It was a brisk this morning, Cloud thought as he left his house and began the walk to school. He thought that maybe he should have grabbed something a bit more warm for the walk. He wore a simple white T-shirt and some denim shorts. The cool temperature gave Cloud chills thanks to the exposed skin. However despite the cold, Cloud decided to continue on and head for school.
The school wasn't too far from his house. Just a few buildings away actually. To be honest the town of Niblehigm wasn't overly big to begin with. The town square was the biggest part of town. It had a hotel, several shops for several different neccecities, as well as the school. A large water tower in the middle of the square as well. There was also a residential area down the street from the square. Cloud lived in the town square next to the mayor. You would think that someone who lived close to the mayor would be wealthy. This however isn't the case. As far as Cloud understood, his house had belonged in the Strife family for the past few generations It belonged to his grandfather, and he had passed it down to Cloud's father. And when he died, it remained with his mother. There was no money owed on the house ether so it belongs to the Strife family. So no matter how poor they were, they couldn't evict them from there house. Which was comforting for Cloud as he oftan worries about his mother's well being.
As Cloud continued down the road he noticed the other children were beginning to leave there houses and head for school as well. Many kids were finding there friends to talk with along the way. Cloud however had no one to talk too. Cloud's pase began to slow as the other kids passed him. They all talked and laughed and also completely ignored Cloud. He wasn't overly bothered by this however. Cloud liked his silent walks to school, they were peaceful, when he wasn't surounded by kids having there own conversations, like today. Cloud listened into some of the other kids conversations and couldn't believe what they were talking about.
" Hey did you see the episode of The Adventures of Stamp?"
" Yeah I did. it was awesome."
The Adventures of Stamp was a cartoon that played pretty much every night. It was about a heroic dog that goes on adventures and usually saves people from distress. Cloud from time to time would watch the show when his mother was out. The show was fine but Cloud liked the real stories of hero's rather then the fictional ones.
" That part where Stamp jumps into the burning building was awesome!"
" Yeah, or what about when he fought against Akuno the Wutai fire hound right at the end!"
" Oh yeah, that was awesome too"
Cloud scoffed a little at how excited these kids were getting over the show. It's not like Cloud disliked the show, but he didn't gush over it. Cloud not wanting to listen to anymore picked up the pace. He passed the fan boy kids and continued walking until he made it to the school.
Cloud walked into the school and rushed over to his lockers. The halls had a fair amount of children walking around and socializing. Since Niblehigm was a small town there were maybe at most 100 kids total. Which ment that the halls usually had enough room for everyone. Cloud opened his locker and grabbed his binder with all his class notes inside. He was just about to close it when he heard his name being called.
" Hey Cloud!" A girl called out to him. Cloud turned to the voice and saw none other then his next door neighbor. Tifa Lockhart was standing next to him. Taken a little aback by how close she suddenly was Cloud stumbled back a bit and accidently bumped into another boy next to him.
" Hey watch it asshole." The kid said to Cloud.
" S-sorry."'Cloud says as he recomposed himself. Tifa can't help but giggle a little at the little blunder.
" Hehehe. Sorry I scared you. I came to ask if you wanted to hang out later?" Tifa asked.
" Huh?" Cloud asked. He wasn't quite sure he heard her correctly. He was too distracted by the sound of her laughter. She wanted to hang out with him? Tifa once again couldn't help but giggle at the boy. He was so shy, she couldn't help but find it cute.
" I Asked if you wanted to hang out later? I'm having some friends over and I want you to come." Tifa explains. Cloud at first was over joyed that Tifa wanted to hang out with him. But then she mentioned her other friends. Cloud honestly didn't really like many of her other friends. They were oftan really immature and insensitive. Now that he thought about it, he wasn't much of a people person all together.
Cloud recalled a time that he sat with them for lunch and they all made fun of his lunch. This was way back when he had begun the second grade. He had brought what was left from the loaf of bread he had at home. So about 3 bread slices. They all began commenting about his lunch and how it would never fill any of them up. How his mom must be saving the good stuff for herself. They asked why Cloud didn't have lunches like the rest of the kids. Cloud just remained silent. He didn't need to explain anything to these kids. The thing that bothered him the most was that none of them offered anything from there own lunch, except for Tifa. Tifa was the only kid kind enough to share her lunch with Cloud. He remembered what they had that day, A peanut butter and jam sandwich, and some strawberries. It was nothing to write home about but to Cloud it ment a lot. That was also the day he first officially met Tifa.
