Chapter two: friend or foe?

The thick blanket that was the mist, continued to grow as Cloud walked further and further. The drizzly rain continued, persistent as ever, along with an icy wind that seemed to bite him as he walked. The golden crispy leaves that lay dead along floor would suddenly spring to life as a car sped past. The wind seemed to howl down the dark desolate road causing cloud to involuntarily shudder. His skin was covered in the hard scales that were his goose pimples. As he walked his damp boots squelched with every step, as they had become a lake of icy water. His golden spikes seemed ill as they drooped down covering Clouds face, like the leaves of a willow tree. Every so often, he would shoot out a sneeze due to the temperature declining reluctantly. "Why were those guys wearing the Shinra logo? I thought we finished them. Who sent them and why, ugh some many questions and so few answers"

Every so often, Cloud tried to thumb a lift, but to no avail; a car was on the verge of stopping but caught a glimpse of the weapon he held, not a comforting thought to lone drivers out at this our, Cloud couldn't really blame them. After what seemed an eternity someone finally pulled over, despite the weather, despite the time and despite Clouds humongous sword. From what he could tell, it was a small pickup truck, nearly on its way out by the sounds of the battered engine; some of the noises it spat and sang were truly baffling. Cloud turned his attention to the back, were you would usually store large objects. His eyes fixed on the back as though he could see a dead body or something.

"That settles it, I'm gonna become a mercenary. I'll do Boring stuff, dangerous stuff, anything for good money. I'm gonna be rich! So, Cloud? What are YOU gonna do? Just kidding... I won't leave you hanging like that. After all, were friends … Aren't we?"

"Hey kid, you alright, hey snap out of it will ya?" A short, stout man with deep wooden eyes was staring straight at cloud.

"Oh sorry, I was just thinking about something. Listen I really appreciate you stopping like this, considering the weather and all."

"No problem, as long as your not planning to steal my ride, hop in. Oh don't worry about your sword it won't go anywhere, just shove it in the back. There's a plastic sheet you can cover it with, don't want it rusting now do we?"

Cloud walked to the side of the truck and lifted his sword gently; even so it still made the sound of hard steel crashing against the fragile tin of the van. He took the mans advice and pulled the plastic blue sheet over his sword; it now lay sleepily, covered with a sea of blue. After doing so, he put one hand on the metallic wet door and eased himself into the truck closing the frosty night air behind him.

"So, where you heading kid?"

"Midgar, if it's not too much trouble."

The golden air from the warmth of the heaters was overpowering Clouds will to stay awake; the vibrations from the engine creating a lullaby weren't exactly helping either. He let out a groaning yawn that sounded like some sort of farm animal.

"Midgar hmm? You wouldn't be working for Shinra now would ya? His voice turned slightly pushy.

Cloud looked blank and for a moment, couldn't think of a reply. "What do you mean am I working for Shinra? We … they went out of business a long time ago, you remember the incident right?"

"What, have you been living under a rock or something kid?" Clouds look of confusion increased. "Alright I'll fill you in. A couple of years back when the Shinra building was completely wrecked, I mean beyond a quick new coat of paint, everyone was a whole lot happier. No taxes, no oppression, none of those shady Turks going around causing trouble, nothing! Anyway about five months later, posters starting to go up informing people about the reconstruction of the Shinra building. Shortly after, people began to protest and debate the issue, but they Shinra paid no attention; when did they ever? This went on for almost a year. Eventually, the Shinra building got back and track but unfortunately so did the reactors. Cloud jumped in sharp.

"The reactors!"

"Yes, the reactors. Anyway, this outrage caused a large population of Midgar to riot and because of this, Shinra have put Midgar on high alert, locking the people inside like an animals cage."

"What …" Clouds voice raised slightly in anger.

"Yeah, it's getting outta control, that's what a bunch of us decided not to give in so easily to Shinras dominance. Clouds head slowly turned around to face him. "So you guys are what … rebels?"

