(A/N) Chapter 2! Sorta! It's not revised, but I'll do that later. I just wanted to get it posted this week. And I don't claim to own Final Fantasy VII. I wish I did.

--

The streets of Edge were calm. They'd been calm after that little Deep Ground assault three years ago. I didn't mind the calm, but it didn't stop me from thinking something was missing from my life. Something along the lines of excitement. Maybe I was just twisted and loved the thrill of danger. Thoughts like that always made me wonder, was I a masochist? How do you tell if you are one? Most people would figure it was obvious, but I just had to make things complicated.

I looked up at the sky once I realized the sun had disappeared. Everything had gone dark. It was then that I began to get this strange feeling. There was something very odd about today. Something that seemed familiar but distant. I wasn't sure what I felt. In the end I decided to ignore it and keep moving as if it were a normal day.

Slowing making my way back to the bar, I passed by Denzel and Marlene playing outside. I almost smiled and walked inside. Tifa was cleaning glasses; apparently business was coming more frequently. I simply ghosted past her and went upstairs. Just biding my time until the sun went down. Every day the same, every face the same. Day in, day out. Nothing out the normal routine ever happened. I felt as though I had fallen into a rut and couldn't get back out. Just clawing at the sides, craving some excitement, but never getting a response. When did my life become so boring?

I figured I'd better just stop thinking like that and get back in the rut before I got in trouble. Sighing I walked into one of the upstairs bedrooms and threw myself down on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, there really wasn't anything left to do besides go through and make sure I remembered all of the deliveries I had to make tomorrow.

Once that was done, I looked out the window, then at the clock. It was barely past noon. Maybe I'd just fall asleep and not wake up. That'd be nice for a few days. It'd be something out of the norm. But no, I couldn't do that. Eventually I just decided to get up and possibly go looking for trouble. What else could I do? "Guess I'm having trouble with adjusting after all." I sighed. People like me just weren't meant for a peaceful life.

I walked back down the stairs. Tifa was done with the dishes and I guess on break. She looked up as I walked by, hope for something in her eyes.

"Cloud?" She asked uncertainly. "Denzel and Marlene are going to see a friend, would you like to go get something to eat this evening?"

I stopped not really knowing how to answer. I didn't feel like going out, but it was something different. Deciding in the end there was nothing wrong with it, I nodded. "That sounds great. I'll be back in an hour or two."

"Where are you going?"

"To see Zack." I replied while walking out the door. As soon as I got outside, something began souring my mood. I heard thunder off in the distance. The sky itself looked angry. But weather wasn't going to stop me. I jumped on Fenrir and took off toward the wasteland.

--

Once in the wasteland, I rode up to the cliff where the buster sword stood. Rooted to the ground for it seemed like ages. It had been weathered down and rusted in places. It looked almost nothing like it had when I first saw it. Still, I had to smile at it. It was potentially the last and only link to my best friend. I'd still found myself wishing it weren't true. Hoping to see him alive again. But every time I see that it's been so many years. There's no way he'll ever be just around the corner.

There was another crash of thunder and then rain began pouring down. But I sensed something strange about it. But the more I thought the more I began to slip away. My mind was going blank. Everything was spinning, dizzying. I felt as though I was going to pass out, but my mind wouldn't give in.

I suddenly felt a cringe of pain course through me when it seemed like my body was compacting in. I fell to my knees just trying to hang on, sensing myself getting weaker, but somehow that seemed right. Everything started going up now. It was like I was falling. The dusty wasteland was torn away and I was in darkness with almost no light to be found. Still I fell further down towards something. I squinted my eyes to try and see it. As the form was becoming clearer, I started falling slower. It was like I was in water and suddenly I could kick upward. As soon as I tried, there was a dull red glow beneath my feet. I looked down at the form again. With the light coming from between the two doors on the top of it, it was clear to see that it was a sarcophagus. My eyes went wide and I kicked madly when the doors flew open.

The red glow streaming out of the sarcophagus looked like blood, only to be pulled back in when everything started getting sucked inside. 'What's going on?!' I thought when I felt myself getting pulled in. I pushed upward and kicked as hard as I could, but it didn't seem to be helping at all. I was still falling. My heart almost stopped when I saw the edges of the sarcophagus appear in the periphery of my vision. My back slammed hard against the wood in the bottom of the casing before the doors began to shut. "No!" I screamed reaching out only to be surrounded by darkness again. The doors had shut tight and my limbs stopped working. My mid was finally slipping away and then… I slept.