Cloud was not looking for charity, but the thought goes a long way. When no one gave him a single thing, and yet they made fun of his lunch because it wasn't like there's. Cloud realised there that these kids were ether too dumb to realise that Cloud and his mother were on hard times, or they just didn't care. Cloud leaned more toward the not caring boat.
Tifa waited patiently for Cloud to answer. Her Ruby eyes looking deeply into his blue ones. Cloud didn't want to interact with her other friends, but Tifa did want him there, maybe it would be fun. Maybe the other kids will be nice to him for once. Maybe they would be tolerable.
" Okay..." Cloud said.
" REALLY?!" Tifa yelled out in excitement. Cloud smiled a little at her enthusiasm. He loved it when she smiled like this, especially if it's directed at him.
" Yeah. I'll come over. It...should be fun." Cloud said hoping he sounded convincing.
" Oh it's going to be so much fun, you'll see." Tifa said as she began skipping away with joy.
" See you later Cloud!" Tifa said as she left Cloud by himself once again. Cloud sighed and thought about what he just agreed too. He really hoped everything went well. But knowing his luck. he doubted it.
School came and went like a blur. Cloud exited the building as fast as he could. He hated school honestly. Math class, language studies, science. He found each one boring. The only class he actually enjoyed was basic combat training. Since monster's regularly attack Niblehigm, the mayor figured it would be best to train kids on how to defend them selfs from them. Cloud was never top of the class in in terms of athletic ability but he made up for it with enthusiasm. Cloud oftan trained with a wooden sword in that class. He wanted to specalise in that specifically but unfortunatly the teachers say that he needs to train with all weapons there. He understood of course. If you want to be good at combat, you shouldn't be a one trick pony. That said Cloud favored the sword. The gym teacher Mr Johnson even said that Cloud may be the best in the class with a sword. It was nice to know that you were good at something. But now the school day has ended, so Cloud was returning home. Or he thought he was before he was interrupted by some kids.
"'Hey Cloud." A boy Cloud's age called out. Cloud turned around and saw a two boys and a girl his age, they were Tifa's friends Rye, Jenna, and Gin. Rye was the one who called him. Rye was a little taller then Cloud, with short brown hair and blue eyes. Jenna was just a little shorter then Cloud, with dirty blond hair and green eyes. Gin was shorter then Cloud, he had long brown hair and brown eyes. Cloud liked none of these people.
" Hi...can i help you guys?" Cloud asked politely. Rye stepped forward a bit and offered up his hand.
" Tifa said you were gonna hang out with us later. Just thought you could walk with us to her place. You know. get to know each other a little." Rye said hoping Cloud would accept his offer. Cloud was actually caught off guard a little by this. Rye was being pretty decent so far. Maybe tonight won't be so bad.
" Okay. We can do that. Where is Tifa by the way?" Cloud asked noticing that Tifa wasn't with them. Cloud shakes Rye's hand. Rye smiles at Cloud and explains the situation.
" She went home early today. Don't know why, she said her mom wanted her home." Rye explained. Jenna and Gin both come over and begin talking as the group began walking toward Tifa's house.
" Yeah it was a little weird but whatever." Jenna said.
" Totally, we could ask her when we get there." Gin said. They walked briefly in silence before it was broken once again.
" Oh my god you guys had that math test too right? It totally sucked didn't it." Jenna complained.
" Yeah. It came out of no where too, I don't remember the teacher saying anything about it." Gin said.
" She told us last week... she even wrote it down on the board to remind us..." Cloud pointed out. Okay maybe Gin is a little dumb.
" Really? Man i can't believe I missed that." Gin said.
" Did she really put it up? She must have wrote it down in teeny tiny letters. That's why I didn't see it." Jenna said, convinced it was the teachers fault. Cloud roles his eyes at her denying she made any sort of error.
" I don't know, it was pretty big letters Jenna. But I probably shouldn't talk, I probably bombed it." Rye said as he puts his hands behind his head.
" Why's that? Gin asked.