"Rebels is such an ugly word … I prefer the term dedicated citizens" They both smiled with broad grins. "So, didn't catch your name"

"Cloud, Cloud strife. And you?"

"You can call me Larius. Nice to meet ya kid, I mean Cloud. Well if you're planning to get into Midgar you better stick with me. You see we stumbled upon an old manhole cover which leads into a sewer; from there it's a decent walk underground and you don't have to worry about getting lost, we've got the place mapped out."

"So how long is Shinra planning to keep Midgar under high alert?"

"Hell if I know, we've been using the tunnel to sneak in and out bringing in weapons, food anything we need really."

"You got any military experience Cloud? Just thought I'd ask, what with the sword and all."

" ….. You could say that"

"We could use an extra pair of hands you know Cloud. I mean you don't look the type to join any part of Shinra" Cloud couldn't help feel somewhat guilty to that remark, considering joining solider was his dream."

"Thanks for the offer, but no thanks."

"Shame, we could sure use the extra help, course I'll still take you into Midgar I wasn't blackmailing or anything."

Suddenly a loud back emitted from the front of the van. It sounded like a bullet leaving from a gun. "Frigging piece of junk, it's being waiting to conk out on me for awhile, perfecting timing eh?"

Cloud could see the faint signs of a restaurant which sat half in the darkness of the gray mist and the shadows of the night. The van came to a slow, steady halt as Larius pulled into a small bay and snatched up the handbrake. "Well this baby aint going nowhere for a while."

"I think that's some sort of restaurant up ahead, look" Cloud pointed in the general direction of glaring neon lights; its name flaring like a flag.

"Maybe we should rest up awhile ya know, until the rain stops."

"Yeah … good idea" Replied Cloud. They both opened the side doors and stepped out once again into the rain. "Hang on a minute"

"Why were ya going?"

Cloud walked over to the back of the truck and fished out his sword. "This, never go anywhere without it."

"It's a restaurant, we're not braking into fort friggin nox" Cloud shrugged. They both slowly jogged towards their destination kicking up splashes of dirt and water as they went. "Hmmm it's a pub not a restaurant, fancy joining me with a few drinks?"

"You forget Larius, you're the designated driver and I'm not paying your fine"

"You make a good point, well whatever; at least we can stay warm."

They reached the old pub; silky colored candles sat neatly in a shiny holder; the liquefied wax slid down gracefully due to the intense burning heat of the glowing flame, which flickered and spat out different colors of golden yellow. The light could be seen out of the frosted windows. Larius opened the door, only to be greeted with warmth of a crispy fire, the smell of cigarettes and alcohol. People sat in all different corners of the room chatting away drinking their beverages, which varied from whiskies, pints and mixed. The voices carried all around the room, intertwining with one another to make a swirling ball of noise that made no sense. Opposite the door sat the bar with shiny brass poles that stuck up into the roof. Wooden stools stuck into the floor, some of them occupied by people wanting to be served. As they stepped through the doorway, all eyes shot towards them along with awkward silence that fell soon after.

Everyones attention turned to Cloud, or rather, his over sized weapon, which he carried over his back holding it firm with one clenched hand. "What are these staring at?" Though Larius. Cloud went ahead scouting for a spare table, his boots tapping on the old wooden floor that echoed, due to the annoying silence that filled the still warm air. Cloud eyes spotted an empty table right at the back of the room, which was the most dimly lit area and the most poorly kept. He motioned Larius to come, who was still mentally cursing just about everyone in the room for staring. Larius gave the most indiscrete of nods to acknowledge that. After Cloud went out of sight, mostly, the chatter resumed to its normal state. He pulled out a chair and laid his sword up against the corner. Larius came marching over, slightly angry that everyone was staring.

"What's up Larius?" Cloud asked. "Yeah right, as if I don't know, you're probably still ticked because everyone was staring at you right?

"What the hell were they staring at?"

"Bingo"

"I'm not sure … they probably have nothing better to do.

"Geez just give it up, man this guy sure does whine a lot."

