So I've realized now that my story has finally gone off into it's own tangent, making me have to do more creative thinking than I usually have to do. Which isn't end of the world difficult, but Nibelheim, a small town in the middle of nowhere. Not much excitement you know?
I didn't really notice until now that the past like three chapters have all been one big day. Jeez.

So I promised myself that on the day of the New Year I'd get this to you. Not only did I get it to you but I managed to proof read it. So with luck there are no mistakes. I think by now we're into the third or second day since Sephy is all by himself. I find it harder to come up with dialect for Cloud because I don't know his Crisis Core personality that well. He only pops up occasionally to talk really. I tried though. Honest.

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We stood around and I didn't really notice how time had flown by. I heard a beep come from my pocket and almost as if I had forgotten that there was a world outside of the town I was in I had received an e-mail, pleasantly reminding me that when we got back to Midgar after this mission, the city would be a hassle to live in.

I pulled it out, checking it as the two motioned me to follow them back into town. Cloud put his helmet back on and I glanced at him questionably but I said nothing.

As we headed into the town center, I looked around slowly moving my fingers around in my gloved hands.

"What are we going to do now Zack?" I chuckled lightly at his side, "There isn't much to do without being in the city." He shrugged lightly. We turned to Cloud for a suggestion or something. He glanced over at us and paused thinking it over. And with almost a sly grin he lead us somewhere with Zack and I in tow after exchanging a curious look.

I woke up the next morning groggy beyond words. All I wanted to do was stay in bed. A knock forced me to get up and answer the door. I was greeted by Zack and Cloud, both fully dressed. Zack gave me a charming smile and with a light flutter of my heart I smiled back. I left the door open and let him walk through the door.

"We gonna go up to the mountain or something? Or visit my favorite sleeping man in red?" I said walking away from the two to find something to wear. I heard Zack openly scoff behind me and I smirked pulling my hair behind my ears with a smile.

After getting dressed and trying to decide as to whether or not to bring my sword along I decided against it. I followed Zack and Cloud silently as Cloud led the way.

We headed up towards the Mako reactor. There was something about this massive mountain that was so interesting. I myself had known nothing other than the city so to climb this giant mountain was an adventure of itself. Cloud had removed his helmet and was chatting with Zack as he lead the way up the mountain.

"You're hiding from something here aren't you Cloud?" Cloud turned his big blue eyes to me and when they locked with my Mako infused eyes his dropped. "You're always wearing that helmet… I just figured…"

"I made a promise to a friend a long time ago. I haven't exactly been able to fulfill that promise just yet…" he locked eyes with Zack who from the look seemed to exactly understand what was going on. I nodded without a word.

"I guess I could understand that." He didn't say much else on the subject but did eventually

Zack and I continued up the mountain silently. Cloud talked of memories he had some better than others. It was a pleasant trip and when we stopped to take in the view a little bit we heard growling. Noises that made my shoulders drop along with my stomach. Zack turned drawing his sword and I glared violently with a slow turn. Cloud stood next to me unsure of what to do, having forgotten his gun at the hotel. Zack smirked as he moved in front of me laughing to himself at the chance to protect me.

"Yeah yeah laugh it up." I crossed my arms and without breaking a sweat took care of the monsters.

With a spin of his sword he turned back to me grinning like a little kid. Cloud looked at him with his big blue eyes with admiration.

"Wow Zack, that was awesome." Cloud said obviously impressed.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

"I saved you. Admit it, I saved you." He said poking my cheek, I scoffed and walked back down the mountain hoping that Cloud would say something to make Zack forget about the conversation.

"How about no? You didn't 'save' me. You protected me from being eaten or whatever. That's all. You saving me would require you not being there and THEN coming to save me or whatever."

"No, that so counted admit it."

"I don't need you to save me. So don't get used to it." I mumbled with a raised eyebrow.

"I like playing the hero for you," My eyes turned to him surprised, "I never get a chance to play hero for you." I laughed and looked at Cloud with a smile and a shake of my head. He smiled warmly and I forced the three of us into a faster pace.

"Look, all I'm saying is that the day will never come where I need you to save me… or whatever." I stated with a wave of my hand.

"Just you wait Evie, Watch, it'll happen. It's my dream to be a hero, including saving lives every day. So if you ever get into trouble you can bet I'll be there to save you," I smiled softly at the words, they were sweet but didn't mean much when I knew I wasn't going to need him to save me.

As the day progressed Cloud grew a sort of confidence around me unlike how he acted before. He was charming but he had never seen the things Zack and I faced everyday and seemed to still have his innocence in tact. I enjoyed the refreshing taste of having him still have that innocence about him.

"You've worked together with Sephiroth?" My attention turned to his smiling face and with a slow smile I nodded. "Whoa..."

"Yeah, well so has Zack." Zack scoffed from the other side of Cloud.

