It's chapter 3! *does a happy dance* Alright! This chapter is dedicated to the wonderful artist who drew this cute Cloud chibi pic I have as my desktop. It motivates me every time I turn it on. Only problem is I don't know who drew it because I got it off a google search and can't find where it's from….*sweatdrop*
Disclaimer: don't own 'em. Except Airi whose not really important anyway.
Warnings: Extremely cute Cloud, mild Zack x Seph relationship
Chapter 3: Visiting the Flower Girl
"Is it just me or does Cloud seem to be growing way too quickly?" Zack asked as he entered Sephiroth's office after dropping Cloud off at the lab.
"It's not just you. In the last two weeks that we've been taking care of Cloud his growth rate has doubled. He's a little over a year now," Sephiroth replied. He gestured at a stack of paper on his desk. "Hojo sent me a report yesterday.
Zack picked up the top paper, skimmed it and sighed. "I can't understand any of this."
"Neither can I. That s why I sent a copy to Airi. She's going to be in any minute to explain it to us." Airi or more properly Dr. Airianna Clayborn was the head of the medical facility. She often had to deal with Hojo though she hated the man with a passion. The medical and science departments competed for resources and attention from the president. She had become their friend when she had refused to turn a dying SOLDIER to Hojo for experimentation.
The door bell chimed. Zack turned and opened the door. "And here is the lovely lady now!"
"Don't try flattery on me Zack. I'm for too old for you," Airi replied. Airi was, well average. Her light brown hair was streaked with gray. She looked about forty five thought she was actually a decade older. With a height of 5'2 she fell far below the height of both men in the room. "I trust gentlemen, you have some time? Professor Hojo sent over quite a bit of information."
After they had all found seats the doctor began. "Hojo still hasn't discovered exactly what happened to change Cloud. Frankly he hasn't put much work into it. He's been far too busy experimenting. In a nut shell Cloud appears to be a mako black hole. He absorbs it like a sponge and can always take more in. He already has more than most SOLDIERS. As far as we know no negative results have occurred. I think it might be because of Cloud's abnormal growth but I can't be certain."
"There has been a marked increase in Cloud's growth. Since he met you two he seems to have been pushing himself to age quickly. He rarely has the strength to do anything more that sleep and eat. His body is showing signs of strain. Hojo doesn't know why this is and doesn't really care. He's afraid he'll loose his test subject."
"If the rate keeps increasing, how soon will Cloud is back to normal?" Sephiroth asked.
"I didn't bother to calculate it," Airi responded. "I have a feeling this is a temporary growth spurt. Cloud's body can't keep up with the strain for long. I think Cloud wants to get to a certain age. His growth may even become 'normal' then. I don't have any evidence except for a hunch." She shrugged. "Cloud may understand subconsciously that he has to stay in the lab because frankly neither of you have the time or energy to take care of a very young child. Once he reaches a period where he is around five or so he could easily take care of himself."
"I can't see a five year old taking care of themselves," Zack said rolling his eyes.
"Cloud is very resourceful. He also appears to be learning quite a bit that Hojo doesn't realize. He isn't talking yet but when he does Hojo's going to get a surprise." Airi shook her head. "That's neither now or here. Everything seems fine so far. You two have certainly made an impact though. Cloud appears far more stable than he has any right to be." The doctor stood. "I better get back to the medical wing. Send me anything else Hojo gives you." Sephiroth nodded.
After Airi left Zack stood and stretched. "I'd better go too. I'm supposes to work with Jason on the SOLDIER applicants."
Sephiroth absentmindedly waved goodbye to his friend. He forced his mind back to the paper work and off of the questions surrounding Cloud. After all, one little boy couldn't possibly be as important as, the General picked up a report, ShinRa kitchen pensions?
*~*
Sephiroth scowled at the orders in front of him. One would think ShinRa would have been smart enough to have one of them stay behind when they had a small child to take care of. Normally Sephiroth would be glad to take a mission with Zack but that would leave Cloud alone with Hojo. He flipped through the papers with rising anger. The mission could take up to three months. There was no way he could leave Cloud in Hojo's hands that long!
The blond had grown into an adorable five year old. True to Airi's prediction once Cloud reached that size he immediately stopped growing. Over the past six months the child had developed an extremely cute personality along with an unusually high intelligence. Sephiroth was still amazed at some of the things that popped out of his mouth.
Zack's arrival shook the silver haired man from his thoughts. "What's up Seph?" The General passed his fried the orders. A frown darkened Zack's normally cheerful face. "Damm, this causes some problems"
A soft knock on the door interrupted their brooding. "Come in!" Sephiroth called.
Cloud's blond head appeared around the side of the door. A bright smile appeared on his face. He zipped into the room and gave both of his guardians a hug. "Hello!"
Sephiroth looked carefully in Cloud's eyes. His pupils were constricted and a faint flush colored his cheeks. "You should be in bed. You just got out of the lab."
Cloud shrugged and cuddled closer to the General. "I'd rather visit you."
"Any particular reason?" Sephiroth asked sounding suspicious.
Cloud buried his head further into Sephiroth's coat. "Hojo said you're going away," came the muffled reply.
The two first class SOLDIERS exchanged amused glances. Cloud was just too cute. Sephiroth carefully picked up the small child. "You knew this would happen eventually." Cloud nodded. The General sighed. "I just which we had someone else you could stay with."
