Life as a SOLDIER

Disclaimer: This is a repost. We made a sligh boo-boo here.

A/N: Yeah, we did. Here's the corrected version. Sorry if I caused any confusion! Heh heh... let's carry on.

Chapter Thirty-Four: Sephiroth Strikes a Bargain ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aeris came walking back inside the church with an armload of dark colored clothing and a long tatterted red cloth. On top of the cloth was two bags of doughnuts. "I didn't know what kind if doughnuts you liked, so I got you a jelly-filled, a maple round, and a choclate-sprinkle rectangle. Is that allright with you?"

Cloud looked up from the bench. "The maple and chocolate, yes, but I'm not too fond of jelly-filled…"

"That's okay," said Aeris cheerfully. "I'll switch your jelly-filled for my chocolate round. Deal?"

"…okay. Thank you very much, Aeris," said Cloud gratefully, taking the chocolate round and taking a famished bite out of it.

"Wow, you really must be hungry," said Aeris with a smile. "Well, let's quickly finish our breakfast and then I'll get working on that outfit."

"Is there anything I can do for you?" asked Cloud. "Do you need my measurements or anything?"

"No, actually, I already have it," said Aeris, indicating a small paper clipped to the tattered red cloth.

Cloud read the note curiously. It read,

Aeris, these are the measurements for a new outfit for Cloud. Maybe he could wear it when this current outfit gets worn out. Cloud could even wear it to parties! I'm no good at making outfits, so I entrust you with Cloud's measurements. Use them well, okay, Aeris? I'm counting on you:D Hugs and kisses, Zack.

"Ah… So that's why he took my measurements that day!" said Cloud. "He was planning a new outfit for me, but he can't sew?"

"No, he doesn't like sewing much. Says it requires too much patience." Aeris pulled out a sewing kit from under the bench. "I, however, have plenty of patience. It shouldn't take me more then an hour or two to finish."

"Really?" asked Cloud in surprise. "You can work that fast?"

"I can try," said Aeris. "I'm pretty good with a needle and cloth in my hands. You needn't worry, Cloud." She looked up at the ceiling. "I'm sure something good will come out of this… Someday…"

Meanwhile, back at Shinra…

"We'll have to run a thorough search on all the cities and villages in this world!" barked Bruce. "The whole world depends on if Shinra Company can run properly, and seeing as it can't without it's leader, they're all in this together. I'll take a group to Midgar, Zack will take a group to Corel, your group will take Wutai," he said to the guy next to him, "and you will take the southern regions," he added to the other guy next to him.

"What about me?" asked Sephiroth.

"You're going to Nibelheim," answered Bruce. "Be ready to leave in five minutes!"

"Sir, could… Could I go with Sephiroth?" asked Zack. If Cloud took off to Nibelheim, I could start there…

"No, Sephiroth has to go alone. Nibelheim isn't that big, and you've been ordered to go to Corel. There's no changing orders. Now get ready to leave."

"But I…" Zack trailed off as SOLDIERs began to shuffle out of the room. Cloud can't have done it…but for me and everyone else to be sure… I have to talk to him…

"Don't worry," said Sephiroth, though a certain gleam in his eyes didn't make Zack feel too reassured. "If I find Cloud before you do, I know the exact way to prove Cloud's innocence."

"You do?"

"I certainly do," said Sephiroth. "If all goes well, Cloud will be declared innocent in a day or two."

"…thanks," said Zack slowly, not sure on whether it was okay to trust Sephiroth. "I… I hope you can do it then, if I can't."

"Oh, I'll just make an offer that can't be refused," said Sephiroth with a smirk, stalking out of the room before Zack could ask more questions.

"…an offer that can't be refused…" repeated Zack uncertainly to himself. "Whatever could that mean…?"

Back in Aeris's church…

A few hours had passed, and it was a bit after lunchtime. Aeris lifted the outfit at arms length. "I say, this is a great looking outfit!"

"It certainly is!" agreed Cloud, impressed. "You made a complete outfit in the space of three and a half hours! How did you do it?"

"Like I said, I'm an incredible sewer." Aeris handed the outfit to Cloud. "Here, go behind that pillar and try it on. It should fit you good. And even a bit loose, like you requested."

"Thanks," said Cloud, taking the outfit and going behind the pillar to change.

"Why don't we test it out later?" suggested Aeris. "We could try going for a walk to the city gardens. Have you seen them yet?"

"No, I haven't."

"Well, then, if you don't mind, we can go down together. You'll need some fresh air, after spending so much time inside. You SOLDIERs never get enough fresh air."

"…but Aeris, it's the middle of winter," said Cloud in confusion. "What gardens will there be to see?"