"You've worked with him longer than I have and isn't he your tutor?" I opened my mouth to retort but found I had none. He had an excellent point honestly.

"Yeah well... you suck." I muttered childishly.

"What's he like?" I gave Cloud a confused glance. The look. He was clearly a huge fan of Sephiroth's.

"Well... he's strong, stubborn, he's kind of mean, very demanding, talented... He's a good leader. Hardly ever irraitional about anything. He's all work really. I'm sure I'm one of the few people who's ever seen him laugh. He's understanding. He's lots of thing." I shrugged casually and Cloud smiled.

"You're really lucky..."

"I thought we established that SOLDIER is a bad place. Like a den of monsters?"

"I...Yeah... but still I made a promise to someone. You know?" suddenly I snapped my head to face him a confusing look on my face. "And I don;t want to let them down. I mean it was a long time ago... but that doesn't mean I shouldn't give up." His words stuck me. As flashes of memories ran through my head.

A head of black hair waking me up with a smile. Blue eyes giving me an encouraging smile. His smiling face hovering over mine with a large sword at hand. Eric...

My eyes fell into my lap. Where are you?

It had been so long. I forgot what his voice even sounded like. All I can remember is his hair and his smile. Pathetic really. He's my brother. My twin brother. He was all I had. All I remembered. He saved me from whatever hell we were living in. My thoughts turned to my childhood where there was nothing but white... like blinding lights. I couldn't remember anything. Just him and I waking up in Midgar for the first time. It seemed so long ago.

Zack and Cloud seemed to notice my sudden silent state, "Evie, you okay?" I nodded absentmindedly before turning to Zack who for a second looked just like Eric. My heart swelled, almost painfully.

Zack was like my protector more than I'd ever really admit. He reminded me of Eric. He was my best friend, my comrade, the person I could always turn to, but he also liked to tease me like Eric did. Then again so did everyone. I smiled as I remembered the days when getting me all flustered up was a sport. One that Sephiroth excelled at. My thoughts turned to Sephiroth. He was gone still. Clearly still in the mansion. Something was bothering him, that much was obvious. I could only assume that it was Genesis's words. Horrible jerk that he was. I never liked him much.

Cloud and Zack were talking about some fights we had been in way back when. I was tempted to jump in and I considered it.

"Yeah you mean I saved your butt? Yeah that's exactly what happened." Zack and Cloud turned to me. I smiled jokingly. Zack stared at me and I winked.

"You did not." I rolled my eyes and laid back in the grass.

"Shush. I so did. Go do some squats."

"I will. I'm not the squat champion for no reason." I hummed quietly as I watched him stand up and do some squats. Cloud watched for a little then turned back to me. I smiled warmly to him.

"Alright, let's not let your head get too big Zack," he stopped and scoffed lightly, "Why don't we have a friendly spar? C'mon Cloud, we could teach you a thing or two." Cloud seemed nervous as he stood and I smiled with a reassuring pat to the back. I nodded him over to me and he walked over. Zack stood across from me a smug grin on his face. I took up a fighting stance and told Cloud how to stand in the same way. He was nervous about it.

"Aw come on. I've seen you protect someone. Stand with confidence," I nudged him a little. It took him a bit. Zack watched silently as I instructed Cloud on basic SOLDIER stances for fighting. Then a few hand-to-hand moves. "You have to put your weight behind it kid. Punch my hand like you mean it. Like you have something to fight for." The blonde paused and his eyes lower. I glanced at Zack who was watching him as well. It was sudden, unexpected what he did next. His gaze met mine and there was a sort of fire in them and he punched my hand. I could feel it, more than what I could say about his other punches that seemed only to tickle in comparison to someone like Zack or Sephiroth punching my hand. I smiled and stood straight.

"Good job Cloud, now come Evie, you and me." I turned to Zack with a smirk and Cloud looked at us with an excited glance. Zack and I stood opposite each other. Each with a smug grin. We ease into a fighting stance and I waited as Sephiroth had always taught me. Let them come to you unless you know you have the advantage. Zack in turn was watching me and for a moment I wondered if he was doing the same thing but he ran suddenly at me throwing a punch. I dodged it knocking his arm away with my left hand pushing it away from my body. His left fist came racing at my face and I sensed it fast enough to grab it. I twisted his arm just enough to pull my left arm back and open palm slam into his socket. I threw a kick which he dodged low, he pushed up from his low stance to throw another punch which I again pushed away with an open palm.

He continuously threw punches until eventually I used the motion of his punch to push him past me and slide my feet under his. He tumbled for a second and rolled out to stand and fight again. We were both breathing deeply. Silent in our stares as we waited for another movement. My head snapped when I heard Cloud's voice. I was so wrapped up in the fight I had forgotten about him.

"Wow, will I be able to fight like that? I could barely see you guys moving at one point." I shrugged out of my stance into a casual pose.

