Welcome to chapter one. Nice little prologue, eh? I am definitely going
to make this AU. Though how I'm going to do it will be a surprise. I have
too much time on my hands... Hope you all enjoy this. R&R please! Has a
sweet innocent puppy dog eyes face on. This is not a warning... ;
Chapter 1
It was morning again. Hard to tell since smog covered every inch of the Midgar sky, blocking out the sun completely, but his internal clock told him it was morning and it was time to get up. Sitting up and rubbing his eyes he saw the digital clock confirming it was morning. Yawning, Zax Striker stretched, reaching his hands to the ceiling before dropping them into his lap and rolling his shoulders. 0600. Great. Even on his free days, he can never manage to sleep in. Sighing, he the bed sheets off him and padded his way into the kitchen. Glancing up at the calendar, he smiled. Today was the day Sephiroth would be coming back from his negotiations at Fort Condor and today was the day Zax would go bug him.
Opening the refrigerator, he removed a carton of milk and drank straight from it, not bothering to fetch a cup. This was something that frequently annoyed Sephiroth, as Zax would often do it at the general's home. 'No manners what-so-ever' and 'disgusting pig' were the most common remarks on his behavior. But they were all done in humor, and Zax would laugh at Sephiroth's attempts to break his habits. Replacing the now half empty carton, Zax stretched again, eyes squeezed shut. The phone suddenly rang, interrupting the numerous 'pops' coming from his back. Staring for a moment, he went to answer it.
"Yeah, Zax Striker." The raven hair man answered casually. The smile on his face slowly faded as the length of the conversation grew. Occasionally he'd nod his head or insert a few words before, "Uh huh, I'll be there as soon as I can." Hanging up the phone, he went back to his bedroom to dress.
"Zax Striker, Second Class SOLDIER reporting sir." The raven hair man saluted, standing attention in front of the current lieutenant general, Raea Ganymede. He was a tall, broad man, with short black hair, progressively turning white and glowing golden eyes. He'd been in the army several years before the Wutai war, thus became one of the most experienced men in Shinra's army. Most people feared him, mainly because of his stoic demeanor and the large scar running down the side of his face. He looked more like a brute than a tactical genius.
"At ease, Striker." Said Ganymede. Zax let loose a sigh and smiled. Out of habit, his hand strayed through his own spiky, black hair.
"So what's this I hear about babysitting a kid?" He asked. Ganymede took a seat behind his desk and motioned for Zax to sit himself.
"It's not babysitting, Zax. All I need for you to do is house him for a little while." Zax raised a questioning eyebrow, wondering why the hell they would put him up to such a task. He leaned forward and place his elbows on the desk, head resting in his hands.
"I have my own apartment. I don't want any kid in there trashing the place up. And I believe I am entitled to my privacy." He said in a low voice, hinting that this was not something he would willingly participate in. Not that that would change Ganymede's decision.
"Zax, just do it. The kid needs some serious help. He's been suspended from Shinra army for two months, needs a place to stay and I am not about to send him out to the streets!" Ganymede looked angry, something that would be expected of him, except Zax knew better. The man rarely displayed any emotions. He leaned back, surprised at the fire that burned in his superiors eyes.
"So who is it?" As an answer, a thick nilla folder was tossed at him. Opening it, Zax read the name in small black letters: Strife, Cloud. Next to the name was a small mug shot photo of a scrawny blonde boy. Beside his hair, his eyes were what stuck out the most. They were a beautiful hazel blue, though they held much melancholy in that simple gaze. Flipping through the pages of Cloud's file caused his eyes to widen. "Jeez, this kid's fundamental test scores are through the roof!" He glanced down the page and his excitement died. "But he really sucks in the physical and mental department." Ganymede shook his head in agreement.
"That's why I asked you to look after him. Perhaps his scores can improve if you train him properly." He explained. Zax continued to look through the pages, picking up little pieces of information. Born in Nibelheim, 14 years old, mother's name is Molly...
"So why was he suspended?" He asked. Even though he couldn't see, he knew the other man's shoulders had slumped.
"He tried to commit suicide a few days ago. Shinra thought it unsafe to keep him in the army."
"Great, so in other words, I'm having a suicidal mental case living in my apartment free of charge." Zax muttered before he snapped the folder shut. Ganymede scowled. He thought Zax would be up for the task and it was questionable why he wasn't. Thinking quick, Ganymede answered, "You'll receive 1000 gil monthly to pay for his expenses. Any extra gil will be yours to keep." Zax still didn't look convinced, but he pushed the nilla folder forward and stood.
"So when will I be expecting this kid?" He asked, looking behind his shoulder as he headed to the door.
"1500 hours tomorrow." Was all Zax heard as he closed the door. Again, he ran a hand through his hair. Just wait until Sephiroth heard about this.
A/N: Ah... Took me long enough to come up with three names. Don't ask me where I got any of them . I am sooo horrible when it comes to names. I hope I don't have kids because I'll probably call them 'It'. And then I'll dress them up as evil bloody clowns on Halloween! Sounds fun, don't it? Any way, R&R please! Thanks!
