A/N: Gosh, sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up here. I had a massive case of the flu. On top of that, the dreaded writer's block. -_- I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters.

Chapter Eight

Cloud ran the rag over the glass, wiping it dry after he took the time to clean it. He made sure it was clear of all the water droplets, and that it was perfectly dry, before setting it on the counter beside the dozen others he had cleaned. Afterward, he went back to the sink, pulling out another glass he had washed. His gaze wasn't on the glass however. It was to the window, to the dawn that was approaching. It brought with it a beautiful pink sunrise, and a feeling of calm he wasn't sure belonged there that morning.

Next, his eyes went to Kadaj, to the remnant who was still sitting in one of the booths, waiting for Vincent. His patience had eventually given way to fatigue. He was now leaning forward, his head rested on his folded arms, his mind far into sleep.

The sight made Cloud smile, and he couldn't help it. Simply laying there, fast asleep, Kadaj looked like an innocent child-so different from reality.

As if called by something, Kadaj's eyes suddenly opened. Cloud watched him quizzically as he sat up straight, his eyes down in confusion, his mouth gaping in wonder. Cloud set aside the other glass, devoting his whole attention to the remnant as his confusion turned to shock.

"Kadaj?"

"He left," he announced, before Cloud had even finished uttering his name. His green, cat-like eyes turned to him, shock bleeding into anger. "He left me."

The door to Seventh Heaven opened without warning, the noise of the bell being followed by the noise of Yuffie's voice. Both men looked as Vincent entered, the Wutai ninja following after him. Kadaj rose from his booth, his gaze on Vincent as the cloaked man made his way closer to him. His red eyes went from the teen to Cloud.

"Shelke called," he informed.

"Shelke?" Cloud reiterated, suddenly aware that he hadn't seen the young woman since the day before yesterday. "Where is she?"

"She's not in Midgar anymore," Vincent explained. He looked back at Kadaj, the teen wondering what Shelke had to do with all of this. "She's with Yazoo."

"She found Yazoo?" Cloud asked.

"Apparently so."

"Where are they?" Kadaj wondered, "And where are they going?"

"I was hoping you would tell me," Vincent replied, "She didn't know."

Kadaj's gaze fell. A troubled expression was clear on his face, as he began to absently pace the bar, moving around Vincent and closer to the door. After no one had said anything for a long moment, Cloud spoke.

"At least if she's with him, she can keep an eye on him."

"Why did he let her go with him though?" Vincent asked aloud to no one in particular.

Kadaj loudly kicking the wall caused them all to jump. The three of them all stared at him in confusion, Yuffie fingering her shuriken, as he looked to Vincent, letting out angry huffs of breath.

"Relax," Vincent said cautiously.

"I don't know where he is," Kadaj exclaimed, his arms quivering in anger. The look in his eyes was a little unsettling for Vincent-he had seen it many times, and he knew that all those times had led to something inevitably bad. "He left me, and I don't know where he is!"

Vincent approached him, Kadaj's gaze falling in shame. Cloud and Yuffie looked between each other, conveying their thoughts silently as Vincent took Kadaj by the shoulders, attempting to calm him down.

"You said it yourself: Yazoo will come back to you."

"But..." he looked up at him again, at a loss for words as he met his stable, comforting stare.

"He just needs some space. Give it a couple days. He'll come back."

The wind blew passed them, whipping at their clothes and sending their hair dancing in the air behind them. Shelke held onto Yazoo tightly, using his body as a shield against the harsh element. He didn't seem to mind. He ignored her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her head rested against his back. His attention only seemed to be on the land that was before him, and wherever it was they were going.

Dawn had come and gone. It was morning now, the bright sunlight shining down on them warmly, the clear sky leading their way to a new day. Shelke watched the bright day as they drove through the land. She took in the sights of the fields, of the trees blowing in the wind, of the wild chocobos that littered the plains. The monsters and potential enemies out here were far beyond their reach, unable to touch the pair as they traveled through the world.

