Though he'd never admit it aloud, Cloud found training more enjoyable with Zack and Angeal. In a way, the two 2nd Classes became partners. Angeal could be seen as a proud father or uncle to the two for this type of thing.

Every now and then, Angeal would ask the blonde about Genesis. He knew that he had deserted, but Cloud still spoke highly about him. His skills in combat, his obsession with LOVELESS. His constant mixture of intense and calm behavior. "Sounds like Genesis," he would say.

Zack somehow found a way to make their training, well, fun. It seemed as if a brotherhood was struck between them. Sure, his cheerfulness sometimes frustrated Cloud, but he still relished his company.

Today, he could feel things would be different. The two were called to the training room to meet Angeal there. He said that Zack would be attempting the 2nd Class simulation. The 1st and Cloud would be observing his performance, being as the blonde had already beaten it.

As the raven-haired 2nd Class cut through the "Wutai troops" (Cloud was still debating with himself whether or not they really were Wutai troops in disguise), Cloud notes that he was proficient in his performance, yet very carefree. His reflexes were about the only thing keeping him from being shot. When he was shot at by the snipers, he very nearly missed them, dropping to his knees and hands, getting over the shock.

How did he qualify for 2nd exactly? Cloud pondered in his head.

"He's doing well," Angeal noted. Cloud merely nodded. "You think otherwise."

It was an observation, not a question. Cloud shrugged. "He's too carefree. Treats missions like they're fun. That mentality could very well get him killed. My instructor for SOLDIER tryouts said that we'd have to stay vigilant always in order to survive. By luck, he's still kicking."

The 1st Class nodded in agreement. "Those are true. But when it really counts, he'll get serious. Trust me."

They still continued to observe. Zack was currently in the city, most likely finishing up with that Behemoth. Cloud certainly didn't expect him to get this far.

Maybe I misjudged him, Cloud thought.

"Impossible!" Angeal exclaimed. Cloud turned to see him talking to someone on his phone. The man closed it. "Come on. We've gotta fetch Zack." The two sprinted to the location he'd most likely be.

Considering he hasn't called us yet, I think he ran into Sephiroth.

The two saw Zack on the ground, Sephiroth ready to impale him.

He's toast.

In the blink of an eye, Angeal had grabbed Zack's broken SOLDIER sword and held it up to halt the Masumane Blade.

The two 1sts lowered their weapons. Angeal stood up. Zack sat up and groaned in pain. He smiled. "Thanks, Angeal."

Said SOLDIER pulled his phone out and ordered the mission abort. The world dissolved. They were back in the training room. Zack stood up.

"Training is over."

Zack looked surprised. "What?" Angeal pointed the broken weapon he still held at Zack. He took a step back. "You serious?" Frustrated, the 2nd pulled the headset from his face and let it flatter to the floor. "I was just getting warmed up."

Cloud chuckled so only he could hear it. Guess Angeal was right. He crossed his arms.

Angeal sighed and flipped the sword so that the handle was offered to Zack rather than the blade. Zack took it and observed the clean cut the simulator Sephiroth made. "Zack..." The 2nd turned to Angeal. He was beginning to exit the room. "Cloud...Embrace your dreams." The two looked confused, though it was less apparent on Cloud's face. "If you want to be a hero, you need to have dreams...and honor."

The two nodded and Zack scratched the back of his head. He left the two in there. The door shut behind him.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Zack was in the lobby doing squats, frustrated over always training but no "doing" anything. Cloud merely stood against the wall and crossed his arms to his chest. After a few minutes, Cloud became slightly bored. Zack was still squatting. The blonde took out his phone. It's been a while since he checked his mail.

Pulling up his inbox, Cloud noticed 11 unread messages. The first of which was from his mother. He banged his head against the wall. He promised he'd message her once a month. He opened the document ruefully expecting a scolding.

Dear son,

I know you've recently been promoted to SOLDIER 2nd Class. Congratulations! One step closer to your dream! I know I said to check in once a month, but I think you might need some space. Just let me know if anything is new when you can. Keep training. Study hard. Stay strong. I love you son!

Mom

Cloud chuckled and shook his head. She's one of a kind. He pulled up the next one. Lazard was thanking him for a detailed report about Gongaga. Normally when he got this kind of message, he just skimmed it: this one is no different.

The next five were advertisements for Midgar products. Meaninglessness. On the seventh message, it read that Angeal had taken him as his second trainee. Again, Cloud banged his head. Idiot. No wonder you never knew.

The next three were more advertisements. As a kid, he subscribed to plenty of these companies. Since he'd become SOLDIER, he decided to seek more mature decisions than his adolescent desires as a child.

The last one however read "Long time, no see". There was no name signed to it. It did say, however, that it came from Nibelheim.

In his head he hoped it was Tifa, but his "shoulder devil" was saying that it was one of his childhood bullies. Deciding he's much better off swallowing the pill, Cloud pulled up the message.

Hey

I know it's been a year, but I haven't forgotten our promise. I'm glad we made it. Could you write me back? Or maybe call me? I need to tell you something. Oh, and um...I miss you. Is that weird? Since we hardly knew each other?

Tifa

Cloud couldn't believe what he just read. It's been a year and he still hadn't contacted her. Not even when he got to Midgar. For the third time, Cloud banged his head against the wall, this time a little more forcefully. A crack appeared.

Shit. he mentally scolded himself. For the wall and Tifa.

Zack paused with his squats. "You okay?"

