"Tseng, I need a favor." Cloud approached his desk.

"What is it and what do I get out of it?" The Turk sighed, looking up from his computer.

"I need a keycard to access all floors."

"For what purpose?"

"If I find what I'm searching for back at home, then we need one." Cloud also had planned on finding a phone that he will pay off the first year of service, using Sephiroth's card.

But this part needs to come from the Turks.

"You do realize this is a breach of security just allowing one of those roam around?"

"I understand. But this is important. For that job your partner put on the table."

Silence. Tseng sighed as he considered his next words very carefully.

"You really think there's no other way?"

"Now that I've had time to think about it, there is only that option." Cloud stood firm on his decision.

Professor Hojo had power. He was allowed to do anything he wished so long as it produced the results the president wanted. Therefore any legal action will be swept under the rug and Hojo will then know who his enemies are. And he will abuse his power even more on Cloud and Sephiroth.

"What will you give in return?"

"A favor for a favor. Anything you need help with that requires a SOLDIER, call me. I won't ask questions, and I won't tell anyone what the job was for."

Cloud knew it wasn't much. But it was the best offer he had. This was a dire situation. So in his mind if Tseng came across a dire situation that needed help, then he could call Cloud for that favor.

"...All right. I'll bring you a fresh copy. That way it has no assigned names to trace back to anyone." Tseng left for a moment.

When he returned, Tseng eyed it in his hand for a second. Cloud reached for it and the Turk pulled it away. He had one more stipulation.

"When the deed is done, find the means to get your hands on this. Destroy it. Or hand it back to me and I will dispose it myself. If you destroy it, I want photo evidence. Will you give my your word?" Tseng looked into his eyes with all seriousness.

"You have my word I'll bring it back to you." Photos meant evidence used against him.

"Clever. You would have made a decent Turk, Strife. Too bad your heart isn't in the right place." Tseng handed the blank keycard over.

"I'm good where I belong." Cloud didn't care.

And with that Cloud left to go buy a phone. It was a simple SOLDIER issued one, not as new as his but it would do for the simple job. He used Sephiroth's card to pay for it and the year long service. He made sure the name on the phone bill was to some random name he made up.

And when he was granted a week long vacation to return home, Cloud had both of them in his bag. Late into the night of his first day of vacation the truck pulled up. The blond gave the driver a tip, then jumped out, breathing in the mountain air.

"All of this feels familiar to me." Sephiroth spoke in his head.

"You've been here before?" Cloud whispered low enough no one could hear.

"No. I was told I was born here. And yet it looks familiar to me, somehow."

"Right. Well, I'm tired. I should go see if Ma is awake." He made his way to his house without struggle.

Cloud found the porch light on. A tradition she started when he left to the recruit program. It was her way of showing where home was if he ever decided Midgar life wasn't the life he wanted. Cloud held his breath as he knocked.

He heard movement inside. And then the door opened. She gasped and suddenly she pulled him into a tight hug. Cloud realized he had grown since the last time he seen her. He was now taller than her by a half a head.

"I tried calling you soon as I heard the news. Your phone was shut off." She sniffed.

"I'm sorry, Ma. I got a new phone. I should have called before I got here." Cloud wanted to kick himself.

"It's all right. You were just too excited to come home." She made way for him to enter.

The house was just as he remembered. His bed was still in place by the window across from the kitchen. Since he was always a night owl and late snacker, it was the best place she could think of for him so he wouldn't have to walk down the stairs.

"Are you hungry? I have dinner that I can heat up if you'd like." His mother never changed.

"Can I rest? It's been a long day of travel." Cloud hated turning her down, but he could hardly keep his eyes open.

"Of course, dear." She didn't mind. All that mattered was that he was home.

Soon as Cloud laid down he was asleep. He dreamed Sephiroth was next to him. Or perhaps it wasn't a dream. It felt so real the way they were in each other's arms. The warmth in their closeness put Cloud at ease. It felt that they really were sharing the same bed instead being half a world away.

When he awoke he smelled the familiar aroma of breakfast. She was making his favorite. Cloud sat up, realizing at that moment he missed her cooking.

"I didn't want to ask when you came home. But, is the trial over?"

"No. Not yet." He shook his head.

"I see. I won't ask for details on what happened. Just know I'm proud of you for taking the stand." There was slight disappointment in her tone. He understood her well enough why.

"I'll be sure to visit more often. Now that I'm SOLDIER, I have more leniency. And I made it into Second Class already." Cloud assured her as he left to go wash up and change into civilian clothes.

When he was done he took his usual seat at the dining table. His mother already had a plate ready for him and he began to dig in. She took her place after she filled her own plate. Cloud sensed Sephiroth watching curiously.

"How long will you be here?"

"Just for a week."

"A week? That's hardly any time after you've been away for five years now."

"They would have granted me two if I wasn't in the middle of a trial."

"I see. So who is the handsome young man with dark hair? I see you two together often in the newspapers."

"That's my mentor. His name is Zack."

"But he's not the one the media claims has your heart." Nothing escaped her.

"Uh...Right now the relationship has to be private." Cloud nearly choked on his food.

"Oh so it's someone important." She giggled. He blushed as he forced himself to eat.

"Do they treat you well, at least?"