--

I opened my eyes putting on a confused look. Where was I? Why wasn't I back at Shinra? Wasn't that where I just was? How did I get all the way out here? Had the other cadets played a prank on me? No. They wouldn't go through all the trouble to put me out in this wasteland all the while risking getting in trouble themselves. Some of them were stupid, but not that stupid. As I stood up, I could see Midgar off in the distance. At least I thought it was Midgar. There was no smoke or big smog cloud above the city. I was in so much trouble when I got back. I had to wonder what my captain was gonna do to me. I had no alibi. What could I tell them? I really had nothing to say other than, I simply got lost. That story would never hold. I was probably going to be sent to the general. The man terrified me. Everyone else was merely intimidated, but I hid every time I saw him coming.

I was pathetic.

I snapped back to my senses with an unwelcome growl. I cautiously turned to look for the source. I found a hulking crimson figure with snarling fangs and hungry eyes. Saliva was dripping from its jaws as I watched it lick its lips.

"Um… hello." I said curiously.

It showed no understanding. It merely raised its paw and brought its claws down slashing across my chest and tearing my jacket a little. "Ah!" I shouted falling down on the ground. That was a big mistake on my part. As soon as I was down, the beast howled and soon I heard more coming. "No! That's a very bad… thing!" I yelled standing up.

Before I could even think of what to do, three more beasts had appeared. I instinctively reached for my gun, but it wasn't there. That wasn't good. How was I supposed to fend off these things without my AK-47? I felt around for my nightstick. It was there, but I had no time to draw it before they all pounced. I jumped backward and found myself plummeting off the cliff and rolling down the incline. I could feel my bones coming to the brink of snapping, my skin bruising. I hadn't felt this bad since my captain gave me that beating on the first day I'd met my comrades.

Once I'd reached the bottom, I laid there letting the stinging sensation mellow down for a few moments before I scrambled to my feet and ran. The herd of them coming after me. It sounded like more of them had joined the pack, but I was too afraid to look back. I just had to keep running. If I stopped, I'd surely be devoured within minutes. I wanted to shout, but there was no one out there. That was already certain. Someone would've come by now. When I shouted the first time, they would've heard me. Maybe someone was out here. Maybe they were just out of earshot. Should I just yell and hope someone hears me? I told myself 'no'. I had to save my breath. If I shouted, I'd run out of breath faster and that'd stop me from running. That, quite bluntly, wasn't an option.

I didn't know how long I'd been running. But fatigue was really starting to get to me. Now there were even more of those disgusting hounds following me. I could hear that they were getting closer. How I'd managed to stay ahead of them this long was a mystery. As I thought, two of them jumped out in front of me and nipped at my ankles. It scared me, but I knew they were just trying to get me to make a mistake. If I made a mistake, it'd be the last thing I'd ever do. I glanced above me at the ledges overhead. The monsters were up there too. Jumping from ledge to ledge. They were so much faster than me. Why were they doing this? They could've had me instantly. Why were they playing this game with me? I hated it. If they were going to kill me, why not just do it and get it over with? I could feel myself starting to cry, but I refused. I didn't want to be weak even though I looked it; I wanted to prove them all wrong. I wanted to be strong. It bothered me that these monsters were toying with me like this, but I had to keep my spirits up.

Squinting, I could see something blazing in the distance. Two more figures were coming into view. One was another beast and the other was a man. I couldn't tell who the man was from this distance, but he was my last ray of hope. I opened my mouth to shout, but as I did everything was suddenly in the air and I was in the dirt. Dust just flying up all around me. Coughing and gasping, I looked up trying to see more clearly. The beasts had surrounded me. This was not good. Knowing my death was eminent made it harder and harder to hold back those damn tears.

I had almost lost control when the man I saw in the distance landed in front of me. He was tall, very tall. Long black hair with a single strand hanging down in front of his face. His eyes were a deep blue and he wore a first class SOLDIER uniform.