"No," Cloud answered, perhaps without thinking or just said it too fast. "I mean, yes...I mean..." he groaned. "I dunno."

Shrugging, Zack resumes his squatting. Sometimes he wishes he could be more like Zack. He's always able to be forward.

That's it! Just be forward. Cloud pushed off the wall. "I gotta take a sec. If someone asks for me..."

"I got'cha. I've got your back."

Cloud nodded. Taking a step into an unpopulated hallway and pulled out his phone. He traced Tifa's message account to her number. Dialing her number, the 2nd Class prepared to talk to his interest.

Taking a deep breath, Cloud entered the call. It rang. And again. And again. And again.

Man. Please don't tell me I picked a bad time, he begged no one in particular.

After the fifth ring, his phone clicked, which meant that someone answered. "Hello?" a sleepy, feminine voice sounded from the other end.

"Tifa?" He wasn't sure if it was her.

"Cloud?!" The blonde pulled the phone from his ear. Welp, if she was asleep, she's not now.

"Yeah. It's me. Did I wake you?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Sorry. Bad timing?"

He practically see her shaking her head. "No no no. It's fine, Cloud."

"Felt like it was a good time to call you, but I guess not."

She sighed. "No, it's not that. It's fine. So, what's up?"

Cloud sighed, relieved. "Well, I made it in."

"Congrats! Did you make 1st?"

"No. Got promoted to 2nd one, two months ago."

"Sweet! Almost there!"

"To what?"

"Your dream, silly," she scolded him playfully. It sounded like she was giggling.

Cloud grimaced and mentally facepalmed. Gods, I swear I'm an idiot for her. For her?! Damnit, Strife! Get it together. "You remembered?"

"Mm-hmm. Kinda funny I remember your dream and you don't." She laughed a bit more. Cloud blushed furiously. "I'm only teasing you. You'll get to your dream."

Cloud hummed in agreement. "So..."

"Sooo..." she stretched the syllable.

An awkward silence followed. "You still remember the promise?" Cloud didn't exactly ask.

"Don't you?"

"I do. Thought you were gonna strongarm me if I said what again."

"Guess we'll never know."

"Guess not." Cloud laughed a bit. "You said you needed to talk to me? What about?"

She sighed. "It's the promise. I know I said if you become famous that I'd want you to come save me if I'm in a bind."

His heart sunk a bit. "Did you mean it?"

"Yes! Well, not the famous part. I just want a hero to save me. My hero."

Cloud's eyes grew wide with surprise. "And...you want...me..to be...that hero? Your hero?"

"Sure. But if it's too much to ask, you don't have to."

His eyes shrunk back to normal. "No no. It's fine. I want to. That is if that's okay."

"Of course it's okay. Besides, if anyone can it's you."

Still a little unsure of himself. "You really think so?"

She laughed a little. "Of course. Don't you?"

Cloud smiled. "Yeah. If Tifa Lockhart says so, how can I not? As I said, I promise."

"Good to hear."

They remained silent for a bit. "By the way, it's not weird."

She asked, "What isn't?"

"I miss you, too," Cloud clarified.

"Oh. Didn't think so."

"Neither did I."

Again silence. "Enough about me," Cloud said. "Tell me about you."

"Well, you remember Zangan?"

"The martial artist?"

"The one. He took me as his apprentice."

His eyes went wide for the second time. "No way! At 14? That'd make you the youngest martial artist in years."

She giggled. "Yup. Dad's a little tense about it, but he's fine with it."

Cloud sort of groaned in pain. "Oh."

"Sorry about talking about him."

Cloud shook his head. "No, it's fine. He's your dad. At least you got to live with both your parents as a little kid." He stopped as he realized what he just said. "Sorry."

"What for?" She sounded almost indifferent. Almost.

"Talking about your mom."

"It's okay. I'm the one who should be sorry. Dad always blamed you for the problems around town. He also said something about almost getting me killed? What?"

So she didn't remember that day. Cloud was sad and also thankful that she didn't. "I'll admit, some of the fights between me and the others was my fault."

"Yeah, I know. But, not everything was your fault. Is your fault," Tifa remedied her statement.

"Yeah, but too much to take back."

"Hey, you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. Master Zangan said that in one of my lessons."

He hummed in agreement. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why'd you meet up with me at the well? That night?"

She seemed to be thinking about it. "I'll admit, it was a little strange. Meeting up after dark. Still, I always thought that there was more to you than this angry kid that everyone around town hated. Turns out I was right."

Cloud chuckled a bit. "Yeah, but I was still an angry kid."

"True."

"Was it worth it?"

"I'm sorry?"

"That night."

"Oh." She paused a bit. "Without a doubt."

Cloud exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Same here."

"Cloud! Angeal is calling us into the briefing room," Zack called to Cloud.

"Hey, I gotta go."

"New mission?"

"I hope so. Only been training for a while." He started to walk to the room to meet up with Angeal and Zack. "Hey, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure. What's up?"

"Can you keep mom company for me? I think she's lonely."

He could almost hear the smile in her voice. "Of course. Whatever you need."

"Thanks. I'll call you at a decent hour next time."

"I told you, it's fine. But, please do."

Cloud smiled once more. "Okay. See ya."

"Bye, my hero."

Cloud blushed. "Bye."

He pocketed his phone and still had that smile on his face on his way to meet up with them. That vanished as he saw Genesis' face on a screen.

To be continued...

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