Parallel

by Pinkiey

Alex hasn't had an easy going life. Until, a chance encounter with a clock changes everything. Now alone in a strange world she struggles to find herself while facing her fears and meets familiar charactors that help her along the way.

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

A few days later during a meeting on the ship, Alex was told that they were going to a city called Wutai. It was were Yuffie was from, she wanted to check in with her father. Since he didn't own a phone going there was the only way to do so. Back in her coverall and grimy, Alex on a ladder, is working on the ventilation system. Taking off one of the vents, she sees a thick layer of dust. "Ew" she says making a stink face sticking her tongue out. She climbs down the ladder, cleans it off, then reattaches it. She repeats this process over and over in the engine room. Now on the last one Alex is unscrewing the vent when Tifa walks in "Hey Alex what are you doing?" she asks stopping near the ladder. "Hi Tifa just cleaning the vents in here and the condition these are in I can only imagine what the others around the ship look like" she answers. "Well I saw you on the ladder and were going to be hitting Wutai soon so I just wanted to make sure you knew that before you continued don't want you hurting yourself" Tifa replies going closer putting her hand on one of the ladder steps. "Don't worry Tifa this is my last one for now" she assures climbing down, she walks over to a trash can were the other vents contents were dumped and wipes off the vent over it. "Well I'm gonna go to the bridge I'll see you in a bit" Tifa says walking out of the room "Ok!" Alex yells going up the ladder. Two screws go in, one foot slips, about to fall off she feels a hand on her lower back stopping her. She looks down, it was Cloud he pushes her back on to the ladder "Thanks that would of sucked" she says, he holds the ladder keeping it steady. "You really need to be more careful I may not be around next time" he says staring at her, she smiled at him. His constant concern for her safety made butterflies in her stomach, she turns back to the vent to finish. "So what's Wutai like?" she asks " It's a big city on its own island" he answers watching her. " What's Yuffie's dad like?" she questions, still holding the ladder he moves closer. "He's been a very good ally to us since he's the leader of Wutai he has a lot of access to things he's been a big help when needed" he informs. The last screw goes in, Alex gets off the ladder "Wait you said he's the leader of Wutai?" she asks Cloud nods. "Then does that means Yuffie's...a princess?" she questions one brow lifted "yeah" he says folding up the ladder, he puts it away. "Heh" she lets out "What?" he asks walking back to her "I just never would of guessed she doesn't act like one" she says laughing "Yuffie doesn't believe in tradition and some of their old ways she makes her own decisions" he says folding his arms. Alex walks over to the bench "What do you believe in Cloud?" she asks, he was jolted by this question. He never gave much thought into what his beliefs were if any he doesn't answer "Come Cloud you must believe in something" she continues, he still didn't have an answer. Instead he redirects "Well what do you believe in?" he asks Alex thinks for a moment. " Chance" she answers he looks at her puzzled "When your given life you have the chance to make it how you wish and want it to be if you go astray life gives you the chance to change it remake it do it over your continuously given the chance to be who you want to be that's what I believe in " she answers. Cloud is thrown back, what she said made sense thinking about it in one way or another he was always given a chance in every situation he was in. Maybe, with out knowing it he believed that to. Alex thought that he didn't know how to answer or maybe he just doesn't have beliefs it didn't make her think any less of him. "Were here! Were here!" Yuffie screams down the hall. Alex could feel the ship lower it rumbles as it lands "Lets go" Cloud says to her, they walk to the bridge together everyone was waiting for them. Stepping outside, the ship was on a hill looking over Wutai. It was like she somehow ended up in medieval china or Japan. Pagodas spread out all over with a very large one in the middle. A river flowed threw the city. Bridges were built on top of it connecting the buildings. Women were in flowered kimonos and the men wore green or white tunics with long flowing pants. To the right of her, figures were carved in a mountain it reminded her of Mount Rushmore from home. Walking threw the city, Alex realized that they were heading straight for the tallest pagoda "Must be like a palace of some sort" she thought remembering that Yuffie is a princess. The people here were very friendly they even knew everyone's names. Crossing over a small bridge they make it to the entrance. Walking in, it was just like old world Asia, incense was lit just beyond the door. Pillows were arranged around a small table with cups and plates already set up. "Alex take off your shoes" Tifa whispered "Geez even that is the same" she says in her head unlacing them. While doing this she saw Cloud with his boots off she thought it was funny because shes never seen him without them, it was the same story with Vincent. Now shoe less, they make way to another room were a tall man stood