This ones a little darker then the others have been. Not to much I think, but still darker. Regardless, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do I really have to tell you its not mine?

Chapter 4 Nightmares and Breakfast

Cloud twisted and turned in his sleep, caught up in nightmares of the burning of Nibelheim.

The town burning around him, bodies left in pools of blood on the ground.

Running home only to see a pile of burning rubble. The sinking feeling in his chest telling him all he needs to know.

Rage. Pure rage. How dare he do this?

The massive Buster sword, so heavy in his hands.

Sephiroth slumping to the ground, bleeding heavily.

Tifa, injured and bleeding. "Cloud…you kept your promise…" "I'm sorry I took so long."

Zach, on the ground. Dead? "Cloud…finish him off."

"Mother…" A head, with JENOVA written in metal.

More rage.

Dangling on the blade of the Masamune. "You really thought you could defeat me?"

Pain. So much pain.

The Masamune in his grasp, hands bleeding, pulling it deeper and closer.

"For what you've done…I will never forgive you!"

Sephiroth falling away, into the reactor.

Life slipping away. The feeling of metal as his head hits the floor.

Cloud woke with a gasp. A team of scientists had flocked to his side.

"Are you alright young man?" One asked. It was the brown haired scientist from last night.

"Yeah..." Cloud whispered, closing his eyes. "I was just a nightmare."

"Just a nightmare? You were screaming."

Cloud flushed with embarrassment.

"Oh…that…that happens sometimes. Sorry to bother you." Damn it. He knew he had nightmares, he'd had them since escaping from Hojo. And he'd been on his own for so long, he'd forgotten he sometimes screamed. The scientists sputtered. He stared blankly back. Now what did they want? Couldn't they just let it go? He frowned when he remembered something. Hadn't Deepground been started by the medical unit? He'd learned all about it when he'd gone to help Vincent. After all, he couldn't completely stay away from his friends. He shivered. Well it didn't exist now so there was nothing he could do about it. The scientists whispered amongst each other for a minute.

"You've been cleared to go." The brown haired scientist, apparently the one in charge, finally said. He set his clothes and his boots at the end of the bed. Cloud didn't waste any time. He threw on his clothes and practically ran out the door. He came to a halt outside the cadet cafeteria.

The whole floor was mostly for cadets. It had the cafeteria, the cadet bunkers, the track, basic training rooms and classrooms. The infirmary was also on the same floor of course, though it was a smaller one and, again, used only for cadets. Everything changed if you made it into SOLDIER. The food, particularly, was rumored to be better. And the beds, since SOLDIER Thirds shared an apartment with only a couple of other people.

Taking a deep breath, Cloud walked into cafeteria. He wasn't looking forward to it. Having chosen a solitary life had made him prone to avoid large crowds whenever possible. Usually the worst it got was the nearest town market when he needed supplies. An entire room filled with noisy children didn't not appeal to him in the slightest. He grabbed a tray and lined up with the rest of the cadets.

As he got his food he chose a little bit of egg and water to drink. His body, in its current state, was weak and unfit for SOLDIER. He'd come up with a semblance of a plan last night part of it hinged on making it into SOLDIER. The plan, unfortunately, was wait and hold out for the right opportunities but it was better then no plan at all. Regardless, he needed to get his body used to functioning on simple rations and little sleep.

As he looked for a place to sit, the voices started up again.

'Watch your back. Don't be weak.' The sinister one whispered. Other voices seemed to echo the sentiment. Why couldn't he have someone pleasant in his head, like Aerith or Zach? But no, apparently going crazy wasn't supposed to be fun. That particular voice always urged him to show caution, giving advice like every situation was hostile. Vaguely he wondered if he should give the voice a name, or if it would only make him more insane.

Rather then deal with the voices any longer, he began searching for a more suitable place to sit. He found one. Right near the door, with the bench to the wall so he wouldn't have to worry about getting 'stabbed in the back' or anything. There was nobody sitting there because it was next to a garbage can. But Cloud could handle the smell. He sat down and started on his breakfast.

When he finished, he simply sat there waiting for classes to begin. He realized, with no small amount of embarrassment, that he didn't even remember what his classes were. He was wondering what he was going to do when someone barged through the doors. It was Zach, a broadsword strapped to his back.

"Spiky! There you are! I went to check on you to see if you were ok, but they said you'd already headed here."

Cloud flushed. What was Zach doing here?

"That doesn't explain why you're here though…"

Zach shrugged casually. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok. You seemed in bad shape when I took you to the infirmary. All pale and stuff."

Cloud looked at his empty tray.

"I'm fine. But everything's a bit fuzzy today. I can't seem to remember what classes I have."

Zach scratched the back of his neck. "Well they split up classes by what bunker you sleep in, right? And I think those kids said you were in bunker 4. So its Physical Training first, I think. That is, if they haven't changed it since I was a cadet. I was in 4 too you see. So you're class is in one of the training rooms like usual. I know they have a posting outside the cafeteria stating which one it is for the day. And then it should be History, then Weapons Training, Materia Practice, Basic Potions, then Military Strategy. Hope that helps!"

Cloud looked up and smiled brightly.

"Thanks! I think that sounds just about right. I should get going though. Thanks!" He stood up and started heading for the doors.

"Wait!" Zach waved his arms, "I'll walk you to class."

Cloud blinked.

"But…why?"

Zach paused and then shrugged.

"I don't know. I just have a good feeling about you is all. Like we're already best friends!"

Cloud fought to keep a smile on his face as dark memories threatened to overcome his sense of reality. Memories of Zach, of his blood smeared on his face and hair.

"You'll be…my living legacy."

"Yeah…I know what you mean."

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