AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hey guys! Well, its short, but its an update. As stated before, I suck at filler material, so sorry if it seems a bit slap-dash or sloppy. I'm finished with two out of six exams, but the two major ones (Math and Physics) are over, so that leaves only the piss-easy stuff for me to worry about. So I decided to celebrate with this new chapter. As always thank you to my regular reviewers Omegaxis1 and Divinius. Also big welcome to The Amazing Rydia, who recently began reviewing. Again I apologise, I haven't lost my inspiration, but filling the time-frame is killing me, I swear after two more chapters the heat is back!
XXX
It was around March when Cloud faced the dreaded encounter with his mother.
He knew she would ask questions about why his college fees to that point were paid fully. She knew that she had not made any payments since December.
He had told her he had gotten a new "job", but had been vague about the details.
"So Cloud? Tell me again what work your doing?" She asked.
"I told you Ma," Cloud said, trying his best to stay calm. "I'm doing promotions for this company named Buster Media!"
"What do they do?"
"Mostly parties and such," Cloud replied.
Mrs Strife didn't say anything more on the subject. "Why don't you use the money for yourself? Paying the fees is my responsibility not yours!"
"Ma, we've been through this!" Cloud said, his heartstrings tugging. "This is my future, its only right that I make some contribution."
"But you shouldn't have to!" Mrs Strife replied, sounding upset, tears threatening to come.
"But I do anyways! Ma do you think I like seeing you suffer everyday? Everyday you wake up so early and work late into the night! I hate knowing everything you doing is for me!" Cloud's voice was rising.
"Your my son! I love you more than anything! You're the only thing I live for! I'm sorry I can't give you the life I know you deserve! All I can do is make sure you don't have to ever worry!"
"How can I not worry?" Cloud was shouting now, though his own eyes were beginning to shine. "No matter how hard you try to hide it, I know! Everyday I see the pain in your eyes, the circles under your eyes! How can I live with myself knowing its because of me you're forced to live like this?!"
Mrs Strife put her hands to her mouth, tears freely falling. Cloud himself was also teary-eyed. Before either knew what was happening they were sobbing in each other's arms.
XXX
The phone rang, Cloud irritably pulled it out. Aerith gave him an annoyed glare. The trio were trying to study on an outdoor bench.
Cloud looked at the caller ID, Sephiroth.
"Sorry I gotta take this," he muttered, walking away.
"What the fuck do you want?" Cloud snarled into the phone.
"My, my someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," came Sephiroth's silky reply. "And to think I was going to invite you out."
"Who says I was interested?" Cloud snapped back.
"You know, Cloud. If I were you I'd show just a little more appreciation."
Cloud was silenced by that one.
"Now, back to my offer. Myself and a few others are hitting the town tonight and we were hoping you could join us."
"Do I have to?"
"Of course, Cloud. You're one of us now," Sephiroth continued smoothly.
Cloud wasn't sure he liked the sound of that.
"Fine, where and when?" He asked.
"Give us your home adress."
Like hell I will, Cloud thought to himself. "How about I meet you at wherever we're going?"
"Nice try," Sephiroth sounded amused. "Now I'm only gonna ask one more time."
"Not a chance!" Cloud hissed. "I'll meet you at the complex or else you can count me out!"
Sephiroth chuckled. "Fine, nine p.m. tonight."
Cloud angrily snapped his phone shut. "Bastard," he muttered.
"Who was it?" Zack asked, as he returned.
"Tifa," Cloud replied.
"What did she want?" Aerith asked.
"Just wanted to chat I guess," Cloud said with a shrug, trying his best to smile.
Thankfully both Zack and Aerith swallowed that one.
"Damn, I'm not gonna be able to study anymore!" Zack said, stretching backwards. "I need to unwind!"
To both their surprise, Aerith mirrored Zack's movements. "I think so too, let's go catch a movie tonight."
"That sounds like a plan!" Zack said enthusiastically.
Cloud said nothing, just stared at his hands helplessly. He wanted nothing more than to spend a night out with his two best friends, but Sephiroth, damn the bastard to hell, made it clear he would accept no for an answer.
"Well Spikey? You in?" Zack asked.
"Nah, sorry," Cloud replied. "I'm not in the mood, I wanna catch up on some sleep!"
"Aww, that's too bad," Aerith said, brushing some stray hair from her face.
"Yeah, sorry," Cloud offered.
"No sweat," Zack said.
XXX
A sleek black car pulled up.
Not knowing what to expect, Cloud stood still. He heard a whir as the automatic window rolled down, he caught a glimpse of silver hair.
"Good to see you, Cloud," Sephiroth said with his trademark smirk. "Hop in!"
Cloud did as he was told. He found himself sitting next to a huge man with short silver hair and a slighter built. Up front was a guy that must have been about sixteen. Sephiroth sat in the driver's seat.
He noticed all four of them had the same shade of silvery hair and cat-like green eyes.
"So this is the new guy!" The large man said with a grin.
"Take it easy Loz," the one next to him said.
Sephiroth smirked. "Well, Cloud meet Kadaj, Loz and Yazoo," he said pointing to each of them in turn.
Cloud grunted unhappily. "So what are we gonna do?"
"Patience," Kadaj said. "You'll find out soon enough.
XXX
AUTHOR'S NOTE: sorry for the cliffy. I figured it was the only way to add some flavour to this chapter! I have a lot of other projects in the works (see my profile for more info), and before the inspiration leaves me I try to write and get it outta my system. I want to finish SC before turning my attention to those, but I don't think that's gonna happen. Sometimes I guess we need something else to grab our attention and distract us (who watched the Love Guru?), but fear not, SC is still my top priority. Anyway, please review and see ya next time