"What about Zack's friend? You know, the one whom he buys flowers from all of the time?"
"Aeris?" Zack said in surprise. "Never thought of her. They might let you stay…" He remembered the young flower girl well. They had dated for a short time and then ended any romantic relationship they might have had. Zack counted her amongst his confidants but could never have anything more than friendship with her. Her mother didn't like him because he worked for ShinRa and as someone who had completed the SOLDIER program he really couldn't work anywhere else. There was something mystical or sacred about her. She had helped him realize how much Sephiroth meant to him and had gotten them together.
"Hojo won't let you leave the lab for three months Cloud," Sephiroth countered.
"So I do the same thing I do here! Go to Hojo then go to Aeris' house!" The five year old declared.
Zack shook his head. "Cloud Midgar is a big place. Aeris doesn't even live on the plate. She's in the slums. All type of dangers are around there."
"I'm not helpless you know. I can take care of myself!"
"Cloud…." Zack began.
"At least let me meet them. If they'll let me stay then we can worry about this," Cloud interrupted.
"Alright, alright," Zack conceded. "But let's go now. Seph, you'll have to stay here. Aeris' mother isn't really fond of ShinRa."
Cloud gave Sephiroth one last hug, scrambled out of his arms and raced to the door. "Come on Zack! Let's go!"
*~*
Cloud shifted nervously as Zack knocked on the door. He didn't know much about Aeris except her name, that she sold flowers and that Zack had gone out with her for a little while. He had to make a good impression! With Zack and Sephiroth gone he would be on his own dealing with Hojo and he would need a safe place to recuperate. Zack and Sephiroth didn't realize the true extent of his dealings with Hojo. They thought of him as merely passive 'specimen' (as Hojo called them.). Cloud had long been manipulating the professor and the professor's data to confound him. It was a dangerous balance to maintain. He had to keep enough order in the lab to make it appear accidental when chaos occasionally erupted. As long as the scientist was fixed on him, he could keep others safe including Zack and Sephiroth.
"Zack?" Aeris exclaimed in shock. "What are you doing here?!"
"I need to ask a favor," Zack admitted. Aeris allowed them into the kitchen. Cloud stayed out of sigh behind Zack's back.
"Zackary," Elmyra greeted coolly. Cloud winced. Being called by your full name was a bad thing.
Zack gave a respectful bow. "I need to ask a favor." Zack repeated. "A friend of mine needs a place to say and .."
"Absolutely not!" Elmyra fumed. "No one can stay here who is connected to ShinRa! Now get out!"
"It's because of Aeris, isn't it," Cloud said softly. "Hojo wants her because she's the last Ancient." Three pairs of eyes stared at him. "It was in some data Hojo was looking at one time I was in the lab. I didn't realize it was you till I saw you." He grinned. "Of course that was before I accidentally knocked the corrosive acid on the computer." The blond gave one of Zack's characteristic shrugs. "I'm not overly fond of being a ginny pig but it's even worse seeing someone else in the same position. Last time I saw him Hojo was still trying to regain all of his lost date. He probably won't be bothering you for a while." Cloud didn't add what Hojo had done to him in retribution.
"Never mentioned that one kido," Zack said looking at his young friend.
"Alright Zack. What did you do?" Aeris asked.
"I had nothing to do with this!" Zack exclaimed.
"He acts just like you. That has to mean something."
"He really didn't do much," Cloud interrupted. "Hojo was messing around with time and I got caught in the middle. No big deal. I'm Cloud by the way." He smiled his best 'I'm a cute and innocent five year old' smile which amazingly didn't look completely fake. "Zack has been taking care of me the last couple of months when I'm not in Hojo's lab. But he has a long mission and doesn't want me to stay with Hojo all of that time. Then again I don't want to say with him either."
Aeris laughed and Elmyra smiled. Cloud had completely charmed hem. "When do you leave?" Aeris asked.
"Tomorrow night," Zack said with a sigh. "I've you can handle this little ball of mischief (Cloud: hey!) I'd be eternally grateful. He'll still have to go to Hojo's appointments though." His face clearly showed how he felt about Cloud traveling though Midgar alone.
"I can take him halfway," Aeris volunteered. "I'm still selling flowerers so it wouldn't be hard. And if you get him a PHS we could easily keep track of his location."
"Good idea Aeris. I owe you a million. Now if you don't mind, I'll take Cloud back up so we can get ready."
"We'll see you two tomorrow then," Aeris replied.
Cloud waved farewell and they left. "I can see why you like her Zack. She's really special."
"Yah," The soldier replied. He gave his companion a sharp look. "You seem to know a great more than I thought. Care to share?"
Cloud just gave Zack an innocent smile.
End Chapter 3
Airi will be popping up occasionally…I needed someone who could actually read Hojo's blasted notes. Sephiroth should get some of it but not all. If anything she's more of a mother figure to Cloud than anything else.
Katie14: Thank you for your review! I try to create reasonably original ideas. Glad to know I succeeded! Yes we all hate Hojo (club meeting at 9 on Thursday) but as you can probably tell from this chapter he's got his hands full with Cloud. We won't hear very much about the pair's interactions till arc three. (Yes this blasted thing has arcs. Three with at least one one-shot)
Author of the Update: Knowing Shadows for her FFVII fic Fusion! SHE UPDATED! *goes into rapture* What are you still doing here? Go read it! Now!