Chapter Six

'Kadaj was brainwashed.. His memories erased..' Cloud couldn't stop thinking about the information he'd received.

"Tifa. I was told the Mako army will attack us..." he called his friend.

"No way! Who told you?"

"..."

"Ugh. Never mind. Cloud, this person may have the wrong information. Could you go check it out yourself? I've never asked you to go anywhere extremely dangerous, but while you check out the main operations base, do me a favor and check for Cid."

"What's so important about the old guy anyway?"

"Old? Well.. He has someskills that would help us out if there really will be a final battle." Tifa said weakly.

"Hm.." Cloud closed his phone and sat on the ground against Fenrir.

Kadaj had his memories concealed. That meant that Kadaj wouldn't be able to remember. It wasn't just a memory lapse.. Kadaj had completely forgotten him.. Forever..

Cloud covered his face with his hand.

"Kadaj..."

'Hm? Cloud? Are you okay?'

'Ya.. I'm fine.. Why are you out here?'

'You sound like you've been crying..' Kadaj was genuinely curious.

'I'm fine!' Cloud turned away. Kadaj quickly ran in front of him and wrapped his arms around Cloud. 'Kadaj? What are you..?'

'Be quite...' Kadaj ordered gently. Cloud relaxed but he didn't want to think about anything right now. 'I'll always be here for you Cloud.. And I don't like it when you're hurting..'

Cloud leaned his head on Kadaj's. Neither spoke but they had fallen to their knees. Kadaj couldn't hear anything but he knew Cloud must be crying. He was shaking and his tears fell on Kadaj. The younger adjusted his grip and smiled sadly.

'Cloud.. You're more important to me than family...'

'Huh?' Cloud looked down at Kadaj, wiping his eyes.

'I'm gonna call you 'Nii-san' from now on! Okay!' Kadaj instantly lighted the mood with his simple smile. Cloud smiled and nodded. He could mourn his crap life another day. Right now was Kadaj's time.

"Right now is.." Cloud rubbed his face with his hand and pulled on his gloves. No use mourning it when he could do something about it. He had to find out what he could do for Kadaj.. But right now, he had a mission.

'For now, Kadaj. Survive the war.. Then we'll have our reunion.' (Gah! Cloud's Reunion! xD)

– – –

Kadaj walked through the long hallways of the main base. It was hard to believe that a war was going on right now. Everything was quiet in his world. He carried out special tasks and had nothing to do with the mindless battlefields that the warriors fought on. He was a shell. What point did he have anyway? Why were young men risking their lives while he hid in the castle? He was a coward and he knew it.

Yazoo tried to console him and tell him that he was wrong. And he could hear their conversation from earlier as he walked slowly, lazily, through the hall. Passing it's tall pillars with slow strides.

'I'm a coward.'

'No your not.'

'Then why do I hide inside while everyone else goes out?'

'You know Sephiroth only likes you to go outside on missions..'

'So Sephiroth knows I'm a coward..'

'No! Kadaj! Stop acting like a baby. Get yourself together! It's no use trying to console you.'

'Yazoo!'

'No, Kadaj. Come see me when you've remembered who you are.'

Yazoo's words were confusing. When he remembered who he was? He is Kadaj. Kadaj is a fighter.. He fights for.. For Sephiroth? Right?

Kadaj ruffled his hair. Why was he supposed to know an answer to a question Yazoo hadn't even asked! Kadaj paused.

Then who asked it?

The questions running through his head. Who am I? Why am I? What am I? Why couldn't he remember most of his past? Was Jenova helping him remember, or just confusing him? What was his relation to Cloud Strife and what was the strange sensation running through his body whenever they met and locked eyes.. Or whenever he remembered something else.. Or when he thought of that bike sitting alone down in the hanger..

"Nii-san gave that bike to me." he answered himself. But that brought another question. What was this 'Nii-san'?

– – – – – –

"Kadaj.. Kadaj, wake up!.." Yazoo prodded.

"How can he sleep in on a day like today?" a female voice asked.

"I don't know.. I couldn't sleep on my tenth birthday.." Yazoo leaned down right next to Kadaj's ear. "Biiirrrttthhdddaaayyy." he drawled.

Kadaj sprung up. Birthday? It was his birthday... It was his tenth birthday! He hopped up, hitting Yazoo and ran to get changed. Nii-san had promised him that when he woke up today, he'd have a surprise outside for him.

"Kadaj? Why the sudden rush?" Tifa asked.

"Nii-san said he had a present for me.." he explained. He couldn't help but be antsy. It was his birthday! And Cloud said it would be an awesome gift!

"Well hurry up. Cloud's waiting out front." Tifa opened the bedroom door so Kadaj wouldn't run into it on his way out.

Kadaj ran down the stairs, right past his mother and father. He didn't notice the small pile of gifts set on a table for him, or the cake and decorations. His eyes were on his feet and then the door. He stopped at the door to catch his breath and then he opened it.

Cloud was standing between two bikes. One was Fenrir, which Cloud had started riding about a week ago. The other was sleek and brand new.

"I thought you were never coming out.." Cloud sighed, leaning against the new bike. "Fenrir's new friend was getting worried too.." Cloud ran his hand threw his hair in mock angsting. Kadaj felt the grin spreading on his face.

Cloud opened one eye and checked to see if Kadaj was still standing in the doorway. He jumped back when Kadaj came running at him.

"Cloud, it's great!" Kadaj quickly hugged him and then went about inspecting his bike. It must have cost so much. How did Cloud earn the money too.. Kadaj stopped rejoicing and looked up at his friend.

"What's wrong?" Cloud asked.

"You spent all your money on it...even your savings.. Didn't you?" he asked. Cloud shrugged. "You idiot..." Kadaj looked back at the bike and kicked it. Cloud gasped.

"Kadaj!"

"Why would you do that?" Kadaj yelled. Cloud grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a hug he tried to resist.

"It's alright, Kadaj. I wanted to get you something that you could keep forever.. To always remember me by.. I really didn't mind spending all my money on it.. Cause it was for you." Cloud ruffled Kadaj's hair and smiled at the confused youngster.

"Now.. If you didn't hurt him.. Race me. If you win.. It was worth the money I spent.." Cloud got on Fenrir and Kadaj nodded numbly, climbing on his new motorbike. He spurred the engine and closed his eyes.

"Three..."

He would never get rid of this bike.

"Two..."

He'd keep it in good condition.

"One!"

And he'd win every race to prove it was worth the money. Cloud and Kadaj raced off. They'd return soon and commence with the regular party processions, but for now, Kadaj needed to loose himself in speed. He always lost himself in the races he ran with Cloud. Always.

– – – –