in robes "Dad!" Yuffie screams running over giving him a hug. "Yuffie my daughter its about time you came to visit me I was starting to worry" he says Yuffie lets go, he walks over to them "It's nice to see you all again its been a while" he greets "How are you?" Tifa asks. The man plays with his long black beard "I cant complain" he answers "Haven't had any problems lately have you?" Cloud asks "Not at all why do you ask?" he questions "We ran into some trouble in Modeoheim we Don't know who they were but they wore red uniforms does this sound familiar?" Cloud replies. The man puts his hands behind him and paces for minute "Red uniforms you say? No I haven't heard anything regarding that ill keep an eye out" he answers he sees Alex and walks over to her. "Well hello there and what is your name?" he asks "My names Alex sir nice to meet you" she greets, she does a slight bow. Everyone even Yuffie looks at her funny. Lifting her head up she sees all there faces and starts to think she just made an ass out of herself. The man lets out a laugh " My goodness I haven't had a formal greeting like that in years and my dear please call me Godo" he says smiling putting his hand on her shoulder. Tifa and Yuffie laugh along with him, Cloud glances at her and smiles. A servant appears with a steaming tea pot in hand "Ahh just in time please wont you all join me" he invites. Tifa, Yuffie, Alex, and Cloud all sit at the table she saw when she walked in. Cid was out on the what Alex labeled the "porch" smoking. Vincent and Barret stood not to far away Nanaki sat next to Godo. "So I trust my daughter is behaving herself?" Godo says as the server pours from the teapot into his cup. "Come on dad" Yuffie says rolling her eyes "Yuffie you are the future leader of this city you must act accordingly" he says while sipping. The server walks around to everyone they all refuse but Alex accepts. He pours a green liquid into her cup she looks at him and bows her head, he surprised smiles bows back and leaves. She picks up the cup sips a bit of it and smiles "Oh green tea" she says Godo turns her head to her "You know of green tea?" he asks. "Yea I used to drink it all the time I haven't had it in a while" she replies gulping more. "So tell me about yourself Alex" he asks. Alex kneeling, adjusts her legs one of them was falling asleep. "Well...I'm an engineer" she informs him. "A damn good one to!" Yuffie shouts Alex giggles and scratches her head "Thanks Yuffie" she says smiling, she downs the rest of her tea. "Where are you from?" he asks. Everyone was nervous of what her response would be. "Davenport" she answers, it was the only place she could say. A few sighs rang out "Davenport? I've never been there heard its a great place to visit" he says drinking his tea "Yea you should go sometime" she says "I wish I could my dear but a leader never leaves his post" he replies "Even leaders need vacations your only human your people should understand that" she says. Godo stares at Alex and puts his cup down the look on his face concerned the group they feared that Alex may have offended him, it was the last thing they wanted. Godo smiles and laughs "Were ever did you find this woman? She is simply delightful!" he loudly says " What a breath of fresh air my dear your welcome here anytime" he adds "Thank you" she says smiling. The group was amazed that he liked her so much just in their first meeting. "Well I wish I could continue but I have important affairs to get to please everyone stay as long as you like my home is yours" Godo says standing, they thank him as he leaves. Getting up, Alex goes over to the 'porch' area were Cid was he was on his second cigerette. she could see the mountain in the distance with all the carvings, Yuffie and Tifa stand on either side of her. "Isn't this place great?" yuffie yells smiling "Yea" Alex laughs. Looking around, a tea shop sat next to a restaurant. A hotel was a lil further down the river. Cherry blossom trees were in full bloom, the pedals fell off the branches in the wind. Women all dressed up were gathered in the front of the hotel and on a few of the balconies. "Who are they?" Alex asks Tifa and Yuffie look with her "Oh those are the geisha's they run the hotel they sometimes come and perform here" Yuffie answers "Perform what?" alex questions " Mostly dances sometimes the whole city is invited other times its just for my dad" Yuffie replies. Alex shudders at the last part she said she knew what the ment. "Come on!" Yuffie shouts pulling Alex's arm, all threeof them run past the boys and put there shoes on. "Were are you guys off to?" Nanaki asks ,they all stare at them "Were gonna show Alex around well be back later" Yuffie says. Cloud walks up to Tifa and Yuffie, Alex is still putting on her shoes "You keep an eye on her you hear me?" he orders "Oh Cloud" Yuffie says laughing "I mean it Yuffie" he replies "Relax shell be with us" Yuffie says "That's what I'm afraid of" he says staring at her. