Chapter Three

Kadaj paced around in circles. A door opened to his right and he stiffened slightly. A shot rang out and he instantly drew out his sword, blocking the bullet.

"Yazoo.." Kadaj greeted calmly.

"Good morning, brother." Yazoo walked into view and sat down on a table, not caring if it was important.

Kadaj nodded to him and continued to walk in long, wide, graceful circles. The way he stared at the floor, you'd think there was something written there.

"Is something bothering you, Kadaj?" Yazoo asked after watching this routine play through for 10 minutes.

"Hm? Why do you ask?" Kadaj asked, stopping in his path.

"Never mind."

Kadaj didn't continue his circles and instead, stood there silently while his brother reloaded his gun.

"Yazoo, contact Sephiroth and tell him I've gone to see mother." Kadaj turned on heel and left the room quickly. Yazoo cocked his gun and made a 'hmm' noise. The middle son stood and left the room like he'd never been their.

– – –

A man in leather stood before a large casket. Inside was a woman called 'Jenova'. The man wasn't sure if that was her real name or if she were even really in there. He just went by what he'd been told. It's all he cared about.

He kneeled by the coffin and bowed his head.

"Kaa-san. It's been a long time since I visited. I'm sorry. Forgive me?" Kadaj traced his hand along the decorated edges of the casket. His eyes said he desperately wanted to open the top and look in on her. It'd be so easy to do..

'No Kadaj. You mustn't think like that.'

Kadaj shook his head. Voices entered his head and he didn't like it.

'Just do as you're told, Kadaj.'

'Stop it, Kadaj!'

'Stop it!'

'Stop crying!'

Kadaj opened his eyes and found he was curled up on the floor by his mother. When had he gotten down there? He sat up slowly and looked around just the same. He acted as a child, lost and unsure where he'd woken up.

"Mother. Did you see what happened?" he asked, looking at the design on the top of the casket.

Perhaps mother was trying to tell him he needed a rest.. Yes.. That was it. A voice entered his head and he smiled. That was mother. No doubt about it.

"Don't fret, Kadaj. Go back to sleep. It'll be okay." it whispered comfortingly.

"Okay... mother.." Kadaj closed his eyes and slept with his mother. Leaning on the casket he imagined himself laying on a bed with his head in mother's lap. She was running her fingers through his hair. She was so beautiful and Kadaj had not even opened his eyes to see it.

"Kadaj! Look!" Kadaj raised his head, becoming 8 years old in seconds. He lifted himself from mother's lap and looked up. Yazoo was walking into Kadaj's bedroom and Loz stood by him.

"Here, Kadaj. It'll make your stomach feel better." Yazoo smiled and handed him a chocolate ice cream cone. Kadaj stared at the dessert in his hands and Yazoo laughed. Loz followed suit.

"He acts like he's never had ice cream before." Yazoo looked up at his mother and then behind him to Loz.

Kadaj ate carefully, making sure nothing melted onto his fingers and Yazoo and Loz made noises that said 'he's so cute' loud and clear. Kadaj couldn't remember the last time he'd heard Yazoo laugh. It was so strange and yet it seemed normal to everyone else. Yazoo was being nice.. And he couldn't have been more than 10.

Mother ran her fingers through his hair again and he turned to look at her.

"Oh Kadaj..." she laughed and wiped ice cream from his nose.

"You're just home sick, brother. You'll get over it." Loz pipped up. Silent footsteps stopped but no one noticed.

"Yes. This new place is better than our last house, Kadaj." Yazoo moved slightly and Kadaj's eyes widened. In the doorway was a boy, probably 12. The glow from the light downstairs made his golden spikes shine and he gazed at Kadaj with deep, curious, mako blue eyes.

"Oh. You must be that orphan boy. Come in. Don't be shy.." mother smiled and the boy walked in nervously.

He walked past Loz, who seemed slightly afraid of this stranger, and Yazoo, who waved at him from his new position on the side. The boy stopped in front of Kadaj and they stared at each other for a while. Kadaj saw light in those blue eyes. Orphan, or angel...?

"Now then. What's your name?" Mother asked, ruffling his hair. The boy ran his fingers through his hair, fixing it as much as possible, before he looked up at mother and then back down at Kadaj.

"Cloud.. Cloud Strife.."

Mother was saying something but Kadaj swore everything was fading except the boy and himself. The orphan waited patiently.

"What's your name?"

"...Kadaj.." and everything went white.

– – – – – –

Vrrr Vrrr (Insert Team Rocket background music) -see note-

Vrrr Vrrr (Insert team rocket background music)

Kadaj's eyes fluttered open and he noticed his cell phone ringing.

"Ya?"

"What were you doing, Kadaj!" Yazoo's voice replied angrily.

"Oh and look who's interested, suddenly." Kadaj smirked.

"Never mind. Just get ready to go. We got a job."

"I understand. I'll be there in a second." Kadaj shut the phone and rubbed his head.

He'd been dreaming, right? What of? He remembered almost nothing except Yazoo's laugh. Some dream. Yazoo laughing? Ya right.

'Cloud.. Cloud Strife.'

Kadaj blinked. Had someone spoken?

"Well, might as well get going, I guess." Kadaj stretched leisurely and walked off towards the underground garage that housed his bike.

– – – –

Their tires ran swiftly along the ground toward a base in Nibelhiem. Today they were carrying out a job closer to their usual work. To kill a scientist working on a new toy for the enemy.

Loz narrowed his eyes at an oncoming object. He let out a low growl.

"Calm, Loz. I'll take care of him." Yazoo nodded. The bikes stopped before nearly hitting Cloud Strife's Fenrir.

"What are you doing here?" Loz asked.

"My job. That's all." Cloud replied. His blue eyes drifted to Kadaj. The boy turned his head down the road toward the large base a little ways away, avoiding Cloud's gaze.

"Kadaj.." Cloud began.

"I'm sorry." Kadaj had a light smile on that told you 'now I suggest you back away.' "I don't feel like talking to you right now."

Kadaj wanted to fight him. Both of them sitting on their bikes on an old road like this one. It was familiar and something made him urge to take off down the road and bait Cloud to follow him. His eyes glinted, so cat like, but before he could do anything Yazoo interrupted.

The long haired teen pulled out his gun and aimed at Cloud forehead. Cloud drew his sword and, as though every fight went this way, both sped off down the road, shooting or blocking or swinging their weapons.

"-ey.." Kadaj began.

"Come on, Kadaj. We have a job to take care of." Loz reminded him, revving his bike.

Kadaj nodded and followed but he glared after Yazoo's retreating tail lights. He wanted to fight Strife, not Yazoo. It was his decision.

The dirt from Strife's tires cleared and Yazoo shot. Cloud swung his sword but all anyone saw was the blonde's body fall back off his bike and hit the dirt, rolling, about 20 miles away from Kadaj.

'Cloud.. Cloud Strife.'