" Cuz I didn't study at all. I was practicing my sword moves with my dad instead. Who need math when I'm slaying monsters" Rye said. Cloud smiled a little at that. He didn't know Rye liked swordplay as well. Choosing to ignore the fact that he ignored studying for playing with his sword Cloud broached the topic.
" You prefer swords in combat too?" Cloud asked Rye. Cloud saw Rye's eyes light up a little. Excited that he can talk with someone about his favorite hobby Cloud assumed.
" Of course, it's only the coolest way of fighting ever. I have seen so many videos of SOLDIER's in action. It's so cool! " Rye said as he gushed over his favorite fighting style.
" Me too...Which SOLDIER's have you seen?" Cloud asks.
" Only the greatest. I have seen Angeal, even though he barely used his sword, he's still cool. Genesis is cool as well but none compare to Sephiroth." Rye says as he fanboys out
" Those Soldier guys would go down with a well placed shot. Gunplay is way cooler any way. It's also faster then swords. A guy who is skilled enough with a gun can beat anyone with a sword." Gin argued. Rye looked at his friend in brief shock before arguing back.
" No way. Have you seen any of the videos of SOLDIER's taking out entire platoons of people, who all have assualt rifles by the way." Rye argued.
" You guys are both wrong. A spear is the obvious best weapon fighting style. It's fast and has good range, and if your good enough you can be unbeatable." Jenna jumps in voicing her opinion.
" Umm well..." Cloud started but was interrupted by Rye.
" No way, Sephiroth would demolish anyone with a gun or spear."
" Sephiroth is an exception. He is literally the strongest guy in the world. But if we are talking about normal people then if you are good with a gun your golden." Gin argued.
" Aww but Spears are so cool, have you seen how a acrobatic some of those guys are. I have seen a video where one guy literally jumped over a whole building." Jenna said. Cloud sighed at how quickly this conversation became a loud mess. They continued walking to Tifa's place while Rye, Jenna and Gin continued to talk about there favorite fighting styles and weapons. Cloud noticed that not once did they ever ask him why he liked swords. Or really try to get him back into the conversation again.
They had arrived at Tifa's house and the conversation from before had continued the whole way there. Granted it wasn't a very long walk but it sure felt like it for Cloud who had to walk beside them bicker about which fighting style was the best. Rye, Jenna and Gin seemed to be distracted with each other so Cloud decided to knock on the Lockhart's door.
It didn't take long for a woman who looked exactly like Tifa but older to open the door. Mrs Lockhart stood in the door way looking at the kids bickering, they seemed to not have noticed her yet, the only one who had was little Cloud. Mrs Lockhart was wearing a black kimono with flower arrangements on it. Her hair was as long and beautiful as her daughter's. The only difference Cloud noticed in her features was her eyes, instead of Tifa's ruby eyes, they were a purple color. Mrs Lockhart locked eyes with Cloud and gave him a smile.
" Hello Cloud. How are you today?" Mrs Lockhart asked. Cloud blushed slightly at the pretty woman looking directly at him but he stammered a response out.
" Im...okay. How are you?" Cloud said as he tried to get it together. Mrs Lockhart just laughed though. Cloud couldn't help but think it sounded just like Tifa's.
" I'm doing much better now that you guys are here. How about you all come in." Mrs Lockhart said a little loudly to get the attention of the children who were still arguing over weapons. This actually snapped the other kids out of there argument as they all said there greetings to Mrs Lockhart.
" Oh Hi Mrs L." Rye greeted.
" Hi Tifa's mom" Gin greeted.
" Hi Mrs Lockhart." Jenna greeted. Mrs Lockhart smiled at all of the kids as she waved them all inside. Cloud walked inside the Lockhart house hold and found it to be much nicer then anything he had ever seen. The furniture was new and had no wear or tear. The kitchen was completely different from the wood tabletops that Cloud has at home. There were marble table tops and so many more decorations. There were little plastic apples and fake flowers all over the place. It looked so much more inviting then Cloud had ever thought a house could look.
" Tifa, your friends are all here." Mrs Lockhart called out. Cloud heard a faint "Coming" before he heard some footsteps up stairs. Cloud saw Tifa walk down the stairs as quick as she could and jumped at the end in excitement. Cloud couldn't help but think she looked adorable.
" You came!" Tifa said happily.