"Not all gardens are limited to flowers," said Aeris. "Snow itself can be a beautiful thing to watch, even when it's not snowing."

"What if it gets cold?"

"We won't be out long," said Aeris. "Just long enough to give Zack time to think of something… I'm sure he will."

"All right," said Cloud, coming out from behind the pillar in the new outfit. "Well…What do you think?"

"It suits you perfectly," said Aeris with a smile. "Zack certainly has good taste. Can you see well past that scarf?"

"Yes, I can."

"Good then. We go on our walk now. While we all clear our heads, something good will happen."

"Let's hope so…" sighed Cloud, following Aeris out of the church. He looked around. People were walking around the streets near Aeris's church, and not one turned their head towards Cloud. Seeing as they all were murmuring something about "that murder", they could only mean that they, too, were searching for Cloud. "They don't see me," he said to Aeris.

"I know, they won't. At least, if they don't see you as truly innocent, they won't."

"Oh… I see…" Cloud looked around as he followed Aeris to the city's park. When he noticed that no one seemed to notice Aeris either, he asked, "Do they see you too?"

Aeris smiled secretively, and answered, "If I feel like being seen."

Cloud blinked in confusion, but asked no more questions as he sat down next to Aeris, watching the world go by as snow fell down slowly and softly. It's no wonder Zack likes her so much…thought Cloud sadly. She can be so…wonderful. How can I ever turn Zack's eyes away from her…?

The next day…

It was the day after shachoo was discovered. And still Shinra hadn't seen hide nor hair of Cloud. That, of course, was thanks to Aeris. She had made a special outfit as she promised, and even though a patrol of SOLDIERs searched the church thoroughly, they didn't spot the blonde SOLDIER. (As for the outfit, imagine a mix of Cloud's "Kingdom Hearts" outfit and the FF7 anime "Last Order" outfit).

Aeris hummed to herself, watering the lily garden as Cloud sat against a pillar. "The flowers are growing lovely," she said to Cloud. "They must feel that something good is going to happen."

"When will something good happen?" asked Cloud sadly. "It's been a day now, and Zack hasn't come here yet… I'd have thought that he'd come to you first, just like I would…"

"Hmm…" said Aeris thoughtfully. "Maybe we'll find that out in due time. But as for Zack--"

The door flew open and Tifa came running in. "Aeris! I'm glad I could find the time to get to you! I've been so busy that I never could find time to talk to you about what happened! You've heard, haven't you?"

"I have," said Aeris, standing up and setting her watering can on a set of crates. "What would you like to ask about it?"

"Well, I…" Tifa trailed off as she spotted Cloud. "…! You--You're here!" she asked in shock.

Cloud brightened and stood up. "Then you know I'm innocent, right! You truly believe me!"

"Well, I know you'd never commit murder," said Tifa. She eyed Cloud. "What's with the get-up?"

"It's an outfit I made for him," said Aeris. "It shields him from those who want to convict him for a crime he didn't commit."

"Oh… Well, it was shocking when I first heard it," said Tifa, sitting down on the bench. "But if Cloud didn't do it, then who did?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out," said Aeris. "We've been hoping that Zack would show up so we could discuss this, but so far he hasn't come…"

"Maybe he was assigned to a different city to search?" suggested Tifa. "He could've been sent elsewhere. There are more cities then Midgar, you know."

"Maybe…" said Cloud sadly, sitting back down. "But I truly hoped that he'd be here…"

"Oh, Aeris!" called Zack. The three looked to the open church doors to see Zack there. "Sorry it took me a while to get here, but I was assigned to a different city, so I couldn't get here…"

Cloud gave Tifa a look that asked "how did you know". Tifa shrugged.

"That's great, we were just waiting for you," said Aeris pleasantly. "We have a bit to discuss."

"We sure do," sighed Zack. He sat down next to Aeris, and noticed Cloud. "…! Oh, he's here!"

"Then you know I'm innocent, too!" said Cloud, a wave of relief washing over him. "That's good."

"I made a small mistake," said Zack guiltily, looking away. "But… I know it wasn't you."

"So, how can we prove Cloud's innocence?" asked Tifa.

"We've been thinking about that," said Aeris. "But Cloud and I can't really come up with anything…"

"Well, let's think about this…"

Everyone sat down for a few minutes, thinking the problem over.

"Come to think of it," said Zack a few minutes later, "according to a few reports, Sephiroth hasn't finished searching Nibelheim yet."

"He hasn't?" asked Cloud.

"No, he hasn't. And that got me thinking…"

"Go on," said Tifa.