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" she shouts at him Tifa grabs her "Don't worry Cloud shell be fine we promise" Tifa assures him. Alex finishes tying, Tifa and Yuffie run off, Alex goes after them catching up. They ran all over the place making Alex feel like a kid again. The people here were so kind and generous offering things from their homes and stores. Alex wondered if this was just the way they were or if it was because Yuffie was Godos daughter. Yuffie didn't take any of it she explained that accepting free things all the time would make the gods angry "Gods?" alex says "yea" she replies pointing to the mountain "Da Chao they are our gods" Yuffie explains. Alex was surprised that even here a god was present in one way or another. Walking across one of the bridges, Alex stops and rests her head and arms on the railing. Fish swam quickly around in circles going after the bugs that landed on surface. It was so quiet and peaceful here. All the other towns and cities had cars and people walking all around rushing from place to place but it wasnt like that here. Everything was slowed down no wonder Godo didn't want to leave. "Yuffie!" is heard from the other end of the bridge. Turning her head, a woman in the same attire as the geishas runs over to Yuffie hugging her, Tifa is standing with them. "Tifa its good to see you again" the woman says giving Tifa a hug "It's been so long are all of you here?" the woman asks "yup the boys are at dads" Yuffie tells her. Alex walks over to them the woman sees her "Oh hello" she greets Alex smiles "hi" she says "Suni this is Alex she's new Alex this is Suni" Yuffie introduces "Very nice to meet you" Suni says "You to" Alex replies. "Come we have a lot to catch up on you can come to Alex" Suni invites waving them on heading for the hotel. Alex was a lil sketchy about going there remembering what Yuffie said about 'performing' for her dad. a bad mental image went threw her mind she shook her head to get it out. taking their shoes off once ace again they go inside and climb a few sets of stairs going to the top floor. The women around them were either cleaning or cooking. Suni lead them to a huge room with a clear view of most of the city and the palace. In the middle of the room was a large table and pillows arranged around in a circle it was the same kind of set up as Godos. "Please sit I'll be right back" Suni says as she leaves they all sat and waited. "So Yuffie how do you know her?" Alex asks "We've been friends since we were little" Yuffie answers. Suni then returns and sits next to Tifa "Everything will be ready in a moment now tell me what have you all been up to?" Suni asks them. "Oh nothing much a lot of traveling" Tifa answers "It's never boring though!" Yuffie lets out. Suni turns her attention to Alex "So how did you come to join them?" she asks. Before Alex could answer, eight women came into the room holding tea and plates of food they set it all down in front of them, it all smelled great and looked delicious. "Please enjoy it's on me I wont take no for a answer" Suni says. She looks at the other women "Thank you all you can stay if you like" she offers. They all sit filling in the left over spaces at the table. Yuffie gobbles up plate after plate, Tifa takes her time, Alex wasn't really hungry, she only ate a small amount mostly drinking tea. "So Alex how did you come across them?" Suni asks again " I fixed their ship then they asked me to stay" Alex answers "Yea but after you almost died falling out of a tree" Yuffie says muffled from food in her mouth. Suni's expression changes "Really?" she asks, Alex nods. "It was Cloud's fault she was at the top of the tree he yelled up scaring her causing her to fall" Yuffie adds chomping on some bread. Giggles came out from the woman some had fans covering their faces, Alex wasn't sure why they were laughing. "You weren't badly hurt were you?" Suni continues Alex eats a lil off her plate "Not to bad" she answers "Not bad are you kidding? You were bleeding from your head Cloud put a cloth on clotting it cuz you couldn't see at the time" Yuffie says this time it was a lil less muffled. More giggles echoed out Suni smiled at them all "What is it?" Alex asks "The girls like it when the men come to visit Godo" she informs "Especially Cloud" one of the women says, more giggles come out of them. Alex now wonders about this. Suni laughs with them, she sees the confused look on Alex's face " The boys when they come here stay at the hotel somtimes the girls get excited when they do" Suni explains. Alex nods taking a sip of her tea "They perform for them" Tifa says, Alex almost spits out her tea she covers her mouth stopping herself from doing it. She looks at all the woman "What do you mean by perform?" she asks, she was worried about the answer. She didn't think Cloud was that kind of guy but she had to know "They entertain them" Suni answers "How exactly?" Alex continues she wanted a straight forward answer. Suni sips her tea "How ever they wish" Suni replies. Alex is appalled a nasty taste develops in her mouth she tries to wash it out with tea it, doesn't work. The thought of Cloud being with all of these women disgusted her she didn't want to sit with them anymore, she was about to get up. "But Vincent and Cloud never want company it makes us sad" a woman lets out, Alex stays. " What do you mean?" she asks "They decline when we offer" one woman answers. Alex starts to get excited "So your telling me that Cloud and Vincent don't...you know...do that?" she asks "No never we wish they would Vincent is so quiet and mysterious I've always wanted to see what's underneath" a woman answers, a few other women let out giggles. "Cloud with those blue eyes of his makes us weak in the knees" is heard, sighs follow after. Alex smiles a little hearing this she was happy to know that