--

I was relieved. A SOLDIER was just what I needed to be saved. And he wasn't just a SOLDIER, he was a first. But he didn't attack; he didn't show any signs of taking any action whatsoever. He didn't even acknowledge that those beasts were there. He just stared at me. All I could do was stare at him. I was almost asking him why he wasn't doing anything. Was he sent to look for me, just to kill me for desertion? No. His eyes didn't say that at all. He leapt forward and that made me doubt my previous thoughts. I shut my eyes waiting for my life to end…! Something hit me. But I wasn't hurt. It was the SOLDIER. He'd grabbed me but he wasn't hurting me at all. No. What exactly was he doing? I was so confused. Why wasn't he doing anything? The beasts were all around us, but he wouldn't do anything.

I opened my eyes to see the fabric of his shirt. His arms were tight around me. He was holding me? Why was he doing that?! Not that I didn't appreciate it, but it was awkward and not helping the situation. I turned around still locked in is embrace. I felt his warmth against my body. It felt so good. It was almost relaxing. It was like I somehow knew him. Still, no matter how good it felt to be in his embrace, I was fully aware of our predicament. I just noticed that I was shaking. There was nothing good about this right now. For one, I didn't even know this man; and another, there were around fifteen angry beasts surrounding us. I couldn't relax even slightly. I was so tense. I hoped he could feel it or catch on and actually save me before doing… whatever it was he was doing.

"Ah!"

I hadn't even noticed I'd screamed until I did it. The crimson monster had sprung into the air and was flying towards us. My eyes felt like they would fall out of my sockets I'd opened them so wide. This… hound had launched itself at us. Its fangs looked about ready to tear us both to shreds and all this SOLDIER did was tighten his grip on me. I wasn't planning on going anywhere. I could assure him of that. If anything, he was leading me to believe that my first assumption, of him being sent to kill me, was true. Either that or he was an idiot. I was so confused by everything that I didn't know what to feel. I was angry at him for doing this, but I was scared and wanted the embrace, and I kinda thought it was sweet that he was trying to comfort me like this. But it didn't change the growing fact that we were both going to die. Right here, right now. I wanted to cover my eyes, but my pride wouldn't allow it. At least I wouldn't die alone.

But being the pathetic coward that I was, I shut my eyes and looked away. Again, just waiting for it all to end, but it didn't. Something happened and that fearsome growl was no longer in my ears. Why was I that lucky twice? I'd never been this fortunate before. Everything bad always happened to me. I was prone to it. I was always getting the blame, always getting in danger. It's a wonder I hadn't died already. That didn't matter though. Maybe now, if I worked up the courage, I'd be able to go home.

I opened my eyes and searched for what had saved us. It was… a lion, or was it a wolf? The face looked feline, but the bodily features looked more canine. Whatever it was, it was red and had a fiery tail. It was fiercely attacking all of the other beasts. It seemed such a short time before five lifeless bodies hit the dust. I had to hope it was on our side. Hope that it wasn't just fighting them off for its own meal. It sounded weird, but I had a list of ways I did not want to die and getting eaten was one of them. But my eyes started to tear up when the red lion was swarmed. I watched frozen as the beasts advanced on him and momentarily broke their focus on us.

The man holding me twitched a little. His right thumb started stroking my side. I glanced up questioningly. But he wasn't even looking at me. He was staring at the lion in peril. Did he even notice he was doing it? Was it just a nervous habit he had? Well as long as he kept it at that, I could dismiss it. I found some upsetting emotions popping up when I was set on the ground. These were immediately replaced with zest when I saw the SOLDIER finally charging into action. He was amazing, just rushing in there with no fear of being torn down himself. No restraint, no sign of weakness. His power was one that was greatly coveted.

I was so excited to see an actual SOLDIER fighting. I was like some dorky kid watching his favorite Saturday morning cartoon. Just exhilarated and waiting for my chance to rise up and fight my own demons. I dreaded the moment when it came. Fate was as cruel to me as ever. One of the monsters had jumped me from behind. Where was the honor in that? Why was I even asking that? It was just some hungry, brainless beast.

I didn't even know what was happening. I was fine and then I was on the ground and being dragged across the dust. I reached out with a gloved hand and dug my fingers into the dirt at a desperate attempt to save myself. I had taken on that last instinct of fight or flight. Since flight wasn't an option with that thing's teeth lodged in my pant leg. When I came to the realization that all was lost, all I could think of was how much of a goner I was. It suddenly struck me that I had my nightstick. It was my only chance. I whipped it out and smacked the beast right across the snout. A direct hit! But it didn't seem to harm it at all.