" Hey I wouldn't miss hanging out with you for anything." Rye said
" Yeah Tif, I wanted to show you my new earrings anyway." Jenna said as she showed off the earrings she had on.
" Don't know why your supprised. We always hang out. Well except for Cloud." Gin said finally referencing him. Everyone was now looking at Cloud. Apparently the others remembered he was there.
" You asked me to come, so here I am." Cloud said simply. Tifa gave Cloud a smile for saying that but Jenna seemed to take what he said a little different.
" Jeez Tifa isn't forcing you to be here you know. She isn't like that." Jenna said thinking that Cloud felt somehow obligated to come.
" What? I know that." Cloud defending himself. It looked like Jenna was going to say something else but Tifa quickly jumped in before things turned hairy though.
" It's fine. Your all here, so let's go outside okay." Tifa said as she then led everyone out her back door into her back yard. Jenna followed first along with Gin and Rye. Cloud stayed back a bit and sighed. What was he doing here. He doesn't fit in with these kids. They just don't get him. Suddenly Cloud felt a little push from behind nudging him forward. Cloud looked behind him and saw Mrs Lockhart smiling at him.
" You know, Tifa was really excited for you to come today." Mrs Lockhart said.
" She was?" Cloud asked almost not believing her.
" Oh yes. When she got home she called out to me. 'Mom, mom, Cloud's coming over can you believe it!'" Mrs Lockhart said. Cloud looked out toward Tifa and her friends and it looked like they were already throwing leafs at each other and just playing around. But Cloud also noticed that Tifa would look back inside to see if he was coming.
" Can you do me a favor Cloud?" Mrs Lockhart asked.
" Umm sure." Cloud agreed not knowing exactly what she wanted from him.
" Tifa is a sweat girl. And she gets along with everyone, and though she has friends, she doesn't have a Real friend. You know?" Mrs Lockhart said. Cloud wasn't exactly sure what she ment. Of course Tifa had real friends. Just look outside they are all playing.
" When she is having a hard time, and she needs help, can I count on you to help her?Can you be that real friend?" Mrs Lockhart asked. Cloud wasn't exactly sure what she ment but there was no way that he wouldn't help Tifa, so of course he agreed.
" Of course I will. I'll always help her." Cloud said with confidence he didn't know he had.
" Good I'm glad. Now head out there. And have fun." Mrs Lockhart said as she gave Cloud a happy smile and nudged him outside to play with the other kids. Cloud this time exiting the house.
Cloud walked over to the other kids who were throwing leafs at each other. It looked like everyone was having a good time. Tifa noticed right away when Cloud came out and walked over to him while the others played around with the leafs a bit more.
" So?" Tifa asked Cloud.
"'Uhh, What?" Cloud asked not sure what Tifa wanted?
" Are you ready to play with us now?" Tifa asked. She didn't sound impatient at all, just genuinely curious. It seems Ike Tifa could read him pretty well. Cloud took a breath in before he responded.
" Yeah. Let's have some fun." Cloud says..
" Yes!." Tifa said as she kneeled over and grabbed a bunch of leafs and quickly threw them at Cloud.
" Ahh! Hey!" Cloud said as he wiped the leafs off of him. Tifa just laughed and ran away.
" Can't catch me!" Tifa yelled to Cloud. He smirked at the running Tifa and quickly grabbed some leafs of his own and chased after her.
To the outside looking in it looked like a group of friends playing with the falling leafs on the ground. It looked as though they were all playing together. But in reality there were two groups. Rye, Jenna and Gin were playing together, not paying much mind to anyone else. And then Cloud and Tifa were playing. They ran around the yard throwing leafs at each other, chasing each other with happy faces. It didn't take too long for Rye and his group to notice that Tifa was only focusing on Cloud. Rye couldn't help but give Cloud a angry glare. Not that Cloud noticed at all. Who did he think he was hogging Tifa for himself. Ryedecided maybe they needed a change in scenery would get Tifa hanging with them more.
" Hey guys, let's go explore the woods." Rye said. Cloud and Tifa stopped running around as Rye offered up a new activity.
" I'm game, let's go!" Gin said as he was already walking toward the woods.
" Yeah I need to get all these leafs off anyway. Come on Tifa!" Jenna said. Tifa looked to Cloud and gave him a look as if she was asking if they could go. Cloud simply smiled at her and the two begin walking toward the woods.