he wasn't a pig he was a gentlemen and respectful to women even when they try to get into his pants. "Thank god" she says in her head. A woman is blue walks over with a wooden box and sits next to Alex. "Hi I'm Kina" she greets, Alex thinks this is strange "Hi" she nervously says. "You have beautiful skin do you ever wear make up?" Kina asks "Uh no I'm not really a make up kind of girl" she answers "You should because your complexion is flawless" kina compliments. Alex scratches her right arm "Um thanks but I've never really been into that" she says "Come on Alex you should try it" Tifa insists. "Why?" Alex asks "Because you might like it and besides dressing up is fun" Tifa says "If its so much fun why don't you do it?" Alex replies "I can't I'm allergic to make up" Tifa informs "Figures" Alex thinks. She then turns to Yuffie "Oh no don't look at me" Yuffie says putting her hands up. Alex rolls her eyes "Ok fine do it" she accepts. Kina immediately goes to work. She puts on pink eye shadow with a glimmering white just at the brow and at the corners of her eyes, black eyeliner and mascara follow. She brushes on foundation then a very light pink gloss is pressed on her lips. Tifa and Yuffie can't see what Kina is doing they wait for the results. Another woman comes over and does Alex's hair. she sleeks it back then makes it into a side bun. "All done!" Kina shouts, Alex turns her head to them "Wow" Yuffie says "What?" Alex asks "You look stunning" Tifa says. Kina hands her a mirror, Alex looks into it she doesn't even recognize herself "Woah that's me?" she asks. Kina puts all of her makeup away, Tifa and Yuffie look in the mirror with her. "Yup! You look beautiful" Yuffie says smiling. Alex was speechless she never thought looking like this was possible for her yet here it was, it was a lot to take in. "Hey you should go out like this" Yuffie says "Ya you should Alex" Tifa agrees."You can't be all made up and wear that I have something for you to wear" Suni says running out of the room. "Uh" Alex cant get words to come out everything was happening so fast. Suni rushes back with a pink silk dress, it had a small high collar and short sleeves with a slit on one side and white flowers all over it. "That's perfect!" Yuffie screams, Tifa takes her by the arms and forces her up walking her over to the dress. "Hold on wait a second!" she yells everyone stops. "I agreed to make up not this" she says pointing to the dress, Yuffie gets angry "Come on party poop for once be a girl" she says. Alex makes a face at her "Says the one who refused make up" she says, the women giggle. Yuffie sticks her tongue out at her. "Alex just try it on" Tifa says, Alex throws her arms up "Fine!" she gives in. They take all of her clothes and slip the dress on her, it fit like it was ment for her. "You look phenomenal" kina says her mouth hanging open "Really?" Alex asks "Defiantly" Tifa answers "Lets go out you need to show yourself off!" Yuffie shouts, Alex puts her hand on her face "Oh geez could we not?" Alex pleads. She was always uncomfortable with people staring at her now looking like this it would just make it worse. "Oh come on you baby" Yuffie orders pulling her down the stairs, they all follow to the entrance. "I cant go out like this I don't even have the right shoes" Alex says hoping this would get her off the hook "Here take these" Suni says holding black dressy sandals. Alex glares at her and snatches them out of her hand "Thanks" she says putting them on. "Great lets go!" Yuffie yells pulling Alex, Tifa follows behind. Walking back to the palace people as they past by would stop what they were doing and stare. Alex kept looking forward "This is what I was talking about" she whispers "Oh hush you look great" Yuffie whispers back. They make it to the palace, Godo was in the tea room "Ah you girls are back" Godo says he gives Yuffie a hug he sees Alex and blinks a few times. "My my look at you your breathe taking" he compliments, taking her hands Alex gulps and smiles "Thank you" she says " I know huh?" Yuffie asks rubbing Alex's shoulders. The boys voices echo threw from another room they appear around a corner stopping at Godo "There you all are we were wondering where you ran off to" Nanaki says walking over to Tifa. He sees part of the pink dress he, lifts his head up to Alex "Oh my goodness Alex is that you?" he shouts "Yup hi guys" she answers. one by one the men look at her shocked even Vincent was surprised, Cloud's face completely drops. "Well now" Cid says with a whistle "You look amazing" Nanaki says. Alex thinks her face must be the same color as the dress. Cloud doesn't know what to say he just keeps staring at her. A server comes in "Alright everyone come along" Aodo invites. He leads them all to a room with individual tables and pillows set up in a L shape "please sit" Godo instructs, Alex sat on one end Cloud sat at the other. Godo took his place in the middle facing them all. Other servers came out with food and tea. Alex's stomach turned she really didn't want to eat anymore, she decides to pace herself. Everyone talked and laughed for hours it was beginning to get dark out. Cloud didn't say much all he really did was stare at Alex the whole time. He couldn't help it no matter how hard he tried his eyes always shifted back to her. Alex needed a break plus, the way she was sitting her legs were cramping up "Excuse me" she says to Godo. She gets