In a flash it tore its teeth from my pant leg and then made for my neck. That was definitely vital. Reacting on instinct, again, I brought my hands up in front of me. I felt more claws scrape across my body and something heavy clamping down on my forearm. At first I was stunned, it was only when the acidic sting of pain shot through me that I lost control and cried out without restraint. All I heard next was a loud 'bang' and then the growling of the beast attached to me stopped. The pain didn't stop. It was searing by now. I could hear a dull noise. It sounded like more fire from a handgun of some sort. Too bad that couldn't keep my mind off of the pain. Did I dare glance at it?

I might as well…

Why do I always regret my decisions? That thing was definitely dead. Its eyes were lifeless and glazed. But the snout was still firmly clamped onto my left forearm. The blood spilling out of it was now pooling on the ground at my knees. There was a lot of blood. Too much blood. Just looking at it made me feel light headed. I knew it wasn't good to stare at it, but I couldn't tear my eyes from it. I could feel myself tearing up at the sight. Why was I such a baby? Men aren't supposed to cry. I had to fight it.

"Cloud!" I heard the man shout. How did he know my name? He ran over to me jumping over many stinking bodies. I was glad that it distracted me from my wound, but there was no way the pain was going to go away. "Let me help with that." He said placing one hand on either jaw. I could see from his face that he was trying to pull it apart. Really trying. Wasn't he a SOLDIER? Shouldn't he be able to rip this thing's head apart?

"Allow me." Came another voice. I looked up briefly at the man I assumed was the one who had saved us. But I gasped and looked away. He scared me. He looked like a ghost. I closed my eyes at another twinge of pain. I kept them closed tight and looked away. Soon I felt the jaws lifting off my throbbing arm. It felt good, but when the open air hit it, the wound started to burn. I wanted to cry out again, but I wasn't going to allow myself another outburst. Not in front of these two.

One of them had a certain blank look on his face that reminded me of something. Did I know him?

Yes!

I couldn't believe it took me so long to remember him. He was the SOLDIER who'd just made it to first. Zack Fair, I think. That's what it said in the personnel announcement anyway. I'd seen him in the hallway before. I guess something threw me off. Maybe it was the one strand of hair hanging in his face. Last time I saw him he had bangs. I wish he'd kept that look. I liked him so much better with bangs. He looked better.

"Get his arm out." Said the older man. That sentence tore me back to reality and out of my thoughts of that carefree SOLDIER I'd always had liked to meet. He'd seemed to brighten up the room and the people around him. I really needed that kind of treatment.

Zack lifted my arm up and out of the creature's mouth. I could tell he was trying to be gentle, but it hurt like hell when he did it.

"It'll have to be cleaned." Said the other again. He tore off a piece of his red cape and wrapped it around my forearm. It felt a little tight, but blood was still flowing through it. Though I was concerned about the blood flow, I trusted he knew what he was doing. The added pressure was helping with the pain.

"Thanks Vincent." Zack answered.

Vincent? Why did that name ring a bell? I'd never met this man before in my life I'm sure of it. But he seemed so familiar somehow.

I almost sighed when I felt Zack lifting me up again to rest near his chest. I just settled in. If he wanted to do that, then I guess I could let him. Just as long as it stayed at that. I wasn't going to permit anything further. And the fact that I felt safe and warm in his arms had nothing to do with it. I would just tolerate his affections until he grew tired of it. The only discomfort was the small twinge of pain when he moved me, but that was it.

They continued to talk, but I wasn't really paying attention. I was fading in and out. They were saying something about a… coffin?! Were they going to bury someone? Certainly not me. I felt fine. My heart was still going nearly eighty miles per hour and I wasn't getting enough air. But I'd live. But at the mention of a coffin, I couldn't help but listen for a moment. Just to make sure my name wasn't brought up. Thankfully it wasn't. Knowing that, I could relax back into the embrace and get caught in my own thoughts.

Really, all I ended up doing was staring at the two black haired men. I remembered Zack. Why couldn't I remember this other man? This Vincent. He looked familiar. Very familiar. What was it? Oh! This was gonna bug the hell out of me. Since the man in red was so confusing, I focused on Zack. What was he so smiley about? He loosened his grip on me a little. I looked down at his hands, finding myself looking at them almost ordering them to hold me tighter again. I let out a small gasp when I realized what I was doing. Luckily, I think it was concealed within my unsteady breathing.