"Who knows. There's a good enough chance." I mumbled to his smiling face. I took a long, deep, soothing breath and watched Zack staring at me. I quirked an eyebrow but he said nothing. "I'm thristy now. Where do you cadets get something to drink at somewhere other than the inn we stay at?"

"We could go to my house." I shook my head.

"I wouldn't want to impose, I'll just buy something." Cloud gave me an uncertain look but tugged his helmet on and led the way down to the small town.

–

Inside one of the few bars in the town I was finally given a drink. It was foamy and I was almost scared to taste it but I was awfully thirsty for something that wasn't from the inn. I shrugged and took a gulp. I coughed as it stunk my throat. Zack grinned with a laugh and hit me in the back. Cloud and him started to laugh.

"What in the name of Gaia..." I cringed, "You didn't say anything." Zack chuckled deeply and I punched him in the arm. I bought something else to drink and we ate calmly together. As I was eating a little girl and her mother and father walked up behind me. I could sense their moments as they neared me. I turned when I heard a voice and smiled at the family.

"Hello, can I help you?" The little was missing a front tooth as she smiled brightly. Her father bent down and whispered something before pushing her towards me. I looked down at her expectantly.

"Can... Can I have your auto-...auto..." She stumbled on her words, too young to pronounce it herself. I smiled instead of correcting her.

"Sure thing," I got down from the bar and bent down to the girl who ran up to me with a little booklet in her hand. I smiled brighter. She had beautiful gray eyes. "Who am I signing this too?"

"Emma." I tilted my head and placed her booklet on my knee and took her pen.

As I signed her booklet I said to her, "You know that almost kind of sounds like me name doesn't it? My full name is Evelia." The little girl smiled and gave an enthusiastic nod. I hand the booklet back to her and stood. "Don't get into trouble little one." I then turned to her parents who paused before the mother asked fro a signature as well. I chuckled softly and consented. They left with a thank you and a smile.

"Aren't you popular?" I shook my head at Zack as I returned to my seat.

"That doesn't happen nearly as often as you think. It's what I get for being famous. It's honestly not that great having your face plastered all over Midgar city."

"You don't see it that often in some parts of the slums." I stiffened at the mention of the slums. Aerith coming to my thoughts. I turned to Zack remembering his words from before about him and her. I turned to look at him and he seemed deep in thought, most likely about the thing that had just crossed my thoughts. I pushed his arm gently to pull him out of his thoughts. His Mako infused eyes turned to me slowly a grin spread across his face. I nodded and after a small conversation the three of us headed over to Cloud's home.

Clearly Cloud had come here before and despite his mother knowing what he was so ashamed about, as any mother would do she welcomed him warmly into her home. I smiled as she ushered him inside quickly. She began talking, rambling almost on and on about how much of a pleasure it is for them to be in her house. She began then to make stew, her specialty. Inside the small house Zack and I tried not to sit. Cloud seemed confused by this before telling us to place our swords against the wall and sit. I was almost uncomfortable being in such a warming environment. I had never been one for the family scene.

Conversation was limp for a time before his mother brought up the subject of his romantic life. Saying something about how she's always telling him to find an older girlfriend. Cloud groaned and I grinned at the chance to poke fun at someone who wasn't as immune to it as Zack and Sephiroth.

"Yeah Cloud, maybe someone older."

"You're older than him why not you?" My eyes snapped to Zack suddenly. His words taking a full minute to register.

"Well why not you?" I challenged lightly before looking to Cloud, who's face had properly lit up at the conversation.

"Well i'm a guy and his best mate."

"What you the great Zack Fair too man to be Gay? Women only for you? Or are you into 12 armed monsters with six eyes? I think that might be more your thing eh?" Cloud's face regained it's natural color as we joked.

"Oh I thought you were into the 13 feet tall with long flowing hair six armed and eight legs type of chick." cajoled Zack.

"Zack you know me so well. That's why we're best friends. What about you Cloud?" I quipped quickly.

"I think he's into the brown haired brown eyed type that's about a year younger than him, eh? At he's into the busty type." Zack said with a wink. "Or maybe you like the older stronger than you busty type," he added nudging me. Cloud's face lit up again, this time it spread to his ears. Zack and I laughed as he kind of grabbed his face in embarrassment.

"Aw we're kidding Chocobo head!" I said between my laughter. I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair and a scent hit my nose. I turned, his mother's stew was becoming a welcoming thought. We turned Cloud's TV on and promptly fought over who got to hold the remote. Cloud won with it being it home and his mother intervening and hitting Zack and I, over the head.

We grumbled together leaning against each other on his couch as we were forced to instead watch whatever he wanted.

After this I'm thinking of about a chapter or two with this part of the story before I move on with it. This part has really been killing you guys and me solely because I'm wracking my brain to find things to for this trio. If I get a crazy awesome idea I'll definitely add more chapters. Or maybe I'll have a side story that elaborates on these times? Throw me some ideas if you'd like.

Thank you as always.
-HQ16