up and leaves the room. Cloud sneaks out after her. She walks down a hall arms folded glancing over some art work and statues scattered around. She comes to an opening over looking a garden, a cherry blossom tree sat in the middle of it. She leans on the railing that separated her from it. Cloud finds her ,he puts his body up against the wall watching her. Alex doesn't notice him she piers out into the garden then up to the sky. The sun didn't set yet pink, purple, and orange were its colors instead of blue. She gets the feeling she's being watched she jerks her head over "Whose there?" she asks. Foot steps are heard coming to her, Cloud emerges from the shadows "Nothing gets past you does it?" he asks "Oh hey Cloud" she greets smiling. He walks over to her "Why are you out here by yourself?" he questions hunching over on the railing next to her. "Just needed some air and to stretch my legs" she answers "Oh" he says looking over at her. "So what's with this?" he asks, Alex turns to him "What?" she says "This" he answers pointing to her dress. "Oh I was mauled by the geishas couldn't be helped I was out numbered" she laughs he chuckles with her. "Yea I hear you their ruthless" he jokes making her laugh more. Her smile lit up her face. Even though she's has smiled many times before, to Cloud this time it was different. It wasn't just her smile it was her eyes to they were brighter more vibrant. "Why does it look bad?" she asks, he glances over to her and smiles "No" he says she turns back to the garden. "You don't need it though" he compliments. She looks at him her eyes hold his "Thanks" she says, he leans in closer "no problem" he whispers. She turns away and giggles, Cloud opened his mouth to say more but the group found them. "There you guys are we wondered were you went!" Yuffie says running over to them "Hey" he says, Alex just smiles. "Yeh ready ta' go?" Cid asks, Cloud nods. "I'm gonna change and wash this stuff off" Alex says walking around them "I'll get your clothes from the hotel" Yuffie offers, she runs off. "Thanks Yuffie" she says continuing on finding a bathroom just down another hall. Tifa turns to Cloud and makes a face "What?" he asks, Tifa smiles "nothing" she says. Alex now back to normal, they say their good byes to Godo and fly off.

After a few days in the air, the electrical system was on the frits they had to land. Cid managed to put the ship on the only dirt spot of a whole field witch Alex thought was just great. Grease, grime, and even rust have been her friends now dirt was making a visit. The schematics showed that there were fuse boxes outside the ship on the top and bottom. She decided to do the top one first but she couldn't climb up to get to it. The area it was in was steep she couldn't come from the propellers she would just slide off she had to get on from the front. She asked Barret for help, he was the biggest out of the group. He picked her up and placed her on the ship. "Thanks Barret!" she yells to him "Your welcome ya need me to stay?" he asks, he can hear her taking the panel to the fuse box off. "No I'm going to be here a while I'll call for you when I'm done" she says "Alright" he replies walking back into the ship. Alex remained there part of the day checking every last wire. She would hear them all walking around the ship and talking, for fun she popped up scaring Yuffie. Yuffie wasn't amused she threw a rock at Alex nearly hitting her. Not finding a problem with this fuse box Alex needed to get down to check the other one. "Barret!" she yelled, no answer " Barret!" she yelled louder, he didn't come. "Oh what the hell" she says, she looks over the edge to make sure no one was around and drops her tools down. She studied the area were she was planning to jump down but hesitated if she rushed she could break a leg. She sees the top of Vincent's head coming out of the ship "Vincent!" she calls to him, he turns his head around then looks up at Alex. "Hi can you get Barret for me please? I cant get down" she politely says to him, he nods his head and goes to find him. Barret comes out a few minutes later, he picks her up from under her arms and places her on the ground "Thanks Barret" she says picking up her tools. "Sure Alex anytime" he says going back into the ship. She crawls under to the other fuse box and gets to work. Hours later, the cargo ramp comes down Cloud wheels out his bike. He's about to get on it, when he sees feet sticking out from under the ship. He laughs a lil walking over, he kicks one foot ."What!" she says aggravated "Someone having a bad day?" she hears, the voice made her eyes grow big. She inches out and sits up."Hey Cloud" she greets he crouches down to her "Hey have you been under here all day?" he asks "No actually I was up top earlier" she says patting off dirt from her coverall. "Did you find the problem yet?" he questions "No not yet I will" she confidently says. "Why don't you take a break? You've been at this for hours" he says. Alex nods and stands up wiping the rest of herself off. She sees his bike in front of her "Going for a ride I see?" she assumes walking over to it "Yea haven't done it in a while" he replies. She touches one of the handle bars " Well I wont keep you I need to get back to work any ways have fun" she says walking back to the ship. He sits on the bike and turns it on then he has a thought "Alex" he calls to her,she turns to him "Yea?" she