to his right then, "and Louie. And we're not going to let you lock yourself in a corner. Whether you like it or not, you have friends and there's nothing you can do to push us away, right Louie?"

The younger cadet nodded in agreement.

Cloud offered a small smile in defeat. "Alright, you win. You guys are my friends."

"And…" Zack added.

"And?" Cloud repeated, confused.

"What about the other two?" Zack asked. "I think after all they've done they've proven to be good friends."

"Okay fine, but that's it. I don't need an army of friends. A handful is plenty."

Zack chuckled as he turned to fully face his blonde friend. "Cloud, I hate to tell ya, but you can't control how many friends you have."

"Um, I'm pretty sure I can," was Cloud's comeback.

Zack shrugged. "Mmm'okay. Let's weigh the stats then. You say you only want a handful, but a handful is about, what do you think Louie; four, five?"

The cadet nodded.

"Okay, so there's me, Stevens, Louie, McKenzie, then there's the people you know back home. Kadaj, Loz, Yazoo, Tifa…"

"That's different, Zack. Family doesn't count as friends," Cloud argued.

"Okay then, what about Tifa?"

Cloud's face blushed a bit at the mention of her. Zack saw it and only laughed harder. "Oh~ I see, I didn't think you had put her in a special category all by herself. If you don't see her as a friend then you must think of her as your girl-"

Cloud's eyes flashed dangerously as he stared his friend down. "Finish that sentence and I swear you'll regret it."

Unphased by Cloud's threat, Zack only used it to tease Cloud more. "Oh, threatening a superior officer, are we? Gosh. I wonder how Tifa will feel when she finds out her sweetheart was kicked out of SOLDIER for such a silly thing and in her honor no less."

"Shut UP Zack!"

Zack ignored him and kept going, "I can see the letter Angeal will write to your mother now; Dear Mrs. Strife, due to your son's strong crush over a girl he attacked another officer and we were forced to issue punishment. Please inform said crush that he shall miss her dearly and always think fondly of her."

"That is it!"

Cloud launched himself at Zack who yelped as the chair fell back and they crashed to the floor where they continued to wrestle. Just then the doctor came in and was surprised by the sight in front of him. "Lieutenant Fair! What is going on here?"

The SOLDIER was pinned between the bed and the chair with Cloud digging his knee into Zack's spine while also holding his arm back. Only when Cloud was distracted by the doctor's entrance was Zack able to sit up and free himself. He forced Cloud off and the cadet landed hard on the floor with a thud as the SOLDIER stood at attention and saluted the doctor.

"Just showing the cadet the proper way to get under someone's skin, sir. It's a very effective method."

"Not in my infirmary," the doctor replied. He then walked over and handed a form over to the cadet still sitting in the bed. "Cadet Louie, I hereby release you back to active duty. See that you are more careful in the future and try to avoid any rough-housing. And, also know that you do not have to follow the behavior of every SOLDIER, especially when they should know better." He added by glaring at both Zack and Cloud.

"Dismissed," and with that the doctor left. Zack scratched the back of his head while looking apologetically at Louie. "Sorry about that. Guess I should remember that I'm still on active duty."

Cloud merely gave his friend a look, "Serves you right."