Chapter 1
It was morning again. Hard to tell since smog covered every inch of the Midgar sky, blocking out the sun completely, but his internal clock told him it was morning and it was time to get up. Sitting up and rubbing his eyes he saw the digital clock confirming it was morning. Yawning, Zax Striker stretched, reaching his hands to the ceiling before dropping them into his lap and rolling his shoulders. 0600. Great. Even on his free days, he can never manage to sleep in. Sighing, he the bed sheets off him and padded his way into the kitchen. Glancing up at the calendar, he smiled. Today was the day Sephiroth would be coming back from his negotiations at Fort Condor and today was the day Zax would go bug him.
Opening the refrigerator, he removed a carton of milk and drank straight from it, not bothering to fetch a cup. This was something that frequently annoyed Sephiroth, as Zax would often do it at the general's home. 'No manners what-so-ever' and 'disgusting pig' were the most common remarks on his behavior. But they were all done in humor, and Zax would laugh at Sephiroth's attempts to break his habits. Replacing the now half empty carton, Zax stretched again, eyes squeezed shut. The phone suddenly rang, interrupting the numerous 'pops' coming from his back. Staring for a moment, he went to answer it.
"Yeah, Zax Striker." The raven hair man answered casually. The smile on his face slowly faded as the length of the conversation grew. Occasionally he'd nod his head or insert a few words before, "Uh huh, I'll be there as soon as I can." Hanging up the phone, he went back to his bedroom to dress.
"Zax Striker, Second Class SOLDIER reporting sir." The raven hair man saluted, standing attention in front of the current lieutenant general, Raea Ganymede. He was a tall, broad man, with short black hair, progressively turning white and glowing golden eyes. He'd been in the army several years before the Wutai war, thus became one of the most experienced men in Shinra's army. Most people feared him, mainly because of his stoic demeanor and the large scar running down the side of his face. He looked more like a brute than a tactical genius.
"At ease, Striker." Said Ganymede. Zax let loose a sigh and smiled. Out of habit, his hand strayed through his own spiky, black hair.
"So what's this I hear about babysitting a kid?" He asked. Ganymede took a seat behind his desk and motioned for Zax to sit himself.
"It's not babysitting, Zax. All I need for you to do is house him for a little while." Zax raised a questioning eyebrow, wondering why the hell they would put him up to such a task. He leaned forward and place his elbows on the desk, head resting in his hands.
"I have my own apartment. I don't want any kid in there trashing the place up. And I believe I am entitled to my privacy." He said in a low voice, hinting that this was not something he would willingly participate in. Not that that would change Ganymede's decision.
"Zax, just do it. The kid needs some serious help. He's been suspended from Shinra army for two months, needs a place to stay and I am not about to send him out to the streets!" Ganymede looked angry, something that would be expected of him, except Zax knew better. The man rarely displayed any emotions. He leaned back, surprised at the fire that burned in his superiors eyes.
"So who is it?" As an answer, a thick nilla folder was tossed at him. Opening it, Zax read the name in small black letters: Strife, Cloud. Next to the name was a small mug shot photo of a scrawny blonde boy. Beside his hair, his eyes were what stuck out the most. They were a beautiful hazel blue, though they held much melancholy in that simple gaze. Flipping through the pages of Cloud's file caused his eyes to widen. "Jeez, this kid's fundamental test scores are through the roof!" He glanced down the page and his excitement died. "But he really sucks in the physical and mental department." Ganymede shook his head in agreement.
"That's why I asked you to look after him. Perhaps his scores can improve if you train him properly." He explained. Zax continued to look through the pages, picking up little pieces of information. Born in Nibelheim, 14 years old, mother's name is Molly...
"So why was he suspended?" He asked. Even though he couldn't see, he knew the other man's shoulders had slumped.
"He tried to commit suicide a few days ago. Shinra thought it unsafe to keep him in the army."
"Great, so in other words, I'm having a suicidal mental case living in my apartment free of charge." Zax muttered before he snapped the folder shut. Ganymede scowled. He thought Zax would be up for the task and it was questionable why he wasn't. Thinking quick, Ganymede answered, "You'll receive 1000 gil monthly to pay for his expenses. Any extra gil will be yours to keep." Zax still didn't look convinced, but he pushed the nilla folder forward and stood.
"So when will I be expecting this kid?" He asked, looking behind his shoulder as he headed to the door.
"1500 hours tomorrow." Was all Zax heard as he closed the door. Again, he ran a hand through his hair. Just wait until Sephiroth heard about this.
A/N: Ah... Took me long enough to come up with three names. Don't ask me where I got any of them . I am sooo horrible when it comes to names. I hope I don't have kids because I'll probably call them 'It'. And then I'll dress them up as evil bloody clowns on Halloween! Sounds fun, don't it? Any way, R&R please! Thanks!