"I was thinking that Cloud and I could get to Nibelheim somehow and convince the people there that Cloud didn't do it."

"Wait, why you and Cloud?" demanded Tifa. "Cloud and I have lived there almost all our lives! I'd stand a better chance of convincing them then you two! Let me go instead!"

"Why not take both?" asked Cloud.

"How could all three of you go undetected?" asked Aeris. "That'll be a tremendous feat to accomplish."

"I could try going on ahead and waiting for you and Tifa in Nibelheim," said Cloud. "I can travel that far without being spotted by anyone."

"Are you sure that it's worth the risk?" asked Zack.

"What risk is there? No one will see me unless they truly think me innocent. I doubt I'll be spotted."

"It's worth a try," said Tifa. "I agree. Let Cloud go ahead. We can meet him there."

"Then I guess I'll wait here," said Aeris. "I can't do much to help, and I feel like I've done my part anyway. I wish you three the best of luck."

"Thanks," said Tifa.

Zack sighed resignedly. "If that's the only plan we have…" He and Cloud and Tifa walked away, and Zack waved before he closed the door. "Well, we'll meet you in Nibelheim, Cloud."

"Be careful," added Tifa.

Cloud nodded. "I will. See you later, Zack, Tifa." he turned around and jumped high, taking to the skies and flying towards Nibelheim.

"Huh," scoffed Tifa as she followed Zack to a Shinra car. "He says my name last."

"The best for last, right?" asked Zack. "Don't worry, Cloud all the time tells me that he holds you high in his heart."

Tifa looked surprised. "He does?"

"Yeah, Everytime I ask him."

"…Oh, I see," said Tifa quietly to herself.

"What's that?" asked Zack as he started the car.

"It's nothing," laughed Tifa. "Just thinking about something Cid said. He's so funny sometimes. He reminds me so much of my departed fa-- uncle."

"Yeah, he's a funny guy. Well, let's get going."

Tifa sighed sadly. That's just Cloud being Cloud… she thought to herself. How can people be so oblivious to things as obvious as Cloud's feelings…?

With Cloud…

It didn't take Cloud long to get to Nibelheim. He looked around and saw that it wasn't at all different. Same houses. Same small businesses. Same schools. Same parks and playgrounds. Same Nibelheim. Instinctively he looked up and around for anyone sneaking behind him. But no one was there. "No-one's gonna bully me around anymore…" he told himself. "And even if they do, I can defend myself now, if they can even see me…"

He wandered to towards the tree that he always ran too whenever he was bullied. As he rested a hand on it's bark, unpleasant memories began to ran through his mind…

Flash: Cloud collapsed onto the tree, feeling to beaten to stand, as the three bullies walk away…

Flash: It's raining heavily, and Cloud has barely any shelter from the rain, until Tifa came over with an umbrella, holding out her hand with a kind smile…

Cloud shook his head and took is hand off of the tree. "That's all in the past…" he told himself firmly. "It'll never happen again…"

"Oh, well, well, well, boys!" exclaimed a voice behind him. "If it isn't our darling Chocobo!"

Cloud gasped in surprise and whirled around. "…! It-It's you three!" They can see me..! Then do they think I'm innocent!

"We heard about the news, about that shachoo of Shinra being murdered and all," said the first bully. "And they're saying you did it. But we don't believe that."

"Exactly!" agreed the second bully. "You couldn't so much as hurt anyone! They must be crazy to suspect you!"

"Y-Yeah…" agreed Cloud tentatively.

"Anyway, what are you doing here?" asked the third bully. "You on the run from them?"

"Yes…they don't believe me, they think…" Cloud looked down and scooted closer to the tree.

"You know, we'd think you'd ask about how we're doing here," said the first bully. "Like Pansy? Aren't you going to ask about her?"

Cloud gave the three a sideways glance. "Pansy?"

"Would you be shocked to hear that she's dating someone else?"

Cloud thought about it for a few seconds, and the second bully sneered, "I bet you're still crushed that Pansy rejected you that day, aren't you?"

"…no, I'm not," said Cloud. "I…don't like Pansy anymore. I like someone else."

"Oh, like that's a big surprise! Pheh, we knew you'd fall for your savior Tifa! Did you come here looking for her?"

"No, Tifa's in Midgar now, and I don't like her either. She's my best friend, yes, but I have feelings for someone else."

"Ooh, do you? Tell us who she is! Or should we say he?" Cloud looked up in shock at them. "Everyone knows about your little 'attraction' to the opposite gender. If you don't like Tifa, which you used to, then maybe some other guy came along and stole you heart. Is that it?"

"I--I'm not about to tell you anything," muttered Cloud, looking away to hide his red face.