She quite enjoyed this, despite the odd circumstances.

She noticed their speed beginning to decline and lifted her head, putting some space between her and the driver. It wasn't long before the bike came to a noticeably lesser speed, Yazoo veering off their path and heading for the patch of trees in the distance. It wasn't long before they were within the small forest, sheltered under the canopy of trees. Yazoo didn't take them far, before he brought the bike to a complete halt.

"I need to sleep," he informed simply, as he turned off the engine and removed the key.

"Very well," Shelke replied, pulling away from him fully and standing up from the bike. She paced around in circles, getting the blood flowing through her legs once again. They had been driving for quite a while now, and it was only logical that they stop to rest. Yazoo probably hadn't slept in a long time. She hadn't either.

The remnant didn't say anything to her. He simply found himself a spot against a large tree and sat down, resting his back against it. Shelke followed his example, finding a spot nearby and sitting across from him. He rested his head back and gazed at her from beneath his heavy-lidded eyes, his face expressionless, devoid of any thought or emotion. She returned his gaze similarly.

They made no small talk, spoke not of food or destination. She didn't bother asking him where they would go after they rested, or what his intentions for leaving Midgar really were. She would remain in the dark and follow him regardless. It wasn't an ideal situation, but at least it did make this trip a little interesting.

Her only worry was that he would get up and leave her once she fell asleep.

"I have to ask you something," Yazoo said, the first words that were uttered between them since they set out from Midgar.

"And what is that?" she replied. She crossed her legs over each other, rested her hands together on her lap, and tilted her head to the side. She lifted her brow slightly.

"What do you think you'll accomplish by accompanying me?"

She only took a second to think, her gaze only leaving him for that long. "I don't think I'll accomplish anything."

"Then why are you here?"

"There are many reasons," she answered honestly, and quickly.

"Such as?"

"You are a danger, and it would be foolish to let you roam unsupervised."

A soft smile touched his lips. He mimicked her pose, amused. "Give me another reason."

"Vincent wouldn't want you being out here alone. If by following you, I can help put his mind at ease, then I would gladly do it."

"Then why didn't you tell Vincent where I was while we were still in Edge?" he wondered, "Wouldn't it have been easier to just stop me right there, than to go all this distance with me?"

"Easier maybe. But it wouldn't have been very fun."

"Fun?" he repeated. It was his turn to raise a brow. His fringe fell in front of his eyes, a shadow from the tree covering his feminine face.

"Like you, I'm also bored," she replied.

He chuckled softly. He moved from his position against the tree, laying down on his back and letting the foliage cushion his body. He stared up at the sky peeking through the treetops, his attention still on his unlikely companion. "Is that all?" he asked, "It seems to me there's another reason."

"There is," Shelke admitted, "A long reason."

"I have time." His emerald eyes flickered back to her, a smile tugging at his lips.

"No, you don't. All the time in the world wouldn't make you understand."

He stared at her in disbelief and confusion, a little offended.

"But I'll shorten it for you. The circumstances in which I met Vincent Valentine compromised my mind. I had the data, and the memories, of Lucrecia Crescent downloaded into my mind. It left me with many things, many feelings."

"What kind of feelings?" Yazoo wondered.

"Feelings toward you and your brothers. Feelings you cannot begin to even understand."

His expression was quizzical, full of confusion and impatience. A smile suddenly softened her face, erasing the serene expression she had been sharing with the remnant. A look came to her eyes, a look he wasn't sure he was comfortable with.

"Maternal feelings," she clarified.

A/N: So I was wondering...anyone want a cameo in this story? LOL I have this band of people coming up, and I thought it would be a little more interesting if I based them after other people or their ideas. Since my groups of people tend to turn out rather lame. :/

So, if any of you want a cameo, let me know in the review. Or you could PM me. Give me a cool Final Fantasy-ish name and a rough description to go along with it. ;)

So until next time... :)