" Alright, lets stick together everyone. I don't want to get lost." Rye said as he hung back a bit to walk with Cloud and Tifa.
The group of kids walked for a bit in silence. Gin and Jenna talked about nothing really. They just commented on the trees, how funny looking some of them looked. They also wondered if any monsters were around. Cloud remained mostly silent the whole way into the woods but Rye, he would not shut up. And it was seriously annoying Cloud.
" You don't got to worry about a thing Tif. I am a real bad ass so if any trouble comes our way I can keep you safe." Rye said. Tifa didn't really acknowledge this and simply replied with:
" I'm sure you will."
" Oh I will. I'll keep you safe too Cloud, don't to worry your spiky head over a thing." Rye said to Cloud.
" Not interested." Cloud said automatically. Which was probably the wrong move since Rye got a little defensive.
" What? You don't want my help in case anything happens? What am I not good enough to help you?" Rye said obviously bothered by what Cloud said.
" What? No. I just don't need the help. I do pretty good in combat training too." Cloud said defending himself. Tifa began to laugh a little at Cloud and Rye's little squabble but decided to end it before it got worse.
" You guys are funny. I bet you would make a great team." Tifa said, hoping this would help them get along a bit better. Cloud sighed in defeat knowing what Tifa was doing. He decided to try to mend this conversation.
" Tifa's right, I'm sure we can both protect everyone." Cloud said hoping this was the end of the conversation but unfortunatly it wasn't.
" I bet I can do a better job then you." Rye said hoping to ruffle Cloud's feathers. Unfortunately Rye didn't know Cloud well, so he didn't know that Cloud doesn't play games like this.
" I'm sure you could." Cloud said trying his best to not be sarcastic. But this failed as Rye's anger began to grow.
"You think your better then me Strife?" Rye said a little bit louder. Which got the attention of both Jenna and Gin. The two turned around and walked over to see what was going on. Tifa was now standing directly between Cloud and Rye.
" Rye please, He didn't mean anything by it." Tifa said. Cloud was now getting worried this wasn't going to turn out very well.
" I didn't mean anything. Let's just keep going." Cloud said hoping to defuse the situation, which thankfully did.
" Better not have. I don't like it when people try to belittle me." Rye said as he walked over to Gin and Jenna. Cloud couldn't help but think how much of a baby this guy was. He didn't like someone throwing slightly sarcastic remarks at him. How thin skinned can you get. Cloud continued walking for a bit with Tifa, a silence had grown between them now. They walked a little bit before Tifa spoke.
" I know you didn't mean any harm. Rye just gets a little defensive. That's all." Tifa tried to explain her friend.
" I get it. Still, it's not like I was saying I was better. I didnt say anything."'Cloud says.
" I know... I'll talk to them later. I'm sure that they like you." Tifa said. She tried to believe what she said but she knew deep down that her friends didn't like Cloud.
" Maybe... As long as you like me I don't care too much." Cloud said, speaking his mind. Tifa couldn't help but blush at this confession.
" I like you Cloud. I wish we hung out more. Like at school and stuff." Tifa said.
" I guess we will see." Cloid said.
" Yeah." Tifa said giving Cloud a smile.
The two walked in the woods for a little while before Cloud noticed something. He couldn't see the other kids. Rye, Jenna and Gin had disappeared. Tifa hadnt noticed yet as she was talking about how her mother and her have this garden they are planting. Cloud looked around a little, trying to find any trace of the three kids. He looked at the ground for foot prints, broken sticks anything that he learned in basic survival training. He couldn't find anything. Were they lost?
" Tifa. Where did the others go?" Cloud asked. Tifa then began looking around trying to find her friends but to no avail.
" HEY! RYE? JENNA! GIN!?" Tifa called out. She waited for a moment for a response. None came. Tifa then frantically looked at Cloud.
" Cloud what do we do? What do we do? We are lost in the woods, we can't stay here we need to find your way back, we need to find them, maybe they are hurt or stuck somewhere!" Tifa said things as they came to mind. her brain was going too fast for her mouth to process and she began to stutter and slur her words. Cloud grabbed Tifa's shoulders and lightly shook her.