"Anyway, while we're here, I'll run through the plan again. Now I didn't expect the old van to break down on us like that, so here's what we're gonna do. In about ….. "Larius removed his sleeve. " Two hours …"

"What the hell!"

Clouds eyes looked sharp for a moment. "Hey … Larius can I ... see your arm for a sec?"

Larius looked slightly bewildered "Well … sure"

As he did so Clouds eyes focused in closer. A black tattoo appeared with the roman numerals "V" on.

"Where did you get that tattoo Larius?"

"Just a minute Cloud I'm just gonna get a drink, what do you want?"

"Water, but I'd really like to know …" Cloud was again cut off.

"Alright then, be back in a minute."

"Why does he have that tattoo? Does this have something to do with Shinra? Did Hojo survive? Grrr so many questions"

Larius walked over to the bar and placed himself on one of the stools. "So, you working over time baby?" Said a cocky man, who was sitting just next to Larius.

"Yeah, but you get used to it after awhile, besides it's worth it ... extra cash ya know?" The blonde replied.

"So hows about you and me go out on a date eh?"

"No can do, I already have a boyfriend" The blonde winked at the man sat opposite the bar and carried on wiping the beer soaked wood. The man span around to face Larius, his flaming red hair shortly followed. "She's pretty fine, don't you think so?"

"What do I care, I have a wife you stupid asshole"

"Yeah, she sure is."

"Excuse me love, can I get a beer and a glass of water?" asked Larius

"Yeah I'll bring it over in a sec, you can go sit down."

"Thanks"

Larius walked over back to where Cloud was sitting and pulled up a chair.

"Hey, so what was it you wanted Cloud?"

"Your arm, I wanna see your arm."

"Which one?"

"The left, the one with your watch on"

"Hey, don't even try to steal this baby; it's worth a lot of money?"

"Why's that then, how much was it?"

"Nothing, I found it, you can find just about anything on the floor nowadays"

Larius rolled back his sleeve. "There, that tattoo, where did you get it?" Clouds voice rose a little with anxiety.

"What this? Well it's a long story."

Clouds fears were almost confirmed.

"After the war, you remember the war right. Well anyway, there was a bunch of us who volunteered; we thought we were something special, invincible. There was Kilo one of the best snipers in the business, Samantha our best in recon and data analysis, Jeremy, amazing at close range combat, barns he could drive just about any vehicle given and finally Larius, that's me of course I was great at planting explosives, making them even!

So after the war ended, we went out celebrating, as you do after going through something like that, touring through nearly every pub in Midgar, kalm and even Cosmo. Well when we got back to Midgar, completely out of it, I mean seriously drunk, we could barely crawl let alone walk, we stumbled upon a tattoo parlor, in one of the slums, I can't even remember which one. So in out drunken and deluded state, we all agreed to get a tattoo so as to never forget each other. So we were all arguing on what to go for, and then it hit me, we'd gone in as five and we'd survived as five. And I'm sure you can figure out the rest.

"Clouds face sank in relief"

"Jeez, give me a heart attack why don't you?"

"Anyway Cloud let's go over the plan. Now as you know I didn't expect that van to commit suicide, so that's delayed things. I figure if we take a bus to the edge of Midgar, we should be able to sneak around the perimeter until we come to our "Secret entrance"

Cloud raised one eye brow to that comment. "Secret?"

"Yeah secret, it's a manhole cover, I know not the most pleasant of entrances but we've been using it for a while now ... and it's served us pretty well. Anyway from there, there'll be a guy waiting for us, and he'll lead us through the tunnel; don't worry I've known him for years, he won't let us down.

"Sure hope not."

"Ya with me so far?"

"Yeah"

"Good, once we've made it into Midgar, it'll bring us out opposite an old church and upstairs is were our base of operations is.

"Hey are the flowers still growing! You better not of ruined the flowers!"

"I didn't know you were so fruity Cloud, hehe"

"I'm serious, now are they still growing!"