answers. He throws something to her she catches it and examines it. They were goggles, she looks up at him confused "Hop on" he tells her motioning with his head. She blinks a few times "Are you serious?" she asks dumbfounded, he smiles a lil and nods. Excited she jumps on putting the goggles over her eyes "Hang on" he says while revving the engine. Alex didn't hear him "What?" she asks, he speeds off causing her to fly into his back. Startled, she closes her eyes and wraps her arms around him. He glances down, sees her hands on his stomach, and smirks looking in front of him. Alex opens her eyes she makes a face she had feeling he did that on purpose. She lifts her head a lil and watched as they flew threw the plains. Birds took off as they passed hills in front of them started to immerge. She looks at Cloud "Even his hair doesnt move much in the wind" she giggled then she focused on the rest of him. She could clearly feel his abs he was pure solid muscle, she scrunches her nose smiling. He takes them a lil further then stops. She leaves the goggles on the bike gets off of it and walks a lil. She doesn't know why but for some reason he stopped at a beach, she turns back to him. "Why are we here?" she asks him he jumps off puts the kickstand down and stands next to her "I always find you staring up at the sky I figure what better place then the beach to look at it" he answers turning to her she looks up at him half smiling he walks on she stayed in the same spot for a min "Hmmm" she thought he glances back at her "You coming?" he asks she catches up with him they stroll up and down the beach together talking her mostly about home. They end up back at the bike she sits in the sand he sat down with her there was still a few more hours till dusk she thought now was the time ask him what she's been wanting to know "So Cloud what did you do before avalanche?" she asks he puts his head down staring at the sand Alex looked at him for a while she gave up on him answering and turns watching the waves as they came in "I worked for a company" he says Alex jerks back to him "What kind of company?" she asks he takes a deep breathe "An electric power company called Shinra" he answers Alex then remembers the metal plate in Corel, the symbol on the document in Junon, it started to come together "Are they the ones that built the reactors?" she questions he nods "So that's how you know so much about them" she adds, he nods again "They used coal for their power for years then found a way to harness energy from the life stream after a while they built their own army and started taking over other cities and towns while slowly killing the planet" he says "Geez" she lets out "That's not all" he adds "Many years before they were digging some were in the planet and found something they called Jenova they hired scientists to study her they took some blood and found out her cells had unique qualities they did experiments on humans injecting her cells into them it increased their strength, stamina, and healing ability it also gave greater tolerance to pain when injured mako was added later into the mix for better results this was used to make Shinra's army they called them soldier." he continued. "What did they look like when they were done? This obviously altered their appearance some how" she asked "They would come out the same the only difference was the eyes the trade mark was sky blue that's how they were distinguished a very select few ended up with green or the color never changed at all but for the most part blue was the color they became" he explained. Alex realizes that his eyes are that color blue "You were one of them weren't you?" she asks he shakes his head "No I was an infantry man I wanted to be in soldier but never made it" he answers "How come? Your an awesome fighter how could they reject you?" she questions " thanks but I wasn't before" he says. she remembers something from a previous conversation she had with him "You said your eyes didn't always look like that what did you mean?" she asks he props both arms on his knees. "I was with a friend of mine his name was Zack he was in soldier we were both injured I was pretty bad the last thing I remember from that day was passing out next to him I slowly started to come to I couldn't move or talk but I could hear him he said that they put us in tubes filled with mako witch gave me mako poisoning when that happens it puts you in a catatonic state he also found out that they injected Jenova cells into me and that 4 years had passed since then" he tells her "how old were you when they put you in there?" she asks "16" he half whispers "Were is Zack now?" she questioned he pauses and looks out at the horizon "he died not long after he got me out of there" he answers Alex's heart begins to ache for him not only did he loose his mom he was also locked away and experimented on against his will and threw all of this he also lost his friend she now understood why he and the others didn't want to talk about it. "I'm so sorry cloud that must of been awful" she consoles putting her hand on his shoulder he turns his head to her "Don't be it all worked out in the end" he says they stared at each other for what seemed like forever at this point it was like words weren't needed. She now knew who Cloud was his past was irrelevant despite how bad it was for him it molded him into the man he is now and that's all she cared about.

