I'm sorry! *dodges various objects thrown* I missed the last update! To be honest, this chapter kinda scared me. I didn't wanto make anything too dramatic. I also have school tomarrow, which makes me mad becase there's going to be black ice on the roads. Anyway, Enjoy, and don't hate me! :)

Chapter 13:

Aya was in the Training Room with Kk and Yori, who were going to show her how to really fight. "Okay Aya!" Kk said, "First, you need to know how to block!" Kk lifted her arm. Wrapped around her arm was a semi thick peice of metal. "These are called arm guards. Memebers like Yori and I who use small or thin weapons wear this to help block attacks." Kk summoned her bow and arrows. "For example." She pulled the string back along with an arrow and shot it at Yori, who yelped and crossed her arms infront of her, making the arrow bounce off her arm guards and fall to the floor. Yori turned and glared at Kk, "What was that for?!" Kk shrugged. "To show her how to block," Kk turned to Aya, "Understand?" Aya nodded.

"Alright. Members that don't use arm guards use their weapons. You, for example, have a large weapon, so it'll be easier to block." Kk walked up to Aya and lifted Aya's arm that held the Connon Gun. She positioned Aya's arm to where it covered the front part of her body. "This is a good way to block, but you should do it in a way that's more comfortable for you. Try it." Aya nodded and shifted her left arm to where it was crossed infront of her, and brought her weapon up infront of her. "Like this?"

"Yep! Now, try to block."

Kk walked back across the room. She turned to face Aya, drew her bow, and raised it, aiming for Aya. "Ready?"

"Yeah."

"Alright." Kk shot the arrow. Aya suddenly froze, unable to move. The arrow was moving so fast. Would she be able to block it? It came, faster and faster, and Aya couldn't move. It was so sharp. What if it it her? If she died? The arrow was less than a foot from her when a sharp knife flew through the air and hit it. The knife embedded deeply into the Trainin Room door, pinning the arrow to the door. Aya looked over at Yori. Yori held up her right hand. Strips of lightning ran up and down her hand, cracking with electricity and heat. Four razor sharp knives appeared. Yori glared at Aya. "Look, kid, you're wasting my time. The Corps isn't a preschool. Either you fight, or you die. Your choice." Kk crossed her arms. "Yori, don't say that! She's trying her best!"

Yori turrned to her partner and glared. "Trying your best isn't enough. She's practically useless." She turned to Aya, "Choose. Stay in the Corps and be useful or die." Aya could feel tears coming to her eyes. She'd never been called useless before. And she really was trying her best, but the arrow had been moving so fast. She just...froze up. Aya looked down at the floor, tears threatening to spill. I want to help...I don't want to be useless...Aya thought, her mind becoming more clouded. Finally, she ran out of the Training Room, tears streaking her face and embarassement weighing on her. She didn't want Yori to see her crying. Aya could Kk calling out to her, telling her wait, but Aya ignored her and kept running.

ShinRa cadet Cloud Strife was in a lot of trouble.

He had been minding his own buissness when a few other cadets walked up to him, and (like always) 'tested' him. Cloud didn't speak much and usually stayed away from trouble whenever he could, but trouble seem to follow him wherever he went.

And that was why he had been hiding in a broom closet on the Main Floor for three hours.

Cloud leaned up against the door of the closet, listening. He couldn't hear the voices of the cadets that had been chasing him earlier. Easing the door open, Cloud peeked out. The coast was clear. Cloud couldn't help but sigh in relief as he made his way down the hallway. Well, he would have to face the bullies one way or another, but at least it wouldn't be at seven in the morning. He was about to board the elevator when he heard a soft sobbing. Confused, Cloud looked around the lobby, but there was no one in the vincity exept for the two bored looking recieptionist and himself. Cloud would have ignored it, thinking it was just his hearing, but the sobbing sounded hurt. Cloud heard this many times coming from himself when he was child. He never figured out what made the other children bully him. Was it his blonde, chocobo like hair, pale skin, or the fact that he didn't like to do what the other children like do? Cloud wasn't sure, but if he was hearing the same thing, he had to find some way to help. Cloud looked behind a large potted plant in the corner of the lobby, where the sobbs were loudest, and nearly had a heart attack when he saw two sharp blue white eyes staring back at him.