"Yeah, they're fine, Samantha tends to em everyday, it's like a religion or something"

"Samantha? Isn't that her from –"

"Yeah from my story she's one of us."

"And I'm guessing your group consists of –"

"Right again, five members"

"It could be six ya know, hint, hint Cloud" Cloud smiled.

"No thanks Larius, I'd like to help you out, but I'm looking for an old friend of mine"

"Can't blame me for trying, we need all the help we can get ya know?"

"Here ya go guys, one water … and one beer"

"Thanks, what does that come to?" replied Larius

"That'll be four Gill please."

Larius stood up and fished a wallet out of his jeans pocket, which was completely covered in a sickly oil substance. He pulled out a green note and handed it to the barmaid. "Here's five, keep the change."

"Thanks a lot, appreciate it."

"Sephiroth! I know you're listening! I know what you want to say!"

"That I wasn't in Nibelheim five years ago."

"That's it, isn't it?"

"I see you finally understand."

"What you are trying to say is that you want to confuse me,

right?"

"But... even making me see those things won't affect me."

"I remember it all. The heat of the fire... the pain in my

Body... and in my heart!"

"Hey Cloud, you're spacing out again, hey, hey!"

"Ugh, sorry Larius I just need to use the bathroom."

"You sure you're feeling ok?"

Yeah, I'll be back … in a sec"

Cloud got up and walked past the bar heading towards the bathroom. A faint smell of Urine resonated from the toilet, not enough to make one leave however. His footsteps clapped loudly on the cold stone floor as he made his way towards the nearest chipped sink. Cloud sighed. "What's with all these memories, it's weird … I'm not even thinking about them, they're just appearing to me. Something's definitely going on; if this has something to do with Shinra … I won't be so forgiving! Huh … did I say that?"

Something triggered anger in Clouds inner self, causing him to punch a glass mirror, half covered in dust, now laying in pieces. He twisted the tap waiting for the refreshing flow of cooling water to absorb him. Clouds frantic hands seemed to dive into the gushing tap, which was releasing the water and douse him with the silvery water.

Just then, the man who was sitting next to Larius at the bar walked in. His fiery red ponytail flailing at even the slightest of movements. He wore a black suit, complete with a pure white shirt and black tie. This tidiness of his suit was distracted by the upper part. His tie was completely let to hang loose, and the collar remained open, along with the jacket. His scar on the left cheek indicated he'd been in one or two fights. "Jeez, this place stinks, smells like some guys aims are a little off"

"Holy shit, Cloud, how's it going man? … No hard feelings I hope, after all I don't work for Shinra anymore." Cloud remained silent; the crystal water drops leaking from his face. Reno moved slightly closer. "What's up, fall out with mirror?" Reno chuckled.

Cloud turned his head slowly towards him. "Damn, what's with his eyes?"

Cloud threw an arm around Reno's throat, cutting off any oxygen from getting down. He raised Reno in the air with ease." That's right, do it, he doesn't deserve to live, think about what he did to you and your friends …kill him, kill him, kill him, kill ... SHUT UP!"

"Clo …Cloud … let go man … can't breathe … you're making it very … difficult for a guy to live … ya know."

The urge to kill was overwhelming, never had he experienced such hate, even against his mortal enemy, Sephiroth. Cloud literally had to force himself from taking a life right there on the spot. His slowly released his firm grip of the mans neck, causing him to slump to the ground like an airless sack. "Sorry Reno, I don't know what came over me, it was like a turned into a different person, but this doesn't change anything between us, I'll still never forgive you."

"Yeah, I can see that." Reno slowly got up and brushed off the random pieces of dirt that covered parts of his suit.

"So what ya doing all the way out here?" Asked Reno.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I better not mention that the Shinra are back in business, its better if he keeps away from them."

"I've got Rude with me, fancy a drink?"

"…great …"

"No I wouldn't be caught dead with you two, besides that I'm here with someone already." Reno rubbed his head all the way to the back.

"It wouldn't be …. Err... Tifa by any chance … would it?"