Multiple laughter now echoed around them most of it was coming from a hill not far from were they sat men poured out from behind it. Cloud quickly stands, Alex follows she couldn't tell how many of them there were some of them still laughing with big grins on there faces "I'm sorry are we interrupting something?". A short man with dark brown hair asks Cloud scans them over "No we were just leaving" he says he holds his arm out an steps back making Alex do the same. "Aww so soon? We were hoping to join in and have some fun what do ya say?" the man asks "No thanks" he says trying to walk with Alex to the bike "how about if i say you have no choice in the matter?" the man says. The other men start to circle around them cloud realizes they aren't gonna let them go "What do you want?" Cloud asks him the man laughs "It's not what I want its what he wants" he answers smiling cloud doesn't know what he means by this and the fact that they were surround worried him he knows that they aren't just going to let them walk away but the problem was his swords were in his bike. Alex stares at the men around them carrying weapons they had the same type of clothes on. All with either a black or white circle with the letter C in the middle of it. She clings to cloud gripping his shirt "Cloud?" she says "Alex when I tell you to run" Cloud whispers he looks back at the man. "Well?" the man says "Alex go!" Cloud yells she lets go of him and runs as fast as she can. Cloud jumps over them all and lands near his bike he opens the compartments grabs a few swords and leaps back. The sand was making it hard for her get away she can hear Cloud's sword make noises as he fought them. One of the men was chasing after her, not paying attention she trips over a rock and lands on the ground catching up to her. He goes to pick her up, she throws sand in his eyes, he lets go. She gets up to continue running but he grabs her foot making her fall, she kicks him, he takes hold of her other foot and pulls her to him, he puts his arm around her stomach carrying her back "let me go!" she screams punching and trying to push off of him. He takes her over to the man who was talking to them before. Cloud was slashing and cutting, the men dropped one by one. Thinking she wasn't going any were the man holding Alex drops her and goes to help in the fight. Alex tries to make a run for it but the short man grabs her. Finishing them off Cloud jumps after him, the man sees Cloud coming and puts Alex in front of him up against the hill holding her with one hand by her throat. Cloud lunging for him, sees Alex and stops just in front of them one sword pointed at his face. The man with the same hand on Alex puts up one finger and wiggles it back and forth while shaking his head "Uh uh you wouldn't want to accidentally kill her would you?" he says. Cloud glares at him the man grabs Alex face with the same hand "well isn't she a pretty one I can see why you fought back" he says smiling, his hand moves down her neck she can feel his fingers down her shirt. She tries to wriggle free, Cloud gets angry and grits his teethe "Stop it!" Cloud yells at him he grabs hold of her neck again "Oh I see I struck a nerve" he says Alex gets that feeling again she can't see what's going on or hear them any more her. Breathing isn't as bad this time she can see herself. Still being held by the man she can hear them talking. Cloud tells him to let her go the man says I don't think so. A second later, the man using his other hand pulls out a gun and shoots Cloud. He drops to the ground bleeding. She sees herself screaming for him. He gets up and runs at him the man shoots him a few more times before Cloud stays down. The man grabs her and pushes her face first on the hill, she sees him starting to rip off her clothes. She tries to fight back still screaming, Cloud cant get up all he can do is watch. She can hear and see around her again, the man and Cloud didn't notice this they were to busy arguing."Let her go!" Cloud demands, Alex knows what's coming next she wasn't going to let it happen. "I don't think so" the man answers, she can feel him raise his gun "No!" she screams grabbing his arm pointing it away from him. The gun goes off and grazes Cloud's left arm. "Alex get down!" Cloud screams, she ducks, Cloud thrusts his sword into the man. He spits out blood, yanking his sword out the man drops deing in the sand. Cloud walks over to Alex, he kneels next to her. "You ok?" he asks panting "Yea" she answers and sees blood on his arm "Your hurt" she says he looks at it "Eh its nothing I've had worse" he tells her she closes her eyes and hangs her head. "Let's get out of here" he says standing, she doesn't get up. He bends down and lifts her up by her arms. He walks