"Cloud?" I looked up so fast I almost hit Zack in the chin. He'd said my name, I was sure of it. But he wasn't looking at me. Were they talking about me? That was rude. What were they talking about? I had to listen now. If my name was mentioned, I had a right to know how it was used, didn't I?

"How could he be…?" Tall, dark and scary asked.

"This is Cloud." Zack answered before he could finish. His tone sounded as if he were trying to tip Vincent off about something. "I'm Zack, and you are…?" He continued. He made it sound like it was a simple introduction… but he already knew who this man was. He thanked him. He said 'thanks Vincent', right? He even tensed up as he talked. Oh! I was so confused. Why was he doing this? I thought we all knew each other. Maybe… maybe he simply had to make it more proper. Gyah! My head hurt so badly.

"Vincent Valentine." Came the expected answer. Of course, he already knew that. He used his first name. That had to mean that they knew each other in a familiar way. Friends maybe. Could he have asked for my sake? No. He made it sound as if he didn't know. "Is there something I should know?" Mr. Valentine asked.

Zack was silent for a moment. He glanced down at me for a second. Did he suspect me of something? I didn't know anything about anything at the moment.

"Shhh. I'll tell you later." I heard him whisper. He then put his hand on the back of my head. I could feel his fingers fumbling with my hair. That was taking a small step too far. It just gave me a really uncomfortable feeling when he did it. As if that weren't bad enough, he maneuvered himself around and moved me around so I was sitting in his lap as he was cradling me in his arms. Okay, that was creepy. I was starting to be wary of him. My eyes almost narrowed to a glare. But I didn't dare strike him. All of those thoughts of being able to ward him off if he tried anything disappeared. He was a SOLDIER after all. What could I do? Nope. I'd better just lay back and let him do what he wanted… for now anyway. My only hope was that if he did try something, Mr. Valentine would save me. I just minded my own business and looked down again. My arm had gone numb.

But something in the back of my mind told me that Zack wasn't that kinda guy. I looked up at him again. He looked bemused. He was deep in thought about something. I wondered what until I started feeling drowsy.

Oh no! It was the familiar position he'd put me in. Whenever I was cradled like this, I fell asleep. I had to move. I didn't want to fall asleep. Not when I was surrounded by strangers. It was okay, as long as he didn't do that other thing, I'd have a fighting chance to stay awake. This was good, this was okay. I'd be okay. Yeah. It was normal to feel drowsy when you've been short of breath for a few minutes. Right? Yeah. I was safe. Totally fine. He's just scaring me. That's all. Who wouldn't be intimidated by a SOLDIER? It was completely normal. I could handle this, couldn't I?

As soon as I thought I could handle this, I felt myself moving back and forth. Damn! He figured out that other thing! He was rocking me while cradling me. Oh god! I felt my eyes go wide. I was going to fall asleep! It was eminent! No! No! No! NO!!! I didn't want to fall asleep like this in front of these guys. It was childish and stupid! I hated myself so much. I had so many weak points and they were apparently easy to figure out. I wanted to get away. But he wouldn't allow that. I knew it. Was this a test? Were they ridiculing me over this?! I felt so embarrassed, but I didn't have much time to wallow in my misery before my eyelids started getting heavy. I did the best I could to fight it, but I couldn't battle it for long. I was out of it before I even got a chance to try and get away.

--

"ZACK!!!"

I was forced out of my sleep by an unpleasant shriek. But I think I was in between. I couldn't or maybe I just wouldn't open my eyes. I was aware of my surroundings nonetheless. I was kinda scared. I wasn't in Zack's arms anymore. I was alone with my back and right side against cold leather and nothing to keep me warm but a thin fleece blanket. It was doing its job on one side of my body, but it wasn't as pleasant and warm as Zack's arms. No! I can't think like that! I had to focus on something else…

…Where am I?

"Tifa, where's Cloud?"

Tifa?! Wait… who's asking? Could it be the Tifa I knew? It couldn't possibly be. There's no way we made it all the way back to Nibelheim. I wasn't out long enough for them to travel that far on foot. The idea of it was ridiculous.

My thoughts were interrupted by something heavy crashing down on top of my injured arm. I cried out in a combination of surprise and pain. The weight was removed immediately, but it still hurt. I sat up quickly to try and find who the culprit was. I saw a young woman with black hair and brown eyes, a little boy with brown hair and blue eyes, and a little girl looking extremely surprised. It must've been the little girl who had done it. She looked guilty. Zack and Mr. Valentine were sitting on the couch opposite me.