The figure sniffed, and Cloud reconized it as a little girl. Like himself, she had pale blonde hair. What startled him the most was her eyes. The little girl stared back, tears staining her cheeks. Cloud stood there, staring at her, trying to figure out where she came from. She wore a grey uniform, but Cloud couldn't remember what section of the company wore uniforms like that. Clearing his throat, Cloud said, "Umm, Are you alright?" The girl didn't anwser him. Instead, she rubbed her eyes. Cloud fought back the urge to break his gaze away from her. Her eyes were unnerving. They were a little too big for her face, and seem to peer into your mind. Cloud ignored this urge. If he was going to help this girl, he couldn't show her that was uncomfortable. He tried again, "Uh, okay...Can you get home by yourself?" The little girl sniffed and looked down, thinking. She mumbled softly to herself. Cloud caught bits and peices of her mumbling, somethings like, "I guess I should," and "Ian would be worried," and "But Yori...". Cloud didn't know who Ian or Yori were, but he guessed that they were related to the girl in some way. Finally, the girl seemed to make up her mind and said, in a small, soft voice, "Okay." Cloud nodded and held out his hand. The girl took his hand hesitantly.

He pulled her to her feet and asked, "What's your name?"

"Aya Harvey." The last name sounded familiar to Cloud, but he couldn't place it. Cloud nodded and took her hand, "I'm Cloud." Aya had to be at least three years younger than himself, because she only came up a little bit past his waist.

"Do you live nearby?"

"Yes. On the Corps Floor."

Cloud had never heard of the Corps. The two walked up to the recieptionist's desk. The woman looked up at Cloud and smiled, "Good morning! How can I help you?" She noticed Aya. "Oh how cute! Is this your daughter?" Cloud was taken by surprise at her question. "Oh, um, no, we're not r-related," He stuttered,"I was wondering if you could help us find where she's supposed to be?" The woman nodded and smiled at Aya. She quickly looked away as Aya looked back with her sharp eyes. "Alright," The woman said, typing into her computer, "I remember you! Miss Yunnie brought you in after the Pulsian Massecre. What's your last name, sweetie?"

"Harvey."

"Harvey?," The woman said, looking down at her, "So, your Miss Ian's daughter?" Aya nodded. The woman smiled, "Well, Miss Ian is a very lucky woman to have such a cute little girl." Aya smiled slightly. She liked this woman. She was nice. The woman smiled at her, "See? Your even cuter when you smile!" She looked at the computer screen, "You're supposed to be on the Corps Floor, which is level twenty-four." Cloud nodded, "Thank you."

Aya smiled a little wider. "Thank you very much!" The woman smiled back, "Anytime! I'll see you later!"

Aya walked along side Cloud down the hallway to the elevator. She watched with intrest as two boys in blue uniform walked up to them. "Hey there, Cloudy," One of the boys said in a taunting voice.

"Leave me alone, Dominick," Cloud muttered, looking at the floor. He tried to walked past them, but Dominick stepped infront of him, smirking. "Where you going, huh, Cloudy?" Aya frowned. Cloud hadn't done anything to this guy. Aya quickly decided that she didn't like this Dominick person. But Aya liked Cloud. He was nice to her, and helped her out in the lobby. Aya frowned deeper. She didn't like it when people were mean to the people who were nice to her. Aya took a forward, placed her hands on Dominick's stomach, pushed.

Silence.

Dominick stood there, uneffected by Aya's efforts. Aya continued to push. "What're you doing, kid?" Dominick asked, trying to keep from laughing. Aya looked up him, "Go away!" Dominick raised an eyebrow. "'Scuse me?"

"I said go away! You're a meanie-beanie!"

Cloud blinked. He'd never heard that one before.

Dominick smirked and reached behind Aya to pick her up by the back of her uniform. As Aya's feet left the ground, she choked slightly, but regained her breath. Aya struggled and kicked against his grip. Cloud tensed and ran forward to help her, but the other boy, blocked him. "Move, Jimmy!" Cloud exclaimed, trying to shove past him.

Dominick smirked as Aya struggled. "Hey, you know a kid doesn't belong here right? Maybe I can take to your mommy." Aya threw a puch at him, but he dodged easily, "Well, now, we got a fiesty one, now, huh?" Aya continued to struggle when she heard footsteps. Aya glanced behind Dominick and her eyes widened visibly.

"GET YOUR PAWS OFF MY DAUGHTER, YOU DAMN WEASEL!"

Angel help us, Aya thought.

Well, I hope you enjoyed it! Also, if you want to know more about a character, like Aya or Ian, just say their name in a review and I'll put in little info in the next chapters. First name is the next chapter's. Please Review! I love you All! :D