I Apologize greatly to all of the readers. I'd like to make excuses, like "Stressful time in my life" and "Busy with preparing for the future" and "I've been too busy with my new boyfriend" but even though they are all true, I should have still updated on this, even if just for the near daily new subscribers and the old ones I wish to beg the forgiveness of.

I know this is short, but I wrote it today and hope you guys like it!

"So how far away is Balamb?"

Sephiroth waved the question. "Only an hour and a half if you go by the driving laws. Half an hour by how most of us drive. So, since I'm only kind of reckless, an hour."

Hayner nodded, looking out the window, watching the rural neighborhoods beneath the highway go by. In one, he saw someone getting jumped. "If we get control of Balamb, we'll be able to clear out the neighborhoods? I don't necessarily like to see a drive-by next to a playground."

"Well, that's the plan. To get the stretch between the cities without stepping on toes, we either need to take control, or get permission from the guys in control." He glanced over at the blond. "We aren't the bad type of gang that terrorizes everyone for the sake of it. We provide protection and lost and found services more than anything. We get hired by the businesses to protect them from the thugs who would actually rob them. We also place families and people under our protection if they show character."

Hayner sighed. The rest of the drive was silent, and they passed an obvious border from rural to city. He gave the man directions to the area they lost sight of Seifer. Surprisingly, the gang activity there was huge. There were guys leaning on every street corner, all wearing a black cloth around their upper arm. One caught sight of him watching them, and frowned. Hayner forced himself to look scared, and ducked down. After they passed the area, he turned to Sephiroth. "A guy saw me. I think he's following us, since my acting there wasn't good. Be careful."

They left the area slightly, finding a decent motel. They checked in, got their keys, and brought their stuff in the room. It wouldn't do to have that taken too, just in case they stole the car. They kept the blinds down and went over the file.

Hayner started analyzing. "Okay, so the fight was on First and Geriad. Terra was chased all the way to the outskirts of the city. We've seen so much activity around the whole place, all with the black bandanas, that there's no mistaking it. They're somewhat organized, we just need a name and a leader. We can find the main meeting place easy. We have to decide how I'm gonna do this. I can just get firearms and power my way through, or I can try to infiltrate."

Sephiroth flailed a bit. "Whoa whoa, whoa there. You aren't doing this alone."

He nodded. "Yeah, I am. You're going back home so you can live another day to see Genesis. He needs you."

"No, I can't leave you here!"

"Okay, but you will. I have next to no hope for getting Seifer out with me alive. But, I have every intention to be by his side, no matter the consequences. I have to at least try, but I can't let anyone else get caught."

"We need to call in the whole of SOLDIER for this. There are too many!"

Hayner shook his head. "Get in the car and drive home. Call the doctors to talk to Genesis. I know he'll feel something is wrong, unless you tell him you're home and safe. He needs you and you need him. Leave it at that."

They sat in silence for a while. It was hard for Sephiroth to stand and leave. He got in his car and turned the key in the ignition, guilt clawing at him. He had to call Aqua. He waited till he was out of the city and dialed the office. "Hey, I need to talk to Aqua. No, Terra, it can't wait. I don't care that she's in a panic about missing Hayner, I know where he is."

Hayner slept until night fell, and he threw on his camouflage. He was shirtless again, and grabbed a black scrap of cloth as a peace flag, in case they tried to jump him before he got close. He also hid the files in a panel in the ceiling. He had a feeling the room would be searched while he was away. He stepped out and locked the door, glancing around before heading toward First and Geriad. When he got there, all of the members were eyeing him suspiciously. They noticed the black cloth hanging from his pocket, but they didn't mention it. He walked up to the guy who seemed the calmest.

"How do I join?"

Several started reaching for their weapons, but the man waved them off. "Why do you wanna join?"

"I need the money from this shit for my dad's debt, which he left with me when he died."

The guy, a tall man with dark skin, frowned. "The government handles that shit."

Hayner shook his head. "It ain't the kind of debt that you can go to the government about. His dealers are on me about their money." He was being relatively truthful. The only difference was that they had already tipped off the police and they had arrested them. All of them.

The man nodded slowly. He held out a hand. "Name's Dilan." Hayner shook it firmly. "I'll take you up to see the boss. He handles newbies, but you have to get his attention while you talk to him. He hasn't been interested lately."

Hayner nodded. "Mind telling me what you guys call yourselves?"

Dilan grinned. "We're The Heartless."

He followed the man to a car, and he drove them a few blocks away to an apartment building. He was taken up to the fourth floor and into a conference room, where a man sat at the head of the table. He was a dark skinned, creepy scholar type of man. He eyed me with a bit of disdain. "And who are you and why are you here?"

He sounded pissed off, so Hayner squared his shoulders and tried to look impressive. "I'm here to join The Heartless."

The man eyed him. "Why should I let you in? You can't be more than eighteen."

Hayner cocked his head. "And? What's your point?"

His eyes widened slightly. "Spunk. I like that. Why you here?"

"My dad kicked it a while back, and before that he was in jail. His dealers still want their money. I went to SOLDIER, but they refused to help me. I want to take this city by storm. I want to run it like it's my bitch." He made himself scowl. "The uppity bitches need to get their asses kicked, too."

The leader of The Heartless grinned ear to ear. "Good. I like you. What's your name?"

Hayner thought fast. "Nate."

He smiled. "Not anymore. From here on out, you're Xenta. I like the fire in your eyes. I'll be keeping a close eye on you."

Hayner had a bad feeling about the odd glint in his eye.

Feel free to yell at me for the long wait, or tell me how you liked this!