Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, items, places, etc. mentioned below
After accepting his situation, Cloud adjusted to his new life. At first, it was difficult living in the old mansion with a complete stranger. In fact there were some pretty awkward situations the two found themselves in. For instance, three days into the arrangement and Cloud discovered the man had no social skills, at all. Now, Cloud knew he was not one to talk when it came to social skills, but come on when you spend an entire day polishing your gun to avoid talking, you have some serious issues. So, always one to take up a challenge, Cloud found himself going out of his way to get to know the man and trying to get him to open up.
*sigh* "You know, Cloud, you are kind of annoying."
"Says the guy who can't keep his hands off his gun."
"..."
"That came out wrong."
"Yes. Yes, it did."
"You know what I mean."
"..."
The room drifted into silence, and Vincent went back to his polishing.
"I can't stand this anymore. I'm going out hunting."
"..."
Taking the silence as acceptance, Cloud dashed out the door and into the surrounding woods. Finally free from the stifling silence, Cloud decided to talk to himself.
"I swear if I spend too much time around that man, I will turn into some kind of sullen creep."
A sudden rustle of leaves and snap of a twig brought Cloud attention to his right side. After close inspection, Cloud found that he was not as alone as he first thought. Barely hidden behind a tree to his right, a girl stood gaping at him. The girl had long black hair and deep brown eyes. When she noticed that she had been caught, she turned away and took on an arrogant stance. Cloud recognized the girl. It was Tifa Lockhart, the mayor's daughter. Not feeling up for talking to the stuck up child, Cloud turned and started to walk away.
" Hey, where do you think you are going?"
"...None of your business."
"Is too! Everything in Nibelheim is my business."
"..."
"Your that little blonde brat that everyone dislikes right?"
"..."
"No fair. Don't ignore me!"
"...Shut up, and stop following me."
"No. I've decided that your going to be my Soldier."
"...Your...What?"
"You know like Sephiroth from the TV."
"...Yep. I have no idea what your saying."
" Come on his face is like everywhere..."
After looking at Cloud's clueless face, Tifa sighed.
"Anyway, he's this real powerful guy who lives in Midgar, and he's the general of a company called Shinra."
The name of the company caught Cloud's interest. Where had he heard it before? Oh, yeah. That's the place controlling the vampire community. Zoning back into the conversation, Cloud hoped to gain some information on the place.
"So, like I was saying I want you to be my Soldier and come running in to save the day whenever I'm in trouble."
"...Not interested."
"Why not?! It's perfect."
"...Look, I have my own problems, and I'm not up for dealing with yours, got it?"
"Your just being stupid. What kind of guy would refuse a request from a lady?"
"...I don't see any ladies here."
"Your so mean. If you don't become my Soldier, I'll beat you up and then tell my daddy on you."
"...What are you three?"
"No..I'm thirteen."
"Besides, I can't be your Soldier. Soldiers have training, right?"
Tifa nodded her head."
"Well, I don't have any training."
"You can get training."
"...It's not that easy."
"Yeah, it is. I heard on TV that Shinra is always looking for new recruits...Something about a war...I don't know. All I know is that you are going to be my Soldier."
"...I give up. I'm going home."
"Does that mean you agree?"
"Whatever just leave me alone."
"I'll take that as a yes."
With all that said and done, Tifa ran back in the direction of Nibelheim, and Cloud was left to his thoughts once more.
"..Why am I surrounded by weirdos?"
No one answered and Cloud went on his way. On his way back to the mansion, Cloud caught and drained two wolves. Upon entering his home, Cloud noticed Vincent in the exact position he had left him in.
"...I'm back."
"...Hn."
"I heard about Shinra today."
That caught Vincent's attention and he put his gun down.
"I heard that this guy named Sephiroth was their general and that they are looking for recruits."
"..."
"I was thinking that it might be easier to join the company rather than laying low out here."
"...No..."
"Why not?"
"They'll find out that you illegal and kill you, then me."
"Not if I trained and..."
"No."
"Your being unreasonable."
"..."
"Look, you said that I will die if I don't find my soulmate or mates, but I won't find them staying up on this mountain."
"..."
"..."
Each vampire stood staring down the other; neither backed down. Till finally, Vincent sighed.
"Fine, but you need serious training before we go anywhere near Midgar."
Picking up his guns, Vincent moved to go upstairs to his room.
"...Where you going?"
"To pack...Tomorrow, we head out to Junon."