" Hey, calm down okay. We aren't lost. We have our tracks we can follow back. See." Cloud says as he points to the muddy tracks they had been leaving behind. This calmed Tifa down a little but she was still worried about her friends.
" Let's just go back and see where there tracks stop." Cloud said, being the rational thinker he is. Tifa just nodded and followed. The two walked back the way they came for a few minutes until they saw where the tracks deviated. Cloud kneeled over to get a closer look. The tracks seem to turn into the trees. Cloud didn't know why though. Nothing looked interesting over there. What could have grabbed there attention. Cloud then noticed another track going the same way as Rye and his friends. It looked like dog prints...or wolf prints.
" Oh no! They might be in trouble. There a set of dog or wolf prints here too" Cloud said.
" Oh no! We need to get someone quick." Tifa said. Cloud nodded in agreement.
"'Can you make it back to your house on your own?" Cloud asked Tifa, who didn't look very happy with this suggestion.
" Cloud no. Im not leaving you alone in the woods. Especially if there is a wolf." Tifa argued.
" Tifa we don't know what happened yet. they are probably fine. But you need to go home and tell someone just in case. I will keep going to look for them okay"Cloud reasoned. Tifa took a moment and considered it before finally caving.
' Okay... but you better be careful" Tifa said as she then ran off back the way they came. Cloud took a deep breath before proceeding onto the trees to look for Rye and his friends.
Cloud walked for a few moments before he looked at the ground trying to see for prints. It was much harder to tell when not on the path, but he thinks he has it. Cloud took a few more steps forward before he realises he has no weapon in case something goes wrong. Cloud then looked around for anything he could use. Luckily Cloud found a large branch he could use as a sword/ whip. Cloud clutched the branch and proceeded.
" Hey! Rye? Jenna? Gin. you around?" Cloud called out. Once again nothing. Cloud wandered around a little bit longer, but it seemed like this was a wild goose chase.
"SNAP"
Cloud heard the unmistakable sound of a branch snapping. Something was close. Cloud slowly approached the sound, his newly acquired stick sword at the ready. Cloud proceeded forward a bit and behind a few rocks Cloud saw it.
A large grey Timber Wolf laying on the ground.
Cloud's eyes widened as he fell backwards to the ground in fright. Hearing the commotion the Timber Wolf looks over to Cloud with its pearcing silver eyes. Thinking that he was a goner Cloud shut his eyes. The Wolf was as big as he was and he was sure it was going to eat him.
But nothing happened.
Cloud opened his eyes and to his suprise the wolf just layed back down. Cloud slowly got back up and gave the wolf a bit of a closer look. The Wolf had a gray main with some black spots all over it but it also had some blood on its leg. Cloud looked closer and saw it was pinned by a large rock. The Wolf was stuck and couldn't move. Cloud moved a little closer to the wolf, which got its attention as the wolf picked it's head back up and looked at Cloud once again. Cloud stopped in his tracks and put his hands up as if to say he means no harm.
" It's okay... I'm not going to hurt you." Cloud says as he slowly approaches. The Wolf just continues to stare at Cloud. It's eyes unmoving.
" My name's Cloud...your stuck aren't you." Cloud said as if talking with the wolf would help. The Wolf still didn't move. Cloud brought his hand a little closer to the wolf hoping the build some sort of trust with it so he can help it.
" I don't want to hurt you. But if you let me, I can maybe help you..." Cloud said as his hand grew closer to the wolf. The Timber Wolf moved its nose close to Cloud's hand and sniffed it. Cloud read once in a book that canines can smell emotions and even the intent of a person. He wondered if the Wolf was smelling how scared he was in that moment. Cloud waited patiently for the wolf to make its decision when he felt a tickling sensation on his hand.
The Wolf licked it. Cloud smiled a little and he moved a little closer. He slowly put his hand on the wolf which it allowed but still watched Cloud carefully. Cloud then slowly pet the large wolf, tring t show he ment no harm. The wolf now trusting Cloud layed it's head back down on the ground. Cloud then slowly moved to the small bolder on the wolfs leg.
" Okay. I'm going to try and lift it okay." Cloud said as he grabbed the bolder and lifted with all his might. The Wolf whimpered a bit as a fresh pang of pain shot through its leg but Cloud kept going and trying to lift the bolder.