I cringed a little when Zack got up and started walking towards me. Though I hated to admit it, he scared me. He seemed very irrational. The way he'd act on impulses. But mostly it was the way he confused me. I didn't know what to feel when I was with him. He was inches away from me, I waited for him to reach out and grab me like he did before. But he walked right past me and out the door. I sighed in relief when the door shut. Maybe I could clear my head now. But when one distraction leaves you can always count on another to arise. I winced once the pain from my arm shot through me. I guess the numbness wore off when my wound was agitated by a certain someone sitting on it.

"Cloud?" A female asked. It sounded more like the Young woman had spoken rather than the little girl, so I turned to her. She looked shocked and I was as shocked as she was.

"T… Tifa?!" I stammered. How could it be? She lived in Nibelheim, we couldn't be there. This couldn't be Tifa. This was a young woman and the Tifa I knew was a year younger than me. This woman had to be at least twenty five by my estimate. She certainly had those soft and caring eyes Tifa did. "Ah!" My arm felt like it was on fire. Desperately I grabbed at it to apply pressure at least.

"Cloud, what's wrong?" The presumed Tifa asked sounding concerned.

"He has an injury on his left forearm." Vincent answered. "A Crimson Hound bit him."

"A monster bit him?! Why didn't you two say anything?! Monster bites are dangerous. Do you know how much bacteria is in a monster's mouth? We need to clean that now. Come on Cloud!" She said.

I took a breath to respond, but she grabbed me by the wrist and I was pulled off the couch. All I could do was stumble after as I was frantically dragged into the other room and up the stairs. I found it a little difficult to make it up the stairs, but I made it without tripping. Miraculously, I made it up all of the stairs without being the normal, awkward, clumsy weakling I was. I was stunned. I thought I was in the clear, but right in front of the bathroom upstairs, I tripped on my own feet.

"Over here sweetie." She said dragging me inside the bathroom.

'Sweetie'? Did she just call me sweetie? There was a list of things that I didn't like to be called and that was near the top.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot I'm not talking to Marlene or Denzel." She said rummaging through the medicine cabinet. "Vincent!" She called. "Could you help me?"

Help her with what? I had to wonder as Vincent came up the stairs with the two children trailing behind him. They were unnaturally quiet children. Usually "quiet child" is an oxymoron. Vincent didn't say anything. He just waited to be told what to do. I guess Tifa was a matriarchal type.

"Hold onto his arm please. This will hurt." She said almost regretfully.

I was okay, but the panic began to settle in when Mr. Valentine took a firm hold of my arm and held it against the countertop. Tifa gently pulled at the knot on the red cloth covering the bite. She gave a loud gasp when she saw the damage that had been hidden from her.

"Denzel, Marlene, go downstairs." She ordered.

"But…" Denzel started but seemed lost of all words. "Never mind. Let's go, Marlene." He sighed and they both trumped downstairs.

Tifa nodded and then took another look at the gruesome wound. It had swollen up and had dry blood caked on all around it. Fresh blood was streaming out little by little but not in dangerous amounts like it had been. There was even some dust scattered here and there.

"How long has it been like this?" She asked trying to be calm.

"I'm not sure." Mr. Valentine answered still holding my arm down. "Maybe two hours."

"Two hours?!" She almost screamed. "Well, let's just hope we've gotten to it before an infection has set in." She said covering her own hands with some rubber gloves she'd had somewhere.

"Um…" I was really starting to panic now. I instinctively squirmed a little. The open air on my arm was only making the burning worse. She turned the faucet on to warm and put a dry washcloth under it until it was soaked. She put soap on it as well. My eyes widened again. That was going to hurt! I squirmed even more being the coward I was.

"Cloud calm down. It'll only hurt for a second." Tifa said reassuringly. It didn't help me relax though. It was too bad Mr. Valentine had such a firm grip on my arm or I could've been outta there. Then again, maybe it was a good thing. I could feel a nervous smile spreading across my lips.