"Fine then. That's okay with us, because we're through with talking that mushy love stuff."

"Yeah, we want to hear about your glory days at Shinra Company," said the second bully. "We'd have expected you to be much bigger, taller, and stronger by now! Isn't that what they do to the SOLDIERs there?"

"Because when we see you now, all we see is the same weak, shy, and timid Cloud that left Shinra a little over four months ago. You're not even one inch taller, you still have a scared look in your eyes, and you're arms are still scrawny, even if they're toned. It's like you never left Nibelheim at all."

"Except for the outfit," said the third bully. "Is that how all SOLDIERs dress at Shinra?"

Cloud didn't look up at them, and didn't answer.

"Oh, so now it's Mr. Shy all over again," said the first bully. "You know, we've haven't had a chance to beat someone up until now. We're almost glad you came along."

"I told you all once before… I don't like fighting. I don't feel like fighting you three right now…"

"It's not your opinions that matter here, blondie!" said the third bully.

Blondie…? thought Cloud suddenly. Rufus cut some of my hair, didn't he…! He gasped out loud. Of--Of course…! I didn't do it, it was Rufus!

"It's not all that shocking," said the second bully, who must have interpreted the gasp as one of shock rather then of discovery. "They do train you to fight, right? Show us how much you've learned!"

"You carry those swords around for a reason, don't you?" asked the third bully.

"Yes, we do, but it's not for a free-for-all fight whenever we want… We only fight during training, or when somebody challenges you."

"We're challenging you now, smart one!"

"When SOLDIERs challenge another SOLDIER," said Cloud sharply. "I can decline a challenge from a trio of dumb barbaric bullies! You've no strength at all, if the best you can do is challenge your own villager to a fight!"

"Why you…!" said the first bully. He was about to charge at Cloud when he stopped suddenly. "Oh my god!" he yelled.

"Run for it!" yelled the second bully, and the three of them ran off yelling in fright.

"Huh. I can see you point," said a voice behind him.

Cloud gasped and whirled around. "Se-Sephy! You're here!"

"You sound so shocked," said Sephiroth with a look of mock-surprise. "Aren't you happy to see your friend?"

"I-- No, I'm happy to see you, it's just… I figured out something, and I'm a little surprised. I know who murdered the shachoo!"

"So do I," said Sephiroth. "But if you go back to Shinra now with that story, you'll be accused of the crime."

"You know that Rufus did it?" asked Cloud. "Can you help me prove it?"

"I sure can. But, I'll want something in return."

"Something in return?" asked Cloud. "Like what?"

Sephiroth walked a few paces ahead, then turned to face Cloud. "If you agree to train under me, I'll give you're your freedom."

"Eh! You want me to train under you!"

"I don't know why, but… Somehow, I'm beginning to understand how Zack sees you… Maybe there is something different about you after all. I want to see it for my self, if there is such a thing…"

"I--I'm not sure if I want to train under you… This is really unexpected…"

"You mean to say you don't trust me?" asked Sephiroth. "I'm emotionally crushed. Here I am, offering to help you, and you accuse me of betraying you to Shinra Company! Some friendship!"

"No, no, that's not it!" said Cloud hurriedly. "It's just… I need time to think about it… Zack and Tifa are on their way here. Maybe we can all come up with something together."

Cloud was about to walk away when suddenly Sephiroth grabbed Cloud's shoulder. He leaned close to Cloud's face and asked, "Where do you think you're going…killer?"

"…!" gasped Cloud in surprise. "You…!"

"You can't refuse this offer, Cloud. Nothing Tifa nor Zack can come up with will save you. I'm the only one who can. Got it?"

"But I…"

"No more objections. Let's go back to Shinra together, and I'll give you a liable alibi. Then I'll prove how Rufus did it. Not that that will matter." He released Cloud and stepped away. "I assume you know how to fly now?"

"Huh…? Uh, well… Yes, I can…"

"Good, then fly behind me!" Sephiroth jumped to the sky and took flight.

Cloud blinked in surprise at him flying. Even with only one wing, his flying is amazing…! It'll be hard to keep up with him… Cloud hurriedly flew after him, back to Shinra Company. It's hard to believe that Sephy will actually clear my name… but, he traded my freedom so I could train under him…I wonder why he'd do that…?
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Muses: -throwing tomatoes at a poster of Rufus-
Uh, guys, point proven. Nobody likes Rufus, thank you.
Muses: -continue to throw tomatoes at poster of Rufus-
Sigh… Do what you like. Anyway, see you next chapter! Hope you can't wait for the next installment! And we're reaching the end of the first season! Aren't we excited! See you next chapter! And sorry about the mistake!