her over to the bike while he put his swords away, she sits and puts the goggles on. Throwing one leg over he turns it on and drives off. The whole ride back she held on to him he could feel how tight her grip was. Parking next to the ship Cloud gets off and stands next to her she doesn't say anything for a moment "I'm gonna go inside" she says walking threw the entrance. cloud can tell she's traumatized by this he wanted to follow her and make sure she's ok but he got the feeling she wanted to be alone. he puts the bike away and goes to the bridge. Alex in her room grabs a jacket and heads for the deck she passes by Nanaki "Ello Alex" he greets, she doesn't say anything. she turns right for the deck and steps out on to it. everyone else was in the bridge when cloud enters Tifa immediately sees the cut on his arm "What happened!" she yells running over to him he tries to walk away and not answer she puts her hands on his chest stopping him "Cloud say something!" she screams the rest of the group was now listening Nanaki walks in. "We were attacked" he answers "Attacked?" she says "Yea there was a lot of them I took care of it" he says "Wait we?" Cid asks "Alex was with me" he answers. The group now becomes concerned "were is she?" Tifa shouts "She's here I don't know were though" he answers Yuffie and Tifa run to find her. "who was it that attacked you?" Nanaki questions "I don't know" Cloud answers "What the hell were they after?" Cid asks Cloud had a feeling "Her" he says.

Alex sat on the seat her knees on her forehead, eyes closed, her arms under her thighs. Her mind was blank it sank in that they were almost killed just now. The deck door flies open "Alex!" is screamed. She looks, up Yuffie and Tifa stand next to her. "Are you ok?" Tifa asks "I'm fine" Alex muffles "Are you sure?" Yuffie asks "You could be hurt and not know it" Tifa adds "yea let us look you over" Yuffie insists pulling on her jacket. Alex shoots up "I'm fine! stop asking me I don't want to talk about it please just leave me alone!" she screams going over to the railing they both stare at her they know she's not fine its obvious she's upset "Please go away!" she yells they leave and go to the bridge. cloud is bandaging up his arm Tifa and Yuffie come back in "Did you find her?" Barret asks "Yea she's on the deck she wont talk to us I've never seen her like this before I'm worried about her" Tifa answers looking at cloud. he finishes up "ill go talk to her" he says walking out Alex now has her head on the railing she can feel the wind blowing on her. Cloud opens the door and sees her standing there he walks over "Hey" he says, she looks up at him. "Hi" she says back "Are you alright" he asks, she squints her eyes and shakes her head he leans on the railing with her. "Why did that happen?" she asks "I don't know" he answers he can see the pain she was in he felt bad. "Alex talk to me tell me what your thinking" he says to her she doesn't answer "Come on Alex it's me" he continues she stays silent "I saw" she lets out, he looks at her. "You saw what?" he asks "When that man had me I had an episode I saw him shoot you" she informs him she's now holding back her tears "I saw what he was gonna to do me if I didn't stop him he was gonna make you watch" she quivers. He knows now that there is more to what he originally thought was wrong. He can see she's trying not to cry "Alex" he says grabbing her arm "No" she tells him trying to walk away "Alex come here" he says pulling her to him "No" she continues to fight with him. He manages to get one arm around her, she gives in, both his arms now on her, she grabs his shirt and buries her face in his chest. Tears streamed down her cheeks, he could hear her sobbing. She wasn't just crying over this it was everything she didn't let her self cry for, she was finally letting it all out. "I was so scared" she says, he rests his cheek on her head "It's ok" he comforts. She continues to cry "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you I promise" he says holding her tighter. "Cloud?" he hears her muffle "Yea?" he says "Your suffocating me" she replies "Oh" he says letting go, her head pops up. "Geez you did all work to save me only for you to smother me to death" she says laughing, he laughs with her "That's better" he says to her "What?" she asks "You smiling" he says wiping her eyes. She can feel her self blushing, he puts his hand on her head and rubs messing up her hair. "Hey!" she says pushing him " I cant do that to you yours has a mind of its own" she jokes, he laughs. Alex glances at him, he does the same "You should do that more often" she says to him "What?" he asks "Laugh you look better when you do" she compliments he smiles "Come on" he says, they both go inside.