"Ah!" I yelped when the soapy cloth made contact with the wound. She wasn't even afraid to clean inside the wound. It hurt like hell. I wanted to pull away from Mr. Valentine and run, but now that the soapy water had already saturated the bite more pain would just come when I had to wash it out. I'd have to stick it out now. I was already in too deep. But now that I think about it, if I did run away and just hope the wound stops throbbing… eventually it'd become infected and probably have to be amputated. Nope! I'd rather keep my arm. So yeah, I'll just shut my eyes and look away like usual.

And that's what I did. And! After a few minutes of pain and me almost crying. Tifa had cleaned out the wound completely and rewrapped it in a clean bandage. I had to admit, I felt better. But it still hurt when I poked it. I made to leave, but was stopped again.

"Cloud, wait." Tifa said grabbing my wrist yet again.

"Hm?" I answered. That was the only response I could utter. I hadn't worked up the courage to actually talk to her yet.

"You still have some scratches that look kind of red. Come back here." She said pulling me back.

Oh no. They were only scratches. Well… maybe it won't be as bad.

And I guess it wasn't as bad. She just dotted them with a cotton ball covered in rubbing alcohol. I guess since the wounds weren't open, it didn't sting as much.

"Okay." She said a bit more cheery. "All done."

I was still a little put off by this. I mean, I wasn't eight. I guess this woman simply didn't know how to talk to teenagers. But… In all fairness… She did live with children after all. I could forgive her as long as she learned. But it was partially my fault. I was the one acting like a shy five year old. I wouldn't even talk to her, so how was she supposed to know it was bugging me?

She wouldn't.

I suppose I could go and try to talk to Mr. Valentine since Zack left. I missed him a lot. He gave me confidence somehow. I wonder where he went. I'd hoped he was okay. I got the sense that something bad had happened. Hopefully not to him. He's the first one from Shinra that was actually friendly to me. Despite my stoic manner. He still befriended me; at least I think he did. I hardly knew him.

Mr. Valentine was back in the lounge? And sitting on the couch. He had the same morose look as last time as far as I could tell. I guess he didn't show much emotion. The whole time he was talking to Zack, he had the same almost downcast look on his face. I wonder if I could get him to smile somehow. Was there something in particular he was upset about?

I had to stop thinking when I saw Mr. Valentine was looking right at me. Only then did I realize that I had been staring at him the entire time. Gaia! I'm awkward! First I act like a baby in front of that other Tifa and now this?!

"Cloud?"

"Huh?!" He spoke? To me?! I didn't think he liked me.

"Do you have something you want to say?"

"………" I didn't know what to say. Small talk wasn't my specialty.

"Do you need something?"

"Um…" I didn't think I needed anything. Admittedly I was kinda thirsty, but I didn't want to ask for anything. I didn't want to sound rude. I was taught not to ask for things anyway.

"Do you want to sit down?"

Does he sound almost… caring? He sounded like he was very familiar with me, but I'd never seen Mr. Valentine before. Had I? I couldn't have. He didn't sound too familiar.

"Cloud, are you confused?"

"… Yeah." A little. I was actually kinda scared. I had no idea who these people were or where I was. This wasn't Midgar. It was too bright for it. That much I could tell.

"I don't know what to tell you."

"Where are we?" I asked even though he probably would tell me.

"That is… nothing to be concerned about."

Thought so. "Why can't you tell me?"

"It's complicated."

Complicated? How could it be complicated? "Is this a place out of Shinra territory or something?"

"No."

"No? It looks like it." I wasn't buying it. Looking out the window, I couldn't see anything familiar to me. It didn't look like sector eight, five, nothing. "I've never seen this place before. And it's not on any map I've studied. It has to be unfamiliar territory."

"Trust me, it's not."

Trust him? Well… Zack didn't seem to mind him. Oh! I wish he'd come back. He'd explain everything. Mr. Valentine wasn't telling me anything. And if I didn't get back soon, I'd be presumed dead. Then where would I go? Did they know this? Is this what they wanted? No. I'm only a cadet. I'm not important. Not in the least. Was it Zack they were trying to deceive? He's smarter than that. Maybe it's nothing and I'm just paranoid. But all of the pranks the others back at the barracks had played on me; I wasn't one to trust strangers right away. At least that's what I told myself. But I've broken that rule many times and learned many painful lessons.

Nothing else was said before we both tuned into rushed footsteps outside. The door swung open and Zack ran inside almost completely out of breath.

"Zack?!" I yelped.

"Cloud, we've gotta go!"

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(A/N) Remember to review so I know if people are reading it.