"He treats me like I'm the only person in the world. Even though he could have anyone, he chose me. It hasn't always been perfect. But in the end we always make the effort to stay together." Cloud had starry eyes as he spoke.

In the link he sensed a fondness from Sephiroth. The words moved him and he returned the sentiments with an overflow of love. He didn't leave out that he missed Cloud terribly. In truth Cloud did have the option of two weeks. But the idea of being away from each other that long was a little daunting. So Cloud agreed to one week.

"That's good. Relationships aren't always easy. But if you both put in the effort, then it's the best feeling in the world. I feel a little better knowing that. Just, one of these days, you better put me on the phone with him. Then when you guys can come over for dinner so I can meet him in person." She smiled at his horror.

"Ma!" Cloud blushed brightly now.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. They both looked at the door then back at each other. Cloud leaned over to whisper.

"You didn't tell anyone, did you?"

"No. But I did go get groceries for us before I made breakfast." She whispered back.

And that was enough. People saw the amount of food she bought and people talked. People love to talk, especially in a small village. Gossip was better than the news out here. So everyone knew she had someone over at her house. And since she never had any friends, there was only one option.

"Hello? Mrs. Strife?" A girl's voice called out.

Cloud recognized Tifa. He looked around for a place to hide in a panic. Meanwhile his mother made her way to the door. In his mind, Sephiroth wondered why the his lover was so frightened.

Cloud hid underneath the table and pulled the table cloth just enough so he couldn't be seen from the door. He grit his teeth when he realized it wouldn't matter if she saw the plates of food.

"Tifa! Good morning, dear. How's your father today?" Mrs. Strife greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning. And he's doing good, as usual. Say, there's talk around town that Cloud might be back? Is it true?" Tifa asked hopefully.

"Well, actually - "

Just then Tifa poked her head inside. She caught sight of the plates and walked in. Cloud could barely make out her boots from under the littlest space of the table cloth and the floor. Well, he's busted.

"I know you're home, Cloud. You can't hide from me." She glanced around.

Cloud awkwardly moved to his chair and climbed out. Tifa laughed at his chosen hiding spot. At the same token she took in all the physical changes that took place during his five years away.

Gone was the scrawny short boy. There in his place was a young man, well toned muscles and eyes not fully blue. The amount of green in them was a shock. And he gained a few inches of height. But that feminine face was still the same, if a bit more defined having just finished puberty.

For a moment Cloud stared into her eyes. He wondered if her eyes were the ones he saw. But no, the color was off. The vision showed him blood red, not ombre red brown. And the shape of Tifa's were different.

"So I hear you're a SOLDIER, now." Tifa placed her hands on her hips.

"Second Class." He crossed his arms with indifference.

"But you said you won't return until you're First." She teased.

"Circumstances said otherwise." At his words her eyes saddened.

"Yeah. I heard. Everyone practically has. But what's the story between you and your mentor? I thought you liked taller?"

"Well...I just..." Cloud's brain decided not to function.

"Aha! So he's not your partner after all. Just a distraction to avoid suspicion about your real partner." Tifa winked.

"This is hardly the time to discuss about who or isn't my partner." Cloud ran a hand through his hair.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Why don't we have a go on a hunt together? I wanna see the SOLDIER boy in action."

"I'm not here to - "

"Why not? It's not like there's anything to do here. No offense, Mrs. Strife."

"None, taken."

Cloud sighed. There was no way to get out of this. She was just as stubborn as he remembered. Besides, it would give him something to do here besides waiting for nightfall in order to sneak into the mansion.

"Let me go change into my uniform and brandish my sword. I'll meet you at the inn." He gave in.

"Sweet! There's a hunt that I've had my eye on. I'll go sign us up!" Tifa turned and left with excitement.

Soon as she was gone Cloud finished his breakfast then changed back into his uniform. He took care with his sword and sharpening it. When he was satisfied that the blade will be at its best, he laced up his boots and went for the door while his mother was doing the dishes.

"Take care of her! She's been a little reckless lately with hunts." Mrs. Strife called out to him.

"Yeah." Cloud said as a memory came forth of him and Tifa as children falling from the broken bridge. "I will."

As he walked past the windmill Cloud caught sight of the mansion up the hill. He couldn't help but look. It was just as creepy as he remembered. Old, broken down, and yet somehow standing on its own foundation. He felt the pull again.

"It's still creepy. I honestly don't understand why it's still around. You would think Shinra would do something with it? Either fix it up and make use of it or tear it down." Tifa's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Think you can give them a message about it?"

"What are we hunting?" Cloud wasn't going to bring the mansion to the company's attention. Not if it kept something or someone he was after.

"This giant Nibel Wolf that's been causing trouble for hunters. Steals whatever gets caught in traps. And apparently that tactic made it grow bigger than any wolf we've ever seen before. One hunter described it's the size of a house."

"Careful. If it's a mutant from the mako pools in the area, it can be aggressive." Sephiroth warned.

"You sure you're up for this?" Cloud took one look at her.

The only change was her fighting gloves.

"Of course! I've been taking care of most of these hunts around here since most of the guys left for work." Tifa huffed, placing her hands on her hips.

"Fine. But stay behind me. The town will skin me alive if something happens to you again on my watch." Cloud took the lead.

"You got it, coach!" Tifa followed his heels.