"No, and don't you be getting any ideas."

"Oh well, had to check." Reno winked at Cloud.

Cloud turned around and headed for the door. "Were are ya going"

"Away from you …. " With that Cloud opened the wooden door and headed back to his seat with Larius.

"Hehe, I guess he's still touchy ... Oh well whatever … I need a drink."

Meanwhile Cloud was now sitting back in his seat next to Larius.

"You ok now Cloud?" He looked up at Larius.

"Yeah … fine now."

"Good, well hurry up and finish that water, coz we need to start making tracks."

"Yeah alright."

Cloud picked up his glass of water and chucked it down the back of his throat, almost as if he'd eaten something rotten. Again, Larius glanced down at his watch, "Yep, time to get moving." He slammed the glass down on the wooden table and stood up. "Let's go."

"Finally"

"Yeah, let's.

Meanwhile, Reno had taken his place next to a tall man. The baldness of his head reflected the dimly lit light of the pub; his rough face remained unfazed, his eyes were no doubt the same, even though they were completely covered by mass of black which where his sunglasses. On his right ear sat a golden earring absorbing what little light the room gave off. His size was strangely intimidating due to the fact that, even though they both remained sitting, the man somehow managed to tower over Reno. He held in one hand, a still glass of a dark substance, most likely alcohol. On the table in front of him a large newspaper whispered gently as the wind ruffled its thin sheets. He wore and with great admiration for it, the same suit as Reno. His shoes were polished so finely he could see his own reflection. The tie was immaculate and shuffled dead centre, nothing was out of place. Even the hairs on his mustache were trimmed to perfection; considering the only place hair grew now was on his face. Every now and then, he would take time from starting blankly at the paper and sip at his drink.

"Still searching for those job offers Rude?" Rude nodded in agreement.

"We'll be lucky if we get anything the way things are looking …" thought Rude.

Rude isn't the type of person to say much, he likes to keep himself to himself; the only time he really speaks is when it is necessary. To look at him, you'd probably suspect he'd be a door bouncer. But no, along with Reno, he was part of Shinra's elite mercenary force. Only a handful made it into the Turks, hell only a handful made it into Solider.

"Any luck yet?" Rude shook his head slowly. After seeing Rudes response, Reno just dropped his head purposely on the table making a loud thud. "Rude, we're not getting anywhere like this … we need money, cashola, mula, dinero anything green. " Reno, just relax, we'll find something …"

Reno just stared at Rude and banged his head again "Thud" Rude shook his head.

"Ughhh I need another drink"

"…At this rate you'll be crawling outta here."

All of a sudden, Reno's mobile phone cried out with a ring, which repeated its self several times before he actually answered it. "Yeah? …. WHAT? … How? Why? And when's this gonna happen …… ahuh … what all of them? …. Yeah we can start right away ….. Thanks... President."

"Looks like we won't need a new job after all."

"Rude … the president … he rang … Cloud ... he was here ... And – "

"Reno … I told you to relax, now start over." Reno sighed, preparing for an explanation.

"We got our jobs back, Cloud and his friends are as good as dead, we find them and bring em to Rufus, and Cloud was just here now go get him!"

Rude stood up casting a large shadow caused by the flames of the candles. His big build knocked over a chair as he rushed towards the door; peoples eyes glued to his actions until he was completely out of view. The cold night air wrapped around him like a snake and bit him. The rain still continued to pour down and the mist lay as thick as ever. "Can't see a thing …"

"Hey, you haven't paid for your drinks yet" The bar made shouted.

Reno was hastily rushing through his pockets, trying to find some spare gill. "Damn"

He wasn't happy about parting with 10 gill note, besides he didn't have time to wait around for the change. "Grrr keep the change I'm in a hurry."

"But ….-" Before she could even reply, Reno had already ran out after Rude, feeling the same cold, bitterly wind he had. "…Rude, where the hell's he gone too now. I can't believe Rufus is taking things this far, if he carries this out … he's gonna have a damn revolution on his hands …."