" COME ON...COME ON!" Cloud yelled out as he began nudging it ever so slightly. Slightly enough that the Wolf was able to move its leg out from under it and fully stand up. Cloud dropped the bolder and dropped to the ground exhausted. The Timber Wolf walked over to him and began sniffing him once again. Cloud now seeing how big the Wolf actually was intimidated him. Thinking the wolf may attack Cloud curled up a bit. To his suprise however the wolf then began licking Cloud's face.
" Ahh, ah okay... Okay...hahaha" Cloud said as he began scratching the wolf's neck and patting it's sides, which the wolf seemed to really like. The Wolf backed off a bit and sat down facing Cloud. Gone was the mean looking Timber Wolf, now he looked like a Happy dog. Cloud couldn't help but laugh.
" Hahaha. Aww. your just big softy aren't you?" Cloud said as he pet the wolf once again. The Wolf seemed to love it but it suddenly grew alert when it heard something. Cloud didn't hear anything however.
" Whats wrong?" Cloud asked. Suddenly A large rock came flying through the trees and soaring toward Cloud.
"Smack"
The flying rock hit Cloud in the head.
" Ahh" Cloud yelled as he clutched his now bleeding head. Cloud looked over and saw none other then Rye, Jenna and Gin all hiding in the bushes close by.
" What the hell!" Cloud said but was completely overshadowed by the growling of the Timber Wolf beside him. Cloud looked at the wolf and no longer saw that happy dog from a mere moment ago. Instead he saw a beast, ready to pounce. What looked like anger filled eyes locked onto the kids in the bushes. The Timber Wolf stood up right and began to slowly approach Rye and the others. It seemed to all be in slow motion for Cloud. In a moment the wolf he had befriended was going to rip his school mates to shreds.
Suddenly without even thinking about it Cloud jumped up and ran in front of the Wolf. Standing at exactly his height the two stared at each other.
" NO! NOT THEM! NOT THEM!" Cloud said begging for the wolf to understand him. But it barked in response. Cloud jumped back slightly bit held his ground.
To Cloud, it almost seemed like the wolf wanted him to move.
" I'm okay. See. it's just blood. There idiots, they don't know what they are doing. Please. Just leave them alone." Cloud said thinking he was crazy for even attempting to bargin with an animal. But to his suprise the wolf stopped its growling. It licked its snout and then turned around and ran off.
Cloud dropped to the ground and let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding. Relief washed over Cloud. No one was going to die today. But that relief was quickly replaced by rage. Cloud stood back up and walked over to the still cowering group of idiots.
" What the hell were you thinking? Why did you throw that rock?" Cloud demanded. Gin spoke up first.
" We wanted to get the wolf, we didn't mean to hit you." Gin said as if that made his situation any better.
" The Wolf would have killed you had you hit it. Did you guys even stop and think about what you were doing?"Cloud asked.
" We're sorry. We thought the wolf was still pinned." Rye said. Cloud was just becoming even more livid.
" You thought it was still trapped? Was it you who trapped it in the first place?' Cloud asked. Cloud didn't realise but he looked terrifying. The blood oozing from his forehead gash was flowing down his face making him look intimidating.
" He was sleeping, we thought we could take a monster down." Jenna said.
" So your plan was to leave Tifa and me wandering on the woods by ourself while you hinted a wolf?" Cloud asked, completely flabbergasted by the whole ordeal.
" Your the one who said not to split up in the first place. Why are you the one to branch out." Cloud said to Rye directly.
" You guys are stupid. Wow. So much more stupid then I thought you were. Forget this. If you guys want to kill yourselfs, be my guest, I'm not doing this again." Cloud said as he walked back toward the path to town.
Cloud wandered alone for a few minutes before he heard some voices call out. It sounded like some of the town folk were looking for the "missing children". Cloud walked a bit further until he was spotted by Mr Lockhart and few men from around town.
" Boy! Hey your the strife boy right" Lockhart asked.
"'Yeah." Cloud mumbled, still pissed off about this whole event. Mr Lockhart took a good look at Cloud and noticed the blood gushing out of his wound.
" Oh shit. Your bleeding. What happened kid?" Lockhart asked.
" Ask the others... they are just down the path." Cloud says as he points back the way he came. Mr Lockhart looks down and thinks he sees the kids in the distance wandering back themselves.
" Come on kid, let's get you back to town." Mr Lockhart said as he guided Cloud back to town.
" The others are just down the path, go check on them while I get Cloud home." Mr Lockhart said to the rest of the search party.
The two walked the entire way in silence. Which suited Cloud just fine. He had nothing to say about the whole thing. Unfortunately now that he was beginning to calm down, the wound on Cloud's head began to hurt really badly. So much so that Cloud began to get a little light headed. Cloud stumbled a little as he walked but luckily Mr Lockhart was able to catch him before he fell.
" Do you want me to carry you kid?" Lockhart asked.
" No...I'm fine." Cloud said as he continued on.
Upon reaching the Lockhart house Mrs Lockhart was waiting outside with Tifa. Tifa was overjoyed to see Cloud, but that joy quickly changed to fear when she saw him bleeding.
" Oh my god! Cloud! What happened to you" Tifa asked. Cloud gave her a brief sour look before answering.
" Ask your friends." Cloud said as he walked past her. Tifa looked at Cloud as he continued walking toward his house. Butl to her suprise her mother stopped him.
" Oh no you don't young man. Come inside, I'll clean up that nasty cut you got on your head. Okay." Mrs Lockhart said as she grabbed Cloud's shoulders Cloud tried to fight it but Mrs Lockhart was surprisingly really strong. The mother dragged Cloud into the house and then into the bath room where she began running the water. Tifa followed them closely, worried for Cloud's wellbeing. Mrs Lockhart ran a rag under the water and began cleaning Clouds wound.
' Tifa honey, can you grab the first aid kit please?" Mrs Lockhart asked.
" Oh. Yeah of course." Tifa said as she ran to find the first aid kit. Cloud sighed and let Mrs Lockhart continue to work her magic.
" So you had quite the adventure huh." Mrs Lockhart said as she wiped the blood from his face.
"..." Cloud remained silent. not wanting to talk about what happened.
" You know, Tifa said you were really brave in there. She said you acted like a real hero." Mrs Lockhart praised making Cloud blush a little.
" I just wanted her safe..." Cloud said.
" I know kiddo. You did a good jo- COUGH-COUGH-COUGH" Mrs Lockhart suddenly began coughing violently. she quickly rushed to the sink and spit out whatever was blocking her throat. It scared Cloud to see because she seemed to be the picture of health just a moment ago.
" Are you okay Mrs Lockhart?" Cloud asked. Mrs Lockhart regained control of her self and gave Cloud a reassuring smile.
" I'm okay kiddo. Just a little cough. Nothing to worry about." Mrs Lockhart said as she clutched her right arm as if it was in pain. She ignored it and continued to work on Cloud.
" I have the first aid kit." Tifa said as she ran into the bathroom. Mrs Lockhart too the kit from her.
" Thank you sweety." Mrs Lockhart said as she opened the kid and began to use the contents of it to Kix Cloud up. Before he knew it, he was patched up with a bandage over his right eyebrow. Cloud looked around the bathroom while he was being worked on and his eyes landed on a garbage can. In the can were what looked like used bandages. They didn't look red from blood however. The looked black actually.
" Okay, you should be all good to go now. Why don't you run on home now Cloud. I'm sure your mother is worried sick." Mrs Lockhart said. Cloud looked at the time and saw it was 7pm, he was really late. Cloud quickly jumped off the toilet seat an began heading for the door.
" Thank you so much Mrs Lockhart. And thank you Tifa for inviting me today. Bye" Cloud said as he rushed out the door. Not even giving the two a chance to say goodbye.
As Cloud rushed back to his house he couldn't help but think of the black bandages and Mrs Lockhart's cough. He had a bad feeling that she may be sick. He just hoped she was going to be okay.
A/N: Okay so I realise that this remake isn't exactly a one to one retelling of SOLDIER 1st Class Cloud strife. That was and still is my end goal, but i felt the need to expand a bit more on the story. I called this story Cloud Strife: The boy because I wanted to tell a more interesting tale from Cloud's early life. Though I think this was done in my previous fic. I think there is still more story to be told. This was something that the original game never touched too much on, we always had a vague idea of Cloud's early life but never a solid picture. I'm hoping this story will shed a bit more light on his upbringing and his relationship with Niblehigm. Anyways I hoped you all liked the chapter. Look forward to the next one.